Chapter 1: How to Ruin Your Life in One Night

Elena’s POV 

It was late in the afternoon , when I finally put down my pen after writing the last paper of my third year . The weight lifted off my shoulders felt unreal . I stood outside the exam hall , waiting for Mila and her boyfriend . The thought that next year would be my last year filled me with a rush of pride and relief . For someone like me , nothing ever came easy — I had to fight for everything .

Money had always been tight . Every semester , I pushed myself to the edge just to keep my grades high enough to hold on to my scholarship . Mila had started university on one too , but she lost hers after failing a few classes . Her boyfriend had been covering her tuition ever since . He had the means to do it and, honestly, he adored her. They’d been together since their second year , and everyone ; even his parents , loved Mila more than their own son . Whenever the two of them fought , his parents would instantly take her side.

I sometimes caught myself wishing I could find someone like him ; steady, confident , and kind . Maybe even a little dangerous in the right way . Mila and I had grown up together , inseparable since childhood . But after she turned 20 and moved in with her boyfriend , I stayed behind , juggling my classes and part-time job alone .

“Elena!” Mila’s voice cut through my thoughts . She was waving at me , her boyfriend right behind her .

“ Let’s go out tonight for drinks ,” she declared before I could even greet her . “ We need to celebrate ! Next year’s our final year , and I’m not taking no for an answer . I’ll pick you up at six !”

Typical Mila ; not a single pause for negotiation.

After that , I took a taxi to the garage where I worked , pulled a three-hour shift , and hurried back home . I took a shower , touched up my makeup — I never liked going overboard , I preferred to look naturally put together . Then I slipped into a dress and heels , exactly as Mila had instructed .

At 6:10 , my phone buzzed .

Are you ready , bitch?

I smiled and texted back : Give me five minutes .

When I stepped outside and walked toward their car , Mila and her boyfriend both froze .

“ Where have you been hiding that ass ?” he teased , eyebrows shooting up.

I rolled my eyes , laughing . To me , he’d always been like an older brother , protective but playful . Mila was like my sister . He was five years older than us , juggling part-time classes while working in his father’s firm ; mature , but never too serious.

“I swear, Elena,” Mila smirked . “ You’re totally getting lucky tonight .”

“Oh , shut up ,” I muttered , cheeks burning as I laughed .

The truth was , I’d never even kissed a man properly , let alone slept with one . I wasn’t naive ; I just never found anyone who made me feel that way .

We arrived at the club , and it was enormous — all flashing lights , velvet ropes, and thundering bass . Mila’s boyfriend led us to the VIP section he’d reserved , and Mila immediately ordered a tray of colorful cocktails . Each drink was sweeter than the last , smooth enough that I barely realized I was drinking alcohol .

“Come on , Elena!” Mila cheered, tugging my hand. “Let’s dance!”

The DJ was spinning Calvin Harris One Kiss . The crowd pulsed with energy . I felt eyes on me as I moved through the dance floor , but I tried to ignore it . Mila and her boyfriend were already lost in each other , kissing like the world had disappeared . The space around them felt too intimate , too closed off. I retreated to the bar , tension creeping up my shoulders .

“ I need something stronger ,” I muttered , setting down my glass .

The bartender smiled . “Tequila shot?”

“Make it two.”

He slid me the first, salt and lemon on the side. “You know how to take it?”

I grinned, leaning in. “Show me.”

“ Lick , sip , bite ,” he said .

I followed , and the tequila burned a path down my throat , leaving a delicious sting . “ Another ,” I demanded , and he laughed as he poured it .

The second shot hit harder. My body loosened, my pulse picked up. I felt bold ; reckless even . The music seeped into my veins , and before I knew it , I was back on the dance floor. I didn’t care that it was filled with couples anymore .

I moved to the beat , hips swaying , feeling every note ripple through me . Eyes followed me again ; hungry, curious, heavy. I laughed, the sound lost in the music.

Then suddenly , a body pressed against mine.

I froze for half a heartbeat . I was about to turn and tell him off when his hand slid down and gripped my waist ; firm , commanding . My breath caught . I didn’t know whether to push him away or lean back into the warmth that made my skin hum .

His touch wasn’t rough , but it was confident , certain . My pulse was racing , my body responding faster than my mind could process . Our movements synced , his frame fitting perfectly against mine . When he turned me around, the world blurred .

That’s when I saw him .

Tall . Broad shoulders . Dark hair , eyes that looked like they could cut straight through you . He had a kind of power that didn’t need words ; it was in the way he stood , the way he looked at me like he already knew what I was thinking .

He was… beautiful , in a dangerous way . His muscles filled out his shirt , tattoos peeking from beneath the fabric . He looked older — maybe nine years , maybe more . But I didn’t care . I couldn’t look away .

“ Mind grabbing a drink , Miss ?” he asked , voice smooth and deep enough to send a shiver down my spine .

I blinked , realizing I’d been staring too long . “ What ?”

He smirked , amused . “ Let’s get a drink .”

“ Uh… sure ,” I managed .

Before we could move , Mila’s voice cut through the music . “ You better get laid tonight, girl !” she yelled , giggling , making me mortified . 

Mortified , I turned to him . “ I’m so sorry about my friend .”

He chuckled softly . “ Don’t worry about it . So… drinks ? Or should we get out of here ?”