Lucas's friends were excellent actors.
But when Sebastian walked into the private room with his arm around my waist, their expressions froze.
The real Lucas sat in the center of the sofa, laughing as he held a long-haired girl.
When we walked in, he nudged his cheek with his tongue, clearly displeased.
"Vivian, you are still as beautiful as ever."
He said it through gritted teeth, but I didn't mind. I snuggled up to Sebastian's chest.
"It's all thanks to the birthday boy."
With a sharp crack, Lucas crushed the glass in his hand.
The room went silent, and the girl in his arms flinched in fear.
Zanen Hawke, who had been quiet until now, stood up to smooth things over.
He had a great build, so he was the easiest to recognize.
"I ordered a bottle of really good wine to start the night. It's perfect."
I quickly straightened up. "I'll go grab it."
The wine had been stored in the shop for a while, and the server took some time to find it.
I returned with the wine just as I overheard my name.
"Xavier, Vivian's face-blindness is so bad. Why do you keep dragging her into this?"
When I wasn't around, Lucas's friends stopped pretending.
Lucas had small scars on his hand, and it hung loosely at his knee.
"It's fun. She believes anyone who says they're Lucas. Isn't it amusing?"
Thinking back, he was the one who pursued me first.
We met during a play at the university drama club.
He discovered my face-blindness and volunteered to perform with me.
Tall, with long legs, he drove a luxury car around campus, and people who chased him were lined up from here to the new campus.
I was flattered, but he sincerely tied a red string around my wrist.
"Now, you won't mistake me for anyone else."
Years have passed since graduation, and that red string has long since disappeared.
After saying that, he glanced at Sebastian, sitting in the corner.
"It's been a month and she still hasn't figured it out. You're impressive."
"But your girlfriend is about to find out. Should we switch back?"
I had never known that Sebastian had a girlfriend.
In the corner, Sebastian flicked his cigarette and shook his head.
"That might be difficult. Vivian's waiting for me to have dinner at home."
Lucas sneered. "Sebastian, are you addicted to acting?"
"Don't forget, whose girlfriend is Vivian, after all?"
I reached for the doorknob, about to push it open, when suddenly someone covered my mouth from behind.
I turned around to see Zanen.
He held two wine glasses by the stems, looking down at me.
"Don't rush. Can you tell which one's your boyfriend?"
He took the wine from my hand, pushed open the door, and blocked my figure completely.
"Come on, which one do you want to pretend is Vivian's boyfriend this time?"
I clenched my palm. When did this game start?
Neither of them spoke. Zanen raised his hand and poured wine. The crimson liquid slid down the glass.
"How about we let Vivian decide for herself?"
Lucas tapped the table. "Zanen, is this fun?"
Sebastian tugged at his tie, interrupting him.
"I think it's fine. Let Vivian have the initiative. What's wrong with that?"
"Whoever she chooses, that's her boyfriend."
Lucas also got angry, suddenly feeling more confident.
Without the red string, why should he think I'd choose him again?
I grasped the cold doorknob and pushed the door open.
The tense atmosphere that had filled the room moments ago immediately dissipated.
All eyes were on me.
My gaze swept over the crowd.
When we first started dating, Lucas liked to tease me like this.
He said my clueless expression was amusing.
But if it was really so amusing, then why was his injured hand still tightly gripping something?
Sebastian sat in the corner, his fingers pinching an unlit cigarette.
I had promised I'd make him a birthday cake tonight.
But whether he's "Lucas" or not, that's for me to decide.
I held my glass, walking slowly.
Under their gazes, I walked straight to Zanen, who was watching the show, and raised my glass.
"Lucas, happy birthday!"
