V

He shooed away the people who had been sitting with him. They saw me, probably recognized me, and gave me a quick glance before actually leaving.

I stared at him, trying to maintain my balance even though my legs felt like they were made of rubber. The scent of sandalwood and metal invaded my senses, bringing up old memories I'd rather bury.

Yet, here I was, standing in front of the man who might be my only hope or my undoing.

"Stop looking at me like that," I hissed, my voice barely more than a whisper. I gulped down the remaining courage from the alcohol coursing through my veins, trying to dispel the trembling in my hands.

Aaric raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curling in a smile so familiar, so devastating.

"Like what?" he asked, his tone lazy but his eyes shining sharply like he knew exactly what was in my head.

"Like I'm... something you want to break," I replied, sounding sharp. But I knew the trembling tone at the end of my words didn't escape him.

He chuckled, a soft but piercing sound, like a polished dagger. Aaric stood up and then stepped closer until I had to look up to see his face. His dark eyes roamed my face like a hunter studying his prey.

"You're saying... I want to corrupt you?" He said the words softly, letting each syllable echo between us. "Maya, you've ruined your own life. I'm just... a spectator enjoying the show."

My cheeks were heating up, but not from the alcohol. I bit my lower lip, trying to block out the emotional reaction he wanted.

"I'm not here to fight," I said finally, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the dryness in my throat. "I need your help."

He was silent for a moment, his expression almost neutral except for the look in his eyes that sparkled with something I didn't like. Then he laughed again, louder this time, sharper.

The laughter seemed to nail shame to my skin.

"Help?" he said, his hazel eyes dancing with dangerous excitement. "Wait,... You, Maya de Cruz, someone who ditched me a long time ago. Now, you want to ask me for a favor? Because Michael Rowe kicked you and attacked you back?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails pressing into my palms, trying to restrain myself from reacting. "You know we broke up because you were the one playing behind my back, and don't talk like you know about what really happened."

"So what's really going on? That you're so screwed up right now, your career is on the line?" he asked, tilting his head, pretending to be confused.

I closed my eyes momentarily, trying to shake off the heat creeping up my neck. He knew how to play on my every weakness, and he did it with an ease that made me feel naked in front of him.

"Aaric," I hissed softly. "I know you can help me. And I know you enjoy seeing me like this, but I have no other choice."

He watched me with a smile that never really left his face. Then, in a deliberate, slow motion, he grabbed my chin, lifting my face so I couldn't avoid his gaze.

"You asked me to save you," he said softly, his voice dripping with a sly tone that made my skin crawl. "But look at you now. Licking your wounds, drunk and desperate. You think I'd save something like this?"

I swallowed, feeling ashamed, but I didn't look away. "You can do anything, Aaric. You always can,"

He grinned, and I knew I had given him the small victory he sought. His thumb brushed my chin slowly, a cool touch that made me want to recoil, but I forced myself to stay still.

"Maybe," he said finally, his tone playful. "But I'm only helping if I get something interesting in return."

I swallowed, my throat feeling dry. "What do you want?" I asked though I dreaded knowing the answer. "I'll give you anything."

He brought his face close to mine, close enough that I could feel his breath on my skin. His smile turned darker and sharper.

"You know what I want, Maya," he whispered, his voice low and echoing in my ears like a dangerous promise.

The ceiling above my head began to spin. The sound of the club music seemed to drown out, like something was covering my ears. My body felt heavier and heavier, and the warmth of the alcohol was replaced by a coldness that covered my skin. My breathing was short, and my vision blurred, like a movie fading into dull colors.

"Aaric..." I tried to call out to him, but my voice was barely audible. My head felt light like it was floating away from my body.

I tried to move, but my legs wobbled, my body losing balance.

I felt my arm being caught quickly before I fell. The touch was strong, almost rough, but he didn't let me touch the floor.

My eyes closed completely, and I could only hear Aaric's voice.

"Of course," he murmured softly. "You can't even take care of yourself, Maya."

I don't know what happened after that. The world was silent. My body was floating, and the heaviness in my chest slowly faded into total darkness.

>>>> 

When I opened my eyes, a blindingly bright light greeted me. It pierced through the thin curtains flowing gently in the wind, revealing a scene that took my breath away. Outside the large window, the blue expanse of the Los Angeles ocean stretched out, its white waves hitting the shore in a constant rhythm.

I sat up quickly, and my head immediately throbbed violently.

