One Night Stand With Her Billionaire CEO

September 19th, 2019.

Dear Diary, 

This is a night that promises to be unforgettable. I can feel the excitement bubbling inside me as I prepare for an evening filled with opportunities to earn money and connect with new faces. This isn’t just any ordinary night; it feels like a turning point, a moment that could lead to great things ahead. I’m determined to seize every chance that comes my way, to make a lasting impression, and to carve out a name for myself in this world.  

***  

Emmaline Facer sighed, swept her long, silky black hair back and placed her pen in the middle of her diary before closing it with a sense of finality. Tonight was the moment she had been eagerly awaiting for days—her college graduation. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, trying different kinds of smiles. Which one would be right for an event like this? Her eyes were defined—cat-eye shape and hazel in color—and her lips were plump with a cupid's bow. She took a moment to perfect her lipstick.

She opened her closet, a sleek, long-sleeved black dress caught her eye. Black had always been her go-to color; for her, it exuded strength and confidence.  

Slipping into the dress, she paired it with her favorite black heels. She was 5'8" tall and slim, and the heels elevated her by four inches. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she admired her look in the mirror.

Emma had a complicated relationship with money, shaped by her past. Her mother often reminded her, “Money always makes you a better person. A bigger person. People respect those with money. It can get you far in life. Whoever said money wouldn't give you happiness lied.” 

A lesson that resonated deeply with Emma.

The memory of her father’s untimely death when she was just seven haunted her; she believed that if they had had enough money for his surgery, he might have survived the accident. That day remained etched in her mind. 

Just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. With a sigh, she answered the call. “Hey, Phobs, are you there yet?” 

Phoebe’s voice came through, slightly exasperated. “Yes, Jones and I are here, and we’re waiting for you. Where the hell are you? The party has started.”  

Emma rolled her eyes, feeling the pressure. “I’m on my way out now. Shit!”  

“What?”  

“You haven’t sent the address. How am I supposed to know where the party is?” She laughed, tapping her head a little for forgetting and already being dressed up.  

“Oh, my bad! I’ll get that to you right away. Just make sure you’re on time. You really need to meet Scott if you want to make some cash. I heard the hotel hosting the party is owned by his dad, and let’s just say, he comes from money. A lot of it. If you want tonight to be as amazing as you’ve been dreaming, punctuality is key.”  

Emma let out a resigned sigh. “I’ll be there shortly.” As soon as she hung up, Phoebe sent her a quick message with the hotel address for the party.  

Their friendship had blossomed since their college days began; Emma had landed a spot in the fashion program thanks to a scholarship, and it was during the freshman party that she first crossed paths with Phoebe. After a night of heavy drinking, Emma found herself alone at the bar, but Phoebe, noticing her predicament, decided to take her back to her dorm for the night. When Emma woke up and saw the room number on the door, she realized they were roommates. From that moment on, they became inseparable best friends.  

Wherever Phoebe went, Emma was sure to follow.  

“Thank you,” Emma said with a smile as she handed the taxi driver the fare.  

“Thank you, ma’am. Have a nice night,” he replied, returning her grin.  

Stepping out of the car, the fresh breeze calmed her nerves and her eyes darted around, assessing her surroundings. “Is this the right place?” she wondered. As she took in the scene, a grand hotel caught her attention on the left. With a nod of affirmation, she concluded, “Looks like this is it. Let’s go meet Scott,” and adjusted her dress as she approached.

The hotel was adorned with elegant lighting that gave it a regal vibe, its golden facade gleaming in the evening light. She approached the entrance but paused when a security guard asked for her pass. Emma promptly handed over her invitation, and he granted her access. Upon entering, she was greeted by a lively crowd engaged in conversations—clearly a popular event with a large turnout.  

She spotted some colleagues from her department, and a wave of familiarity washed over her. She quickly pulled out her phone to call Phoebe, but the line went unanswered. Knowing her friend, Emma was certain Phoebe would be at the bar.  

“I knew I’d find you here,” she said, making her way toward the bar with her arms crossed. As she approached, Phoebe turned, a bottle of champagne in hand, playfully swinging it in front of the bartender while flashing a cheeky grin at Emma.  

