CHAPTER 16: The party night

Luna held Zoey's hands. "Hey.... Zoo, I can feel your pain, but what if Evangeline also has the same feelings for him?"

Zoey hugged her tightly, her words trembling, "Please... Luna, I can't imagine that... but I can sacrifice for Eve. She deserves someone who loves her," she said while crying on her shoulder.

"What if she thinks of Aaron as a friend? We hope, okay..." Luna assured her, wiping her tears. "She will be soon. Go and touch up your mascara."

Outside the room, Evangeline kept three glasses of juice, standing like a statue. After hearing all the conversation, her eyes also became wet. Wiping her tears with her hand, she took the next step strongly to indicate she is there. She walked casually. "Sorry for the delay, guys.... I took to add some love and care with my juice for my lovely friends...."

Luna's and Zoey's eyes open wide in shock as they are glancing at each other.

"Why do you guys stare at me like you're watching a ghost?" she said with causal tone.

"Uh!!!!!!! No.... Nothing; everything is good." Luna took a glass, sipping it. "Wow, Eve, your cooking skills have improved," she said, closing her eyes, pretending everything is fine.

"Um... no..... it's the easy recipe," Evangeline said, her voice trembling and her hands shaking. 

Zoey took a glass, her hand shaking like she'd been plunged into ice water. She accidentally nudged a nearby glass on the tray; it spilt across her beautiful white dress.

"Shit!!!!!!!!!!! This dress was pretty for you," Luna said in shock.

"It's okay... It's okay... I have plenty of dresses." She reached for her dress cupboard; her eyes were still in tears formed when she looked at Zoey.

After a few minutes, Evangeline, wearing a solid black maxi dress, came outside. 

"Wow... you look better than before," Luna said.

Evangeline, watching Zoey, who was standing silently, said, "Zoe.... Are you okay? I am completely okay with that," she hugged Zoey and said, "Smile..."

Luna laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, we get it. But we should head out before your bodyguard shows up to chase us away." 

"Oh, you have a bodyguard, too? Zoey teased, her eyes lighting up with mischief. I want to meet him. Is he Oppa or Ah Jussi? We can wait for a few minutes after visiting them, and then we can go. I am okay with both."

Evangeline groaned. "Hey, ladies, behave yourselves. Be women of class, will you?" 

Zoey rolled her eyes dramatically. "Alright, alright. Let's go." 

The three laughed as they made their way to the door, the party's energy following them like a warm glow. 

 

Nate stood before the mirror, adjusting his black, cleaved shirt and pants. He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair and turned to Kim. 

"Kim, how do I look? Does my dress fit perfectly?" he asked confidently. 

"I'm straight, Nate. Don't ask me these silly questions." 

Nate smirked. "Ah, my jealous bodyguard and I have taken it as a compliment. You have to learn to speak facts sometimes, and I don't mind if you speak." 

Kim rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, fine. Let's go. Otherwise, we are going to be late." 

As they walked toward the car, Kim glanced at him. "Do you have a plan for tonight?" 

"Of course, Kim. If everything goes as planned, she'll be in my bed tonight," Nate said confidently.

Kim gave him a deadpan look. "Tonight? Are you joking, man? You don't waste time, do you?" 

Nate just chuckled, his confidence unwavering as they headed to the party.

 

After reaching Lisa's house, Eve and Zoey made their way to the living room, settling on the plush sofa to enjoy the music and chat with other friends. The music thumped softly in the background, and the glow of the party lights filled the air with excitement. 

Meanwhile, Luna wandered off with another friend from her classroom, leaving the two alone. 

Evangeline sat with an absent mind, watching others dancing, other couples kissing each other. Why do I feel upset with myself? Is that why I am feeling broken? It's ok, Eve. Zoey deserves someone like Aaron; he is a gentleman. Her thoughts raced as she watched Zoey come near, sitting casually and drinking her drink.

Zoey kept a hand on her lap. "Eve, are you okay?" She asked.

Zoey's touch made Evangeline come to reality, her eyes emotionless. "Yeah, good..." she said with a fake smile.

Eve and Zoey talk about his brother and drink her drinks after 1 hour. "What time is it now?" Eve asked, glancing around. 

"It's around 8. You didn't bring your phone?" Zoey asked her with confusion.

"No way," Eve replied, leaning back. "If I'd brought it, they would trace my phone to where I am. That's why I left it in my room," she replied proudly, and she flipped her hair gently.

"What about your bodyguards?" Zoey asked with curiosity.

"I already planned for them. If they drink that vodka, they will be completely flat for 12 hrs."

Before Joe could respond, the front door opened, and Nate walked in with Kim; everyone paused, watching him. Now, the atmosphere changed completely after arriving at Nate's party, which went to a peak with sound, dance, and fun. Lisa was the first to greet them, her smile wide. 

"Welcome, handsome!" Lisa said warmly, her tone playful. "And is this your friend? I'm Lisa." 

Kim offered a polite smile.

"I'm Kim. Nice to meet you." 

"Make yourselves at home," Lisa said with a wave. "Enjoy the party, guys!" 

Eve, sitting across the hall, sipped her champagne and observed their conversation with a smirk, clearly unimpressed. 

Turning to Zoey, "I need some fresh air. This place is suffocating me." She glanced around. "I want to go outside," she said with an irritating tone while watching his face; she drank her champagne until the last drop.

Zoey shrugged, understanding her tension on him. "All right, let's go," she said, and wondered why she hates him for what reason I don't know.

As the night progressed, Eve and Joe slipped to the backyard, seeking solace from the lively gathering inside. The cool breeze provided a refreshing respite from the party's warmth. Soon after, as laughter echoed through the house, half the guests bid their farewells, leaving a more intimate atmosphere.

Eve and Zoey, feeling the night drawing to a close, also prepared to make their exit. However, just then, they were surprised to find the garden was softly illuminated with enchanting fairy lights that cast a warm, inviting glow over the space.

Lisa and her friend Juliet arranged the 16 shot glasses, pouring different types of drinks in the glasses.

Nate walked towards her, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and interrupted her work, "Lisa... Do you want some help?" He asked with a gentle voice, a smirk playing on his face.