ALEXANDRA

My head felt like it was splitting in two. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. What the hell happened last night? I didn't drink anything so why did it feel like I was having a hangover?

Slowly, the memories trickled back, hazy and blurry but they gave me enough detail. The party, the champagne that Ronan had given me, the handsome stranger… The handsome stranger? My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright in bed.

That was enough to throw me into a panic. What was I even doing on a bed? And where the fuck was I?. I was in a luxurious hotel room, the kind that screamed 'expensive' from every corner. Sunlight streamed through the plush black curtains, casting a soft glow on the plush furniture and king-size bed. It all seemed familiar.

I knew where this was. I knew my own handiwork. Then it hit me, I was in one of the hotel rooms that I had prepared for the guests last night.

And then, the most horrifying realization hit me. I was naked.

I felt sick to my stomach at that as my gaze landed on my clothes laid in a heap on the ground, crumpled and… oh shit. I immediately swung my legs down from the bed, itching to get out of there.

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.

What had I done?

I scrambled to get dressed, my fingers fumbling with the buttons and zippers. As I pulled on my crumpled dress, I caught sight of the man sleeping peacefully in the bed.

He was breathtakingly handsome, with dark hair and unearthly features. Even in sleep, there was an air of confidence and danger around him.

And I'd slept with him.

The first emotion hit me like a wave. Shame. That was what I felt. I didn't even know his name.

"Well," I muttered to myself, "at least he was hot."

I chuckled dryly, the sound echoing in the silent room.

"Way to go, Alexandra. Sleep with a stranger and then make jokes about it."

I tiptoed to the bedside table, grabbed a pen and paper, and scribbled a hasty note.

“I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I hope you can forgive me” I wrote in haste.

I left the note on the pillow, grabbed my purse, and fled the room before Mr handsome woke up.

I immediately hailed a cab to take me back home while I thought about my life in the back. The memories were clearer now as I took a swig of the bottle of water that the Uber driver had offered me. The things I had said to the mystery man. I had basically thrown myself at him like a slut! What had possessed me to act like that? I was usually so shy and reserved.

The driver kept sending me glances through the mirror and I realized I looked a mess, my hair scattered and I probably smelled but as long as he would keep his mouth shut and not ask me any questions, I didn't care.

As I unlocked my apartment door, it hit me. I'd been drugged.

That was the only explanation. I'd only had a few sips of champagne, and I'd never reacted like that to alcohol before. Someone must have slipped something into my drink. Someone named Ronan. He had been the one who offered the drink. He drugged me and then sent me to his room but I somehow ended up in the wrong room and that was still a mess.

Anger mingled with the shame. I'd been violated, and taken advantage of. And I had no one to blame but myself.

I stumbled into the bathroom first and turned on the shower. The hot water cascaded down my back, but it did little to ease the feeling of how stupid and dirty I felt.

As I was lathering shampoo into my hair, my phone rang. I groaned, reaching for the towel hanging on the rack as I stepped out of the shower, answering the phone call without even looking at the ID.

"Hello?" I answered, my voice muffled as I tried to turn off the shower with a trembling hand.

"Alex! Where are you?" It was Sarah, my assistant.

"I'm at home," I replied, trying to sound normal. "I'm not feeling well."

"Oh no, what's wrong?"

"Just a headache," I lied. "I'll be fine."

"Well, I have some good news," Sarah said, her voice brightening. "We just got another contract!"

That was enough to get me out of my misery. "Really? From who?"

"TerraNova Holdings," she announced. "They want us to plan a small party for their employees tonight. It's a last-minute thing, but they're willing to pay top dollar."

TerraNova Holdings. That name was something I never thought I would hear. It was a big deal if I had been recognized by them, I must have done an amazing job at Miss Valeria's party. It was the biggest corporation in the city, headed by the infamous CEO, Ethan Warner. News had it that he just got back from a trip but I have never seen the man before.

"That's great news, Sarah," I said, trying to sound as happy as I felt but I faltered. "Accept the deal."

"Are you sure you're up for it?" she asked, concern creeping into her tone. “You worked your ass off last night then you just disappeared after a while”

My heart began pounding in my chest. I would never get over the shame if she knew or if anyone found out.

"I'll be fine," I assured her. "I just need to rest for a bit."

We hung up, and I leaned against the shower wall, my mind filled with several things. TerraNova Holdings. I was so happy I would scream. It meant more money to my business.

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. I couldn't let one night ruin my life. I had a business to run, and a sister to take care of.

I finished my shower, got dressed, and headed to the office. I had a party to plan, and I wasn't going to let anything, not even the memory of a nameless stranger, get in my way.