Between Drinks and Deadlines

CHAPTER ONE

Selene

"Holy blood of the lamb! This cannot be real." I scream. Springing up from the one seater I was occupying and almost knocking down my laptop.

"Bitch, if you don't get your fucking voice down in this shitty apartment and quit all that jumping around, I swear to you, I'm going on a killing spree, starting from you." Maya screams back. There everyone, my best friend, Maya Reynolds, a diagnosed sociopath. Okay, so the diagnosis is mine, but it counts.

"I got the job. Stones Technology gave me the job. Considering the fact that I choked on my saliva when asked what I could do for the company." I say in utter disbelief as the memory of that embarrassing moment plagued me. I knew I fucked it all up then. But I guess I can only have bad luck for so long.

"Uhm, I know I am meant to be the creepy one here but girl, that smile is giving Anabelle vibes, dial it down." Maya says, while shifting on the couch. She picks up the throw pillow by her side and throws it at my face making me burst out laughing.

Falling back on the couch, I sigh. Finally, I feel like I can breathe. I feel like every single burden that has weighed me down has lessened. I feel like that last string tying me to the rest of my family is finally severed. While also feeling like I can't do enough for this newly acquired position, as if I am not worth it like my parents say. Like I am not worth anything good.

Smiling, Maya looks over at me and says "You are worth it. You are worth more. Look at me. Look me in the eyes, you two-colored eyed bitch. You are worth this and so much more. Shame on your dad for being too weak, for lacking a backbone to speak up to your mum and sister. Shame on your mom for being a stuck up and discriminating creature. And mind you, I use 'creature' not for lack of choice words but out of respect to you."

I smile at her because I know if no one has my back in the world, I can always trust her to be there for me despite her cold posterior.

"Maya, I-"

"Don't even get me started on your sister. That spawn of the very devil. If only I could get my hands on her, I'd wring her so much nobody would doubt it if they said a washing machine did that to her stifling ass."

I can see she was getting heated as she always does whenever there is talk about those I share blood ties with.

"Maya, I am so grateful to have you in my life. Thank you." I say.

"Okay. That's enough joy dampening talk. We have a celebration to get started. Go get dressed. Tonight, it's on me." She says wiggling her eyebrows at me, shaking her shoulders while pushing me towards the bathroom.

"Maya, you outdid yourself. Club Belair? Now, I didn't know you had that kind of money." I say, smacking her ass as we come down from the uber we took downtown. Looking down at myself and looking at Maya, I know we were going to turn heads with me in a black leather bodycon suit reaching midthighs with emerald coloured heels to match my mismatched eyes, which if I am not going to lie makes me look alluring coupled with my raven coloured straight as a pin hair and Maya in a bodycon dress reaching just underneath her ass with heels that puts her a good 5 inches above me. In other words, we looked delectable.

Entering the club, I quickly realized why they charged more than regular clubs. The air was infused with sophistication, the atmosphere buzzing with energy, and the surroundings exuded an undeniable elegance. As if parting the Red Sea, Maya effortlessly cleared a path through the crowd, leading us to the bar.

"Mama Mia, would you look at that?" Maya whispers, which was really not a whisper considering she was short of shouting that in my ear. I looked to where she was staring. I saw the bartender making two drinks at a time with smooth and precise movements and he is undeniably good-looking which adds to the whole appeal.

"Go for it. You need some in your life." I encourage her to make her move fully aware of the irony of what I said.

"You need plenty in your life, if I need some." She retorted as if reading my mind. We laughed it off.

She stepped forward, leaning against the bar, fusing her arms together to accentuate her cleavage, "One sex on the beach and a screaming orgasm."

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow and mouthed "Really?" She grinned and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and laughed under my breath.

He glanced at her and resumed the order he was making, not more than a millisecond, he did a double take and smiled at her. Sliding the orders he was making to the owners, he turned his whole body and attention towards us. He barely spared me a glance but took his time staring at Maya, who is killing her looks with a smokey eye and engine red lips.

And just as she anticipated, he falls for it, hook, line and sinker.

"Sex on the beach and a screaming orgasm, uhn?"

"Yes. Can you provide that?" She says staring him straight in the eyes.

