Nightfall

The two entered the mansion's home bar and the song Fly Me To the Moon was playing. For those who loved to relax and unwind for the evening, the place was peaceful and private.

As usual, Edward was a gentleman and helped Mara in securing a seat on the front bar. They saw how there were only a few guests around, much like on a romantic date.

"Good evening and welcome…"

Mara caught sight of the bartender's visuality; slightly sun-tanned complexion, pointed nose, prominent eyes, and a tall and slender physique.

"OH MY!" she shrieked out of the blue and quickly stood up.

Edward's complete attention was immediately taken after what happened and it wasn't long before he recognized that the bartender is his best friend.

"Alex?"

"Edward," Alex answered nonchalantly, as if he knew it was his friend right away. His big and wide lips, which formed a smile, complemented his strawberry-shaped face.

Mara was standing behind him when Edward noticed her dilemma.

"Why are you standing there?"

"I'm so scared," Mara was visibly nervous as she stared at Alex, who was utterly bewildered by her response.

"What are you so scared of?" Edward asked, and she glanced at him, carefully grabbing his right shoulder as she sat down again.

"I was so surprised because your friend is so handsome," she replied.

Alex slightly bowed his head to her like a true gentleman. "I'm honored."

"So, you two know each other?"

"Alex is my best friend," Edward replied.

"You said that Eva's your only best friend."

Alex glanced towards Mara before meeting Edward's startled gaze, who attempted to change the subject by laughing awkwardly.

"So, what can I get you guys?" Alex asked, ignoring his friend's absurdity.

"I feel like getting drunk tonight."

"Is there something you'd like to erase in your memory?" His bartender friend asked while preparing the cocktail shaker.

Leaning back on the seat, Edward sighed in response, "There's quite a lot, yes." 

Mara couldn't help but chuckle as she listened to what they were saying.

"Alright. Today, I'll erase…" With a cool finger gun gesture, Alex pointed at Edward. "Anything and everything for you."

The bartender began choosing liquors from the cabinet when Mara suddenly asked, "Will you be making something strong?" 

"It's a drink that no one has ever seen or tasted before," Alex answered and began cleaning his cocktail glasses. "Even me."

"T-Then, do you mind calling 911 first?"

Mara quickly broke into laughter in response to Edward's comment, and even Alex began to get slightly carried away.

"But, still…" Mara sighed and rose from her seat once more, causing Edward to feel a tinge of annoyance. "I'm sorry to say this to Alex."

Alex continued making the drinks as he casually responded, "I'm used to eating insults for breakfast, so…"

"I don't think this is right," Mara shook her head.

"What's going on with you? You haven't drank anything, yet, you act like a drunkard," Edward teased her.

On her chest, close to her heart, she compassionately placed her hands and said, "It seems like I'm committing a crime just by looking at him. And I'm sincerely sorry." 

"I never knew you have some kind of androphobia—"

"That means fear of men in general, dimwit." Mara went back to her seat. "I'm only getting a really high dose of dopamine, and I'm not used to being around attractive people."

After a short conversation, Mara then excused herself and went to use the restroom. Because of this, Alex and Edward grabbed the opportunity to talk about Eva.

"You know, before you and your friend arrived here," Alex said, "Barron mentioned to me about his encounter with Eva."

"He said some mean things to her. Both Daniel and him," Edward responded. "And I didn't like what I heard."

While looking at his friend, Alex came to a realization; everyone seems to have the bravery to confront the messed-up lives they've each brought after ten years, at last.

"I don't seem to care as much about the past as I once did..." Edward certainly heard what Alex said and darted a glance at him as he continued, "Now that she's here, I think I need to do it."

Edward nodded at him. "Are you sure?"

"I can't let this chance pass," Alex responded, expressing candor and determination in his eyes. "Just like before."

Their conversation ended just as Alex caught a glimpse of Mara coming over. 

"Goodness. The restroom in this mansion is larger than my bedroom," Mara commented as she sat down beside Edward.

Then, Alex served them their requested cocktail, which he calls Nightfall—a mix of vanilla ice cream and a smooth, delectable Moonshine.

