7. The First Taste of Your Own Medicine
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Pytheas Island Club is an extremely expensive, elitist resort in the pacific. Located in the west end of Deve Isle, it owned half of the island separating it from the area where tourists of all sorts frequent. Wines flowed out at the dinner banquet of the new Mr. and Mrs. Tang, the guest teased them endlessly putting an undying blush on the bride’s face. 

Linda looked so happy, big brother Leo’s eyes sparkled gazing at her with affection fostered from many years of love and companionship. Sena exchanged her powder blue gown to a much comfortable flared floral-print dress. Without the hangover, she feels more energized and her face glowed with joy. 

Out in the corner of her eye, she saw Sophie looking at the couple somberly. There was sadness in her eyes but loathing was even more vivid. Listlessly, she kept glancing at her as though anticipating for something to happen. Had she not known that they planned to put her up like a sideshow tonight she could still be that naive little fool believing whatever they said. Sena hid her smirk under a glass of champagne. Now that she refused to act, what would they do next?          

Zhang Min’s fancy fingernails tapped on the table while looking at Sophie’s impatient face. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s dragging on too long.” 

Asha, the less intelligent among the three, was busy taking pictures of herself. She sighed, “Sena is just over there.”

“She’s not doing anything!” Sophie snapped irritably especially when she saw Asha doing the same poses a hundred times already. “For fuck sake… no matter which angle you turn the camera, it wouldn’t remedy your big face.”   

Asha felt offended, “What’s wrong with you?” 

“Lower your voices,” Zhang Min quickly intervened. 

Sophie is becoming more and more ill-tempered since the beginning of the banquet. They understand how upset she is about this wedding and couldn’t wait to drag the bride off the table and replace it for herself but she shouldn’t show it on her face! 

Who is she? Some distant relative of the groom. If anyone caught her staring as if she wants to murder the bride, they are doomed. Everyone in the Tang elders adore Linda Banks and the Banks family is very protective of their princess. Sophie is intelligent enough to avoid those dangers, she couldn’t afford to be stupid now. 

Zhang Min patted her hand, “Don’t be impatient. That Senna will do it. Wait and see.”   

In the middle of the banquet, family and close friends will offer a speech for the bride and groom. Sophie grew restless as the minutes passed. She gripped her hands sending a sharp stare on Sena’s back. 

She should be making a move now. Is she scared to make a public scandal? No way!

Sena wasn’t completely oblivious to their thoughts, in fact, she could feel the sharp pair of eyes aimed at her and had to press down the urge to laugh. She decided not to torture the poor girl any longer. If it is a lively show she wants then, it is what she will get: her first taste of what humiliation felt like. 

In the middle of the banquet hall, Leo’s younger brother, Chang'an, finished his well-wishes and held the golden microphone as he scanned the crowd. Sena deliberately stood abruptly and walked towards him in staggering steps. Chang’an looked at her cautiously. 

“W-What?” 

Sophie pretended to be taken aback. Thinking that this must be the prelude to the confrontation she had been waiting for, she jumped in excitedly and grabbed Sena’s hand, “Sena, stop. Don’t do this.” 

Everyone was drawn to her dramatic exclamation. Sena paused, turned her head ever so slightly towards her and smiled faintly. She knew Sophie has good acting skills but she did not expect it would be this good she could have won an award! 

When she remained silent Sophie hesitated. 

Chang’an looked baffled, “What is going on?”

“Sena, she’s a little out of—”

Sena beat her to the punch, “It was my turn to offer my congratulations to the couple. Do you mind?”

Linda and Leo felt their hearts tightened when she stood up. If they hadn’t heard her reassurance earlier, they would think she was out to make trouble tonight. They looked at their baby sister’s half baked acting with a straight face. But what is she on exactly? 

Sophie sighed. 

“We all know how much you do not want to be separated with big brother Leo and Miss Banks but you cannot continue to be unreasonable,” she went on distressed. “Please, don’t make a scene.” 

Sena did not move.

Hearing no response, Sophie habitually gripped her fingers in unease, “You’re drunk. Let me take you to your room, okay? It’s embarrassing to be this way.” 

Leo’s younger brother Chang’an hesitated whether to hand in the mic, just then Sena gave him a playful wink and mouthed: It’s alright.

“You sure?” Chang’an mouthed back. 

“I’m perfectly fine. Ms Qin must be misunderstanding something.”

“Sena, I know you have been feeling heartbroken recently. But they cannot always stick to you. Be reasonable.” 

“Believe it or not I’m the most reasonable person there is.” 

“Then don’t make trouble.” Sophie moved to snatch the microphone but she stepped back out of her reach.

“Enough of this.” Sena’s voice grew louder this time without a slur.