"Sure can." He winked at her. While he made our order, he never took his eyes off hers, which was kind of hot, if I'm being honest.

"On the house." He handed us the drinks while making sure his hand brushed hers. I laughed under my breath and shook my head. We downed the drinks and Maya dragged us to the dance floor.

Knowing I don't get in the mood to dance without a few shots, she went to the bar and got us shots.

"Drink up." She pushes two shots in my hands, only to replace them after I'd downed them with another two. And now, I am buzzed, well on the way to being very tipsy.

As I was rocking on Maya, grinding my ass on her with her roaming her hands all over my body, I could feel eyes on me. The intensity of it made my skin prickle in a good way. I looked around without stopping dancing but I saw nobody. I disregarded it and kept on dancing.

After thirty minutes on the dance floor, I got thirsty. I needed to drink water or tequila because at this point, my taste bud is dead. I took Maya's hands and dragged her over to the bar to order for more shots and to take a rest.

"You look good behind that bar." Maya says with a husky voice.

"You think so?" "I know so. But I know you'd like even better on it with your shirts off." She ended off with a wink.

I cringed so hard even though I could see it was having an effect on the bartender. Knowing Maya, she'd continue flirting with the man regardless of whoever's looking, so I left them at the bar to go dance, relinquishing my thirst in place of being a good wingwoman.

I went back on the dance floor and I had that feeling again. The feeling of being stared at. I looked around and this time, I made eye contact with a tall man, standing in shadows by the walls. Even in the dimmed light, I could feel the intensity of his stare. I watched him approach me as I kept on dancing, moving my hands over my body sensually without breaking eye contacts. The music pulsed softly in the background as he moved closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

Every step was deliberate, slow, a silent promise hanging in the air between them. I could feel the warmth of his presence as he drew near, the space between us shrinking with each heartbeat. His eyes, dark and intense, held me captive. He reached out, the tips of his fingers brushing lightly against my arm, sending a ripple of electricity through me. His touch was featherlight, teasing, as if testing the waters before diving in. My body swaying to the rhythm, with neither of us breaking the gaze, the pull between us magnetic, inevitable. I could feel his breath, warm and steady, as he leaned in just a little more, the air thickening with anticipation.

"Hello."

CHAPTER TWO

Charles

I looked up from the table I was occupying in the VIP section with Liam and Andrew, my two friends only to set my eyes on a beautiful sight. From the moment I laid my eyes on her I was mesmerized.

"Charles, I need you to make a decision regarding Royals Securities. Are we going with the original plan of...., are you even listening to me?" I heard Andrew exclaim.

Liam sighed sparing Andrew a glance while going back to his phone "It's a rather exciting night for scheming and discussion of destruction, don't you think?"

"I'd much rather get it over with right now than having to go over it through the weekend." Andrew huffed like he is not a 31 year old successful man.

"We will proceed as planned. Liam, you get started on the first phase. If all goes as planned, we will have the Royals on our side as well. And Andrew, you know what to do." After saying my piece, I stood up and moved closer to the railings to have a better view of my dark angel, clad in all black.

I watched as she was led to the dance floor by her friend. I watched as she rocked her delectable body on her friend. My hands tightened on the railings as I saw most of the men's eyes on her. I wanted to poke their eyes out and turn them to a pair of Yolo. I watched her look around, I think she's looking around due to the intensity of my gaze on her.

I watched as she shook the feeling off. I watched as she went back with her friend back to the bar. I decided to make my move by getting closer.

"I'll be back ... .or not" I shrug.

I went downstairs to the dancefloor and stood at a distance in shadow leaning on the wall to watch her. I saw as she left her friend at the bar and went back on the dance floor. I watched as she started moving her body to the rhythm of the beats, I watched as she ran her hands down her sinful body in a sensual way, I watched as she turned around looking for me, I saw the moment she saw me. I stood upright and made my way towards her.

"Hello." I felt a shiver rake through her body as I said that. I smirked and let out a breath next to her ear.

"Hi." I heard her breathe out. I watched as the lighting reflected off her eyes and I was once again mesmerized seeing the green of her eyes, as vibrant as an emerald stone with a sector of her left eye a warm and deep brown even with the low lighting.

