Chapter 2 A Night Forgotten

The sun burned through the thick curtains, casting narrow stripes of light across the rumpled sheets. Ari blinked awake, her lashes fluttering against the sting of a dull headache. The sterile chill of the hotel room hit her first. Then, the slow, terrifying realization.

She wasn't in her bed.

Her breath caught. Her dress-her favorite midnight-blue satin-was crumpled on the floor like it had been peeled off in a hurry. Her shoes lay unevenly near the door, one upright, the other flung sideways.

Ari sat up too fast. Her temples throbbed in protest. Her hand flew to her head, brushing hair that was no longer neatly pinned but tangled, wild, and falling in messy waves. The ache in her body screamed of a night spent in ways she couldn't remember.

Panic bloomed in her chest.

She turned her head.

A man lay on the other side of the bed. Sheets drawn just low enough to reveal a chiseled chest, the smooth curve of a collarbone. Jet-black hair mussed. A faint crease between his brows, even in sleep. He looked unreal.

She choked back a gasp.

Who the hell was he?

Her heart thundered. Thoughts scattered. She scanned the room for clues-her clutch was on the dresser, half open. Her lipstick cap had rolled onto the floor.

What happened last night?

She slipped from the bed, moving slowly, trying not to make a sound. Her feet barely touched the plush carpet. She grabbed her dress, slipped it on with shaking fingers, and crept toward the door.

One step.

Two.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" a deep voice murmured behind her.

She froze.

Ari didn't turn around.

She gripped the doorknob tighter, nails digging into the cool metal. Her voice cracked when she spoke, barely audible. "I-I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," the man said. His voice was thick with sleep, yet smooth as silk. "I've been awake since you started panicking."

Slowly, she turned.

He sat up now, the sheet low on his waist, revealing toned abs and a powerful frame. His eyes-sharp, dark, and strangely unreadable-studied her. "You don't remember anything, do you?"

Her silence was answer enough.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "That gala wasn't your usual scene, was it?"

She blinked. Flashes came, like broken frames of a film. A glass of champagne. Laughter. A warm hand at the small of her back. Heat. Music. A kiss that curled her toes. But the man in those glimpses didn't have a face.

She swallowed hard. "Did we...?"

He didn't move. "What do you think?"

"I-I don't know!" she burst out, then winced at her own volume. "I don't even know your name."

"Sebastian."

Her knees nearly buckled.

Sebastian Hayes. That name. She'd heard it before. In the business pages. At work. Whispers in elevators. Rumors of a young, elusive billionaire with a ruthless streak and a face that ruined common sense.

"What the hell happened last night?" she whispered.

Sebastian stood, unbothered by his state of undress. He walked to the minibar and poured himself a glass of water. "That depends. How much do you want to remember?"

She didn't know. That was the problem.

Her phone buzzed from the dresser. She darted for it.

One missed call.

From her boss.

Another buzz. A message: We need to talk. Urgently.

Ari's stomach dropped.

Sebastian took a slow sip of water, watching her over the rim of the glass. "Something tells me that message has nothing to do with your nine-to-five."

"What did I do?" she whispered to herself.

He arched his brow. "That's what we're about to find out."

Ari didn't wait for more questions. She needed air. Answers. Her mind raced as she rushed to the elevator, her heels echoing in the marble hallway. The button took too long to light. When the doors finally opened, she darted in and hit the ground floor like it could save her.

She barely noticed the curious glances from the concierge as she flew through the lobby. Outside, the city felt louder than usual-horns, voices, footsteps. It drowned her thoughts, or maybe that was her guilt screaming.

She grabbed a cab, sank into the seat, and whispered her address. Her hands trembled in her lap.

Was it just one night?

Or was it something more?

The gala... She remembered the glittering chandeliers, her assistant forcing her into that dress, that damned champagne. Her firm had begged her to attend-it was the Hayes Foundation's annual charity auction. She never expected to see him up close.

She never expected to leave with him.

But why couldn't she remember the most important part?

By the time she reached her apartment, she was already digging for answers. Her clutch still held her invitation. Her camera roll had several blurred photos, none helpful. She opened her laptop, pulling up news sites.

There it was. A photo.

Her.

With him.

Sebastian Hayes, glass in hand, whispering something into her ear. Her head tilted back in laughter, hand on his chest. Public. Captured.

