Chapter 1 Birthday Party

The night was well-lit, and the neon lights amplified the loneliness in the middle of the night. For many young people, the nightlife just started... Camila Reynolds normally would not come to this place! It was her 20th birthday today. Her college classmate Victoria Wagner booked the best chain nightclub in the city and invited several friends to throw a party for her...

Amid strong drumbeats, people drank boisterously and made noises. The smell of alcohol and tobacco pervaded the air. Those men and women wiggled frantically.

"Victoria! I need to use the bathroom!"

Camila shouted more loudly than usual because the place was too noisy.

"What? I didn't catch it."

As expected, the girl next to her didn't hear her clearly and asked in an equally loud voice.

Camila lowered her mouth to her ear and repeated.

"I need to use the bathroom! Will you go with me?"

When she stood up, Camila looked out of place. Her skin was smooth and fair. Her temperament was refined, and she looked more stunning than the clearest crystal. In a light blue dress and a pair of white shoes, she looked like a fairy.

"Go ahead, it's over there."

Too high to walk away, Victoria pointed to a corner on the left.

Camila looked over. The bathroom was in a corner at the far side, and she would have to go through the noisy crowd.

She sighed and sat back into her seat helplessly. Without the guts to go there, she took out her cell phone and texted her bestie Joan Chavez for help.

"Jojo, where are you?"

On pins and needles, she waited for the reply and checked her phone every few seconds.

"Camila, what are you doing over there? It's your birthday, cheer up. Come on, bottoms up!"

As a regular customer here, Victoria looked familiar with the surroundings, felt at home, and urged her friends to drink.

Camila glanced at the full glass of wine on the table reluctantly.

"I... can't drink much. Will half of it do?"

"No way, a toast should be a full glass!"

"Yeah, it's your birthday today, have fun! What's the harm?"

Those friends advised. Without a choice, she picked up the glass and drank in sips.

She frowned and took pains to finish off the wine as if it was poison. No sooner had she felt relieved than another glass was handed to her!

"Camila, you're quite a drinker. Don't hold back, happy birthday, cheers!"

"Huh? I really can't drink more, enjoy your wine!"

Appalled, she anxiously waved her hand to decline.

'I'll get drunk with this terrible wine!' She thought to herself.

But those beside her urged again.

"Camila, don't be a killjoy. We're here to celebrate your birthday. How could you refuse to drink?"

"Yeah, we've drunk a lot, and you've been playing with your phone."

Without a choice, she drank another glass! Or more like one shot after another! Her cheeks gradually turned rosy, and she was surprised by her drinking capacity. After so many rounds, she was still fine!

As the saying went, alcohol emboldened people. Following a glance at the dense wiggling crowd, she plucked up the courage, staggered up, and walked towards the bathroom. She tried to walk in a straight line but lost control of her body! She made it halfway when those men nearby itched to go up and flirt.