Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 354

Chapter 354: Ch 354: Thinking is a hard thing to do
Rika had not even stepped into the make-up section, but she could feel the stench of money reaching toward her.

This makeup session would cost a lot of money and maybe even a favor or two for their side. But Ren Li, seemingly unconcerned about the cost, did not seem to mind as he handed Rika over to the beauticians without a single word.

“Get her ready before the ‘real’ party begins. I will wait here for you until this is done.”

Ren Li sat down in front of the beauticians.

She could tell that the older workers did not seem to like Ren Li’s decisions, but they decided not to say anything.

Their touch remained professional, but Rika could feel their attempt to get frisky with her a few times.

As soon as someone even tried to break the professional etiquette, Ren Li’s glare set them straight, and they did not try that again.

The make-up session took a little longer than usual, but Rika was ready to head out by the time the first announcement for the banquet began.

“It’s enough. You all can stop now. Rika, we need to go now.”

Ren Li held his hand out for Rika to take, and she took it too quickly. She wanted to get away from these people as soon as possible.

The dominant alpha quickly took Rika out of the space and patted her back when she shuddered.

“Ugh, those people were annoying. I hated the way they touched me. It felt like things were creeping all over me. How do people deal with this kind of people?”

Rika asked in an annoyed voice.

“People get used to it. Unlike me, most people use rental services to get a partner for these occasions. Or it’s someone in the same field as them, so they act as political companions. Since we are all in the same field, we know what to expect at such a place.”

When Ren Li explained it to Rika this way, it made sense, but that did not mean she had to like it.

“I was not asking you about this, old man! I was just wondering to myself. Anyway, let’s head out. The real show is about to start.”

Rika did not want to go out and be exposed to those smells again. But she did not have a choice in this matter.

‘Great! It was the only time I wanted my condition to help me out, and it failed me. Somehow, this is not as unlikely as it should have been.’

Rika sighed and was about to head out when the dominant alpha grabbed her arm and handed her a pill.

“Here, this should help you out. We don’t usually give people these pills, but I feel like you will need it if you want to get through this night.”

Ren Li gave Rika a small white pill. It was a drug, and Rika felt a little hesitant reaching for it. She was not sure if it was ready for her to take this drug or not.

But one look at Ren Li’s face told Rika that she would need this if she wanted to get through all the bullshit that was about to head her way.

“Thanks a lot.”

Rika popped the pill in her mouth and swallowed it dry. The reaction was instant—she felt her best in a while.

She felt so well that it was worrying. She had so much energy that she could bounce all over the place.

“Is this what having a sugar high feels like? I can’t tell if I like it or hate how hyper I feel.”

Rika commented as she tried to calm her racing heart down. Her body did not listen to her, and Rika’s arm twitched in response.

“Don’t think about anything, and take some deep breaths. This situation will pass soon enough.”

Rika did as she was told to, and her body quickly relaxed as soon relaxed. She was able to think again…probably.

“Here, you stay right here while I go and get you something to drink. Don’t talk to anyone you don’t know, alright?”

Ren Li firmly told Rika, but she was too afraid to notice what he said. All she could do was pretend that she understood.

“Sure! Take your time.”

Her words came out clearly and without any influence. Rika’s face also showed no signs of her being under the influence.

But Rika felt like she was drunk and out of it at the moment. The whole room was spinning and twisting around without her knowledge.

‘My head feels painful, but the lights are fun. I want to reach out to them-‘

“Edna, What are you doing here? You-! Do I know you?”

Rika turned to look at the face of a startled old woman standing in front of her.

For some reason, Rika felt like she knew that face. But she could not point out where she had seen it before.

“That should be my question. Do we know each other? You look familiar. You look like a father if he were a woman and a little older. I don’t remember what grandmother looks like. Maybe I am overthinking.”

All these thoughts were supposed to be inside Rika’s head, but she could not control her mouth.

The drug had made her senses dull, and her filter was non-existent at the moment.

Her behavior made the old lady second-guess herself, but she felt sure she knew Rika from somewhere.

“You-”

“I’m sorry, Alpha Lawlock, but do you need anything from my partner? I was unaware you would want to steal something of mine at this stage.”

Ren Li returned and quickly created some distance between the older alpha and Rika.

Alpha Lawlock turned to face Ren Li instead of Rika, and Rika finally remembered where she had heard that name and seen that face before.

‘Ah, so is father’s mother. Does that make her my grandmother? I am not sure. I don’t have any memory of her in my life. Or maybe I have it and don’t remember anything about it.’