At Nina’s birthday party, I lost a game of dares. Her male assistant, Ron, announced the penalty with a smirk. “Find some E-girl and be her boyfriend for a day. And yeah, that includes a make-out session, minimum.” The room erupted in laughter. I ignored them and looked at Nina. She took a nonchalant sip of her champagne. “A dare’s a dare, Ryan. You’re not going to bail, are you?” I smiled. “Fine.” My voice cut through the noise. “But one day doesn’t feel like enough.” “If I’m going to do this… I’m going all in. Let’s make it a lifetime.” 1 I pulled out my phone, and right there, in front of everyone, I posted on my public social media feed: “90s fossil looking for an E-girl to rock my world. Online and waiting. Urgent.” The accompanying picture was of my Porsche keys resting on the table. The raucous laughter in the private suite died instantly. Nina’s fingers tightened around the stem of her champagne flute, her knuckles turning white. The vibrant, beautiful mask she wore cracked. “Ryan, what do you think you’re doing?” Ron immediately plastered on his signature fake smile and stepped forward to smooth things over. “Hey, it’s just a game, man. A joke. No need to take it so seriously, right? We’re all just having fun.” As he spoke, his eyes darted subconsciously toward Nina. Suppressed whispers started buzzing around the room like flies. “Wow, Ryan’s got a thin skin…” “Totally. He’s obviously jealous, trying to put on a show for Nina.” “So petty for a grown man. He needs to learn to read the room.” “Probably because Nina and Ron have been so close lately. He’s feeling insecure…” “He’s just embarrassing himself. Nina hates it when people mix business with personal stuff.” I listened to their barely-hidden commentary, a cold smile playing on my lips. They had no idea. Today wasn’t just Nina’s birthday. It was the fifth anniversary of the day we met. Our wedding was scheduled for the first of next month. Ron and Nina were high school classmates. He’d returned from overseas three months ago, and Nina had personally hired him, claiming the company “needed new blood.” Ever since he became her assistant, my relationship with Nina had slowly soured. Ron was a master of manipulation. On his first day, he brought coffee for the entire office, greeting everyone with infectious enthusiasm. He always managed to appear “at the right time,” handing Nina a file she was just about to look for, offering an opinion she was just about to voice. He was a charmer, a sweet-talker, and he’d quickly won over all of Nina’s colleagues and friends. In contrast, my quieter, more reserved nature seemed jarring and out of place. He always called me “Ryan, my man,” with a deferential tone, but the smile never reached his eyes. He would casually bring up funny stories from his and Nina’s school days, using nostalgia to make her relax when she was stressed with work. Then, he’d shoot me a look that was part apology, part challenge. Nina’s attitude had shifted, too. At first, it was normal. Then, I started seeing a comparative glint in her eyes when she looked at me. She would laugh at one of Ron’s insignificant jokes but brush off the dinner reservations I’d meticulously planned. She would listen patiently to his over-the-top flattery but cut me off with “I’m too tired from work” when I tried to talk about our future. Just like now. In the face of my actions, Nina just stared at me, her eyes, once filled with love, now cold with impatience and disgust. “Ryan,” she finally said, her voice like ice. “Delete the post. Don’t embarrass yourself here.” Ron chimed in immediately. “Yeah, Ryan, come on, man. Just delete it. It’s Nina’s birthday, let’s not ruin the mood.” He reached out to pat my shoulder, but I sidestepped his touch. I kept my eyes on Nina. “Embarrass myself?” I let out a short, sharp laugh. “Weren’t you the one who told me a dare’s a dare?” Ron’s face tightened for a second before he forced another smile. “Dude, I was just kidding around, it was a random thought. Why are you getting so worked up…?” “A joke?” I cut him off. “Some jokes have a way of becoming real.” My gaze flickered to him. “And some people, if they pretend for long enough, start to believe their own act.” 2 The implication was clear. Ron’s smile froze on his face, a flicker of malice in his eyes. The whispers around us grew louder, colored with the excitement of impending drama. “Damn, the gloves are off…” “What crawled up Ryan’s ass today?” “Guess he’s been holding it in for a while. But starting a scene like this is just going to push Nina further away, isn’t it?” Nina took a deep breath, visibly trying to control her anger. “Ryan. I’m saying this one last time. Delete the post.” Her voice was low and dangerous. “And then apologize to Ron.” I just chuckled, picked up my phone, and in full view of everyone, added a comment to my original post: “Note: Not a joke. Serious inquiries only. I’m in this for the long haul.” Then, I turned the screen towards them. I saw Nina’s pupils contract, her face draining of color. “I lost the game. I accept the penalty. As for the apology…” My gaze drifted to the diamond ring on her finger, the one I’d saved a year’s salary to buy. She had been so happy when she’d put it on. “I refuse.” The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Others tried to intervene, to smooth things over, but the damage was done. Nina, her chest rising and falling with suppressed fury, shot me a venomous look but finally dropped the subject of the post and the apology. When it came time to cut the cake, the atmosphere was painfully awkward. Nina picked up the cake knife, her eyes scanning the crowd, deliberately skipping over me, though I was standing right in front. “Ron, come help me.” “It would be my honor, Nina,” he replied instantly, stepping up to her side. