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.The clock ticked slowly towards 7 pm, the official start time of the TerraNova Holdings party. I was pacing about my small office, biting on my nails, something I did when I was agitated about something and nervous. Despite the events of the previous night, I'd managed to pull myself together and put on my 'event planner at your service' attitude. My team had done a fantastic job transforming the TerraNova event space into a space that looked something straight out of an exquisite party, complete with sparkling lights, and a variety of flowers and I had made sure to confirm that no one had an allergy to anything, and a mouthwatering buffet.But no matter how much I tried to focus on the task at hand, my mind kept wandering back to him. The stranger from the hotel room. The man whose name I didn't even know.I'd been extra cautious tonight, sticking to water and keeping a watchful eye on my glass. I wasn't going to let myself be taken advantage of again.As the guests began to arriv
What was the first thing that I was supposed to feel, say, or think? Well, I wasn't sure because I had never been in such an embarrassing position in my life. The memories of the previous night came rushing back again and I felt sick instantly.I stood frozen in the doorway, my gaze locked with Ethan Warner's. The man from last night. The CEO of TerraNova Holdings. The man I'd just spent the most mortifying yet exhilarating night of my life with.A million thoughts raced through my mind, each one more absurd than the last. Should I apologize? Should I run? Should I pretend I didn't recognize him? No, that would be stupid because definitely recognized me judging by the look of disbelief in his eyes as he stared at me. This wasn't just my dignity on the line! It was also my goddamn job! What if he said he didn't want to work with me? Fuck, I needed the money fast.Ethan broke the silence, his voice a cool, detached baritone. "Ms. Thompson, I presume?" He asked as though he hadn't heard
ALEXANDRA'S POV “You're back, I was beginning to think that you had gotten lost in this labyrinth of a building” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes looking worried.I forced a smile at her and hid the ring on my finger by folding my hands together. “There was a slight hitch in the payment plan so I was going over it with him,” I said nonchalantly, sweeping my gaze over the dinner.“How's things here?” I asked with a soft sigh.She looked back at the employees and she smiled. “Successful as usual”Great, at least that was working out fine.“So how much longer until we have to leave?” I asked her She checked the glittering wristwatch on her hand and smiled. “An hour”“Shit. Get Tom and Paige to make sure the drinks are still available and make sure the line chefs are still doing their job behind.” I said, collapsing into the nearest seat by the side of the hall.“On it” Then she was off leaving me to my thoughts.Fuck, what was I doing?I was usually very conservative and shy but now, I didn't
ALEXANDRA'S POVMy phone buzzed. Once. Twice.What the hell was it this time?I groaned and rolled over in bed, my eyes lids heavy.One thing I hated most was people disturbing my sleep after a night of work.Groaning, I reached over to my bedside table and I grabbed my phone, struggling to focus my eyes on the bright screen.Missed calls. Lots of them and messages too.What? What happened? Did I win the lottery or something?I decided to check my missed calls. Sarah, Ethan, and Piper.My eyes widened. Piper?! Why had she called? She was out on a business trip with her boss, wasn't she? She never called during those times so whatever she called about had to be fucking important.I quickly opened her messages first.“Girl, you better call me before I lose my mind” followed by an angry face emoji.I smiled at that. This was probably just one of her shenanigans to get me riled up so I quickly dialed her number.After just a ring, she picked up the phone call.“Were you expecting my call?
“It's a massive success” Mrs Valeria namely the queen of this town and the proud CEO of the largest bar and hotel in the country was saying over the classical music in the background, her poise proud and snobbish. Oh right, and she was also the one who had given me the contract to prepare this party tonight. I stood beside her, looking smaller compared to her taller frame. “I'm glad to be the one to whom you entrusted this,” I said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect She didn't pay any heed to me, her hand wrapped around the wine glass and her smoky eyes surveying around her guests. “I sent the cheque already… oh Mr. Harry, such a pleasure to see you…” she exclaimed and she was gone. Sighing, I straightened up and looked around the venue. It was filled with people, the rich kind, the type who threw money about. This was the kind of parties where only the most successful businessmen and women attended. The only reason why I was here was because I was the event planner who got
The party was a roaring success, just like the other parties hosted by Mrs Valeria. I honestly wasn't surprised by the way it seemed, I was used to stuff like this. I had grown up in this and I absolutely hated it.The expectations. It all didn't make sense to me.The memory of my parents cornering me on the balcony, their relentless pressure about marriage, and carrying on the family's name In case something happened to me echoed in my head. Someone would think they were actually planning to harm me by the way they seemed hell-bent on getting me to settle down."Ethan, you're not getting any younger," my mother's voice, was high-pitched as she spoke to me. "It's time you found a nice girl and started a family.""I'm not interested in getting married," I'd retorted, my gaze sweeping over the familiar nightlife of New York City.My father's booming voice joined the chorus. "Don't be ridiculous. You need to carry on the family name."I'd scoffed inwardly. The family name can carry on it