Stuart's POV
"I need you!" she whispered, her voice fragile and soft in my ear. I couldn't believe what she was saying, and though her innocence tempted me, I knew I couldn't act on it—not with a stranger, and certainly not with someone as vulnerable as the woman now in my arms. But before I could respond, she suddenly went limp, passing out against my chest.
I froze, feeling beads of sweat form on my forehead. This wasn't good. If people saw me carrying an unconscious woman out of the club, it could ruin my reputation. Scanning the room, I couldn't find her friend, Carissa, anywhere. I quickly took out my phone, calling my driver to pull up by the bar's entrance. Trying to stay discreet, I carried her out and headed straight for my villa.
Once home, I carefully took her to my room and decided to put her in the bath. She was still in her clothes, but I had no choice but to remove them, leaving her in her lingerie as the cool water revived her. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed her face as she saw me. I quickly turned to leave, but before I knew it, she grabbed my arm, pulling me back toward her. Not expecting it, I stumbled into the tub with her. In that moment, she began to kiss me, and, caught off guard, I found myself responding.
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Katelyn's POV
I rubbed my eyes and blinked, feeling groggy and disoriented. This wasn't my room. As I tried to sit up, the door opened, and a man entered, carrying a tray with medicine. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the man from last night—the same one from the club.
"Who are you?" I asked, clutching the duvet to my chest. The next moment, realization hit me like a lightning bolt. "What is this?" I demanded, feeling my pulse race.
"Don't you remember anything?" he asked gently, guilt evident in his expression.
"Don't ask me questions; answer me!" I yelled, fire in my eyes.
"I'm sorry," he stammered. "I didn't mean for this to happen. But by the time I realized, things had already gone too far."
"You must be kidding." Tears began to spill down my cheeks. "Twenty-six years… I've never been with anyone, and I lost it to a complete stranger?"
He sighed and handed me a check. "I'm prepared to make up for what happened. This is three hundred thousand dollars for the… damage."
"You think a check can make up for this?" I scoffed, still crying. "You think money fixes everything?" Grabbing a dress from a cart brought in by his staff, I hurriedly dressed and rushed out of the house without even my phone, hailing a cab home.
Once there, I collapsed, tears overtaking me, until everything went black.
When I finally opened my eyes, I saw my mother's worried face hovering over me.
"Mom?" I murmured, trying to sit up.
"Oh, darling! You're awake?" she cried, relief washing over her.
"What happened?" I asked, feeling drained.
"You fool! Why were you crying so much and lying on the floor like that?" Mom scolded me, her concern evident. Remembering everything, I fought to keep my composure and managed a faint smile.
"Sorry, Mom," I whispered, hugging her tightly.
"Don't ever scare me like that again, okay? I'm too old for this kind of worry." She smiled tearfully, squeezing my hand.
"I'm really sorry," I said, trying to steady my voice.
She patted my hand gently. "I'll make you something to eat. Carissa will stay with you." She gave me a warm hug before leaving the room.
As soon as Mom stepped out, Carissa looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Where on earth did you disappear to last night?"
"Didn't you know when I left?" I asked, confused.
"No, I went to the restroom, and when I came back, you were gone!" she replied, shrugging.
I sighed, my eyes filling with tears again. "I think I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in a stranger's room, and… he took advantage of me."
"Oh my God! I thought you were just off having fun," Carissa exclaimed, shocked.
I shook my head. "Seeing him this morning, he looked so familiar, but I still can't understand why he… he… didn't stop."
Carissa's eyes darkened with anger. "We'll figure out who he is, and he'll pay for what he did to you."
"The strange thing is… it felt like I was the one pushing him. Like I… forced him on me."
"No, don't say that!" Carissa replied fiercely. "Right now, just rest up. Tomorrow, you'll go for that job interview, and then we'll figure out the next steps."
The Next Day
Despite my emotional turmoil, I dressed carefully in a pink suit, determined to face my interview. I drove an hour to S. Brown Hotel, the place I'd been working toward, hoping this opportunity could help me move forward.
Once inside, I walked confidently to the waiting area, refusing to let anyone see my anxiety. After a few minutes, a man in a navy blue suit approached me.
"Hello, I'm Mr. Walter, the company's secretary. I assume you're here for the interview?" He offered a handshake, and I returned it, trying to ignore the lingering memories of last night.