9 Birthday Party

Mike's POV

It was Saturday today. After the hectic week, it was time to relax today. Also, it was Catherine's birthday party. After knowing about Catherine and Lucas I didn't feel like going but since she had insisted so much the other day I am left with no option but to go. I didn't ask David to accompany me as he already advised me to stay away from her. So I thought of asking Jeff my roomie if he can accompany me.

"Hey Jeff. What's up."

"Omg from where the sun has come up today. You are asking me what's up?"

"Get lost, Jeff"

"Ok ok. I'm sorry. Nothing much just band practice."

"Ok. Cool. Actually, I have to go to one of the colleague's b'day party and I was thinking if you could accompany me today?"

"I would have loved to bro. But today I have a date with my girl. Actually, this week was damn hectic and I couldn't catch up with Mel so I was planning a date to make up for the missed time."

"Sure. No problem bro. I understand."

I had always envied Jeff. He has a perfect life-Rich parent, a cool band, a popular artist with 1Million followers, hot girlfriend. Damn, what else do you need?

Alas, I have to go alone now. I thought I will just go and will be back in an hour.

This was my biggest mistake to go to the party

===========================

POV Ends

Third Person's POV

Mike got ready in his Black shirt. Black Jeans, hairs perfectly set with gel and polished shoes. He was looking damn handsome. He had ordered a pink rose bouquet to gift Catherine. The bouquet has arrived.

After getting ready Mike took the bouquet and went downstairs. He waited for his cab. He checked his watch. It was around 7 PM.

The cab arrived. He sat in the cab and opened his wallet and took out the sticky note given by Catherine. He directed the cab driver towards the mentioned address. In 30 minutes Mike reached a luxurious penthouse. Confused he double-checked the address to ensure if he has arrived at the correct location.

Mike was wondering if Catherine stays in a penthouse in NY? He was shocked. Confused he handed over the cab fare.

Mike came in front of the main door now. He can hear the loud party music when he reached the door. "Maybe Catherine might have rented this location for the party." Mike thought.

He rang the bell. Catherine opened the door. She was looking gorgeous dressed in a red sequin slit dress. Her lips were filled with red lip color and her eyes were highlighting with smokey makeup. She was looking damn hot.

Catherine smiled and said "Hey Mike. Thanks for coming."

Mike returned the smile and wished her "Hey Catherine. Happy b'day."

He hugged her and gave her the bouquet.

Catherine looked at the flowers and was really surprised by such a sweet gesture "Aw...so sweet. Please come in." she said.

Mike entered the living room. Catherine placed the bouquet in the vase placed on a side table and then asked him to follow her. She took him from the living room to a passage that opens into a garden.

The passage was beautifully decorated with antiques and paintings. Mike was really amazed to see the house being so sophistically decorated.

"Hey, Catherine... Is this your house? Mike asked her to confirm his doubt.

Catherine stopped for a while and answered "Yes. Why?"

"It's beautiful and classy. The decor is really a sophisticated choice." Mike complimented.

Catherine smiled and thanked him "Thanks, Mike. I bought this property last year and all things here are handpicked by me."

" Wow."

They reached the garden area. Mike saw a few people from the office whom he saw the other day on the 6th floor and some unknown faces which might be her other friends.

"So Mike. Here are my friends. Enjoy the party. I will just look at the starters' arrangements." Catherine said.

Saying so Catherine went inside. Mike went into the garden.

He saw the colleagues from the 6th floor and thought of joining them. Suddenly a girl came near him.

"Hey" Nancy waved him

"Hey"

"You look lost. Are you a stranger here to everyone like me?" Nancy asked

"I guess so. So you are also alone and a stranger to everyone I suppose." Mike felt happy at least he is not the odd one out here.

"Yup I am. Glad I found someone to talk to. I am Nancy."

"I am Mike. So...I haven't seen you in the office. You are not the work colleague I suppose."

"Nope. Actually, I was Catherine's roommate before she moved here. We were like soul sisters."

"Oh great. So what do you do Nancy?"

"I am a travel blogger. Are you her colleague?" Nancy asked

"Yup. I am her colleague."

"But you don't look like an event management guy or any PR?"

She raised her brows

"Well, I am a software engineer," Mike replied

"Oh wow. You are the geek then. But you are too handsome to be a geek." She winked

"Is she flirting with me? What does she mean I don't look, geek. What was she expecting a guy with thick glasses, oiled hairs, and formal attire?" Mike thought

"Hey, I am sorry I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that software engineers are considered as boring." Nancy said explaining herself

"Did you just called me boring? We engineer have the best fun in our college lives." Mike told proudly

"Is it?"

" Yup. By the way, I can see you are not holding anything in hand so let's go and grab a drink."

"Sure"

Both went to the minibar counter but there were no cocktails available. So they thought of going inside and check into the kitchen. Catherine will be there so they can ask her. Also, the conversation has already gone a bit awkward so they can use someone else with them.

As they reached inside they saw Catherine and Lucas in the living room. Lucas was holding a red wine bottle and giving it to Catherine.

Upon hearing us Catherine asked "Hey guys what's up. What are you doing here?"

"Actually we were on our way to the kitchen looking for some juices to combine with the hard drinks," Mike told

"Oh, how stupid of me to not put the soft drinks outside. I will make arrangements for the same." Catherine said by putting her hands on her forehead.

"Don't worry. We will check." Nancy told her.

Mike noticed Lucas who was scanning Nancy in a weird creepy way.

Lucas who has his arms around Catherine's waist asked "Catherine won't you introduce me to your friend?"

"Sure. You already know Mike who works with David in our It department and this is Nancy. My BFF and Nancy this is Lucas My boyfriend." Catherine said cheerfully.

Lucas ignored Mike and moved towards Nancy. He took Nancy's hands in her and kisses her hand "Pleasure to meet you, Nancy".

Nancy blushed "Same here Lucas"

Lucas then turned to Catherine.

"Cathy why don't you arrange the cocktails for Mike and others," Lucas told Catherine.

"Umm..sure" Catherine replied a bit confused.

"Let me help you, Catherine," Mike said.

Mike and Catherine went into the kitchen to check the soft drinks. Nancy and Lucas went towards the garden area.