The clinking of crystal glasses echoed softly against the polished marble walls, blending with the low hum of laughter and whispered business deals. Li Hua sat poised at the head of the table, her tailored black suit sharp against the dim, golden glow of the luxury restaurant. The contract she'd signed an hour ago sat metaphorically heavy in the air, a deal that would cement her name among the titans of the corporate world.
Mr. Su, a business tycoon with salt-and-pepper hair and an ego to match his fortune, raised his glass.
"To new partnerships and boundless profits," he declared, his grin sharp like the edge of a knife.
Li Hua offered a polite smile, lifting her glass in return. The wine was rich, smooth, leaving a faint warmth trailing down her throat. She'd been here before, these dinners, these people, these games masked behind expensive liquor and empty flattery. But tonight, there was an unfamiliar thread woven into the evening, a faint pull at the edges of her mind she couldn't quite name.
Out of the corner of her eye, movement caught her attention. A commotion near the bar. A young waiter, barely more than a boy, stood rigid as a group of second-generation rich kids, draped in designer arrogance, berated him for spilling a drink. Their voices were sharp, loud enough to draw glances but not loud enough to warrant intervention. The manager arrived swiftly, all smiles and shallow apologies, scolding the boy with the efficiency of someone used to shifting blame downward.
Li Hua's jaw tightened for a fleeting second before she smoothed her expression. This wasn't her fight. Not tonight.
The dinner continued, more toasts, more shallow congratulations. Another glass of wine was poured, this time by the same flustered waiter. His hands trembled slightly as he filled her glass, his gaze flickering upward just for a breath of a second, something unreadable lurking in his eyes. She didn't think much of it. She should have.
Later, on her way to the restroom, the wine humming softly in her veins, she passed the dim hallway near the staff entrance. Voices. Low. Urgent.
She paused.
Just ahead, partially obscured by the shadows, she thought she saw a familiar silhouette, tall, composed, the effortless charm practically woven into his posture. Zhou Ming. Her cousin.
Standing beside the same waiter.
Li Hua's steps faltered, her heart skipping in a way that had nothing to do with the alcohol. Their heads were bent close together, words exchanged in hushed tones too soft to catch. Then Zhou Ming glanced up, his face slipping into that easy, practiced smile he wore like a second skin.
But it was the brief flicker in his eyes, the shadow beneath the charm, that lodged itself in her chest like a thorn.
She turned away before he could say anything, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor, each step heavier than the last.
.....
The elevator ride down felt longer than it should've. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered slightly, casting fleeting shadows across the metallic walls. Li Hua's reflection stared back at her, composed yet distant, eyes duller than usual, lips pressed into a thin line.
By the time she reached the parking lot, the buzz from the wine had morphed into a dull throb at the base of her skull. She slipped into the backseat of her sleek black car, the cool leather briefly soothing against her skin. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes as her temples pulsed with faint, rhythmic beats.
It's just the wine, she told herself. She'd had stronger drinks at worse dinners. But this felt different.
The door hadn't even been shut for a full minute when a sudden knock startled her. She blinked, disoriented for a heartbeat, then turned.
Zhou Ming stood there, his face illuminated by the dim lights overhead. His smile was casual, easy, like the lingering tension from earlier had never existed. He held out a bottle of water through the slightly cracked window.
"You seemed a little off. Thought you could use this," he said, his voice warm with concern. Without waiting for permission, he reached in, turning on the car's A/C to let the cool air circulate. "It's pretty hot tonight."
Li Hua hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking the bottle. The condensation was slick against her palm. "Thanks," she muttered, unscrewing the cap and taking a few slow sips. The water felt cold, refreshing against her dry throat, and she leaned back, letting the cool air kiss her flushed skin.
Zhou Ming offered a final reassuring smile before stepping back, disappearing into the maze of cars.
She started the engine, pulling out of the parking lot, the city lights blurring slightly through the windshield. Her headache worsened, spreading like wildfire behind her eyes. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened as her vision began to ripple around the edges.
The ringtone startled her—Zhou Ming's name flashing on the dashboard screen. She answered with a weary swipe, her voice low.
"You left your pulse bracelet at the restaurant," he said, voice smooth, laced with something she couldn't quite place. "It was on the table."
She frowned. I didn't wear one today.
Before the thought could fully register, blinding headlights flashed from her left.
A deafening screech of tires.
Metal colliding with metal.
The impact hit her like a tidal wave, her car spinning out of control as glass shattered around her, shards catching the faint city lights like falling stars. Her body lurched violently, the seatbelt digging into her chest, her head snapping back against the headrest. The world tilted, blurred, sounds muffled, distant.
She tasted blood.
Everything felt slow, like time itself was stretching, pulling her further into the abyss.
Her phone screen flickered beside her, Zhou Ming's name still glowing, his call disconnected.