ISABELLA
I fluttered my eyes open, feeling sore all over my body. Attempting to stand up, I discovered my right hand cuffed to the bed.
My eyes widened in shock, "What the heck!" I looked down to see my unclothed body under the duvet.
"Darn it! I go crazy when I am drunk. How can I get myself out of this room if my hands are cuffed to the bed?"
I struggled to free my hands when suddenly the bathroom door swung open.
A man emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel. As his eyes met mine, he tilted his head and scoffed.
"You're awake."
First, I find myself unclothed under this duvet, and it's my first time.
Now I need to face the handsome man who has spent the night with me. How embarrassing can this get?
"Let me out of this," I proclaimed ignoring his words.
He took a long stride toward me, and I swallowed hard, admiring the man's beauty before me.
His presence exuded a mix of rugged manliness and captivating charisma.
Adorned with tattoos with two swords crossing one another on his right arm, the only thing I understand about his tattoos.
His sculpted arms and chiseled features exuded a raw charm.
His tousled hair framed a face and his eyes sparkled with a depth that drew me in.
"Wh… what are you doing?" I whispered as he leaned closer to my face.
His eyes locked onto mine, making my heart race.
He tilted his head, his gaze intense as he pinned my hands to the bed with his strong arm.
"Who are you?" He asked, and I stared at him weirdly.
"You're not the person I was expecting. Why were you in my bed last night?" he added.
I tried to push him away, but his grip was strong. "I was too drunk to remember what happened last night, please let me go."
I pleaded, but he seemed unconvinced, his eyes narrowing. Then I felt a cold metal object against my head. A fucking pistol!
"What... that's illegal," I exclaimed, and he released me, now aiming it at me.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice firm.
"That's none of your business! We had sex last night, which was my first time, and now you handcuff me to the bed like an animal?" I screamed, but his next move left me speechless.
He pulled the trigger making the bullet hit the headboard right next to my face, and my whole body tensed up.
"Tell me who you're working for! Or I'll blow your head off," he threatened. I bit my lip, trying to hold back my tears, as my heart skipped.
"I don't work for anyone, I am just..." I faltered, realizing the danger emanating from the man in front of me.
"An ordinary girl" I completed and he smirked.
He was about to say something when his phone beeped. Hastily, he picked it up, scanned the screen, and then dropped his pistol, causing me to breathe a sigh of relief.
Drawing nearer, he released the cuff, prompting me to rub my sore wrist.
"Get out of here and never cross my path again," he spat, tossing some cash my way before retreating into the bathroom.
Silently, I rushed to gather my belongings and swiftly exited the room.
I hailed a cab back to my friend's place, realizing I had an early case pending, yet finding myself in a risky situation.
My heart raced at the memory of the near miss with the pistol.
His decision to spare me was only because of the incoming message, thanks to whoever that was.
As I stepped out of the cab, it dawned on me that my purse and phone were left in the club last night, now adding to the mess of the moment.
"Hey bitch! Where the fuck have you been? Do you know how worried I was?" Camilla yelled behind me and I sighed in relief. She walked out of the house at the right time.
"I need to pay the cab man," I informed her, and she rolled her eyes, now covering the cost.
Without waiting for her response, I hurried into her apartment to prepare for the court case, when she also walked inside.
"The court case has been dismissed, if that is what is making you in a hurry" she announced.
"And the chairman wants you to meet him as soon as possible in the conference room," she added
"What? Why?" I stopped in my tracks.
"Remember when you mentioned not finding out much about your opponents? Well, it turns out he's a very influential man in the city," she clarified as I sank onto the couch.
What on earth has been happening in my life these past few days? I couldn't help but wonder.
"Hey girl, I also need an explanation for last night and who you spent the night with," her eyes emitting delight as that sneaky smile laced her lips.
*******
I entered the law firm, in a rough mood from the chaotic situation that had bombarded me this morning.
My day took an unexpected turn, starting with a dangerous encounter. My case was dismissed because of the opponent.
And to make it worse I have to cross paths with Emilio, my ex-husband, adding to the turmoil.
"Another one to ruin my day," I muttered.
"Where have you been?" he inquired, but I brushed past him.
"How could you take the case to court without firm agreement?" he pressed but was met with my silent treatment.
He grabbed me firmly, drawing attention from passersby.
"Your neck, you… and hickey.." he whispered, having shock laced on his face.
"Who did you spend the night with?" he demanded, already getting frustrated at the silent treatment, but I pulled away wordlessly, striding into the conference room.
I paused in my tracks, spotting who occupied his seat, while the Chairman stood, he sat proudly with a sly grin on his face as he gaped at me.
It was the same man who nearly shot me earlier that day. I noticed another man standing beside him, that was the one I had thought was my opponent.
"Why are you here?" I questioned, a hint of fear resurfacing at the sight of him.
I had hoped to never meet him again, but now...
"You were set to prosecute me today, so why wouldn't I be here?" he asked, gesturing for me to come have my seat, I nervously took a seat.
However, the chairman signaled for me to stand, and I was about to do so when he intervened.
"You don't have to... Solo Mia..." His words made me look at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Pardon?" he smirked and winked at me leaving me to be lost in words.
Exchanging a glance with the man beside him, the man placed some files on the table.
"The land was acquired rightfully, and your client..."
"It was forced..." I interrupted, only to feel Emilio's firm grip on my shoulder.
"You shouldn't mind her words Mr Matteo… she can be crazy sometimes," Emilio, let out almost immediately.
His eyes trailed to Emilio's hands and I noticed how his eyes darkened at this.
"Get your hands off her," he instructed and immediately Emilio did as he was told.
His eyes darted back to mine and then a small smile graced his face."So what is the right thing to do?" he asked.
"That was farmland!" I fired.
"My client, an 83-year-old with three grandkids, is relying on it for their livelihood."
"Miss Alessandro... mind your speech," the Chairman cautioned.
"We stand with the law. I won't let anyone bypass it, not even the president," I asserted firmly.
"Enough," Mr. Matteo's voice cut through as he rose from his seat.
"I admit to acquiring the land illegally and I am willing to pay the fine," he declared, surprising me.
I might not know him, but his name is familiar. Emilio usually finds ways to secure his wins, but this is the first time Mr. Matteo has chosen to lose.
"That's a wise move because I wasn't willing to back down," I teased, twirling the pen in my fingers.
"Mr. Matteo, but..." Emilio started, only to be halted by a gesture from Mr. Matteo.
"We have a lady vixen on this one no need to argue further," he stated, giving me one last piercing look before storming out of the room.