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2023-12-18 19:50:16Sophie Franklin.
"Ik ben misschien verliefd op je geworden."I may have fallen in love with you.I wake up to the bright ray of sunshine that sneaks between the tiny gap in the curtains and slants across my face. Stretching my body, I immediately become aware of the soreness between my legs, marks on my body, and the faint smell of sex surrounding the room, a pressing reminder of what transpired last night between me and Marcus. My breathing hitches, and I cautiously turn around to find him still asleep, a peaceful look on his face, one hand draped around my waist. Memories of the night before flood my brain, and a deep blush envelops me from the crown of my head to the very soles of my feet. Oh God... Last night wasn't supposed to happen. I need to get out of here now!Cautiously sliding out of the bed, I immediately pick up all my discarded clothing, hurriedly putting them on and sneaking out of the room. Checking one last time to see if he's already awake, I let out a sigh of relief when I find he's still asleep, before quietly opening up the door and stepping one foot outside of the room. It feels wrong to leave this way, but I can't wait for him to wake up and acknowledge the feelings I have for him. Pressing my lips firmly together, I walk outside of the bedroom.I close the door gently behind me, take a deep breath, and close my eyes. Though every cell in my body screams to stay, I know I can't. I can't ask for more. I broke too many of my rules last night. It's time to move on and put all of this behind me. I cast one final look at the door, feeling apologetic hurry away from it, my hair flying around.I'm sorry, Marcus, but I can't wait for you to wake up and find me here. It was fun while it lasted, but... Let's never see each other again. Oh, and one more thing. My name was never Estella. It's Sophie. Sophie Franklin.Marcus BeadouxI am underwater. At least, that's what it feels like until my fingers meet the chilly sheets beside me, jolting me awake. Squinting my eyes against the bright sunlight streaming into the room, I look around to find an empty bed and an even emptier room. My heart skips a beat, my brows furrowing. Is she already gone?Jumping out of bed, I immediately go to look for her throughout the house with no luck. She must have stepped out while I was still fast asleep. A wave of disappointment crashes over me, my mind refusing to accept that she is truly gone.I know I should let her go, after all, what we have is just a flimsy fling and is bound to end anyway. But I can't let go of the fact that I want to see her again. And I will find her, wherever she might have gone.I will find her again."mijn lieveling."My darling.Related chapters
His One Night Stand Chapter 1. Sophie.
(Six months later)I sit at my cluttered desk in the heart of New York City, surrounded by bolts of fabric, sketches, and the faint scent of lavender. The morning sunlight filters through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the studio. With a pencil in my hands, I begin to sketch the perfect wedding dress for my newest client, Reina Felipe, a Spanish aristocrat planning to marry into nobility.Reina, my client, perches on a plush velvet chair, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she describes her dream wedding dress. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I can't help but smile as she gestures animatedly, her words painting a vivid picture of the gown she envisions."I want it to be ethereal, like something out of a fairytale," Reina says, her voice filled with anticipation and her eyes sparkling as she gestures with her fingers. "I want layers of delicate lace, a flowing train, and just a touch of sparkle. It has to be perfect."I nod, my mind already spinning w
Last Updated : 2023-12-18His One Night Stand Chapter 2. Sophie
Hours have passed since Reina and Marcus left my studio, yet their lingering presence continues to disrupt my focus. Clutching the document before me, my attempt to read devolves into a futile struggle against memories of Marcus and the revelations unveiled just moments ago.Across the table is my sister Jessica, who has been going on about the progress of my business and several things we could do to make it better. Things I'm barely listening to right now. While I am the creative director of my brand and devote all of my time to the dresses I make, Jessica handles all the business parts. She's the best manager I could have ever asked for though she could be rather annoying when she wants to be. The disadvantage of having a relative to run your business along with you.When she sees I'm not responding, she pauses in her speech and leans forward, her eyes scanning my face with an unwavering gaze. "Sophie, is everything alright? You've barely said anything since I arrived."I let out a
Last Updated : 2023-12-20His One Night Stand Chapter 3. Marcus.
