[Encore]

She doesn't want me. She. Doesn't. Want. Me!

I'm an idiot, no, the master of idiots. This is what I get for still not learning that, when I have nothing smart or relevant to say, I should stay quiet. Now, Perla doesn't even want to look at me. She glances at the bar, hoping Charlene can rescue her with some good old booze.

I, on the other hand, just want to go back home. Knowing that Sujin or Daehwa will take advantage of Perla's rejection to force themselves on me, I have one last card to play before I eventually have to give in and accept their feelings.

Still, I think Sujin has bluffed. Why was she so eager to have sex with me, only to retract after it was all done? She's been trying to play games since we met in person—well, I suspect she already tricked me with her incessant messages on KakaoTalk years ago.

Daehwa... That woman is like Pandora's fucking box. She's impossible to decipher without causing a disaster. She has brought nothing but trouble since appearing in my life for the first time. I shouldn't have given her any more chance. I need her out of my life. She's destructive.

This goes for Sujin, as well. That message is the reason why I'm here, stuck at a central table at The Stranger, with the two of them and a Perla who seeks revenge after I embarrassed her by asking her out.

Okay. I've exposed myself enough. I have to focus on my goals. All I need is to wait for any of the women to make another, decisive, faux pas. I don't know how much I can wait for answers. What's sure is that questions don't dissipate on their own. I have to make sure to get rid of them, one way or another.

***

Charlene shows up unannounced at our table. Her grin scares me, even though I don't show it clearly. She places a tray full of drinks on the table, then leaves without saying a word. Each glass reeks of alcohol. No water, no soft drinks, not even punch. All super strong shit. I'm going to end up intoxicated. Or, worse, one of the ladies is, unless we all show master level skills of self-control.

Okay, I've talked too early. Sujin immediately picks the first glass and downs it in a single sip. The way she drinks is savage, as if she's issuing a threat. She doesn't stop here: she grabs another drink and finishes it in thirty seconds. I can't let her approach me or Perla. Not when she gets wasted. She can harm any of us.

Instead of choosing a third glass, Sujin stops. She points at me and Daehwa instead. "Your turn, lovebirds." What the fuck is she talking about? Does she really want to set the two of us up? Does she think I match with a woman who's partly responsible for my past sufferance?

Daehwa takes two glasses. One for me, and one for herself. She shakes her head. "We have no other choice, Daejung, do you realize? Either we drink, or we're doomed."

I rebut. "No. You are doomed, at best. I'm safe. I have broad shoulders, I know what awaits me. So, come on, take a sip first. Show me you don't have ulterior motives." She obeys and does as I ask. I follow suit, only to swallow the entire drink in a go.

Daehwa is forced to match my pace. We eye the remaining four drinks on the tray. We both try to snatch the Martini. Daehwa is much faster, so she takes it. I go for the much stronger Gin Lemon. I suspect Charlene added some secret ingredients to it; however, I don't care. After seeing people fall sick for absinthe, I'm not surprised.

"Good luck with that bomb, Sim." I'm sure it isn't Daehwa talking. She already has her lips on her glass. It could be someone who isn't even at the table. Not that it really matters, though. That Gin Lemon with extra ice is waiting for me. It begs me to drink it until the last drop. It warns me I'll feel myself burning inside when I finish it.

I can do this. Giving up is not an option.

***

Chills run down my spine as I swallow the Gin Lemon. I never lay my eyes on Daehwa, let even Sujin or silent Perla. As I finish drinking, I burp heavily. Daehwa is too busy taking sips to notice, which the other two women do as they wrinkle their noses out of disgust. I feel free now. I doubt Sujin still wants me around after seeing my nasty drinking habits in person.

When Daehwa has completed her task, she points at the two remaining drinks. She grins at me as she poses the next dare. "Ready for the last two shots? Or are you too afraid to get overly drunk?" Her provocation doesn't work with me. I stand firm with my position. I want to get rid of the tray at its fullest.

She continues. "You're not gonna chicken out, are you?" I yawn at her pathetic attempt to taunt me. Even Perla breaks her silence to laugh at her. Daehwa shakes her head. Her face is burning red. I think she is closer to giving up than I am. One more drop of alcohol, and she'll go nuts.

"I think you should stop drinking, Daehwa. Look at yourself."

She doesn't fall for my trick. She retorts. "Thank you, but I'm not listening to your bullshit. I assume you don't want to continue anymore. Fine."

I pick a glass from the tray. "Nonsense. I'm not letting you win. Not in front of Perla."

"She rejected you."

"Fuck her." Perla gasps at my words. Okay, the alcohol is definitely working. The more I drink, the more I act up. My head says I should stop, but my heart tells me I must continue, just to rub my satisfaction of running the game from start to finish on Daehwa's face.

I swallow the brownish liquid in just one go. Daehwa is stunned, but this doesn't stop her from copying me.

I burp again. This time, louder and on purpose.

"You really want me to reject you, Daejung, don't you?"

I grin. "Fuck you."

"Thank you. It's the most pleasant thing you've told me tonight." She's deranged, more so because of her delusion reaching a new peak. Can't she just stop embarrassing yourself? Perla and Sujin will have no trouble distancing themselves from her.

Damn. This was my chance for closing the circle. Instead, I've just missed it. All for a stupid drinking challenge.

I have to accept that Daehwa, and perhaps Sujin, will haunt my thoughts until I find my inner peace. That is, if I'll ever find stability.

The most awkward evening of my life could've gone much better, but it could've turned out worse as well. At least, Daehwa isn't begging me to put a ring on her finger. Okay, I shouldn't jinx it... It's that... I'm confident she won't stoop so low.

"Let's go home, shall we?"

As Perla suggests we leave The Stranger, all moments we lived together in the past few months flash in my head in a blink. They intertwine with the mysterious messages, Sujin's revelation, and Daehwa's persistance in pursuing me. They match perfectly, forming memories I'll be bound to cope with for the rest of my life.

After all, who am I if I stay away from good old trouble?