Ari's heart dropped.

Was this a scandal waiting to explode? Or worse-a trap?

Another notification popped up.

Subject: URGENT MEETING – 2 PM TODAY

Her boss again.

The timing wasn't a coincidence. Ari grabbed a fresh outfit and headed for the shower. She scrubbed hard enough to erase guilt-or try.

She needed to be ready.

Whatever storm was coming, it was already here.

The office buzzed like a disturbed hive. Ari walked past whispering assistants and curious stares. Her boss, Nadine, stood at her door, tapping her foot.

"Ari. Inside. Now."

Ari stepped in. Nadine closed the door behind her.

"I just had a call. From Hayes Global."

Ari froze.

"They want you, Ari."

Her heart stuttered. "What?"

Nadine leaned against her desk, arms crossed. "Sebastian Hayes is personally requesting you as liaison for a new campaign. Triple our normal fee. Exclusive rights. No room for negotiation."

"That doesn't make sense," Ari whispered.

"Apparently, it does to him." Nadine's eyes narrowed. "Whatever happened between you two... it better not ruin this for us."

Ari opened her mouth but closed it again.

What did he want?

Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number: Lunch. Today. Don't run from me again.

Her fingers trembled as she held the screen. The word again chilled her.

The restaurant was private, with dark wood and gold accents. The kind of place where reservations took weeks. He was already there. Sharp suit, cool confidence, glass of wine untouched.

"You came," he said.

Ari sat slowly, every instinct on high alert. "Why me?"

He didn't smile. "Because you intrigued me."

"That's not an answer."

"You don't want the real one."

"Try me."

He leaned forward, his voice low. "Because you asked me to take you home that night. And I did."

Ari's breath caught.

"No games, Ari. You came willingly. And I think part of you wanted to forget."

She clenched her hands in her lap.

"I don't mix business with... this," she said.

"Then let's redefine it."

Before she could answer, a waiter approached, whispering something in Sebastian's ear. His expression changed.

"We're being watched," he muttered.

"By who?"

But he didn't answer.

Only gave a slow, calculated smile that didn't reach his eyes.

And suddenly, Ari realized this was bigger than a forgotten night.

She was already in too deep.

Sebastian paid the bill and walked her out. His car waited, engine humming. He opened the door, but she hesitated.

"What do you want from me?"

He looked at her, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes. "The truth. Eventually."

"I don't even trust myself right now," she whispered.

His voice dropped. "Then trust me."

She got in.

And didn't know if it was the biggest mistake of her life-or the start of something dangerous.

They didn't go far. Just a towering building downtown-Hayes Global's headquarters. Floor after floor of mirrored glass. Sebastian led her to his private office. The doors shut with a final-sounding click.

"Why bring me here?"

"Because no one listens in here."

Ari crossed her arms. "What's really going on, Sebastian?"

He looked at her. "Someone drugged you at that gala. It wasn't me. But I was the only one who noticed you stumbling, barely coherent. I got you out of there."

Her chest constricted. "Why didn't you call the police?"

He shrugged. "I don't trust them. And whoever did it... they were targeting me. You were collateral."

Shock. Disbelief. And something deeper.

Fear.

Sebastian pulled up security footage on his screen. "This isn't just a scandal. Someone wants to bury me. And you might be the key."

She watched herself-laughing, flirting, unaware of the hand dropping something into her drink.

Her stomach turned.

"That man," she said, pointing.

"I know." Sebastian's tone darkened. "He used to work for me."

"Used to?"

"He vanished the next day."

Everything blurred. Her mind was spinning.

She wasn't just caught in a romance.

She was caught in a conspiracy.

Ari stood by the tall windows, watching the city blur into color and light. Her reflection stared back, pale and shaken.

"I don't know if I can do this," she murmured.

Sebastian came up behind her. Close, but not touching. "You're stronger than you think."

His voice was almost gentle.

But then her phone buzzed again.

This time, a new message.

You're in danger. Get away from him.

Ari turned, her eyes meeting his.

"I just got a warning," she said.

Sebastian's jaw clenched. "From who?"

"I don't know. But they knew I was with you."

And in that moment, they both realized... they weren't the only ones playing the game.

They were being watched.

Closely.

Too closely.