Chapter - 5 The bar

I woke up and felt pain in my neck as I slept in an awkward position when I checked the time it's still 5:40. I went to switch off my alarm in my room and came back to my bed and decided to sleep some more. As Merlin is here we can take breakfast outside. I slept and woke up from the call from home at 7:10, I spoke with them while I brushed and I showered choose a plain pink blouse and dark blue jeans. I took aspirin and went to my room and she already awake, curling up in the blanket I kept for her yesterday. I handed the glass of water and aspirin to her.

"How much trouble did I caused you yesterday?" She asked sheepishly

"Nothing much. I would be actually glad if you caused any trouble rather than garrulous." She smiled apologetically. I assured, "it's fine, I was just joking, you did talk a lot though, but at least you vent everything now you will free."

"Can you drive me home, I think I'm gonna be sick anytime" she said.

"Sure, I want to take breakfast too, it's better if we hurry I don't want to be are for the office."She nodded as she put her shoes and straighten her hair with her bare hands.

We left our apartment, and collect the breakfast and lunch box from Pops. I have reached the office on time, I haven't received any texts from Jack.

So I texted him. Good morning, sleepyhead. Woke up. Rise and shine.

I got an instant reply from him. Already up traveling to office from the hotel. Breakfast is bearable.

I laughed at his choice of words and sent a quick text. Have a good day, try not to get arrested,

I won't. don't forget you came in MY car and take it back without a wreck. I love my car more than anything.

I laughed and put my mobile in my pocket and went to the cafeteria on the development building had breakfast.

James called me, "We are going to the party tonight and you are coming. No excuses this time. It's our man Philips got a job in Washington DC and he is engaged to his girlfriend, well fiance now" said in one breath. Before I say anything else he started "Merlin already agreed to come, so you are coming."

I can't refuse it and I wondered how come Merlin agreed to go already and she didn't tell me that I was invited too. After getting drunk yesterday night, will she still want to go? I nodded, I haven't so close to them but they are my teammates and we almost work on all projects together. Philips is a good guy except for his slight bald in his head having dark hair and brown eyes. I'd now decided to go with them to the bar as I don't have anything to do if I go home also I would be alone. Merlin came to the office afternoon and complained about that hangover and headache. She asked me to go to her home from there we can go to the bar. I don't feel like change my dress to something for the party so it's okay for me. I agreed to go with her, she also said she can drop me and pick me up in the morning forget that her car is in my apartment parking. I remind her and said, "it's okay I can drop you back and I can go."

As Merlin came late she wanted to stay for a while, I used the time to finish the book and online classes I have taken for extra pay and promotions. At 7 PM, Merlin said we can go. Her home is just a 15 minutes drive but opposite to the road of my home to the office. She spent a good 40 min for choosing the dress and hairstyles, finally decided on a light green strapless dress which comes to her mid-thigh. She offered me a dark maroon slip dress as we both are nearly the same only one size difference and I politely refused and told I'm comfortable with what I wore now. She made a tsk noise and turned her nose and she started applying layers of makeup while I slipped into the bathroom and washed my face and applied a little makeup with a lip gloss. She left her blonde curls open and it clung to her face perfectly. At 8:30 we have reached the bar and we went to the table which was booked in Philips's name. I spotted James sitting on one of the sofas around the table. I walked towards him, when he saw me, he waved his hand and calling to come. There are other two women and men were sitting across him. The bar is neither overcrowded nor emptied. I can identify one of them, her name is Katie Clinton. She used to work in our department now shifted to client services. I greeted her she seems to remember me too. And everyone ordered drinks, Merlin ordered a shot of vodka and others went for scotch, whiskey, and wine.

"What do you want to drink?." Jamie asked me.

"I don't drink." I said. He raised his eyebrows and his light blonde hair shinning in the lights and show his square jawline.

"I'm driving I can't drink." I said.

"We can call Uber or we can give you a ride, you can park your car here and get it tomorrow" he said forgetting that they are all gonna drunk tonight.

"No, I'm good seriously," I said as I ordered orange juice for myself. The other lady with us also not dressing too fancy, she is similar to me wearing a black skinny Jean and with a Sleeveless top.

"Hi, I'm Cassie Brown, Philips friend.working in a finance department" she introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Idris Hunter" I shook her hand.

"I'm Eddie," the guy in the suit said who is tall and handsome even his dark brown skin makes him more handsome. He didn't take eyes from Merlin since we arrived which I noticed indeed. Another guy with curly brown hair smiled at me, I don't think he hit his smiling face since when we arrived."I'm Robert" he said by shaking my hands.

"It's nice to meet you" he said.

"Um...me too.," I said as I don't know what to say. Cassie is at least 5'10 without her heels. I'm 5'4, with my canvas 5'5. She is having dark brown eyes with matching hair. We all just chatted randomly.Drinks came everyone started drinking, Merlin didn't leave my side for whatever reason. Everyone took their drinks, Jamie handed me orange juice. Before I can drink I put it under my nose and sniffed just in case of alcohol mixed in it. After I confirmed there is no alcohol smell I took a sip. As everyone is drinking and making fun, I searched for Philips he is nowhere to be found, If it is his party shouldn't he be here?