Elena's POVSun rays penetrated into my eyes directly, I felt my head ache alot. I was in the hotel room -with Jason! That was when I remembered what happened last night between me and that handsome stranger. His presence was comforting and unfamiliar. I got down from the bed and saw him standing on the mirror and wearing his shirts and pants. Look away immediately. He noticed my uneasiness and walked to me. “You enjoyed it last night, you saw everything…you don't have to look away now.” He said. My throat hitched and I swallowed hard. How did this happen? Jason stirred. His voice, flirtatious as he draw closer to my ear, broke the silence. “Morning,” he murmured, he peeked my cheeks which send cold shivers down my spine. “Morning,” I replied softly, my mind still racing. What does this mean now? He grabbed my waist, running a hand through his dark curls. “Need a ride home?” he asked casually, his blue eyes locking onto mine. I blinked, caught off guard by how nonchalant he so
Jason's POVThe office was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning filling the silence. I leaned back in my chair, absently drumming my fingers on the polished desk, when Frederick walked in, his expression calm and composed as usual. He held a document—a signed contract, the one Elena had finally approved."Boss, she signed it. You just need to validate it with your signature," Frederick said, placing the papers on my desk. His eyes lingered a moment, curious yet professional.I glanced down at the contract, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. I had pushed Elena toward this, and now that it was real, a weight settled in my chest. "Thank you, Frederick," I replied, picking up the pen, but before he could leave, something made me stop him."Fred…," I hesitated, clearing my throat, feeling a rare moment of vulnerability. "Have you ever been in a relationship?" I asked, trying to sound casual.Frederick’s brow lifted in mild surprise, and a faint smile tugged
**Elena's POV**As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but feel a bit lighter, a little happier. Jason's call always seemed to have that effect on me. But then, my mind drifted to the message I’d received earlier—a message from an unknown number claiming to be Aurora, asking for a meeting.I’d agreed, but I had no intention of meeting her in some secluded place where she could pull anything shady. That’s why I’d chosen one of Jason’s restaurants, a busy spot with enough people around. I had no reason to trust her, but I also had no reason to refuse. At least, not yet.When I arrived, I spotted Aurora seated at a table near the window. Two glasses of wine were already waiting on the table, which made me pause. She'd ordered for both of us? Odd, but maybe she was just trying to set a polite tone."Hi, Aurora. Make this quick; I have other things to do," I said, keeping my voice casual but distant.She looked up, her expression almost remorseful, but I wasn’t buying it. “Elena, I called
Aurora's POVA sharp, throbbing pain radiates through my head, like a hammer pounding against my skull. My eyes flutter open slowly, and I find myself in a nauseatingly filthy truck, bouncing and rattling over rough terrain. I take in the surroundings—the truck bed filled with grimy tarps and bits of hay, as if it’s been used to transport livestock. A disgusted groan escapes me.“Oh, great,” I mutter, forcing myself to sit up. I reach up to grab my purse, which has somehow stayed hooked on a corner of the truck bed. Digging through it, I fumble for my phone, dread pooling in my stomach as memories of the night before start filtering back. I’d tried to outwit Elena, slipping something into her drink to give her a taste of her own medicine. But now, somehow, it’s all turned against me.Finally, I hit call. When Desmond’s smug voice answers, I nearly shout, my patience frayed. “Desmond! What in the world did you do to me?!”There’s a pause, then his calm, indifferent reply. “Exactly what
Elena’s POVMy hands felt numb, trembling as I sank into the cold, hard chair outside the ICU. The sterile, white walls pressed in on me, and every sterile beep and whirr from the machines inside only added weight to my chest. If it hadn’t been for Lucas… I’d be the one in there, lying broken and battered. Someone had targeted me, but why? And who could be behind it?Tears blurred my vision, spilling over as I buried my face in Jason’s shoulder. I clutched him tightly, desperate to ground myself as I sobbed. He gently rubbed my back, murmuring, “It’s going to be okay, Elena. You’ll be okay. I’m here.”But nothing felt okay. Not when I was responsible for this. Lucas was fighting for his life in there because of me.The doors to the ICU burst open, and Mrs. Brown rushed in, her eyes red and frantic. Her gaze landed on me, and anger darkened her face as she stormed over, her voice trembling with fury. “You… you did this to him! My son is lying in there, broken, because of you!”I raised
Elena's POVAs I stepped into the ICU, the sterile air thick with the scent of antiseptic, my heart twisted at the sight of Lucas lying still, fragile against the white sheets. His once-vibrant features seemed drained, yet his eyes—pale but intensely focused—found mine the moment I entered.“Elena,” he murmured, his voice raspy but warm. The hint of a smile touched his lips, though it couldn’t mask the pain he was in.“Lucas…” I swallowed hard, fighting the lump forming in my throat. “How are you feeling?”He let out a slow breath. “Better, now that you’re here. Just seeing you…” His words trailed off as his gaze drifted over my face, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.”A wave of frustration and guilt surged through me. “Why, Lucas? Why would you risk your life for me?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. “You didn’t have to do that. You don't have to save me again.”He held my gaze, his eyes hardening. “Save you again? Because…” He hesitat
Aurora’s POVAs soon as I entered Lucas’s hospital room, I could feel the tension between us. He looked pale, fragile even, but there was still a strength about him—an intensity in his eyes that lingered on me as I approached. I put on my best concerned face, though I wasn’t sure if I could even fool him.“Lucas, I brought you something.” I forced a smile, holding up a pizza box. He didn’t even look at it, his eyes drifting back to the window as though my presence was already boring him. My fingers twitched with irritation, but I kept my composure. I had to.“Thanks,” he muttered, barely glancing my way.I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat, squatting down beside him as I pretended to inspect his legs. I could feel the anger boiling beneath my calm expression. He should be thanking me for being here after all I’d done for him, yet his attention was still fixed on that…Elena.His voice broke the silence. “What happened to your face?”I hadn’t expected that. Startled, I quickl
Jason's POVAs I walked out of the restroom, I noticed a figure in the hallway—a tall, slim person in a black hoodie, her face partially hidden, but her stride gave her away. It was Aurora. Just moments ago, she'd mentioned needing to leave for a business meeting, yet here she was, sneaking around in the hospital, her movements tense, like she was concealing something. I quickly ducked behind a corner as she passed, barely breathing, watching her hurry down the corridor with suspicious urgency. Once she disappeared, I let out the breath I'd been holding, a strange unease building in my gut. What was she doing here? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it lingered, persistent.I caught up with Elena, and we headed to Lucas's room, where he was sitting up in bed, slicing through a ripe apple. His casual demeanor faded the second he saw the look on my face. "What’s going on? Did something happen?" he asked, his brows knitting together in concern.Elena and I exchanged a gl