When fate plays its hand

At that moment, the staff’s voice came from the entrance. “The route malfunction has been fixed. Please stop pushing and instead move toward the exit in an orderly manner

With someone managing the crowd, the chaos quickly came to an end.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Miranda didn’t bother giving Hansel another look before leaving in a hurry.

Hansel freed his arm and followed her.

Ingrid gritted her teeth. “Hans, wait for me!!

Winter had already gotten out a while ago and was waiting by the ticket gates.

Apparently, a malfunction in one of the routes had nearly led to a fire.

Thinking about how Miranda still hadn’t come out, she’d wanted to rush back inside, but someone had stopped her.

Fortunately, Miranda came out safe and sound less than half an hour later.

Winter rushed over. “Are you hurt? I was so scared when I heard the fire alarm just now.

“I’m standing right in front of you in perfect health. Let’s go.” After today’s outing. Miranda was really tired.

Winter nodded. “Well then, let’s–wait, isn’t that Hansel?” Before she even finished

speaking, she saw Hansel walk out, followed by Ingrid.

“How did we bump into this unlucky bastard when we’re here to have fun?*

Miranda glanced over and immediately averted her gaze. “Don’t be mad. It was just a coincidence. Let’s go.”

On the way back, Winter only got angrier the more she thought about it. She pulled over and made a detour.

Miranda was stunned. “I thought we were going home.”

“I’ve decided that we shouldn’t go home yet. He’s just a man. There are more fish in the sea. Come, let me show you the world!”

Miranda was at a loss for words.

At 8:00 pm, the nightlife had just started.

Like a puppet on a string, Miranda was pulled into a noisy bar by Winter.

©) +15 BONUS

The pungent stench of cigarettes was mixed with the scent of perfume. The strobe lights flashed green and red, and there were people crowding all around her.

In her casual clothing, she stood out like a sore thumb,

Under the spotlight on stage, a female singer was singing a sentimental song.

Winter dragged her to a private room on the second floor. Then, she asked the waiter to open a bottle of whiskey. Miranda couldn’t get used to the taste, so she asked for a cocktail with a lower alcohol content.

Nonetheless, after taking a sip, her face still ended up flushed.

She rubbed her heated cheeks with the back of her hands. “Winter, I’m going to the

bathroom.”

Winter waved at her. “Alright, be back quick!”

As Miranda exited the bathroom, she ran into Sam. Among Hansel’s friends, she was closest to Calvin. She didn’t have much of a relationship with Sam.

Thus, she simply greeted him politely. “What a coincidence.”

Sam had initially come just to have a few drinks with his buddies. He didn’t expect another unintended reward out of it.

“Are you here alone?” he said, looking at her familiar face.

“No, I’m here with a friend.”

“Hans?”

Miranda’s smile faded slightly. “No. You have fun. I should get going.”

“Mimi,” Sam suddenly called out.

That nickname made Miranda feel very uncomfortable, but she still forced herself to put

on a smile. “What is it?”

“Did you and Hans break up for real this time?”

“Is there such a thing as a fake breakup?” Miranda retorted.

Sam’s gaze darkened. After a brief pause, he nodded. “Okay, I got it.”

As Miranda turned around to leave, he took out his phone and took a photo of her back. for some reason. Then, he opened the WhatsApp group chat they shared and sent the photo there.

“Check out who I ran into,” he typed into the chat.

2/3 =

Calvin: “Damn, is that Miranda? Is this real?”

Zach: “Is that a bar?”

Calvin: “Do you still need to ask? It’s the one we always go to.”

Sam: “Why aren’t you saying anything, Hans?”