The dining table buzzed with lively chatter, a warm symphony of voices blending into a chorus of familiarity. Relatives reunited after so long, their laughter and joyful exchanges filling the air. The scent of freshly prepared meals mingled with the essence of happiness, creating an atmosphere that felt almost magical. Almost.
For me, though, it felt like hell—a suffocating kind of hell. The feeling of being invisible in a room full of people who seemed to effortlessly belong gnawed at me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to push away the rising tide of emotions. But as minutes passed, the invisible weight pressing down on my chest became unbearable.
Finally, I stood, smoothing the hem of my dress as I prepared to make my escape. Just as I took a step back, Aunt Kiana's voice rang out, loud and clear:
"Hey, sweetheart! Where do you think you're going? We haven't even started yet!"
Her words froze me in place. Every pair of eyes turned toward me, their gazes pinning me like a spotlight I hadn't asked for. My heart raced as I fumbled for an excuse.
"Em… uh… it's just… an emergency," I stammered, trying to muster a casual smile. "I'll be back before you know it."
"Alright," Aunt Luisa chimed in with her usual warmth. "By the way, I love your look, darling. It's so natural and perfect—truly stunning."
I blinked, caught completely off guard. A wave of embarrassment and gratitude washed over me as I managed a small, polite smile.
"Thank you," I murmured, my voice soft.
To my surprise, her compliment sparked a ripple effect. The rest of the family chimed in, nodding and offering their own words of praise.
"You look lovely, Neli!"
"Absolutely glowing!"
"Stunning, as always!"
The sudden outpouring of attention warmed me, but it also left me feeling slightly overwhelmed. I glanced down at my lap, unsure of what to say, and then flashed a shy smile of appreciation toward them all.
I could sense Eliana looking uncomfortable as she kept tugging at her gown, her eyes darting around as if she wished to vanish. In my mind, a mischievous thought sparked: No, Eliana! You're not going to get off scot‐free—I'll give you a taste of your own medicine. Before I could dwell on it further, Aunt Kiana's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Aren't you having an emergency, sweetheart?" she called out, interrupting me as I fidgeted with the hem of my dress.
Startled, I stammered, "Oh, oh—yeah! I guess I'll take my leave then," my tone polite yet tinged with urgency. I excused myself and bolted toward the washroom, desperate to retreat and work through my escape plan.
No sooner had I closed the door than a maid appeared at the door, gently calling me back. I sighed in frustration. It felt like I was trapped in this family reunion—a spectacle where, for once, all the attention was on me rather than Eliana. Deep down, I couldn't help but resent the spotlight that had shifted my way. Somehow, I wished I could just redirect all this unwanted attention back to her. After all, it was her day today.
Back in the dining area, as everyone chatted and the clinking of dishes filled the background, I busied myself with helping out at the table. I kept my head down, though my mind was racing. Glancing around, I couldn't help but notice the expressions on Mom and Eliana's faces. Both looked oddly expressionless—a calm façade that barely concealed something deeper, a secret that might one day tear the family apart. I chided myself: What was I even talking about? Probably just my stupid instinct. Still, it was clear that Mom's face showed little resolution, and Dad—ever the business tycoon—was in his own world, making time for family in his own detached way.
Just then, my phone vibrated. I glanced down to see a message from Ryan. I quickly typed back, "I'm sorry, but I'm stuck in a family reunion—can't escape." It was a fleeting moment of relief to know that at least one escape route remained.
All the while, I couldn't shake the feeling of Adrian's steady gaze. I'd caught him watching me from across the room more than once, and I tried everything to avoid meeting his eyes. Somehow, even amidst all this chaos, I felt those stares were both comforting and unnerving—reminding me that not everyone here was as invested in the family drama as the reunion.
As the family laughter echoed in the background, I tried my best to blend in, focusing on the half-eaten plate in front of me. But it wasn't long before Eliana's sharp voice cut through the chatter.
"Oh, Nellie, you've been awfully quiet tonight. Cat got your tongue?" she quipped, flashing a smug smile.
I forced a polite smile, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. "Sometimes it's better to observe than to speak," I replied calmly, my tone as neutral as possible.
Her smirk faltered for a second before she added, "Well, I suppose it's easier for some of us to sit on the sidelines while others shine in the spotlight."
I clenched my fork tightly, feeling the sting of her words, but before I could reply, Aunt Luisa chimed in. "Oh, Eliana, don't be so harsh. Nelissa's presence alone lights up the room," she said with a warm smile.
The table erupted into a mix of laughter and teasing, but Eliana's expression darkened. I could tell she wasn't used to sharing the limelight.
Just then, Adrian, who had been silent until now, leaned toward me slightly. "You okay?" he asked in a low voice, his concern evident.
