UNTIL DAWN

Chapter Sixteen

Bruno Mars - 

When I Was Your Man

"And you're telling me you're going to keep living here alone?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"It's really okay. If whoever it was wanted to do something, they would have by now."

"Seriously, you should take the money for a new apartment. You can pay me back after your first paycheck."

"Money isn't the issue. Ace already found a new apartment for me."

"Who?" he asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

"I said Ace." The name slipped out before I could catch myself. His silence hung in the air before he repeated the question, and my eyes widened in realization. My stupid mouth never got a hint.

"You mean your boss? So you're on nicknames now?"

"It's not like that... I mean, it's just what everyone calls him," I explained cautiously.

"I'm not a kid, Hazel. You can't fool me. I know something's going on between you two. I'm not going to force it out of you, but don't lie to me. I might be your ex, but I'm your best friend first, remember?"

Guilt washed over me, and I lowered my gaze. Of course, he was still Mike—the one who never let me lie to him where my well being was concerned. The thought of him acknowledging that we were still best friends warmed my heart. 

At that moment I decided that he deserved to know the truth. Trusting my guts, I took a deep breath and began.

"Here's the thing...actually, I'm engaged." I dropped the bombshell and braced myself for it to explode.

"Excuse me?! You what?" He paused the movie, turning to face me, his expression a mix of shock and confusion. I gulped.

"I'm engaged to Ace... at least, I was." Silence enveloped us, and my earlier confidence began to wane. Was he judging me? Did he think I was a gold digger? I desperately wanted to know what was going through his mind.

"It's not real, though. We had an agreement." I mumbled, not knowing what to say at the moment.

"What kind of agreement?" His baffled look made me feel like I'd grown two heads.

"At first, it was a contractual marriage, but he's going to end it. It didn't work." The shock and annoyance were evident on his face.

"Please say something. You're scaring me," I pleaded, my voice small and doubting.

Mike ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to process everything.

"So, you're telling me you're engaged to a guy you barely know; who happens to be the infamous Achilles Donovan, and now it's all falling apart? Were you out of your mind Hazel, how did it even happen?"

"I knew you would get mad, that's why I didn't tell you in the first place. I know it sounds crazy," I sighed trying to understand where he was coming from. I would be shocked too if it was reversed.

"But it started off as a way to help each other—both of us needed something. I thought it could work."

He shook his head, disbelief still etched on his face. For a while I thought that he was going to storm out without another word but his gaze turned into that of understanding.

"It was for your dad's medical record and his surgery," he concluded but I could still see a lot of questions still written in his face. 

How did someone like me meet a person as powerful as Achilles Donovan? When I gave it some thought, It sounded impossible, even if I worked at his company, there were thousands of other employees like me under him, so the probability of meeting was nearly zero.

And I knew how that nearly zero probability turned into a dream reality. But I was not going to share that moment with anyone, especially Mike.

It would hurt his feelings or he could start seeing me in a different light and i didn't know if I could handle him turning his back on me. It was the most difficult decision I have ever made and it led to all the confusion and hurt I was facing.

ZAYN ft. Sia - 

Dusk Till Dawn

The night where everything changed...

My long strawberry-blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, with a few rebellious strands framing my face. I applied sultry red-brown lipstick, carefully brushing it on to enhance my hazel eyes. As I gazed into the mirror, I barely recognized the confident stranger staring back. Satisfied with my reflection, I grabbed the lipstick and tossed it into the handbag I had borrowed from Alice at the diner, then headed out.

The night was bustling as usual, and I was determined to go all in. It was all or nothing—there was no other way. I needed money, and I was ready to do whatever it took to survive.

I double-checked the directions to Vortex before hailing a cab. Alice had mentioned this popular club in Manhattan's Upper East Side, a hotspot that had opened a few years back.

As I approached the entrance, the faint thud of bass vibrated through the air, mixing with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses. The facade sparkled under neon lights, casting a vibrant glow onto the sleek, polished exterior. It was nothing short of spectacular.

Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Plush velvet lounges were strategically arranged for intimate conversations, exuding a sense of grandeur. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their light refracting into a kaleidoscope of colors that danced across the room.

The bar stood as an impressive centerpiece, stocked with top-shelf liquors and expertly crafted cocktails, tended by impeccably dressed bartenders. Richly clad men in tailored suits and women in elegant dresses mingled seamlessly, their laughter filling the air as they exchanged stories over expensive drinks.

I gulped, feeling a wave of self-doubt wash over me. Did I truly fit in here? I had done my best to look the part, but now I questioned if I had succeeded.

Private booths lined the perimeter, providing secluded spaces for high-profile conversations—and that's when I spotted him.

My target for the night.

He wore a tailored suit, just like the other wealthy men in the room, but there was something mysterious about him that drew me in—a dangerous allure.

I recalled the late-night talk we had in Uni about men like him, but in this moment of desperation, those warnings faded into thin air. This was likely our first and last encounter. 

He was alone, and I silently hoped he wasn't with a girlfriend or some other woman; I was not in for sharing.

Swallowing my last shred of pride, I strode toward his booth, determined to make my move before another desperate girl swooped in.

"Do you need some company?" I asked, but he didn't bother to hide his disinterest, not even glancing my way.

Rude.

My heart raced as panic began to wash over me, but I stood my ground.

"Buy me a drink. You might like the offer I have on the table." Was I making the biggest mistake of my life, or had I just landed myself in deep trouble? I had no idea.

"Excuse me?" His deep voice dripped with annoyance as he finally met my gaze, his lazy gray eyes locking onto mine.

I froze.

The man before me was... oh God, strikingly handsome.

His presence was magnetic, and I found myself momentarily questioning everything about my decision to approach him.

Maybe I shouldn't have come here at all.