Chapter 01 Take off your shirt

***6 years ago***

Someone knocked on my door.

I walked around in front of the body mirror, admiring the dress Mommy bought for me. I wore white flat sandals to match it and did my own makeup for the first time with the help of some online video tutorials.

I was temporarily staying in one of the rooms at the hotel in our family’s resort in Pangasinan. Even from inside the room, I could still hear the waves hitting the shore.

We rarely visited this place. Most of the time, it was Daddy who came here to manage the resort. In fact, the idea of building a hotel and resort in Pangasinan and starting yhe business was his.

I quickly fixed my thin, long, wavy hair. Smiling, I opened the door—but my smile quickly disappeared when I saw that it was only a bellboy.

I sighed, raised an eyebrow, and crossed my arms. “Yes, what do you need?”

“Sir Lopez is asking for you, Ma’am Cassandra,” he said politely.

His tone was calm—almost too calm. Unlike the other staff, he didn’t look nervous or overly respectful. His posture was stiff, his expression serious, and for some reason he reminded me more of a bodyguard than a bellboy.

I studied him for a moment, curiosity replacing my irritation. He was actually handsome. His features were sharp and clean, and his nose was high in a way that looked foreign. Even his chocolate-colored eyes stood out against his lighter skin tone. If he smiled, he would probably look even better—but judging by his expression, that seemed unlikely.

“Well, I’m not going down there,” I replied casually.

If they wanted to see me, they could come here themselves.

They probably forgot again.

Usually I didn’t care when my parents forgot my birthday. It had happened enough times that I had grown used to it. But today was different. Today was my eighteenth birthday—my debut. If there was one birthday that should matter, shouldn’t it be this one?

I pushed the thought away and tilted my head at him. “Actually, can you get me a drink instead?”

He nodded immediately. “Your usual drink, Ma’am?”

My brows furrowed. I didn’t remember speaking to him earlier today, and I certainly hadn’t ordered anything. Still, I didn’t question it.

“No,” I said slowly. “I want… what’s that strong alcohol again?” I snapped my fingers, trying to remember. “Tequila?”

His brows knitted together in confusion. “I don’t think you’re allowed to drink alcohol, Ma’am Cassandra.”

I blinked at him, surprised by the response. Most of the staff would have simply obeyed me without hesitation.

“Well, it’s my eighteenth birthday,” I said with a small laugh. “So technically I’m an adult now.” I clasped my hands together and smiled at him hopefully. “I just want to try it. One bottle of tequila.”

He studied me for a moment before replying flatly, “One shot might already knock you out.”

My smile disappeared. Placing my hands on my hips, I glared at him. “Why am I even asking for your opinion? Just do what I say. Or I’ll complain to my dad and you’ll lose your job.”

He didn’t look intimidated at all. Instead, he simply met my gaze, calm and unmoving, as if my threat meant nothing to him. That irritated me far more than if he had apologized.

Before I could say anything else, footsteps echoed from the hallway. I glanced to the side and saw another bellboy approaching—an older one. A slow smile spread across my face as I turned toward him.

“Excuse me,” I said sweetly. “Can you please get me a bottle of tequila? I’m celebrating my birthday with my friends today, and they’ll arrive any minute now. Please assist them too. I already have my father’s permission, so don’t worry.”

The lie slipped out easily.

The older bellboy smiled warmly. “Happy birthday, Ma’am Cassandra. Do you need anything else?”

I shook my head. “That’s all.”

“Please wait a moment.”

He bowed slightly before walking away, and just before he disappeared down the corridor, I suddenly grabbed the shoulder of the stubborn bellboy beside me. He stiffened in surprise as I glanced at the name tag on his chest.

“Adrien will help me with something in my room,” I told the older bellboy casually.

The man nodded without suspicion and continued down the hallway. The moment he was gone, I pulled Adrien inside the room and shut the door behind us.

The sudden quiet made the room feel larger than before.

Letting go of his shoulder, I walked toward the bed and sat down with a tired sigh. “Well,” I said, glancing at him, “since I apparently have no one to celebrate my birthday with—because my parents and sister seem to have forgotten…”

For a brief moment, my voice softened.

Then I forced a shrug and looked back at him. “You’ll have to do. Stay with me and drink.”

Adrien stared at me as if I had completely lost my mind. He didn’t move toward the door, but he clearly looked tempted.

“Why don’t you go downstairs to the wedding reception instead?” he suggested, irritation slipping into his voice. “There’s food there.”

I shook my head immediately. “No. No one would even notice me there.”

He sighed, running a hand briefly through his hair. “Then your dress is just going to waste.”

My gaze dropped to the white dress Mommy had bought for me for the wedding event for some celebrities. Something uncomfortable twisted in my chest, but I quickly pushed the feeling away.

“I’d rather think of it as my birthday dress,” I said quietly before looking back at him. “Don’t remind me it’s meant for the event downstairs.”

I studied him again from where I sat. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and standing while I sat only made me feel smaller.

“Can you change your clothes?” I asked suddenly.

He blinked in confusion. “Where would I get clothes?”

I gestured toward my suitcase. “I brought some oversized shirts. They’re comfortable.”

Walking over to it, I opened the suitcase and pulled out a folded T-shirt before handing it to him.

“Try it on,” I said.

He looked at the shirt, then at me. “Now? Here?”

“Yes,” I replied simply. “I need to see if it fits. Stop being shy and take it off.”

His lips tightened, clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but after a moment of hesitation, he obeyed.