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The moment Vivian spoke, there was an uncomfortable silence that swept through the room. Everyone’s attention turned to her, and the jovial atmosphere that had existed a moment ago seemed to dissipate. The drunken man who had spoken, his words now hanging in the air like an awkward fog, didn’t seem to realize the gravity of what he’d just said.
Vivian’s smile faltered, and she could feel the eyes of the room on her, pressing in with heavy expectations. She glanced over at Adrian, hoping for a subtle gesture of reassurance, but he remained stoic, his eyes downcast. His indifference only added to the tension, making her feel exposed and vulnerable.
The drunken man, realizing his mistake, tried to cover up by laughing nervously. “Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. Just a joke! We’ve all known each other for so long… It’d be nice to celebrate together, right?”
But his attempt to salvage the situation only seemed to make it worse. Vivian felt the weight of the room’s silence press down on her. Everyone was watching, waiting for something—anything—to break the uncomfortable air.
Adrian, who had been silent until now, finally lifted his gaze. His eyes, cold and unreadable, scanned the room. He didn’t look at Vivian, nor did he offer any comfort. Instead, he addressed the group with a quiet but firm voice.
“Jokes like that aren’t funny,” he said, his tone icy. “Know your limits.”
There was no mistaking the authority in his voice, and it was clear that he wasn’t in the mood for lighthearted teasing. His words made everyone uneasy, the fun evaporating as quickly as it had arrived. Vivian shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling the coldness of Adrian’s response settle over her like a heavy blanket.
Eva, sitting quietly beside Vivian, observed the scene with a subtle, almost amused expression. She had been aware of the delicate situation between Vivian and Adrian, and the tension between them was becoming more and more apparent as the night went on. The fact that Adrian had responded so harshly only confirmed what she had suspected. Whatever relationship they had was fraying at the edges.
“Adrian,” Vivian began, her voice tentative but trying to keep things light, “you don’t have to be so serious. Everyone’s just having fun.”
But Adrian didn’t respond. He only turned his attention to Michael, who had been sitting quietly, observing everything. Michael, for his part, hadn’t shown any outward reaction, his eyes trained on his phone. But even he couldn’t ignore the palpable tension in the room.
“How about we change the subject?” Michael suggested, breaking the silence with his usual calm demeanor. “Let’s not make this evening about personal matters.”
The room nodded in agreement, relieved to shift the focus away from the uncomfortable dynamics between Vivian and Adrian. But the damage had already been done. The atmosphere had changed, and the rest of the evening felt strained, with everyone walking on eggshells.
As the night wore on, Michael found himself reflecting on the strange dynamics at play. He had been observing Eva more closely than he cared to admit, noticing the way her eyes flickered when Adrian was around, and the subtle tension in her movements. Something was off, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Vivian, too, seemed distracted, her earlier attempt to interact with Adrian falling flat. It was clear that things weren’t as simple as they appeared, and Michael couldn’t help but wonder what had really been going on between them in the years they had been apart.
Adrian, for his part, seemed to be in a world of his own. His icy demeanor remained, and he spoke little, his focus mostly on Eva, who sat next to him, her posture rigid and controlled. The way they interacted—or rather, didn’t—was enough to make anyone wonder what was really happening beneath the surface.
By the time the evening came to a close, the once-energetic gathering had quieted down, and people began to filter out, unsure of how to deal with the unresolved tensions. Vivian, her unease still palpable, exchanged a few quick words with some of the guests before quickly excusing herself, eager to leave the strained atmosphere behind.
Eva, on the other hand, remained composed, her smile polite but distant. Adrian, ever the protector, walked beside her, his presence a silent shield against the whispers and looks from the others. As they made their way out of the room, Michael couldn’t help but feel that something significant had shifted between them all, but whether it was for better or worse, he couldn’t yet say.
For now, he would bide his time and wait for the right moment to uncover the truth.
