Bree's POV
I woke up with a pounding headache. My vision was blurry until it finally cleared. I looked around—this wasn't my room. In fact, this wasn't anywhere familiar.
I looked down at my naked body, and as I tried to move, a sharp pain shot between my thighs. That was when the horrifying realization hit me.
I wasn't pure anymore.
"No, no, no... Ahhhh!" I screamed, stumbling out of bed in panic and pain.
This can't be happening. This must be a dream.
Then the door opened—and in walked the man from last night.
He sat calmly on the couch, looking at me like nothing had happened.
"You said it wasn't alcoholic! Do you have any idea what you've done?!" I shouted, my voice cracking with pain.
"You ruined my life! You took advantage of me… You took my innocence. How could you?!"
"It's not what you think," he said calmly. "Just calm down and let me explain."
"Calm down?! Don't you feel guilty? Don't you have a conscience?"
"Can you shut the fuck up and let me talk?" he snapped coldly, his deadly stare freezing me in place. I stood there, silent, too afraid to speak.
"Last night, aside from the alcohol… our drinks were drugged—with aphrodisiacs. They have stronger effects on women. I realized it when you started acting flirty and told me you were h***y," he explained.
My eyes widened in shock. "But why would anyone drug our drinks? I haven't wronged anyone. I'm not even on bad terms with anyone… Why would they do this?"
"They weren't after you," he said. "They were after me."
"You could've left! Leaving me alone could've prevented all this. But you stayed because you wanted it too," I accused, my voice shaking.
"If I had walked away, the drug's effect could've harmed your brain. You could've ended up mentally unstable. I had no choice."
"Oh, so now I should thank you? Like you did me a favor?" I scoffed.
"I don't force myself on women. But if I needed someone to satisfy my desires…" he paused, eyes hard.
"I wouldn't pick you. You're not even worth being with someone like me."
Those words hit me like daggers. I hadn't even realized I was crying again.
Why did his words hurt so much?
He was right—I was nothing compared to someone like him. I didn't even know his real identity. But what did it matter now?
"I'll compensate you for last night," he said flatly. "It was a mistake."
"Do rich guys always think everything is about money?!" I snapped, voice trembling.
"No matter how much you pay me, it won't bring back what I lost. So keep your fucking money!"
"Get dressed. My PA will drop you off," he said coldly.
"I can find my own way home," I replied stubbornly.
"Listen, woman, I hate disobedience. Unless you're ready to explain your night to the paparazzi waiting outside, I suggest you do what I say."
Paparazzi?
God… my life is completely messed up.
I ran into the bathroom, still clutching my clothes from last night. I cleaned up quickly and grabbed two mints from my bag to kill any bad breath.
I stared at myself in the mirror. Every word he said replayed in my head. One tear slipped down my cheek.
I shook the emotions off. It was just a one-night stand. Nothing more. He's nothing to me.
I brushed my hair, applied a little makeup—always had some in my bag—and stepped out.
He was on the phone but ended the call when he saw me. Weird.
He walked up to me and gently draped his suit jacket over my head. I didn't resist. With paparazzi outside, this was probably the smartest move.
I let him guide me out of the hotel. As we reached the ground floor, his guards pushed through the photographers, clearing a path. We got into the car.
I removed the jacket from my head and handed it back.
"I thought your PA would be dropping me off?" I asked.
He was about to respond when my phone rang.
It was Mum.
I froze. What was I going to tell her?
I answered and tried to sound normal.
"Hey, Mum! Wassup?"
Yeah… not convincing enough.
"Hey, love. Where have you been? I've been calling you—and Avery too," she said, worried.
"I'm sorry, Mum. We slept early. We were exhausted," I lied.
"Oh, my dear. Congratulations again! I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your celebration. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"It's okay, Mum. I understand."
"Where's Avery? I'd love to congratulate her too."
"She went grocery shopping. I'll have her call you when she gets back," I said quickly.
"Okay. I love you, and please take care of yourself."
