Chapter 1 She fell first

Isla

As I wove through the crowded dance floor, the infectious energy of the hip-hop track threatened to distract me from my task. Clutching the tray of drinks, I allowed myself a fleeting moment of envy, wondering when I'd be able to shed my responsibilities and lose myself in the music like the joyful strangers around me.

My world shattered when my parents died in a car accident during my junior high school years. That fateful day, my siblings and I took the bus to school, unaware of the devastating news awaiting us. After school, I received the heartbreaking news that changed everything.

Suddenly, I became the primary breadwinner for my family, balancing part-time jobs with my education. Life became a constant struggle, but I persevered to support my younger siblings.

Soon after, I endured a horrific experience - kidnapped, drugged, and raped. The fragmented memories still haunt me to this day. I felt cursed, like the unluckiest person alive. The drugs blurred my recollection of the perpetrator's face, leaving me with unresolved anger.

With no trusted adult to confide in, I relied on myself. My paternal uncle showed occasional interest in my siblings and me, but ultimately, I took responsibility for my own well-being. I decided to become the adult I needed, taking charge of my life.

I thrived to gain a college scholarship. Now, I'm determined to finish college with good grades to secure a well-paying job and live a perfect life, forgetting about my life's turmoil.

As I searched for the table that ordered the drinks I was carrying, I was suddenly bumped from behind. The tray flew out of my hands, and the glasses crashed to the floor. 'Shit!' I cursed, feeling my face flush with annoyance. Those drinks were expensive, and now they were wasted. I turned, prepared to confront the careless person who had collided with me.

As I turned around, I met the gaze of the most stunning man I'd ever seen. He stood tall, exuding confidence through his chiseled physique. His raven-black hair was perfectly messy, framing his angular face. Piercing green eyes sparkled like emeralds, leaving me breathless. My heart skipped a beat, my body numb. The music faded into the background as my heartbeat thundered in my ears.

He spoke, but I couldn't hear the words over the pounding in my chest. Instead, I read his lips, apologizing for the collision.

Oh my goodness, those lips! Bright pink, small, and irresistibly succulent. Totally kissable. What's wrong with me?! I mentally screamed, shocked by my sudden attraction.

But reality slapped me back to attention. I was in trouble – big time. At Vintage Club, customer satisfaction reigns supreme. Now, how would I afford to pay for and replace the spilled drinks? My anxiety spiked. This was a disaster.

A girl slipped in behind him, wrapping her arms around his. He lit up with a warm smile, clearly glad to see her. She whispered something in his ear, and he chuckled.

I couldn't help but size her up. She was stunning – slender and beautiful . But it was the way she gazed at him, beaming like a lovestruck teenager, that made me raise an eyebrow.

'Maybe she's his girlfriend,' I thought

She gently brushed a stray lock from his face, her touch tender. I felt a pang of disappointment, which caught me off guard. What was I expecting, anyway?

Her gaze remained fixed on him, oblivious to my presence – and the mess at their feet. It irked me that she noticed a single stray hair on his face but ignored me entirely.

That strand of hair had been perfect... at least to met, but she casually rearranged it. "Mr. Handsome's" warm smile at her only intensified my feelings of invisibility.

I felt like an awkward third wheel, an unwanted spectator to their intimate moment.

Well, he needs to pay for the spilled drinks. He already apologized, which means he acknowledges it's his fault... and it definitely is! I waved my hand in front of his chiseled face to snap him back to attention. The lady also turned to me, her expression blank.

"My apologies..." he said, dipping his hand into his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and handed me a wad of dollar notes. "This should cover everything. Once again, sorry for the hassle."

I accepted the money, mouthing a silent "Thank you."

As they walked away, I couldn't help but notice the woman clinging to him, her hand grasping his as if her life depended on it. I scoffed, annoyed at myself. What was wrong with me, feeling jealous over a complete stranger? He hadn't even shown the slightest interest in me.

I bit my lip, shaking off the thought.

Focus, Isla!

Arden

I'd never set foot in a club before. The loud music and wild dancing were a far cry from my introverted personality. But, my colleagues insisted on celebrating my double promotion at work with a night out. And why not? I'd earned it. My hard work had paid off, and I knew my capabilities were impressive – not to be underestimated.

That clumsy encounter with the waitress seemed like a bad omen, as if the universe was nudging me to leave. Honestly, I didn't want to be here either. If not for Stephanie's persistence, I would have skipped this altogether. Today was her birthday, and she'd asked for my presence, not gifts. I would have opted for flowers or a thoughtful dress, but she valued my company.

Stephanie and I went way back to high school, and fate had brought us together again as colleagues. My recent promotion would soon create a professional gap between us, but emotionally, she remained close. As an only child, I'd always treated her like the younger sister I never had, cherishing her deeply.

I was raised by my single mother, Grace. Growing up, I often wondered about my father's identity and appearance, as I didn't resemble my mother. My curiosity only deepened with time.

As a child, my mother would promise to reveal the truth when I was older. But now that I'm grown, she responds with tears and defensiveness, asking if she hasn't been good enough for me, whenever I inquire.

I've learned to stop asking, but the longing to know remains. Deep down, I'm still madly curious about the man who contributed to my existence.

"Ah, there they are," I said to Stephanie, nodding toward our colleagues, who were waving at us from the table I'd been trying to locate.

"What took you so long?" Dan, the youngest among us, asked.

Before I could respond, Stephanie chimed in, "He got lost and bumped into a waitress!" She gestured dramatically. "But all's well now. Let's groove into the night!" She raised her hands in excitement, her smile infectious.

"Your trousers, man, they're stained," Caleb, an acquaintance pointed out.

"Damn!" I muttered, only then noticing the drink splatters on my pants. This was one of my favorite pairs.

Stephanie gasped, "Oh no!" and quickly pulled out a small towel from her bag. She began dabbing at the stain, but I intervened.

"Let me handle it. I'll just clean it off in the restroom."

"What would you like to drink?" she asked, distracting me from the mishap. "We'll place the order before you return."

"Scotch, please," I replied, standing up to navigate through the crowd to the washroom.

I washed off the stain, whispering, "Hope this night doesn't get worse." As I stepped out, a hand pulled me into the alley, hiding me from the party crowd. With my back against the wall, my gaze locked with the unexpected detainer's bright blue eyes.