His for a year

Zoe

I looked at the mirror as I added the finishing touches to my makeup, carefully applying a little more concealer to my swollen right eye, hoping no one would notice the bulge there. A wince escaped my lips as the memory of how I got the black eye crept in, but I pushed it away and forced a smile as I stood up.

"Today is a happy day," I told myself, trying to believe it.

It was my birthday, and my boyfriend, Levi, was throwing me a huge party. I knew deep down that the party was just his way of apologizing for hitting me again, and a bitter ache swirled in my chest-if only he could change like he promised. But I shoved the sadness aside, trying to picture a future where it was just the two of us, happy together.

"Let's go, Zoe," Becca called out, rushing toward me. She was my only best friend, the one person I could truly rely on for all my problems.

We arrived at the event on time, and the place was packed with familiar faces and even more strangers. I scanned the room, searching for the reason I had come, until my eyes landed on him.

"Levi," I called out, waving my hands to get his attention. He turned at the sound of his name, deep in conversation with Sara, his step-sister. There was a strange current between them that I couldn't quite place.

"You look stunning," Levi said, taking my hand and kissing it. He lifted my chin, bringing his lips close to mine, and I panicked a little, aware of all the eyes on us. But Levi didn't seem to care.

The crowd noticed and gave us some space, and I got lost in Levi's praise, soaking in the affection from the man I loved. I was so caught up that I didn't notice when he knelt down on one knee, holding a little box in his hand.

"Levi, what are you..." My words caught in my throat. I had always imagined that he'd propose someday, but I never expected it to be so direct, so intense. My chest tightened as I tried to make sense of it all.

"Marry me, Zoe."

The room fell silent, and my answer stuck in my throat. I wanted to scream, jump up and down, and cry my eyes out because the man of my dreams was finally asking to be officially mine. But I forced those feelings down, because I knew who Levi really was.

My left eye throbbed as the memory of him hitting me flashed through my mind. He had apologized, promised he would never do it again, but deep down, I knew Levi might never change.

Yet here he was, on one knee, asking me to marry him. I knew I should have waited, thought it over, but my heart ached for this moment so much that I spoke the words my mind rejected.

"Yesss!"

I screamed, hardly believing what I was doing, but it was already done. Levi smiled happily as he slid the ring onto my finger, pressing his lips against mine and caressing my back.

As Levi finally let go, I wiped the tears from my face, convincing myself that it was a happy day. No point in letting past mistakes ruin it, right?

"Your dress, it's absolutely beautiful, an Armani?" someone I didn't recognize said to me, snapping me back to reality. Levi had invited all sorts of people to the party, and I had to put on my best smile, accepting compliments from strangers who smelled like money. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

In the midst of all the distractions and congratulations, my phone buzzed. I glanced at it and felt my stomach drop. My direct supervisor had texted me:

"Zoe, I need you in the office first thing Monday morning. The client you were about to close has just pulled out due to some allegations against you. I'm quite disappointed."

My heart raced. That client was crucial to me-I had worked so hard to get their attention, and I was this close to sealing the deal. This was supposed to be my big break. What could have possibly gone wrong? My head spun, and I felt the ground shift beneath me. I needed support, something to hold onto.

"Levi," I thought desperately.

I searched the room for him, but he was nowhere in sight. Ignoring the greetings and pleasantries from the crowd, I hurried upstairs, needing to talk to him right away. As I approached his room, I heard voices coming from the one across the hall.

"But was it necessary to go this far just to do that to her?" It was Sara's voice.

"Yes, I had to. She's been getting more successful, harder to control. I need to keep her in check."

I froze outside the door. Surely, I couldn't have heard Levi talking about me like that.

"So you had them shut down her deal?" Sara pressed.

"Just keep quiet, we'll talk about this later. I need to get back to the damned party," Levi snapped.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Levi was the reason I lost my client? My hands shook, my teeth clenched in anger. Years of hard work, dedication, and loyalty-all gone because a man wanted to control me? My eyes stung with unshed tears as the realization settled in.

"Screw this," I muttered, reaching for the door handle and swinging it open with all my strength.

"Levi, how dare you..." I began, but the words caught in my throat when I saw what was inside. My initial anger dissolved into shock before boiling up again. Levi stood between another woman's legs-and not just any woman, but his step-sister.

"Fuck, Zoe!" Levi jumped up, fumbling to cover himself with a piece of cloth. "It's not what you think," he stammered, trying to zip himself up. "Listen to me, Zoe, it's all a huge misunderstanding."

