"We won't be late, right?" Camalina asked, sitting stiffly in the taxi as she glanced at the girl beside her.
Evenly was busy dabbing powder onto her face, completely absorbed in her reflection.
"Are you even listening, Evenly?" Camalina asked again, raising an eyebrow when the girl still didn't respond.
"Yes, I'm listening, baby girl," Evenly finally replied, snapping the compact shut with a soft click.
"You always do this to me, Camalina," Evenly continued, angling her face toward her friend and hooking her index finger under Camalina's chin.
"Ever since we met two years ago, every time we attend a party together, you keep dragging me out of the house, saying we'll be late."
She pressed her lips together, batting her lashes dramatically. "Can't you let me enjoy myself for once? Even if I'm not a distinguished guest, I should at least look presentable."
"I think you're already used to it," Camalina replied calmly. "We always go to parties together."
"I'll stop taking you along with me," Evenly shot back quickly.
"Sorry, you can't," Camalina said, sticking out her tongue slightly at the corner of her lips.
Evenly sighed, but then her gaze lingered on Camalina those beautiful, innocent eyes suddenly calculating something.
"What?" Camalina asked, her eyes widening slightly. She knew that look all too well.
"I hope you get a boyfriend tonight," Evenly said casually.
Camalina's eyes narrowed then widened again as Evenly clasped her hands together dramatically.
"Oh God," Evenly prayed aloud, "please bless my friend with a boyfriend tonight. Please, God."
Camalina stared at her, stunned.
"Please don't go matchmaking me with your colleagues," Camalina begged, clasping her hands together.
"I will," Evenly replied shamelessly. "There's a handsome guy who's new. I think you'd suit each other perfectly." She winked
After a few minutes, the taxi pulled to a stop in front of a massive building. Light spilled from inside, shimmering against the glass exterior. Bold blue letters glowed above the entrance:
MX GROUP OF COMPANIES.
Well-dressed guests streamed inside, elegant and refined complete opposites of Camalina's simple trousers and loose blouse.
"Camalina, do you see what I was telling you?" Evenly asked. "You could've worn the dress I suggested. Don't you feel out of place?"
Camalina shrugged.
"I don't really care. And you know I don't have money right now to buy things like that."
She nudged her head sideways.
Evenly followed her gaze and spotted a woman in a tight red dress, dressed up like a porcelain doll.
Camalina burst out laughing.
"Aha ah!" Evenly laughed too, quickly covering her mouth when she realized where they were.
"Did you really want me to wear something like that?" Camalina asked, amused.
"No never," Evenly replied, eyeing the woman. "Not for me, and definitely not for you."
"She looks like a stripper doll," Camalina added.
Evenly couldn't hold it anymore. "Ahahaha!" She clutched her stomach.
Not far from them, two girls stepped out of another taxi. One of them immediately spotted Evenly.
"Look, Evenly's there. Let's go to her," one said.
"No," the other replied coldly. "Let's pretend we didn't see them."
"But why? We used to work together," the first girl argued. "It wouldn't hurt to greet them."
"Can't you see who she's with?" the second snapped.
"Who?"
"Oh she came with that girl again."
The other nodded. "Didn't we tell her not to bring that girl to parties?"
"Yes, Perry," the first Sam said. "But she still did. If we avoid them, it's her fault."
They walked toward the entrance.
"She always dresses like that," Sam muttered, "yet somehow she still attracts men. I hate that."
As they passed, Camalina noticed them.
"Aren't those your friends Sam and Perry?" Camalina asked.
Evenly turned just in time to see them ahead. "Yes! Let's go say hi."
She grabbed Camalina's hand and pulled her toward the entrance.
"Sam! Perry!" Evenly called cheerfully.
Sam sighed. "Can't she understand we don't want to hang out anymore?"
They turned around stiffly. Perry wore a perfectly practiced smile.
"Hi, Evenly," they said in unison completely ignoring Camalina.
"You both look beautiful tonight," Evenly complimented.
Camalina's gaze slowly traveled from their perfectly styled hair down to their heels.
Faces like painted rags, she thought, sighing softly as she looked away.
"I think we should find a seat " Evenly began.
"Actually, Evenly," Perry interrupted, smiling apologetically, "we have something to do."
"Oh, I know," Evenly said knowingly. "You're going to the toilet, right?"
Perry's smile faltered for a split second before she forced it back. "Yes… you guessed right."
"We'll be going now. Enjoy the night," Sam said quickly, pulling Perry away.
"Don't bother about her," Sam whispered as they walked off.
"I feel like exploding," Perry hissed. "Did you see how she looked at me? Mocking me just because I go to the restroom a lot."
Meanwhile, Evenly and Camalina whispered to each other as they entered the grand hall, searching for seats.
The hall gradually filled soft murmurs, elegant laughter, the clink of glasses. Some guests whispered, others sipped wine gracefully.
"Is it nice working here?" Camalina asked.
"Yes," Evenly nodded. "More than nice."
She lifted her fruit juice just as the lights dimmed.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," a voice boomed from the stage.
"I hope you're enjoying the celebration with your companions," the MC continued. "Now, it is my honor to announce the entrance of our authoritative CEO."
The lights shifted toward the entrance.
Tall, muscular men appeared first, opening the doors with quiet precision.
The murmurs died instantly.
Then he stepped inside.
His posture was straight, his expression calm, his presence heavy commanding.
"Oh my…" Perry breathed.
"He's so handsome," Sam whispered.
"Is he really the CEO?" someone murmured nearby.
"Yes," another replied. "You must be new."
"Catrina, you're spilling wine on your dress," someone warned.
But Catrina didn't hear her.
Her eyes like many others never left the man walking in.