1 New Year Party

December 31, in City J.

In the spacious and elegant bedroom, Mel Tan, a young and slender girl who was soon to turn 22 years old, lay on her soft bed, her mind wandering about the upcoming event with her best friend, Anna Willmer.

Anna had convinced her to attend a New Year's party at the W Hotel; she had received an exclusive invitation from the W Group, the number-one company in Country X. 

Initially, when Anna asks her to go to the party, Mel turns it down because she dislikes the hustle and bustle of events like parties, she prefers spending New Year's Eve in quiet places like her cozy home.

However, Anna insisted, saying; she needed to socialize with real people instead of being engrossed with her computer. What annoyed Mel was when Anna said, "Don't you want to find a partner? You're almost 22, yet you've never had a boyfriend!"

Anna's words were still ringing in her ears. She couldn't get angry, because what Anna said was true.

Mel realized she had been isolating herself in her computer room, avoiding social interactions. And lately, her mind had been restless, haunted by shadows from her dark past.

That's why she heeds Anna's advice and steps out of her comfort zone, deciding to attend the New Year Party for the first time in her entire life.

Gradually, Mel rises from her bed and sits on its edge, gathering her messy ink-black straight hair into a neat but slightly messy bun. To relax her muscles and clear her mind, she practices yoga — She still has some time before Anna arrives to pick her up.

After a few minutes of yoga, her cell phone vibrated. She reached for the phone on the bedside table and smiled when she saw it was from Anna.

[AnnaCuteFromBirth: ] I will arrive soon. (Smile Icon)

Mel immediately sets down her cell phone and rushes to get ready. After spending a few minutes in the bathroom, she emerges wearing a bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel. In a good mood, she heads towards her wardrobe.

As Mel stared at her wardrobe, a sudden headache hit her when she saw the many clothes hanging neatly in her wardrobe.

She can't even recall when she purchased all these outfits. After a moment, she manages to select a 'Black Satin Wrap Midi Dress' from a renowned brand.

While the dress wraps her curves perfectly, Mel feels a slight discomfort. However, Anna's advice flashes in her mind, reminding her about dressing to match the party's glamorous theme, leading her to overcome her hesitation.

She doesn't want Anna to critique her fashion sense, so for this one night, she decides to follow Anna's suggestion, to follow the party's dress code, and abandon her casual tomboy style.

Once fully dressed, Mel promptly heads to the lobby. Before long, she spots Anna's Maybach approaching and coming to a stop not far from her. As Anna exits the car, her dark brown wavy hair cascades freely over her shoulders. She looks stunning. Seeing how beautiful and confident her best friend is makes her feel jealous.

Anna's smile broadens upon seeing Mel. "Wow! Young lady... You look stunning, like a goddess," she was captivated by her best friend's transformation using a beautiful and alluring dress. She had never seen such a choice of clothes used by Mel.

Mel remains speechless, unsure of how to respond.

"A-Anna, do I look okay? I only applied a touch of blush and some colored lip gloss?" Mel asked. While tightening her coat to hide her body.

Mel's lack of confidence in her appearance shines through in her questioning tone. Her usual attitude towards clothing and makeup is quite casual. She's never made drastic changes like now, using a sexy outfit and styling her hair in a bun. Inwardly, she wanted to return to her house and spend the night in her warm and comfortable bed.

Rolling her eyes, Anna said, "What are you talking about? You look perfect! You don't even need foundation; your skin is naturally radiant and flawless. Your nose has a great shape, and your jawline is beautifully defined even without any contouring..."

She adds, "And those unique gray eyes of yours look mesmerizing! Seriously, Mel, I envy you. If I had half of your beauty, I'd consider myself lucky..." Anna's words are meant to bolster Mel's confidence in her flawless appearance.

Anna's high praise leaves Mel momentarily speechless. "Alright, Anna, we should go now. We might end up being late if we delay any longer," she finally says, eager to shift the focus away from herself.

"You're an absolutely right young lady! Let's go," Anna responds with enthusiasm.

Soon, both friends settle into the car's back seat as it accelerates, swiftly carrying them on their way to the party location.

"Anna, you look stunning. What's the theme of your appearance today?" Mel inquired as the car started to move.

"Guess!" Anna responded with a mysterious smile.

Mel narrowed her eyes in thought. "Goddess?"

Anna shook her head, grinning. "Nope."

"Sexy?"

Anna's gaze became more intense. "Could you be a bit more serious?"

Mel raised both hands in surrender, her tone defeated. "Okay, fine. Just tell me!"

"Party Queen!" Anna proudly declared.

Mel was momentarily speechless, but she eventually nodded in agreement. Anna looked incredibly alluring in her knee-high, white, open-back dress that clung tightly to her body, accentuating her curves flawlessly.

"You think what I'm thinking, right?"

Chuckling, Mel affirmed, "Absolutely! By the way, Anna, why didn't you bring your boyfriend to this party? Why me?"

Anna's expression shifted, her tone becoming slightly defensive. "What do you mean? I don't have a boyfriend, okay!"

Surprised, Mel responded, "Really? Weren't you close to..."

Before Mel could recall the name of Anna's boyfriend, Anna interjected, "Well, he's in the past now..." Her words carried a casual tone devoid of any hint of sadness.

"You two broke up again?" Mel couldn't hide her disbelief. As far as she could remember, Anna's romantic relationships were often short-lived. None seemed to extend beyond a few months. Anna introduced a new boyfriend almost every time they met, and Mel lost track of the number of men Anna had introduced to her.

"So, my mission for tonight is to find a new boyfriend. I want to kick off the new year with someone hotter," Anna said with a wink directed at Mel.

Unable to do anything but shake her head at Anna's determination, Mel leaned back in her seat, gazing silently out at the passing street as the car continued to move.

Mel observed the streets adorned with Christmas and New Year ornaments, transforming the surroundings into a captivating sight. The street had come alive, bustling with activity. Couples strolled hand in hand, and families exchanged laughter in the nearby park they passed.

As the car crossed the Lotus River, Mel noticed patches of snow-covered areas. She felt a heaviness in her chest, almost as if an unseen weight was pressing down on her. 'I hate winter,' she whispered to herself, her voice carrying a tinge of melancholy.

Suddenly, Anna's voice broke her thoughts. "Young Lady..." Anna's unexpected call prompted Mel to turn toward her, a questioning expression on her face.

Anna continued, her tone mischievous, "I have a mission for you tonight. You need to find a date!"

Mel found herself at a loss for words, hearing Anna's words.

"Anna, you're kidding, right?" Mel rolled her eyes in response. "I'm not like you. I've never been drawn to that sort of thing. Dating would only drain my emotions and disrupt my peaceful life. And yes, I am content with how things are. I don't need a man to come in and spoil it, thank you very much!"