na's

y regretted it. The harsh morning light streaming through the curtains only made the pain worse. I groaned softly, pressin

eath. He appeared to be in his early thirties. He has strong jawline with handsome features,so relaxed that he seemed completely

ht flickered through my brain in fragmented flashes,hazy, distorted memories. I re

aving the bar, my head spinning from alcohol, and then... him. The kiss. And now, I was l

m. My mind raced, calculating my ne

loor. The reality of the situation hit me like a punch to the gut. This was

led as I grabbed my blouse from the floor, hastily slipping it on, fumbling in my

and texts from my brother, Charles. 6:30 AM.

g in the silence, and I winced, praying he wouldn't wake. Finally, I reached the door, gripping the handle with shaky fingers. I gl

mess I'd gotten into. The chilly morning air hit me as soon as I stepped outside, the coolness shocking my senses. But even the cold c

ce inside was suffocating, but I didn't have time to t

he cool water from the shower wake me up. Scrubbing away the remnants of the night, I tried to rid

face the world, it was 7:20 AM. Every s

tension in my body didn't ease, though. My mind kept racing with

*

ce, Julie raised an eyebro

bled, slumping

ied me. "Wait... this isn't like you. Y

whether to speak. Finally, I whis

You two have been together for five

eone who understands the business world. Not someone like me. He's the heir to the Hortense Grou

nd. "Ariana, you don't need him. He doesn't deser

in of losing Daniel was too much to

hen...did you spend the night somewhere?" Her smile was almost playful,but ther

got drunk last night and...un...had an encoun

excitement. "You slept with a stranger?Tell me

d into the office. His expression was furious. "You're late again, Aria

ng," I muttered,

" Julie interjected quickly. "We

s both. "See me in my

time. "You're fired," he said coldly, fl

rrified. "Why? Wha

rk. "Just do what I ask, and I

can't do what you're asking of,please

wouldn't hurt, ju

ation in his voice. "I'm not intereste

trying to control my life. "You can't

out fairness, Ariana. It's about what I want." He leaned back in his chair,

er. "You're being difficult. Just once,

don't need this job. I'll find somethi

and walking out of the office. The door slammed behind me, and I could feel my heart pound

e other women, but