Chapter 1

Melissa POV 

“Babe, do I really have to wear this?”

My fingers fumbled with the neckline of the dress, desperately trying to tug it higher. Although it didn’t do much good.I could feel the cool air against my exposed skin, making me very aware of how much of my boobs were out.

The gown was beautiful…it was made of blood red silk that hugged every curve in my body but it was way too revealing. 

The slit traveled dangerously high up my thigh, and every time I moved, I felt like I was giving everyone a free show.

Heat crept up my neck as I caught my reflection in Troy’s car window. 

“You are going to look so hot in this, babe. Stop complaining.” Troy rested his hands on my thigh, his fingers trailing patterns that made my skin prickle. “Everyone is going to know you are mine.”

My jaw tightened.The possessiveness in his voice irritated me, but I swallowed it down like bitter medicine.

“No, everyone is going to know I have boobs.There is a difference.”

“Babe, that is the point. You’ve been hiding under those sweatshirts for too long.Tonight I want everyone to see what I come home to .”

I pressed my lips together, biting back the sharp retort sitting on my tongue. 

My shoulders ached from being hunched over my laptop all day, working on that stupid marketing project that was due Monday . After finishing, I dragged myself to Troy’s place to get ready for this party I never wanted to attend in the first place.

All I wanted was to go home, stuff my face in my pillow, and sleep for twelve hours straight.

“Babe, please remind me why we have to go to this party?” The words came out smaller than I intended. “I’m exhausted.”

“Because,” Troy said, his hand squeezing my thigh hard enough to leave marks, “I can’t have my girlfriend be this hot and not show her off.”

I leaned back into the seat, letting my body sink into the leather. His hand felt warm against my skin, despite my exhaustion , I let myself enjoy the touch. 

His fingers moved higher, trailing up my inner thigh. My breath caught when his hand brushed against my clit through the thin fabric of my underwear.

I grabbed his wrist, my heart hammering, as my face flushed red. “Troy, you’re driving.”

He laughed, but moved his hand back to my thigh. “Just giving you a preview of later.”

The lounge finally came into view.

Motorcycles lined the parking lot like chrome soldiers standing at attention. The bikes gleamed under the streetlights, they looked expensive and polished. Leather-clad bikers stood together outside, talking. 

I recognized some of the guys from college among the crowd. Their eyes tracked Troy’s car as we pulled up, and I felt the weight of their stares even through the tinted windows. My stomach twisted with anxiety.

Troy graduated from our college two years ago, but he still acted like he owned the place. He showed up at every college party, sometimes he organized some of the events, just like this one. He was famous during his school days…the hot biker bad boy everyone wanted to date or be friends with. And it seemed like he was having a hard time letting go of that.

Not that I was going to tell him that.

I stepped out of the car, immediately tugging the dress down, trying desperately to cover more of my thighs. The fabric slid right back up. The cool night air hit my exposed skin, raising goosebumps along my arms and legs.

The smell of sweat and cheap beer hit me the moment we walked inside. My nose wrinkled instinctively. 

“ Melissa!”

Relief flooded through me at the sound of that familiar voice. I turned to see my best friend Aria cutting through the crowd, her purple hair practically glowing under the neon lights. She looks like something out of a dream.

She wore ripped jeans and a vintage band tee, looking effortlessly beautiful without even trying. 

“Oh my God, Melissa.” Her eyes went wide as they traveled down my dress. “You didn’t tell me we were auditioning for OnlyFans tonight. I would have worn my new Victoria’s Secret lingerie. This isn’t fair.”

Despite my discomfort, I couldn’t help but laugh. 

She gave me an exaggerated wink and looped her arm through mine, leaning close to me. Her voice was loud enough for Troy to hear, dripping with mischief. “If he lets you out of his sight tonight, I’m kidnapping you.”

Troy cleared his throat, his hand tightening briefly on my back before releasing me. “I’m going to get us some drinks.”

“Thank you.” I forced a smile, watching him disappear into the crowd.

The moment he was out of sight, Aria leaned closer, her expression shifting to something more serious. “So now that he’s gone… he was the one who picked this dress, right?”

“ Yes,” I groaned, covering my face with my free hand. Shame burned hot in my cheeks.

“You know what?” Aria squeezed my arm, her voice gentle but firm. “You actually look hot as hell. So let’s own it, babe.”

I tried to relax. But anxiety kept creeping back. My eyes kept scanning the crowd, looking for Troy.

Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen.

“Where the hell is he?” frustration was evident in my voice. I pulled out my phone, checking for texts. Nothing.

Aria shrugged, not looking up from her own phone. “He’s probably in the corner doing lines with his biker buddies.”

My stomach dropped so fast I felt dizzy. Dread washed over me, turning my skin clammy.

“No. He promised he wouldn’t do that.” My voice came out weak. “He wouldn’t break his promise, would he ?”

But I didn’t even sound convincing to myself. 

Three months ago, I found him at his apartment with white powder scattered across his coffee table. His eyes had been blown so wide I genuinely thought he was dead. I screamed his name, shaking him, I almost passed out from the terror I felt .

He promised me afterward that it was a one-time thing. That he would never touch cocaine again.

Aria must have seen something in my face…because her expression softened immediately .

“Hey, maybe I’m wrong.” She said gently. “ He’s probably just chatting with a friend at the bar.”

“I’m going to look for him.” I was already moving, my body acting before my brain caught up.

“Do you want me to come?”

“No.” I forced another smile, though it felt like cracking glass on my face. “Just grab me a drink. I’m sure he’s close by.”

I pushed through the crowd of sweaty dancers, their bodies were pressed too close. Someone’s elbow caught my ribs. Another person stepped on my foot. The music was so loud my ears rang, making it hard to think.

“Hey babe, let’s dance!” A drunk guy walked towards me, his hand shooting out to grab my arm. His fingers were clammy and too tight.

“I’m not interested.” I yanked my arm free, my heart pounding.

“Come on, don’t be like that.” He stumbled after me, and panic fluttered in my chest.

“Please leave me alone.”

My jaw clenched so hard my teeth ached. Anger built in waves, mixing with the anxiety already churning in my stomach. I felt like I was going to be sick.

I checked the bathroom…not there. The hallway was filled with random strangers making out.

He was nowhere.

Just then, the lights in the lounge went out.

Everything went dark. I fumbled for my phone trying to turn on the flashlight .

But before I could, the massive television mounted on the lounge wall turned on.

The crowd gasped.

My phone slipped from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor, as my blood ran cold.

Troy was the one on the screen. 

I couldn’t look away…as his hands tangled in blonde hair. His mouth crashed against hers in a kiss that was hungry.

The girl’s shirt was rolled up, revealing her breasts. She pressed them shamelessly into his hands as they kissed like they were trying to devour each other.

The world tilted sideways. I couldn’t breathe. 

Everyone turned to stare at me . 

I stood there, frozen, looking ridiculous in my red dress. My carefully done hair and makeup suddenly felt like a clown.

Is this what he meant by ‘show me off’?

The private VIP room where they were kissing was fully visible now, the curtains were pulled back, as if it was the beginning of the main event.

The girl turned her head, and my stomach churned violently as bile rose in my throat.

Tasha.