Sophie's back felt cold. Why does this drunk don't seem to cooperate? Just go ahead and throw a fit. Make a scene. She is starting to get really, really impatient with this bitch her palms itching to slap that face. 

With an even more confused expression, she looked at Sophie. "What seems to be the problem?"

“You.” 

Sena scrunched up her eyebrows but was laughing inwardly, however, when she saw Sophie’s abnormally excited face. “Why do you keep on stopping me from giving a speech?”

“Because you’re drunk and you shouldn’t embarrass the couple.” 

“I haven’t been drinking though.” 

“That’s impossible, I saw you myself—”

“Why do you keep insisting I’m drunk? I admit the little champagne I had on the table was good but it’s bad manners to chug it down like water.” 

Her remarks made the onlookers laugh. Asha and Zhang Min who were on their second glass flushed with shame. 

“Miss Qin, I’m in a very good mood tonight. If you have problems with me, let’s discuss it later, alright?” She pouted looking at the couple dotingly smiling at her. “For now, let me give my speech.”

Sophie’s concerned face stiffened. The hall fell into silence with all eyes looking at her weirdly. “I, I thought you were.”

“That’s interesting. Why would you think I was drunk?” Sena smiled, looking at her meaningfully. “This is a wedding banquet, not a bar.” 

Why is everything not going according to plan? Sophie looked at Sena’s clear eyes and shallow smile and something inside her begging to crack. Panic swept her. She then realized she was gripping her hands, she dropped them to the sides and glared at the girl in front.    

An hour before the banquet she was sure she gave her the pill. 

 

Sena was sitting primly on the lounge with a Blue Mai Tai on the table when Sophie came with the same glass on hand. She took the seat beside her and started her scheme.

“It’s finally over,” Sophie said casually. “Leo and Linda will be inseparable from now on, it’s hard to believe.” 

Sena did not answer for a while. She pretended to look somewhere else and just leisurely crossed her legs with the tip of her shoes pointing upwards while waiting for Sophie to make the switch.  

“Miss Qin, why do you sound like a bitter ex-girlfriend? You even look sad. Be careful not to appear like you’re trying to split them up.”

Sophie stopped talking at once and laughed nervously. The idiot was unusually sharp, she better be careful. 

“Oh, fireworks,” Sena exclaimed.  

Sophie turned using this opportunity to avoid the other’s eyes. Thankfully, when the fireworks came she had a good reason to look away. She did not want to face Sena’s inquisitive gaze in fear of revealing her thoughts. Because of this, she did not notice any unusualness for the next minute. Sena switched back the glasses of cocktails she swapped earlier.   

She must say, Sophie has quick hands but she was still not quick enough to wipe off the lipstick mark she left on purpose. 

“Big brother and Linda had always been inseparable. I’m most aware of it. It would be unusual if they did not end up with each other. Personally, I don’t think I can stomach it if big brother ended up with some unknown woman suddenly.” Sena purposefully shot her a glance before sipping her Mai Tai “Um, this is good…”  

Sophie’s face cracked when she heard Sena’s disgust. She wanted to get up and slap the little bitch so bad but knowing that her impulse would derail her plans, she endured. 

“Do you think this marriage will last long?” Sophie’s eyes went to her glass and shined mysteriously. “Aren’t you sad you are being left out?”

Sena chuckled mysteriously, “I don’t feel left out. Soon when they have a child of their own, they can finally stop picking on me.” 

The exaggerated proud tone grated on Sophie’s nerves. You can laugh all you want for now! 

She took this moment to also reach for her glass, “But business marriages don’t usually last.” 

“Who said it was only a business marriage? Unless you’re blinded by jealous or plain stupid you wouldn’t be able to tell that those two are head over heels with each other.” Sena said with an innocent smile. 

“The cocktail taste good.” Sophie changed the subject. “You should drink more.” 

“Okay. I wonder what they put in this thing that tastes so good.” 

Sophie nearly dropped her glass. “W-What kind of joke is that of course, it’s the same normal cocktail as the others. You only think it’s good because of the occasion.”   

“Is that so?” She hummed and enjoyed the lady’s drink dearly. 

Beside her, a cruel smile split Sophie’s face. She spiked the drink to make sure she did as told tonight. The drug is slow-acting, it makes a person compliant and dependent. The absence of it will affect one’s mood. She only needs to guide Sena through it and everything is perfectly set. 

 

Back at the banquet…  

Sophie did not realize that she was slowly losing control of her own emotions. “Sena, you clearly told me you do not want to be separated from—”

“Just some thoughtless remark. Nothing to get so worked up for.” Sena sighed helplessly. “I think everyone here already knows I do not want to be separated from my big brother and sister. I’m the baby after all.” 

