After a few rounds of drinks, Emily's spirits seemed to lift noticeably. The laughter that had filled the room earlier was now accompanied by her lively gestures and bright eyes. Director White noticed her daughter's enthusiasm and immediately gave her a stern look. "That's enough drinking for you, young lady. No more wine. Just sit here and talk with us, okay?"
Emily, however, wasn't one to be easily discouraged. She mischievously pulled out a can of soft drink from the table and held it up with a grin. "Then let's toast with this! Come on, one more round, Uncle Alex!" She said it with so much cheer that even Director White couldn't suppress a smile.
"Alright, alright," the director sighed, rolling her eyes. "Just don't overdo it, Emily. You're already more energized than I am."
Alex chuckled at their exchange but was starting to feel the effects of the wine himself. His head was swimming slightly, a pleasant dizziness overtaking him. He hadn't realized just how much he had drunk until he glanced at his glass—empty yet again.
Feeling light-headed, Alex shifted his gaze to Director White, who seemed completely unaffected by the alcohol. In fact, she looked more vibrant and full of life than ever. Her cheeks had a soft blush, and her eyes sparkled in the dim light of the room. She poured herself another drink with ease, her movements steady and confident.
"Keeping up, Alex?" she teased, noticing his sluggish expression. "You seem like you could use some fresh air."
"I think I've had a bit more than I planned," Alex admitted with a grin. "I'll be right back. Just need to use the bathroom for a second." He stood up, but the moment he did, a wave of dizziness hit him, forcing him to steady himself against the wall.
Director White, oblivious to his unsteady state, laughed lightly. "Hurry up. Don't keep us waiting too long," she called after him, her mood clearly lifted by the evening's festivities.
Alex made his way to the bathroom, feeling the warm, hazy buzz of alcohol coursing through his system. His footsteps were slow and deliberate, and he found himself chuckling at how tipsy he was. He estimated that he'd downed more than a litter of wine—far more than he'd intended. Director White had probably had about half that, though she seemed perfectly composed. Emily, thankfully, had only had a couple of sips of wine before switching to her soda.
Once in the bathroom, Alex splashed cold water on his face, hoping to snap himself out of his foggy state. The cool water helped, but the pleasant intoxication lingered, settling into his mind like a heavy blanket. He leaned against the wall, letting the silence of the bathroom wrap around him. His mind began to wander, drifting through memories of the evening.
In his slightly inebriated state, Alex found himself thinking about Director White—her laughter, her warm smile, the way she had looked at him earlier with a hint of something deeper. There was an undeniable energy about her tonight, and it stirred something inside him. Her presence was so magnetic, so full of life, that he couldn't help but be drawn to her.
As these thoughts danced through his mind, he felt a strange warmth rising in his chest. It was more than just attraction; it was something else—a mix of admiration and a desire to make her feel as good as she made him feel. In the fog of his intoxication, Alex found himself silently promising that he would do everything he could to make her happy.
Lost in his thoughts, Alex was abruptly pulled back to reality when the bathroom door swung open. Emily, clearly uncomfortable and in a hurry, rushed in, giving him an apologetic glance.
"Sorry, Uncle Alex, I really need to go!" she exclaimed, not waiting for his response before heading straight for the toilet.
Startled, Alex quickly collected himself and slipped out of the bathroom, laughing to himself. "That was close," he muttered as he made his way back to the living room.
The atmosphere in the living room hadn't changed. The TV still blared with festive songs and comedic skits from the Spring Festival Gala, though none of them were really paying attention anymore. When Alex returned, Director White looked up at him, still smiling. She gestured for him to sit back down beside her.
"Come on, one more drink," she said, holding out her glass. "We need to toast properly before the night's over."
Alex, still a little tipsy but more composed now, took his seat beside her. He clinked his glass against hers, feeling the warmth of the moment settle into him again.
"After this," the director continued, her tone suddenly more serious, "I need to tell you something."
Alex blinked, slightly startled by her shift in tone. "Oh? What's on your mind?" he asked, curious. What could she possibly want to say at this moment, after all the wine and laughter?