CHAPTER 1

LISA

“Josh!”

The little Christmas trees in my hands fell. I could not believe my eyes, my soon-to-be husband with his pants down with his mum.

He quickly got out of bed. “It is not what you think, Lisa. I can explain.”

My feet got stuck to the ground. Not in my wildest imagination would I picture my Christmas Eve like this.

I did not know where I got the strength to drag my feet out, ignoring his voice calling me to wait.

I was close to getting into my car when he dragged me, putting a halt to my step.

“Lisa, just listen. You did not have to see that. I am sorry about being careless.”

Being careless? I scoffed. It only meant this was not the first time.

“Our wedding is in two days, and you know what that means: fucking the same hole till whenever. I just wanted to have the last taste.”

I could not utter a word for some minutes. I had to pinch myself so hard. It dawned on me it was not a bad dream after all.

“How long have you been sleeping with your mum? Do you not have any shame?” The words came out more like a whisper than a question.

“Step mum. She is my step mum.” He tried holding my shoulders, but I shrugged him off. “We do not need any of this distraction, Lisa. Let us talk about this after the wedding.”

I started laughing hysterically. I had been a fool. The signs of his misbehaviour had always been there, but I was foolishly clouded by love.

I took a step to enter my car, and he stopped me. That was it. I let my hands leave a blueprint on his face. The effect of the slap made him stagger.

“You must be a joker if you think I will walk down the aisle with you after everything I saw today.”

I entered my car and was about to drive when I heard him screaming out loud. “You cannot tell anybody what you saw. You know they will not believe you, Lisa. Your family needs me more than I need them.”

I did not wait to listen to any crap he had to say. I hit the road with nowhere in mind, struggling to remain focused even when the tears would not stop flowing.

I just wanted to surprise him and spend Christmas Eve with him. Silly me. I let out a slight chuckle.

What do they say about alcohol making you feel numb? Not a fan of it, but tonight is different. I only want to feel numb.

I stopped in front of a club and went inside and straight to the bar. “Give me the strongest cocktail. Something to make me feel numb.”

Within two minutes, my order was placed in front of me, and I gulped it down.

“Arghhh.” My throat burned. Why was it so bitter? I opened my eyes to place another order, but saw a bottle of wine inside the ice bucket placed in front of me.

“Excuse me, I did not order this. Just give me another shot.”

The barman smiled at me. The Lisa of yesterday would have found it cute, but right now it irks me. “The man over there paid for it. You are lucky, he is our VIP guest.”

I turned in the direction of the man he pointed at, expecting to see an old, grumpy-looking man, but I was left disappointed.

Was the alcohol taking a toll on me already, or was he this handsome?

In seconds, I found myself sitting next to him with my legs crossed, flaunting my favourite part of my body, my thighs.

I had intentionally worn this short black gown to visit Josh just to spice the surprise. Too bad he would never have a taste of this wholesome.

“You got me a drink. Thank you. You are very handsome. Lisa here.”

It was either the alcohol talking or the heartbreak, because I had never been this bold. I got no response. I took back my stretched hands.

“Fine, you do not like pleasantries, so I will go straight to the point. I find you very attractive, and just maybe we could do some wild and crazy things.”

My fingers were trailing down his body, and he did not stop me, nor did he say anything.

Urghhh. This was getting frustrating. I sulked at this. I stood up to leave. “Are you sure about this? I have a huge appetite, and I do not stop until I am full.”

His voice was even more sexy than I imagined, husky, deep, and masculine.

I bent down and licked his earlobe and whispered, “That makes us even. The night is long. Use me as it pleases you.”

*******

I slowly opened my eyes, and for a few minutes, my brain was blank, and my head hurt. It took me another few minutes to remember what happened last night.

Damn! I slowly raised the duvet, and of course, I was naked.

“Oh no. What have I done?” The memories of last night came rushing back. I followed him to this room. We started making out in his car and ended up in this room. As much as it was embarrassing, it felt so good that I wanted more.

Just right. Look at what your life has turned into, Lisa. A one-night stand with a total stranger.

My eyes caught a glimpse of a note on the lamp table. I picked it up and read it: Last night was amazing. Some cash for your service.

I felt rage boil through my veins. He thought I was some service girl. I angrily flung the dollar cash away and cursed under my breath.

In another ten minutes, I was done dressing up. Thankfully, my phone was still in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw tons of calls and messages from Josh, my family, and my best friend Emily.

I smiled. Happy Christmas to them too.

*******

Emily was facing the wall, holding her fist, clearly angry. She had never liked Josh for me. When I told her about last night, she completely lost her cool.

Now she was taking too much time to calm down. I went over to her and touched her. I felt this heat in her body that made me remove my hand immediately.

“Are you okay, Lisa?”

“Y… yes. I think the effect of the alcohol I took yesterday is working overtime.”

She smiled at me and hugged me. I did not know how much I needed the hug until I broke into tears. Emily and I have been best friends since high school, and we have been through thick and thin.

“I do not want to go home now. My parents will practically force me to marry Josh tomorrow. Emily, can I come and spend Christmas with you?”

“I will finally get to meet your father, other people, please. I will buy whatever I need on our way. I need a fresh start.”

She was hesitant for a while before she nodded.

“Thank you.”

Hours later, we are already in her house.

“Welcome to our house.”

OMG, this was paradise. “Tell me already, how rich are you people?”

Emily dragged my hand to the other part of the building I think should be the main building.

“Daddy, meet my best friend Lisa. She will be spending her holiday with us.”

I was staring at the man she just called Daddy, and my heart dropped. No, it could not be him.