Demons Beside You

Steven trembled and immediately closed the bamboo container.

Halifa Oliver also shivered, after which she regained her senses.

She looked at the bodyguard before her. The other bodyguard was much quieter.

Their reactions were completely different. The other one did not seem to be affected at all.

“Steven, what kind of wine is this?”

Steven wiped the tears on his face.

The wine was miraculous.

Its aroma alone was enough to stir intense emotions.

“Steven, can I have the wine?” Halifa asked.

Memories could be painful, but they could also be happy.

Some of their memories had long blurred, but they became clear after they smelled the wine.

It was exhilarating. It was irresistible.

The smell was sufficient to intoxicate them and attract them so deeply that they could not stop.

“No, it’s a gift from my friend.”

Steven was similarly unwilling to give the wine away.

He also missed that feeling, the feelings of happiness and sorrow.

In only a few seconds, it was as if he had recalled everything in the past.

“Boss, I would like to apply for leave…”

Halifa widened her eyes at her bodyguard. “Three days.”

“Yes, boss, see you.”

“Give some to me,” Halifa requested again.

“Can’t you see that the wine is held in a special vessel? If I pour it into another container, it’ll surely lose its effects.” Steven looked all-knowing.

“You asked me here to drink with you, didn’t you? Now you have good wine and you’re keeping it for yourself? Where’s your sincerity?”

Steven really wanted to keep the wine and drink it himself.

However, since Halifa had pointed it out so bluntly, he could only share the wine.

When he opened the bamboo container again, the aroma filled the air, but the emotional impact was much weaker.

Nonetheless, the smell was only more fascinating.

“It smells so good. I’ve never smelled anything like this before.”

Halifa was also a frequent drinker. She had collected wines from various wineries at home.

However, she could guarantee that she had never come across a wine whose aroma alone was so alluring.

Steven poured a small glass for Halifa. “Your health isn’t great. Don’t drink too much.”

Halifa lifted her head and downed the glass in one mouthful.

“Remember when we first met?” A picture suddenly flashed across Halifa’s mind.

Steven also took a sip. A scene appeared in his head.

“That time, I was filming my graduation piece. You were the only girl who came for the audition. You wore a floral dress, white, very beautiful. And I thought, it’ll be great if you could become my wife.”

“Remember the first restaurant you asked me to?”

“Yeah…”

As they were quite old, they had many memories.

At the start, they had only sweet memories.

Gradually, however, they began to argue.

“I said, I wasn’t unfaithful! That woman ran into my room herself. She had arranged a group of reporters and pretended that she’s the victim!”

“Do you think that you can deceive me again with your words?”

They drank a few more glasses. They started to pour their hearts out.

“Remember your fiftieth birthday party? I’m the one who hired those male strippers. Two hundred dollars each, ten of them.” Steven laughed.

“It’s you! Old asshole.”

“Remember eight years ago when you dated that old man? I’m the one who hired people to break his leg,” Steven said again.

“Oh, what’s his name again?” Halifa could not remember.

“Here, one more glass, and you’ll remember.”

Steven tilted the bamboo container, but only a few drops fell out.

“F**k! It’s empty!” Steven was annoyed.

“What?” Halifa was also impatient. They ran out of wine before they were satisfied.

“You should have drunk slower.”

“Asshole, you didn’t drink less than me.” Halifa licked her lips. The aroma was still around her lips.

It was mellow and not intense. It would cause emotional fluctuations, but no headaches.

“Ask your friend to give us two more.”

Steven’s eyes lit up. Right!

Steven called Chen Zhao. “Hey, Chen.”

“Steven, what’s up?”

“Chen, I’ve finished the wine you gave me. Give me two more bottles.”

“No. I’ve only made a few bottles, and I need to give some to Rasfa, Zola and my other friends. Don’t say how close we are. I can only give you one bottle.”

“What? Just one? You might as well not give me any! Who gives presents like this?” Steven cursed. “Rasfa’s quit drinking. Give me his share.”

“You’re my friend, so is he. There’s no way I’m going to give you two and not give him any,” Chen Zhao answered. “If you still want to drink, go find someone with the wine.”

Yeah, I can go to Rasfa’s for the wine, Steven thought.

“I’m going to Rasfa’s. Are you coming with me?” Steven asked.

“Yes, of course.”

…

“F**k!! Give me my wine back, you thieves!” Rasfa screamed loudly. “I’ve only had one sip, bastard!”

After Rasfa had taken his sip, he was still enjoying the sweet aftertaste, thinking about those unforgettable times.

However, by the time he realized it, Steven and Halifa had already finished half of the wine.

“Rasfa, when have you become so stingy? It’s just a bottle of wine.”

“Just a bottle of wine?! It’s Chen’s wine. Don’t you know how precious his wine is?”

Rasfa attempted to snatch the wine, but Steven would not let go. The two grappled with each other and eventually knocked the bamboo container on to the floor.

They began arguing loudly. In the end, they only stopped because of Halifa.

“Someone, come and clean the living room.”

A maid walked in. Her eyes were red and her face had clear tear marks.

“What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”

“Sir, nobody bullied me. I just recalled the times when my grandmother was still alive,” the maid sobbed.

“Has the wine been enchanted with magic?” Halifa said, amused.

Steven and Rasfa widened their eyes at each other like two roosters.

They were still blaming the other for spilling the wine.

Now, none of them could drink.

“No, we have to get more from Chen.”

“Chen said that he doesn’t have a lot himself. He’s giving each friend just one bottle.”

“Wait, I think he said he’s giving one to Zola. Let’s go and find Zola.”