At my interruption, Sophie twirls her head in my direction and stiffens, her eyes growing wide as saucers. Ignoring her for a moment, I cast a malevolent glance at the man who is still holding on to her wrist. He shrinks under my intense gaze and starts backing away."Sorry man, didn't know she was with you," he says, letting her go and scuttling away. I watch him leave before returning my gaze to Sophie, standing like a goddess under the shifting lights. My breath hitches, heart skipping a beat as I stare at her. By the gods, she looks absolutely divine.My eyes trace the contours of her face, the subtle play of shadows accentuating the delicate lines that define her. Her lips, parted in surprise, and filled with so much sexual allure I'm overcome with the urge to go over there, crush her against my chest, and kiss her. Instead, I drop my gaze down to her straight shoulders, her tattoo sleeve on her right arm, and delicate fingers before dragging my gaze back up to her face. The flic
Last Updated : 2023-12-23His One Night Stand Chapter 4. Sophie.
The pounding music fades into the distant hum of New York City as I step out of the club, leaving the neon lights behind. The cool night air hits me, a sharp contrast to the heat and chaos inside. I pull my coat tight around me, the city lights stretching high into the sky. A slight shudder courses through me. I purse my lips and make my way to my car, getting in and driving off without so much as a backward glance. I'm too scared to turn around and find Marcus standing there, a distraught expression on his face.The road is alive with the energy of the night, cars rushing by, and people weaving through the sidewalks. But I can barely register anything going on around me, lost in my thoughts. Absentmindedly driving home, I turn on the radio, needing the noise to drown out the voices and emotions Marcus has stirred within me. New York City, with its towering buildings and bustling streets, feels both comforting and suffocating.I finally get to the high-rise building where my apartment
Last Updated : 2023-12-27His One Night Stand Chapter 5. Sophie.
After that night, things continue normally for me: no messages from Marcus, no unexpected encounters. I immerse myself in my world of design, pouring my heart and soul into creating the perfect dress for Reina. Progress is steady; each stitch is a deliberate step closer to creating a masterpiece.Days blur into nights, and before I know it, months have gone by with me painstakingly crafting this beauty. The sketch begins to take shape, slowly becoming real. Slowly but surely, I feel pride seep into my system as another dress comes alive in my hands. I soon realize I'm well ahead in my project, and it's time for a fit check. I let Reina know about it, and a day is fixed.Reina is supposed to come to New York, but when the day of her appointment rolls by, she doesn't show up. I become worried, wondering what must have happened to cause this delay. Jessica soon notices, and it doesn't take long before she starts asking questions."Does she not know today is her appointment, or is she not
Last Updated : 2024-01-04His One Night Stand Chapter 6. Sophie.
I hate flying. That is the thought that confounds me the moment I step on the plane. It is why I rarely take trips that require me to board planes unless it is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, this happens to be one of them. Looking out the window, I try to calm my racing heart by focusing on the floating clouds, trying to admire the beautiful scenery before me. It doesn't work much.The plane rumbles beneath me as I clutch the armrests, my knuckles turning white. My breaths are shallow, and my heart races faster than the engines propelling us through the sky. Anxiety tightens its grip on me, twisting my stomach into knots. Looking away from the window, I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing my back against the lush leather seats, my jumbled nerves making it impossible for me to relax.The air hostess must have noticed my distress as she appears beside me, all smiles and professional composure. "Good afternoon, ma'am. We'll be landing in the Netherlands shortly. Please fasten your seatb
Last Updated : 2024-01-05His One Night Stand Chapter 7. Sophie.
After sharing pleasantries with Marcus and discussing a little more with Reina, I am finally ushered to my room. My jumbled nerves make it impossible for me to admire the grand hallways, since I can't help but notice the peculiar way the maids are staring at me, especially at my tattoo sleeve. This, of course, makes me feel very self-conscious, and before I know it, I am trying to cover it up with my other hand with little success.When I step into the room assigned to me, I freeze on my steps, a gasp escaping my lips. It's like entering a fairytale. The room is much bigger than the apartment I have in New York, and lavishly decorated as well. A grand canopy bed sits at the center of the room, covered with silk curtains. Antique furniture lines the walls, and the floor is covered in the softest carpet I've ever seen. Not to mention the crystal chandelier and the exquisite wallpaper. It is so beautiful it feels foreign. Walking towards the bed, I collapse onto it, feeling the exhaustio
Last Updated : 2024-01-07His One Night Stand Chapter 8. Sophie
Leaving my room with Reina, I try to steady my nerves as we make our way to the grand dining hall. The hallway seems longer than before, each step echoing my heartbeat. Reina, walking beside me, flashes a reassuring smile, but it doesn't completely ease my apprehension.I can't help but think, 'Will they like me? Won't they see me as weird? What if I don't meet up to their standards? They are royalty after all. Calm down, Sophie,' I mentally chide myself when I catch myself thinking of all the worst-case scenarios. You've not even gotten there yet.We enter the spacious dining hall, and I meet the rest of the family already seated and discussing amongst themselves. A hushed silence falls over the room, and all eyes turn towards us. I freeze slightly, burdened by the weight of their gazes. Reina sees this and comes to nudge me forward. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I make my way towards the long dining table, my palms sweating.We approach the long dining table, and I try not to fo
Last Updated : 2024-01-08
Latest chapter
His One Night Stand Chapter 21. Sophie.
