A Vivid Dream

Calista picked up the glass of wine, staring at it for a while, deliberating whether she should let go of her ego and admit she wasn’t drinking, giving Ranya the satisfaction of feeling like the winner he wasn’t.

“Calista?” Signoral called, watching her keenly. “We are waiting for you.”

She ducked her head slightly, then shut her eyes and pushed the cup to her lips. With a gulp, she swallowed the contents and dropped the cup back onto the table.

“Are you okay?” Anthony asked, bending to her level. Calista nodded and carried her gaze to Ranya, whose face bore a mocking smile.

“Okay, I’m next,” Anthony said, picking up the empty bottle and rolling it. It turned to Signoral, who let out a slight chuckle.

“Would you rather—”

“I think the game is boring,” Calista cut in, causing everyone to stare as she coughed, trying to clear her hoarse voice.

“I think so too,” Anthony supported, not liking that Calista was made to go through such a hard time all for a game.

Ever since he met Ranya, he n