Lila's POV

The bass in the club was so loud I could feel it right in my ribs. I hated every bit of it. I hated being here, in this chaos of flashing lights and sweaty smelling bodies. But most of all, I hated the reason that pushed me here in the first place.

 "Lila, will you stop looking like someone dragged you to the funeral of a relative?" Diana shouted over the music, pulling me forward by the wrist. "It's a club! You're supposed to have fun, get a life!" 

Pleasure, I should get much of it as much as I want. It's true. The fun was finding your trusted boyfriend of three years in bed with no other but your best friend. The pleasure was being humiliated and left alone with the pieces of your self-esteem shattered before you, with no attempt of repair. I didn't want to be there, but Diana insisted and I was too numb to argue or go against her wish. 

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," I said, rising a little on my heels. 

"Oh, don't complain anymore," Diana cried, pouring a funny looking cocktail into her hand. Her lipstick spread in a sly smile. "Drink enough of this. You need much of it to relax." 

I looked at the glass like a time bomb, everything about it looked suspicious. "I don't drink." 

There's always a first time, you'll drink tonight." Diana clinked her glass with mine. "Trust me, one sip won't kill you." I hesitated, but the words "trust me" did something funny to my pride. I didn't want her to think I was weak, not capable of making choices, not after everything I'd been through. So I took a sip. 

The bitterness from a single sip burned my throat and I grimaced, but Diana was already putting another glass in my hand. "Come on baby girl!" she shouted at me. 

On the third glass, the room began to tilt dangerously. The lights dimmed and my thoughts became unclear, unhealthy and shattered. "Diana," I managed to murmur, trying to calm every bit of myself down.

 "I think I probably should sit for a moment..." 

"Okay, then!" she interrupted, leading me towards a group of men seated in a VIP area enclosed by ropes. "Come on, sister, let's meet real men that make things happen. Forget about that cheating loser of yours! It's time to wine and dine with the happening men."

"Wait, I don't...I can't..." I stammered as my legs flopped under me. Before I knew it, a man smelling of sweet cologne pulled me into his hairy lap. "Hey, pretty girl," he said, his smile stretching too far. 

I tried to pull away, but my arms felt like jelly. "No, I don't...I can't..." 

"Relax," he said, running his rouy hand up my thigh.

 "Keep your silly hands off me!" I tried to scream with my whole strength, but it was weak. Panic gripped my throat. And then, suddenly, I was pulled to my feet miraculously.

 "What are you planning to do to her?" a cold, loud voice cut through the chaos. 

I closed my eyes, my vision flickering, until my gaze landed on the man standing before me. He was tall, with a jaw so sharp it could cut glass and eyes the color of ice. His tailored suit clung to him like a second skin, and his presence was so imposing that the fat man retreated.

 "Knights," the man sneered, his confidence wavering. "She's just about to consent to..." 

 "She's clearly not interested in what you want to offer," the stranger snapped. "Now leave before I descend heavily on you." 

The man muttered something under his breath, but left. "Are you okay?" the stranger asked, his voice softer now, a gentleman to the core. I tried to nod, but the room spun and my knees buckled. 

"Wow." He caught me before I hit the ground, lifting me up as if I weighed nothing. "Where are you taking me to, stranger?" I said confused, my head on his broad chest. 

"A safe place, stranger," he said dryly. 

 When I opened my eyes, the sun was shining through the large windows, making me shiver. My head hurt and my mouth felt like a desert. I sat up slowly, realizing that I was in an unfamiliar room. The bed was large, the sheets silk. My heart sank as I looked. I discovered that I was wearing nothing but an oversized shirt. I'm panicked greatly, my heart rate increased. What happened last night that I wasn't aware of? 

The door opens and the man from the club walks in. His black hair was wet and the top buttons of his shirt were crazily undone, revealing a hint of muscular chest. He brought a tray of coffee and toast, placing it on the dresser as if it were a normal breakfast.

 "You're finally awake," he said evenly, but his sharp eyes seemed to be assessing me. 

"Where exactly am I?" I asked, hugging the sheets to my chest.

 "My expensive penthouse," he answered slowly, pouring coffee into a cup. "You couldn't go home last night because of your state. I couldn't risk it." 

I watched him, my cheeks burning as the pieces of the night rushed back. "Are we...did we..?" 

He smiled, lifting a corner of his mouth. "No, nothing of that nature. But you made a mess of my shoes by throwing up."

 "Oh my god." I groaned, burying my face shamefully in my hands. 

"You're highly welcome," he said, leaning against the wall with an expression of insane smugness.

 "Why the welcome?" I replied. 

"Because I saved you in your distress," he simply said. "If I hadn't intervened, things could have been a lot worse."

I played nervously with my fingers. "Why are you helping me then? Not like I would repay you." 

He stood up, his smile widening dangerously. "Let's just say I have a thing for damsels in distress. It's now of those things I enjoy doing."

"I'm not a sample for your experiment," I replied. 

He raised an eyebrow. "You were everything damsel in distress and more last night."

Before I could protest, my phone vibrated on the nightstand nearby. I picked it up, my stomach churning as I saw dozens of missed calls and texts from no other but my over ambitious mother.

 "What have you done this time around, Lila? Mom hissed as soon as I answered.

"Mom, I... "

"There are pictures of you all over the internet, and none speaks good of you. You were seen leaving a nightclub with a strange man! Any idea how this could ruin my campaign and destroy all I've labored for? 

"With who exactly? I asked, horror gripping my stomach. 

"Sebastian Knight," she shouted over the phone. "The ruthless billionaire who never cares about anyone! Fix this immediately Lila. I don't care how you would pull everything through. Just fix it!"

The call ended and I looked at my phone in horror, stylishly glancing at Sebastian. He leaned over and threw a newspaper on the bed. "Now you're trapped in my scandalous world, Lila. Things are about to get much interesting, filled with fun."