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their hands clasped together over the knife. They were so close their faces were almost touching. The room filled with applause and catcalls. I stood there, a cold observer watching a play I was no longer a part of. After Nina made her wish and blew out the candles, Ron produced a small, velvet box from his pocket. Inside was a platinum bracelet, glittering with pavé diamonds. “Happy birthday, Nina,” he said, his voice soft but clear enough for everyone to hear the intimate use of her first name. “I had this custom-made in Paris last month. I hope you like it.” A brilliant smile bloomed on Nina’s face. “Ron, you’re too thoughtful!” she gushed. “Anything from you, I’ll love!” She immediately slipped the translucent, emerald-green antique bracelet from her wrist and tossed it casually onto a nearby table, as if it were a piece of clutter. That bracelet had been a family heirloom. My mother gave it to her before she passed away, telling her it was for the woman who would marry into our family. “Here, help me put it on,” Nina said, extending her wrist to Ron with a hint of a flirtatious pout. He carefully fastened the sparkling new bracelet around her delicate wrist, his fingertips brushing against her skin. They locked eyes and smiled. “Wow, it’s gorgeous!” “So sparkly! The design is amazing!” “Yeah, way better than that tacky old thing she was wearing before!” “This is what I’m talking about! This suits Nina’s style so much more!” “Ron, you have such good taste! So thoughtful!” The compliments flew, each one a stinging, invisible slap across my face. Expressionless, I walked over. While all eyes were still on the new bracelet, I reached out and picked up the emerald one from the table. The chatter died down. Curious, expectant eyes turned to me. Nina noticed, her brow furrowing slightly. I held the heirloom securely in my palm, then looked up at her, my voice calm but loud enough to cut through the silence. “Since this ‘tacky old thing’ isn’t good enough for you, maybe it should go back to its rightful owner. Back to my mother.” The room went dead silent. Nina’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She clearly hadn’t expected me to be so direct, to bring my mother into it. A dark look flashed in Ron’s eyes before he masked it with a smile. “Ryan, man, why are you being like this? Nina was just trying on the new bracelet. Why are you getting worked up over an old piece of jewelry? It’s her birthday. Can’t we all just be happy?” “I’m not worked up,” I said, my tone still flat. “She doesn’t want it. So I’m taking it back.” “I’d rather not insult my mother’s memory.” 3 Without waiting for their reactions, I carefully placed the bracelet in the inside pocket of my jacket and turned to leave. Behind me, Nina’s voice, sharp and cold, cut through the air. “Take it back then! Who do you think cares about that ugly thing? It’s old and gaudy. I wouldn’t wear it if you paid me!” Ron hurried after me, grabbing my arm. He lowered his voice, but it was still loud enough for those nearby to hear. “Ryan, don’t be impulsive. She’s just angry. If you leave now, you’re blowing this whole thing up…” I violently shook his hand off. The force sent him stumbling back a step, the concerned mask on his face nearly cracking. “Save it, Ron,” I said, giving him a cold glance. “You’re overplaying your part.” Nina’s voice was shrill. “Ron! Leave him alone! Let him go!” I walked out of that suffocating room without looking back. Outside, the night air was cool. I leaned against my car and lit a cigarette, the nicotine finally loosening the knot in my chest. My phone buzzed. A reply on my social media post. I opened it. Without even looking at the photo the person sent, I dropped a pin of my location. “Come now. I’ll be waiting.” Less than twenty minutes later, a girl on a shared electric scooter pulled up. She jogged over, asking hesitantly, “Hey… are you the guy?” “I’m Mia.” I looked her over. She was the stereotypical E-girl. Short skirt, tight top, brightly colored hair, heavy eyeliner. But her eyes held a surprising timidity, and her voice was soft. “Yeah,” I said, stubbing out my cigarette. “Let’s go. I’ll take you somewhere.” Mia followed obediently, sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, careful not to touch anything. I drove to a nearby bar I frequented. It wasn’t top-tier luxury, but the ambiance was decent. I found us a booth, ordered her a beer, and got myself a Coke. She sipped her drink quietly, occasionally stealing glances at me. “So, you…” She was about to speak when a familiar wave of noise came from the entrance. I looked up and sneered internally. You’ve got to be kidding me. Nina, Ron, and the whole party crew swaggered in. Ron was leaning close to Nina’s ear, saying something that finally brought a small smile to her face. Then they saw me. And they saw Mia. Nina stopped in her tracks. The smile on her face froze, then melted into a scowl. Her eyes, like shards of ice, cut across me and landed on Mia. A flash of triumph lit Ron’s eyes before he replaced it with a look of perfect, manufactured concern. “Well, well, if it isn’t Ryan,” he called out, his voice just loud enough to draw attention from the surrounding booths. “Found an E-girl to rock your world already? That was fast.” He emphasized the words, drawing a few snickers from his cronies. His eyes raked over Mia like she was a piece of meat, a contemptuous smirk on his lips. “Seriously, man? Even if you’re fighting with Nina, you don’t have to… debase yourself like this, do you?” He shook his head, a