The pounding music filled the entire spacious room. A lively party was being held at a famous nightclub in the capital. The music grew louder as the guests became more excited, moving their bodies to the rhythm.
Most of the guests at the party were young people, since the host was also a young film actor. The party was attended not only by celebrities but also by people from conglomerate families. Everyone seemed to be mingling amid the glamour and excitement.
A young woman stood in the middle of a crowd of men surrounding her. It was obvious that the men admired her and wanted to flirt with her. However, the beautiful woman named Marigold repeatedly brushed off the advances of the lecherous men who clearly wanted her. She truly felt uncomfortable being there.
“Come on, Marigold. Have a drink,” one of the men near Marigold called out as he held out a bottle.
Marigold brushed the bottle away. “No. I don’t want to drink.”
“Come on, Marry. You still have to drink.”
“That’s right, Marry. We have to have fun tonight.”
“Just have a little.”
Marigold clicked her tongue in annoyance at the men’s teasing. “I said no, so no!” she snapped, then left them and the crowd behind.
With an irritated stride, Marigold walked toward a sofa in the corner of the room. Several times, she had to harshly brush away the hands of the men who were still trying to flirt with her and escort her to the sofa. Eventually, they stopped bothering her.
Marigold actually would have preferred not to come to the party if she hadn’t known Devan, the friend hosting it, so well. As actors, Marigold and Devan had worked together several times. Therefore, Marigold felt awkward refusing to attend the party Devan was hosting.
Marigold leaned back against the sofa and sighed. Every now and then, she massaged her forehead; her head felt dizzy from the noisy atmosphere at the party that night. She had just wanted to be alone when she saw two men walking toward her.
One of the men walking toward her was Devan. She had no idea who the other one was. Marigold didn’t know him. He might have been Devan’s friend—or he might not. The sharply dressed man appeared to be middle-aged. Marigold shook her head, trying not to dwell on her confusion.
“Hey, Marigold. You look tired,” Devan greeted her as he sat beside her.
Devan then invited the sharply dressed man to sit with them. The older man clearly admired Marigold. His eyes didn’t blink as he looked her up and down. Marigold briefly furrowed her brow in confusion, but then resumed her indifferent attitude and looked away.
“Marry, let me introduce you to Uncle Robert,” Devan said.
Marigold turned toward him listlessly. “And why do I have to meet him?”
“Oh, come on, Marry. Don’t be so crabby. It looks like you’re in a bad mood.” Devan chuckled.
“No, it’s not that.” Marigold shook her head. “I’m just a little dizzy. I think I’ll be able to go home soon.”
“Don’t go home yet, Marry. This party will go on until midnight. We should have fun a little longer.” Devan tried to persuade her.
“Ah, I’m already tired of your party. I want to rest.”
Devan cleared his throat. “All right. I’ll take you home later. You didn’t bring your car, right? But before that, let’s chat with Uncle Robert.”
Marigold turned to him again. “Who is he, anyway?”
“Uncle Robert is a great director. He wants to work with you. Come on, introduce yourselves first,” Devan said, then introduced the two of them.
Robert immediately held out his hand to Marigold.
Marigold shook the middle-aged man’s hand only briefly before quickly pulling hers away. Robert’s gaze as he scrutinized her made Marigold uncomfortable. Still, she tried to remain polite because she didn’t want to make Devan feel bad after he had introduced them. While conversing with Devan and the middle-aged man, Marigold noticed from the corner of her eye that someone across the room was watching her.