ALEXANDRA

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.