The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 131

It took Cecily a long moment to process the sight. "Natalie? Why on earth are you dressed like that?"

Cecily often traveled abroad to watch operas, so she wasn't entirely opposed to heavy makeup, but there was a time and a place. No one else here wore such dramatic, vibrant cosmetics; this crowd prided themselves on quiet elegance, old money, and restraint.

Natalie offered a faint smile. "This is the result of two hours in front of the mirror. Don't you think it looks good?"

"Petulant," Cecily muttered, her expression darkening slightly, though she didn't say much else. At the end of the day, Natalie was a member of the Carlson family. Even if she showed up with a paper bag over her head, no one would dare laugh.

Natalie's assigned seat was right next to Hassan. She naturally smoothed her dress and sat down. Glancing up slightly, she caught the man's dark, profound gaze resting on her face.

It suddenly reminded her of the very first time she and her friends from school had worn heavy makeup to attend their class president's masquerade party.

The class president had a penchant for extravagant themes, and his wealthy family spoiled him rotten. For his birthday, he had organized a specific masquerade party on his family's private yacht.

Aside from their classmates, there were plenty of guests Natalie didn't recognize. Anyone who refused to wear dramatic makeup had to wear a mask to board the yacht.

Hassan had already entered the corporate world by then. Because his company did business with the class president's parents, he had made an appearance on the yacht as well.

But Natalie had been too busy having fun with her friends to pay attention to anyone else.

When the class president organized a game of Truth or Dare, Natalie became the lucky target. Her dare was to pick a guy in the room and link arms with him for a couples' toast.

A boy who had a massive crush on her was immediately shoved forward. He was incredibly handsome, with refined features and a tall build—in fact, he looked a little bit like Hassan. His ears flushed bright red as he walked up to her.

Natalie naturally took her glass, ready to drink with him.

The crowd started cheering and teasing, "Once you link arms for a toast, you're practically married!"

Natalie didn't think much of the casual joke. Just as she was about to take a sip...

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