(Michelle POV)

    When we were in Lara''s room, I thought that Kate was only kidding when she said I should enter the party 5 minutes after her. Now, waiting in the confines of the women''s comfort room next to the room where the party would be held, I can only chuckle for apparently, she was serious. I didn''t know what to say really, but well, I just played along.

    Looking at the time, it has been 5 minutes since she and Lara left me here after we exited the elevator. Hmm… it''s time to enter the party. Before leaving, I looked at myself in the mirror once more. Ah, I have to admit, Lara did a fine job on my make-up, plus the dress, I have never seen myself so fetching my whole life, and yes, that includes me from my original timeline. Though I did look a little too slutty to be honest. I have never imagined myself wearing anything like this in public ever.

    Ok, so maybe I did, but never have I dreamed of actually doing it! I shook my head. No backing out now! Life has given me a second chance of trying things I never got to do, so I should take this opportunity with open arms.

    Finished giving myself a pep-talk, I exited the comfort room. When I reached the double doors leading to the party venue, the security personnel professionally did not look below my face. He just smiled and opened the door for me.

    --

    (Third POV)

    After leaving Michelle in the comfort room, Lara and Kate entered the venue and looked around. The time was 11:25pm and almost everyone that should be there were already there. The ambiance in the room was like that of a nightclub. Generally dark, but there were neon lights moving about in tune with the beat of the bass. Some of the furniture also featured led lights, so it was easy to see the people inside just right.

    Music was already playing but people were not getting on the dancefloor just yet. They were either sitting or standing around some of the tables with their friends. Some were talking, some drinking, some were checking out the other people in the room looking for their prospects, and some, well, they began to flirt early. In any case, they all knew that the party really begins once the birthday boy makes his appearance.

    Anyhow, Lara and Kate were quick to spot the boys.

    "You sure we should not go back and make Michelle enter with us?" Lara asked speaking closely to Kate''s ear. She still felt bad for leaving her in the comfort room.

    Kate shook her head, "You do know that I did not really ask to leave her there because I think she looks better than us, right? Though I have to admit that she really does."

    Lara furrowed her brows. "Then what for?"

    Kate gave her an eyeroll. "I just want to see the guys'' reaction when they see her. Anyway, let''s go join them first."

    "don''t you have a date?"

    "He can wait." Kate replied as she saw Jeff waving them over. "Come on, let''s go." she said as she started to walk towards the guys'' table.

    --

    Anthony, Steven, Jeff and Vince were sitting around a certain VIP looking table from a night club. Thankfully, there were still no girls joining them as it''s not that time of the night just yet. Not that Steven or Anthony were looking forward to that part, but Jeff and Vince surely did. Anyway, aside from that, they have to save seats for the girls.

    "Damn, Elizabeth Cheng is SOOOO hot. I can''t believe she digs Andy too." Jeff exclaimed after he took a shot from the shot glass as he continued to check Elizabeth out.

    "Yeah, that she is. When he sees Elizabeth, I''m sure that the Lui girl would be the furthest thing in his mind and well, he would change gears to that sizzling hotness. Anyway, I guess that''s good news for someone here." Vince teased as he wiggled his brows at Anthony.

    Anthony furrowed his brows, "what do you mean?"

    Vince laughed. "What? I mean, don''t you even notice? She kept looking at you all red, and she would blush when you''re nearby. I bet my money she likes you instead of Andy! Anthony, this I tell you, if you try the slightest, you will be ascending out of your monkhood before dawn and finally be enlightened as soon as daybreak. The sweetest thing is that I think your Michelle is still a virgin!"

    Steven furrowed his brows. He does not understand why, but hearing Vince say those words about Michelle did not sit right with him. However, he did not say anything.

    Anthony seeing Steven furrow his brows felt conscious. Like, the case with Lara was not so long ago and maybe he might be thinking that he''s trying to steal Andy''s girl? "Hey, don''t speak like that. Michelle is a friend and besides, it''s rude to say those behind her back."

    "You''re such a bore Anthony. If you''re not interested, then maybe I should just try my luck later. Wouldn''t mind popping that cherry!" Vince announced.

    Anthony frowned not liking Vince''s words. Michelle wouldn''t fall for Vince''s antics if Andy decides to ignore her later, right? But what if she does?

    "Hey Steven, has your spit turned stale yet? Haven''t heard you speaking since earlier. Anyhow, what do you think?" Vince said seeing Steven just furrowing his brows.

    Steven looked up to face Vince whose presence he suddenly found aggravating. "Think about what?" he asked.

    "About me and Michelle. What do you think of the chances of me and her walking out of this room together later?" Vince asked.

    Steven did not understand the sudden surge of unpleasantness with the thought. Anyhow, he shook his head as he chunked it to Vince being a notorious playboy and Michelle being a friend now. "I doubt. But you can keep dreaming." He answered finally.

    Jeff could not help himself from laughing. "I have to agree with Steven, with Andy and Anthony to compare you with, fat chance!"

    Vince scowled. "That''s not funny."

    "Oh, there''s Lara and Kate. Just about time, it''s getting late." Jeff announced when he saw the girls. He waved at them to let them know their location.

    The guys all turned to look, and as they arrived, they started greeting them. Lara made way to sit beside Steven, while Kate chose to sit at the side so it would be easy to leave when she has to. Jeff asked them if they want anything to drink, to which they said later. Anyway, once settled, Vince started to talk to them.

    "Hey, Lara, Kate, where''s Michelle? Don''t tell me you two decided to ditch her." Vince asked.

    "Why would we do that? Why are you asking anyway?" Kate asked in return.

    "Just curious." Vince replied.

    Kate looked at Jeff, Jeff answered, "Well, Vince here is interested with our new friend and has been wondering about her since earlier."

    "You? Though I understand the interest, let me be frank, I don''t think she''ll ever be interested in you." Kate said tactlessly. Well, tactful has never been her style.

    Lara giggled, feeling that she just got back at Vince for the times he teased her earlier. Then, wanting to add salt to injury, she added, "Yeah, Michelle is too good for you so you can drop your delusions of getting under her skirt."

    Vince, being defensive scowled and said, "why are you making a big deal out of me trying to look for her? I was just wondering if she managed to make another fashion disaster of herself."

    Kate and Lara both frowned at his words.

    Jeff could already imagine them boiling Vince. Can''t blame them though. Sometimes, he too can''t believe that Vince could be so petty as to exchange words with the girls. Aish. Thankfully, before World War 3 began, he caught sight of Michelle. His first thought was ''Woah! Is that really her? She looks so fuckin hot!'' Anyway, since he''s not really into her his thought just ended there. Recovering as he saw her looking around the room, he raised his hand to wave at her while smiling.

    Seeing Jeff waving, everyone around the table who was focused on the ensuing cat fight, if you want to call it that, looked at the direction where Jeff was looking at.

    Vince''s eyes widened so much that one would think that they were about to pop.

    Anthony gulped. His adam''s apple bobbing as he did so.

    Steven blinked.

    All this Kate took note of. Well, Steven''s reaction was a bit anti-climatic, but considering he blinked, that would mean that Michelle really looked great. She was so not telling Lara that.

    Anyhow, it was not just them, but also a lot of other people turned to look. It was only natural as considering Michelle''s timing, like Cinderella style of late, she was bound to catch some attention. However, what one can take note of was the amount of people who continued to stare.

    Anyhow, that was not of concern to Michelle as she started walking towards her friends'' table.

    --

    TBC

    AN: Hello, here is new chapter. hope you like it! Ah, party party is nice.