♡ Chapter 1.8 ♡

"Excuse me," Jade murmured, standing up.

She didn't wait for anyone to respond. She just needed to get out, even if just for a few minutes.

Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she made her way toward the restroom, her breath feeling heavier with every step. The second she entered, she locked the door behind her and leaned against the sink.

The mirror reflected a version of herself she barely recognized.

Lifeless eyes.

A lost shine.

An emptiness she couldn't seem to fill.

Jade exhaled shakily before turning on the tap. Cold water rushed out, and she splashed it onto her face, trying to wash away the tightness in her chest.

She looked up again, her wet skin glistening under the dim lights.

Why?

Why can't you move on?

Her fingers curled into fists against the sink as the thought echoed in her mind.

There's no lack of guys in this world.

She had met countless men, men who looked at her with admiration, men who wanted her attention, men who would treat her better.

And yet…

She smiled bitterly, shaking her head at her own stupidity.

How could she still feel this way? How could she still let him affect her?

Jade took a deep breath, fixing her expression, forcing herself back into the role of the strong, composed woman she had become.

Once she felt steady enough, she unlocked the door and walked back toward the private room.

But then—she saw them.

And her whole world froze.

Just a few steps ahead of her, hidden near the hallway's corner—

Charlotte and Damien.

They were pressed against the wall, kissing.

Not just a kiss.

A deep, desperate, passionate kiss.

Jade's breath hitched. Her body turned to ice.

She instinctively took a step back, pressing herself against the wall, hiding in the shadows before they could see her.

But the sounds.

The soft sighs, the rustling of fabric, the way Charlotte's hands curled into Damien's suit, the way his grip tightened around her waist—

It broke something inside her.

Something that was already shattered beyond repair.

Her delicate heart already fractured, already bleeding splintered further, the pain crawling up her throat, choking her.

She knew this moment would come.

She knew she would have to see them together.

But knowing and experiencing were two different things.

Jade bit her lip so hard it nearly bled, forcing herself to stay quiet. She refused to let a sound escape, refused to let her pain be known.

And when they finally pulled away, when they finally left, walking back toward the private room hand in hand—

Only then did she allow the tears to slip down her cheeks.

Just for a second.

Just long enough for her to wipe them away.

Then, she straightened. Fixed her expression. Plastered on a perfect smile.

And walked back into the private room.

As if nothing had happened.

Inside the private room, everyone was already lost in their own world.

Some were singing off-key, some were laughing too loudly, and others were slumped against the couches, completely wasted. The air smelled like alcohol, the music thumping in the background.

Jade, too, had drunk more than usual.

Her cheeks were flushed, her head felt light, and everything around her seemed a little too funny. Gina had been the worst influence, giggling as she shoved another shot into Jade's hands. "Come on, just one more! You're too sober!"

And somehow, Jade had given in.

She wasn't even sure how much she had drunk by now, but everything felt warm and floaty.

That's when Charlotte suddenly leaned down next to her, her voice rushed.

"Umm… Jade, can you go home by yourself? I have to go somewhere."

Jade blinked, her hazel eyes dazed as she tried to focus on Charlotte's face.

Something felt… off.

Charlotte kept glancing back, looking distracted, like she was in a hurry to leave.

Jade wanted to ask why. But then—her eyes landed on the side of Charlotte's neck.

A fresh hickey.

Her stomach dropped.

The haze of alcohol couldn't numb this.

A sharp pain stabbed through her chest, but she swallowed it down, forcing a small smile.

"Alright."

Charlotte gave her a quick squeeze on the arm before turning around—and Damien was already waiting.

They left together.

And Jade… just sat there, staring at her drink.

She didn't know how much time passed, but after another half hour, she finally decided to leave too.

Everyone in the room was way too drunk to notice her slipping out, and she booked a cab for herself.

The moment she stepped outside, a gust of cold wind hit her.

The night was cold. The streets were quiet.

And Jade was… very, very drunk.

Her vision spun slightly, her steps wobbly as she walked down the pavement. She should have waited for the cab, but her mind felt silly and restless.

So, instead, she walked around in small circles, her heels clicking against the pavement, giggling to herself.

Then, she suddenly sat down on the sidewalk.

And for no reason—she started crying.

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she sniffled, staring at her hands.

"So stupid…" she mumbled, her voice small and slurred.

A few people walked past, giving her weird looks.

And that's when her emotions did a complete flip.

The moment they were gone, she suddenly burst into laughter.

"Why are they staring? Hahaha… Am I a ghost? Wooooo~~" she wiggled her fingers like a child, before bursting into laughter again.

But then, when a stray dog barked at her from the other side of the road—

She gasped dramatically and hid her face.

"Oh no! A witness! I'm so embarrassed!!"

She peeked through her fingers and pouted. "You didn't see anything, puppy."

And then, something caught her attention.

A big, fancy car parked nearby.

Jade blinked at it.

The car was way too luxurious, the kind of car only CEOs and super-rich people drove. But at this moment, Jade didn't care.

Her drunk mind found something funnier.

She wobbled to her feet and stumbled toward the car.

The dark-tinted window reflected her face, and she giggled.

She blinked.

Her reflection blinked back.

Jade pointed at the window with a pout. "Don't c-copy meeeee~~" she slurred.

She giggled again.

And then—she twirled in place, spinning like a child before suddenly stopping and covering her face.

"Ahhh, I'm so shy~~!!" she mumbled into her hands, giggling again.

Then she peeked through her fingers.

And pouted.

"I am such a stupid princess…" she whispered dramatically, swaying slightly.

She didn't notice the car door slowly opening.