“Yes, Mommy.” The two kids nodded their heads.
Natalie gave them a kiss on each of their cheeks, put on a pair of shoes, and left.
After she reached the bar, she was guided by the waiter to the booth that Joyce had reserved.
At the sight of her, Joyce waved her hands. “Nat. You’re finally here. We’ve been waiting.”
“Sorry, the traffic was bad.” Natalie put her bag down and put her palms together as she muttered her apology.
“As your punishment, you have to finish one drink right now!” Joyce said as she passed her friend a drink.
Natalie smiled and was about to take the glass before she was stopped by Stanley. “What’s the matter with your hand?”
Stanley who was usually amiable looked stern as he noticed the cooling pad wrapped around Natalie’s hand.
Joyce noticed the cooling pad as well, and her smile faltered. “Yeah, what’s wrong with your hand, Nat?”
Natalie merely shrugged and replied nonchalantly, “It’s nothing. I got scalded from spilling hot tea.”
“Let me have a look.” Stanley took her hand and examined it. He had only let her go after making sure that she was being truthful. Sighing, he said, “Why are you so careless!”
Natalie gave him an awkward smile.
“Okay, let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s toast to this big day, the day that Jasmine gets locked behind the bars!” Joyce held her glass high and exclaimed.
Natalie and Stanley got up and clinked glasses with her.
The three of them sat back down after finishing their drinks.
Joyce took the bottle and poured another glass for herself and Natalie respectively.
She did not pour a glass for Stanley since he was just having juice.
He sat right there and watched Natalie and Joyce downed one glass after another. An enigmatic glint fleeted across his face.
After what seemed like an eternity, Joyce burped and slumped against the booth as she lost her consciousness.
Noticing her friend’s odd demeanor, Natalie put down her drink and checked on her. “Joyce.”
“Don’t worry, she’s just drunk.” Stanley swirled the glass of juice in his hands and said.
Natalie turned Joyce over and realized that Stanley was right. Relieved, she said, “Stanley, since Joyce is already drunk, let’s call it a night and go home.”
Stanley finished his juice and stood up. “There is no rush.”
“What’s the matter?” Natalie was puzzled as she looked at him.
Unknowingly, he had already removed his glasses, revealing his pair of deep-set foxy eyes.
Suddenly, Natalie felt her vision going fuzzy as she looked into his eyes, her brains in turmoil.
The woman thought she might have been drunk as well. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples in an attempt to clear her head.
However, after she opened her eyes, Stanley was nowhere to be seen. To her surprise, Shane was standing right in front of her.
“Mr. Shane, why are you here?” Natalie widened her eyes in disbelief.
“I’m here to fetch you home.” Stanley’s eyes glinted as he replied her.
“You’re going to send me home?” Natalie shook her head, trying to sober up. “How do you know I’m here?”
Stanley did not reply as he raised his hands in the air and clapped.
Clap!
Natalie felt her brain going jelly with the sound. With a turn, she stumbled back onto her seat in the booth.
Stanley edged closer to her and steadied her. “Let’s go.”
“What about Joyce?” Natalie turned around and looked at Joyce who was motionless back in her seat.
Stanley replied impassively, “Don’t worry. Stanley went to the bathroom. He’ll send her home when he’s back.”
Natalie was relieved after listening to him and nodded her head. “Alright, then.”
Stanley steadied her as he made their way over to the cashier.
Natalie felt her head spinning on the way, and she couldn’t even see the road ahead of her clearly, much less walking in a straight line.
She was puzzled as to why she was this drunk all of a sudden. I was alright just moments ago.
The liquor wasn’t that strong either.
After they reached the cash register, Stanley handed over his bank card and a note that had Joyce’s address to the cashier.
