Chapter 16: Leaving the club

"Happy Birthday, young boss! "

Everyone started wishing Bastian, but Ryder, on the other hand, had begun to have a headache.

'Boss? Is she the owner of the club?' He had finally realized that Esmi was the boss.

He couldn't help but reminisce about Janus' last mission. 

'Mission: Tell the Owner of the Bucky's club that you have a crush on them.

Mission Reward: The host will be given the key to open the mystery box that he had received.

Punishment for Failure: The host will never get the key to open the mystery box in his storage, and thirty origin points will be deducted from the host's account.

Time Limit: 6 hours'

'Doesn't that mean I have to express my crush to my friend's aunt? Who is also a gangster?' Ryder's mouth opened wide as he thought about it.

"Ah, Mam, Are you the owner of this club?" He asked her just to be sure.

"Yup, didn't Bastian tell you?" She replied with a smile.

'Oh, shi*.I'm screwed. Should I give up this mission? But I don't want to lose the opportunity to open the mystery box.'

His headache was starting to get worse.

"Hey Ryder, Are you alright?" Bastian asked him with concern as he noticed the worried look on Ryder's face.

"I'm fine. Just remembered something unnecessary," Ryder answered with a smile.

'That's no way that I can explain to you that I'm going to do something like that. I apologize in advance, my friend.' He thought secretly as he looked down.

"Let's go. The table is prepared. It's my nephew's birthday today! Time for us to drink until the morning." Esmi said with beautiful laughter. She pulled both of them with her towards an empty table.

All three of them sat at the table. Glasses and beer bottles were already placed on the table for them to begin their celebration. There were five bottles in total on the table.

"Cheers!" She said as she began drinking.

'I rarely drink, but I can't say no to them.' Ryder thought as he held the glass in his hand. He also began drinking and matched their speed. 

In less than an hour, all five bottles were empty.

"Hmm? He still can't handle the booze, he's already down, and he only drank one bottle. You, on the other hand, are quite good. You're still looking fresh even after drinking as much as me." Esmi said to Ryder. She looked like she was a little intoxicated.

Bastian was already sleeping on the table. It looked like he had already reached his limit.

Ryder, on the other hand, was still not drunk. He didn't know why, but even after drinking so much, he could still think clearly.

"Come with me. Help me take Bastian to the car. I'll leave you home while I'm at it." Esmi said as she stood up.

"Uh, right," Ryder replied as he stood up as well.

They both placed one of Bastian's arms on their shoulders and supported him.

"Madam, we can help you with that!" The people in the club offered as they came forward, but Esmi denied all of them.

"It's alright. You guys take care of the club and enjoy it. I'll be taking my nephew home for the night. Happy drinking, guys!" Esmi replied to them as she left the club with Ryder.

Ryder saw three cars in front of the club as soon as he walked out with Esmi and Bastian. All three of them looked like the top model cars of BMW.

"Which one is yours?" Ryder asked as he looked towards Esmi. All three cars seemed pretty expensive; thus, he couldn't guess her car.

"My car? It's there!" Esmi said as she pointed towards the other end of the street.

At about 500 meters of distance from them, a Ferrari was standing there. The car looked really pretty under the light of the Moon.

"Why did you park it so far, mam?" Ryder inquired. He couldn't understand why the boss of the club didn't park her car near the club.

"You don't have to call me, mam. You can call me by my name. As for the reason I parked it so far, It's so that I will have to walk to the car. In that way, I get some extra exercise, and it's good for the figure as well." She chuckled as she informed Ryder.

'It feels like the best chance. Come on, Ryder, Take the leap.' Ryder thought as he tried to motivate himself. He clenched his fist tightly.

"Ah, Ma... I mean, Esmi, can I tell you something?" Ryder asked her.

"Sure, Don't be shy," Esmi replied.

"You're really pretty. I have a crush on you," Ryder confessed.

"Do you know what you are saying? I'll kill you if you're joking," Esmi let out suddenly as she glanced at Ryder.

"Oh, No. It's not a joke. I'm serious right now. I have a crush on you," Ryder insisted.

"Tread with care, love. You won't be able to handle this lady." Esmi chuckled as she said. 

'Oh god, It's good that she isn't angry.'

'Thanks for not killing me,' Ryder thought to himself as the happiness of completing a mission successfully engulfed his heart.

"What made you have a crush on me? Just the looks?" Esmi asked.