“So glad you made it on time,” she exclaimed, stepping closer to inspect Emma’s outfit. “Wow, you look stunning in that dress—better than I did!” She draped an arm around Emma’s shoulders, beaming with excitement. “Oh, Scott is going to be smitten, I promise you.”  

“Emma!” From the back of the crowd, a familiar voice called out. Emma instantly recognized it as Toby Hallway, her ex-boyfriend.  

A wave of confusion washed over her as she turned to Phoebe. “What’s he doing here?”  

Phoebe replied with a teasing grin, “I don’t know. He might have bought his way in just to be with you.”  

Emma rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Haha. Very funny. If I remember correctly, he dumped me three weeks ago because I wouldn’t sleep with him. He’s so toxic! Why can’t he just leave me alone? Phobs, help me here.”  

Phoebe shrugged. “Well, I think I have a plan to get rid of him.”  

Emma took her seat, and a glass of liquor was promptly placed in front of her. “What do you mean by ‘get rid of him’?” she asked, taking a sip.  

Phoebe smirked. “Just drink up. He won’t be hurt, I promise. He’ll just be out of your life.” She pulled out her phone to make a call, pouring Emma another glass. She left for a few minutes, and after she was back, she sat down. “Toby has already been taken away by Jones’s friends. And tonight, there won’t be anyone bothering you. We’re going to get wasted.”

“But what about meeting Scott?”  

“Don’t worry. You’ll meet Scott once he’s done with his people.”  

Emma nodded, taking another sip. As the music started, Phoebe jumped up, tapping Emma lightly. “Hmm, come on, let’s dance! This is our song!” she exclaimed, pulling Emma to her feet.  

Emma let out a soft giggle as she hopped off the stool, her excitement bubbling over. She clasped Phoebe’s hand, and together they headed to the dance floor. Moments later, Phoebe’s boyfriend, Jones joined. “Hey, Emma.”

“Hey, Jones.” 

“I will be borrowing your friend for sometime. I hope you don’t mind?” 

She shook her head. “Nope. Not at all.” 

“I love you and I will be right back. Please find someone to get yourself occupied with. You know what I mean.” Phoebe winked before she was whisked away to dance.

Emma sighed, then decided to get another drink. She headed back to the bar, but as she approached, she felt the ground beneath her sway, and the crowd around her began to spin in a dizzying dance of colors. Struggling to maintain her balance, her heels slipped, causing her to collide with a young man, and both of them tumbled to the ground.

She groaned painfully as she opened her eyes and found herself gazing into the striking face of the man who had fallen on top of her, his hand cradling the back of her head to shield it from the floor. He was undeniably handsome—wavy dark hair, ocean blue eyes, a defined nose, a perfect jawline, and lips so perfectly shaped that they could take your troubles away. Emma felt a rush of warmth at the sight.

“Are you alright?” he groaned as he pushed himself up, offering her a hand.  

She took it, grateful for his help. “I– I’m so sorry,” she stammered, her gaze locked on his captivating ocean-blue eyes.  

“Beautiful girls never apologize,” he said with a charming smile. “I should be the one apologizing for bumping into you. You seem a little tipsy.”  

Emma inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. She gave a small smile. His face was the only thing that felt clear in her hazy state. She noticed their hands were still intertwined, and as the realization hit her, she quickly withdrew her hand, feeling embarrassed.  

They shared a brief moment of silence before she finally broke it. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Did you go to this school?”  

He smirked and nodded. “Yes. I did. This school is very big. It’s impossible to know everyone.”  

“Yeah, you’re right,” she said with a light laugh.  

“I'm Ezra, by the way.”  

“I’m Emma,” she replied.  

“Wow, that’s a— that’s a distinctive name for such a pretty girl,” he said playfully.  

“I know; I often hear that,” she said with a blush, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.  

His hands were tucked into his pockets. “So, do you want to chat? It’s boring here.”  

Emma raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile forming as she bit her lip. “About what?”  

“Anything. What brings a girl like you here all alone?”  

She hesitated before replying, “I’m not alone. I came with my friends.”  

He nodded. “Alright. Come with me.”  

He took her to the bar, and she perched on a stool. As he sat beside her, she stole a quick glance his way, heart pounding. The most dangerous part was that Emma wasn’t sober yet—and Ezra was undeniably attractive. She felt a flutter of vulnerability, and she knew she might find it impossible to say no if he made a bold request—no matter what it was.