Chapter Two: From Frying Pan

Aria's eyes fluttered open, the faint light streaming in through unfamiliar curtains making her blink in confusion. She groaned, her head still spinning from the events of the previous night. She slowly sat up, panic filling her as the memory of being drugged and chased by her ex-boyfriend Ethan flooded her mind. With shaky hands, she quickly checked her body for any signs of abuse. A sigh of relief escaped her when she realized her clothes were still intact, and there were no obvious signs that anyone had taken advantage of her while she was unconscious.

"Where am I?" she muttered, taking in her surroundings. The luxurious room she found herself in was nothing like the dingy hotel where she had struggled against Ethan. The bed was plush, the furniture modern and sleek.

She glanced around the room, taking in the lavish decor—the silk curtains, the expensive art on the walls, and the faint scent of fresh flowers that filled the air. This was no ordinary hotel room; it was a suite fit for royalty.

As she tried to piece together what had happened, the sound of footsteps approaching the door jolted her from her thoughts. Aria's instincts kicked in, and she quickly lay back down, pretending to still be unconscious hoping to gather any information she could from whoever was coming in.

The door opened with a soft click, and two voices filled the room. One was calm, collected—clearly a man of authority. The other was more deferential, nervous, but respectful.

"Mr. Sinclair, I must remind you of your condition," Lucas's voice was respectful but cautious. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Aria's heart skipped a beat. Alexander Sinclair. The name clicked in her mind, and she immediately recognized it. Sinclair Enterprises was one of the most powerful conglomerates in the city, and its reclusive CEO, Alexander Sinclair, was known for his gynophobia, an intense fear of women. What was she doing in his house?

"Sir?" Lucas asked, uncertainty lining his voice. He was used to his boss being a man of strict control, especially when it came to his illness, gynophobia—the irrational fear of women. For Alexander to be involved with a woman like this was highly unusual.

I need to know something," Alexander said, his tone sharp. "You're aware of my condition, Lucas. I've never been uncomfortable around women, but with her, it's… different."

"But why her, sir?" Lucas questioned, keeping his tone even. "There are so many other women to try it with. Besides, she's not even awake yet—it wouldn't be right."

Aria's breath hitched. What were they talking about? She kept her breathing steady, fighting the urge to react.

Alexander sighed, a trace of frustration in his voice. "You're right. It's not the right time. Let me know as soon as she wakes up."

Aria stayed perfectly still, her heart racing as she listened to their footsteps fading away. Once she was sure they were gone, she bolted upright, eyes wide with fear and determination. "From the frying pan into the fire," she muttered under her breath. She had narrowly escaped Ethan's betrayal, only to land in another dangerous situation. She needed to get out of here—now.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Alexander glanced at Lucas, his expression thoughtful. "If I asked to touch her hands, do you think she'd agree?"

Lucas smiled, sensing his boss's rare moment of vulnerability. "Tell her it's because of your allergy, sir. She'll help you if she understands."

Alexander nodded, considering the suggestion as they walked away.

Back in the room, Aria sprang into action..She quickly spotted the maid's attire hanging neatly on a rack near the closet.It wasn't the most flattering outfit, but it would help her blend in and possibly avoid suspicion.

She didn't have time to think twice; Aria slipped into the uniform, fixing the cap over her long, brown hair adjusting it until she looked the part. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door just a crack, peeking out into the empty hallway.

Now's my chance, she thought,keeping her head down and her steps measured, she slipped out of the room making her way down the corridor. The large estate seemed like a maze, but she trusted her instincts, heading in the direction she assumed would lead her to an exit.She quickly blended into the bustling flow of staff who moved around the grand estate.

Aria maneuvered her way through the hallways, keeping her face hidden and her movements discreet. She could see the lush gardens through the large windows, and her heart lifted momentarily at the thought of freedom being just a few steps away. She had almost made it to the side entrance when she accidentally bumped into a middle-aged maid carrying a tray of linens. The woman stumbled, dropping the linens, and the clatter immediately drew the attention of the nearby bodyguards.

"Hey! You there!" one of the guards called out, suspicion lacing his tone.

Aria's breath hitched, her eyes darting around for an escape route. She was out of time, and all eyes were now on her. She had to think fast if she wanted to avoid ending up back in that room—or worse, facing Alexander Sinclair himself.