13 The Corporate Favor

The event was finally over after 4 hours. Mike stopped the live streaming and checked the site. He also uploaded the video link on the company portal page via the embed link. He was feeling hungry now so he thought of going to the garden area where the food was organized.

He was damn tired so he just settled for some starters and salads. Mike sat on one of the tables when he noticed Lucas at another table having dinner with Melanie Cry-The judge and one of the main chief guests. It was his first time seeing Melanie in person. She was beautiful. probably in her late 30s, a very sophisticated and elegant woman. He checked for Catherine but she was not present there. He looked here and there and saw Catherine in the bar area.

Mike quietly sat and finished his meal. He went to grab a water bottle from the bar area and then he saw Catherine sitting quietly alone and having Vodka shots. Mike looked around for Lucas and saw him leaving the garden area. He thought of going to him and telling him about Catherine when he noticed that Lucas's hands are on Melanie's waist-tight gripped. Mike looked at Catherine and noticed her looking at both of them. She definitely has an idea of what they are up to.

In no time they left the garden area. Mike went to Catherine and asked

"Hey Catherine. Are you ok?"

Catherine in her drunk state replied "Hey Mike. My friend. Did you saw the event... oh, I forgot it's your first event since you join the company. Isn't it fab? You know the starters menu...I selected them. Wasn't it exotic?"

"Hey, Catherine. You are drunk. Shall I drop you home?"

"Well, I want to party..No home. Let's party..."

Mike knew she is not in a state to listen to him and is not making any sense.

"Ok, Catherine. We will go home and party more. Let's get out of here .let me go to the control room and take my bag and then we will go."

"Okie Dokie Mikee..."

Mike went to the control room and went to the drawer where he has kept his bag. He opened the drawer and took his bag out. He adjusted his bag on one of his shoulders and turned around. Catherine was standing in front of him now.

"Hey, Catherine. I asked you to wait for me in the garden. I was coming to take you."

"No...I feel lonely and scared."

She hugged him tightly as she said that.

"Ok Catherine. Let's go home now."

"My car is downstairs. My feet are hurting. Can you carry me to the car, please?" Catherine said looking at him with puppy eyes.

Mike was shocked a bit but he knew she is in a drunk state so it's better not to argue with her at this time. Also, almost everyone has left the hall and garden so the probability of anyone's seeing them was least. She took out her stilettos and carried it in her hand. Mike lifted her in his arms. She put her hands around his neck looking deeply into his deep eyes.

"Damn, she is looking so hot and innocent in her black evening gown. Her flawless skin is complementing the nude shade of her lipgloss with gold makeup." Mike thought.

Mike carried her in his arms and came near the lift. Thankfully the lift was on the same floor so they quickly get into the lift. As they went inside the lift she told him

"You know Mikee...You are my favorite guy in this office. I really like you. Also, you are so handsome and hot. You were looking damn hot in a black shirt the other day on my birthday. But after that day why are you ignoring me in the office? Every day I was waiting in the cafeteria to have breakfast with you but you never showed up on time?"

Mike was quiet.

"Definitely, she doesn't mean this. Why would she? She told me clearly that night was a mistake." His mind said.

"Maybe she likes me." my heart told my mind.

Her each and every word and action are playing with Mike's mind and heart.

In this battle somewhere his heart convinced his mind that heart is on left but is always right.

I really wished my mind wouldn't have got convinced and my heart would have lost that night. Mike thought.