Friday was filled with buzz, the excitement palpable in the air.
Karen was lost on it, interested in getting through the half day and enjoying an early weekend. She had already planned how to relax with a bubble bath and some expensive food and wine while the rest partied away.
She loaded some paper into the photocopier, pressing a few buttons and listening to the hum of the machine running.
“What are you wearing to the party?” She heard Sonia ask beside her.
Karen raised her head from the photocopier and looked at Sonia. “What party? I’m not going.” She said
Sonia raised a brow. “As his assistant, you’re not going?”
Karen nodded. She picked up the papers from the machine and arranged them. “You guys have fun.” She said with a smile at Sonia.
“Come on Karen! It’s just one party!”
Yeah. One party. She wasn’t interested.
She submitted her last report for the day, and concluded her week. Most of her colleagues had left already, getting ready for the evening. Karen joined them.
The event of the previous evening was fresh on her mind. The golden eyed man who introduced himself as Asher, and asked how she was faring.
Karen didn’t know what it was about him, but everything about him terrified her.
Today as she headed to the parking lot, she waited around toll she found someone who was also going to their car. She trailed silently behind the woman and rushed into her car.
Once inside she exhaled softly. Thank goodness Asher wasn’t waiting for her.
She started the engine and drove off. It was still early, the time one pm. There was a few hours before it was time to pick David up from school.
As she was getting out of the car, Karen got a call from Beulah. She picked dip up, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder.
“What are you wearing to the party?” Beulah asked.
“I’m not going.” Karen replied with a sigh. “And how do you know about the party?”
“I have my sources. Why are you not going?”
Karen grabbed the doorknob and opened it. “I don’t feel like it.”
“Turn around.”
Karen rolled her eyes. She turned slowly and there was Beulah’s car, right behind her. She parked and got out, dressed in a shimmering blue gown.
“Let’s get you ready.” She said and ended the call. “You can’t tell me you’re not attending the party. ”
Karen sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I can’t believe you. You’re going to drag me huh.”
Beulah grinned. “Of course. But not before I make you the most beautiful thing ever.”
Karen knew that it wasn’t going to end well. Beulah took her arm , walking side by side with her inside the house. Karen dragged her to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“What vibes are you going for?” Beulah asked, drinking a glass of water. “Is it cute, sexy, or watch me take my revenge as the hot secretary?”
“I am not his secretary.”
“I know that. What vibes? I need to know how to dress you.”
Karen sighed and dropped her glass in the sink. “Why can’t I just stay at home and relax? ”
“Because you have to attend! Are you just going to let Mr devilish boss have the best of you? Don’t you want to show up to that party in a sexy dress and looking like the bombshell that you are?”
Beulah’s words struck a cord in her heart. “Show up sexy huh?”
Beulah nodded. “Exactly! You need to show him that you’re undefeated, no matter whatever he throws at you.”
“Are you being my motivator or do you just want to party.”
Beulah smiled mischievously. “You got me.”
Karen rolled her eyes with a sigh.
“Plus I can’t go alone.” Beulah added, tapping her fingers together.
“You aren’t even a staff!”
“Like that matters. I see a party and I go!”
“Let’s go then.” Karen said with slumped shoulders. “You’ve successfully motivated me.”
Beulah grabbed her shoulders, a wide smile on her face. “Fantastic! I can’t wait to doll you right up ”
***
The party was to start by seven. Beulah and Karen arrived by eight thirty.
Beulah was dressed in a short bodycon black dress, six inch red heels and a bold makeup look with smoky eyes and red lips. She wore a diamond necklace and tear drop earrings, her hair up in a high ponytail.
Karen sighed when she saw it. But Beulah wasn’t a staff, so she was safe. After the party she would vanish and never come back.
Karen on her part wore a pearl flared gown that stopped at her knees. It had spaghetti straps and a decent backline that didn’t expose too much of her skin. On her feet were dainty heels, her makeup was done minimal with pink lips and shimmering eyeshadow.
Beulah drove them in her porche, drawing stares as she raced into the compound.
Karen’s jaw dropped as she saw the house. It was straight out of a mag, large and imposing. The yard was already festive, cars parked and flashing lights everywhere.
“Nice place he’s got.” Beulah commented. “I think my mom sold it to him.”
