~~Elena~~
"If she doesn't perform any operation now I don't think she will live up to two months", the doctor said, my heart ached so much as I watched the only person left in this world that truly cares about me laying down unconscious. Grandma has always taken care of me after my parents passed away in a tragic accident and my uncle and his family manipulated the will leaving me with nothing and no home, only grandma took me in and now I can't watch anything happen to her, the only option now is her son, my uncle.
"Uncle,Grandma is sick. She's been in the hospital for weeks now, and she needs an urgent operation."I said, with a trembling voice,
I know how evil and selfish he is. For the past 6 months he hasn't even contacted his mother to talk more about caring about me.
"I can help you, Elena " he said, his tone calm but laced with something dark,
"but under one condition.".he continues adjusting his glasses as he rows his office chair
"Isabella is supposed to marry the younger son of the Rodriguez family. But rumors say he's a reckless playboy, and I can't risk my daughter's life in such a marriage. And that's where you come in." I knew he was not always up to something good.
"Uncle, I'm only eighteen. How am I supposed to get married? I'm still too young. Your daughter is twenty-three. She's at the right age for marriage."
He leaned back, staring into my eyes and sighed. "Well you'd better find other alternatives," he muttered coldly, he knew I would do anything for grandma.
My hands trembled as I fought back tears. "She is your mother, Uncle, How can you turn your back on her?"I said with my voice breaking.
"Not mother–stepmother," he said coldly. "Your father was the result of my father's unfaithfulness."
I froze as the words cut through me like a blade. But Dad had told me otherwise. He once explained that my uncle's mother had been my grandfather's ex-girlfriend, long before he married Grandma. It was only later that he discovered he had a son with her after their breakup.
Grandma and Dad had always treated my uncle like family, like blood. They gave him love, respect, and a home. Yet here he was, ready to cast them aside without a second thought.
"If you have nothing more to say, you can leave," he said coldly, flipping through an unknown file on the table as though my pain were nothing more than background noise.
I thought about Grandma, her frail hands, her fading strength,and I have no other options. For her sake, I have to agree to his request.
"Only under one condition: Grandma's surgery must proceed immediately." I raised my chin and added firmly,
He glanced at me for a moment, then quickly made a call, assuring me, "Everything is being taken care of."
"We will be going to the Rodriguez estate to seal the deal".
"What! now?", he gave me a cold stare and step out of the door, and I followed behind.
***************
The car rolled to a stop in front of the Rodriguez estate, its towering gates opening slowly like the jaws of a beast ready to swallow me whole. My palms are sweating and heart racing. My life has been nothing but effortless. I lived as though the world itself revolved around me. I had everything a teenage girl could possibly dream of, loyal friends who never left my side, the latest phones in my hand before anyone else, designer purses and shoes that sparkled with every step, and the kind of attention from boys that made other girls whisper with envy. I was the girl everyone looked at, the beautiful one, the admired one, the one who always had the answers, before the fall.
Never in my wildest dreams had I thought I would be forced into an arranged marriage and at a young age.
We were ushered in by a maid and asked to sit, while she went to call the attention of the Rodriguezs.
Within seconds, an old man in his seventies appeared, guided down the stairs by a middle-aged woman. Their presence alone carried authority and my uncle immediately rose to his feet and urged me to do the same. He bowed deeply, and with a subtle nudge, reminded me to follow. I did, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Is she the bride?" the old man asked, with a deep but calm voice .
"Yes," my uncle answered quickly, almost too eagerly.
The woman's eyes swept over me, cold and sharp, before she scoffed. "Father, why is she marrying my son?, Carlos is still young, let him enjoy his youth." Her tone dripped with disgust at the sight of me, and though I tried to act normal, my skin prickled under her gaze.
"He is not a child!" the old man barked, slamming his walking stick hard against the floor. "He is twenty-six and has done nothing but bring disgrace to my name. It is time he settled down!"
The woman's jaw tightened. "And what about your son?" she shot back. "All he does is bury himself in the company. He's almost thirty-five, and yet you say nothing about him marrying. Why should my son bear all the burden?"
