CHAPTER ONE- A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

ELENA

I stared at myself in the mirror,  my wedding dress hung over my body like it was just made for me, tears streaming down my face.

“It’s time”, Alessia said beside me as she wiped my tears. “Crying is not going to solve this issue,do not let Papà see you like this. It will infuriate him more”.

I didn’t respond. 

The doors opened and mamma came in, glancing quickly at my tear streamed face.

“You’ve messed up your makeup,” she said, frowning.

“Mamma please I don’t want to do this, don’t make me marry him”.

“Your papà is the one you should be telling but don’t do that, he won’t listen. This is the consequences of your actions: live with it”.

“The consequences of my actions”, I repeated her words, I couldn’t be angry because I knew she was right. 

“Let’s go” she nudged me forward.

Alessia came up beside me and fixed my makeup.

We left the room and met Papà outside. Arms stretched out waiting for me, I linked my arms to his and looked at him. My stare saying more than words could ever.

“Don’t stare at me like that, now look forward and smile”.

So I did.

3 MONTHS AGO

The loud music thrummed through my body, the neon lights flashing in chaotic patterns as I took another sip of my cocktail. My friends were laughing, swaying to the music, lost in the moment. I should have been too.

But I wasn’t.

This wasn’t how I expected my Graduation night to feel like. I expected to feel free, done with the countless lectures and tests but I wasn’t. I felt trapped, something heavy pressed on me. Maybe it was the unspeakable fact that my life isn’t mine anymore. I was done with college which meant I have to look into the family business, to help out in any way I can and what other way to help your family than to be thrown to rich old men.

Lost in thoughts, I had no idea someone was standing beside me until I felt a tap on my shoulders.

I turned, my brows knitting together at the sight of a man dressed in all black, his expression unreadable. He was a bodyguard—he had that controlled, unshakable energy, the kind that made people step aside without question.

“Someone in VIP wants to see you.”

I blinked. “Who?”

He didn’t answer, only took a step back, waiting.

I should have said no, but something in me didn’t want to. 4 years of college I stayed true, pure, not wanting to do anything that will destroy my family reputation but if this was my last night of freedom I might as well make it count.

The VIP section was quieter, the atmosphere heavier, more exclusive. And then I saw him.

A man lounged in the corner booth, a glass of whiskey in hand, his presence effortlessly commanding. Dark hair, sharp features, an expensive suit that fit him like it was made for his body. He exuded power—not the kind that was loud and demanding, but the kind that made people look, listen, obey.

I had no idea who he was.

But I felt him before I even got close.

“You took your time,” he said smoothly, voice deep and laced with something almost… amused.

I hesitated. “I wasn’t aware I was expected.”

A smirk tugged at his lips as he slid a drink toward me. “Sit. Drink.”

It wasn’t a request.

Every instinct told me to turn around, to walk away. But I didn’t.

I reached for the glass he offered me

And that was my first mistake.

I took the glass, my fingers brushing against his sending a jolt of electricity down my spine.

His gaze never left me, dark, curious and unreadable.

I should have been wary of the way he stared at me like I was a project he was finding hard to finish. I should have dropped the glass, left the booth and gone out to look for my friends but instead I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip.

The whiskey burned, smooth and strong, sliding down my throat. He smirked, as if I’d passed some unspoken test.

“Good girl.”

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn’t sure if it was fear or something else entirely.

I dropped the glass and faced him “Who are you?”

He tilted his head slightly like he was offended by the question. “You don’t know who I am?”

“Should I?”

He chuckled as he took a sip of his whiskey

“If you don’t, that’s fine”

His arrogance should have annoyed me, but instead, it intrigued me. I wasn’t the type to be drawn to dangerous things, but tonight, something about him made me want to forget caution.

He reached for his drink, taking a slow sip before his eyes locked onto mine again. “So tell me, do you always follow strangers when they call for you?”

I crossed my legs, lifting my chin. “Do you always expect women to come when you summon them?”

“And yet, you did”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, annoyance crept up my spine. But I knew he was right. This was wrong on so many levels.

He shifted closer, and my breath caught as he reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers barely grazed my skin, but it was enough to send a shiver through me.

“Relax.” His voice was low, smooth like silk. “Tonight is about pleasure, nothing else.”

My heart pounded. The club faded away—the music, the people, the weight of my life outside of this moment.

Then he leaned in slightly, his lips close to my ear. “Come home with me.”

It wasn’t a question.

It wasn’t even a request.

It was a command.

And I broke every rule I had when I whispered, “Okay.”