Katherine Vance, her heart aflutter with a mix of excitement and a touch of anxiety, finally entered the two-story home, the sound of lively chatter and jazz music spilling out into the evening air. She knew she was terribly late; the party was already in full swing, and she likely missed the birthday toast. The air, thick with the scent of perfume, tobacco, and baked goods, made her feel both exhilarated and a little overwhelmed. She felt a familiar pang of shyness as she surveyed the crowd of people dressed in the finest fashions.
As she stepped through the bustling doorway, a whirlwind of smiling faces and elegant attire greeted her. Just then, her best friend, Ava, spotted her. Ava, a vibrant blur in a lemon-yellow dress, practically flew across the room, her expression a mix of relief and barely contained irritation.
"Katherine Vance! You are late, frightfully late!" Ava exclaimed, her hands on her hips, her voice a dramatic whisper. "I truly believed you'd be here early, helping me with the decorations!"
Katherine offered a sheepish grin. "Oh, Ava, darling, I'm so dreadfully sorry! I've been terribly busy, you wouldn't believe." She reached into her clutch and pulled out a beautifully wrapped package, tied with a satin ribbon. "But I wouldn't dream of coming empty-handed for Adrian's birthday! I hope you two will enjoy this."
Ava's anger melted away, replaced by a delighted gasp. She took the gift, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, Katherine, you're a doll! Come here, you!" She pulled Katherine into a warm hug. "Alright, you're forgiven for now. Go on, enjoy the party! But mind you, I've got a punishment in store for you for this tardiness!"
Katherine laughed, a melodious sound that blended with the music. She made her way to the small bar set up in the corner, where various drinks were being poured. She selected a delicate crystal glass and poured herself a small measure of punch, the sweet, fruity aroma filling her nostrils.
Just as she was about to take a sip, a man with disheveled, dirty blonde hair and piercing brown eyes with gold flecks in them, came barreling around the corner, clearly not watching where he was going. He collided with her, and with a gasp, Katherine spilled her punch all over his pristine white shirt.
"Oh, my goodness! I am so terribly sorry!" Katherine exclaimed, her cheeks flushing crimson with embarrassment. She fumbled for a handkerchief. "Please, let me help! I'll absolutely take it to the laundry for you, I insist!"
The man, his face a mask of annoyance, coldly shoved her arm away. "It's fine," he grumbled, his voice rough and dismissive. He simply walked off, leaving Katherine feeling utterly mortified.
'Well, how rude!' Katherine thought, watching him disappear into the crowd. 'He even thought I'd actually do his laundry? How silly!'
She caught sight of Adrian, Ava's boyfriend, laughing with a group of friends. She made her way over to him. "Wilder." She called his other name which they all loved calling him, "Happy birthday!"
"Katherine! So glad you could make it," Adrian replied, his smile broad. "Have you seen Ava? I was just looking for her."
"No, I haven't seen her since she scolded me for being late," Katherine giggled. "She's probably off somewhere, planning my 'punishment'!"
Adrian chuckled and then excused himself to continue his search for Ava. Katherine, feeling a restless energy, looked around for the rude man she had spilled punch on, intending to make a more sincere apology. But he seemed to be actively avoiding her, disappearing into the crowd whenever she got close.
As the party wound down and guests began to trickle out, Katherine found herself near the entrance. She saw him again, the rude man, completely drunk and unsteady on his feet. He was muttering nonsense, slurred words she couldn't quite decipher, stumbling around with no one nearby to help him.
"Why do I have to see him? And how did he get so drunk, does he not know that his a light-weight how silly," she muttered under her breath, pushing her glasses to the ridge of her nose, tucking her fallen hairs to the back of her ears.
Feeling a sudden pang of pity, Katherine approached him. She didn't know anyone close enough to him to ask for help and she doesn't know where Adrian was, so she took it upon herself. She slung his arm over her shoulder, supporting his surprisingly heavy frame. He mumbled incoherent things, his breath heavy with alcohol, almost causing them both to tumble down the front steps.
"Come on, you big oaf," she whispered, her own strength tested. "Let's get you somewhere safe."
Knowing she couldn't possibly take him to his own home since she didn't know where it was, she decided on taking him to her little house, which was only a few blocks away. She took a cab and it zoomed if and she stopped at her house, walking gently supporting the guy with his heavy arm on her shoulder as she leaped with him.
She unzipped her purse taking off her keys and opened the door and entering the house. With great effort, she managed to get him to her room and laid him gently on the bed. As she was about to step back, he stirred, his eyes, though unfocused, suddenly fixing on her. He reached out and, with surprising strength, pulled her down, crashing his lips against hers roughly his hands firmly cupping her cheeks.
Katherine gasped, pushing him away forcefully. She scrambled back, her heart pounding. "Control yourself! You're drunk! Stop it!" she exclaimed, her voice firm.
He merely mumbled something impertinent, his words slurred and dismissive, as if her protest was a trivial inconvenience. Feeling a wave of disgust and exasperation, Katherine retreated to the small bathroom to freshen up and regain her composure. When she emerged, he had finally passed out, sprawled across the bed, fast asleep. Sighing, Katherine gently laid herself down on the couch, the velvet cushions offering little comfort as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, she was jolted awake by a groggy voice. "What am I doing here?"