"Phoenix, I'm not using my car. I'll be leaving with a friend later," said Thea to her youngest brother.

"Hmm, don't forget to ask permission from Mommy," responded Phoenix from the living room.

"Yes, I've already told her."

"Don't get into mischief again, Sis. I'm really tired of hiding your wild antics from Mommy," Phoenix commented.

"Relax, Daddy is still watching over me, right?" Thea retorted as she slipped into her high heels.

"Aren't you meeting with that movie producer?" Phoenix inquired.

"No, I'm not interested in the film world. I prefer writing behind the scenes rather than crafting scripts," Thea replied and then she headed for the apartment door.

"Bye, Phoe," Thea called out while departing with her suitcase from Phoenix’s apartment.

(At this point, Phoenix is still a university student.)

* * *

THEA LUNA ROBERT, the third of four siblings and the only daughter in the Rey Robert family.

Being the sole daughter hasn't led to her being confined by her Daddy and Mommy.

Rey—the father—rather lets Thea choose any passion she likes.

Not just Thea, Rey also allows all his children to pursue whatever they fancy without any restraint.

Even so, Rey keeps a distant watch over his children, ensuring they don't stray.

Thea has enjoyed traveling the world since her teenage years, often accompanying her adventurous Uncle Bryce.

But as she matured, Thea began embarking on her journeys alone, fearless.

Her proficiency in self-defense allowed her to protect herself, and she possesses extensive experience from her international travels.

Mastering several foreign languages has aided her in becoming a writer, drawing from her experiences abroad.

Thea isn't tomboyish, although she's a bit boisterous. She loves wearing renowned designer clothing, and anyone who sees her immediately recognizes she's from a wealthy family at first glance.

Yet, this has never turned Thea into a conceited person. Instead, she carries an eccentric demeanor compared to her siblings.

"Thea!!!" called a woman from a convertible.

Spotting her friend, Thea waved and rolled her suitcase toward the car.

"Sorry I'm a bit late. My Mom threw a fit this morning," said Joan, the striking woman with shoulder-length hair.

"Never mind," Thea smiled in response and climbed into Joan's Mercedes.

"Yuhuuuuu... Let's have fun," Thea yelled, throwing her hands up.

"Yuhuuuuu..." Joan echoed.

And they drove off to a small bar on the outskirts of London.

The plan was for Thea and Joan to tour England by car.

Though they had only known each other for six months, meeting online, their mutual passion and touch of madness made them get on well.

They had been spending time together in London for a month.

"You're too posh for this little bar, Thea," remarked Joan, puffing on her dwindling cigarette.

"I love branded fashion, Darl," Thea retorted.

Then Thea took Joan by the hand, and they entered the little bar.

The bar atmosphere, dominated by male patrons, buzzed with activity.

The deep, boisterous voices filled the venue. The arrival of Thea and Joan certainly drew attention their way.

Seldom did glamorous women frequent the small bar.

Joan and Thea took a seat directly across from the bartender.

"Give us a small glass of punch," Joan requested.

"Aren't we getting plastered tonight?" Thea asked.

"No, we're entering the lion's den tonight. It's dangerous, Thea," Joan replied.

Thea smiled as she savored the country music playing in the bar.

A tall, muscular man with long hair strolled into the bar.

"Hello, Boss," someone called out to the man.

He made his way to the bar counter and ordered a glass of Vodka.

"Were you out wandering the city, Jared?" asked the bartender, who was familiar with him.

"Hmm, I just met up with my cousin," replied Jared.

Then Jared noticed a crowd gathering in the center of the bar. He knew it had to be the beer drinking contest that was the hallmark of this modest establishment.

"Aren't you joining in?" asked Trevor, the bartender.

"No one can beat me. It's not challenging in the slightest," declared Jared, taking a swig of his vodka.

"Care to compete with me, Sir?" inquired a woman who had been sitting beside him.

"Thea, what are you doing? We can't get drunk tonight. Remember that," said Joan to Thea.

Jared turned to the woman issuing the challenge. He appraised Thea from the top of her head to her toes.

"Are you in the wrong place, Miss Fancy?" Jared asked, noting her luxurious outfit.

"Not at all, I want to mingle with the common folk now and then," Thea responded.

Jared smiled beneath his rather thick beard.

"You should go home, you've come to the wrong place," Jared advised.

"Are you afraid to take on my challenge?" Thea provocatively asked, relishing the thrill of the challenge.

Seeing the man before her seemingly disinterested, she felt even more incentivized to engage him.

