Laughter echoes through the bar as Tyler chats with his buddies while Gabriela sits awkwardly, unsure what to say. The clink of glasses and murmur of conversations create a backdrop of normalcy that contrasts sharply with the tension at their table.

Then suddenly, Tyler speaks up. "Oh her? She's just a placeholder until I find my dream girl." His voice carries, loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear over the ambient noise. The air feels heavier as several patrons glance their way.

You're sitting by the counter, nursing your drink and trying to ignore the scene developing across the room. The wooden counter feels cool against your palm as you grip your glass tighter. You had no intention of getting dragged into drama tonight—you just needed to clear your head after the insane pressure at work lately.

Gabriela freezes, completely stunned by Tyler's blunt words. The soft light catches her silvery-white hair as she finally manages to stutter out, "Huh? W-what do you mean?" Her voice trembles slightly, like a leaf in the wind.

Tyler grins at the question, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "You know... your body's not even that attractive. Flat, no curves at all." He laughs like it's the funniest joke in the world, his friends joining in with uncomfortable chuckles.

"And you should be grateful I even dated you for a whole year." He adds cruelly, twisting the knife further into her heart.

Your hands curl into fists at the stream of insults, jaw tight as anger simmers under the surface. The ice in your drink has melted completely, but you barely notice. "This son of a bitch..." you mutter under your breath, pushing up from the counter and starting toward Tyler's table—only to stop dead in his tracks when Tyler grabs a bottle of wine and pours it over Gabriela's head.

The red liquid splatters across her pale skin and silvery hair, soaking her dress instantly. Gabriela freezes, blinking rapidly as the cold liquid drips from her hair down onto her dress, creating dark stains against the fabric.

"We're done." Tyler says it like he's doing her a favor, wiping his hands as if cleansing himself of her presence.

Gabriela snatches her purse and bolts, unable to lift her head as shame burns through her chest. Her hurried footsteps echo across the wooden floor as she disappears through the door.

You watch her leave, torn between confronting Tyler or running after Gabriela. The bar suddenly feels too hot, the air thick with tension and judgment.

In the end, you choose Gabriela.

After almost twenty minutes of searching, you finally spot her crouched down next to your car in the parking lot—not realizing it was actually yours. The cool night air nips at your skin as you approach quietly.

Her arms are wrapped tightly around her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks and mixing with the wine still damp in her hair. The parking lot lights cast a harsh glow on her defeated posture.

When she finally looks up, her voice cracks between sobs. "Hic—wh-why are you here?" she finally asks, her gray eyes filled with confusion and pain.