22

Marie

Tomorrow is Friday and I have a day off! Yay! Well technically the only reason Karter gave me a day off was because we have to work on Saturday. But only half day so I guess it does count right?

I was binge watching tv shows on Netflix when my phone rang. It was 7:00 pm, who could it be? The caller ID was unknown. I wonder who is calling me.

I press answer and speak, "Hello?"

"Is this Marie?" That voice seems awfully familiar.

"Liam?" I ask.

"The one and only!" He chuckles on the other end causing me to smile.

"What's up?" I ask.

"I got your number from Carl, hope you don't mind?"

"Not at all" I say.

"So I don't know if you know this but tomorrow is Karter's birthday. El and I are throwing him a surprise party at his house. We all were wondering if you could make it?"

"I would love too but would Karter really want me there?"

"Nonsense. Of course he would. So are you up for it?" He ask.

I smile, "I guess I can make it!"

"That's great!" I can hear him smiling on the other end.

"So I'll text you the time and address tomorrow!"

"Okay."

"See you tomorrow Marie. Bye!"

"Bye" I say and Liam hangs up.

The next day I get up early to go shopping. I have to go gift shopping for my billionaire boss-friend. What could I get him that he doesn't already have? Literally after hours, I decided to get him a nice navy blue dress shirt and a cologne. Hopefully, the shirt will fit.

Liam texted me that I have to reach Karter's house by 4:30 at most as Karter will be arriving at 5. So as soon as I get back from my shopping spree, I jump in the shower.

I put on a full-sleeved white shirt with a short denim skirt that stopped at my mid-thigh and a pair of black and white printed high heels. I decided to leave my hair simple and open. I look alright, casual yet cute.

Karter's house is actually quite far away from mine so at 3:50, I head out. Following Liam's directions I reach a gigantic mansion. Well obviously. Billionaire, duh.

I grab the gift bag from the back seat and head inside. The guards greeted me politely and let me inside. I walk inside the house to see about 25 or something people present. I really don't recognize anyone until I hear a familiar voice call my name, "Marie!"

I turn around to see the newly bride, Jennifer standing behind me.

She gives me a hug and smiles at me, "You made it. Come on I'll help you settle in."

I follow her and place my gift where everyone else had placed theirs. I was chatting with Sophia and Jennifer when we heard Liam and Carl scream.

"EVERYONE! KARTER WILL BE HERE IN TWO MINUTES. TAKE YOUR POSITIONS AND HIDE!" Everyone starts sitting on the floor, hiding behind the couch, behind the curtains etc. I just take a seat next to Jennifer on the floor. I wonder where Karter's dog is. He said he had one. What did he say it's name was?

After five minutes, the door opened. Probably Karter walked in, it was dark I really couldn't tell. He opened the lights and we all jumped up, "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARTER!"

Karter face lightens and he gives us an ear to ear grin, "Wasn't expecting this at all. Thank you so much everyone. I appreciate it!"

We all move from out previous postures of hiding and move about the large house. Honestly I only knew about 7 people here. I feel so awkward but all those 7 people were by my side keeping me company.

I was talking to Devin when Karter walked over to us. He gives Devin a big manly hug and then turns to me. He gives me a hug and kisses me on my cheek. When he pulls away I see that Devin had disappeared. "Happy Birthday!" I say.

"Thank you for coming. You look gorgeous." Why does he always say that and make me blush?

"Thank you." I smile.

"You have nice legs." He comments looking at my legs involuntarily.

I let out a laugh, "What?"

"Well, I've never seen you in such a short outfit so I'm observing your legs. They're nice."

I raise an eyebrow, "Are you flirting with me Karter?"

"Maybe I am. So what? We both are single here." He shrugs with a smirk.

"Okay then. How old did you turn anyway?" I ask.

"I think. Wait. Hmm. I'm getting old. 34!" He says.

I chuckle at how long he took to answer purposely, "Are you enjoying your party birthday boy?"

"I prefer to be addressed as a man but yes I am. Only because you're here" Karter smirks.

I laugh, "This is too much flirting then I can handle in one conversation."

"So what are you going to walk away from the birthday boy-man?"

"Well the birthday boy-man also happens to be my boss. So I can't really walk away from him can I? I don't want to lose my job!" I joke.

"You can walk away if you like. I'm in an awfully generous mood today so if you walk away I wouldn't make your life hell!" Karter smiles

"Well then, I wouldn't mind chit-chatting a bit! Since I don't know many people here." I smile.

Karter automatically smirks, "Well isn't it my lucky day then? A young, gorgeous female keeping me company"

"Young? You're talking as if we're 30 years apart" I say with a chuckle.

"Well you are almost 23 and I'm 34. So, that makes us 11 years apart" Karter says.

"So? That isn't a lot." I say.

Karter chuckles, "Marie, when I was 18 you were 7 and when you were 18 I was 29!"

"Well I was 20 and 21 years old when my sisters were born. You don't see me complaining about it. And plus in my opinion age is just a factor. It doesn't matter" I say.

Karter smiles at me, showing off his dimples. He was smiling as if he was happy with my answer, "What?" I ask.

"Oh nothing" he says while still smiling.

I open my mouth to speak when we're interrupted by Alex ,"Hey, I'd hate to disturb the two love birds but Karter there's someone who wants to talk to you" Alex smiles at the two of us.

"Excuse me Marie" Karter says and walks away with Alex.

So now I'm alone. Okay, cool. I grab a glass of champagne the waiters were serving and look around the huge house. Towards the end of the living room, which was a pretty secluded area. Barely two, three people were there. I saw a little girl with a book in her lap comfortably sitting on the couch. She looked pretty bored.

I decided to go sit next to her. I walk over to the couch at the end of the living room and took a seat next to the little girl. She looks up at me and smiles at me. She's very cute with her green eyes and brown hair. She sets her book aside.

I smile at her, "Hello."

"Hi!" She says.

"I'm Marie. What's your name sweetie?" I ask.

"I'm Millie!" She exclaims with a big smiles, I also noted that she had a mix accent. Half British half American.

"Well Millie, I noticed that you were really bored so I decided to come talk to you" I say.

"I was bored. Now I'm not!" The smile was still present on her face.

"How old are you?" I ask.

"I'm six!" She says putting up six fingers in the air showing me how old she is.

"Wow you're a big girl!" I smile.

"How old are you Marie" she had some trouble pronouncing my name but did it correctly in the end.

"Well Millie, I'm 22. I'm about to turn 23" I say.

"Wow. You're pretty!" She says touching my hair.

"Thank you sweetie. You're very pretty yourself!" I smile at her.

"So what are you doing her all alone? Who did you come here with sweetie?"

"I live here!" She says.

"What? Where are your mummy and daddy?" I ask.

"I don't think I have a mummy but my daddy is right there!" She giggles and points ahead of us. I look at who's she's pointing. No. It can't be.

"Is it your dad's birthday today?" I ask.

"Yes!"

"So Karter is your dad?"

"Yup! That's my daddy's name!" She smiles.

The British accent, the same green eyes and brown hair. The cheeky smile. She's Karter's daughter.