At Brian's 30th birthday party, there were a host of guests attended by invitation.
Apart from old schoolmates, stranger faces were too many count.
During the banquet, everyone started playing Truth or Dare.
"Mr. Maxwell, when are you and Shirley getting married?"
Shirley, that's me.
I've been with Brian, struggling from nothing to success, for many years.
To this day, the wedding is still far off.
"Let's talk about it later, no rush." Brian said casually, skirting the relevant discussion.
Cause that one, sitting opposite to us, was exactly who’s been out of reach for good beneath Brian’s heart, Rosalind.
She's come back particularly for Brian from abroad.
And Brian, it is said that he’s also reserved a position for her in the company.
Seemingly feeling a little tipsy, Rosalind lightly swirled her wine glass, "May I ask Mr. Maxwell a personal question? I bet your beloved is rightly present, isn’t it?"
Hardly had her words faded away, everyone hyped up greatly.
Brian held my hand to her face, "The exclusive love in my mind is Shirley."
Rosalind froze, with somewhat stunned, then she gave a wry smile, "Okay."
Only I knew that Brian was gripping my hand so tightly that he almost crushed it.
In the bottom of his heart, perhaps, he hoped there would be emotional breakdown on Rosalind, leading her to beg for getting back together with him.
The following target of Rosalind, was me.
But she seemed loth to give in, craving for Brian with the dazed eyes:
"Mr. Maxwell, just let Shirley choose Dare, please?"
I looked at Brian in disbelief.
Full well as he knew that Dare meant drinking a glass of fifty-plus-degree vodka,
one plea from Rosalind was all to take for Brian leaving all his worries behind..
"Certainly."
Shifting to high spirits immediately, Rosalind pulled out her chair and walked towards me with a glass of wine.
"It’s funny only when Shirley get drunk. Do you guys want to see?"
Back to school days, Rosalind had tricked me into getting drunk, stripped me of my clothes, and even taken photos.
Over these years, I've been suffering a miserable recollection of the past.
Ill at ease, I hastily grabbed my clutch, "I'm not playing anymore, I’m going home."
But Rosalind promptly tugged my arm as prevention with joint strengths I had no idea of.
"Shirley, you have to accept the consequences of the game."
"Brian, please, I can't drink, really."
Brian, however, sat at the table, not even lifting his eyelids.
"Do as she says, and I'll marry you."
Rosalind forced my mouth open, with the strong liquor poured in.
I choked and coughed violently.
A concerned look came over the familiar faces around:
"Mr. Maxwell, is this really okay?"
Brian grinned sardonically, with a faint of bitterness, "It's fine, she has amnesia anyway."
"Tomorrow, she'll forget everything."
When finally catching my breath, I slapped Brian hard.
The surroundings were reigned by deadly silence.
A bright handprint was left on Brian's face by me.
Rosalind screamed.
When she was about to rush over to Brian, he, unexpectedly, pushed her away in a cold manner,
"It's okay, I'm used to it."