The first thing I felt was warmth. A strange, suffocating warmth that clung to my body, wrapping me tighter than any blanket ever had. My head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing at my temples, and for a moment, I thought I was still dreaming. The room smelled different, cleaner, richer, like cologne laced with power and danger.
I yawned softly, my lips dry, and instinctively stretched. My hand brushed against fabric, smooth and cold, and when I shifted on the bed, the sheet slid lower, grazing under the swell of my breast and it wasn't until the sheet dragged lower, sliding across the slope of my breast, that my entire body froze. My eyes shot open instantly, blinking rapidly to adjust to the blinding brightness of the strange room. That was when the realization slammed into me like lightning.
I was naked.
Completely.
My eyes snapped open, and the ceiling above me wasn't mine. The walls were unfamiliar, tall, painted in muted colors that screamed luxury. Panic rushed through my veins as I clutched the sheet against my chest, my heartbeat pounding so loudly it echoed in my ears.
And dear God why was my chest bare?
Then I saw him.
Standing at the edge of the room, back partially turned, but unmistakable even in stillness. Lord Aec.
He wasn't in the expensive suit from last night. His shirt was loose now, the top buttons undone, exposing the rigid planes of his chest. His tie hung lazily around his neck, as though he had only half cared to take it off. A glass of something dark lingered in his hand, swirling slowly as he raised it to his lips.
My throat went dry.
"What—what the hell!" My voice cracked as I pulled the sheet tighter, panic tightening my chest. "Why am I naked? What happened to me?!"
Slowly, very slowly, he turned. His eyes, those sharp, calculating eyes landed on me, traveling from the top of my head down to the sheet I was clutching like my life depended on it. There was no softness there, no kindness. Just amusement. Cold, mocking amusement.
"Finally awake," he said flatly, his tone smooth yet carrying a bite that made my skin crawl.
I shrank back instinctively, the sheet almost suffocating me as I yanked it higher.
"Answer me! Did you did you do something to me?"
He chuckled, low and dark. The sound sent a shiver down my spine. "If I wanted to, you wouldn't be asking questions right now." He took a step closer, his voice dropping into a dangerous calm.
"Relax, little virgin. I didn't touch you."
The way he said it, "little virgin" felt like a dagger. My stomach clenched, my face burning with humiliation.
"How do you..." I stuttered, unable to find the words.
"I see everything," he cut me off, eyes glinting as he set his glass aside.
"I saw enough to know you've never been touched. Don't look so surprised. The way you trembled… the way you begged without knowing it… it was written all over you."
Tears threatened to sting my eyes, but anger quickly swallowed them.
"You..."
Before I could finish, he moved closer, crouching just at the edge of the bed. His hand reached for the sheet, and my entire body jolted as I gripped it tighter.
"Don't... don't you dare!"
"Why bother?" he murmured, fingers brushing the fabric. His lips curved into a cruel smirk. "I've already seen everything."
I gasped, heart slamming against my chest. My mind flashed back to the night, the haze of music, Maxie's laughter, the sudden blur after the drink. I remembered following him, the heavy door shutting behind us, the way I had tried to...God. Heat rose to my cheeks, humiliation choking me.
"Pathetic," he whispered, his gaze flicking over my trembling form. "You parade around like you have teeth, but in the end, you're nothing more than a petty little virgin who doesn't know what game she's playing."
His words cut deep, sharp as glass. I wanted to vanish, to disappear into the sheet. But something inside me refused to break. My fingers clenched tighter, and I forced myself to meet his gaze, even as fear gripped me.
"You don't get to talk to me like that," I said, my voice shaking but laced with defiance. "I may not be rich, or powerful, or whatever you think you are, but I'm not trash. I'm not some toy you can just insult and throw away. So stop pretending like you know me."
For a brief second, his expression faltered. His eyes darkened, not with anger, but something unreadable, something like surprise. He hadn't expected me to bite back.
But then, like a mask snapping back into place, he smirked again.
"Fiery. I'll give you that." His voice dripped with mockery, though I caught the faint edge beneath it. "Still, fire without control only burns its owner."
He stood, towering over me. From his pocket, he pulled a wad of cash and tossed it carelessly onto the bed. The bills scattered against the sheet, some brushing my skin.
"Take your petty dignity and leave," he said coldly. "Send your account number through your boss. I don't waste time on free entertainment."
My chest tightened, rage boiling as I stared at the scattered bills. The insult stung worse than the cold air against my skin. I wanted to scream, to cry, to scratch that smug look off his face. Instead, I pressed my lips together, gathered what remained of my pride, and slowly slid off the bed, clutching the sheet around me.
"You think money makes you untouchable," I whispered, forcing boldness into my tone. "But one day, Lord Aec, you'll realize not everyone bows to you. And when that day comes, I hope I'm standing right there to watch you fall."
The air thickened. His eyes locked on me, unreadable, a flicker of something deeper flashing across them. He didn't speak. He didn't move. Just stared.
Then, with cruel precision, he tilted his head and murmured, "Careful what you wish for, little virgin. You wouldn't survive my world."
The words lodged in my chest like thorns. Without waiting for more humiliation, I grabbed my discarded outfit from the chair, my once-sexy dress now a symbol of shame and dressed quickly, my hands trembling as I zipped it up.
I didn't look back. Not once.
---
The taxi ride home felt endless, the city lights blurring through the window as I pressed my forehead against the glass. Every second replayed in my head, his mocking words echoing like poison. By the time I reached my apartment, I was exhausted not just in body, but in spirit.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of leftover snacks and Maxie's perfume. I found her sprawled on the couch, asleep, her phone still in her hand. For a moment, I just stood there, torn between anger and relief.
"Maxie," I said softly, nudging her shoulder.
She stirred, eyes fluttering open before widening. "Sharon! You're home...oh my God." She shot up, pulling me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. "Where the hell have you been? I thought...God, I thought something terrible happened!"
I pushed her gently away, my voice colder than I intended. "Something did happen. You left me, Maxie. You just… left."
Her face fell, guilt washing over her. "No, Sharon, listen. The boss, he told me he already called a driver for you. He swore you'd gone home. I swear I wouldn't have left if I thought you were still there."
I shook my head, bitterness rising. "You always trust too easily. And I… I paid the price."
Tears pricked her eyes as she reached for my hand. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm so sorry. I should've been there. I should've fought harder to stay with you. But please don't shut me out now. You're my best friend. We're in this together, remember?"
Her voice cracked, and despite everything, my chest softened. Maxie wasn't perfect, she was reckless, trusting, a little too free but she was mine. My only constant.
I exhaled shakily and hugged her back. "I just… I can't believe what happened. I don't even know where to start."
Before she could respond, the door creaked open.
Marcus...
He stepped inside, shirt rumpled, his usual cocky grin faltering the moment his eyes landed on me. His gaze swept over the still-tight dress clinging to my body, his lips parting as if he'd just seen me for the first time.
"Sharon…" His voice was low, almost stunned. "What the hell happened to you?"
The room froze, silence heavy as Maxie and I exchanged a glance. My chest tightened, heat rising under Marcus's lingering stare.
And for the first time, I realized whatever storm had started with Aec was only the beginning.