They had just attended her friend’s wedding. The first one to bite the bullet. It has certainly been an eventful day, starting off at dawn with the typical groom picking up the bride at her house. Though Lauren had been living with Xuhan for the last year, in a bid to be traditional, she had spent her last night as a single back home with her family. In the morning, the groom came a-knocking on the door with his cronies, determined to pick his bride without too much hassle. After undertaking all sorts of humiliating test that were brewed by the devious girlfriends of Lauren, he finally got to claim his bride. The Chinese customary rituals followed after that, the grand finale of the wedding dinner held at one of the top grade hotels in the city.

As the rules went, Kai accompanied her to the dinner, sitting alongside with the various couples around the dinner table. In return, after the lavish dinner ended, she entered the doors of the most popular club on the arm of Kai. The charade was proving a little tedious for her to carry out as the night wore on.

‘Why did you come over?’ She shouted in his ear, above the music.

‘I saw you dancing alone.’ He put an arm around her waist. ‘And you know what happened the last time you were dancing alone in a place like this.’

She laughed, admitting the truth in Kai’s words. Habitually putting her arms on his shoulders, she put her face close to his nose. Close enough for all who saw to misunderstand. They moved together to the music. Kai occasionally ‘singing’ along to the song.

It was almost three as she watched Kai down another B52 with his buddies. Unconsciously, she yawned widely. Kai who was surprisingly sober despite all the drinks he throughout the night noticed. He turned to speak to his friend. Nodding, his friend knocked fists with Kai.

He came over, taking her hand. ‘We are going back,’ Relief showed on her face as she hugged each person in the party. Her feet had been crying out for help five hours ago. She could not wait to shake off those dastardly shoes. You have to suffer for beauty. Reminding herself how true were those words as another shot of pain traveled through her calves.