The old man's face darkened, and the air grew tense. I sat stiffly, caught in the crossfire of their argument, secretly hoping this chaos might save me. But a quick glance at my uncle reminded me of the truth, Grandma's surgery had already been paid for. My fate was sealed.
"Mr. Ramos, get prepared,the engagement will happen this weekend. And just as I promised, I will invest in your new project." the old man said firmly.
With that, he pushed himself up from his seat. The woman at his side gave me one last look of pure disdain before hissing under her breath and guiding him back upstairs.
My uncle could barely contain himself. He was grinning and giggling like a child who had just been given candy. To him, this was victory, not sacrifice.
The ride back home felt suffocating, each second pulling me closer to a destiny I never asked for. When we finally arrived and stepped inside, I froze at the scene.
There, in the sitting room, sat my worst enemies my aunt and cousin. Those two robbed me of all my jewelry, my clothes, my beloved treasures that carried whispers of happier days. I just hate them.
Their heads were close together, whispering, their laughter sharp and cruel. They were discussing something, only God knows what. I could feel the venom in their words even without hearing them.
The moment they noticed me, their whispers stopped, and their eyes on me with hate. My aunt leaned back on the chair, crossing her arms with that mocking smirk I had grown to hate.
"Well, well, Look who finally decided to come home. Our little princess." she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
My cousin chuckled, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "Princess? More like a beggar in silk.I heard you came begging for some cash today," she sneered, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "All to save that old hag you call a grandmother."
Her words struck like poison, but I forced myself not to flinch. Grandma was the only person who had ever truly loved me, and hearing her insulted like that ignited a fire in my chest.
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms. "Watch your mouth," I said, my voice low but steady. "She is worth more than everything you own."
She laughed loudly, clapping her hands together in mock amusement. "Oh, listen to her! Acting brave now. Do you think that changes the fact that you're nothing but a burden?"Their laughter stung, but I kept my face straight. I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.
"Just Shut it, all of you!" my uncle's voice thundered through the room.
Instantly, there was a total silence
"We have finalized the deal with the Rodriguezs," he announced firmly. "So all of you get ready. The engagement will take place in two days' time."
His words struck me like a heavy blow. Two days. Just forty-eight hours before my life would no longer be mine.
My aunt and cousin exchanged quick, satisfied glances. To them, this was another chance to see me caged. To me, it felt like the end of freedom.
~~Elena~~
The next day, I went to see Grandma. When I stepped into her hospital room, the steady beep of the monitor was the only sound that welcomed me. She lay so still, her frail chest rising and falling in shallow breaths that made my heart ache.
I dragged a chair close to her bedside and carefully took her fragile hand in mine. Her skin was paper-thin, cold against my warmth, and I held it as if letting go might mean losing her forever. Lowering my head onto the mattress, I pressed my face against her arm, longing for the comfort of her voice, the reassurance of her touch.
"Please, Grandma..." I whispered through trembling lips. "Wake up. Tell me everything's going to be okay... because I don't know how to live in this world without you."
Buzz.
My phone lit up with a new message from the girls' group chat.
" Elena we heard you are getting engaged, are you giving up your dream of becoming a lawyer?"
I stared at the screen, my chest tightening. My fingers moved slowly across the keyboard before I finally typed:
" I don't have any other choice. Grandma is sick.",
For a moment, the chat went silent. Then one of them replied:
"sorry about that, wish I could help"
Another bubble popped up almost immediately from a different friend:
" Why don't we catch up tonight? Let's celebrate your last night of being single.",
I hesitated, biting my lip. The truth was, I didn't feel like celebrating at all. But staring at Grandma's still form in the hospital bed, I realized I couldn't sit in the silence any longer either. With a sigh, I typed back:
" Ok."
*********
Later that night, I arrived at our usual club. The place was loud, buzzing with music and laughter as always. Neon lights flashed across the crowded dance floor. But this time, it felt different. I was no longer the host, no longer the girl who bought the drinks and commanded attention. My pockets were empty, my problems too heavy, and for the first time, I felt like a stranger among my own friends.
