CHAPTER THREE: What happened last night?

Mia’s pov

I turned, tilting my head to meet his deep-set, smokey grey eyes. His gaze lingered—very predatory as if he wasn’t done with me yet.

"Are you serious right now? This can’t be real."

He sighed, running his fingers through his silky black hair, the rest of the strands falling back into place effortlessly. “Look …I’m sorry if that came off kind of weird. The thing is… I’m… really attracted to you.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Oh, please. Don’t start. You’re just like the rest.”

“No…it’s not like that, I promise. My intentions are clear,” he spoke, his voice softening but his eyes unwavering. “I want you to be with me, Tiffany. Not just— here, but for real. By my side.”

My mind spun, struggling to process his words.How did I end up in this situation? Drawn to this man—who is a distraction from my mission.

“I know this sounds crazy, but when our eyes met back there… you felt it too, right?” His voice dropped, and his hand reached out for mine.

I wanted to oppose it, but I couldn’t. There was something undeniable between us, despite my best efforts to shut it down.

But how can I know if this is just a passing attraction?

“We’re strangers,” I laughed, brushing off the tension in the air.

“We don’t have to rush,” he said, his voice warm and assuring as his large fingers intertwined with mine. “Let’s take it slow. One step at a time.”

His sincerity was almost overwhelming. I hadn’t planned to be here; I should know better by now than to get distracted, but the thought of sleeping with Lorenzo… it felt wrong—unnatural.

“What if you’re involved in some scandal?” I tested him, hoping for some crack in his composure.

He smiled, his eyes glinting with confidence. “Not at all. By the way, I’m Zac.” He extended a hand.

“ I’ll think about it,” I shook his hand reluctantly, still on edge. “But, I need to go now.”

“Wait!” Zac pointed towards the window. “It's raining outside, it’s not safe to go out in this weather. Why don’t you stay here tonight?”

My heart skipped a beat; I must’ve lost track of time, and with the rain pouring down, there was no way I could make it back to the club.

Staying here might not be such a bad idea. I need to clear my head before facing Xiang tomorrow. A night away from it all could give me the clarity I desperately need.

**********************************************

The rain tapped gently against the windows as Zac and I shared whiskey and conversation. At first, it was casual—harmless stories exchanged between two people stranded by circumstance. But as the drinks flowed, the stories grew more personal. His voice was soothing, his words deliberate, as if he truly cared to listen—not just hear.

I wasn’t used to this. Men in my world were predictable: grand gestures, hollow compliments, and ulterior motives. But Zac was different. His kindness was unassuming, his gaze steady. For the first time in years, I felt… safe.

At some point, the haze of exhaustion claimed me. When I woke, my head was heavy, and the space beside me was empty.

Blinking, I realized I wasn’t on the couch anymore. He’d moved me to the bed.

I glanced toward the couch and found him there, his long legs hanging awkwardly over the edge, his shirt unbuttoned, exposing his chest to the chill of the room. He looked uncomfortable, his brows furrowed even in sleep, yet there was something disarmingly charming about him.

A pang of guilt struck me— He’d given up the bed for me, enduring discomfort so I could rest.

Quietly, I grabbed the duvet and tiptoed toward him. My plan was simple—just cover him up and leave. But as I got closer, my eyes lingered. The way the soft light caught the contours of his body, the rise and fall of his chest—it was hard not to admire him.

I reached out instinctively, my fingers itching to touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin. But I stopped, startled by my own boldness. What am I doing?

I turned to leave, embarrassed, but a hand caught my wrist.

“Why are you awake?” His voice was low, groggy with sleep. “Are you okay?”

“I… uh…” I stammered, my brain scrambling for an excuse.

Before I could pull away, he tugged me gently, and I lost my balance, landing against his chest. His skin was warm, his heartbeat steady under my palms.

Our eyes locked, the world narrowing to just us. His fingers brushed the small of my back, sending sparks across my skin.

“Tiffany…” he murmured, his voice soft as he brushed a stray strand of hair from my lips.

“I want you, Zac.” The words spilled from my lips before I could stop them.

His eyes darkened, voice dropping to a whisper. “Are you sure about this?”

I hesitated, my thoughts muddled, the whiskey and exhaustion clouding my judgment, but I couldn’t deny the pull between us. “Yeah,” I breathed, leaning closer. “I want this.

But before I could utter another word, the fog of sleep overtook me again: the charged atmosphere, fading into darkness.

When I woke, I was back on the bed. The space beside me was cold— Zac was gone.

What did I do last night?

Panic surged as memories of last night flooded back. But a quick check beneath the sheets told me everything was intact. Relief washed over me, followed by a twinge of disappointment as I had expected to wake up next to him.

On the bedside table, I found a bouquet of flowers and a note leaning against the vase.

Didn’t want to wake you. Had a meeting. Call me when you’re up—dinner at 6?

At the bottom was his number, scrawled in a confident hand.

A smile tugged at my lips as I held the note, warmth spreading through my chest. Maybe last night hadn’t been a mistake after all.

But reality crashed back as I left the hotel and headed for base. For the first time in four years, I had failed my mission. Yet, as I replayed Zac’s words in my head, all I could think about was seeing him again.

***********************************************

I want to be with you, Zac’s voice echoed in my mind as I stared at my reflection.

Samantha stormed into the room, her energy a whirlwind as usual. “God, Mia, I swear you attract more drama than a soap opera.”

“It wasn’t planned,” I admitted, my voice soft. "But I think he’s worth the shot.”

“Worth it? You’re about to go on a date with a guy whose last name you don’t even remember!”

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed sharply, cutting through our conversation.

I glanced at the screen, and Xiang’s message flashed in bold letters: We’re on our way…Be packed and ready to move. No excuses, no delays.

The room seemed to dim, the bright laughter of moments ago fading into an oppressive silence. The weight of reality crashed down on me, erasing the sweetness of sharing whiskey with Zac, the lightness of imagining something more.

I wasn’t Tiffany, the free-spirited girl exploring new feelings.

I am Mia—a woman bound to a duty I couldn’t abandon.