"I will. Love you too. Bye."
I ended the call and looked down at my sweaty palms. I hated lying—especially to Mum.
"Why did you lie?" came the voice beside me.
"Oh, seriously? You expected me to tell my mom I went to a club, got drugged, and woke up in a hotel bed after having sex with an unknown man?" I snapped.
"You know what? If you hadn't sent your guard to me in the first place, none of this would've happened!" I said, turning away.
Adrian & Avery POV
Meanwhile…
In another room, a young man sat on the edge of his bed, watching the sleeping beauty beside him.
Adrian was on the phone when he heard her stir. He turned and saw her finally waking up.
"I thought you'd never wake up," he said with a smirk.
Avery blinked at the unfamiliar voice. It sounded oddly familiar. She sat up quickly and checked her body.
"Relax," Adrian teased. "I didn't touch you—at least not while you were drunk. That's boring."
"Where am I? And why are you here?" she asked, still confused.
"You're at my place."
"Your place?! How did I get here?"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
Flashback
"Hey, handsome," Avery had said, walking up to Adrian.
He looked behind her, checking if she came alone.
"You came to the club alone. That means you're single, right?" she teased.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you company. Let's drink and have fun," she said, grinning.
"You sure you want to drink with me?" Adrian asked, amused.
"Why not? You think I can't handle alcohol just because I'm a lady? I have high tolerance—probably more than you," she said proudly.
"Oh, really? Let's see who gets drunk first," he said, smirking.
Adrian led her to a private VIP section separate from Ayden's. He ordered bottles of wine and they began drinking.
Avery drank fast, eager to prove herself. But halfway into the second bottle, she was completely wasted.
"You're drunk," Adrian said, helping her up.
"Let me take you home. Don't brag next time if you can't handle it."
"Hey! I'm not drunk! I can take one more bottle—"
Before she could finish, she threw up on him.
He sighed and carried her out. By the time they got to his place, she was already asleep. He had one of his maids bathe and change her into a large pajama shirt.
Back to Present
"I'm sorry," Adrian said, embarrassed.
"It's okay. Just don't drink with strangers next time—it's risky."
"Yeah… who changed my clothes?" Avery asked.
"Oh, that? I did," Adrian said with a grin.
"You what?! You pervert!!" she shouted.
"I'm kidding! One of the maids did," he laughed.
"Not funny," she growled.
"Sorry," he said, trying to stop laughing.
"Where are my clothes? I need to go."
"Someone will bring them. I'll be downstairs," he said and left.
A few minutes later, a woman around her late twenties walked in and handed Avery her clothes.
"Thank you. Could you wait while I get dressed?"
"Of course," the lady smiled.
Avery got ready quickly and checked herself in the mirror.
"You look beautiful, ma'am," the woman said.
"Thanks—but call me Avery. 'Ma'am' makes me feel old."
"Okay, Avery. I'm Cynthia. You know… you're the first woman boss has ever brought home."
"Really? Don't worry. This was a mistake. You won't see me here again."
Cynthia stayed quiet and escorted her downstairs.
"I need to leave," Avery said to Adrian.
"I didn't catch your name. I'm Adrian. Want to have breakfast before you go?"
"Sorry, I'm Avery. I need to check on my friend."
"Alright. My driver will take you," he said, standing to make sure she didn't refuse.
Back to Bree POV
"You'll drop me here," I said, pointing to a junction.
"That's not where you live," he said flatly.
"I don't want my friend to see me getting out of this car. I don't have any explanation for her."
"Do it," he ordered the driver.
The car stopped. I was about to get out when he asked, "What's your name?"
"I don't tell my name to strangers," I replied and slammed the door behind me.
I quickly flagged a taxi.
A few minutes later, I arrived home. I stepped out of the cab and was walking in when a sparkling car pulled up nearby.
I paused, waiting to see who would step out.
When I saw the familiar figure, our eyes locked.
"Avery!"
"Bree!" we both said at the same time.
Looks like we both had a lot to explain.