Chapter 2

The drive to the hotel was brutally quiet. Normally I played music during every drive, but this time it was different. 

I was too deep in thoughts, music couldn't help.

When did it all get to this? I did everything I was told. I was the perfect wife.

Despite climbing up the ladder and becoming the CEO of a clothing and jewelry brand, I still made sure to play the role of the perfect wife in every way possible.

I laid my business aside for a whole year, abandoned it even, just to help Ethan manage his dad's firm when he was fumbling it.

I put Ethan's needs first. 

Did his bidding, listened to him, helped him…but still!

It wasn't enough.

I swallowed hard and forced the tears back in.

No use crying over spilt milk…or whatever the saying says.

I pulled my sleek red Tesla model S into the parking lot of GT hotel. The biggest and most lavish hotel in the city.

Initially I planned to get a room and head right in, but after seeing their glamorous bar, I decided to have a few drinks.

Just a few…

I don't know how long I was drinking but my head began to feel fuzzy before I decided to call it quits.

“I need a room in the VIP section pleeasee” 

Did I just drawl? 

The receptionist eyed me suspiciously.

“What? Never seen a drunk lady before?”

“Can I see your card ma'am?” he looked away quickly.

I passed him my card and he handed me a black glossy keycard.

“Oh fancyyy” I held the keycard up, letting it catch the dazzling multicolored lights and cast a pretty reflection unto my palm.

“Room 117 ma'am. Enjoy your night” the young receptionist still refused to meet my eyes, a small blush forming on his cheeks.

I smiled inwardly. Good to know I still had that effect on people.

“Yeah, you too”

The elevator ride up didn't help things. I almost dozed off standing. The soft opera music playing and the serene atmosphere was lulling me.

Stumbling into my room, I tossed my bag down and kicked off my heels, then paused…something wasn't right…

The room looked a bit…lived in. The sheets were a bit messy, the curtains were closed, but what caught my attention the most was the faint scent of masculine perfume-

“And you are?”

A small shriek slipped past my lips before I could stop it.

I spun around, hand on my startled heart and eyes wide open.

“I could ask you the same—”

My voice caught in my throat as I laid eyes on the finest man I'd seen in a long time. He stood tall, at least 6’3.

His thick espresso brown hair stood in weird angles, still wet from his bath. Somehow it added to his allure.

His gaze was fixed on me. Light, hazel brown eyes that were framed with dark brows and long, dark lashes.

Followed by a pointed nose and surprisingly slender lips.

I ignored the death stare and daggers he was shooting at me. If looks could kill, I'd be a bloody mess on the floor right now.

A black towel hung low on his waist, fresh droplets of water trickling down his sculpted body.

He had the perfect lean yet muscular body frame. Not an ounce of spare fat in sight.

His whole being screamed pure masculinity, his smooth olive skin looking soft and hard at the same time–

“Are you done staring?” His voice held an irritated tone.

“...no”

“No?” his hazel eyes widened in surprise.

Damn he was hot as hell.

“Wait…are you…real?”

He could be a figment of my drunk imagination.

I stalked towards him, swaying a bit.

He let out a frustrated sigh.

“Listen, I know Gavin sent you. And I know what you're here for, but you're not the first and unfortunately you might not be the last”

He snatched my roaming hands off his bare, toned chest.

God, he felt like every woman's wet dream. 

“Stop! I'm trying to be kind. Don't piss me off” he practically growled into my face. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

Damn. Could he get any hotter?

But why was he so pissed?

“Whoaaa…you really are real, for a second I thought I'd drank sooo much and my brain was playing tricks on me”

His furious gaze burned into me. Close up, I could see little water droplets sitting on his brow and lashes.

“You're hot. You probably already know that” I giggled, looking up into his eyes as I tried to free my wrists from his iron grip.

“God, can this day get any worse?” He muttered as he pulled me towards the sofa. 

“I'll give you money, how much do you want?”

“I don't remember asking for your money”

He tossed a huge stack of dollar bills onto my lap and turned away, an irritated look on his face.

“Tell Gavin it didn't work. Also he needs to stop. His timing has never been worse”

“Who's Gavin?”

“You don't have to play dumb, this isn't the first time he's pulling this trick”

The handsome man walked over to the glossy black bedside table and picked up a phone.

“I've dropped some money for you. Leave.”

“But—”

“Now”

I stared at his gorgeous back in confusion as he tapped away on his phone.

This was my room, who the hell was he and why was he asking me to leave?

“This is my room…mister. So you should be the one leaving”

“You're still here? God you're a persistent one, the kind I hate the most”

“Excuse me?”

“I'll add a few more bucks if that's what you want”

“What the hell are you even—”

Another bundle of cash landed at my feet. He'd tossed it at me without even sparing a glance.

“See” he waved his hand at the money “more cash, now get lost”

What the hell was going on right now? I stared at the cash blankly.

Well, whatever was going on had better fix itself, I was fucking tired and needed to sleep.

“And what the hell are you doing now?”

His voice was louder this time and held unmasked anger.

I ignored him and continued to climb into the bed, clutching my bag like it was my lifeline. I snuggled in and yawned loudly.

He'd better be gone when I wake up.

                   _______________

The loud buzzing of my phone jolted me awake.

My head felt heavy, typical hangover symptoms.

“Hello?” I croaked

“Maddie!” Camille's voice rung out, piercing through my fog of sleepiness. I was immediately wide awake.

“What? What happened?”

“I've been calling! I was dead worried, where the hell are you?”

“You scared me. I thought something happened, jeez! Why have you been calling anyways? I'm okay”

“Ethan called me early this morning. He was going on and on about you making a scene yesterday and storming out late at night”

Trust Ethan to twist the story. I rolled my eyes and laid back in bed.

“We had an argument yesterday”

“Again?”

“Yes Camille. He brought Annie over and asked me to-”

“He what?!”

“It's a long story Cam, I don't even know where to start from”

“We're meeting now. Like right now. Send me your location and we'll talk over lunch”

“Lunch? Wait what time is it?”

“It's almost 2pm girl”

“Shit. I slept in”

“Well, start getting ready. You better not keep me waiting”