The moonlight bathes the lake in a soft, silvery glow, casting shimmering reflections across the water's surface. Standing at the edge of the lake, I watch as Marcus dives into the water, his laughter echoing through the night air. Part of me wants to join him, to let go of my inhibitions and dive into the cool embrace of the lake. But another part of me hesitates, afraid of getting wet and making a fool of myself."Come on, Sophie! The water feels amazing!" Marcus calls out, splashing playfully.I smile nervously, shaking my head. "I don't want to get wet," I reply, my voice barely audible over the gentle rustle of the leaves.Marcus pouts, pretending to be hurt. "Fine, I guess I'll just have to swim all by myself," he says, turning away from me with mock disappointment.My heart sinks at the thought of Marcus swimming alone, and before I can stop myself, I reach out to grab his arm. "Wait, Marcus! I didn't mean it like that," I stammer, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.He turns b
His One Night Stand Chapter 20. Sophie.
After hours of anxiously waiting for Marcus to arrive, I hear the familiar rapping at my windowsill, and my heart skips a beat before thrumming in excitement. Marcus is here. Without even thinking about it, I jump out of my bed and hurry to the window, flinging it open to the window balcony where Marcus is standing, watching me.His hair tousled and the moonlight shining against his face, Marcus looks even more breathtaking than I've ever seen him. I suck in a breath, doing my best to calm the racing of my heart. Growing shy all of a sudden, I feel like a schoolgirl about to meet a boy, and the two of us nervously exchange greetings."Hey..." I mutter, wringling my hands behind my back as he takes a step toward me, his heavy breathing in rhythm of my heartbeat."Hi, yourself." He mutters as he walks close to me, his eyes glinting with gladness and something I couldn't quite decipher."Took you long enough." I mumbled with a mock frown and watched as the smile on his face grew wider. "
His One Night Stand Chapter 19. Marcus.
"Is it just me or do you seem really close with the fashion designer?" Aida asks as I walk past her. I pause in my tracks, turning back to look at her, my heart skipping a beat at her question. I had been so deep in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed her at all in the hallways. Her back is still turned to me, but she slowly turns toward me, and I can feel my stomach tie itself into knots when I see the knowing look in her eyes even as her face remains unreadable. It immediately makes me sick, and a groan escapes my lips before I get the chance to stop it."What do you mean?" I ask, hating the way my voice sounds defensive."You know exactly what I mean," she insists, her eyes flicking towards the garden where Sophie still was, lost in her own world. My heart skips a beat at the mention of her name, and I feel a sudden tension coil in my chest, my palms growing clammy with sweat. "The two of you spend quite a bit of time together," she adds, crossing her arms."I do not know what you're tal
His One Night Stand Chapter 18. Sophie.
After our little horse riding meeting, Marcus and I begin to see each other a little more frequently. From sparing glances to him during the occasional dinners I have with the rest of the royal family, to sneaking through the windows to see at the dead of the night, we've grown significantly closer. On the surface, it seems like we're just strangers, but between us, things have grown so much deeper. I still work on the dress, and the wedding preparations are already underway, but in our little world, everything is perfect.It's one of those evenings where I take a walk after spending a long time beading the wedding dress and enjoying the scenery around me. The evening sun casts a warm glow over the palace gardens as I stroll along the winding paths, my footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone. The air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, the gentle rustling of leaves overhead providing a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.Lost in the beauty of my surroundings, I
His One Night Stand Chapter 17. Sophie.
