Chapter 2

Seated on a circular leather couch were three stunning girls, but one of them exuded a captivating aura that drew everyone's attention. Her youthful and fresh appearance was complemented by her slim and petite figure. With a heart-shaped face, prominent cheekbones, and a pair of large almond eyes, her small nose and filled lips added to her beauty. Her soft brown hair was styled in loose beachy waves, and her blunt bangs sat above her arched eyebrows, which seemed to have curled up with dissatisfaction as she stared down at her phone screen.

Snow, who sat across from her, had been studying Clair's expression for a while before finally breaking the silence, "Clair! What's wrong? Why are you looking at your phone like that?"

Clair rolled her eyes and tossed her phone aside before shaking her head, "It's nothing. Just someone annoying," she responded, picking up her drink from the table in front of her.

Jill, who sat to Clair's left, interjected, "Let me guess, it's your mother."

Clair's frown deepened, "Let's not talk about her today. It's my birthday, after all. I'm already frustrated," she grumbled, slowly getting up from the couch.

Snow asked, "Where are you going?"

Clair took a deep breath, "The restroom. I'll be back in a while," she responded before walking out of the room.

Jill pursed her lips and shook her head, "I don't understand her sometimes. Why does she hate her so much? Her mother seems like a harmless person, don't you think?" Jill, who had joined the friend trio a few years ago, was always curious about the family dynamic between Clair and her mother.

"It's complicated," Snow replied, sipping from her glass.

Jill gave her a serious look before shrugging her shoulders, "But I must say, I think Madam Azalea is a vampire or something. How does she never age? I remember seeing her when I was a kid, and she hasn't aged a day since! And look at me; I already have wrinkles!" Jill grumbled, and Snow nodded in agreement, "I know, right? I sometimes think that we should convince Clair's mother to open her skin care brand. It will surely blow up!" Snow added with a serious voice.

Unbeknownst to the girls, Clair stood silently by the door, listening to their conversation. Her eyes were lowered, staring at her heels blankly, and her hand curled up into a fist. She took in a sharp breath and closed her eyes as the sound of loud, painful screams filled her head, causing shivers to run down her spine. Her hand clenched tighter and tighter while droplets of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The ear-splitting screams jolted Clair back to a place she wished she could forget. Memories of the past became vivid and her heart sank, causing her to recoil in fear. Unaware of her surroundings, she collided with a waiter carrying a tray full of drinks, sending them cascading down her dress and shattering a glass on the ground.

“I’m so sorry!” the waiter apologized immediately, though it wasn't his fault. Clair's eyes widened, her heart racing from the sudden accident. Her frown deepened, and she screamed at the waiter, "What the hell is this! Are you blind?" She scolded him at the top of her lungs, patting her drenched dress.

The man's expression was extremely apologetic, looking fragile and innocent. His hazel, soft eyes appeared to be on the verge of tears, but Clair didn't seem to care.

"Get me the manager now!" She demanded in a frustrated voice, huffing out in anger.

"Please, I am really sorry. Don't tell the manager; he will fire me!" The man pleaded, his voice full of desperation. The commotion had caught too much attention, causing a crowd to form in the hallway. Even Jill and Snow came out of the room to see what was happening.

"What happened here? Are you okay, Clair?" Snow asked, looking concerned, and then her gaze fell on the waiter with an apologetic expression.

"This waiter ruined my dress! He ruined my special day!" Clair screamed shrilly. It wasn't long before the restaurant manager arrived at the scene, shocked to see Clair in that state.

"Miss Sinclair, are you alright?" He asked in a concerned tone.

"What kind of staff have you trained? He spilled the drinks all over my dress and ruined my birthday! Fire him this instant or I will make sure that your restaurant never opens up again!" She lashed out at him.

Though she was angry with the waiter, deep down inside, Clair knew the reason for her rage wasn't his fault. However, she didn't care about it one bit, and she had to take it out in one way or another because that was the only way she could keep her mind sane, even if it meant ruining the life of the person in front of her.

Because Clair was one of the VIP customers, the manager didn't hesitate to fire the waiter named Cyrus, even though he apologized profusely. With an unforgiving look in her eyes, Clair watched as the waiter was taken away. Jill came to her side and tried to cheer her up, suggesting they go somewhere else to celebrate, but Clair shook her head and hurried back into the room to grab her bag and phone.

"I don't feel good. I'm going home. You can enjoy yourself," she forced a smile and brushed past her friends, heading straight out of the doors. When she reached the parking area, she quickly unlocked her car doors and threw her bag across the seat, slamming the doors behind her. Leaning her head against the steering wheel, she took a deep breath.

"Stop it! Stop thinking about it!" She bit down on her teeth and cursed at her brain, which was constantly bringing unpleasant memories back to her mind. Nothing seemed to be helping her, and she impulsively started the car while sniffling. She drove out of the parking lot and onto the busy roads of the city. The traffic made her frustrated, and she honked at the cars around her, cursing under her breath.

"Just move already!" She honked even more until she completely snapped, taking a hard left and driving onto the wrong way, stepping on the gas. Knowing well enough how dangerous it was for her and the people around her, she barely cared and drove until she saw the lights of a truck blaring in her way and the loud, defining horns filling her ears. It was then she closed her eyes, let go of the steering wheel, and let the speeding truck decide her future.

Azalea gasped as her eyes opened in horror, and her heart banged against her ribs. She sat up on the couch where she had fallen asleep.

"Clair!" With those words, she quickly got to her feet and rushed barefooted towards the door.