“That’s crazy…” Karen gasped.
They walked up the front steps to the open door. Karen spotted the guards there, and she recognized one of them from her time at the pack.
He recognized her too, his eyes widening a fraction. Karen ignored them and walked into the foyer.
“Wow,” Beulah whistled, looking around her. “Some welcome party! It’s a festival in here!”
The foyer was full of people. Music floated in the air, the lights flashed. Karen wondered what the place would look like in the day.
“I wonder where the boss is,”
“Right there.” Karen pointed ahead.
Kai was talking to some people, a polite smile on his face. Karen breath hitched as she stared at him. He noticed her and turned briefly.
“Oh my goodness you didn’t tell me your boss was Kai Sylvester!” Beulah gasped and hit Karen’s arm playfully.
“You know him?” Karen asked, confused. Beulah grabbed her hand and dragged her to Kai
“Of course I do. I told you my mom sold him this house!” They got closer to Kai. Beulah smiled and waved. “Hey Sylvester! It’s been a while!”
Kai excused himself and turned to them. “Beulah, a pleasant surprise to see you here.” He looked at Karen, hair eyes sweeping her body. “And you too, Karen.”
“Nice party you’ve got here.” Beulah said. “And even nicer place.”
“Thank you.”
Karen gulped. “I think I’ll get something to drink.”
“Oh wait, I’ll come with you.” Beulah announced. She turned to Kai and smiled apologiticaly. “I’ll see you around, Sylvester. Again, lovely place.”
Kai nodded. “Have fun.”
Karen was walking away already. Beulah caught up to her in no time.
“He’s the devilish boss?” She asked.
Karen nodded. They got to the bar and she got a drink for herself. “He’s the one.”
Beulah shrugged. “He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”
Karen stared at Kai as he spoke to guests, greeting them and all that. Some of them handed over gifts which he accepted and tossed to the servant who showed up.
He was indeed handsome. He exuded confidence and power, even though he was dressed in a simple shirt and jeans. His hair was tied to his nape, brushing his waist by now. His eyes would meet hers and she’d be quick to look away.
She drank more.
“I think he is.” She agreed, her voice low.
“Anyway.” Beulah said and finished her drink. “I’m gonna go talk to some really cute guys I saw. You have fun okay?”
Karen nodded. “Catch you later. I’ll just be here a while.”
Beulah waked off, barely three steps away a guy walked up to her and they started talking. Karen admired her extroversion. All she wanted to do was go home and relax away from the noise and buzz.
“You don’t seem to be having much fun.” Karen heard Nicolas’ voice beside her.
“It’s that obvious? I thought I was good at hiding it.” Karen said with a sigh.
“You know, you’re welcome to explore the place if you want.”
Karen turned to him. He had a drink in his hand. “Explore?”
“Yes. Although the party is on this floor only, you can go up if you want.”
“I, I think I’ll do that.” Karen said. She looked around her again. “What of Verena, she isn’t here?”
“No.” Nicolas said, no attempt to explain any further. Karen nodded and didn’t press.
“I’ll be going now.” She said and dropped her glass. “Tell my friend I’ll be with her in a while.”
“Sure.”
Karen walked through the crowds, heading for the stairs. She looked around , her eyes darting around. No one was paying her any heed. She raced up the stairs to the first floor.
It was a bit more quiet. Karen walked through the halls, her heart thumping in her chest. This was Kai’s house. He lived her.
The thought had sensual images filling her head.
She turned down a corner, bumping into someone’s chest.
“Karen?”
She looked up to see Kai. “Hi,” She said with a nervous laugh, taking a step back. “Pardon me, I was just…”
“You don’t like parties?”
She shook her head. “I’m guessing you don’t either.”
“No. What are you doing up here?” He smirked. “We’re you hoping to catch me alone?”
She rolled her eyes. “In your dreams. I…”
He pulled her into his arms and silenced her with a kiss. Her eyes widened in shock, then she melted into his arms. He pushed her back to the wall, his hand grabbing her chin and tilting her head up. She kissed him back with passion, her hands threading into his hair.
He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. His hand on her chin moved to the back of her neck. He leaned in and kissed her again.
“I have to go,” He murmured against her lips. “Later?”
She nodded, wanting nothing more than to be with him.