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 arrive, I took a deep breath and plastered a smile on my face. It was showtime. The party was in full swing within an hour. The employees of TerraNova Holdings seemed to be enjoying themselves, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I observed from a distance, a sense of satisfaction warming my chest as I watched the people talk about their day and what they planned to do after while some men had gathered around a table playing pool. Despite the chaos of the past 24 hours, I'd managed to pull off another successful event. Maybe the CEO wasn't such a bad guy after all, I thought to myself. To allow his employees a night like this, he must have a softer side beneath that corporate exterior that most CEOs like to put up. I had worked for someone who didn't even know the name of any employee and had to ask for their name over and over while speaking to them. It must be terrible to work for someone like that. I was chatting with a couple of my staff members in the corner while some ran errands when Sarah, rushed over, her face flushed and her gray eyes looking frantic while trying to remain professional. "Alex, the CEO wants to see you," she said breathlessly. "He's in his office on the top floor." She wheezed out. My heart skipped a beat. The CEO? Ethan Warner? "What does he want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as I dropped my glass on a stand next to me. "He wants to discuss the party and finalize the payment," Sarah replied. "He's very impressed with your work." I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. Well, this was another point for him, someone who wanted to know more about the person he had employed. I hadn't expected to meet him face-to-face. I'd pictured him as a distant figure, hidden away in his office and only showing his face when the media needed him. "Okay, I'll go see him," I said, taking a deep breath. "Wish me luck. And please make sure to keep things under control here. I can't have things going berserk" Sarah gave me an encouraging smile. "Sure. You'll be fine, Alex. You always are." I made my way to the elevators, my heels clicking on the marble floor. As I waited for the elevator to arrive, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from my sister Sage's doctor. “Just a reminder, Sage's surgery is scheduled for next week. We need to finalize the payment in two days. I was going to tell you the last time you visited but you left before I could finish an appointment with someone” the text read. My stomach dropped to the fiery pits of my stomach. The surgery was Sage's only hope. Without it, she didn't have much time left. I'd been working tirelessly to save up the money, but I was still short. Fuck, this was what it felt like to know that your only family was dying of cancer and you didn't have the means to save them. I checked my bank account balance. $700,000. I needed another $1 million if I was going to afford the surgery and rehabilitation for her. My heart was thumping in my chest and my fingers found their way Into my mouth as I chewed on them. I'd do anything to save my sister. Anything. The elevator dinged, and I stepped inside, my gaze still fixed on my account balance as though it would change the price. I reached the top floor and followed the signs to Ethan Warner's office. My heart pounded in my chest as I raised my hand to knock. "Come in," a deep voice called from inside. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. "Good evening, Mr. Warner," I began, stepping into the office, my gaze to the ground as I was accustomed to. "I'm Alexandra Thompson, the event planner for tonight's party. I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work with your company, and-" I stopped abruptly, my words choking and dying in my throat as I looked up. My eyes locked with his, and the world seemed to stop for a moment as my lips parted slightly. It was him. The stranger from the hotel room. Ethan Warner. The CEO of TerraNova Holdings. The man I'd slept with last night. We stared at each other, frozen in shock. He looked taken aback and his eyes were filled with confusion as he looked me over, the memories of last night probably playing in his head And then, a slow, wicked smile spread across his face. That smile sent shivers down my skin because it was emotionless. It was cold and unfeeling. "Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Look who it is.” Oh shit. I think I was about to live my worst nightmare.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
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