Litzy observed Callie’s reluctance to speak and quickly intervened, “Why are you so curious? She hasn’t done anything illegal.”
Callie gave her a grateful smile.
Amidst the noise, Litzy pulled her aside, “How have you been lately? Isn’t your father still in the hospital? Do you have money?”
“My father woke up.” Only when she mentioned this did she truly seem happy.
“That’s great.” Litzy clinked glasses with her, equally pleased. “And your husband… are you two okay?”
Callie’s face turned red from the alcohol, her lips and teeth gleaming. She feigned ignorance, “Just the same.”
By the end of the gathering, she was indeed drunk.
Litzy saw off each colleague.
Callie lay on the table, mumbling, “I want to go home…”
Litzy leaned in to listen, “What?”
Suddenly, Callie started crying as if she had suffered a great grievance, “I want to go home.”
“Home?” But Litzy didn’t know where Callie’s home was.
A male colleague who hadn’t left yet approached and said to Litzy, “How about I take her home?”
Litzy thought for a moment but declined. She found Callie’s phone and opened the contacts, trying to find a family member’s number but found none.
She saw a recent chat message that seemed to be from her husband. Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number.
It took a while for the call to be answered, with no sound from the other end.
Litzy stammered, “Is this Callie’s husband?”
Meanwhile, Callie kept mumbling, and the male colleague called out to her, “Callie, are you okay?”
This drunken murmur reached the person on the other end of the line.
Litzy received instructions and waited patiently.
The male colleague didn’t understand why they couldn’t just leave. He innocently said, “I have a car; I can take you both.”
Litzy felt awkward and kept saying, “It’s okay. With me here, nothing serious will happen. You should go home; it’s late.”
The male colleague was skeptical. He looked down at Callie and was about to leave when she suddenly sobered up a bit, raising her head, “I can still drink; I’m not drunk!”
Her face was flushed, and her speech slurred. She was clearly drunk.
Litzy regretted not persuading her earlier. She comforted her, “We’ll leave soon. Don’t drink anymore.”
Callie shook her head unsteadily.
The male colleague found it amusing and squatted in front of Callie. It was the first time he had seen her lose composure. Although he knew she was outgoing, she usually maintained her dignity in public. Who knew she would be like this after drinking?
He teased her, “Callie, who am I?”
“Nel… Jaquan?” Her vision blurred.
“Who’s Jaquan?” He didn’t understand. “You think I look like Jaquan?”
Callie blinked and thought for a moment, “Not really…”
Her gaze drifted upward as if she saw something that made her face scrunch up, and she suddenly started crying.
Litzy was surprised and followed her gaze.
At the door stood a tall, handsome figure. He didn’t look much older but wore an unpleasant expression. His eyes held an aged weariness yet shot cold arrows.
This face was too familiar and out of place here. He shouldn’t be in such a place.
Litzy’s eyes widened in shock.
Nelson arrived shortly after. As he pushed open the door and looked up, he saw Callie in such an aggrieved state.