The Devil's Favourite Obsession

Would Cixi call it a bizarre coincidence? She had not only miraculously woken up early from her enforced coma that night, but her friend had also conveniently forced her into going to a club for the very first time.

’How perfectly convenient.’ The words echoed in Cixi’s mind.

Lily marched into the tiny bedroom and dramatically laid three dresses across Cixi’s queen-size bed for her to inspect, only to be met with a disapproving grimace.

Two of the dresses were so incredibly short that they looked as though they would end where her hips began. Cixi doubted whether the fabric would even cover her full, round buttocks if she took a single step.

’Her friend had lost her mind,’ Cixi berated silently.

The overwhelming urge to throw on her usual baggy clothes flared inside her, but she bit her tongue and restrained herself. Lily was on a determined mission tonight to drag Cixi from her apartment to the club, and there was absolutely no stopping her.

Humming happily to herself, Lily reached out and picked up a tiny, strapless midnight-black bandeau dress. Not taking any chances, Cixi desperately lunged for the third option. It was a dark red dress with exceptionally thin straps, the skirt falling in soft frills that ended at a much safer length, just above her knees.

”I like this one,” Cixi declared defensively, clutching the red fabric tightly against her bosom.

Lily dropped the black bandeau back onto the bed. ”I knew it,” she groaned in a tone of exaggerated disappointment. Beneath the annoying act, Lily offered herself a patient, understanding smile. Baby steps, she told herself. It was better not to push her friend too far and overwhelm her completely. Getting Cixi out of her protective cocoon at all was already a massive victory.

Minutes later, Cixi stepped out of the tiny bathroom, prompting Lily to let out a loud whistle.

The red dress fit Cixi perfectly. The cut highlighted her slim arms and delicate collarbones. The deep red colour suited the natural glow of her skin and contrasted beautifully with her shining golden hair.

”Tonight, every single man in that club is going to have his heart stolen,” Lily announced, pulling her friend into a tight, emotional hug.

She looked genuinely close to tears, seeing Cixi finally appear like an otherworldly beauty rather than a timid girl hiding beneath oversized hoodies.

Unfortunately, the compliment triggered a sharp wave of panic inside Cixi.

”Then I must change into my usual clothes immediately,” Cixi announced, her eyes widening as she tried to pull away. ”I do not want any male attention.”

Even without inviting it, attention had done nothing but ruin her life. The thought of the deepfake video being downloaded and stored on strangers’ phones flashed through her mind, nearly paralysing her.

What if someone at the club recognised her? The question echoed in her mind. Just like that entitled man at Crowns Hotel had recognised her from the video, which was not even hers.

Lily pulled back from the hug to look at her properly. ”You dare not do it!”

”I will!”

”And I said No!”

”I do not care!”

”What is the problem, Cixi? Share it with me, and I will listen. Are you afraid of something? What is stopping you from enjoying your life?” For once, Cixi struggled to find a comeback, caught off guard by her friend’s words. ”Can’t you see? You may smile on the outside, but never on the inside. I am not claiming my life is flawless, but I do not hold myself back the way you do. I want you to experience the other side of life. You might think I am selfish and a nuisance, and perhaps you are right. But I want you to explore a new world tonight. Please...” Lily urged.

Explore a new world tonight. Cixi repeated the sentence silently in her head. ”But Lily—”

”I will chase away all the stupid guys, and I will not leave you alone for a second in the club,” Lily interrupted fiercely, almost shouting. ”I cross my heart!” She drew a quick, dramatic X over her chest with her index finger.

That childish yet deeply earnest gesture finally made Cixi laugh.

Taking full advantage of her softened state, Lily pushed Cixi into a chair and began applying her makeup. She kept it light and natural, exactly the way Cixi preferred.

Fully dressed, Cixi slid her feet into a pair of sleek red heels she had bought a month earlier while window shopping with Lily.

When she finally looked at her reflection in the long mirror, she actually liked what she saw.

She looked elegant. Beautiful.

It was not that she did not want to dress beautifully. She simply wanted to protect herself from prying eyes.

But maybe, just for this one occasion, she could pretend to be a normal party girl. She could become someone entirely different from the paranoid girl she had to be every single day. And that thought sparked a genuine flutter of excitement in her chest.

Lily was halfway through packing the rejected clothes and makeup back into her backpack when the apartment doorbell buzzed violently.

Cixi nearly jumped, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Who is here at midnight?

Then a very familiar voice filtered through the cheap wooden door.

”It’s me, Marion!”

Cixi did not waste another second. She rushed to the door and tore it open in a burst of panic, terrified that something catastrophic had happened in her friend’s life to bring her here so late.

But as the door swung open, Cixi froze in surprise.

Marion was neither crying nor panicking. She was dressed to the nines in stunning party wear.

Cixi’s mouth fell open in awe as her attention slowly shifted to Lily, who was already wearing a smug, all-knowing smile.

”Marion... you are coming to the party too?” Cixi asked in disbelief, turning back to her.

”Of course I am!” Marion laughed brightly, thoroughly enjoying Cixi’s reaction. ”Martin is at home. Besides, it is my best friend’s very first time going out clubbing. There is absolutely no way I would miss this.”