Raise a glass
"Irene" Karl couldn't believe his eyes. Irene was the last person he expected to see at that time. He wanted to ask what she was doing there but before he could finish the sentence, Irene beat him to it. She came right to him and gave him a warm hug. Karl was astounded by her action. He had not expected her to hug him. They were not that close a friend. "Nice to see you " Karl said trying as much as possible to surpress his urge to push her away. He was not a person who like to be taken by surprise. But thinking of the friendship between the two families he could only say something nice.
"Karl am so pleased to see you too," Irene was over the moon when she heard karl. She let go of the hug. Even if she noticed that Karl had not hugged her back she ignored it.
" I have been expecting your call, are you here alone?" it was very obvious that Irene was very happy to see Karl. She had come to the bar with one of her friends but left her seat to wait for Karl the moments she saw him.
Although she had pretended to be seeing him for the first time but she had seen him when he was going to use the bathroom. She followed him without his notice to see where he was going and when she was certain he was going to the bathroom, she came out to wait for him.
"No i am here with my friend Kelvin, you remember him right, you met him at the party," Karl answered her.
"Ohh, let me say hi to him "Irene invited herself. " I also came with a friend. It would be okay to join you right?" Irene asked.
"I am here to celebrate with my friend," Kevin tried to reject her indirectly.
"Celebrate! that's great, the more, the merrier,' Irene said and signal her friend to come and join them.
Karl did not know how else to reject her so they walked back to Kevin and the rest together.
" Hello Kelvin" , Irene greeted warmly as she stretch out her hand to Kelvin for a hand shake. Irene had a warm personality without a doubt.
Kevin was surprised to see Irene there. It felt like the lady luck was on his side. Kelvin had taken notice of Irene the very first time Karl had introduced her. He tried to comport himself but he was too drunk to control himself.
"Hi Irene, it's nice to meet you again," Kevin said.
"Same here Kelvin. Karl said he his here to celebrate with you. Is it your birthday?" Irene asked. She was a daughter born into a wealthy family and was great at socialising.
When Kevin saw her asking about him, Kevin was happy. He finally understood what Karl has been describing for a few months. He had only seen her once but he could not deny the attraction and even her empty words sounded sweet.
"I own a small factory and just signed a collaboration with AWM," Kelvin said proudly . This time he was not only happy about the collaboration but felt very proud because his audience was Irene.
"Wow," Irene was surprised to here this, she did not take Kevin seriously previously at Karl's party because she could tell that he was not from their social circle but hearing that his small factory sighed a five years contract with AWM, Irene could not help but look at him in a different light. His factory was definitely not as small as he made it seem. It would not be bad to befriend him now that he was still fresh in their circle.
One must know that in their circle connection was the most important thing. "Congratulations, in that case can I join the celebration, I am here with my friend," Irene said
When Kevin heard that she wanted to celebrate with him, how could he reject.
"Sure, " Kevin smiled from ear to ear. One could tell that he was stuck but he managed not to act out of line.
Irene's friend that was standing at the side step out, "congratulation, I wish you successfull collaboration," she smiled.
"Thank you," Kevin was in a good mood.
"Kevin, this is my friend Jessica," Irene introduced.
"Nice to meet you," the two shook hands. Jessica smiled shyly. After hearing that Kevin was a boss of a factory that could sign a deal with AWM, she had a favourable impression of him.
"Take your seat and order what ever you want," Kevin become more generous. When Irene saw this, she sat down next to Karl. Jessica naturally went over to Kevin. When Irene saw this she was pleased. She felt that Jessica was more sensible and did not try to get Karl's attention but target Kevin.
The waiter returns to the table and the two ladies made their order. As they chatted, Irene drank slowly, she noticed that Karl was drunk.
"It's indeed my lucky day," Irene was pleased with herself. She was still thinking of how to deal with Isime but thinking that Karl was already drunk and would be easy to seduce, Irene, was in a good mood. She drunk a little more.
Kevin soon felt sore seeing the way Irene was obviously fleeting with Eric. He felt depressed. He had thought that lady luck was shining at him, but he did not know it was reality check.
Indeed which woman would look passed Karl and want him. Especially with Irene's family background. Kevin thought and drunk more.."hey, that's enough, are you planning to commit sucide in the name of celebrating!" Karl said. He knew that Kevin had very little alcohol resistant.
Kevin smiled sadly, Karl was drunk so he did not notice. "We should get going," Karl said.
"I am here with my driver, Kevin let me send you back," Irene jumped at the opportunity... But Karl's diver was already there.
"There is a driver here to pick me up, can you drop Kevin instead, he lives at first avenue, it' should be on your way," Karl said. He was happy to have a reason to shake her off. He was scared that she would get drunk and he would have to send her home.
This would create such a big misunderstanding between the families and that was the last thing he wanted.