Buy me a drink

Monica's stepfather's voice came through the phone dismissive, “Put away your emotions, child and think carefully. Moreover, why would he be with his cousin? You must be overthinking the situation. ”

Monica's brows furrowed. “He cheated on me with his own family. He's disgusting.” She screamed into the phone.

Arguing with her stepdad always riled her up, because no matter what they argued on, she will still end up doing his bidding and it infuriates her.

“Watch your tone girl, All men cheat. Moreover I still think you're reading too much into whatever you think you found out about those two. What proof do you have to back up these allegations anyway.”

The words stunned her.

Her stepfather continued as though he had said nothing unusual and her mother didn't utter a single sentence.

“You can't throw away a marriage because of something like this. Martin is the son of the most respected man in their family, and if everything goes according to plan, he could become the next CEO.”

Monica stared at the phone in disbelief. “So that's all that matters?” she asked.

“Monica, you're being childish. You should learn to tolerate certain things. Do you know how many women would gladly marry into that family?”

“I don't care.” Her voice finally cracked. “I refuse to spend the rest of my life with a man who doesn't love me.”

“You'll regret—”

Monica ended the call and put her phone to silent.

She stood motionless in the middle of the hotel room.

For six months, she had let Martin fool her. She had even protected the innocence everyone seemed to value so much and looked forward to him being her first.

And what had it gotten her?

A cheating fiancé who had never loved her. A family that cared more about his future position than her happiness.

Monica slowly looked down at herself. Then something inside her hardened.

If everyone valued her purity and perfect image so much, perhaps it was time she stopped living for everyone else. She had been lectured on how a future heiress needs to keep a clean record and restrict access to herself for the sake of the family’s reputation.

She removed her coat with a determined expression. Since Martin could be as disgusting as he wishes, why should she be the doll?

Beneath the coat was a short, elegant dress she had bought but never dared to wear around Martin before.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Tonight, she didn't want to be the obedient daughter or Martin's innocent fiancée.

She didn't want to be the woman everyone expected her to be. Tonight, she wanted to make one decision for herself.

Monica grabbed her handbag and walked out of the hotel.

The bar was dimly lit, the music low enough for conversations to blend into the background.

Monica stepped inside and looked around.

She wasn't looking for love or any relationship, but simply wanted to forget and rebel.

Her eyes moved across the room until they stopped on a man sitting alone at the far end of the bar.

He was mature, probably somewhere in his mid forties.

Unlike the younger men around him, he wasn't surrounded by friends or women.

He simply sat there quietly, one hand resting beside his glass. Even under the dim lighting, Monica could see that he was exceptionally handsome.

There was something calm and commanding about him. Something that made her hesitate.

But then Monica remembered why she had come, so she straightened her shoulders, walked toward him, and stopped beside his table.

The man lifted his eyes to her.

Monica gave him a small smile and asked “Can you buy me a drink?”