The kiss

Note: This chapter contains mature content. It's not advisable for a young audience.

Third Person's POV

Mike and Catherine bought the soft drinks into the garden area. The garden has a poolside attached to it. People were laughing and enjoying it. Some even started skinny-dips in the pool. Lucas was still talking to Nancy. Nancy was all laughing and enjoying Lucas's company. It seems like she is having a good time with him. The music tempo changes from slow music to the dance grove music. Many groups started dancing. Mike and Catherine joined Lucas and Nancy and we also chatted and danced while sipping our drinks.

After sometime when all guests have arrived the helper bought the cake from the kitchen. Catherine cut her b' day cake and everyone wished her. The DJ then started the party music, songs, and everyone was now dancing and enjoying. Mike looked for Nancy but couldn't see her around.

"Maybe she has gone to get fresh." Mike thought. He saw Catherine was laughing and chatting with her colleagues. He joined them. The colleagues recognized Mike. Catherine introduced Mike to them. "Guys This is Mike from our IT team. Let me tell you. He is so talented. He solved my issue the other day within minutes." Catherine bragged. One of the guys said "Hey Bro. Welcome to XYZ. No wonder I haven't seen you much as the IT department is a little own world." He chuckled. Mike felt a bit out of place but he replied "Yeah you can say that. Coding requires a bit of brainstorming and isolation. It's a tough job Man." The other guy went quiet.

They all chatted for a while. Catherine excused herself. She was looking for Lucas who is to be seen nowhere. Mike chatted with the office PR team colleague for some time and then came and sat on the bar counter. He was observing everyone having a nice time chatting, flirting. After a while, he felt thirsty and so he looked around the bar countertop for water but there were no water bottles here so he went inside to grab a bottle of water.

He started looking around for helper to ask them about the way to the washroom. So he went to the kitchen and saw Nancy sitting on the kitchen countertop and Lucas standing in front of him kissing her passionately. Nancy's eyes were closed. They were so engrossed into each other to notice Mike's presence. He quickly came out of the kitchen and moved to another side.

Mike then spotted Catherine sitting on the couch with tears in her eyes. He figured that she has seen Nancy and Lucas together. He went to Catherine and sat beside her. A mutual silence has taken place between both of them. Mike broke the silence and asked her if she is ok. She looked at him and held his hands. She dragged him from the living area to the stairs going up which lead to one of the bedrooms.

She took him inside the bedroom and closed the door.

She came near Mike and whispered in his ear "I need you tonight."

Mike was a bit shocked. He knew that Catherine is shattered and drunk. He calmly replied "Catherine you are drunk. I guess you should rest. I will see you tomorrow at work."

Catherine blocked his way and looked at him and started playing with his messy hair closing distance between them. She bit her lips and seduced him. Mike couldn't control his emotions. In no time their lips were touching each other. It was a night of passion and craving. Mike's attraction and Catherine's loneliness turned into a night of hotness and passion.

They slept then. The next day Mike's eyes still closed, he can feel his head spinning out of hunger and hangover. He opened his eyes and saw Catherine sleeping beside him. Her hairs were messy and coming over her face. Her lipstick is smudged all over the face and mascara was kajal was spread below the eyes. Mike wondered how she managed to look so beautiful in spite of scattered makeup. He leans close to her and kissed her forehead. He was admiring her beauty when he noticed she is getting disturbed because of the sunlight coming from the window on her face. He got up and adjusted the curtains.

Then they heard knocks on the bedroom door. The knock made Catherine get out of her sleep. She saw Mike. Confused she opened the door. It was her helper who bought 2 coffees in the tray.

"Damn coffee is all I need." Mike thought. Catherine took the coffee from her and then closed the door again. She placed the coffee tray on the side table and then handed him coffee. He was sitting on the bed by now. Catherine sat on the bed.

Catherine said sipping the coffee " Hey Mike... Yesterday night was..."

"Beautiful" He completed the sentence.

Catherine raised her brow and suddenly got up from the bed and said "Mike it was a mistake. I was hurt, broken, and not in my sense. I guess we should forget whatever happened yesterday and let's behave as nothing has happened?"

Mike looked into her eyes and spoke "Yesterday night was everything to me, Catherine. We both were into each other. It was not one-sided my love."

Catherine raised her voice a bit but spoke in a polite manner " Mike, I never said it was one-sided. What happened was mutual but I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I have a boyfriend. My life is quite complicated and messed up. I don't want to drag you into this."

Mike was still shocked and told her without any second second "Then make it simple. Just break up with your boyfriend and be with me."

Catherine sighed. "I can't. I love Lucas. Moreover my home, my job, my lifestyle everything is given to me by Lucas. I can't leave him."

Mike grew annoyed and told " Catherine all this lifestyle is coming at a cost. You do realize he is cheating on you. He is not loyal to you. Why don't you leave him, this job and start afresh with me?"

Catherine said in a low voice " It's not possible Mike. Moreover, I don't love you."

Mike felt a dagger cutting his heart. He grew frustrated and angry. He folded his palm into a fist and asked "what was I then? Your one night stand...O wait. I was just a sugar daddy?"

Catherine looked down and said" I am sorry mike. I just..."

"No need to explain anything Catherine. Go to hell." Mike stood up from the bed and took his shirt placed on the other side table and put it on and angrily slammed the door and left.

He came out of her house and ordered a cab. He didn't bother to turn back and see if Catherine is present. He came to his apartment and opened the door. Jeff was sitting on the couch with Melissa. He went straight to my room and closed the door. He lay down on the bed looking at the ceiling.

After some time He heard a knock on the door.

"Hey, Mike. Are you ok?" He heard Jeff's voice which sounded concerned.

He lied "Yeah I am fine. Just need a nap."

"Ok ok. Me and Melissa are going out. Do you need anything?"

The happy couple is the last thing Mike wanted to see at moment but still gasping his anger and frustration he replied "No bro. I am ok. Carry on. "