I nodded quickly, not trusting my voice to sound steady. "Fine," I whispered back, though the tightness in my chest begged to differ.
Eliana, catching the subtle exchange, raised her glass with a grin. "Well, here's to family and to making unforgettable memories," she declared, her tone dripping with sweetness.
As the family joined her in the toast, I caught Adrian's gaze again. This time, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—sympathy, perhaps? Whatever it was, it made me feel slightly less alone in this suffocating room.
Once the dinner began to wind down, I slipped away from the table under the pretense of helping the maids clear dishes. The kitchen provided a temporary escape, its quietness a welcome change from the noisy dining room.
Leaning against the counter, I exhaled deeply, finally letting my guard down. Just then, my phone buzzed again. Another text from Ryan.
"Still stuck? I can wait as long as it takes."
I couldn't help but smile at the message. Knowing he was waiting for me gave me a strange sense of comfort.
Taking a deep breath, I decided I'd find a way out soon—this wasn't a night I could endure much longer.
I barely had time to think about Ryan's message when Eliana walked into the kitchen with Adrian trailing behind her. Her confident stride and smirk gave away that she was up to something.
"Well, I hope you won't shy out this time. We're starting a game, and it wouldn't be the same without you," Eliana said, crossing her arms in mock challenge.
I raised a brow at her, unsure if this was another one of her ploys to embarrass me or just a rare attempt at inclusivity. Before I could respond, she added, "I told them you wouldn't join in. You're not exactly the fun type, after all."
The words stung, but I wasn't about to let her win.
"I'm in," I said firmly, catching a glimmer of surprise in her expression.
Adrian's face lit up as he gave me a quick nod. "That's more like it!"
Minutes later, the entire family had gathered in the living room, the coffee table pushed aside to make space for what Eliana announced as a "truth or dare roulette." The rules were simple: each person spun the bottle in the center of the group, and whoever it landed on had to choose between answering a question truthfully or taking on a dare.
"Let's make this fun," Aunt Kiana said with a mischievous grin. She poured everyone a glass of wine before setting the bottle spinning.
The first few rounds were lighthearted—Uncle Mark admitted to sneaking cake in the middle of the night, and Grandpa Mark had to attempt a poorly-executed handstand as part of a dare. Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, even I started to feel at ease.
Then the bottle pointed at me.
"Well, well," Eliana said, her smile devious. "Truth or dare, sis?"
"Dare," I said without hesitation. If she was planning to humiliate me, I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of digging into my personal life.
"Alright," she said, thinking for a moment before grinning widely. "I dare you to finish a full glass of wine in one go. No stopping."
"That's easy," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though I wasn't exactly a drinker.
As everyone cheered me on, I grabbed the glass and downed it in a single gulp, the tartness of the wine burning my throat. The room erupted into applause, and Adrian shot me a thumbs-up.
But the game only got more chaotic from there. The dares grew wilder, and the wine kept flowing. Aunt Luisa dared Adrian to carry someone bridal-style, and he picked me up with ease, causing everyone to laugh. Uncle Mark was dared to dance with a mop, and Eliana had to belt out an impromptu karaoke rendition of a pop song.
I could feel the effects of the wine creeping in, my head buzzing and my thoughts growing hazy. By the time it was my turn again, I could barely focus on the spinning bottle.
"Truth or dare?" Adrian asked, his voice warm and steady as he watched me with concern.
"Truth," I said, leaning back against the couch and trying to steady myself.
"What's one thing you've done recently that you're too scared to tell anyone?"
I froze, my mind racing. The draft. The letter. Ryan. It all felt like too much to reveal, especially in front of everyone.
"I think I'll pass on this one," I muttered, earning playful boos from the group.
"You can't back out now!" Eliana teased, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"I'll take a dare instead," I said quickly, regretting my decision the moment the words left my mouth.
Adrian exchanged a glance with Eliana, and she smirked. "Alright," she said, leaning forward. "I dare you to finish another glass of wine."
The group erupted into cheers again, and I sighed, knowing I couldn't refuse. By the time I finished the second glass, my head felt like it was spinning, and my cheeks were flushed.
The night blurred after that, the laughter and noise melding into a hazy soundtrack. I stumbled to the kitchen for water at one point, but Adrian caught up to me before I could make it far.
"You okay?" he asked, steadying me with a hand on my arm.
"I'm fine," I mumbled, though the dizziness betrayed my words.
"You're not much of a drinker, are you?" he asked with a soft chuckle, leading me to a chair.
"Not really," I admitted, resting my head on the cool surface of the kitchen counter.
"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on you," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.
"don't worry, I'll just head back to my room"I said and excused myself.