Chapter 3 Drunken Night

As soon as I stepped into the club, the lively atmosphere swept over me. Annie saw me and waved excitedly. Before I could reach her, she pulled me into a warm hug. "Aisha, I missed you so much. It's been almost half a year since we last met, right?" Annie asked. Susan scoffed loudly, "It's been more than half a year. The last time we saw each other was last summer at our school's two-year reunion. If it weren't for the school anniversary and Alan's speech, this girl who's all about her man wouldn't have come to meet us." Lucy chimed in, "Exactly! For a man, you haven't seen us in three years. We're only meeting for the second time today. No feelings left? Let's cut ties!" Annie gently pushed me onto the sofa, playfully scolding the two of them, "Alright, alright. You guys know Aisha's dream is to marry Alan. Cut her some slack." I raised my glass with a smile, looking at the three of them, "Annie, they're right. I've been obsessed, thinking a man is more important than my friends. To make up for ignoring you all these years, I'll drink three cups as a penalty!" It wasn't just because I neglected them for three years. It was also because, in my past life, when Alan was determined to divorce me and targeted my family, they risked being implicated to help me. After three drinks, my eyes were red. The three of them were stunned, seeing me drink three cups in a row. Then, they were startled by the tears in my eyes. "What's wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?" "Did that bastard Alan bully you?" "I knew something was up! Let me call Alan and give him a piece of my mind!" I held Annie's hand to stop her from calling, smiling, "I'm fine. It's just a man, not worth my tears. I just haven't seen you all in so long. Seeing you now makes me emotional. Give me a hug, and I'll be fine." Susan looked at me suspiciously, "Really? If Alan dumped you, just say so. We'll get revenge for you." I shook my head again, "It's really not because of Alan." Finally, they relaxed and each gave me a hug. After each hug, I sincerely thanked them for their support, both in this life and the previous one. "Married women really lose their carefree spirit. Crying like this, calling you our old cheer captain is embarrassing," Lucy teased. I smiled, "Soon, I'll be free from this married woman's status. I'm planning to divorce Alan!" My words left them stunned again. "Damn it, I knew something was up!" Susan frowned. Annie looked at me worriedly, "Did Alan cheat? Otherwise, why would you want to divorce him? You've chased him for so long. Why give up now?" Lucy, clearly angry, added, "Tell us, and we'll help you catch him in the act. Was it that actress he was rumored with yesterday? Or the young model from a few days ago? Or that college girl from before?" I didn't expect them to know so much about Alan's scandals. I shook my head, honestly saying, "My marriage with Alan was just a business deal. And being with him, I realized he's not all that great. I'm bored." They believed my mix of truth and lies. "Let's celebrate Aisha's upcoming new life!" Annie raised her glass. They even started celebrating my divorce early. "Happy divorce!" "Happy divorce!" The intense game was live on the big screen, and my friends and I cheered and drank joyfully. When our team won, the whole club erupted in cheers. Next came the night's revelry. The music and alcohol heightened my senses. I was already tipsy, my steps unsteady. Lucy whispered in my ear, "Aisha, I have a little gift for you! Enjoy it!" Before I could wonder what it was, a few decent-looking men surrounded me. I instinctively wanted to avoid them, but thinking of Alan's flings, I suddenly didn't want to move away. If Alan could indulge himself and flirt with other women, why should I reject men who showed interest in me? I let a man behind me press close, and I even reached back to wrap my arm around his neck. My heartbeat synced with the music, and my blood boiled from the alcohol. I started losing sight of the world, my steps faltering. I leaned into the man's chest. He smiled down at me, "Shall we go somewhere else?" I looked up at the somewhat unfamiliar but handsome face and nodded, "Okay!" Even drunk, I knew what would happen next, but I didn't refuse. We hadn't taken many steps when he suddenly vanished. Without support, I fell to the side. The next second, I was caught by a familiar pair of arms. I seemed to see Alan's hated face, frowning, his expression dark, saying something to me. In my daze, I shouted hysterically at Alan. "That woman dared to get pregnant with your child. I'll make sure she's labeled a homewrecker, and her child will always be an illegitimate one!" "Alan, if you have the guts, kill me, or I won't divorce you." "If I could find that woman, I'd kill her myself!" Alan's face twisted in rage, his hands tightening around my neck, "Aisha, you think I won't harm you? If anything happens to Linda or the baby, I'll kill you!" I turned red from lack of oxygen but laughed maniacally, "Alan, if you kill me, my family won't let you off!" At that moment, Alan looked like a demon from hell, filled with bloodlust, "Then I'll wipe out your entire family!" As he spoke, his grip tightened, and the suffocating feeling washed over me. He was really going to kill me!