Chapter 5 : The AfterMath Of My Actions

Kiara's POV

I burst through the double doors, my bag bouncing against my hip as I raced down the hallway. My head was pounding.

I woke up this morning with the worst hangover of my life. And now I was late to the one event I couldn't afford to miss. The event where my dad was hosting.

The hallway stretched endlessly before me, students lingered in clusters, talking, and laughing.

I weaved through them, my breath coming in short gasps.

Finally, I reached the hall.

I pushed through the doors.

Silence, as every head turned and hundreds of eyes were locked on me.

I looked like a mess. My hair was barely brushed, my clothes wrinkled. I tried to smooth down my shirt as I hurried forward, heat creeping up my neck.

My father who was dean of my department stood at the podium, mid-sentence. He stopped. His gaze landed on me, surprised and disapproving.

I froze for a moment, then spotted Lisa and Amy waving frantically from their seats near the middle.

I hurried over, sliding into the seat between them. My face burned with embarrassment as few eyes still followed me.

Lisa leaned in close. "You look like a..."

I scowled at her before she could finish. "I don't want to talk to either of you. You ditched me."

"Last night we came to check on you in the VIP section," Lisa whispered back, "but the way we saw you tonguing that man by the wall..."

Heat flooded my face. My cheeks burned. “I was only doing the stupid dare you both put me up to."

"Really?" Amy raised an eyebrow. "Because it looked pretty intense from where we were standing."

"You were practically devouring each other," Lisa added with a grin.

"Keep your voice down," I hissed, glancing around. A few students nearby were already looking our way.

"We thought you were going to spend the night with him," Amy continued, unfazed. "So we figured you'd be fine."

I stared at them in disbelief. "So you left me drunk and alone with a stranger? What if something had happened to me?"

"Something did happen," Lisa teased. "You made out with a hot man."

"I could've been harmed," I shot back, my voice rising slightly. "Or worse."

"Shhh!" someone behind us hissed.

My father's eyes found mine again from the podium, a warning.

I sank lower in my seat.

"Okay, okay," Amy said softly. "We're sorry. We should've stayed."

"Yeah," Lisa nodded. "We messed up. But seriously, he didn't look dangerous. He looked... expensive."

"I don't care what he looked like," I muttered. "You don't leave your friend alone like that."

"You're right," Amy said. "We apologize. Really."

I sighed, my anger deflating slightly. "Fine. Just... don't ever do that again."

"Deal," they both whispered.

Up at the podium, my father continued his speech.

"Today marks a significant milestone for Stonebridge University," he announced. "We are proud to announce the launch of the Creed Mentorship Program, a partnership that will provide our business students with unparalleled training, scholarship opportunities, and real-world experience at one of the most prestigious companies in the country."

My heart skipped.

The Creed Mentorship Program.

I had applied for it. Along with dozens of other final-year students. It was competitive and only a handful would be chosen.

And if I got in, it would change everything.

"This program," my father continued, "is made possible through the generosity and vision of one man. A leader in the business world. The founder and CEO of Creed Industries. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Zander Creed."

Applause erupted throughout the hall.

A man stepped onto the stage.

"Thank you for having me."

That deep and raspy voice.

Chills ran down my spine.

No.

No, no, no.

I looked up slowly, and my breath seized.

It was the stranger from the club.

The man I kissed.

The man who saved me.

Beside me, Lisa gasped. "Oh my God..."

"Kiara," Amy whispered urgently, gripping my arm. "Isn't that..."

I nodded slowly, unable to speak.

Their voices began to fade.

"Holy... that's him, right? From last night?"

"Kia, oh my God..."

But I couldn't hear them anymore.

Everything around me blurred. The crowd and noise, my friends' shocked whispers.

All I could see was him.

That's the man from last night.

The stranger who kissed me against the wall.

The man who saved me from those robbers in the alley.

The man whose touch I could still feel on my skin.

He stood at the podium now, commanding the room with his presence, sexy and powerful. Every inch the billionaire CEO.

How did I not realize?

His dark eyes swept over the crowd as he spoke.

"As many of you know, Creed Industries has always believed in investing in the next generation of leaders. This mentorship program is designed to give you experience, and the guidance you need to succeed in the business world..."

His gaze moved across the rows of students.

And then... it landed on me, just for a second.

Recognition flashed in his expression.

My heart stopped.

But then he looked away, as though he didn't know me and we hadn't spent the night together

He continued speaking, his voice smooth and professional.

But I knew he recognized me.

The rest of his speech went by fast in my head, because I could no longer focus.

When he finished, the applause was deafening.

He stepped off the stage, and immediately professors, board members and students hoping to make an impression.

I stayed frozen in my seat, my hands trembling in my lap.

"Kiara?" Amy's voice broke through the fog. "Are you okay?"

I didn't answer.

Lisa leaned closer. "That's insane. He's... he's the Zander Creed."

"I know," I whispered.

"And you kissed him," Amy gasped, eyes wide. "You kissed a billionaire."

"I didn't know who he was," I murmured underneath my breath.

"Do you think he recognises you." Lisa asked.

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

But even as I said it, I wasn't sure.

The assembly hall began to empty. Students filed out slowly, still buzzing with excitement. Some lingered, hoping for a chance to speak with Zander.

"I have to go," I said suddenly, standing up.

"Wait, where are you..." Amy started.

But before I could move, I saw my father.

He was walking toward me through the crowd, his expression stern.

And then he waved me over.

Not a friendly wave.

A summons.

"Oh no," Lisa muttered. "Your dad looks pissed."

"Good luck," Amy said.

I swallowed hard. My legs felt like lead as I made my way toward him.

I had no choice.

"Kiara," he said when I reached him. He pulled me into a brief hug, then held me at arm's length, his eyes narrowing. "What happened to you? You look like you just rolled out of bed."

"I overslept," I said quickly.

"And you didn't answer any of my calls last night."

"I was asleep. I didn't hear my phone."

He frowned, clearly not convinced. But before he could press further, his gaze shifted to someone behind me.

"Ah, there he is."

My blood ran cold.

"There's someone I want you to meet," my father grabbed my hand.

"Dad, I really should..."

But he was already pulling me through the crowd.

No. Please, no.

We stopped in front of a tall figure with his back turned, speaking to a group of professors.

"Zander," my father called.

The man turned around.

Our eyes met.

And the world tilted.

"Zander," my father said proudly, turning me to face him fully, "this is my daughter, Kiara. Kiara, this is Zander Creed, my longtime friend from college. We've kept in touch over the years by phone, but we haven't seen each other face-to-face in years. He's the CEO of Creed Industries and the chair of the new mentorship program."

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.

Zander extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kiara."

His voice was calm, but his eyes told a different story.

I forced myself to take his hand.

"Nice to meet you too," I managed.

His grip was firm and warm.

And in that moment, the full weight of everything crashed down on me.

He wasn't just the sexy stranger from the club.

He wasn't just the man who saved me from those robbers.

He wasn't just the man I kissed.

He was Zander Creed.

Chair of the mentorship program I desperately wanted to get into.

And my father's best friend.

I had kissed my father's best friend.