Sara, mortified, darted into the bathroom, slamming the door. I stared at Levi as he stood half-naked, kneeling before me, begging.

"Look, Zoe, you need to calm down. You can't tell anyone about this, okay? Not a soul, especially not my family. They'll kill me," he pleaded.

"Calm down?" I repeated, my voice filled with disbelief, hurt, anger, and disgust. All this time, I had kept quiet about the bruises, hoping he'd change. But now, this? He cheated on me-with his own stepsister, no less.

"I should calm down that you slept with your sister?" I shouted. "Your sister, Levi. What the hell is wrong with you?" My voice cracked, tears spilling down my cheeks, ruining the makeup I had so carefully applied. This wasn't how I'd pictured my evening.

"It's not you, Zoe, it's me," he pleaded, as if that could fix any of this. I shook my head, realizing just how much I had ruined my life by holding onto him. I had wasted so much time hoping he'd change, but all he had given me was pain.

"You know what? I'm done with this," I said, my voice breaking as fresh tears fell. My heart shattered all over again as I faced the reality that my dreams of a perfect future with him were nothing but illusions.

"Please, Zoe," Levi begged, grabbing my face, but I pushed him away. I refused to spend another moment in this toxic cycle.

"Let me announce it. I'll give them an excuse for us breaking up, but please don't tell my family," he said finally in resignation, dressing quickly without waiting for my answer.

I shrugged, too drained to care anymore. All I wanted was to leave, and pick the pieces of my ruined life. With a heavy heart, I tried to fix my ruined makeup, preparing to put on one last show as Levi's perfectly happy girlfriend, just for the sake of his parents and the guests.

But as I walked down the stairs, I heard Levi's voice echoing through the mic.

"I've called off our engagement. I can't be with a woman who cheats, lies, and only wants me for my money..."

"What? Oh my God! Lies!" I screamed, my voice breaking as I rushed toward the podium. All eyes turned to me in shock, murmurs spreading like wildfire through the crowd.

"Security, please take her away," Levi commanded into the mic.

I couldn't believe he was doing this, trying to make me the villain just to save his own pride. I lunged toward him, determined to tell everyone the truth, but two strong hands grabbed me, pinning me down as they dragged me out of the event while I kicked and screamed.

"Lies, it's all lies! I never did any of that!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall, but no one seemed to hear me.

ZOE

I was thrown outside like a sack of potatoes, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I wished I could disappear into thin air. Tears streamed down my face as I walked aimlessly, lost in thought and oblivious to my surroundings. The numbness I felt was almost welcome – I needed something, anything, to help me forget what had happened tonight.

As I stumbled along, two girls bumped into me. They apologized quickly before running off, giggling. Their laughter snapped me back to reality, and I noticed they were heading towards a club on the corner. Curiosity piqued, I followed them.

I glanced down at my designer dress, then back at the club's neon sign. I knew I didn't belong here, but I couldn't bring myself to care. The club held something I desperately needed – an escape.

"Alcohol," I whispered to myself. "Lots of it."

Ignoring the stares my outfit drew, I marched towards the entrance, my eyes fixed on the bar inside. I felt gazes following my every step, but I remained focused on my goal.

I slid onto a barstool, cradling my head in my hands. Though the stares had subsided, uneasiness still crawled down my neck.

"If I may, a cocktail for a beauty in distress?" the bartender asked, sliding over to me. I looked up, confused.

"In distress?" I echoed.

He gestured at my outfit with a knowing smile. "I take it this wasn't your initial destination tonight."

I sighed in defeat. "Something strong, please."

"Tequila, perhaps?" he suggested.

I waved my hand dismissively. "No, no. Stronger than that." I needed to feel happy, drunk, or better yet, completely wasted.

"Are you sure about that?" the bartender asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm sure I need to get wasted," I replied, averting my gaze. I appreciated his concern, but pity was the last thing I needed right now. I craved distraction, freedom from my thoughts, the ability to do whatever I pleased without judgment.

The bartender returned with a bottle of clear whiskey. Its name was unfamiliar, but the strong smell of alcohol that assaulted my senses told me it would do the job. As he poured, I felt a twisted sense of anticipation.

Cup after cup, I drank. With each sip, I felt freer, happier. The pain that had overwhelmed me earlier began to fade, but even in my increasingly intoxicated state, thoughts of Levi kept creeping back.

"Fuck him!" I shouted to no one in particular. The bartender glanced at me before returning to his business.

