1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila, Floor

The Harborview Paradise

Damien took everyone to one of the restaurants that he loves. He asked what kind of food they liked to eat and most of them agreed on seafood and this restaurant serves it fresh. They get to pick the seafood raw and ask the kitchen to cook it however they like. 

In a private room that accommodated all eleven of them, they found their seats and waited for the food to be served. This was what they liked about their Big Boss, he's always generous whenever he takes them out for a treat. Unlike other bosses, Damien may be strict but he knows how to have fun after work hours.

Katherine found an empty seat and Damien sat on her right while Caleb sat on her left side. It was like the Devil and the Angel sitting on either side of her. 

When their food arrived, Mr. Lim raised a glass of wine to make a toast. "To Ms. Miller, welcome to Crown Resort Group."

"To Ms. Miller."

"To Katherine."

They cheered in unison. Katherine blushed, yet she liked the feeling of belongingness. 

Katherine's friend Emma would always tell her not to drink beyond one glass because that's the only amount of alcohol that she could handle. Otherwise… something dire could happen. However, Katherine would never remember what happens when she gets drunk. Raising her own glass, she took a sip and made a mental note not to drink too much that night. 

Once they started eating, Caleb was very thoughtful that he shelled a few shrimps and placed it on Katherine's plate.

"Oh, thank you but you don't have to. I can do it myself." Katherine politely said.

"I know. Just think of it as a welcome gift or the interest for that pending coffee treat." He chuckled and continued to eat.

"Ah– Thanks."

Damien, who saw the whole thing, felt a bit sour. He already planned to give her food too but Caleb beat him to it. With a lobster on his plate, he skillfully took the meat from its shell and placed the whole thing on Katherine's plate. 

"Oh."

Surprised by his gesture, she glanced at him but saw that he wasn't even looking at her and was eating quietly by himself as if nothing happened. Her heart thumped as she looked at her plate with all the food in it; she didn't think that she would be able to finish them all. She thought for a quick second and before she knew it, she was already cutting a piece of the lobster meat, dipped it in her favorite sauce and placed it on top of Damien's spoon. "This one is good… You should try it," she said.

The rest of the group saw what she did and they all froze. Although they knew that their boss was approachable, he never liked women who do this for him. They heard about Natasha's sudden resignation and they knew she came on too strong to Damien thinking that she was going to get more from him — and that was her mistake. Damien initially tolerated her sly innuendos which made her think that he liked it. What she didn't know was he only kept being patient with her and ignored her advances until he finally got fed up.

However, his new secretary Katherine – what would his reaction be? Anticipating for their boss's response, they quietly snuck glances at him. To their surprise, Damien stared at the food on his spoon before he looked up to see Katherine's smile waiting for him to taste it. "Okay," he said and flashed a brief but genuine smile before placing the food in his mouth.

That very short reaction from him made the rest of the group breathe out a sigh of relief. They exchanged stares at each other and snickered, they realized that their boss was definitely biased towards his new secretary.

…

The night was still young as it was only eight in the evening when they got out of the restaurant. Feeling energetic after the scrumptious dinner, one of them said, "It's too early to go home for a Saturday night. Why don't we go someplace else and have a few drinks?!"

"That would be great! It's been a while since we had a gathering," Mr. Lim agreed and the rest of the group waited for Damien to approve.

Katherine didn't mind at all, she doesn't have anywhere else to go that night. At least, she didn't have to worry about spending the night alone with Damien in his place. 

"Mhmm," was all that Damien uttered. His response made the group exclaim in excitement. Too bad he didn't know that he was going to regret his decision that night.

They didn't have to go too far as there was a bar with private rooms for their group just right across the street. After ordering their drinks and snacks, some of them started dancing and singing on the mini-stage in the middle of the room. Mr. Lim ordered a round of shots for everybody to start their party and when the tray of tequila shot glasses arrived, each of them took one.

Damien got a little worried for Katherine who was sitting right next to him. But since this was her welcome party, he let her enjoy. 

"Alright… on the count of three," Caleb scanned the group with a naughty smile on his face and saw their waiting expressions. "Three!" 

Caleb's trick surprised everyone but nevertheless, they downed their shot glasses and cheers followed right after.

The assistant manager named Jane grabbed Katherine's hand and dragged her to the platform. "It's your night, it's against the rules not to sing!" She shoved the microphone to Katherine's hand and an upbeat song sounded in the background.

"I don't sing." Katherine returned the microphone to Jane and was about to sit back on the couch when she was pulled back to the stage by the rest of the group.

"No-no-no… you stay here! At least dance with us!" Jane insisted and handed her a glass of beer. "Here, drink up! It will ease your nerves. You need to enjoy, Katherine. It's your party!"

"But I can't–" 

"We're drinking with you!" Jane and the rest of the people on the platform raised their glasses and shouted, "Bottoms up!"

Feeling playful, Mr. Lim gently pushed the glass to her mouth and Jane helped, forcing Katherine to drink her beer together with them. 

"Yes!!!" They cheered once again and started singing and dancing to the song "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. 

Katherine winced, her eyes closed as she exhaled deeply, the beer was bitter and cold making her body shake involuntarily. But soon after, a smile on her lips appeared making Damien sigh thinking that she should be okay and secretly hoped that she would be ok for the rest of the night.

The longer they partied that night, the more alcohol was consumed.

And of course, the more Katherine felt untethered. 

…

The next morning, Katherine woke up having a massive headache and sore muscles. Squinting her eyes, she found herself inside the bathtub.

Half naked.

With a pillow under her head that smelled of chocolates. 

She turned her head only to find a blob of chocolate on the fluffy white pillow. 

She raised her hand wanting to touch the chocolate mess only to find a banana in her hand.

"Are you sober meow… I mean, now?" Damien's cold voice startled Katherine making her sit up inside the bathtub and saw him leaning against the doorframe – his hair disheveled, shirt torn, and lipstick stains on his face.

He was expressionless when he added, "I promise I won't take your chocolate away from you ever again."

What in the world happened to you, Katherine?