Emilia
I wasn't alone.
My heart skipped a beat as I noticed the warmth and the faint sound of breathing that wasn't me. Panic surged through me as I whipped my head to my side to find an equally naked man beside me.
Dark, messy hair covered the top half of his features and sharp, angular features that made him look like he had stepped out of a magazine.
‘Snap out of it Emilia,’ I mentally slapped myself blinking back to reality.
There were too many questions in my head. I tried to recall the entire day, but the last thing I remembered was talking to Jayden and then moving to the bar. Everything else was so…fuzzy after.
Had I …spoken to someone?
Frustration built up in me. I didn't know what the hell happened after and that was the key to understanding this. It definitely couldn't have been the alcohol considering my tolerance and that meant someone had done something to me. Like drugging me.
And now I was naked with a man I'd never met.
I was so lost in my thoughts that the moment I felt something shift at my side I nearly screamed. Startled, I shifted from the bed, turning to find the moment.
“What the...” I whispered shakily clutching the blanket to my chest.
The thing that startled me was none other than the mystery man. He stirred and I remained frozen in place as his eyes fluttered open.
I was shocked to see him easily recover. Sitting up, he looked around before settling on me. I stiffened the moment he leveled his cold, piercing gaze.
My heart leapt to my chest at the thick tension. For a moment, there was only silence until he spoke.
“You,” he said, his voice low and accusing,
I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears.
“I... I don’t know what happened,” I said
His expression hardened as he sat up, the blanket slipping to reveal a muscular chest.
“You don’t know?” he repeated, his tone sharp.
“You drugged me and brought me here. Don’t play innocent.”
His words hit me like a slap. I clenched my teeth as anger surged to the surface.
How dare he?
“Excuse me? I didn’t drug you, and I certainly didn’t plan for any of this. I'm just as freaking confused as you are.” I cried out,
He laughed, “That’s your excuse. Of course, I don't care. I won't let you go that easily. You'll pay for what you've done.”
My brows furrowed as I looked over at him with only one thought;
Who the hell did he think he was?
“You really are a piece of work,” I bit out angrily,
His eyes narrowed, but I didn’t wait for him to respond. I'd had enough of him.
In a nearly inhuman rush I scrambled out of the bed, grabbing my clothes and slipping them on as quickly as I could.
“And for the record, I don’t know who you are jackass,” I snapped, yanking on my shoes,
“Or why you’ll be so arrogant to assume that anyone will want to take advantage of you. But don’t think for a second that I wanted this. You most certainly aren't special. In fact, you should be the one who is ashamed for taking advantage of me.”
“You-”
Before he could say another word, I stormed out of the room, my cheeks burning with humiliation and anger.
I didn’t know who he was, but one thing was certain, I never wanted to see him again.
….
I slammed my apartment door closed behind me, shutting my eyes before leaning against it.
It took a moment to scale through the hotel before I found my way out. Rushing into the streets, my body remained tense until I finally reached here. The quiet apartment felt comforting and right now it was the only thing keeping chaos from earlier following me in.
A sigh left my lips. I needed a break.
Opening my eyes I headed for the bedroom when I stopped. Looking around my living room, the entire place looked emptier somehow. It took a moment to realize why.
All of Jayden's belongings were gone.
My heart sank as I looked around before stopping at the coffee table where a note laid . It was Jayden ’s handwriting.
Moving towards it, I quickly unfolded the letter.
“Emilia, we’re over. I believe it is for the best, you have done enough to embarrass me with your low class attitudes. I’m moving in with Katherine, someone who is actually within my league and matches my ambitions. You’ll never see me again. Goodbye.”
Each line I read sank into me like a knife. The reminder of last night and his words sent anger surging through me.
My hands tightened around the paper crumbling it. As soon as I was done I threw it in the trash. If he was done with me, so was I.
“Good riddance,” I uttered before taking a seat on the couch.
After reading the letter, it felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. Any feelings I had for him had died last night.
RING.
My phone buzzed, driving me out of my thoughts. I looked down to see a message. It was Bae, my best friend.
‘We’re over, He left me.’ I texted her. It didn’t take a second before she replied.
‘Call me.’
I let out a low sigh knowing what was coming. Pressing the call button I was instantly hit with her voice.
“Emilia! What’s going on?What do you mean he left you?” she asked through the phone.
“I mean what I said Bae, while I was gone, he packed his things and left to move in with his rich beautiful HIGH CLASS squeeze Katherine.”
For a moment Bae was absolutely silent before she cursed out loudly with words that would make a sailor blush.
“That bastard. I told you he was no good. He wasn’t worth it.” she huffed angrily. Her righteous anger made me smile.
“Yeah, you were right, I just feel stupid. How didn’t I see this coming?” I asked,
“It’s not your fault babes. He’s the one who’s stupid for not appreciating what was right in front of him.” Bae replied soothingly.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime, and if you ever feel the need to vent or cry, I’m always here.” Bae said.
“Okay,” I said with a small smile that found its way on my lips.
After the call, sitting in silence. I stared outside the window for a while as Bae’s words resonated with me. It brought me a new wave of determination.
Hell no was I going to let this break me down.
Jayden really had some nerve thinking that I was someone who he could easily break down. But I was ready to start over, even if it meant rebuilding my life from scratch.
