♡ Chapter 1.6 ♡

The private room was lively, filled with laughter and the chatter of familiar voices. The golden glow from the chandeliers above cast a warm hue over the space, making it feel like time had rewound to their college days.

Jade stepped inside, immediately met with smiles and greetings from her old classmates.

"Jade! It's been so long!"

"Wow, look at you! Still gorgeous as ever!"

"Welcome back! How have you been?"

As always, Jade wore a gentle, sweet smile. A mask she had perfected over the years. "I'm fine. It's really nice to see you all again."

It was the same response she had given a thousand times before. A polite lie.

Because the truth? She wasn't fine. But no one needed to know that.

Everyone settled in, ordering drinks, the atmosphere becoming more relaxed as the night went on.

Then, Gina one of her old classmates turned to her, eyes shining with excitement. "Hey, Jade! I've been following your social media, and wow… you're amazing! I even use your brand's perfume!"

She leaned in closer, flashing a mischievous grin. "Here, smell!"

Jade blinked, surprised, but then for the first time in a long while, she laughed. A soft, real laugh.

"Really? That makes me so happy!" she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Duh! It's the best! But I need to ask…" Gina wiggled her eyebrows. "Are you launching that 'Sexy Secret' perfume series soon right? Because girl, I need a copy with a discount. I'm so broke!"

Laughter erupted around the room.

Danny, their ever-cheerful classmate, leaned in dramatically. "Yes! I second that! Jade, be kind to your poor college friends. Give us a deal!"

Jade rolled her eyes playfully. "You guys act like I'm running a charity."

Danny gasped, clutching his chest. "So cruel! And here I thought we were friends!"

Jade shook her head, still smiling. "Fine, fine. When the launch happens, I'll make sure you two get a discount. Happy?"

"We knew you loved us!" Gina and Danny cheered.

The mood in the room was light, warm. And for a moment...just a moment...Jade allowed herself to enjoy it.

To laugh. To feel like she belonged again.

But then, her gaze flickered to the side.

And there he was.

Damien.

Sitting across the room, watching her.

Expressionless. Silent. But watching.

Her heart stilled.

And just like that, the past came rushing back, threatening to shatter the fragile happiness she had just begun to feel.

He used to look at her like this.

But back then, there was warmth in his eyes.

Back then, his gaze had been filled with something softer—something that made her believe she was special. That she was the only one he saw. That his words, his touches, his stolen glances had meaning.

But that was a long time ago.

Now, there was nothing but an unreadable mask, a cold wall between them.

Damien's face was as perfect as ever, sharp jawline, deep-set eyes, lips that once whispered promises that were never meant to be kept. A face charming enough to make any girl melt.

And once, she had melted too.

And she had been ruined for it.

For a fleeting second, pain flashed through her eyes. The kind of pain that had been buried too deep, the kind that never really healed.

But Jade had become a master at hiding.

So she smiled.

A bright, effortless smile as if her world had never burned because of him.

"Come on, Jade! Have a drink!" someone cheered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She turned toward her friends, the weight in her chest pushed aside. Gina was already handing her a glass, grinning. The music in the background grew louder, pulsing through the room, adding to the lively atmosphere.

"You're not going to sit here all night and just sip water, are you?" Danny teased. "Live a little!"

Jade chuckled. "Alright, alright. Just one drink."

She took a sip, the cool liquid sliding down her throat, and for a moment, she let herself relax. She needed this. A distraction. A night of fun.

And then someone, probably Danny, suggested the inevitable.

"Let's play Truth or Dare!"

A chorus of agreement followed, laughter breaking out as people started shifting around to sit in a circle.

Jade felt her stomach twist slightly, but she kept her smile in place.

Truth or Dare.

The game had officially begun.

Laughter filled the private room as someone grabbed an empty alcohol bottle and gave it a hard spin. It whirled in circles on the polished wooden floor, the flickering lights above reflecting off the glass.

Jade sat with her legs crossed, holding her drink as she watched the bottle slow down… and finally land on Gina.

"Oh no! Why me?!" Gina groaned dramatically, covering her face with both hands. "I knew this would happen!"

The group burst into laughter, teasing her as she peeked through her fingers.

Danny, always the troublemaker, smirked and leaned forward. "Alright, Gina. Truth or dare?"

Gina hesitated for a second before sighing. "Truth."

A mix of cheers and playful boos followed.

"Boring!" Danny teased. "But fine. Let's see… Who was your biggest college crush?"

Gina's eyes widened, and the room erupted into whistles and excited murmurs.

Jade smiled, shaking her head. "Be careful, Gina. He's not going to let you off easy."

Gina groaned again, throwing her head back. "Ugh, you're the worst, Danny! Fine, fine!" She exhaled, then glanced around the room, as if deciding whether or not to tell the truth.

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she smirked and said, "It was Professor Reynolds."

The room exploded with laughter.

"The chemistry professor?! The one with the gray hair?" someone exclaimed.

"Oh my god, Gina! That man was ancient!" Danny gasped, clutching his stomach from laughing too hard.

Gina shrugged dramatically. "I like intelligence, okay? And he had that mysterious vibe going on!"

Jade chuckled, watching Gina try to defend herself as her friends teased her mercilessly.

For a moment, she forgot.

Forgot where she was.

Forgot who she was sitting across from.

Forgot the past she was trying so hard to bury.