picture of disappointed pity. “Comparing this trash to Nina is like comparing heaven and earth.” “Have your fun, I guess, but don’t get too serious. You might catch some disease. Ruin your whole life.” The words were vicious and cruel. Beside me, Mia flinched, her head sinking lower. Her knuckles were white where she gripped her glass. “Ron’s right,” a woman who was always sucking up to Nina chimed in, her critical gaze sweeping over Mia. “Look at how she’s dressed. That whole vibe. She’s obviously not a decent girl.” Another man snickered. “Yeah, she’s not even worthy of shining Nina’s shoes.” “Ryan, are you trying to slap Nina in the face?” “He’s probably just hit rock bottom. Can’t have the best, so he picks up the worst.” “So pathetic…” 4 The insults came one after another. Quiet, but each one a poisoned dart. Ron stood among them, smiling faintly, pretending to mediate. “Alright, alright, that’s enough, everyone. I’m sure Ryan’s just not thinking straight right now.” Nina remained silent, her face a cold mask. She held her chin high, watching the scene as if it were a boring play that didn’t concern her. Only the tight line of her lips and the fury brewing in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. She probably felt that me being with a girl like Mia was the ultimate insult to her. I ignored the buzzing flies, took a sip of my Coke, and looked at Ron. “Are you done?” His smile didn’t waver. “Ryan, don’t get me wrong. We’re just looking out for you…” “Looking out for me?” I cut him off, my gaze shifting to the proud woman beside him. “Nina, control your dog. His barking is getting on my nerves.” Nina’s face changed instantly. Ron’s smile froze. He recovered quickly, sighing dramatically. “Ryan, how can you talk to Nina like that…” I didn’t look at him again. I turned to Mia, who was still staring at the table, her shoulders trembling slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was from fear or anger. Nina shot me a cold, contemptuous look. “Let’s not bother the happy couple. We’re here to drink.” She turned, and Ron was instantly at her side, his hand hovering protectively at the small of her back. They moved to a large, reserved booth not far from ours. Through the music, Ron’s eyes would occasionally flick over to our table, a cold, triumphant smirk on his face. I couldn’t be bothered with him. “Mia, call your friends,” I said. “As many as you can get. Tonight’s on me.” She blinked, looking at me, her eyes uncertain. I nodded. She finally pulled out her phone and started typing. Before long, the entrance to the bar became a hive of activity. Groups of young women started arriving, each dressed in a unique, colorful, and bold style. They found our booth and squeezed in, laughing and chattering, instantly filling the space with life. “Mia, is this the hottie you were talking about?” a girl with bright pink hair leaned in, sizing me up without any pretense. Another girl in a crop top chimed in, “Damn, girl, you lucked out! He’s actually cute!” They knew how to have a good time. They ordered drinks, started playing dice, and moved to the rhythm of the music, their laughter infectious and carefree. The somber mood at our table was instantly incinerated, replaced by a vibrant, chaotic energy. Soon, our booth was clearly the life of the party, drowning out Nina’s more subdued corner. The sound of our laughter, the clatter of dice, and the occasional cheer drew glances from all over the bar. Ron looked over several times, a strange expression on his face. Nina kept her back to us the entire time, her posture ramrod straight. I played a few rounds of dice with the girls, drinking Coke whenever I lost. I listened to their ridiculous stories, chiming in here and there. In this simple, loud, and unpretentious environment, I felt a sense of ease and happiness I hadn’t experienced in years. It was late when we finally left. I paid the bill and walked out with Mia. And of course, in the parking lot, our paths crossed again. Nina and Ron were standing by their car. Nina’s eyes landed on me and Mia, and she let out a cold, scornful laugh. “Well, Ryan, you certainly work fast,” she said, her voice dripping with contempt. “First meeting, and you’re already rushing off to get a room?” Ron stood beside her, silent, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the show. I opened the passenger door for Mia. Once she was in, I turned back to Nina, a careless smile on my face. “Why not?” Before she could react, I got in, closed the door, and started the engine. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I could see Nina in the rearview mirror, standing frozen, her face a mask of fury under the dim lights. I didn’t go home. I found a nearby five-star hotel. “Two adjoining king rooms, please.” Mia looked at me, surprised, but said nothing, just stood quietly to the side. I handed her one of the key cards. “Get some rest.” She took it, murmuring, “Thank you.” We went to our separate rooms. After a shower, I lay in bed, the darkness broken by the glow of my phone. A new notification. Ron had updated his social media. It was a single photo. Shot from above, he was leaning against a headboard, shirtless, with a drunk-looking woman in his arms. “The world I’ve been searching for… and it’s all you. Finally found you. Glad I never gave up.” The woman’s face was censored, her long hair fanned out. But I recognized the profile, the silhouette. And the background. It was Nina. And they were in the master bedroom of the home I had been preparing for our marriage. I smiled, liked the post, and left a comment: “The mood is set. Might as well make it official tomorrow.”
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