I knew what I wanted at that very moment. I knew I had to have her.

"Do you come here often?" I say, interrupting the charged air between us.

"No, I don't come here. Too bougie for me. It's an interesting place for celebration, which I am doing by the way, but it's not a place I'd come to on a regular basis. Did I tell you I am here for a celebration? I just got a job and my best friend and I are here to celebrate it. It's not our kind of circle. Oh my god can somebody just shoot me already?" I chuckled under my breath while listening to her rambles.

"Congratulations. I'm glad you got the job." I say still staring at her. If only she knew the thoughts going through my head, she'd run for the hills.

"Thank you. I've been trying for a job for a while. So landing this felt like a breakthrough for me." she says looking up at me and all I could think of is how I can take her home.

I looked her in the eye and smiled. I felt her release a sigh.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. Even as the music pulsed around them, she was all he could see. Every sway of her body drew me in closer, until there was no space left between us. Her breath was quickening, and I felt the tension growing, electric in the air. I leaned in, my voice low, "Let's grab a drink."

She nodded, and as we made our way to the bar, I kept a hand gently on her back, feeling the warmth of her through the thin fabric. It wasn't just a dance anymore-it was something more, something that hummed just beneath the surface.

At the bar, I ordered two drinks, a scotch and a virgin mojito because she was swaying on her feet but not too much. I watched her lips as she sipped her virgin mojito, her eyes flicking up to meet mine with a playful glint. The refreshing scent of mint and lime mixed with the faint perfume of her skin, and for a moment, all I wanted was to close the distance between us again.

Our conversation flowed, but my mind kept drifting to how her laughter made my pulse quicken, how her fingers brushed my arm as if testing the space between us. Every small touch felt like a spark, a silent signal we both understood without saying a word.

I leaned in closer, my lips near her ear. "I know somewhere that isn't far from here..." My voice was calm, but inside, the anticipation was building. When she smiled at me, it was the confirmation I'd been waiting for all night.

Outside, the cool night air did nothing to ease the tension. My hand found hers, and as we walked to the hotel, the city lights blurred into the background. There was only her-her presence, her touch, and the quiet promise of what came next.

Once we stepped into the room, everything shifted. The air felt heavier, the moment more real. I closed the door softly behind us, and when I turned to face her, I couldn't help but move toward her, slow and deliberate, like I had from the very beginning on the dance floor.

"Hey there." I whispered in her ear, feeling watching as goosebumps appeared on her nape. Knowing she is thus responsive to the simplest things I do to her is a heady feeling.

"Hey." She whispered back. I watched her eyes darken.

The dim lighting of the room only added to the intensity of the moment, shadows flickering over us as I stepped closer. Her breath hitched when I tilted her chin up, making her meet my gaze. I smirked, my grip firm but not forceful. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you?" I murmured, my voice low, commanding.

She didn't answer, but the way her body leaned into mine told me everything I needed to know. Slowly, I ran my hand down the length of her back, pulling her in until there was no space left between us. I could feel her heart racing, her body responding to every deliberate move I made.

"Tell me you want this," I said, my voice rough but measured, not a request-an order.

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she hesitated, but I could see the desire flickering in them, betraying any attempt to play coy. She finally nodded, breathless.

I smiled, one hand moving to her waist, the other cupping her face as I leaned in. "Good girl," I whispered against her lips before kissing her with the kind of intensity that left no room for doubt. I took control, leading every touch, every kiss, her body responding eagerly as I laid her down on the bed, her hands clutching at me, wanting more.

"You'll get everything," I promised, my voice like a low growl as I hovered over her, eyes locked on hers. "But only when I say so."

She gasped as I pulled her closer, every move deliberate, controlled. I could feel the tension in her body, the way she was giving in to me completely, surrendering to the moment. I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. "Patience," I whispered, savoring the way her breath shuddered.

Her hands clutched at my back, desperate, but I wasn't in a hurry. This was mine to command, and she knew it. I paused, pulling back just enough to see her face, her lips parted, eyes searching mine, filled with need. I smirked, brushing a thumb across her cheek. I pushed her down to the bed.