"Ah..." I hissed, holding my forehead with both hands. The sharp sensation in my head made everything feel more real and more confusing.

Where was I?

This spacious room had a soft bed covered in crisp white sheets, perfectly arranged pillows, and expensive furniture that glittered in the morning sunlight. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the high ceiling.

The cold morning air touched my skin, making me shiver. I looked down, and the heat instantly traveled to my face. My body was naked under the white blanket that covered me up to my chest. Like a fragile fortress, I pulled the blanket tighter to protect myself from the reality that was starting to creep in.

My eyes roamed the room, looking for anything to explain what had happened. The soft scent of soap and sandalwood is still in the air, clinging to my skin.

I pulled the covers tighter, trying to remember the night before, but my mind was a blur. The alcohol still lingered in my system, making everything blurry like an image projected on water.

The steps were getting closer.

I sat up straighter, the chill in the air feeling like a slap to my face. My body felt stiff, every muscle tense with equal parts hope and fear. The door handle turned softly, and he appeared before I could think of anything.

Aaric.

He was wearing a black T-shirt that printed the muscles of his chest and long gray training pants. His black hair was messy, and he looked at me with a smirk.

"Good morning, Princess."

"What are you doing with my body?!"

"Whatever I want." He shrugged his shoulders casually. "Weren't you the one who offered yourself to me?"

My cheeks instantly turned red, anger and embarrassment mixed together. "I-I never..."

My voice broke in mid-sentence, the memory of the night before still too blurry for me to use as a defense. I clutched the blanket tighter.

Aaric chuckled, the sound low and full of subtle mockery that made my blood boil. He walked closer, his steps quiet yet feeling like a veiled threat. He stopped at the end of the bed, looking down at me with dark eyes that seemed to strip away every layer of protection I was trying to build.

"Don't worry so much, Maya," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I may be an asshole, but I have rules. I don't touch anything that doesn't truly give itself away."

I swallowed, trying to muster the courage to reply. "Then why am I here?"

He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling again in his trademark smirk. "Because you fainted in my arms, Princess. And I brought you here because I didn't know where your home was."

I bit my lip.

Aaric moved closer, bending down slightly to level his face with mine. "And, Princess," he said, his voice lower, whisper, "if you want to know what happened that night, maybe you should learn to control yourself. Because last time I checked, you were the one who approached me, begging for my help."

I lifted my chin, fighting his gaze despite the heat creeping up my neck. "And you enjoyed every second of it, didn't you?"

He grinned, his smile wide but threatening. "More than you think." He moved to get up. "You can use the bathroom, and your clothes are in the walk-in closet. Then come downstairs. We'll have breakfast and discuss the deal you gave me."

"What if I say I changed my mind?" I quivered my lips.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You can't change your mind, Princess." His dark eyes narrowed, looking at me like a predator that had just caught its prey. "You can’t do that after you came to me... begging for my help. It was a deal, and I don't accept cancellations."

I frowned, trying to gather courage. "Deal or no deal, I have the right to back out."

He stared at me momentarily, his lips curled in a smile promising nothing but trouble. He lowered his head slightly, close enough to feel his warm breath on my cheek.

"You're wrong, Princess," he whispered, his voice soft but menacing.

I held my breath, my body rigid under his gaze. His voice was so calm it pierced my bones.

"I don't know what was in your head back then," he continued a faint smile that didn't hide the danger etched on his face. "Maybe alcohol. Maybe desperation. But you came to me, Maya."

I tried to say something, but no sound came out of my throat. Only silence filled the gap between us.

"So there's no 'changing your mind,'" he said softly, his lips just inches from my face. "Not when you decide to step back into my control."

I wanted to retaliate, wanted to push his hand away, but my body wouldn't let me. I could only stare at him, trying to hold back the feeling of dread that was slowly taking over. Aaric raised the corners of his lips slightly, his smile becoming darker.

"And you know what's interesting?" he continued, his tone full of venom dripping softly. "I enjoy seeing you like this—confused, trying to fight back, but losing anyway. It's... entertaining."

His steps retreated slowly, giving me a space that only felt like an illusion of freedom.

"Come down when you're ready," he said as he turned around, his hand on the doorknob.

As he exited and closed the door behind him, I felt the room had lost all air. I took a deep breath, but my chest felt heavy.

I knew, without him needing to repeat it. There was no way out. Not this time.