Chapter 4

It's been two weeks living with Grace, and it's way easier to be at her place. My phone's been off, so my family can't get in touch with me, if they even tried. Thanks to Grace, I managed to sign a repayment plan agreement, but I was surprised when she used my dad's signature to get it approved. Grace is older than me, and she really makes my life a lot simpler.

I tried to tidy up the house when the door suddenly swung open. I smiled, knowing I wouldn't be bored anymore. "Guess what?" was the first thing I heard, and I turned to see her cheerful face, which turned into a frown when she noticed I was holding a mop. "I'm not saying anything until you drop that. I told you to take it easy, you haven't fully recovered," she said with concern, and I dropped the mop, raising my hands in surrender. "How was work?" I asked, "Oh, you better start spilling and don't keep me in suspense." We both plopped down on the couch. I wasn't feeling any pain anymore, and I could say I was about eighty percent healed.

"I asked you to guess," she tried to drag it out, but I was losing my patience. "Just tell me, my mind's blank," I said as I grabbed her bags to get some biscuits. Grace never comes home empty-handed. "So your prince charming will be in town tonight," she said excitedly, but my smile faded as I felt a sense of loss. "My prince charming?" I asked, "Who?"

"Sean, of course, the Alpha king," she teased me playfully, and my heart raced, but I didn't feel any excitement. "So what does that have to do with me? He probably doesn't even know I exist." I stuffed some biscuits in my mouth, trying to push the thought of him away. I think about that night every day, but today I just want to be free from his torment. Just hearing his name makes me blush, and I tried so hard to hide it, but Grace never misses a detail and is always there to tease me.

"He probably doesn’t even know I’m here," she said mockingly, mimicking me. "And look at you, blushing. After throwing those tantrums, you’re going to hear my plan."  

"Plan? What plan?" My eyes went wide with surprise, but Grace’s demeanor shifted to a calm, childlike one. I realized she was about to emotionally manipulate me. "When you mentioned that night with him, I know you two have a connection. I just want you to be happy." She reached out to take my hand. I fell silent, deep down knowing she was speaking the truth. But there are truths and then there are facts, and the fact is that King Sean would never choose someone like me. "Look, Grace, I know you want what’s best for me, but Sean will never settle for someone like me."  

"How do you know that?" she asked.  

"Fact!" I replied, simple and firm.  

"Fact until proven wrong. That’s why I got you this," she pulled out a stunning red dinner gown, and my eyes widened in surprise as I instinctively reached out to touch it. "Beautiful, right?" Grace said, and I nodded, pouting like a child. "And this..." she revealed a VIP pass and handed it to me. There was a moment of hesitation in my demeanor, but Grace pushed me forward. "You’re not messing this up. You can imagine what I did to get this, so come on and make mama proud. The Uber will be here in forty-five minutes, and I’ll tell you all about the plan while I get you ready.

***

I hopped out of the car and made my way to the massive hotel entrance, trying to rethink my strategy. I didn’t realize I was standing in front of the bouncers until I felt heat rush to my cheeks at the thought of seeing Sean again. Grace made everything so simple; I wondered how I’d manage without her.

"Ticket, ma’am," the bouncer's voice snapped me back to reality. It was a bit louder than I expected, and I must have missed him earlier. "Oh, sorry," I replied, rummaging through my purse to pull out the VIP ticket. I felt confident because Grace had set everything up perfectly. From my form-fitting outfit that showcased my curves to my beautifully matching shoes and VIP pass. "Crap!" I muttered as I glanced up at the bouncer, who was eagerly waiting for my pass, but I had switched bags. I was holding the empty bag while leaving the one with my phone and VIP pass behind. I looked up at the bouncer's expectant gaze, completely at a loss for words. "Ma’am, if you don’t have your pass, you need to leave; this isn’t a charity gathering," he said. I felt embarrassed and hurt. "Hey, make way, stop blocking the entrance," someone shouted from behind, and the person behind me pushed me.

"I could get you in if you warm my bed, babe; you’re looking hot," a guy said, and my heart sank. This wasn’t part of the plan, and what hurt the most was the thought of disappointing Grace. "Hey, hey! Don’t be rude; I’m willing to help you and pay you." The creep had the audacity to try and touch me, and I slapped his hand away as he and his friends surrounded me.

