Chapter 1: AN ECSTASY NEVER TO BE

With the ice melting, I gazed into the bottom of my nearly empty bourbon glass. I looked up from my glass to the window a little distance away, watching as the sun set beyond the bar. I felt so alone in my self-pity, watching life move on around me with only the faint clinking of glasses and soft chattering of voices. My life's worst day had been that one.

Ethan, my fiancee— ex-fiancee, had betrayed me in the most heinous way. Memories of him with his secretary smoldering in the background, The man I'd been in love with for three years, the man I had imagined spending the rest of my life with, his tongue fighting another woman, his lies disentangled like a thread I had failed to pull sooner. I was hurt and broken like never before, I felt a sting of tears threatening to fall again but blinked them away, resolving not to cry anymore. Not for him. Not here.

I felt uncomfortable; I'd adjust to my seat severally; it did nothing but make me comfortable, or maybe it was just the burden of my thoughts pressing on my shoulders. My phone rang for the hundredth time, but I ignored it. I didn't care who was calling, I wanted to be alone as long as I could, alone to fight this pain. I didn't want any sympathy from anyone, let alone being able to handle their pity, at least not tonight.

After the altercation with Ethan, I drove hastily to a club in a metropolitan suburb and was soon kilometers from my apartment. The location was a tiny tavern that hardly attracted attention, far enough away from known faces. I had intended to submerge my grief in something potent, something that would make me forget, if only momentarily.

However, I was unable to get rid of the sinking feeling when the bartender slid the second drink in front of me. What was the point? I wasn't even craving the alcohol anymore. That made me cry much more than it eased the agony. I decided I had to leave after taking a quick look at the clock above the bar.

I reached for my leather jacket and pulled it on, heaving out. I tossed a few bills onto the counter and made my way outside without waiting for a response from the bartender, the cool night air, hitting my face like a welcome relief.

I walked up to my car, an old model that I had spent a lot of time on over the years, but it was mine. An accomplishment, if you will. I slammed the door and struggled to find the ignition key as I climbed into the driver's seat. After roaring and groaning, the engine finally refused to start. "Seriously?" I muttered to myself as I tried again. "...Just great!!"

After making a whining noise, the engine stopped. I was angry and upset because I had just experienced heartbreak. I would repeatedly smack my face to wake up from AN ECSTASY NEVER TO BE since it was all too much for me and felt so surreal, almost like a nightmare. I knew deep down, it was nothing but reality, and I had to face it, Alone. I slammed my palm against the handlebar. "Come on!". Of all nights, of all times, my car had decided to give up on me. I sat there for a while, holding the stirring wheel firmly in my hands.

Suddenly, A sleek black automobile came up next to me as headlights suddenly followed me to my face, a big difference from the ungainly sound my car had just made; the engine's quiet hum purred smoothly. I strained to see through the glare and try to figure out who was driving. The door opened, and a tall man wearing a fitted suit emerged, his silhouette standing out against the street lamp's light.

He walked toward me, his face glowing in the low light; his flawlessly coiffed hair and magazine-worthy jawline framed his piercing, black eyes. He appeared familiar, but I had a weird feeling that I knew who he was even if I couldn't quite put him. His voice was silky and velvety as he said "Looks like you could use some help."

I looked at my car again and then back at him. I hoped that the man standing next to my car didn't pose a threat, even though I didn't trust people readily after today. Besides, I was really too weak to decline or argue. I murmured, "It's not starting," as I got out of the car. "I don't know what's wrong with it." The man briefly glanced at the car and then at me.

"Mind if I take a look?"

I nodded after hesitating for a moment. "Knock yourself out"

He inspected the engine while I crossed my arms, watching as he tinkered with a few things. Whoever he was, he clearly knew his way around cars, not some who'd just take the pleasure of driving whatever is given to them to show off.

After a few more minutes in silence, he straightened up, brushing his hands together. "Looks like your gearbox is busted. You're not riding this home tonight."

"Great," my heart sank, as I muttered. "Just what I needed."

The man stared at me for a moment, his expression unpredictable and unreadable. "I can give you a ride." He gestured to his car.

"I don't even know you." I shook my head. "For all I know you might be a serial killer.."

This made him chuckle; his raised eyebrow faced me as if amused by my resistance. "Fair enough. I'm Jay Sinclair."

The name hit me like a jolt. Of course! I recognized him now. Jay Sinclair was one of the most powerful and notoriously private billionaires in the city. I had seen him in the business sections of magazines, always looking like he seemed to have had the world at his bare feet. And now, I was standing before this man, his tall figure towering over me, his eyes boring into mine.

Why was he here? in a random bar in the suburb of the town?

Jay Sinclair," I said again, continuing to think. He gave me a small nod, as though he was waiting for my answer. "And why would a billionaire be offering me a ride?" Suspicious as ever, I asked.

There was a tiny twitch of a smirk on his lips. "Maybe this evening I'm feeling giving. Or perhaps it's just that I find it unsettling to think of someone left on their alone in a remote location."

I bit my lip, my pride battling; I didn't want to be in debt to anyone, especially not to someone as special as him. But looking around my useless automobile and the deserted street, I realized I was pretty much at a loss for what to do. "Alright..." At last, I said. "But just a ride." Jay went to his car and let me in through the passenger door.

"Just a ride." he agreed.

As soon as I sank into the soft leather seat, I could smell the opulence, everything around reeked of luxury, a world I was sure not to fit in. As we backed away from the bar, Jay climbed in next to me and grunted to start the engine. I looked sideways at him, still not believing that I was in this situation... with him.