Chapter 002:A night with a stranger

 Caroline's pov

I walked away from the counter and tried to get my bearings when a man approached me. "Hey there," he said softly, leaning closer so I could hear him over the thumping music in the bar. "Do you need a ride?"

At first, I felt confused but also curious. I blinked at him, shaking my head to clear the fog. "Who are you?"I asked, my voice slightly shaky.

"Just someone who wants to help," he replied, flashing a warm smile that, despite my hesitation, made me feel a little more at ease. "Let’s get you out of here."

I looked around, seeing the  lights and the crowd still lost in their party excitement. I felt out of place. With his support, I took a deep breath and made my way to a sleek black car parked nearby.

He opened the door for me, and I slid into the soft leather seat. It enveloped me, making me feel both comfortable and a little uneasy at the same time. I watched him get in next to me, his presence strong and reassuring.

"Where are we going?"I whispered, trying to sound brave.

"To my hotel," he said casually. "You'll be safe there. Just relax.”

I sat in the the car and it moved smoothly through the  streets, my mind was still foggy. One moment, I felt light-headed, and the next, I was taking in the bright of the city lights.

He drove for a about 30minutes before  we arrived at the hotel, he guided me through the fancy lobby. My heart was racing, and the structure around me was almost overwhelming. I was still dazed, but his firm grip on my arm was comforting, grounding me in that moment.

He led me into a nice structure ,everything was so beautiful. I barely noticed when he helped me onto the soft bed;the cool sheets felt nice against my skin.

"Just rest,"he said gently, his voice calm. "You'll feel better in the morning.”

I nodded, even though I still felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I closed my eyes, and a sense of safety wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Slowly, I dozzed off, letting go of all my worries for a while.

****

When I woke up the next morning,  I blinked against the brightness and slowly sat up, feeling disoriented. Where was he? Panic pierced through my chest until I noticed an envelope on the bedside table.

My hands trembled as I picked up the note, the paper delicate against my fingers. I read the words again and again: "Thank you for a wonderful night. I hope we can meet again sometime."

What had happened last night? My mind struggled to remember;it was like trying to grasp smoke.

There were flashes of laughter, the smell of whiskey, and the conversation i had with Ancelotti before he left  the bar. The harder I tried to think, the more my head spun.

I threw myself back onto the bed and memories began to flood in;a desperate night out at the bar, seeking an escape from the pain. I had drunk too much whiskey, trying to forget my heartbreak. Then he had appeared, the man who pulled me from that chaotic place and brought me here.

Oh no.

A sob escaped my lips as reality crashed down on me. I couldn’t shake the feeling  that I had spent the night with a stranger and had a one-night stand with someone I didn’t even know. What had I done?

I looked at the note again, dread pooling in my stomach. “A wonderful night.” Had it really been wonderful for him? What did he think? Did he know I was broken, a woman whose life had just been torn apart? Or did he only see me as an easy target for a fleeting moment of pleasure?

I had no idea, and that terrified me even more.

I spread my legs over the edge of the bed,I needed to get out of here, away from the suffocating luxury of this room and the reminders of my shame.

I glanced at my clothes, neatly folded on a chair nearby. I quickly dressed, the fog in my head slowly lifting as I moved.

After slipping on my clothes, I grabbed my purse and checked my phone. My heart beat so fast when I saw several missed calls from an unknown number.

Was it Jeffrey? I feared it was him, calling to gloat and rub salt in the wounds he had inflicted on me. I ignored the calls and put my phone back in my bag, my hands trembling with fear.

I had to leave now.I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I was thinking about what to do next. Should I call a friend? Find a way to get home? I wanted a way  to escape the hotel room 

Before I could think too long, I stepped out of the suite and walked through the hotel lobby. 

 I walked down the sidewalk as i tried to let my thoughts fade away. If only I had made different choices last night. If only I hadn’t gone to the bar. But what was done was done. I couldn’t change the past.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, my heart racing again. Another missed call from that unknown number.i don't remember giving my number out to anyone at the bar, not even Ancelotti so why does this unknown number keeps calling me ?

I looked around, feeling lost. I needed to get away from everything that reminded me of my broken life. I needed a fresh start, a new direction. 

Suddenly, I spotted a coffee shop down the street. The familiar smell of coffee wafted toward me, drawing me close to the shop.

"Maybe a cup of coffee would help me think straight". I muttered to myself and walked inside to grab one.