Chapter 72 - 72: Birthday Party XI

(Michelle POV)

Louis chuckled. "So, we meet again. Anyway, shall we dance?" he asked as the new song started playing. 

I looked at him again. Ok, so he was really handsome and looked harmless like a gentleman. I was hoping to dance with Anthony first, but I did choose him earlier. I also doubt that he would have approached if I didn't do what Kate made me do, though I did not do much. 

Anyhow, I also wanted to enjoy the night and the experience. Besides, looking over Louis' shoulder, I saw that Anthony was still dancing with that Riza. Oh well, I'll just think of how to get him later. For now, l will just take Louis' outstretched hand. 

"Okay." I said as I took his hand and smiled back at him.

Louis' eyes mooned, then, suddenly, he pulled me closer, our chests almost touched if not for me landing my hand on top of his chest. Then he said, "There's so little space, we need to dance closer. Hope you don't mind." 

I noticed that more people did join the dance floor, so I just nodded my head. Besides, I did want to experience this for once.

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(Third POV)

Lara frowned as she saw the additional company in their table. There was Vince and Jeff plus the girls from Elizabeth's group. How could she be pleased? Anyway, she still took her seat, Steven beside her. Then, she asked.

"Where's Michelle, Kate and Anthony?" 

Jeff who was not so into the girl who's flirting with him, chose to answer. "Kate and Michelle went to the restroom, don't know why they're not back yet. Anthony's dancing with that girl, what's her name again?"

"Riza." The girl beside him supplemented as she looked Lara up and down. 

"What are you looking at? How about this? Scram!" she said unmerciful.

The girl went wide eyed and looked at Jeff. Jeff gave an not so apologetic smile. "You heard our boss. Bye." He said. 

The girl stood up in indignation and grabbed the girl who was flirting with Vince. "Let's go." She said.

The girl tried not to go, but then, Vince waved her goodbye.

Honestly, Vince already gave her 10 minutes of his time tonight, but her trying to act virginal suddenly when she obviously was not, was getting on his nerves. Ah, Lara can really be useful at times.

Anyway, just in time, Anthony and Riza went back to the table. 

Riza saw that her friends already left, and that bossy girl Lara was back. 

Lara seeing Riza was not pleased. She disliked her a lot, plus seeing her hugging Anthony's arm was annoying. She already marked Anthony as Michelle's partner for the night, and hopefully, the coming days, so Andy will be sorry. Besides, Michelle said so herself, she liked Anthony.

Riza tried to act friendly, but Lara wasn't one to give face at all when she disliked a person.

"What are you doing here? Who said you can sit with us?" Lara began.

Riza smiled, "I'm with Anthony so…" she said as she looked at Anthony.

Anthony, well, he also wanted to get rid of her, but was too kind to tell her straight on. Besides, through experience even when he does, they usually don't listen anyway. So, he usually let Lara handle this kind of situation. Actually, everyone in the group does.

"I don't care. Scram." She said.

Riza did not want to embarrass herself further, plus she can't go against Lara. She knew that their group was the exclusive 8, so she can't piss her off too much. She wanted to say, sore loser, but did not want to turn Anthony off. So, she looked at him and said, "Will you accompany me?" 

Anthony shook his head. "Sorry, I need to stay with my friends. Anyhow, please do enjoy the rest of the night." He told her with an apologetic smile. He may be nice, but he knows when enough is enough.

When Riza left, Vince whistled, "Anthony, as always, you're the cruelest amongst us."

Anthony furrowed his brows, since when did he become cruel?

Vince sighed. Anthony was too dense to understand that turning a girl down nicely is just making her think she still has a chance. Oh well, what to do? that's why he's a monk. Not touching girls, being nice, and rejecting them softly while at the same time making them think that they have a chance. 

"Michelle and Kate are not back yet?" Anthony asked. He did feel a bit worried about Michelle. She's broken hearted, and he noted that she drank 3 glasses earlier. 

"Oh! Finally aware of that hot stuff? She's been going gooey eyes for you all night and you haven't even danced with her." Vince teased. 

Anthony shook his head, thinking that Vince was spouting nonsense. 

Jeff looked around the room and saw that Kate was already with that dude, James as he recalled bitterly, dancing without care in the world. Fine, he may have said that he was over her due to their break-up, but deep inside, there were times when he still missed her. "There's Kate." He announced.

The rest of the group looked. Used to Kate flirting and knowing that she knew what she was doing, they searched the room for Michelle.

"Talk about good girl gone bad. Already regretting, Anthony?" Vince teased. 

Anthony looked and his jaw almost dropped to the ground. Was that Michelle? What was she doing? Rather, what was she letting that dude do? Does she even know what he's doing? No way. Maybe she was drunk? Alcohol and broken heartedness may have that effect on a person. No, he must talk some sense into her before she regrets.

Steven saw and could not understand why he felt some tugging in his heart. Outwardly though, he just furrowed his brows.

Lara grinned, "Well, I guess my friend is also having a good time tonight!" she announced. Well, Andy's so gonna regret. She knew that she already pit Anthony and Michelle together, but honestly, knowing Anthony who's as dense as a rock… Michelle was better off enjoying herself instead.

Jeff and Vince also agreed, not minding. Well, it's a party, so people parteee!

However, beyond their expectations, Anthony stood up from his seat.

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TBC