Chapter 1

The EDM music was blasting on the floor, the neon flashing lights were moving up with the beat. On that crowded night, Zoe Elizabeth was dancing without caring about the world. Nobody can predict that she was new to this nightclub. With its upbeat, friendly, relaxed atmosphere she was trying to forget all the pain in her heart.

She felt grateful to her best friend Pearl, for mentioning this club once. It's far from the town so hardly anyone recognises each other. It has got trendy good tunes to have the fun of the night. The smell of shower gel, sweat and perfumes were all mixed so that she felt uneasy for a moment. 

She was rushing back to the counter singing 'someone like you, by Adele so loud without caring about anybody. She went back to the bar counter and demanded, 

"I would like another martini on the rocks, please…!!" Her words were clear but she could hardly support her body and the bartender stood there in a dilemma by seeing her condition. 

"Madam, I think…" he paused and looked behind. 

"You think what?? I need my drink now… Right away… " she demanded and the bartender gave her a drink.

But she was having a hard time drinking as she was only used to beer and not the hot, that's when a stranger, "An arrogant stranger with captivating eyes" came near to her...

"That's not the way you drink a martini. It looks like you are drinking a poison… " then he took away the drink from her hand just like that and drank it down in one go.

"This is the way you should drink…" he said arrogantly after placing the glass back on the table.

"Hey, who are you man?? " she turned around to face him angrily. But she could hardly maintain her posture so she fell into his arms.

That face… looks so familiar, she thought. She has seen him for sure, but she couldn't figure it out.

"I have seen you somewhere…!! But, I couldn't point it out… Ummm… Are you the new lecturer in college?? No… He doesn't look so handsome like you… but, ... " She asked.

 Before she could think of the rest, darkness blinded her. And the next morning, she was awake with a huge headache.

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Zoe's POV :

"Aargh… holy Christ… I am not going to drink that shit ever again…!!" I exclaimed and opened my eyes to see a different place.

 It was like I got colour blind. All I could see was white, black and grey. The white fluffy king-size bed and the extraordinary decor of the room. Only, one thing I know is that it looks like I messed up last night, a lot. My head was hurting like hell and before I could find where I was, a more scary thing came to my notice…!!  I was only wearing a bathrobe under this quilt.

What the actual...fúck…!! 

I don't know where I am. Whom I was with… And most importantly, Did something happen last night??...

That's when I heard the washroom's door opening sound and my eyes fell on the tall figure coming out of it. And there he was standing all wet from the shower drying himself. He was only in a towel wrapped around his goodies. As he turned around and looked at me, my heart hitched and my eyes went wide.

It was… LEONARD… RUIZ… KINGSTON…!!

How come it's him??

The CEO of the famous Ruiz Group. He is so filthy rich that there is no business in which he has no hold. I have met him a few times.

Oh, freaking lord…!! I cursed under my breath as I felt so vulnerable in front of the most ruthless and arrogant billionaire of the era.

His penetrating eyes made me nervous that I hastily took my eyes off him. Then only I realized that the quilt was off my body and I quickly covered myself with that fluffy blanket. Thank God, he didn't utter a single word and left for the walking closet. After making sure he left for real, I stepped out of the bed to find my clothes. But, it was nowhere to be seen. Damn!! 

Even though she tried so hard, she couldn't remember anything from last night.

Did I sleep with him last night??

Have I lost my precious over alcohol to him…??

I felt sick by thinking that way. It was all because of Michael. If he didn't do the worst with me, I wouldn't be in such a state.

Before I could rush to the bathroom, I heard a knock, and then a lady in uniform came in politely wishing me. She gave me new clothes along with hangover tablets. After she left I rushed to the bathroom and locked myself in. Under the shower, I hurriedly checked my whole body, but there was nothing unusual. Then only I felt relieved. Nothing had happened last night.

But, who changed my clothes for God's sake?? Maybe the lady whom I met just before.

But, how did I end up with him??

As there were plenty of questions buzzing in my head, and the crazy headache was cracking my head, I chose to stand under the shower for some time. I felt better after a shower. And the dress she gave me fitted perfectly on me. I took the tablet and I was about to get out of the room, he entered with a knock. My whole being was alerted as soon as he stepped in. But, he didn't even glance at me. He went straight to the cabinet and was taking files like I don't exist there. Finally, I dared to ask him, 

"What happened last night?? I was at the party and… my dress..."  That moment he turned around and his eyes met mine, and I froze. It was like, my tongue got tied up with his piercing gaze.

He turned his attention back to the cabinet and took a file from it, 

"Last night…!!" I heard him and then he paused.

He turned around and said,

"Last night, I changed your clothes. Do you have anything else to ask??" 

His sudden response made me speechless. It was him who changed my clothes…!! 

He is infamous for being a ruthless, dangerous business tycoon of this era. He will do anything for money… even endanger his relatives… Nobody dares to cross him. 

I didn't feel like staying there for another second as the room felt so suffocating with his presence. I was about to get out when I heard him again.

"You must be drinking for the first time… Last night, you blacked out at the bar counter. As I recognised you, I didn't feel like leaving you there in danger. And when I helped you to get here, you puked all over your dress and mine…There were no female staff available that… I had to change your clothes…" as he said this, I turned around with guilt and said sorry to him.

Then, I heard him sigh. 

"Hm… alright, but next time go with one of your friends or boyfriend… Not everyone would be a gentleman like me..." and that 'boyfriend' word triggered my mood. And it boosted my badass side.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?? Look, I agree that you helped last night. And thanks a lot for that. But, it doesn't mean you can say whatever you like… Did I ask you to help me?? Argh… I hate the moment when I decided to go there…'' by saying this I left the place.

My mood got worse as the mighty billionaire interfered with my personal life. He indeed helped me last night, but it doesn't mean he can say whatever he pleased. His bungalow was familiar to me as I went there to take care of his little sister. She was partially paralysed in a motor accident. As a medical student, I got this job as a part-time nurse for her. Unlike Leonard, his sister Laura was very sweet and funny. She was an easygoing person. 

I know my part-time job of taking care of his baby sister was gone for good. Hm… I know there's no going back as I have shouted at him mindlessly. I know he will fire me. And I hope he won't haunt me for revenge after that. 

I had struggled a lot, all alone, after my mom passed away when I was only fifteen. To fulfil my mother's wishes, I studied hard to become a doctor. And I was doing many part-time jobs to support my studies as well as living expenses. But, everything has fallen apart since yesterday...

I walked aimlessly and I felt so lost in my life. After losing my mom, I was taught by life how to be stronger. And I was stronger, until I was backstabbed by the people I loved and trusted the most.

My eyes started to glisten and I felt the rain on me. I didn't run for shelter, instead, I welcomed the raindrops to the depths of my wailing heart… 

Suddenly, a car stopped in front of me and when I saw the people coming out of it, my blood boiled with rage… Michael and Melissa...

My ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend…

The people who cheated on me behind my back are here, standing in front of me without any shame…!!

What the hell do they want now?? 

Can a day get any worse??...