I sat among them, silent, as though I had lost my voice. Their laughter and chatter filled the air, but I felt like I didn't belong anymore.
"That guy doesn't deserve your virginity," one of them said suddenly, sipping her drink. "He's a total mess. He dated my cousin and her friend at the same time."
Another leaned in with a smirk. "Why not just pick someone and get wild tonight."
For a moment, I actually thought they were right. How could I keep something as precious as my virginity for a reckless scoundrel who had a reputation as a playboy . Maybe I should get wild tonight.
Then, almost mockingly, one of them laughed and echoed words that had once been mine: "Whatever you're doing today, Elena bills on me."
The others joined in, laughing, chanting it back at me. My heart ached. Those had been my words–the careless arrogance of a girl who thought she ruled the world. I never imagined they would be turned against me.
I forced a smile, raising my glass with trembling hands. "Okay, guys. The first man that walks through that door, I'm going to walk up to him and ask him out tonight."
They screamed in excitement, clapping and cheering for my so-called boldness. My heart rate increased in my chest as we all turned toward the entrance, waiting... watching...
In a few seconds, the door opened and in it walked a tall man. His presence alone demanded attention. His body was carved like a god, every inch of him radiating power and control. The suit he wore fit so perfectly as if it was crafted solely for his frame. Just looking at him sent a strange chill racing down my spine, a mix of desire and fear.
The cheers around me died instantly. My friends, who had been laughing and screaming seconds ago, fell into stunned silence. It was as if they had seen a ghost.
The girls beside me pulled at my arm, urging me to sit down. "Elena, don't," one of them whispered sharply, her eyes wide with something I couldn't quite place.
But the alcohol had loosened my restraint. My blood was hot, I shoved their hands away and staggered to my feet, every step pulling me closer to him.
He sat on a chair near the bar, commanding the space with effortless dominance. With a wave of his hand, he ordered a glass of whisky. The moment I reached him, his scent wrapped around me rich, intoxicating, dangerously captivating.
Drawn in, I gradually moved closer, my alcohol-fueled courage pushing me further. I rested my hand lightly on his broad shoulder.
"How much for a night, handsome?" I whispered, forcing a playful smile.
He turned his head, and for the first time, our eyes met. His hazel eyes were cold, yet impossibly charming. As he showed no emotion.
Without a word, he lifted his glass and took a slow sip of his whisky, deliberately ignoring me, as though I were invisible.
The rejection burned deep into my heart, shattering my ego. Even if I was broke, I had never been rejected before. I always believed I was attractive of course I am.
I tugged gently at his tie, drawing his face closer to mine. He moved without resistance. My gaze locked with his–those eyes so dangerously charming, they seemed to pull me in deeper with every second. Slowly, I traced my eyes from the dark depths of his gaze, down the sharp line of his nose, until they lingered on his bow-shaped lips, soft and inviting...
Without thinking, I pressed my lips against his, tasting the bitterness of whisky on his mouth. At first, he hesitated, then-slowly-his lips parted, giving me access. I slid my tongue against his, and when his tongue finally responded. There was a spark as his kiss was powerful, consuming, pulling me deeper until I could barely breathe.
Before I could even process what was happening, we were already inside a room bathed in a dim red glow. The air was thick, heavy with unspoken desire. He shut the door behind us with a soft but final thud, and in the same motion, pressed me against it. My back hit the wood, my breath catching in my throat.
His lips trailed kisses down my neck, so aggressively as a groan escaped his lips, raw and desperate, as if he had been starving for this moment his entire life. Immediately my gown was ripped away, fabric tearing as cold air licked at my bare skin. I was left in only my bra and panties. My skin burning under the dim red light. In one swift motion, he lifted me effortlessly, pressing me against himself.My weak arms clung desperately around his neck, seeking balance, while my legs wrapped tightly around his waist on instinct. I gasped as his hardness pressed against me through the thin barrier of the fabric.I could feel every breath he took, every heartbeat pounding against his chest as if it were echoing into mine.
