Elena's eyes darted from one marvel to the next as the car rolled into the vast mansion grounds, her grip on her purse tightening so hard she could feel the crystals pressing sharply into her palm.
Uniformed guards stood at rigid attention, their presence as intimidating as the gleaming golden gates behind them.
Polished cars purred to a stop in a steady line, their sleek bodies gleaming under the floodlights, each one more luxurious than the last.
"There's no need to be nervous…. Just follow my lead and do as I say." Mrs Marlowe spoke.
Elena nodded gently without a word as the door clicked open, a doorman ushering them out politely.
"And remember, no one must know we work for Luxview media…. We can't afford to slip. We're incognito." She added in a whisper as an usher guided them through the grand entrance.
Elena's eyes narrowed instinctively as they crossed the threshold into the lavish hall, leaving behind the chaos of exploding flashes and shouting paparazzi.
"Don't drift off." Mrs Marlowe ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
Elena's anxious gaze drifted over the hall's splendor, spotting a good number of her favourite celebrities, highly respected politicians and world acclaimed business moguls, each draping in glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos obviously worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"You shouldn't be here Elena." She mumbled under her breath as panic tightened around her throat, her legs becoming unsteady as her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
She knew she didn't belong in a gathering like this. How her boss had managed to secure a pass was beyond her, but one thing was certain–if she caused the slightest trouble, she'd be dead. One mistake in a place like this, could literally set her little world on fire and the thought of it alone, drained her dizzy with serious anxiety.
"Welcome, ma'am." a steward approached, handing her a glass of rich honey–coloured wine.
"Thank you." She breathlessly meant to empty the glass when her shaking hands let it slip, the glass shattering to pieces on the tiled floor, every attention in the hall spanning to her.
"I…I didn't mean to… I'm sorry…."
She anxiously bent to clean the mess, when her finger sliced against the edge of the sharp glass, a gasp escaping her lips as her blood dripped on the sparkling white floor, disgust twisting the faces of the guests around.
Elena broke into tears.
"Oh clumsy you…. there's no need to cry." Her boss mouthed with a dry chuckle, taking Elena's hand and leading her out of the hall, as everyone watched–disgusted.
"I'm really sorry ma'am… I didn't mean to…"
"You're fired." Mrs Marlowe snapped, shoving a crying Elena into the restroom and backing her into a corner.
"It was a mistake…. I can't be fired ma'am, I really need this job."
"Do you know what strings I had to pull to get an invite to a gala like this? how dare you try to jeopardise my plan."
"I'm sorry…."
"Well, I'll carry on the mission without you. It was a mistake bringing you with me in the first place."
"Mrs Marlowe…."
"Useless." She cussed and ignored Elena's pleas, catwalking her way out of the restroom with a long hiss.
"What have I done…." Elena whimpered, shoving her fingers into her hair as she shook.
How was she supposed to explain to her mother she ended up fired on her first day, she had put in so much effort chasing this job.
"I can't be fired, Mrs Marlowe…. Please." She whined and took to her heels, almost crashing into a steward at the entrance of the restroom.
"I'm sorry…." She apologised and broke down again disappointed in herself, burying her face in her palms as the confused steward watched.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Do you have alcohol?" Elena suddenly asked, looking down and landing her eyes on a tall crystal bottle on the serving trolley, the liquid inside so rich and dark it seemed to absorb the light.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry you can't have that, it's really strong…."
Elena ignored him and snatched the bottle, loosening the gilded cap and gulping down a good amount as the man watched–bewildered.
"You're going to get yourself killed."
He intervened and seized the bottle from a choking Elena, looking around in panic as she collapsed to the ground in breathless weakness.
"Oh goodness…. I do not have the time for this." He lamented and bent to her, guiding her up, her hand clutching his shoulder for support.
"I'm fine…. I'm totally fine, you don't have to do this, you know." Elena cooed, breaking into happy giggles as the alcohol took fast control of her body.
"I can't take you back to the hall like this…"
"Why not…. I said I'm totally fine, don't you get it?"
"You're a mess." He retorted and heaved out a tired sigh.
"I am not a mess…"
"What in the world are you doing?" His superior barked from down the hallway, forcing him to throw Elena to the ground and striding off without a word.
"Hey… where are you going?" Elena called out weakly, picking her drunk self up and pouting her lip sadly as his figure disappeared quickly into the distance.
"Which way is home?" She mumbled, soft whimpers escaping her lips as she staggered her way down the empty hallway.
"I just want to go home." She sniveled and kicked off her heels, tearing a straight slit down her tight gown as she collapsed onto the floor.
"Hear me well–he shows up tonight, or you're out." Adrian Power barked over the phone, hurling the phone across the wall as he furiously strode into the hallway.
Elena snapped her gaze upward, locking onto the towering figure just about to brush past her.
"Excuse me, Sir... can you tell me which way is home?" She drooled and wobbled to her feet, throwing herself before Adrian's path, and clasping her lips in surprise as her faltering gaze fell on him.
"You're the man in the magazine." She cooed.
Adrian scoffed and shoved her aside, about to proceed.
"You look way better in person too." She giggled and latched her arms around his, his face twisting in immediate disgust.
"What the hell are you?" He snapped and stepped away annoyed, about to continue on his way when Elena let out a deep heave, vomiting all over Adrian.
