GoodNovelChapter 0555
The next day, Douglas and | attended a dinner party. It wasn't for anything specific-just a chance to meet people
and network.
It had been ages since | drank this formally. Withbeing a new face to most, curiosity brought a steady stream
of people holding up their glasses to me.
Tonight, | didn't need to worry about Tabitha, so | accepted every drink offered.
Having lived for so many years, everyone here clearly knew how to liven up a gathering. Toasts and small talk
flowed effortlessly, but no one revealed anything meaningful.
We shook hands, clinked glasses, and exchanged vague promises of "next time, for sure".
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The adult world worked like this. With a quick calculation of pros and cons, one could magically gain a circle of
new "friends" overnight.
Somewhere between drinks, my mind began to wander. | couldn't help but think of Nicholas leaving in silence
last night.
When I'd accused him of exposing himself on social media for Claudia, he offered no explanation. He didn't even
say goodbye. He just left.
This morning, when he cto pick up Tabitha, he was distant, unlike the warmth he'd showndays before.
I hadn't felt much about it last night, or this morning, but maybe the alcohol was hittingharder now, and |
was feeling its weight.
| chalked it up to "human nature". Nicholas had his flaws, and | had mine. Acknowledging it for what it was, |
indulged in a few more drinks.
| wouldn't lose control in public. | went to find Douglas when | felt the alcohol catching up to me. Douglas
nodded, promising to send someone to escortsoon.
| straightened up, walking in a perfectly straight line out of the venue.
The night air was cooler against my overheated body, makingshiver. The breeze didn't soberup but
instead drenchedin a cold sweat. | felt awful.
By the t| slid into the car, | felt invincible. How I'd managed to find my car and get inside without incident
was beyond me. Clearly, | was a natural-born drinking champion!
Humming a tune, | leaned back lazily on the backseat. The indulgence felt amazing.
| had no idea how long I'd been dozing when the car door opened. A hand grabbed my arm and yanked me
upright from the backseat.
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Through my blurry vision, | couldn't make out his face, but | was sure Douglas had called a driver for me.
There was a faint tobacco scent on him. He was tall, decently good-looking, but I didn't like him. He started
fastening my seatbelt or, as it felt to me, tyingup at the rear seat.
"Be gentle! Be gentle!" | kept protesting.
"I can't!" the man said coldly. "If you hadn't had so much to drink and could sit still, | wouldn't need to tie you
down so tightly!"
Tears welled up and spilled over without warning. Unable to wipe them away, | felt utterly pitiful.
"Get out! I'll find another driver! I'm not paying you a dime!"
The man's gaze darkened as he sighed. "Stop crying. I'm taking you home."
| didn't listen and kept yelling. "Letgo! Letgo! It hurts... It really hurts...
At spoint, the seat belt coff. | was pulled into a warm embrace. | remember talking a lot, tears
streaming uncontrollably. Drowsy and dazed, | couldn't tell if | was drunk or dreaming.
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