A low soothing tune hummed in the background as a few businessmen and women strolled around greeting one another. Everyone was dressed elegantly; men wore three-piece Armani suits, and women donned cocktail dresses with a thousand pearled diamonds on their bodies.

Wealth, they were wearing their wealth.

Even though the night had only just begun, there were already a few young men in the bar.

After working so hard for the last 7 days, the day had finally come.

The day of the event.

"The guests have started coming" Jen muttered while drinking the glass of red wine she held. She was nervous, it was detectable; her whole body was tensed and she was unconsciously tapping her foot.

"They have" I replied to her and rubbed her back, to make her ease.

Jen was elegantly dressed in a sleeveless black thin gown that caressed every dignified curve of her body, her hair pulled up into a tight bun, and her face shimmered with the stunning makeup. As usual, she looked gorgeous.

I, on the other hand, donned a navy blue off-shoulder silk thin gown with a long parted cut from my knees, which embraced my decorous curves and accentuated them. I paired it with a naked 5-inch pencil heel.

Choosing a dress for the occasion was a difficult task, and shopping with Jen is something I will arrange as a full day the next time. Despite the fact that we only got our gowns two days earlier, I believe we did a good job in planning our outfits.

I wore my hair down after straightening it, allowing it to fall over my shoulder. I wore the chain that my mother had purchased for me just before my arrival in New York; it was a modest chain, but it was elegant and stylish, with a tiny heart. I had kept it for a particular occasion, and here I am wearing it today.

I sent mum my picture, and she loved my look. Let me quote,

"Beautiful as always, how is my daughter so pretty?''

That was her exact reply. My mum loves me and she wastes no situation to not express it. For her, I am the most beautiful girl in the world, even if I am wearing a dress that would make me look like a pig. Her answer would always remain the same.

''You look pretty''

And I love her, more than she loves me but still how can she call me pretty when I look like a pig! I guess I will never know.

''Boo!" Someone yelled in my ears, causing me to startle and snap out of my stupor.

Maver chuckled as he stood in front of me. He was dressed in a grey three-piece Armani suit with gelled back hair. I rolled my eyes and lightly slapped his arms.

''Again Man-handling me woman!'' he exclaimed with a smile. I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh of my own.

From the last few weeks, I could without any doubt state that Jen and Maver had become two of my closest friends.

''You trimmed yourself well, Mave'' Jen said with a smirk.

''Well, you still have time, leave that ass'' Maver winked while Jen groaned.

''Gross Mave'' She shuddered, ''Stop flirting with me!" She added with an exclamation.

''God, I need more of this'' She waved her empty glass of wine in front of our eyes and walked towards the nearest aisle but not before hitting Mave's arm.

''I swear to god, you guys are literally using me as your personal punching bags'' He grumbled rubbing his arms.

I smirked and took a sip of the orange juice I was drinking. We both spoke for a while about how the people here were walking and talking, how they were pretending to be friendly while everyone was jealous of what the other had; men were discussing business while women complimented each other's jewels, and though they appeared to be friends, their eyes held bitterness for each other.

I wonder, how people like them get along.

''So, how is it going with your roommate?'' Mave smirked looking ahead. I froze.

How did he know?

''Cat got your tongue'' He smirked again while waving at a random person across the room and I could detect the amusement in his voice and how much enjoyed my astounding state.

''What roommate?'' I cleared my throat, looking ahead as well.

''Oh, you know, the one who was in the nightclub. The one who was grinding his teeth so hard that I was scared he might break some teeth. '' He shrugged.

How the hell did he know?

I didn't think it was a problem for Mave or Jen to know about my living situation with my brother or his brother's best friend, but I didn't want them to know; the first reason being, Jen would be over ecstatic over nothing, being with her for the last weeks I understood that she will start preparing for my baby shower and Mave on the other hand, is just Mave.

Yeah, that's the only reason I can give you.

After the kiss, we avoided each other at every cost, or at least I did. Though we shared some intimate moments, I am sure he didn't overthink that kiss just as much as I did. The whole night and the nights and days after that, I couldn't erase the thought of his lips on mine; how soft and gentle they were against mine or how rough and hungry they were at the beginning, I couldn't seem to forget how possessively his hands had enclosed my waist as if it belonged to him. And I couldn't stop thinking about how wanted and desired he made me feel at the time.

But that was all it was, a fleeting moment.

Because the same night he went out and came back in the morning reeking of alcohol and his shirt unbuttoned.

Just as I thought, it was nothing for him. I hated myself, I hated myself that I let him affect me that I overthought about the kiss, and it was just a kiss.

So, why did I feel like my heart shattered into a million pieces?

I acted normally that morning after I saw him coming in all hangover. I behaved unbothered; I didn't let him see the disappointment I had or the sadness it caused in my heart.

I offered him Tylenol which he blatantly ignored by slamming the door of his room in my face. How ironic, wasn't that supposed to be my move?

After that, we didn't talk, we didn't even glance at each other. It was as if fate didn't want us to meet at all, that after that day I didn't even get a glimpse of him.

''Earth to Ella'' I snapped out of my stupor as Mave waved his palms in front of my face.

''How did you know?'' I asked quietly, taking a big gulp of the juice, I was drinking.

''I just know, nothing remains untold in this ear'' He smugly pointed towards his ears.

''No seriously'' I rolled my eyes.

''That day when I picked you, I just happen to know Sebastian lives there. At first, I thought you guys were neighbors but then I just joked and said roommate, and the way you froze it even surprised me that you guys are actually roommates, I mean seriously, you work in Henderson Inc. for fuck's sake and he's... just him. So why are you guys sharing a flat, it's incredulous. Unless-'' he smirked, I raised my eyebrow.

'' –you guys are fuck buddies'' He whispered with a smirk.

''Maver!'' I exclaimed slapping his arm.

''Ow woman! I was just kidding!''

''It's not funny'' I rolled my eyes.

And told him why I was living with him and not only with him but also with my brother who seemed to be still out of town.

''And I didn't even get my first pay, I am not that rich'' I grumbled.

''Aww, you will be rich in a few more weeks, don't worry'' He cooed and I rolled my eyes again.

Before I could retort, I saw Jen rushing towards us gripping the lower part of her gown.

''Guys! The new CEO is on his way'' she panted after standing in front of us.

''Calm down, he will not eat us'' Mave rolled his eyes,

''He won't, but everything needs to be perfect'' she sharply exhaled straightening up,

''Also Ells, the multimedia team is asking for you, they are saying that the pen drive is not working?'' she furrowed her eyebrows in worry.

''What?'' I shrieked with widened eyes.

''Yes, what will we do?'' she whispered breathing heavily.

''Calm down. Drink some water. Even if the pen drive doesn't work I have the file saved in my Google drive, it's totally fine, alright. Calm down'' she nodded.

''I will be back and take care of her'' I added looking at Mave who was already taking her to the nearest seat.

Oh lord, I just hope this night passes without any ruckus.