章 4: Under the Spotlight
Ten minutes after their impromptu contest, Spike was deeply regretting the decision to challenge Jay's drinking prowess. Had he known about Jay's monstrous tolerance, he would have never dug his own grave.
Jay started off by casually guzzling an entire bottle of wine, treating it as if it were mere spring water. Placing the empty bottle on the table with a grand gesture, he generously invited the others to join him.
As Jay smoothly downed the wine, Spike's confidence waned, realizing he might have bitten off more than he could chew. But with Jay's cocky declaration, Spike's spirit was temporarily rekindled—surely the group could outdrink this one man.
But the reality was starkly different.
Empty bottles lay scattered about, and Spike's last crony had joined the ranks of the passed out, mumbling about giving his best before slumping over. Jay, meanwhile, had just polished off another bottle of whiskey, adding it to the pile. His warm smile towards Spike, still looking unphased, made Spike seriously question if Jay had secretly been drinking juice all along.
The spectators were now cheering on, and Spike, his face red with embarrassment and exertion, decided to go all in. Grabbing a fresh bottle, he removed the cork and attempted to emulate Jay's feat.
Soon enough, amidst a chorus of jeers, Spike too succumbed to unconsciousness. It seemed his tolerance wasn't particularly noteworthy after all. Jay, despite always appearing as the model student who wouldn't be near alcohol, was actually drinking for the first time. Yet, his body's tolerance was extraordinary; another three or five dozen pounds of it would hardly pose a challenge.
Minutes later, Jay stepped out onto the mansion's terrace.
The balcony of a wealthy home was indeed extraordinary. There, Jay discovered a private open-air swimming pool, surrounded by marble tiles reflecting the prismatic light from the living room, a stunning sight. The view of the metropolis from this vantage point was remarkable, with the city's lights weaving a soft veil over the nocturnal hustle and bustle.
Lois stepped out onto the terrace, her approach as light as the breeze that toyed with her golden hair, dispersing the scent of her expensive perfume.
"The party's inside," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, I know," Jay replied, "Just wanted some fresh air."
She nodded in understanding. "Holding up okay? I mean, you drank quite a bit."
"I'm good," Jay assured her with a smile. "Never tried this before, but the night air seems to help."
After taking a moment to ensure he wasn't showing any effects of the alcohol, Lois said, "You've surprised everyone again, no one expected your tolerance to be so bulletproof. I'm beginning to wonder how many other talents you have up your sleeve."
"Don't get too excited," Jay half-joked. "I'm running out of surprises."
She laughed lightly and leaned on the terrace railing, gazing down at the glittering metropolis, her hair brushing against her cheeks. She inched a few centimeters closer to Jay and casually asked, "So, where are you planning to go after graduation? Harvard? Oxford?"
Jay shook his head. "I think I'm staying local."
"Why's that?" Lois turned to him. "With your abilities, you should have plenty of options."
"Metropolis isn't so bad," he said, looking down the crisscrossing streets. "I guess I'm just used to it here."
Lois peered into the vibrant cityscape, a bitter smile on her lips. "Yes, the city looks so beautiful from up here, like it's glistening with gold, giving the illusion that you're standing in a gold mine. But it's not like that at all. It gives you hope, lures you in, and then, in your most vulnerable moment, it bleeds you dry."
Jay glanced at her, her cheeks reddened—whether from the alcohol or her fervor, he wasn't sure.
"You're a bit drunk," he pointed out.
"Maybe, but my mind is clear," she insisted. "I know how my classmates see me—tough, brash, with endless funds at my disposal. But that's just the side I let everyone see. The truth is, I'm tired, so tired I can hardly breathe. My father was severely injured in the Doomsday Invasion six years ago. He survived, but with lasting complications. When he passed away last year, he left the company's mess to me. The crisis brought an economic downturn, and the corporate sharks fought over their interests. My mother does nothing but cry, leaving all this chaos to me. Sometimes I wish I could just be an ordinary student..."
She sighed deeply, revealing a weariness she'd never shown to anyone else. With a rueful smile to Jay, she added, "Sorry, I've never told anyone else this. You must think I'm being dramatic, right?"
Jay shook his head. "No, I understand. Everyone has their own battles, and everyone admired has their share of troubles."
"You really get it," Lois brightened, her melancholy fading into laughter. "What about you, then? Even you have your own worries?"
"Sure," he admitted.
"Would you care to share?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe another time, if there's a chance," Jay said with a smile.
"That's hardly fair, I've shared with you," she said, looking up at the sky with a deep sigh. "Sometimes, when I face difficulties, I can't help but think of you. I imagine if Reynolds were in my shoes, he'd easily come up with a solution. Everything seems so easy for you, I wish I could be half as capable."
Silence fell between them. Below, the streets remained ablaze with activity, and across the street, the giant electronic display of the business plaza lit up with the bald head of Lex Luthor, CEO of LexCorp, one of America's most talked-about figures in recent years. Now, he was fervently delivering a speech on "Why Humanity Doesn't Need Superman" while announcing the exciting advancements his company was making in various fields.
"How ironic," Lois remarked with a sarcastic laugh. "These people willingly sacrifice their souls, yet they bask in self-congratulation every day."
Jay looked at her, questioning, "You're a fan of Superman?"
"I used to be."
Changing the subject, Lois broke the chilling atmosphere, "Sorry, today's supposed to be a party, I shouldn't be talking about unhappy things. Let's go back, it's getting cold here, and we shouldn't keep everyone waiting."
With a wave, she headed back to the lively living room. As Jay watched her retreating figure amidst the sparkling lights, she seemed more fragile than usual, adding a touch of poignancy to her usual vivacity.
For some reason, looking at the jubilant party, Jay felt he truly didn't belong there. He felt more at home on this terrace—alone with the cold wind, just a few steps away from the festivities, a quiet observer in the night.
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