She gasped as I moved with purpose, my hands firm but sure, guiding her body as if I'd known it all along. The heat between us was undeniable now, every touch igniting something deeper. Her fingers tangled in my hair, a soft moan escaping her lips as I pressed her harder into the bed.

I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear, my breath hot against her skin. "You're mine tonight," I murmured, feeling the way her body responded, arching into me with undeniable need. I didn't need to ask; I already knew she was lost in this moment, in me.

Our bodies moved together, a steady rhythm building between us, every movement more intense, more deliberate. I could feel her trembling beneath me, her breaths coming faster, a soft whisper of pleas falling from her lips as I brought her to the edge.

I wasn't holding back now. The tension between us reached its peak, and with one final, powerful thrust, we both tumbled over the edge, her body shuddering against mine as we found release together. The air around us thickened, our shared breaths the only sound as we lay entwined, the heat of the moment slowly dissipating.

For a moment, there was nothing but the silence of our satisfaction, my hand gently brushing through her hair, her body still pressed against mine. I kissed her slowly this time, tenderly, letting the intensity fade into something softer.

"That's what you wanted," I whispered, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips, my voice low, confident. Her smile told me everything I needed to know.

As we lay there, wrapped in each other, the world outside ceased to exist, and for the rest of the night, there was nothing but us.

CHAPTER THREE

Selene

I woke up feeling like hell warmed over. My whole body feels like I worked 5 straight shifts without break at Fat Joe's. I was trying to recollect what went down yesterday when the memories hit me like a train.

I stretched my hands to the left to feel the body of the hot stranger that warmed my bed the night before only to find a cold empty spot. I propped myself up on one elbow, scanning the room. His clothes were gone. No note, no message, nothing. I guess that's how a one night stand works. But I find it rude and demeaning that after what we shared the night before he just up and left with not even a note or a phone number.

For a second, I stared at the door, half expecting him to walk back in, maybe with coffee or some awkward excuse about why he slipped out early. But there was nothing but silence and the faint hum of the morning outside. I could still smell him on the pillow, and it twisted something deep in my stomach.

I pulled the sheet tighter around me, my thoughts spiraling. Did I say something wrong? Did I miss a signal? Everything seemed fine last night, didn't it? Or maybe it was never about me. Maybe he had no intentions of sticking around from the start.

I sat there, feeling the weight of the quiet, of the space he left behind. The morning light creeping through the blinds felt too bright, too harsh. Part of me wanted to text him, ask him why, but another part of me knew better. If he wanted to explain, he would have.

Instead, I just sat there, letting the reality sink in. It was like the night before was nothing more than a fleeting moment-something that came and went, just like him. I knew if Maya saw me in this funk, she'd damn near smack me.

"Snap out of it! You had a good night- a great night even. Relish it, keep it in the 'To bring out at night' compartment." I imagine this is what Maya would say which is actually helping.

Finally, I reached for my phone on the bedside table. My hand froze when I noticed it - a thin, jagged crack spidering across the screen. He must have picked it up because I remember it falling to the ground .

I sighed, swiping it open anyway, half hoping he had some technical knowledge to open my phone and put his number in my phone or dropping a message, half-knowing there wouldn't be one but still hoping. Nothing. No messages, calls from unknown caller. Just my lock screen mocking me with the time, and the missed notifications from my best friend, Maya

Maya❤️‍🔥:Girl! Have a blast with your hot stranger? Spill the details when you can! 😏🔥"

Another one followed right after. "You alive? Or was he so good you're still recovering? 😂"

I huffed out a laugh, though it felt empty. The irony of it all-Maya's words, her excitement-just made everything worse. If only she knew. I hadn't even told her about waking up alone. Maybe it was better this way. Let her think it was a wild, carefree night, instead of what it really was-me, sitting here feeling small, unwanted.

I tossed the phone onto the bed. The crack on the screen almost seemed symbolic. Of course, it would happen today of all days. It wasn't just the phone that felt broken; it was me, too. There was no reason to feel like this. It was one night. He was a stranger, and strangers didn't owe you anything. I knew that. But logic didn't stop the ache creeping up my chest, making me feel like something had been taken from me when he left.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. *No, Snap out of it*, I told myself. I wasn't going to let this mess up my day-or my life, for that matter. So he didn't stick around. So what? People came and went. I was fine before, and I'd be fine after.