My back hit the soft mattress with a bounce, he leaned in, tracing kisses down my body–my neck, my chest, my stomach,
Every brush of his lips ignited me, and I couldn't control the way my body betrayed me, my legs winding tighter around him, my hips arching upward, desperate, silently begging for more.
"You will regret this", he said with a soft voice on my ears
"I won't", I strike back longing for his touch
He leaned in for another kiss and then paused, his lips hovering over mine once more. "Are you sure about this?" he asked again, his voice husky, almost strained.
How many times will he ask me that?
I answered without words, pulling his head down, crushing my lips against his. That was all the permission he needed.
A sharp cry escaped my throat as he pushed inside me. Pain and pleasure collided in a dizzying wave-I had never felt anything like it.
"Your first time?" he asked, his breath fasting.
I nodded, biting down on my fingers as my body tried to adjust, the burn giving way to a flood of aching sweetness.
"I'll be gentle," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear, before his thrusts became slow, and gentle. The ache melted into pleasure until all I could do was moan, the sound spilling helplessly from me.
The tension broke in a flood, leaving me trembling in his arms, my body powerless as his strength pressed against me. We shattered together, breathless.
Gradually I curled into his arms , like a baby seeking shelter. For the first time in a long time it felt safe.
~~Elena~~~
I woke up the next morning and noticed a strange man lying on the bed beside me. Slowly, I raised the blanket, my eyes widening.
What? I slept with a stranger?
The memories of last night came rushing back.I pressed my palm to my lips, remembering the taste of his kiss, the heat of his hands, the way I had surrendered so completely. Shame, fear, and something dangerously close to longing twisted inside me, leaving me breathless. I searched for my phone, but it was nowhere to be found. I quickly reached out for my clothes, only to discover they were torn beyond recognition. Is this man a tiger? How did he rip my clothes like this?
I grabbed his white long sleeve shirt, which barely covered my butt, and dashed out of the room. At the reception desk, I asked a lady to check if anyone had turned in a phone. She shook her head, and I quickly asked for hers which she did. Immediately I dialed Mariana's number-one of the girls from last night, and my closest friend.
"Hi, what about my cell phone?" I asked.
"It's here," Mariana replied. "Your uncle has been calling nonstop. I had to tell him you were at my place, but I went out with your phone."
"Thank you," I breathed.
"Not so fast," she continued. "You have to make your way to the engagement party. Your uncle is crazy-he even threatened to cut off your grandmother's medical bills. I thought she was his mother too!"
"Thanks, Mariana. That's a story for another day, but right now I need something to wear."
"Okay. I'll send my driver to you. Just wait."
I handed the phone back to the lady, and she gave me a small nod.
"Thank you very much," I said softly.
While I waited, my eyes caught movement at the top of the staircase-and there he was. The man from last night. He is just too powerful even in the simplest act of descending the stairs, his assistant trailing closely behind like a shadow.
Panic rose in my chest, and without thinking, I pressed myself against the cold marble pillar, hiding from view.
I held my breath, terrified he might notice me... yet a part of me desperately wished he would, in just a few seconds they made their way to the exit door.
Not long after, the driver arrived, handing me a bag containing a silver, shimmering gown along with my phone. I quickly asked the receptionist for the ladies' bathroom, which was pointed out to me.
Inside, I caught sight of myself in the mirror-my hair messy, my lips swollen, I was in a total mess . I tried to freshen up, and I noticed a thick substance mixed with blood on my thighs. Oh my God!, Shame burned in my chest as I quickly brushed it off, not wanting to think too deeply about what it meant.
After cleaning up and changing into the gown, I stepped out, composed as much as I could manage. The driver opened the door, and I slid into the backseat. Heart racing as I went through the messages my uncle sent.
*******************************
Arriving at the party, I noticed it was full of powerful families from all over Madrid. I walked slowly, scanning the crowd for any familiar faces, until my eyes landed on Mariana, my friend, and her parents, along with other families deep in discussion, and a young man standing with them. I didn't move closer; all those families looked down on me. Mariana's family are not excluded.
