Save Myself from Desperation

“That man in the black jacket seems a bit like... Ryan?”

Ashley looked closely, but Bradley had got in the car, and she could not longer make out his features clearly.

Is it someone with a similar build?’ she wondered.

Miranda sighed regretfully, “I wanted to introduce you to Bradley, but his team had a sudden issue, and he had to leave.” Pondering. Ashley raised her eyebrows and smiled, “No worries. He is in the game tomorrow, right? I'll see him then.” Miranda wrapped her arms around Ashley’s. “Right, we'll catch him. tomorrow then!”

Then, they got into Lester’s car.

Seeing the man in the driver’s seat, Miranda greeted him awkwardly. “Hello, Mr. Pliskin.”

Lester’s hand rested casually on the steering wheel, strong and veined, exuding a sense of allure. He glanced at Miranda through the rearview mirror. “Hello.”

Ashley was sitting in the backseat next to Miranda.

Miranda leaned close to Ashley and whispered, “Ashley, | forgot to mention at the charity dinner last time that your friend is so handsome! He could be a star!”

Ashley couldn't help but laugh. “How does he compare to that race car driver, Bradley?”

After a moment of thought, Miranda replied, “Mr. Pliskin is still more handsome. Oh! And Mr. Kingsley could be a star as well. He's like the definition of handsome!”

The image of Valentin’s charming face flashed in Ashley’s mind.

Miranda wasn't exaggerating. Valentin, indeed, was very attractive.

As they were quietly chatting, Ashley’s phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Valentin.

As Ashley discussed him, he called, suddenly making her feel guilty..

09:31

After answering, she heard the man’s deep, magnetic voice. “I’ve calculated the time difference. Is it dinner time there?” With the sunset nearing the horizon, Ashley replied, “It’s evening, yes, time for dinner.”.

Valentin said. “Remember to eat well.”

Ashley was speechless. “I’m not a child. | know that.”

After a brief chat, they hung up, and Ashley continued discussing with Miranda the topic of who was more handsome. Lester saw the two girls in the back whispering and giggling about something.

Upon returning to the hotel, Ashley searched around and finally found the person she was looking for in Joseph's room.

The moment Ashley knocked and entered, she saw Bryce and Jaden with their faces covered in long, thin strips of paper, looking utterly hilarious.

Joseph, on the other hand, had a clean face.

Noticing Miranda, Bryce waved his hand to her. But as he spoke, a strip of paper by his mouth was blown away, making the scene even more. away, making the scene even more comical.

Ashley couldn't help but laugh. “What are you guys up to?”

Joseph was holding a deck of cards and waved it smugly. “Playing a game. Whoever loses gets a strip of paper stuck on their face. These two just can’t beat me!”

Ashley raised an eyebrow. “You're good at this game, right, Mr. Fox?”

Joseph looked proud. “Exactly, | was born to play! Come on, Ashley, join us. It’s more fun with more people!” Seeing his mischievously smiling face, Ashley felt her competitive spirit was instantly ignited..

With nothing much to do at the moment, she gathered Miranda and Lester to sit down, forming a circle.

Joseph brought over a plump, balloon-like toy and explained, “Let's go. over the rules. This thing will slowly inflate until it pops. We'll pass it around, and whoever has it when it bursts must answer a truth question

09:311

or take on a daring challenge.”

Ashley quickly said, “Simple enough, let’s get started.”

“Then let the game begin!” Joseph announced, passing the balloon toy to Lester next to him.

Lester then passed it to Miranda, and Miranda handed it to Ashley. Miranda handed it to Ashley..

Then, Ashley passed it to the next person.

Finally, as the toy was on the verge of popping, Jaden deliberately slowed down, passing it in slow motion to Bryce. Bryce was visibly annoyed upon seeing this. Just as he was about to pass. it on, the balloon burst in his hand.

Joseph immediately burst into laughter. “The balloon just passed from my hand, and now it’s my turn to ask a question. You have to tell the truth! Bryce, tell me, what's the deal with you and Brittany? Spill it!”

Everyone knew about the incident at the charity dinner, so as soon as Joseph asked, they all curiously turned to Bryce. Ashley gave Joseph a thumbs-up. That was indeed a good question.

Bryce pinched the burst balloon and answered vaguely, “Brittany and | knew each other in the past.” Joseph was eager for gossip and quickly followed up. “You knew each.

other before, and then what?”

Bryce replied, “That's a second question.”

Joseph was speechless. Just you wait. I’ll get it out of you!”

Since the balloon had burst in Bryce’s hands, it was his turn to pass.

it

next.

After being passed around a few times, the balloon burst in Joseph's hands by sheer coincidence.

Bryce smiled sinisterly, looking toward Joseph, obviously wanting revenge. “Come on, if you had to choose a guy here to kiss. Who will it be?”

Joseph was taken aback. ‘Damn it. That's so out of line!’

3S}

09:31

me somethinething else!”

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at Bryce with a challenging sicile, you. You! |

pretending to kiss him.

collapsed, desperately trying to protect his you could choose nie, not actually say kiss secing this.

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ring Bryce and let him off the hook onge hence he

panately, the balloon burst in Ashley’s yo

med the question.

Dua avous smile. “Let’s not go for truth this thonrat conscr on your phone and tell that Ashley was stunned.

Joseph was even more anxious than Ashley, nearly spitting out his drink in surprise. “Jaden, what kind of dare is that!” It might work if said to Valentin. But it would be chaos if it were said to someone else.

Especially if the first contact happened to be one of Ashley’s admirers, that would stir up even more trouble.