"Have you lost your mind?" He barked with wide eyes, his body frozen in shock.
"air…. air, I need air." Elena whimpered, trailing her restless hands over her dress and ripping it open, leaving her clad only in her bra.
Adrian swallowed hard, words failing him as the sight of this half naked stranger stirred something raw and urgent inside him.
It wasn't his first time seeing a woman naked. In fact, there was hardly a day he didn't encounter a woman naked attempting to seduce him and neither of them in all the years ever truly interested him.
"I can't breathe…. I can't…."
Elena trailed her trembling fingers to the hook of her bra, about to unhook it when Adrian seized her hand, stopping her right in time.
"Are you crazy?" He glanced around sharply, stripping off his messy jacket and wrapping it around a half-naked Elena, his gaze locking on a male figure lingering in the distance.
"I have no idea what you're up to, but I'm sorry you're making me really uncomfortable." he spoke breathlessly, peeling his eyes away from her, embarrassed by how her little madness stirred him.
Elena broke into soft laughter, throwing her arms over Adrian's shoulder.
"You think I'm hot?" She teased.
"What the hell are you…."
"I think you're cute." She cut in as she nibbled on her lower lip, causing a dry humourless chuckle to escape Adrian's lips, disbelief flickering in his face.
"You know what…. I don't have time for this." He shoved her aside gently and made to proceed when a soft whimper escaped Elena's lips.
"Oh, fuck." He cussed, halting in his track as the innocence in her voice sent a surge of guilt washing over him. She was obviously drunk and leaving her alone there was more than dangerous–it was the Power family's house, after all.
He turned, letting his gaze fall on Elena, her little lips curled up in a pleading pout, her bold blue eyes wet with tears and her chubby cheeks red and flushed, showing just how wasted she was.
"Fine." He mouthed and made it back to her, swooping her small figure into his arms and leading the way into one of the empty suites.
"Just stay here…. until you're sober."
He put her down on the bed, ignoring Elena's whimpers as he tugged loose his suddenly tight tie,
"I hope I never see you again." He snorted, letting his gaze fall on Elena for the last time.
"Adrian Power." She mumbled and bit on the edge of her lower lip, trailing her fingers to the hook of her bra and letting her boobs loose without concern.
"Of course," Adrian scoffed, looking away quickly as a pang of something unwelcome tightened in his chest. She was no doubt like the others–one of the women desperate to seduce him. Clearly, she had studied him, just as every other woman had, eager to make an impression or, perhaps, capture his heart.
"Are you really back with Meghan? tell me…. so I can get my job back." Elena slurred and sat up breathlessly, flinging her bra and his jacket away, shrugging out of the tattered remains of her gown.
"Are you freaking kidding me now…." Adrian growled, his helpless eyes darting back to her, his body betraying him again with an unexpected bulge in his trousers.
He knew he needed to leave before the night spun out of control–besides, Meghan was still inside the hall, waiting for him.
"31 years old, born in New York…. soon to be married to famous actress, Meghan Carter, worth about five billion dollars, rumoured successor to the Power empire. Not on good terms with his mom and so far, not involved in any public scandal, whatsoever. He's the perfect golden boy, life must be so easy."
"How much do you know about me?" Adrian asked, chuckling dryly, something in his heart twisting painfully as he ran his eyes through this woman–now in disgust.
Did she really study him, only to seduce him? Was the drunkenness all an act to get through to him?
"had a twin at some point…."
"Shut up." Adrian exploded, cutting Elena off.
"I'm just doing my job." Elena pouted, ignoring the rage on Adrian's face as she collapsed tiredly on the bed.
"Fine, your job…. I'll let you do your job."
He dragged his fingers to his collar, tearing at the buttons, as his teeth bit into his lower lip in fury.
"You need air too." Elena cooed weakly, watching Adrian yank his shirt off.
"What do you think?" He mouthed and climbed onto the bed, settling in-between Elena's legs. She deserved her tens. For the first time in forever, she made him want someone who wasn't Meghan. So why not?
"What are you….."
"Don't worry whore, I'm making sure I never have to see you again." Adrian sneered with a scoff, a smug smile appearing on his lips as Elena shook beneath him. Like whatever was left of her consciousness knew exactly what was coming.
"Wait…." a soft gasp escaped Elena's lips as Adrian's finger slid its way inside her,
"you might as well enjoy it…. you worked so hard for it." Adrian teased and trailed his other hand to his trousers, zipping it open as Elena quivered, his finger now thrusting in and out of her–slow and gentle.
"what…what are you doing to me…" She drawled, biting hard on the edge of her lower lip as her body gave in entirely to the bittersweet thrill.
"I know, right….you like it?" He whispered and leaned over, nuzzling his face into Elena's sweaty neck. Her scent flooded his nose; sweet, delicate, maddening–stirring a hunger that made him ache to feel her.
"Can you….can you…. take it easy?" Elena breathlessly whimpered and clasped her eyes shut as Adrian finger inside her increased its pace.
"I said…."
"shhhhh….brace yourself." His finger snapped out of her, his shaking hand ripping off the last fabric left on her–her underwear. The hardness straining against him painfully eager for this strange woman than it had ever been for any other in Adrian's life.