"I wish I could, Ying Ying, but you know I can't show up to work with a hangover. I'd lose my job in a snap," Yan Mei lamented, her voice tinged with regret.
Ren Ying let out a quiet sigh, understanding the situation. She felt guilty for keeping her friend up late, knowing Yan Mei had to be up early the next day. Yet, the pang of disappointment lingered within her. Yan Mei was her closest friend, and Ren Ying yearned for her support in that moment.
Alas, there was no way around it. Perhaps fate had destined her to spend the night alone. And maybe, just maybe, it was all for the best.
Thus, with a heavy sigh, Ren Ying merely flashed a grin, strolling towards her friend's closet with the air of someone entirely at home.
"That's cool, Mei, we'll just party another day. Tonight's my solo flight."
"You're really heading out? You're tipsy, Ying Ying, are you sure this is wise?"
Yan Mei nearly sprang to her feet, hurrying to join her friend and positioning her tall, toned frame in front of the closet. Ren Ying shrugged nonchalantly, beginning to take off her clothes and deftly nudging Yan Mei aside to swing open the closet door.
"I won't be able to sleep tonight anyway, and honestly, I just don't think it's fair. The whole day was a mess, and all I get is this lousy bottle of wine as compensation?"
She shot an irritated glance at Yan Mei, who in turn responded with a slightly guilty, pouting expression, lowering her head in remorse for not being able to provide the companionship her friend desired.
Ren Ying's eyes widened as she suddenly grasped her blunder. She frantically waved her hands in front of her chest, as if trying to diffuse the awkwardness she had inadvertently caused.
"Oh, Yan Mei, I didn't mean to make you feel guilty, I'm really sorry! I just... really need to do something tonight. I can't explain it, but it's this urgent feeling. If not, it'll all just swallow me whole in one go."
It rang true. Despite Ren Ying's usual facade of strength and confidence, she was, after all, just a human. Even the toughest of humans would buckle under the weight of the events that had unfolded within the mere span of a single day.
And she was on the verge of breaking.
Yan Mei heaved a sigh and nodded, swinging open the creaking wooden doors of her closet and stepping back, theatrically displaying its contents with a grand gesture of her hand.
"Well, as you can see, my wardrobe isn't exactly bursting with options. I've got a couple of evening dresses tucked in there, but they might be a tad too snug for me now which means they will probably fit you well, and they're pretty dated. Think you can work with any of them?"
Ren Ying nodded and began sifting through her friend's collection, meticulously examining each piece before settling on a short, slim-fitting black dress that bore a striking resemblance to the ones she used to don for formal events back when she was still dealing with her insufferable boss.
"This should do the trick. I'll rock this tonight, thanks a bunch."
Yan Mei nodded in agreement, letting out a yawn and stealing a glance at the round clock hanging on the opposite wall.
"Alright, Ying Ying. I've got some makeup stashed in the bathroom, help yourself to whatever you need. The door code hasn't changed, so just punch it in when you return, okay? And for the love of everything, don't pull any crazy stunts, got it?"
Ren Ying rolled her eyes and formed a mildly exasperated yet still affectionate smile.
"Sure thing, boss. Good night, I'll try my best not to be too rowdy when I stumble in later."
"Good. Have a blast, then."
Yan Mei briefly embraced her friend before settling back onto the bed, nestling herself beneath a soft, elaborately patterned pink blanket, clearly ready to resume her slumber. Ren Ying lingered still and soundless for another minute, anticipating Yan Mei to drift off into sleep swiftly. When the familiar soft snores finally reached her ears, Ren Ying pivoted quietly and made her way to the bathroom.
While adjusting the black dress to better fit her frame, she reached up to grab a bottle of perfume she had gifted Yan Mei when the latter landed her current job. However, she froze almost instantly, her eyes fixated on her reflection in the mirror hanging right in front of her.
"Oh, I keep forgetting you're still hanging around. Maybe this dress wasn't the smartest pick, after all."
With her right arm raised, she ran the fingers of her left hand along the long, white scar that extended from her armpit halfway down the inner part of her arm.
The scar didn't have a dramatic backstory to it; she acquired it as a child, tumbling off a hastily constructed wooden swing, her right arm snagged between two jagged tree branches.
There was no tragedy or romance attached to it. Just another bitter reminder of the things in her life that remained beyond her control.
Letting out an irritated sigh, she swiftly lowered her arm to her side, then meticulously sized up her entire reflection, shaking her head, her face etched with a look of resignation.
"I wish I could wear the dress I had in mind for tonight... Damn, I just need to get out of here before I end up in tears again."
***
Ren Ying settled the taxi fare using the cash she had pinched from Yan Mei's backpack. Stepping out of the car, she found herself facing one of the liveliest bars smack in the heart of the entertainment district.
She'd only visited this spot once before, tasked with retrieving one of her boss's flings who had gotten too sloshed and was threatening him with an impromptu house visit. Ying Ying had taken a liking to the bar's intimate ambiance, promising herself she'd return with Jie. However, it seemed the universe had only picked up on the "bar visit" part of her wish.
Which, on second thought, wasn't too shabby after all.
Stepping inside, the woman was enveloped by a warm and inviting atmosphere, a blend of soft, golden lights casting a cozy glow, the deep hues of the decor, a delicate veil of fragrant cigar smoke, and the gentle hum of hushed conversations mingling with the mellow jazz tunes wafting through the air.
Ren Ying made her way to the bar counter, offering a smile to the young, dashing bartender engrossed in polishing empty scotch glasses.
"What can I get for you, Miss?" the bartender's gruff voice reached her ears the moment she settled onto the tall wooden stool. Stunned by the question, Ren Ying found herself momentarily speechless.
On one hand, having downed a bottle of wine just an hour ago, she pondered if opting for something different was a wise move, given her aversion to hangovers. Yet, on the other hand, the occasion seemed to call for a change, an exploration of new flavors.
But before she could settle on a choice, a tall figure leaned over the counter beside her, the neat black suit exuding a warm, musky scent. Caught in a trance, Ren Ying found herself fixated on his large hand resting on the glossy surface of the counter when the man took it upon himself to make the decision for her.
"Scotch on the rocks with a twist and a Frosé for the lady, please. It looks like she needs some color tonight."