“Crazy? How dare you call Mia crazy?” Zoe defended in a trembling tone, amazed that Emily dared to throw those words at Mia.
“How can my challenge feel harder than Emma’s? I have to kiss one visitor, while she just has to call her ex-boyfriend,” Emily complained, her voice full of unfairness.
“Do you think it’s that easy to call an ex?” challenged Emma. “Try it then. Can you do it too? If your ex won’t pick up the phone, are you ready to accept our punishment?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Will Ethan pick up the phone from me? Emily wondered silently, her memory drifting back to their last tension-filled meeting.
Mia’s patience ran out. With a swift motion, she pulled Emily’s hair, making her whimper in pain. “Listen, Em,” Mia whispered. “I make the rules here. You just have to obey without much protest. You’re getting bold, huh? Did you forget about the video I’m holding?”
“Let go of me, Mia. This hurts,” Emily urged, struggling to break free from Mia’s grip. Finally, with a rough push, Mia let her go. Small giggles and smiles of triumph could be seen on the faces of Mia’s followers, watching the wounded Emily. For Emily, this was a bitter reminder of her painful teenage years, and tears welled up in her eyes. Quickly, however, she wiped them away, determined not to show her weakness.
“Alright, I’ll do it,” Emily said in a barely audible voice.
With heavy steps, Emily had to follow Mia and her followers down to the neon-lit dance floor of the nightclub, where Emily had to complete the daunting challenge. The alcohol Emily had drunk felt like a burden, making her steps a little unsteady and her mind a blur.
“So how’s it going, Em? Are you ready?” Mia asked.
Emily paused, swallowing the spittle that tasted like rocks. Her eyes swept the room, catching flashes of light flickering between the dancing silhouettes. The beat of the music echoed, filling the space with a rhythm that forced the heart to beat. In a corner, a few people were immersed in hearty conversation, their laughter audible over the sound of the music, glasses clinking in playful high-fives. Elsewhere, couples were locked in an embrace, their lips meeting in a kiss hidden in the shadows.
“Hurry, you little shit! What are you waiting for?” urged Luna, one of Mia’s followers, who had been silent. She stood in a defiant manner, her eyes blazing with mockery.
“Would you rather receive punishment from us?” Luna continued. Vile laughter echoed from Mia’s other followers.
“Just pick one guy. What’s so hard about it?” Emma interjected, impatient, her arms folded across her chest as her eyes swept the crowd, as if picking out prey for Emily.
From a distance, amongst the hubbub and flickering lights, Emily caught the shadow of a familiar figure. Daniel, with his steady stride, had just entered the nightclub. Emily’s heart raced, as if her prayers to be rescued from this tense situation had been answered. ‘Could it be Mr. Daniel or is it just my illusion under the influence of this damn alcohol?’ she muttered to herself.
Gathering her courage, Emily said in a firm voice, “Alright, I’ll do it.”
Emily took an unsteady step, pushing through the crowd that separated her from Daniel. She wasn’t sure if it was really Daniel or just an illusory image formed by the alcohol in her head, but she didn’t care anymore. Daniel, who seemed to have been looking for someone since his arrival, was rooted to the spot as the figure he was looking for appeared right in front of him.
With unsteady steps, Emily finally approached Daniel. She raised a hand hesitantly and draped it around Daniel’s neck. Standing on tiptoe, she linked her lips with Daniel’s. The kiss felt very stiff because Emily was not used to kissing.
Meanwhile, from the corner of the nightclub, a man who was laughing with his friend turned his head and his eyes fell on Emily and Daniel, who were kissing. A sardonic smile formed on his face as he watched them. “This is quite interesting,” muttered the man who was none other than Sean, his voice low but meaningful. He lifted the glass of alcohol and gulped down the contents.
Daniel quickly pulled away, pushing the shoulder of Emily, who had just stolen a kiss from him. However, his sharp eyes caught Mia and her followers, who seemed to whisper in the distance, their eyes radiating disbelief at Emily’s actions.
“You smell of alcohol,” Daniel said in a low but authoritative voice, his eyes not leaving Emily’s face.
Emily massaged her head, which felt increasingly heavy. “Sorry, I… I was given the challenge to kiss someone,” she muttered in a trembling voice. “I thought you were someone I knew. I’m sorry,” she continued in a state that was feeling confused and rambling because of the influence of alcohol. But just as Emily was about to turn around, Daniel’s burly hands held her back and made her body turn back to face him.
“That’s no way to kiss,” Daniel said in a soft but firm voice.
Without hesitation, Daniel led Emily over, and with one warm hand, he grabbed her by the scruff of the neck. In such proximity, Daniel sucked Emily’s lips deeply and passionately. Mia and her followers, who saw the scene, were shocked.
“Does that guy know her?” asked Zoe, her eyes sparkling with unconcealed curiosity.
“Damn! That guy is so handsome,” Leah gritted her teeth, unstoppable envy filling her voice. “How did that bitch get so lucky to get a kiss from that guy?”
Emma bit her lower lip, contemplation in her gaze. “If I kissed him, do you think that handsome guy would reciprocate?” she asked.
“No way!” Luna laughed, her voice full of conviction. “But if it were me, he might,” she said.
“Shut up, all of you!” Mia exploded, her voice cutting through their conversation. “You guys are so loud!” her jaw hardened, the emotions in her chest rising like waves, and with a decisive step, she left the corner of the nightclub room.
‘I can’t be wrong, that man is indeed the CEO of my company, but how could Emily… Damn! Mia thought to herself.
After the kiss, Emily felt the world spinning around her. Her head felt as if it was drowning in a thickening fog. The strength left her body, making her almost fall, but in an instant, Daniel’s hands held her weak body. He lifted Emily into his arms, carrying her easily, as if protecting something precious.
Arriving in front of his luxury car, the door was already wide open, as if Daniel’s personal driver had expected their arrival. With a gentleness that contrasted with the boisterous night, Daniel supported Emily, placing her carefully on the passenger seat. After making sure she was safely inside, he stepped into the other side.
“Where are we going, sir?” asked Daniel’s personal driver.
“Home,” Daniel replied, his voice low and sure, his eyes not leaving the figure of Emily, who was fast asleep, unconscious, her face peaceful in the grip of alcohol.
Daniel massaged the middle of his furrowed brow, a confusion rarely seen. He, who usually stood firm in his stance, keeping his distance from the affairs of others, today found himself plunged into the vortex of Emily’s life.
In confusion, Daniel cast a quick glance at the fancy watch adorned on his wrist, the streetlight reflecting a faint sparkle.
‘Soon, our souls will swap back’, Daniel thought to himself.
Moments later, the luxury car glided smoothly into Daniel’s quiet residence. Daniel’s personal driver, with deep respect, offered to help. “Should I carry this lady inside, sir?” he asked gently.
“No need,” Daniel replied, his voice low but firm.
With barely audible steps, Daniel carried the still-sleeping Emily into the guest room, a room only a few steps away from his own. The dim light from the night lamp highlighted Emily’s sleeping face.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered. Emily’s peaceful face changed, a frown of fear gracing her forehead. Her voice was a weak, indistinct delirium, cold sweat beginning to bead on her temples.
“What’s wrong, Em?” Daniel whispered softly.