ONE NIGHT TO FORGET

Maya’s POV

For some reason, my heart wouldn’t stop beating so fast. Maybe it was the way Anthony looked at me like I was some goddess or maybe it was because I wasn’t thinking of Jason. Either way, it felt dangerously good.

“Just one drink?” I asked.

Anthony leaned back in his chair. “Unless you’re planning to make me earn a second.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. The smile that followed transformed his entire face. Dear lord! It should be illegal to look this hot. A waitress brought our drinks and Anthony thanked her before turning his attention back to me.

“So,” he began.

I took a sip. “So?”

“What happened?” 

I froze. There it was. The one question everyone would eventually ask. Anthony wasn’t smiling anymore, but he wasn’t pushing either. He simply looked curious. I stared at my glass and the drink stared back at me, swirling softly. For a moment, I considered lying. What was wrong to say I was stressed from work and needed air. That was simple. Instead, I surprised myself.

“I caught my boyfriend cheating.”

Anthony’s expression darkened immediately. This wasn’t pity in his eyes, it was rage.

I swallowed. “With my sister.”

There was silence between us and the waves crashed softly nearby.

Anthony stared at me. “He’s an idiot.”

Words I needed to hear. “What?” I laughed, surprised.

“He is,” he said in a matter of fact manner. “No debate.”

I shook my head, “you don’t even know me.”

“I know enough to know that any man that had you that thought of cheating on you is a fool.”

The confidence in his response warmed my heart and I couldn’t help but smile. I looked away, as looking at him might make me break down in tears all over.

“My sister always has the upper hand in everything.” 

The confession slipped out quietly and Anthony remained silent and listened. This wasn’t something I was used to.

“She always gets more attention,” I continued. “My mother prefers her.”

 The words hurt as I said them. Even after all these years. 

“Growing up, everything became a competition.” I laughed bitterly. “Most of the time I didn’t even know we were competing.”

Anthony’s gaze softened. “And your mother allowed that?”

A humorless smile plastered on my face. “Allowed it?” I looked at him. “She encouraged it.”

Something like sympathy flashed through his eyes and I hoped he wasn’t pitying me. I couldn’t stand it. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Around us, conversations continued, yet somehow it felt like we were all alone.

“I know what that’s like.” His voice was quiet. “Being compared.”

For the first time, he looked almost vulnerable.

“My entire life has been one comparison to another.”

I frowned. “Compared to who?”

“My brother,” he said, smiling faintly.

The answer took me by surprise. Anthony didn’t strike me as someone who’d be compared to another and lose. If anything, he looked like the standard every other person would be compared to. As though he sensed my thoughts, he laughed softly.

“Trust me. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Something passed between us at that moment. Understanding. We were like two strangers carrying different versions of the same wound and for the first time since my dad passed, I didn’t feel all alone.

I had known this man for only a few hours, yet he understood me better than people who had known me for years. That should have scared me. Instead, it wanted me to stay. We continued other conversations and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I had laughed with anyone like this. Or felt this comfortable. He simply saw me and after years of feeling invisible, this meant so much to me.

The bar gradually emptied and guests drifted away. Anthony glanced at his watch.

“It’s late.”

I looked at mine and it was well past midnight. I knew I should leave, but I remained in the spot. Anthony’s face found mine and his eyes darkened. My pulse quickened and I could tell that he noticed.

“Maya.”

The way he said my name felt intimate and my breath caught.

“Yeah?”

For a moment, he simply looked at me, as if deciding whether to say what he had in mind.

“If I kiss you right now, are you going to slap me?”

My heart nearly stopped. I stared at him and he looked completely serious and somehow that made it worse as a laugh escaped me.

“That depends,” I said.

His eyebrow lifted, “on?”

I held his gaze. “Whether it’s a good kiss.”

For a second, neither of us moved and he smiled. The kind of smile that made rational thoughts impossible. 

“You’re something, Maya.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the breakup or the alcohol, but I felt some sort of confidence. Whatever the reason was, I made a decision. Just one night wouldn’t hurt.

He cupped my face in his palm as his lips grazed mine. The kiss was gentle. No rush and no pressure. Just warm.

When he pulled back, neither of us spoke immediately. I could still feel his warm breath against my skin and my heart was racing as I felt the dangerous possibility of what could happen next. This was the moment I should walk away. I should thank him for the drink and his company and return to my room. Instead, I heard myself ask softly, “do you want to come up to my room?”

Anthony’s eyes were on mine. “Are you sure?”

The question did something to me. He was waiting for me to decide and not choosing for me like everyone else.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Something softened in his expression. Then he stood and held out his hand. I took it in mine and led him to my room. Once we got in, we tore at each other’s clothes like hungry people who couldn’t get enough of each other. For the first time in a while, I had multiple orgasms in one night and I slept like a baby in his arms.

The sound of running water woke me. I blinked slowly, confused. For several seconds, I simply stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, until the memory came rushing back.

The resort, Anthony, last night. Heat flooded my face. Oh my gosh! I’d actually done it. The shower was running in the bathroom and I sat up slowly. I felt some sort of relief knowing Anthony was still here, although I was embarrassed as shit. 

I lifted the covers and got out of bed to stretch. I felt sore between my legs but I smiled lightly. The phone buzzed on the dressing table in front of me and the quick glance I took made me look at the screen to confirm what I’d seen. The name flashing across the screen made my blood run cold. 

Jason Lim.

No way. My eyes remained glued to the screen as the name continued flashing. Jason Lim. The same Jason? The phone stopped ringing and silence returned, but my mind was filled with thoughts. As I turned around, my hand hit the wallet on the stand and its contents spilled out.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath, as I bent down to collect them.

Then I froze. One card had landed face up. A black corporate ID. My blood turned to ice as I read the details.

Anthony Lim. Shaking, I grabbed the card, reading it over again. 

Anthony Lim. The stranger I had spent the night with, was the brother of Jason Lim, my ex boyfriend.

“Oh God.”

The bathroom door clicked open behind me and I slowly turned around.