Semua Bab Lost in the Holiday Heat: Bab 1 - Bab 8

My name was Michael Xander, and I worked as the HR manager for a multinational corporation.With the holidays approaching, I decided to take my girlfriend on a trip to unwind.We had been dating for nearly three months, but she often complained that I was too busy and rarely spent time with her. Occasionally, she would even hint at breaking up over that.So, I spontaneously booked us on a tour for quality time together.During the journey, Sophie could not stop smiling and, in a rare gesture, hugged me tightly, planting a few sweet kisses on my cheek.When we landed, a double-decker luxury bus was waiting to pick us up.The first floor had beds for sleeping, while the second floor was open-roofed for sightseeing along the way.Excited beyond words, Sophie fell asleep soon after boarding. Feeling bored, I took my phone and went upstairs to take some scenic shots, only to be greeted by an unexpectedly captivating sight.A stranger—a beautiful woman in a light lavender bodycon dre

I did not even remember how I left that compartment. The last thing I saw was Tessa throwing me a playful wink, her eyes full of expectation.All evening, I felt distracted, her words looping in my head like a spell.Her light word—love—seemed to strike a chord in me. I was so lost in thought that I did not even hear my girlfriend talking to me."Hey? Michael? Are you even listening to me?" Sophie, annoyed, snapped me out of it with a light slap.I blinked back to reality, a bit lost. "Huh? What's up?"She held up her phone. "There's a bar on the hotel's rooftop. Let's go check it out?"I was about to decline, but the thought that Tessa might be there made me nod without thinking.Sophie noticed my off mood and began complaining, "We're finally on vacation, but you're acting disinterested. It's like you don't even care. Do you even love me?"I quickly tried to reassure her. "Don't overthink it. I was just thinking about work, that's all. Alright, alright, I'm with you.""Work,

Sophie's eyes reddened with hurt, her anger fading."I'm sorry, I just… I love you too much, and it makes me insecure…" Seeing her on the verge of tears, I softened my tone to comfort her."There, there, let's stop with the tantrum. Go take a shower and get some rest." I gave her a gentle hug, but I could still smell the lingering scent of another woman on me.At that moment, I regretted my earlier impulsiveness.After lying down, I turned away from her. Sophie moved closer, putting her hand on my shoulder and leaning against me. "Honey, I can't sleep… We haven't been intimate lately, so maybe tonight…"She tried to remove my robe, but I gently held her hand, stopping her.In the dark, I could not help but frown. I had just been with someone. How could I manage it again so soon?Usually, I would never turn down Sophie's advances, but that night was different."We've had a long day. Let's rest up. Tomorrow, I'll take you shopping," I murmured, patting her cheek and kissing her h

"Don't make it sound so harsh! You're just paying to buy something from me. Else, I can't guarantee where this item might end up," Tessa said, pushing me away.She continued, "I have more than one, you know… all those times on the bus, in the washroom, in the hotel… I have plenty."I finally realized I had been played!That woman was not just a simple fling; she had initially approached me with a plan.I forced myself to stay calm, but my voice shook as I asked, "How much?"Without missing a beat, she replied, "Not much, just a hundred thousand. Pay it all at once, and I'll disappear.""A hundred thousand? Why don't you go rob a bank?" I shouted, my face red with anger, my chest heaving."Oh, come on. It's just the cost of a couple of bags. Don't tell me you can't afford it, right? For your reputation, you'll manage," she taunted, knowing she had me trapped. Her confidence was infuriating.She stepped closer, tapping her finger on my chest. "Three days. I'll be waiting. I'm eve