Prologue
1462 Words
Why would you sleep with the supposed-to-be enemy?
I rolled my eyes to myself and felt the bed shrink underneath as the muscled man moved, heavy arms casually rested over my small frame. I wanted to take it off, uncomfortable with the contact. Not used with cuddles. But instead, I stared at the high ceiling above me. Images of naked bodies cloaked in tangled sheets and comforters distorted through the blurred mirror glass designs.
We enjoyed moments as humans and almost instantly regretted it soon after. We were engrossed with the feelings we forgot the possible outcomes… or the consequences of it. As long as we’re happy. As long as we’re enjoying every bit of the moment—we would reason out like a fool.
Now that I think of it, I don’t have regrets. Even if I were to be taken back from the start, I’d still have the same decision. This was me after all.
I sighed and sadly smiled as a drop of tear fell on the side of my face. I blinked to stop them. We shouldn’t have regrets about things we would be doing again and again if given a chance. The thing is, I am not sure if I made the right decision.
Was this how to show freedom? Doing things that might ruin me?
I held my breath in anticipation of the mint breath. We were intoxicated from last night I thought we would have a foul breath today. I guess it was just me considering I was the one who ran to the bathroom and threw up. In fact, I don’t remember him being drunk.
It’s not my first time being wasted. I’d be wasted as hell but still get to recall events from the previous night, vivid and clear. I considered it as punishment. Last night was a trigger to a bullet. So bad that I lost control of everything.
When’s the last time you had control over your life again?
I internally laughed at the taunting voice.
After a couple of minutes of staring at that beautiful glass ceiling caged in gold metals, it all became real because of the warm breath touching my face. An inevitable reality.
I glanced away as the man’s face inched closer. His rough stubbles against my cheek. My face heated from the contact.
Like a normal person, I liked asking myself until my mind gave up and accepted that wrong is right, and right is wrong.
I am not ignorant of this kind of interaction, and definitely not innocent after last night. But it doesn’t mean I lost the right to feel… sensitive.
“Good morning.”
I closed my eyes to appreciate how raspy his voice was. Never once changing from last night, which I had kept in my head. His groans of pleasure did magic to me as the sensation heightened. Now it sounds real. He’s real. Last night was real. Nothing of it was a dream.
I only got to familiarize myself with his voice last night. I often hear his rich tone around private gatherings, but we never had much interaction. And last night… yes, we talked, even had a small argument, mainly on my part. But the rest was more on action than talking. Murmurs. Shouting profanities. Hoarse voices. Breathless moans. Panting mess.
My stomach churned at the memory. We are both naked under the thick comforter. Our bodies are deadly close. I’m afraid of yet another body-writhing explosion.
The man’s presence is indeed chilling to the bone—then and now. Intimidation is engraved on his flesh like a second skin. The realization is a slap to me.
He doesn’t wait for my reply. It’s when he takes his arm off me that I’m able to have control of my breathing again. He buried his face on his palms before spinning his head around for his wristwatch resting on the nightstand. 9:10 AM.
He groaned and put his arm over his eyes. It took about a minute so I had time to stare without him knowing. My swallows were in rhythm with the calm bobbing of his Adam's Apple. The last halted as he sat upright and stood out of the bed.
“I have a meeting at ten. You may stay if you wish to rest, but I’ll leave now. I’ll arrange things you need with the hotel.” His voice was smooth and cool. Demanding but genuine. Yet, his attention was on his briefs and pants as he wore them back. He waited for an answer and raised a brow at me. I absentmindedly nodded. He found his polo shirt carelessly thrown on the sofa.
I wanted to tell him I could pay for the hotel if I wanted to extend my stay but I couldn't find my voice. I was nothing compared to him who obviously was used to this set-up.
“It was a great night, anyway.” He smirked down at me. “For a virgin, I mean.”
He watched me sit, holding the comforter tight around my nakedness. I’m thankful for the closed curtains, he couldn't see how badly my face flushed by his casual gazes. Men usually make me feel like a goddess, while he only sees me as someone you only go for s*x.
I’m supposed to feel the insult with his words but I don’t feel anything. I nonchalantly shrugged my shoulders, earning a rich chuckle from him. He combed his disheveled hair with his fingers, his bemused eyes lingering on me.
Min Hugh Racini is anything but good and a gentleman. In the business industry, no one would dare not know his name. My parents know him, especially my dad, but I never really saw him approach our group during gatherings. He’s always crowded by men in his class. Rained by praises and greetings. Three minutes is long enough for him to stay in one place. I saw how men run after him to offer personal business proposals.
It’s obvious that in the circle of aristocrats, he is on the top. Despite being around the same industry, my parents could not dare socialize with him. Or it’s probably his bad reputation around the investment and finance industry that my dad was keeping a safe distance from. I heard so many things about Mr. Racini and nothing about them was good news for kindhearted businessmen.
“What’s that?” I couldn't help but ask in disbelief as he picked some bills from his leather wallet and put them on the nightstand, next to my cell phone and purse. He lifted his brow with innocent confusion. “I don’t need your money. I’m not―”
“You’re not a p********e, I know,” he interjected with a shake of his head. “I can’t join you for breakfast. I’m only suggesting you use this money to buy you some company.”
My lips parted in utter disbelief. My mind went blank for a moment, I don’t know if I should laugh or scream. Now, that was insulting. Bitterness was on the corner of my tongue. “I can guess you don’t join your flings with breakfast. You don’t need to worry about my company. I’ll be fine alone.”
He raised an eyebrow and smirked wickedly. “Which makes me get worried now. For someone who just got devirginized, you sure are not demanding.” He tilted his head to the side. The action only made him intimidating. “Should I be worried one of these days, you’ll be walking in on my company and force me to take responsibility?”
I narrowed my eyes. For the first time in history, I got to casually experience the attitude of the great Hugh Racini. The conversation was not making sense though. If anything, it made me understand why most people scurry away from him.
Money can’t really buy you manners, huh.
“We are both consenting adults, Mr. Racini,” I said with a blank tone.
He shrugged dismissively. He put his wallet back in his back pocket but didn't take the money back. “Don’t worry, I’m used to girls trying to frame me up, especially first-timers. Mostly, first-timers.” He nodded to himself, a taunting smirk never once fading.
Right then and there, I confirmed why I shouldn’t have regrets about this. Both of us don’t want trouble after. Just casual s*x to let off some steam.
We met again days after that night in an annual event of a company my dad has invested shares with. As always, his eyes went past me like we had never met. We’re complete strangers again. I know him better now. He never heard anything about my existence. I think that’s better.
- Writer
