Chapter 1 — Congratulations!

I've observed that people are just like animals—like snakes slithering toward better prey once their own has been stolen. Humans, however, do it just to satisfy their envy.

I'm intoxicated.

I could hurl out everything I just drank and ate a few minutes ago. Who knew such a feeling could make you want to puke it all out at the same time you took a dump? Or was it just me? Either way, my mouth tasted like shit and my legs felt like they had just run a hundred miles before finally slowing down. My head was spinning to the tune of a disco song that had been on repeat at Elise's birthday party. The flashing neon lights still hurt my eyes; I almost mistook them for stars.

"Hang in there…" Encouraging words from a stranger's mouth made me sober up slightly, my hands pushing the person away. Creeps were notorious around this area, and the last thing I wanted was to be kidnapped. In doing so, I lost my balance, and I was close to making out with the dirty road when the stranger caught me. "I told you to hang on. Don't let go or you'll certainly kiss the floor!"

"W-who…?" With that one word out of my mouth, the bile rose from the pit of my stomach up to my throat. Fighting back the tears and the horrifying taste lingering in my mouth, I pushed myself away from the person and grabbed the closest thing I could reach, dry heaving.

Shit…I can't believe I'm going to vomit in front of this stranger. My reputation…

"Ugh…that's a lot."

The voice made a similar gagging sound as I emptied my stomach. The last thing I remembered before blacking out was the person calling my name over and over. Then, I was consumed by the darkness that I had become well acquainted with ever since Desmond Cole, my professor and boyfriend—now my ex—broke up with me all too suddenly three months ago, without even an explanation. It bewildered me and made me hate myself, thinking long and hard about where I went wrong.

"Definitely plastered. Don't worry, Miss Bay. I promised her I'd bring you home safely."

Did I lie to him? Did I fight him out of the blue and hurt his feelings? Did the opinions of the people who knew about our relationship finally get in his head? Was that it? I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case since a professor caught dating or having an intimate relationship with a student was frowned upon.

But no.

He didn't say a word.

Elise's birthday party was just an excuse to drink away all of my sorrow and anger. And for me to have black-out dreams of killing the idiot for leaving me. It would be a good dream—I could tell just by picturing his face weeping in anguish.

"The fucker…"

» — ✣ — «

Ding dong!

Glaring at the door, I got up from the couch and walked towards the most annoying sound in the morning. I had a massive headache, and my eyes were close to shutting due to how bright the sun was shining through the curtains. The day appeared to be so happy; my mood contrasted with it greatly. Just the idea of going out and leaving the quiet apartment was already making me emit a whine of frustration.

I knew it. I shouldn't have drunk so much last night. Then I wouldn't be sporting this splitting headache!

"Yes!" I shouted, wrapping the blankets tighter around my frame as I waddled to the door. The doorbell was ringing constantly now. "Sheesh, can't you chill?"

Grabbing the handle, I pulled it open and was face to face with the delivery man, who had a stupid smile on his face. "Good morning, Miss Bay. There's a package for you."

"Well, obviously, you wouldn't be here if there wasn't, now would you?"

His response was a laugh and another smile, which ticked me off. I took the paper he handed me, signing on top of my name.

"It seems to have come from your friend. Apparently, it's urgent."

I snickered. "Which friend? I have a lot of friends."

Which is totally a lie.

"The girl named Elise. You know, the one who used to live with you—"

Dumb woman. What did she have to pay so much to send me?

"If you want to find her, she's at the Salvador mansion. Also, she's already married." Giving him a pointed look, I handed the signed paper to him. "And be careful, her husband might sue you. Even kill you if you touch his wife."

Another lie as well.

"I won't!" The man laughed and waved farewell as he walked away. Rolling my eyes, I locked the door and stared at the small box I had received. My name, in Elise's ugly handwriting, was scrawled on the surface along with hers. Shaking my head at the thought of her sending this to me so early in the morning, I grabbed my mug filled with hot green tea. The sound of the aquarium bubbling, with my leeches swimming around, filled my ears. The bright lime green dress that I wore last night was sitting on top of the couch along with my other clothes.

I might as well open it so that, when that crazy woman calls, she won't yell my ear off. What the fuck could this even contain?

Spotting the remote, I grabbed it and turned the television on. Showbiz lit up the screen right away with the face of a famous actress, her scandal being explained. After taking a small sip of tea, I set the mug down and began to unwrap the box.

"What is this…? Some kind of prank?" I grumbled and frowned. The idea of Elise rubbing her happy marriage and the celebration of her birthday yesterday in my face didn't sit well. No, the sudden arrival of this package was making me anxious. "That lazy bitch. She should've just delivered this on her own…"

"And now, for another bit of exciting news." My attention was diverted to the screen as the actress's face disappeared and was replaced with a more familiar one. "Aurelius Clarke was seen leaving Elise Salvador's birthday party at the Salvadors' hotel at nine in the evening with a woman around his arm. We have yet to find out whom. They are probably seeing one another!"

A picture of him leaving with a woman, whom he had covered with his jacket, flashed on the screen.

Oh, it's Aiden's friend.

Focusing back on the package, I threw away the wrapper and stared at the shiny yellow box sitting on my lap.

As far as I know, it isn't my birthday today…

"Charlie, did you dig up any exciting new scoops today?"

"That's right, Ash. I just received word that the woman who was seen leaving with Aurelius Clarke last night is none other than Elise Salvador's best friend!"

Oh? Elise has a new best friend and she's hooking up with Aurelius Clarke, who is also Elise's husband's best friend. That woman—

"Yes, and her name's Alex Bay."

"Who?" I raised my head and stared at the television with wide eyes as the two hosts laughed and began talking about Elise and me before commenting on how Aurelius and I were possibly hooking up. However, their words didn't make the dots connect. Eyes back on the box, I slowly opened it and stared at the package of condoms next to a photo of Elise giving me a thumbs up. After flipping the photo over, the words scrawled on the back made my headache worse:

Congratulations on getting laid!

"What? What the fuck?"