1. The Mysterious Man

Lucy’s POV

I've been grieving a great loss for the past two weeks since my father abruptly left me without saying goodbye. I could not stop crying because I missed him so much, and it hurts so bad.

My dad was a great doctor and the owner of a famous hospital in the country. His doctors did their best to save him— and It still breaks my heart that they couldn't save him. 

As I danced the night away at a famous, glamorous club, I guzzled down my last shot of tequila. But guess what? My friends left me here in this club by myself. F*Ck them! Despite everything I've done to them, not one of them has ever made an effort to be a friend to me. 

I was about to ask for more tequila when someone said, "Hey, that's enough."

And I don’t even know him. 

I shot him a piercing stare, but my eyesight was hazy from the clubgoers' dancing in my head. I closed my eyes, but the feeling of spinning lingered in the back of my head. The man led me out of the club while he was holding my body tightly, asking, "Where do you live?"

"And who the hell are you? Do you really think you can just throw me out? I have money! I can buy as many drinks as I want!" 

"Look, you're drunk, woman. My club closes at 3. You should get out of here before my guys do something nasty to you."

I smiled at him, "I don't care..." 

"Tell me where you live, and I'll take you there." 

"No, I don't. I'd rather stay here than go home. I told him as I cried in his arms. All of a sudden, I felt so sleepy that I couldn't help but give him a tight hug. He had no choice but to carry me into his car and put me in the front seat. I blinked and saw complete darkness. Then whispered, "I want to try something..." 

"Huh?" 

I sat on his lap and slowly took off my dress. "I want to forget about my problem. Kiss me, f*ck me, and use me however you want..." 

He was cursing silently, and I could hear it in his deep voice. "You don't know me--" 

I grabbed his polo shirt collar and pressed my lips against his like there was no tomorrow. Then I remembered that my boyfriend had left me for my cousin. Tears streamed down my face while I was kissing the man passionately until he kissed me back with the same fire. 

Just because I don't meet Peter's needs? Well, it's too late. I'm now giving everything to a stranger. 

He sucked my neck with his hot mouth; I closed my eyes and moaned into his ear until I couldn't help but fall asleep in his arms. 

He sighed dissapointly and whispered, "Hey, wake up. I'm not done yet...."

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

The following day, I had a terrible headache and couldn't stop thinking about what had happened last night. The shock rippled through my entire body, and my eyes widened in disbelief. 

Then I got out of bed, looked for my shoes, and checked myself in the mirror. I felt like a mess. Hair in knots and a pale face. But I felt better when I realized I still wore the dress I wore last night.

I bit my lower lip and whispered, "So, nothing happened." 

A man stepped out from a bathroom and he looked like a Greek god from heaven. I couldn’t help but stare at him with shock in my mouth. “YOU!” 

He gave me a cold look and slowly wiped his wet chest with the dry towel. 

He asked coldly, “What are you staring at?” 

“WHO ARE YOU?” 

He chuckled sarcastically as he looked at me, “Are you sure you don’t remember what happened last night?” 

My cheeks blushed and the back of mind remembered how I begged for him to kiss me. I bit my lower lip and lowered my head. Damn! That was so embarrassing. 

He walked towards me, “Tell me where you live so I can take you home.” 

I was scared as I looked at him; he looked at me like I would melt in front of him. His good looks are something I've never seen before.

Damn! What am I thinking? Maybe he's a serial killer or just plain wrong for me; in any case, I should get the hell out of here! 

"Stay away from me!" 

I immediately threw the pillow—or anything else I could find—at him. Then, out of nowhere, I snatched the doorknob open and ran away in panic. 

Having spent the night with the man, I felt like slapping myself. What makes me think that going out with a stranger was the best idea?

Oh no, I must have been really drunk last night. 

"Miss!" He tried to hold me back from running.

But I pushed him away, "Don't touch me!"

I quickly ran to the lift out of fear.

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

HANSLEY’S MANSION

The family lawyer just came back from his vacation and now he’s in front of us reading my dad's last will. 

“WHAT?! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!” I exclaimed.

Mr. Santiago said, “You have to find him if you don’t want to lose everything you have.” 

I couldn't believe that all the properties and money that my father left for us would be used to pay off the bank debt and the person named Arman Romano. 

How could he leave us with enormous debt? Who exactly is this Arman Romano, anyway?

My hands were trembling in shock and confusion as I stared at my stepmother who had nothing to say. She just packed up all her things and said, “Lucy, I’m sorry, you’re on your own now.” 

“M–Mom, you can’t just leave me like this—” 

"I simply couldn't cope with your father anymore," she said as she looked at me and held my hand, her eyes welling up with tears.  "I forgive him for what he did twenty f*cking years ago and consider you as my daughter... but this is too much to handle right now. I'm done with him.”

“M–Mom…” 

“Please, take care of yourself." 

My lips trembled as realization hit me. And just like that, she left me too.

And now I don’t have a choice but to find this mysterious man, Arman Romano.