Jared chuckled softly, his blue eyes locking onto Thea's brighter blue eyes.

"I have no interest in your challenge, Miss," declared Jared.

"I'm a strong drinker. And I'm ready to face you," Thea retorted, undeterred.

"What do you think, Trevor? Should I accept this wealthy woman's challenge?" Jared asked the bartender.

"Why not, Jared?" he replied.

Then Jared placed his empty vodka glass on the bar counter before rising to look down at Thea due to the significant difference in their height.

"You're like Tarzan," blurted out Thea, craning her neck to see Jared's face, dimly lit by the bar's subdued lighting.

Jared's soft laughter followed. "You're the second person to call me that," he said to Jared.

"Let's get started," announced Jared, whistling loudly to the bar owner who was busily judging the ongoing game.

"Hey Jared... You joining in tonight?" Julius yelled out.

Jared raised his hand and gave Julius a thumbs-up.

"Who's your opponent?" Julius inquired.

Jared pointed towards Thea, provoking whistles from the other patrons at the sight of the beautiful woman taking the challenge.

"Thea... Can't you act normal just for one day?" remarked Joan lagging behind Thea.

"Enjoy your life, Darl. When else can we do this? Look at him. He's so hot," Thea said, eyeing Jared who had taken his spot in the bar's center and sat on the provided chair.

The harsh spotlight highlighted Jared's table, illuminating his features more distinctly.

"You're rather handsome," noted Thea, now seated across from Jared.

Jared simply offered an asymmetrical smile. "Are you ready, Baby?" he asked.

"I'm ready, Honey," responded Thea with a charming smile.

Then the referee, who was none other than the bar owner, started the countdown for the race to begin.

"1... 2... 3... Go!!!" he shouted.

Jared and Thea began to gulp down their large glasses of beer.

Thea and Jared had each downed three glasses already.

"Stop it, Baby. You're gonna pass out right here," Jared cautioned, still seemingly unfazed by the beer, even though he had just downed some vodka himself.

"I'm still strong," Thea declared, clutching her beer-filled belly.

"Thea, that's enough. Let's get out of here," Joan said, pulling on Thea's hand.

"Shut up, Joan. I can handle it," Thea insisted.

Then Jared stood up and left Thea sitting there.

"Hey, Tarzan! Are you giving up?" Thea called out loudly.

Jared settled back at the bar, refilling his vodka, then glanced over at Thea.

His sly grin seemed to belittle her.

"You lose, miss," Julius, the referee, chimed in.

Thea turned to Julius. "What do you mean? I haven't collapsed at all," she retorted, not accepting defeat.

"Alright, then stand up and walk," Julius challenged.

"Head towards the man you called Tarzan," he continued, a smirk on his face.

Thea stood and began to walk. But after just two steps, she wobbled dangerously, almost falling due to her high-heeled shoes.

Joan supported Thea, preventing her fall.

The men in the bar erupted in mocking laughter at the spectacle.

"Hey, miss. This contest isn't for you. You should stick to dancing for us," one of the men shouted.

Thea faced the man who had suggested she dance. Her smile widened; she liked trouble when it was brewing.

While others might avoid trouble, Thea thrived on it.

"Really, you want me to dance?" Thea challenged.

"Thea!!" Joan scolded softly, always anxious in Thea's wild escapades.

Joan was wild, but not as daring as Thea, who relished doing whatever she fancied, especially trying new things.

"Ssshhh... Quiet, Joan," Thea silenced her, then slipped off her high heels and tore her tight skirt up to mid-thigh.

This bold move drew whistles and cheers from the men, all except Jared.

Jared watched from afar, attentive to what Thea would do next.

Thea approached the man who had egged her on.

He put down his beer and was about to slide his arm around Thea's waist and plant a kiss on her.

But before he could, Thea grabbed his hair and slammed his head onto the table.

"Shhiitt!!!" the man cursed loudly, and then Thea took his beer glass and poured the remaining contents over his head.

Then, as his friend tried to grab Thea, the sound of breaking glass filled the air.

CRASH...

Joan struck the man holding Thea with a nearby beer bottle.

The bar erupted into chaos. Men started to advance on Thea and Joan.

"Good girl," Thea exclaimed, smiling at Joan and brandishing two beer bottles at the hostile men.

"You're insane, Thea!" Joan complained.

Joan picked up a chair and smashed it against the men.

Thea kicked and hit with swift and precise movements.

"Jareeedd!!!" Julius yelled.

The old man didn't want his bar demolished because of Thea and Joan's antics.