Chapter 1: New Year Party
December 31, in City J.
In the spacious and elegant bedroom, Mel Tan, a young and slender girl who was soon to turn 22 years old, lay on her soft bed, her mind wandering about the upcoming event with her best friend, Anna Willmer.
Anna had convinced her to attend a New Year’s party at the W Hotel; she had received an exclusive invitation from the W Group, the number-one company in Country X.
Initially, when Anna asks her to go to the party, Mel turns it down because she dislikes the hustle and bustle of events like parties, she prefers spending New Year’s Eve in quiet places like her cozy home.
However, Anna insisted, saying; she needed to socialize with real people instead of being engrossed with her computer. What annoyed Mel was when Anna said, "Don’t you want to find a partner? You’re almost 22, yet you’ve never had a boyfriend!"
Anna’s words were still ringing in her ears. She couldn’t get angry, because what Anna said was true.
Mel realized she had been isolating herself in her computer room, avoiding social interactions. And lately, her mind had been restless, haunted by shadows from her dark past.
That’s why she heeds Anna’s advice and steps out of her comfort zone, deciding to attend the New Year Party for the first time in her entire life.
Gradually, Mel rises from her bed and sits on its edge, gathering her messy ink-black straight hair into a neat but slightly messy bun. To relax her muscles and clear her mind, she practices yoga — She still has some time before Anna arrives to pick her up.
After a few minutes of yoga, her cell phone vibrated. She reached for the phone on the bedside table and smiled when she saw it was from Anna.
[AnnaCuteFromBirth: ] I will arrive soon. (Smile Icon)