Enough already.

I slid out of bed and padded toward the bathroom. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror-hair a mess, makeup smudged. I didn't recognize myself for a second. What was I even doing here, in this hotel room that suddenly felt too empty, too cold? I ran a hand through my hair and splashed cold water on my face, willing the grogginess-and whatever this weird heaviness was-away.

With the silence weighing down on me, I grabbed my bag and phone, avoiding the reflection as I passed. I wasn't going to stay here another minute, not when the emptiness threatened to swallow me whole.

I stepped into the hallway, pulling the door shut behind me with a soft click. The corridor stretched out in front of me, the carpeted floors too plush, the walls too white. Everything felt wrong. I made my way toward the elevators, each step an effort. Every brush of my bare feet against the carpet reminded me of how exposed I was.

The walk of shame. That's what it felt like, though I hadn't expected it to sting this much. I held my head up anyway, gripping my bag a little tighter. I didn't have anything to be ashamed of. Not really.

But when the elevator doors finally closed behind me, I couldn't shake the thought that I had lost something back there in that room-something more than just a cracked phone screen or a night of fun. I wasn't sure what it was, or how to get it back, but I knew I needed to move forward, even if my steps felt shaky now.

By the time I got home, I had consoled myself with the news of my job. If I can't land a man, at least I can land a job. I pushed my hot one night stand stranger to the back of my mind.

By the time I got home, I had already consoled myself with the thought that even if I couldn't land a man, I could land a job. The idea of a stable job kept me steady, something solid to focus on while I pushed the memory of that empty hotel room aside.

I opened the door to find Maya sprawled across the couch, a half-eaten bag of chips in her lap. Without missing a beat, she lobbed the bag at me. "Catch!"

I barely managed to grab the bag of chips before they spilled everywhere. "Seriously?" I laughed.

"Whore!" Maya cackled, throwing a cushion at me for good measure. "You sent me three words last night, 'found my man' and then disappeared off the face of the earth! Who does that? I need details, stat!"

I rolled my eyes, setting the chips down on the counter. "Sorry, Maya. It's not what you think."

She shot me a skeptical look, her eyes narrowing as she sat up straighter. "Not what I think? Girl, you either had the best night ever or the worst. I'm leaning towards the latter, judging by the look on your face."

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It was... fine. Not much to tell."

"Uh-huh," she said, raising an eyebrow. "You're not fooling me, but we'll circle back to that later. For now, I demand snacks and a proper story."

I shook my head, brushing off her playful interrogation for now. "I'll give you the lowdown later. Right now, I need to figure out what to wear for my first day tomorrow."

Maya grinned, leaning back into the couch. "Ah, the job. Fine, I'll let you off the hook... for now."

I escaped to my room, shutting the door and letting out a long breath. If only Maya knew how far from "fine" things had really been this morning. But there was no point dwelling on it. I had my first day tomorrow, and that was what mattered now.

I crossed to my closet and began rifling through my clothes, pulling out anything that remotely fit the "professional" category. Most of it was casual or worn out, but after some digging, I found a few pieces that might pass for secretary attire. A black skirt, a plain white blouse, and a navy-blue dress that, while a little snug, would have to do.

I laid the clothes out on my bed, eyeing them critically. They weren't perfect, but they'd get me through the week until I could afford to buy something new. I could make it work.

With the wardrobe crisis momentarily handled, I let out a sigh of relief. At least that part of my life was manageable. I turned on my playlist, letting the familiar beats fill the room, and kicked off my shoes. The tension from the morning started to melt away as the music seeped into my bones.

Without even realizing it, I started humming along to the songs, my hips swaying to the rhythm. One song turned into another, and soon I was full-on dancing, spinning around my room as if the worries of the past 24 hours didn't exist.

For the rest of the weekend, I let myself get lost in the music. Whenever doubts tried to creep in, I just turned the volume up a little louder and kept moving, dancing, humming, letting go of everything that wasn't worth my time or energy.

Tomorrow was a new beginning. My first real job. A fresh start. I didn't need a man to validate me, and I certainly didn't need to dwell on someone who didn't even stick around. For now, I was enough, just as I was.