Sophie.I wake up to the gentle light streaming through the curtains, the soft warmth of morning enveloping me.A dull ache pulsates in my head, and for a while my head is strangely empty as I find myself wondering where the hell I am. Then suddenly, it hits me. The memories flood back, threatening to overwhelm me and I catch myself groaning, burying my face in my hands. Marcus's presence was in this room last night, and all the tender moments shared in the dimly lit room floods back, weighing heavily on my mind.Sitting up slowly, I rub my temples, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Marcus had stayed with me till I was calm enough and only left when he was sure they would be beginning to look for him with a promise to see me soon enough. A small smile starts to blossom on my face but I immediately stamp it out, running a hand through my disheveled hair as I stifle a groan.I'd agreed to his proposal. That was an impulsive, reckless thing to do. And now, I have no idea if I ca
His One Night Stand Chapter 16. Sophie.
Hours have passed since I left the ballroom, yet I find myself still seated on the floor, the tears staining my cheeks. My head throbs with every heartbeat, and I can't shake off the overwhelming sense of despair that envelops me. The grandeur of the ballroom feels like a distant memory now, replaced by the suffocating silence of my room.Suddenly, I hear a faint sound, causing me to pause and lift my head from my knees. Taking in a shuddering breath, my eyes dart around the room, searching for the source of the noise, but there's nothing and no one in sight. A shiver runs down my spine as I rise to my feet, a sense of unease creeping over me."Who's there?" I call out as I gingerly make my way to the table next to me, reaching for a nearby vase, my fingers curling around it tightly as I prepare to defend myself. But before I can fully brace myself, I feel a presence in the room, causing my heart to race even faster. I turn towards the direction of the disturbance, my breath catching
His One Night Stand Chapter 15. Marcus.
Watching Sophie hurriedly leave the hall the way she did bothers me more than it should. I have an almost insane urge to follow after and ask what went wrong, but I hold back, trying to pass it off as normally as I could. The people around me are already giving me strange looks, wondering what must have happened between us. I ignore their curious gazes, walking out of the dance floor. Though It's just a simple dance, to me, it's means so much more. I'm just here savoring all these stolen moments with her whenever I get the chance; they would be all I have of the whirlwind romance I had with her.My father eventually rises to his feet, making his way to the podium, signaling the end of the dance. I walk toward Reina, linking my hand with hers as we stand together. My heart beats faster as I anticipate what my father is about to announce."Citizens of Netherlands!" He speaks, his voice cutting through the hushed murmurs of the guests, commanding attention as he addresses the room. "It i
His One Night Stand Chapter 14. Sophie.
Carlos leads me to the dance floor, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest with my hand in his. The soft music fills the air, and the room seems to spin around us as we step onto the polished wooden floor. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, as Carlos positions himself in front of me, his hand extended."Ready?" he asks with a warm smile.I nod, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Settling one on my waist while the other grabs mine and raises it high in the air, he begins to move, guiding me through the steps of the dance. I rest my free hands on his shoulders and the slow dance begins. Just like he promised, he begins to teach me the steps and although I'm clumsy for a couple of times, surprisingly, I find myself catching on quickly, my body responding to the music in ways I never thought possible."For someone who has never danced before, you sure are picking up quite well." he says with a chuckle, moving me around, his eyes tinged with amusement and sa
His One Night Stand Chapter 13. Sophie.
I return to the castle after a short walk in the enchanting gardens of the palace, needing to clear my mind. So far, it has been beneficial and I was eager to get back to my room as I was done for the day. However, as I step back inside, there is a palpable shift in the atmosphere. Earlier, I had noticed a line of cars stopping at the entrance, making me wonder what was going on. Now, the castle seems abuzz with activity, maids and workers walking around in hurried footsteps and a sense of urgency in the air.Seems like the castle had received guests and I wonder who they are. I glance around, contemplating who to approach for information, but the busy figures ignore my curiosity. Shrugging, I walk to my room, not wanting to disturb anyone. I hadn't seen Marcus all day and a part of me had wondered if it was a good or bad development. Regardless, I'm glad he's keeping his distance from me. I don't want to overcomplicate things the way they are right now.Back in the safety of my room,
