PREVIOUS NIGHT

AURELIA'S POV

I slipped on the gold dress Elan had ordered for me. It looked perfect on me, pronouncing my hourglass shape. It was a bit revealing, especially around the breast area and thighs, but I couldn’t ditch it for something less daring. That would surely anger Elan, and this wasn’t a night I wanted to hear his ranting about me not meeting his standards or be reminded of where he had picked me up some years back.

I sat down in the living room of the apartment Elan had bought in my name, waiting for him to come pick me up for the outing. He’d said it was a get-together with his friends, and everyone was bringing their girlfriends, so I couldn’t say no to going.

I caught a glimpse of my seductive reflection in an acrylic mirror a few meters away. My hair was perfectly styled at the salon, and I had kept my makeup light, even though Elan would have preferred otherwise. When Elan arrived, the first thing he did was kiss me, almost ruining my makeup.

“Oh, you look hot tonight, baby,” he said, grabbing my butt cheeks and squeezing them with both hands.

“We’re never going to leave here if we continue this,” I said, slightly pulling him off me. I felt a bit uncomfortable but couldn’t place why.

We took Elan’s Rolls-Royce Wraith, so there was no need for me to take my car.

“Uh, babe, we won’t be coming home tonight,” he said casually.

“Where—”

“I figured my friends and I have a lot of catching up to do. There’s going to be a lot of stuff happening tonight, so I already booked a hotel where we’d stay. Trust me, you’ll love it,” he said, slipping a black VIP access card for Room 306 onto my bare thigh and pecking me.

Elan and his habit of making decisions at the last minute... I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, so I simply returned his peck with a fake smile. Not going home tonight? Well, not like I had work the next day, so I wasn’t quite bothered. I glanced at the card; it bore the name The Monarch Grand Hotel.

We arrived at a private club in the heart of Los Angeles, and in no time, Elan blended in so well. I just followed him, trying not to look awkward or out of place. He introduced me to his friends from college—about four of them—and they, in turn, introduced me to their girlfriends. Honestly, the girls looked and acted like puppets. They laughed without emotion, only when their men laughed.

The night was filled with small talk, stifled laughs, and drinks. I was still sipping on a glass of wine even fifteen minutes after our arrival. Being light-headed, I made it a rule not to drink alcohol in public, and if I did, it was minimal.

Next on their agenda was games. For some reason, the other ladies were excused, apart from me. I should’ve seen the bright red flag, but my stupid brain ignored it. Their excuse was that they’d been there for some time before Elan and I arrived and needed air. I wanted to leave too, but Elan’s look told me to stay—as if silently saying he needed me.

We started the game: me, Elan, and his four friends. I was the only girl in the group. Oddly enough, I felt a chill but dismissed it because Elan was there.

We played a few adult games, and when it was my turn, I had to drink alcohol because I failed a round. I looked to Elan for backup, but he simply nodded for me to go ahead. I didn’t want to drink, but I also didn’t want to disappoint him or his friends, so I downed the shot, promising myself it would be the last.

The alcohol wasn’t too strong, apart from making me feel a little woozy. I was still good—until the rounds kept going. The other girls eventually came back, obviously high from smoking, and once again, it was my turn to drink.

This time, I told the group I couldn’t because I felt light-headed. At first, they were shocked, then they started laughing. I noticed one of the men recording, and even one of the puppet girlfriends did the same.

They all started chanting, “Go, Aurelia! Go, Aurelia! Go!”

I swallowed the shot of tequila and followed it with a shout. Less than a minute later, my legs felt weak, my eyelids heavy, and my head spun. I turned to Elan, trying to explain my situation, but he was equally high. Instead, he pushed me back and started kissing me roughly, almost as if he were devouring me.

His hands slipped under my dress, touching me in front of everyone. I glanced around and noticed the girls didn’t care—almost as if they expected this—but the guys... Oh, they were watching, their eyes filled with lust.

What was Elan doing? He knew more than anyone else about my vows. I’d made it clear I was saving myself for our wedding night. We’d talked about this before we started dating. Sure, we’d kissed before, but tonight felt different—intense in a way that terrified . Almost as if he was going to fuck me here and now.

I tried to push him off, but I was so weak from the alcohol. This was exactly why I avoided drinking in public—I always lost control of myself . By now, Elan was unzipping my dress in front of everyone. My strength drained, I looked around and saw phones recording. I was going to go viral if I didn’t act.

With the last bit of strength I could muster, I pushed Elan away, drunkenly stood up, and stumbled toward the exit, my purse clutched to my side. All I wanted was to get to the hotel Elan had mentioned earlier—somewhere safe and private.

As I made my way out, I heard someone laugh and say, “Leave her alone. She wouldn’t be able to move a meter more let alone handle all that much 'Eggshell' in her system.”

I couldn’t quite make out who said that, but I was determined to leave and now!