Chapter 2 ONE NIGHT STAND

BELLA ADAMS

***

I have just one hope left now.

Steve.

He's the only person I know who might help me find a job, any job. After everything that's happened, I feel like I'm clawing at the last thread holding my life together.

"Nanny, I'll be home soon," I said softly, leaning down to kiss her paper-thin cheek. She smelled faintly of lavender and the peppermint tea she'd been sipping all morning.

She looked up from the faded eviction notice, her eyes clouded with worry. "Where are you going?"

"To talk to Steve," I replied, trying to sound optimistic. "He might know someone who's hiring."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why him? You can't find something yourself?"

I paused, biting the inside of my cheek. "I'm trying, Nanny. I really am."

She didn't respond. Just looked at me like she wanted to say more but knew I wouldn't listen. I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the house before the silence turned into another argument.

Nanny never liked Steve. She always said there was something off about him. That behind his nice-guy smile, he had the kind of eyes that watched too closely, lingered too long. I used to brush it off-she's just overprotective, I'd tell myself.

Maybe she saw something I didn't want to.

I reached Steve's place in less than fifteen minutes. His small apartment building was the kind of rundown place where the walls reeked of smoke and the elevator groaned like it had given up years ago. I rang the doorbell.

The door swung open.

"Bella?" Steve blinked, shirtless, hair messy like he'd just rolled out of bed. "Didn't expect to see you."

"Hey. Can I come in?"

He stepped aside, waving me in. "Yeah, sure. You okay?"

I sat down on the worn-out couch, pulling my knees together tightly. "I lost my job, Steve. And Nanny's house-our house-is being taken. I need a job. Anything."

He stood for a moment, then slowly lowered himself into the armchair across from me. "Shit, really? Damn. I thought that café gig was stable."

"It was. Until I threw a cake in someone's face."

Steve smirked, chuckling. "You? Seriously?"

I nodded, trying not to smile. "She deserved it."

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Well, I might know something. But..."

That pause made something twist in my stomach.

"But what?"

He stood and walked over, sitting beside me on the couch. Way too close. I shifted slightly, trying to make space between us. He didn't move back.

"I mean... everything in life has a price, you know?" he said, his voice low.

"Steve, what do you mean?"

He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger, and my body stiffened.

"You've always been beautiful, Bella. I noticed that the moment I met you. But I knew I couldn't just... have you. You're not like other girls. So I thought I'd play the long game. Be your friend. Wait for the right moment."

My blood ran cold.

"What are you talking about?"

He leaned in, his hand now on my thigh. "One night, Bella. That's all I want. And I'll make sure you get the job. Easy, no strings."

I stood up immediately, heart pounding. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He followed. "Come on. Don't act surprised. You knew, didn't you? That's how things work."

"Don't touch me," I snapped, backing away until my shoulders hit the wall. "I trusted you."

"You're desperate, Bella. And I'm offering help. That's more than anyone else is doing."

"Stay away from me!" My voice cracked, but I held my ground.

When he reached for me again, I panicked. I did the first thing I could think of-I kneed him as hard as I could where it hurt the most.

He dropped to the ground with a choked grunt.

I didn't wait. I flung the door open and ran, his voice calling my name behind me, getting fainter with every block I crossed.

I kept running. Past alleys, past streetlights, past people I barely saw. It was like the whole city was spinning and I was the only one crashing through it without direction.

Why does everything have to fall apart at once?

I lost my job.

We're about to lose our home.

And now Steve-my only friend-turned out to be just another person who wanted something in return for kindness.

Everyone in this world... everyone is selfish.

Hours later, I found myself at a club. I don't remember how I got there. The lights were too bright. The music is too loud. The drinks are too sweet. I sat at the bar, downing one glass after another. It dulled the ache. Sort of.

"What should I do?" I mumbled to no one. "Why is my life such a mess?"

I let out a bitter laugh.

"You okay, miss?" the bartender asked, wiping a glass.

"I am sooooo okayyyy," I slurred, giggling like I'd just heard the funniest joke in the world.

He gave me a slow look. "You seem... sad."

"Youuuu think?" I chuckled. "My life is a pile of crap. I'm broke. Homeless in a week. No friends. No job. Cheers to that."

The bartender smirked. "Hey, listen. I could help you forget your problems. Just for tonight. A little pleasure, a little peace."

"What?"

He pulled out a small bottle from under the counter, subtly mixed something into a drink, and pushed it toward me. "Room 119. Just go up after drinking this. Trust me, you'll feel amazing. Won't remember a thing."

I blinked at the glass, confusion clouding my thoughts. I was about to reach for it when a hand swooped in and grabbed it away.

"Are you insane?" a deep voice said next to me. "She's drunk, and you're trying to drug her?"

I turned, my bleary eyes landing on a stranger. But not just any stranger.

He looked like someone carved from marble. Sea-blue eyes, perfect jawline, sharp cheekbones. His presence alone made the music seem quieter.

He looked at me-really looked at me. "You shouldn't be here."

"I don't wanna go home..." I mumbled.

"This place isn't safe. You have no idea what could've happened."

"I was just going where he told me." I pointed weakly at the bartender.

"Yeah, no. You're not going anywhere with him. You're leaving with me."

I squinted. "Why should I listen to you? Who are you? My dad?"

"I'm someone who doesn't want to see you destroyed," he said firmly. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."

"Noooo. Nanny told me not to go with strangers. You could be a bad guy."

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "You really want me to leave you here? With him?"

I hesitated. My feet felt like lead. My brain couldn't think straight.

When I didn't move, he muttered, "Fine. Don't blame me for this."

Before I could react, he picked me up-just like that-slung me over his shoulder.

"HEY! PUT ME DOWN!" I shouted, pounding his back. "HELP! KIDNAPPER!"

"Calm down. I'm not kidnapping you," he said, trying to keep his cool. "I'm saving your life, whether you like it or not."

He carried me out of the club, ignoring the stares. Outside, he gently placed me in the passenger seat of his car, buckled the seatbelt, and started the engine.

I pressed my forehead against the window, watching the world blur.

He asked me where I lived.

I refused.

What if he follows me home? What if he hurts Nanny?

I don't remember much after that. Just a mansion. A bed. His voice told me to sleep.

And then darkness.

Next Morning

The light stabbed through the curtains and into my eyes. I groaned, turning over.

My head was pounding.

The memories from last night hit me like a flood.

The bar. The drink. Steve. The stranger. The ride.

I shot up in bed, heart racing. I looked around.

This wasn't my room.

My shrug lay on the floor. My clothes weren't mine. I was wearing someone's oversized shirt.

Panic gripped my chest.

"What happened? What did I do? Did I..."

I covered my face with my hands.

"Please no... I couldn't have..."

I had no idea what happened after I pulled him on top of me.

But what if I had just given away the one thing I'd promised myself I'd save?

What if my worst fears had come true?