Cheryl sprang to her feet, looked at me awkwardly, and explained anxiously, "I had a fever the day I registered at this restaurant. I can't believe I was so confused that I left the wrong information.
"But since today is Nat's birthday, we might as well celebrate it for him."
Seeing that I looked unmoved, Cheryl glanced at me with bewilderment.
Cheryl asked the waiter for Nathan's favorite wine and poured it for him herself with gentle eyes on him.
She then walked toward me, ready to pour me some as well.
I moved the glass aside and filled it with warm water.
Seeing this, Cheryl looked upset and said with a trace of displeasure, "I know you've been busy and tired recently, but it's Nat's birthday today. Nat has had such a hard time. Why can't you show him some respect?"
Hearing this, I picked up the glass and gulped down the water.
I straightened my sleeves and responded unhurriedly, "I can't drink the wine."
At the sight of my indifference, Cheryl got angry.
She snatched my glass, filled it with wine, and snapped impatiently, "Zachary Jeffers, have I been too kind to you recently? How could you be so disrespectful?
"You've been talking nonsense since you walked in today. I understand that you feel weary after working hard to prepare for the wedding.
"But you know best how important Nat's birthday is to him. Why is it so hard for you to have a drink with him? Why are you so selfish now?"
"You said I'm selfish?
"How careless my fiancée is!
"After that serial car crash, I forgot everything except you!
"But what about you? How come you don't even remember that I suffer from a splitting headache once I drink?
"Or do you intend to murder me on Nathan's birthday?"
My words left Cheryl speechless. Her mouth twitched for a while before she uttered weakly, feeling she'd been wronged, "I was just too busy recently to think of it for a moment.
"No one is perfect. Why do you have to make such a big deal out of it? Besides, you haven't drunk yet, have you?"