"Guys, how high is your alcohol tolerance?" Alex asked, trying to have a normal conversation.

Edward carefully held his glass of Nightfall before responding, "I would assume that I am somehow in between being sober and reaching my limit."

"All I could say is that I beat Eva when it comes to drinking." 

"That's good to hear. Anyway, I need to excuse myself as I go to the restroom," Alex informed them, and he hastily stepped away from the counter.

Mara started gushing about how attractive Alex was as soon as he left the area.

"I can't believe someone like him exists in this world. He is god-like." As she took a sip of the cocktail, she complimented, "Oh my gosh. This tastes heavenly as well."

"You should refrain from saying that he's handsome," Edward commented before he took a sip of his drink.

He was met with a sneer from Mara, who also raised her right brow. "Why? Are you jelly?"

"Me?" At her comment, Edward couldn't help but laugh. "No. I'm not."

"Then, what's the reason?"

"Alex may be smiling to people when they call him handsome, but deep inside he's uncomfortable. If you really know him, you would notice that he tends to evade the conversation or the situation."

"Was it because he's having a conflicted mindset whether to agree or disagree when people say he's handsome?" Mara questioned.

"That's right. It would sound like he's boastful if he agrees, but if he doesn't agree it would seem like he's weird," Edward explained as he took a sip again. "Being in Alex's shoes is a little complicated."

"It was my first time encountering someone getting problematic because of how good-looking they are."

Mara was about to take another sip of her drink when she heard her name being called by a very familiar voice.

"Mara!" 

"How did she even know where I am?" Mara couldn't help but groan in annoyance just in time Eva arrived inside the bar.

Annoyed, Mara spoke to her in German, "Bitch, seriously what is going on with you?"

"Are you done? We should leave," Eva spoke to her in English.

"No. I am not yet done and the night is still young," Mara replied to her.

Edward made the decision to stand up as he was speaking to Eva, "Let me send you home—"

"Stay on your seat." She emphasized as she fixed her gaze solely on her secretary, who reluctantly returned to his seat.

Eva then turned to look at Mara.

"We are going home. Now." She extended her palm out in front of her. "Give me the key."

Mara handed the terrifying woman her key, which she immediately got from her purse. 

"Alright, here! Take my car key and go home. I'll stay here because my drink is not even finished yet."

Eva looked across at Mara's drink and without hesitating, she grabbed over and drank it like it was just a glass of water.

And knowing how much alcohol was in it, Alex who just arrived instantly tried to stop her before she could finish it all.

Eva's gaze gradually shifted to Alex, who was looking at her with longingness in his eyes. She was astounded to see him after a long time.

"What are you doing?" Alex questioned her after he snatched the glass from her grasp.

She kept her eyes fixed on him while striving to get rid of the overwhelming alcohol taste that was still lingering in her lips and throat.

"You are aware that the only alcohol you can consume is red wine—"

Eva placed her finger on his lips and shushed him. She turned to look at Mara again, who recognized the meaning behind her menacing gaze.

"If you don't want to go home, then I will. You'll have your car sent to your house by tomorrow morning," she informed her before storming out of the bar.

"Eva, wait—"

"Alex." 

After Edward prevented him from pursuing her, he turned to face him, and when they made serious eye contact, they understood each other.

Eva completely left the mansion, but as she walked to Mara's car, she felt herself begin to sway and her head start to spin.

'How strong was that drink?' she thought.

The question in her mind was immediately answered when she felt compelled to vomit, dashing away to somewhere dark and secluded before throwing up everything.

The real concern was whether she had a high strong alcohol tolerance to dare to drink anything other than her usual red wine.

After throwing up, Eva just kept walking till she arrived at the parking space where her friend's car was. She later learns that the key that was handed to her was not the one for the car.

She tried her hardest not to yell and cuss as she let out a rage-filled breath.

"I can't believe she gave me her house key."

She no longer had the stamina to walk back and get the car key because the alcohol was starting to take effect a little bit more.

So, she slumped on the floor and rested against the side of the vehicle. She sighed deeply; her vision gradually blurring.