Leo laughed so hard he had to turn his head to the side. Linda watched avidly as she annoyed Sophie Qin until her face turned from red, white and grey. 

“But that’s not how it’s supposed to be— you should be mad at them.” Come on, make a scene! 

“Ms Qin, I thought you treated my big brother and his wife as your friend. Why are you suddenly talking like this? Believe or not my temper is short. I’m already being nice to you.”

The crowd witnessed how the little princess showed her big attitude. No one voiced it out loud but it seems that Miss Qin pitted the bride and groom’s close friend but calculated it wrong in the end. As for her motive? It was clear to everyone that she wanted to pull this girl to make a scene.    

Sophie lost her patience and stepped forward to pull Sena. “What the hell, that’s not what you actually have in mind!”

“Can someone calm her down? She's drunk.” Sena said unbothered. 

“I’m not drunk.” Sophie snapped. “Go ahead. Tell them you hate being left out!” 

Grandpa Tang tapped his cane on the marble floor, “Take the young lady to get some fresh air. Continue with the banquet.” 

Sophie’s parents who were fortunate enough to be invited by the Tang family felt their faces going numb. Of all places, their daughter had to do this here? She was usually reserved and sensible, what happened now?

How could she clash with that little brat Sena Erde? 

Sophie suffered enough embarrassment she couldn’t even utter a single word of protest to explain. She looked at Leonard to ask for help but he was busy laughing his head off. His reaction was like a bucket of iced water poured on her soul. 

Leo is laughing at her? 

She backed a foot. Her mind became even more chaotic when she saw two lady guards approaching. At this moment, she felt the world closing in on her, it was beyond suffocating. Tears blurred her eyes, and instead of letting them come to her she voluntarily fled the banquet hall in defeat. 

How could they do this to her? Hundreds of pairs of eyes looked at her with ridicule and contempt. Why? Sena was supposed to be the one to suffer. She only wanted that slut, Linda, to doubt the two and let go of Leo on her own volition. 

Zhang Min and Asha watched in confusion how Sena finished her speech without any abnormalities. During the commotion, none of them stood up to help Sophie. In fact, they prayed hard not to be noticed. 

“I don’t understand…” Zhang Min said while gripping her hands. “I thought she was going to break down tonight?”

“Maybe because we haven’t been in touch for a couple of days that is why she cleared her head or something.” Once in a while Asha would recover her intelligence but that’s already a rare occurrence.    

“Yes, maybe.” 

Sena walked back on her seat with her chin held high. Sitting primly, she raised a glass and swept Asha and Zhang Min a cold smile. She never had any jealousy towards the couple’s relationship. They had a pure honest friendship but some people wouldn’t believe that no matter what. There will always be one or two, even a group who would disdain that kind of closeness.  

When Zhang Min, Asha and Sophie met her, they actually believed her to be naive and dumb. And that all the attention and privilege she had was because she belonged in the same elite circle. If it weren’t for her money, how would she get spoiled by the elders of both families? She’s not even a relative. They have made every excuse to degrade her in their head to justify their purpose for using her. In the later years when she had lost both loved ones and wealth Sophie gloatingly confronted her with the reason for her monstrous hate. 

How is Sena any better than her? 

Leo’s stepmother specifically selected her among all female relatives to sponsor her schooling. She felt she was different but only until she met Sena Erde. Everybody’s sweetheart. 

On the other side of the banquet hall, Zhang Min and Asha did not dare join Sophie on her tirade for fear that they might expose themselves, as daughters of men who work under the Tang family they are the same as employees here. As a result of their abandonment, Sophie became even more furious.

That night, enraged and alone, she stormed out of the resort towards the east station to get her head cleared. Who knew she would end up getting drunk in the bar? When she woke up the next morning, Sophie realized she was not in her parents' hotel room but in a bamboo hut of another resort lying naked on top of the bed with an unknown man. The shower was on and singing could be heard. She recalled the two men she met at the bar and groaned.

The one beside her is a huge guy with tattoos all over his back. The other must be the fat one in the shower. They saw she was in a bad mood and came to talk to her. It didn’t take long for them to get deeply acquainted in this hut. Sophie moved away from the man’s arm and got off the bed. 

There were blue marks on her legs and arms. Even her chest had traces of bruising and kiss marks. 

Shit. She muttered angrily. 

Her boyfriend will kill her once he finds out about this. Sophie rubbed her sore waist, got dressed without washing and left the room. She hurried back to the west station to catch up with her parents for breakfast.  

When she was about to turn the elevator, Sena happened to see her. 

Sophie Qin? 

She paused looking at her and recalled something about Sophie’s messy lifestyle from the past. She walked in a jerky awkward gait plus the bruises she saw in her arms. She thought of the men she hung out with and familiar faces sprang up. 

Is fate helping her or what?

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