Closing my eyes on the couch, I tried to rid myself of the memories of everything that happened last night and today. Especially that presumptuous arrogant asshole I'd somehow fallen into bed with. Yet as I slipped into sleep, I couldn't help but feel that something unknown was coming.
And I wasn’t ready for it.
EmiliaI could feel my vitality slowly leaking out of me like air from a worn tyre by the time I arrived at my office. Employees were still engaged in small-group conversations, shoes were clacking on the tiled floor, and phones were ringing occasionally. One would assume that folks would be a little more subdued if reporters were camped out like they were at a red carpet event. However, no. Apparently, the best office cocktail was gossip and deadlines.At last, I arrived at my door, pulled it open, and entered like a person dragging their last breath. Like I was in an independent film, I closed it behind me and exhaled a long, theatrical sigh."At last," I whispered to myself.I left my luggage on the table, walked up to the chair, my poor faithful chair, and fell into it as if it were the only place I could feel safe in the whole damn city.There was still a lot of bustle outside. In the distance, I could still hear the distant hum of reporters' voices and the sporadic clicks of cam
RichardI sat back in the sleek leather chair, the kind that creaked only when you leaned too far, arms folded casually as Ryan scrolled through a few documents laid out between us. His office had a sharp edge to it, clean, modern, a little too symmetrical. The kind of place that says “I mean business” without a word being spoken. It almost reminded me of my own space back at Kane Group, only less intimidating and more... curated.Ryan leaned forward, tapping his pen on the architectural renderings of the resort project. “So... an island resort?” he said with an amused smirk, lifting his brows like I’d just suggested building a mansion on the moon. “That’s wild, man.”I chuckled, pulling the file toward me. “You think so?”“I mean, yeah,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s genius. But it’s also... unexpected.”I leaned back again, relaxing a little. “Let’s just say it’s a little secret I’m working on.”Ryan tilted his head slightly, clearly intrigued. “Secret, huh?”“It’s a gift.”“A
RichardI ignored the stares and hushed whispers as I walked into the lobby of Carter Inc. It was nothing I wasn’t used to. People always stare when you’re in the news or make bold moves that shake the city’s business tree. Let them whisper.The reception area was sleek. Minimalist. Chrome finishes, sharp lighting, a ridiculous modern-art sculpture off to the side that looked like a crumpled soda can sprayed in gold. I headed straight for the front desk where the receptionist, a woman in her late twenties, sat clicking away furiously on a keyboard."Hi," I said, standing squarely in front of her desk. "I have an appointment with Mr. Carter."She didn’t look up. Her fingers kept dancing across the keyboard."Hold, please," she mumbled.I stared at her. Was she serious? Still typing, still not a glance."I don’t have much time," I said calmly, keeping the edge out of my voice."Your name?" she asked flatly, fingers still tap-dancing.I paused. Just for a beat. "Richard Kane."And that w
RichardI stepped out of my office with my phone in one hand and calmness building in my chest like smoke. My morning had already been long, and now I just needed the rest of the day to breathe, or at least get some work done.I made my way to the front reception area. Lauren, our front desk receptionist, stood up straighter the second she saw me approaching. “Mr. Kane,” she said with her usual tight smile.“Yeah, cancel everything for today,” I said, not slowing down. “Clear the schedule. Push the board call to Friday. I need my afternoon free.”I was already turning around to leave when she called out, “Sir,.wait!”I turned halfway back, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, what is it?"She hesitated, glancing down at her tablet like she was trying to buy herself a few seconds. “It’s just… one of your appointments is already here.”I sighed and dragged a hand down my face. “Great.”“She’s been waiting a while,” Lauren added, looking apologetic. “Should I ask her to leave?”I shook my head slo
EmiliaThe second Richard walked out and that big fancy door clicked shut, I exhaled sharply and muttered under my breath, “Ugh, you’ve gotta be kidding me.”Just like that, snap,.every drop of frustration I had been swallowing down all morning came rushing back like a wave.Seriously? All it took was one hug from Mr. CEO, one stupid sexy glance from those ridiculously pretty eyes, and suddenly I forgot that I was supposed to be mad? Oh no. Nope. Absolutely not. That’s not happening again.I stared at the door like it personally offended me. “This man,” I groaned, pacing slightly in front of his desk. “He thinks he can just flash a little cologne, throw those beefy arms around me, whisper a few sweet words, and everything’s fine?”I slapped my palm to my forehead. “And the worst part? IT WORKED!”“God, Emilia,” I muttered to myself, walking around in circles now. “You are a whole grown woman. You’re carrying twins, for crying out loud. You’re not a damn high school girl crushing over
EmiliaI stood there with my arms folded, trying to keep a firm look on my face, even though my thoughts were running like a freight train. Richard didn’t look shocked that I barged in, not exactly. But the way he kept glancing at the door after those two men left? Yeah… something was definitely up.I didn’t get the chance to launch into my usual questioning because before I could open my mouth, he walked toward me, calm, steady… then just pulled me into a hug.Like, a real hug.No warning. No words. Just warmth.“Wait, what?” I mumbled against his chest, arms kind of frozen awkwardly at my sides for a second before I slowly lifted them to hug him back.My body sank into his almost without permission. His cologne hit me first, rich and clean, with that expensive scent I could never name but always loved. His arms were firm around my back, holding me like I was something he didn’t want to drop. Like he needed the hug as much as I did.And my god… it felt good.So damn good I forgot why