Chapter 43 Good Buddies
“Well, what’s going on here? Did Felix lead you astray?”
Abigail blinked in surprise, and only then did she realize it was Amy. Her expression softened slightly.
Amy, unapologetic as always, plopped down on the seat next to her.
“That sounds harsh, don’t you think? I prefer to call it ‘liberating
one’s true nature.“”
Felix glanced at the drink menu, casually scanning it before placing an order with the bartender.
Amy raised an eyebrow. “You come to my place, and you think I’m going to give you a discount?”
Felix smirked. “Ungrateful little thing, I’m just here supporting your business, and this is how you treat me? No family discount?”
“Of course not,” Amy teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If you’re supporting my business, you have to do it the proper way. You’re not exactly short on cash, are you?”
As they bickered back and forth, Abigail felt the tension in her chest ease.
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
Amy, ever the bold one, suddenly pulled Abigail into a hug.
2/9
“Come on, Abigail, tell me, has Felix been making you work like a mule for him?”
Abigail couldn’t help but laugh at the outrageous question. “You make it sound like Felix is some kind of monster.”
Felix rolled his eyes. “I’m just a poor, misunderstood older cousin so hard to please.”
As they exchanged banter, the server brought over a tray filled with various cocktails.
Some were drinks Abigail recognized from Anthony’s wine cabinet, but most were new to her.
They looked like colorful, sweet concoctions–perhaps they’d taste good too.
Felix picked up a drink that resembled iced coffee, taking a few sips.
Almost immediately, his stiff shoulders seemed to relax, his posture becoming more laid–back as he pulled off his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. With a casual swagger, he leaned back on the sofa, exuding a charming, somewhat dangerous
aura.
Abigail stared, momentarily entranced by his transformation. When she saw Amy reach for a drink, she followed suit, eager to fit in.
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
3/9
Just as she was about to pick up her glass, Felix stopped her with a firm voice.
“That drink won’t do. Take the one beside it.”
Abigail hesitated. “Why? You’re both drinking this one.”
“We’re drinking something loo strong for you,” Felix replied, his tone gentle but authoritative.
Abigail, aware of her own limits with alcohol, nodded and grabbed the suggested drink instead.
She took a sip, and immediately, she was struck by the refreshing taste–a hint of spice from the alcohol, but it wasn’t harsh.
The smoothness of the drink made it surprisingly easy to enjoy.
Amy patted her on the shoulder approvingly.
“When you’re in a bar, you’ve got to learn to go with the flow. A little alcohol helps you forget yourself, makes you lose yourself in the lights and the music–it’s quite magical.”
“Is it really that simple? Just drink and suddenly everything’s better?” Abigail asked, still a bit skeptical.
She remembered the last time she drank heavily, during an argument with Anthony.
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
4/9
The hangover that followed had been brutal–head pounding, stomach turning–but it hadn’t done anything to ease her mind.
Amy grinned, clearly enjoying Abigail’s innocent reaction.
“Of course. You see, the people who come here–by day, they’re all polished office workers. But here, with a bit of alcohol, they shed their workday burdens and transform. It’s like they’re reborn. They start to relax, feel free. The alcohol gives them that perfect buzz to help them unwind. You’ll see you’ll start to like
it.”
Amy had always thought about bringing Abigail here, but back when Abigail was studying, she’d been all about law and justice -an earnest, bookish type.
After she graduated, she married Anthony, the heartbreaker. It was always all about her husband and son, leaving little room for anything else.
But tonight, Amy finally had the chance to take Abigail out, and she was determined to make the most of it.
After taking a couple more sips, Abigail did indeed begin to feel a little dizzy, though not completely drunk.
It was more of a pleasant, fuzzy sensation–like the music wasn’t so overwhelming anymore, and the lights seemed softer, more inviting.
Seeing the slight flush in Abigail’s cheeks, Felix spoke up first, his voice a bit more serious.
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
5/9
“Take it slow. Enjoy the moment. This isn’t a task to finish. No need to rush.”
“Got it,” Abigail replied, a little awkwardly. She wasn’t much of a drinker and still felt a little out of place, but she appreciated Felix’s advice.
Just then, a man in a silver mask walked up behind Felix, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder.
“Felix! I didn’t think I’d find you here!”
Felix turned, and as soon as he saw the person standing behind him, a grin spread across his face. He grabbed the man and pulled him into the seat next to him, the two of them casually draping an arm over each other’s shoulders.
“Talk about fate.”
The man removed his mask, revealing a handsome guy around Felix’s age. But unlike Felix, whose looks were more striking and intense, this man’s features were soft and approachable. His eyes curved slightly, giving him a warm, boy–next–door vibe.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This isn’t fate, it’s just a case of good buddies crossing paths.”
The man’s gaze then shifted to Amy, his eyes lighting up with recognition. “Amy, your business seems to be doing better than
ever.”
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
6/9
Amy, clearly pleased by the compliment, took a sip of her drink with a proud smile.
The man–Gavin Carter—turned his attention back to Abigail.
“And who is this lovely lady?”
Felix was about to speak, but Abigail stood up first and extended her hand, offering a warm greeting.
“Hi, I’m Abigail. I’m Felix’s assistant.”
Gavin paused for a moment at Abigail’s formal introduction, his eyes flicking between her and Felix.
It took him a second to process, but then he shook her hand with a polite smile.
“Assistant?” Gavin’s eyes narrowed in disbelief as he glanced at Felix.
In the flickering of the lights, it seemed Felix and Gavin exchanged a few quiet words.
Whatever they discussed, Gavin didn’t bring it up again.
Once the lights brightened, Gavin stood up, his smile wide.
“How about we all grab a table together?”
In a lively place like this, it wasn’t long before Gavin brought his girlfriend, Sunny Carew, to join them.
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
7/9
Sunny had a personality to match Gavin’s–chatty, bubbly, and always smiling.
She was at ease in the social setting, and the two of them made a charming couple, radiating warmth and energy.
With the group now complete, the atmosphere became noticeably more lively.
After introductions, Gavin eagerly spoke up.
“Drinking’s fun, but it’s better with a little game, don’t you think?”
Amy, who was no stranger to the games that often happened in this bar, nodded enthusiastically. Felix, his eyes twinkling with amusement, waited for Gavin to continue.
“Let’s start with a simple game of ‘grab something.‘ Just to warm
up.”
Everyone agreed, but Abigail had no idea what this game was.
Sunny and Amy patiently explained the rules to her.
“It’s simple. We’ll play a round of rock–paper–scissors. Whoever makes the same gesture as someone else has to immediately grab that person’s hand.
“If you’re slow or don’t react fast enough, both of you get a penalty.”
Chapter 43 Good Buddies
Abigail nodded, now understanding the gist of the game.
With the rules set, they were ready to play.
Gavin gave a dramatic countdown. “Ready? One, two, three- go!”
8/9
As they all threw their hands out, the first round unfolded: Abigail and Sunny threw rock and paper, while the other three chose scissors.
Gavin, quick as lightning, grabbed Amy with one hand and Felix with the other, flashing a victorious grin.
“Got it! Got it!”
The next round saw Abigail and Amy throw scissors, while the others all chose rock.
Before Abigail could even react, Amy grabbed her hand, and everyone else followed suit.
Once again, no one received a penalty.
Gavin, clearly enjoying the game, suggested raising the stakes.
“How about we shorten the time limit? One second to react. If you don’t, you lose. Sound good?”
Everyone nodded in agreement, the challenge now ramping up the energy in the group.