A few seconds later, Mariana's eyes met mine. She quickly excused herself and walked toward me.
"You aren't even wearing makeup. Let's go to the bathroom," she said, grabbing my hand like a mother guiding her child.
"Why did you guys let me follow a stranger out?" I asked in a low, frustrated tone.
She didn't answer, instead quickening her pace toward the bathroom. Once inside, she checked each stall until she confirmed we were alone, then sighed heavily.
"Elena... Do you know what you've done?" Her sudden fear surprised me.
"What happened?" I asked, trying to steady the heartbeat threatening to burst from my chest.God, I hope no one saw me... The thought clawed at me, sharp and relentless.
She took a deep breath, about to speak, but a sharp knock on the door interrupted her.
"Elena, I know you're in there. You better come out before your uncle cuts your grandmother's medical bills. You can't back out now, unless you want to see her die," my aunt's voice said, cold and terrifying.
Mariana quickly brushed my gold-blonde hair into a center-parted style and rubbed a light pink gloss across my lips.
I quickly made my way out. I met my aunt graze, Her eyes narrowed, sharp as blades, and her lips curled into a cold, disdainful hiss.She turned sharply on her heel, her steps quick. I had no choice but to follow, trailing behind her like a shadow. Each click of her heels echoed in my chest, a reminder of how small and powerless I'd become.
Reaching the inside of the party, I noticed my uncle and cousin standing alongside with the older man from before, and the same lady still holding onto him. I wondered why she was always with him.
Gradually, we drew closer to them. The old man's face lit up.
"Elena, I know you were very stressed, that's why you didn't make it on time. But don't worry, the party won't start without the princess." I forced a smile as I walked closer to him.
"Where is that stubborn son of yours?" he asked the woman holding him.
She scanned the room. "He should be here, Dad."
"Mom, Grandpa, were you looking for me?" a young man said as he approaching us with a lady holding his arm, He stood tall, his golden hair catching the light as though it were meant to draw admiration. A smile curved on his lips, confident, practiced, almost charming. But to me, it was rotten. Beneath its shine, I saw only arrogance, and the sight of it twisted my stomach in disgust.
I didn't need to be told that this was the person I was going to marry.I noticed the crowd murmuring around us. Immediately I caught my aunt and cousin sharing a soft, mocking laugh, their eyes glinting with amusement at my discomfort.
This guy isn't even handsome compared to the ones I've rejected , and he's acting all mighty, as if the world revolves around him. ,I thought, as my lips curled in quiet disdain.
My mind, however, kept drifting to the hottie from last night. Geez... the memory hit me hard. Just thinking about him alone made my mouth water. I swallowed hard, trying to steady the sudden heat rising in me.
"I wondered who the heck would bring his whore to his own engagement." The old man said struck his walking stick hard against the floor
I wasn't even surprised.
"This marriage is indeed a transaction, Grandpa" he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with mockery.
"Oh, wow... my fiancée," he added as he stepped closer. Instinctively, I stepped back a little.
"You look like Cinderella," he smirked, tilting his head. "And I suppose that makes me the prince, doesn't it?" His tone was so sarcastic it made the words sting.
The woman he came with let out a soft, knowing chuckle, as though the joke was funny.
He circled me slowly, his eyes raking over me from head to toe. It felt less like admiration and more like a predator studying its prey. Finally, his lips curled into a wicked smile.
"With curves like these," he murmured, leaning just close enough to make my skin crawl, "I have a feeling you would be interesting in bed."
"You bastard!" Grandpa's voice thundered, his face flushed with shame and fury. His hands trembled as he struggled to keep his composure, the weight of humiliation heavy in his eyes.
I turned my gaze toward my uncle, searching for even a flicker of remorse. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets quickly, his jaw tightening as if to mask his guilt behind arrogance.
Just in a second.
A heavy silence swallowed the room, thick enough to make every breath feel louder than it should. Then, the sound of polished shoes echoed across the marble floor. Each step carried a weight that demanded attention.
Slowly, almost against my will, I turned my head. And there he was.
The hottie from last night.