"Maybe we can all get it for free," the guy said, pointing at his friends, and they both laughed as one of them came closer to me. "Stay the hell away from me," I yelled, but it just made them laugh more. No one even looked my way to help, and my heart raced at the trouble I had gotten into. One of the guys grabbed my arm tightly, saying, "Will we just use that corner, huh? Let’s take her," he gestured to his friends as they dragged me along. We hadn’t gone far when I stumbled over a hard rock in front of me. My gaze dropped, and then that intoxicating scent hit me; I didn’t even need to look up to know who it was. "Let her go," I heard his deep, commanding voice, and I felt his powerful presence. Suddenly, all the gang members vanished. I lifted my head to look at him and got lost in his beauty; he looked even more handsome in his suit, and everything else around me faded away—he was the only one in my world.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, more like wondering how I ended up in this situation. "I... I came to see you..." I stuttered. "Follow me," was all he said next, and I trailed behind like a puppy trying to keep up with him. We didn’t go through the main entrance but instead took a secret VIP entrance with guards everywhere, and I occasionally glanced at the gigantic, stunning entrance. One might think the front entrance was beautiful until they saw this. I struggled to keep up with his pace while taking in the sights and the occasional bow from the guards as we passed by.

We took an elevator up to a stunning room, which was directly connected to it. As I stepped inside, I realized I might never have the chance to see something this gorgeous again; the interiors shimmered with gold and white. "Is this your room?" I blurted out before I even realized it, and he smirked. "One of my suites around here," he replied. I walked over to the bed to feel its softness, but then I snapped back to reality, remembering why I was there. When I turned, I was met with his intense gaze. I walked towards him seductively, but my movements faltered under his scrutiny. I struggled to steady my jelly-like legs as I reached out to hold onto his suit top. "Last time I checked, we had a connection," I said, licking my lips, my voice trembling as I tried to muster more confidence.

"So I thought maybe..." My cheeks flushed as I took a deep breath, pulling him towards the bed and pushing him down as I climbed on top of him. I noticed him swallow hard; I could feel it firm beneath me, which boosted my confidence. "Of course, I could help out burn some calories," I said, licking my lips while my hand brushed against my breast through my slightly dropped gown. He cupped my face, and I shivered at his touch. He leaned closer, just inches away from me. His warm breath fanned my face, and his scent intoxicated me, making me feel wet inside. I hadn't felt this way in years, and my heart raced against my ribcage. His strong hand gripped my waist, and in a flash, he flipped me over, positioning himself on top. His breath tickled my neck, and I braced myself for a kiss. "Are you flirting with me?" he asked, and I swallowed hard, nearly choking on my saliva. He covered me up properly and stood up, saying, "I don’t fall for cheap favors, Winny." I blinked in surprise, taken aback that he knew my name.

“I…” I began, not knowing what to say.

“You’re a young, beautiful woman,” Sean remarked, rising up and brushing imaginary lint from his suit. “But I don’t fall for cheap favors, Winny. I don’t need to pay or be seduced to acquire what I want.” I felt my cheek flush in embarrassment.

I opened my lips to explain—but the harm was done. Without another look, he moved to the door, opened it, and commanded the guards. “Escort her out.”

I was too surprised to protest as they led me down a hidden passage and back outside, my heels clicking against the marble in shame. I should’ve never come. Grace meant well, but this... this was a mistake. I blinked away the pain in my eyes.

And then, as fate would have it, I ran directly into him.

Mark.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the runaway herself,” he said with a smug grin. “Did you follow me here, Winny? Still hung up on me?”

I kept my head high and walked past him.

“No snarky comeback?” he taunted. “Or are you finally here to accept my offer?”

I stopped, my voice low. “Keep dreaming, Mark. I’d never lower myself like that.”

He chuckled bitterly. “Really? So, what’s this—auditioning for a new sponsor? Or just prostituting yourself to pay your bills?”

I turned sharply. “My debts are none of your business.”

As I stepped away from him, his next words froze me mid-stride.

“Oh, it’s my business now. Your father—Raymond—is dead.”

I spun back around, my heart lurching. “What?”