CHAPTER 2
Sophie woke up to softness she didn't recognize. Her fingers sank into a silky blanket, and the room smelled faintly of warm cologne and something expensive she couldn't name. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. There was no way her cramped hostel bed had turned into this soft heaven overnight.
Then she opened her eyes fully… and froze.
This wasn't her room.
This wasn't anywhere she had ever been.
Tall glass windows.
Cream-colored curtains.
City lights shining like fallen stars.
Her heart slammed painfully in her chest as she sat up, clutching the sheets. The memories from last night trickled back slowly — the bar, Alexander, the pain in his eyes, the loneliness echoing in hers, the closeness, his touch…
Her breath hitched. What did I do?
Before her panic settled, the bathroom door clicked. Alexander walked out, hair wet, a towel in his hand. He stopped the moment he saw her awake. Gone was the broken man from last night — but his eyes still held shadows.
"You're awake," he said softly.
She swallowed, cheeks burning. "Sir… I'm sorry. I—I don't know what happened. I didn't mean to—"
"You don't have to apologize," he said, voice calm but tired. "You didn't force anything. Neither of us did."
Sophie looked down, embarrassed, confused, overwhelmed.
"I'll drop you off," he said quietly. "You shouldn't go alone."
She nodded, unable to find words.
---
By the time she reached campus, the morning sun had fully risen. Students rushed past her with bags, books, and loud chatter. Life around her moved so normally, but she felt like she was walking underwater.
Her hostel roommate, Amara, nearly crashed into her at the hallway.
"Babe! Where have you been? Drama last night, abi?" Amara joked before noticing her pale face. "Ah—Sophie, you look like you fought ten demons."
Sophie forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just… tired."
But she wasn't fine.
Lectures felt longer than usual. Her professor's voice drifted above her head like distant noise. She kept replaying the night in her mind, trying to piece together emotions she didn't understand.
How was she supposed to focus on assignments when she had woken up in the room of one of the richest, most intimidating men in the city?
How was she supposed to explain that to anyone?
Between classes, she worked her part-time maid job, scrubbing floors and polishing tables while her thoughts spiraled. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the way he looked at her — half lost, half longing.
And every time she opened her eyes, she reminded herself she was just Sophie.
A poor girl.
A student barely surviving.
A nobody.
She didn't know that her life had already taken a turn she wouldn't
be able to escape.
Not after that night.
Not after him.