A gigolo

Arabella…

Morning came like a punishment.

My head throbbed like a drum in a parade, each one reminding me of every glass I shouldn’t have had. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow, wishing I could disappear into the mattress forever.

I tried to sit up, but a weight pressed against my waist, holding me firmly in place.

Not my arm.

I shot my eyes open.

Unfamiliar ceiling. Unfamiliar sheets. Unfamiliar arm.

Fragments of the night before came back to me in flashes… Lucas, the ceremony, Sophia’s triumphant smile. The bar. The stranger.

Very carefully, I tried to slide away. The moment I shifted, his arms tightened, pulling me closer instead.

“Running already?” A deep husky voice murmured against the back of my neck and I froze.

I slowly turned my head and caught a glimpse of him over my shoulder.

He laid behind me, his dark hair spilled messily on the pillow, a few strands brushing his forehead. His face… was devastatingly handsome, far more handsome than any man I’ve ever seen.

One arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his solid chest.

“Still staring?”

Heat rushed up to my cheeks so fast and I snapped my gaze away.

“I… no…” I said quickly, my words coming out as a mess. “I was just…”

A low quiet chuckle sounded behind me and he slowly opened his eyes.

“Relax…” he murmured. “I won’t bite”

That did absolutely nothing to calm me.

“I…” my voice cracked and I cleared my throat before trying again.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to wake you”

“You didn’t” he said quietly as his arms loosened around my waist, offering me the chance to pull away. “I was already awake”

That only made my heart pound louder.

I slowly pushed myself up on one elbow, creating a small silver of space between us. The room came into view, large bed, dark wood furniture, unfamiliar walls.

“This… where am I?” I asked.

“My suite” he replied calmly “You wouldn’t let me go”

He added and I felt my cheeks burn.

“I… I’m sorry” I blurted out, scrambling to stand.

“I didn’t know you were…”

I stopped and swallowed hard.

“A professional”

Silence fell heavy behind me.

“I don’t usually do things like this” I rushed, heat flooding my face.

“Last night was just… everything went wrong and I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I don’t even have my purse with me but I can get the money. I promise, I’ll come back later or I can have it sent…”

I turned, finally daring to look at him.

His expression had gone completely still.

“You were kind, and I appreciate that but I truly have no money with me. I promise to come back”

I muttered and for a long moment, he said nothing.

Then he stood, and start walking towards me. Slow and deliberate as he came to stand before me, his height towering over me and his dark eyes locked on my face with intensity that made me knees weak.

“What exactly do you think I am?”

He asked slowly, dangerously calm.

“I…I…” I couldn’t bear to say the word out loud. “A gigolo. From the bar” I whispered.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop.

Then he laughed.

It wasn’t loud. It was a single quiet breath of sound.

“Is that what you think happened last night?”

He asked quietly and I nodded, unable to meet his gaze.

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I just… please, I’ll pay you. I’ll come back”

Before he could say another word, I turned and bolted.

The door flew open under my hand and I ran.

I didn’t stop until I was outside as the cool morning air slapped against my flushed skin, my lungs burning as if I’d been holding my breath all night.

The city was already awake, cars rushing past, people moving with purpose…while I stood there barefoot and shaken, clutching the thin dress I’d worn to the ceremony like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality.

I lifted a trembling hand and waved down the first cab I saw.

“Please,” I said as I slid into the back seat, my voice still breathless. “Just…take me home.”

The driver glanced at me in the mirror, taking in my disheveled state, but thankfully said nothing. As the car pulled away from the curb, I risked a look back at the hotel.

The doors remained closed.

He didn’t follow.

Relief and something dangerously close to disappointment twisted together in my chest.

.

.

The moment I stepped inside, my stepmother’s sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Where have you been?”

I froze.

She stood in the living room, perfectly dressed, arms crossed, lips pursed in disapproval. My father sat in his usual chair, newspaper lowered just enough to peer at me over the top. His expression was unreadable. As always.

“I…”My throat tightened. “I needed air”

“Air?”she repeated coldly. “After last night?”

Sophia chose that moment to appear at the top of the stairs, radiant and smug, dressed in soft silk like she hadn’t spent the night celebrating my humiliation.

She smiled when she saw me.

“Oh” she said sweetly. “You’re back”

Her eyes flicked over my bare feet, my wrinkled dress, my tangled hair. Her smile widened.

“You look… rough”

My stepmother clicked her tongue. “Unbelievable. While your sister was being honored, you were out embarrassing this family”

Sophia descended the stairs slowly, deliberately, stopping right in front of me. “You shouldn’t be surprised”she said softly, mock sympathy dripping from every word. “Lucas made his choice very clear”

I said nothing.

“He chose me” she continued, her voice bright with triumph.

“In front of everyone. The ceremony went perfectly”

Her eyes gleamed. “I was picked and very soon, I’ll be the next Luna”

Her words struck like a slap.

“You should’ve seen his face” she added.” So proud. So sure”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I guess omegas like you were never really an option”

Something cracked inside me.

“You…”

“That’s enough”my stepmother snapped, not at Sophia, but at me.

“Go clean yourself up. You look disgraceful”

I turned away before they could see the tears burning in my eyes.