"I ought to fuck someone else, just to spite him, right?" I turned to the bartender, seeking validation.

"Not really," he replied calmly.

"You don't know squat about me," I snapped. He chuckled, saying, "Yes, of course, absolutely nothing."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt truly free. Free enough to do anything against my morals without judging myself. After all, if Levi could sleep with his own stepsister and feel okay about it, why should I hold back?

"A glass of Bacardi, please," a deep voice said beside me. I turned to see a man sliding a bill towards the bartender as he took a seat.

He turned to me with a gentle smile, and I was immediately captivated by his eyes – so green, so deep, so distracting. Everything about him seemed surreal. His eyebrows were perfectly arched, complementing his hunter-like gaze. His jawline looked as if it had been chiseled by a Renaissance artist. The way he looked at me, I knew instantly – this man wanted me.

I turned back to my drink, feeling bold yet anxious. My heart raced, its loud thumping audible only to me. I downed a few more cups, trying to forget the image of the man beside me.

"Isn't that a bit much for you?" he asked, his voice like velvet.

I choked slightly on my drink. "I'm fine, it's fine," I managed to say, brushing off his concern.

"Is it true?" he asked, his eyes roaming over my body. I could feel his gaze unraveling every part of me, and the thrill of being desired by this completely sexy stranger made my legs shudder.

"What's your name?" he asked, leaning closer. The scent of cedarwood, cigars, and alcohol enveloped me.

"Zoe," I replied hesitantly.

"A beautiful name, for a beautiful woman," he said. His eyes bore into mine, and I found myself unable to look away.

For the rest of the evening, our eyes darted towards each other's direction, heat rising my thighs each time his eyes met mine. My body ached to be touched by this complete stranger who had me completely under his spell. I took deep breaths to calm myself, but when we met at the balcony hours later, and a small conversation ensued, his finger gently brushed against my lip, and all self-control vanished.

My hands found their way to his collar, and in that moment, I forgot who I was or why I was here. All I knew was that I wanted this man. I pulled him to me, locking him in a desperate kiss, holding the sides of his head as I forced myself on him.

To my surprise and delight, he returned the kiss with equal passion. Right there at the balcony, we kissed feverishly, biting each other's lips, the taste of alcohol mingling between us. He grabbed me, lifting me effortlessly. He took me to a dark corridor, pinning me against the wall, pulling my hair back so I had to look him in the eye.

I had never experienced this level of intensity before, and I loved it. The way he held me by the shoulder, pinning me to the wall, pulling my hair back – it was intoxicating. I bit my lip in anticipation, feeling myself getting more aroused by the second.

"Is this to be or not?" he asked, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Without a second thought, I grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in for another deep kiss. He lifted me higher, his grip on my waist tightening.

"My room, now!" he commanded as he carried me upstairs. My lips never left his as he never let go of me.

***

The room was dimly lit by the early breaking dawn when I woke up. I was already fully dressed in my designer dress from last night. I watched my green-eyed beauty fast asleep, scenes from our passionate encounter playing on repeat in my mind.

I regretted having to leave so abruptly, but I had things to do today. I stepped out of the room as quietly as possible, left the club, and hailed a cab.

I went straight to what used to be mine and Levi's apartment. As I had expected, he hadn't come home. I began packing my things – I couldn't stay there any longer. I needed to be by myself. As I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed.

"Hey Becca," I said in a low voice.

"Don't bother saying anything for now, we can talk later," Becca replied. "Where are you now?"

"At home, I'm packing up all my stuff," I told her.

"I'm on my way," she said, and hung up.

As I continued packing, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me. One thing was certain – my life would never be the same again.

ZOE

I awoke to Becca's insistent shaking and her worried voice. "Wake up, Zoe! Don't you have something important today?"

Grogginess clung to me like a heavy blanket. The stress from yesterday's apartment move still weighed on my mind. Without Becca's help, I'm not sure I would have managed it at all.

"I'm up!" I lied, fighting the urge to fall back asleep. Becca's vexed expression told me she wasn't buying it.

"Didn't you say you had a client to close? Don't tell me you've already lost," she prodded.

Her words hit me like a bucket of ice water. I bolted upright, suddenly wide awake, and dashed for the bathroom. How could I have forgotten? Today was crucial. Levi might have tried to ruin my life, but I wasn't going down without a fight.

"Don't forget to brush!" Becca called out, her giggles following me as I frantically prepared for the day.

I rushed through my morning routine and hurried to work. At the law firm where I mediated contracts and business deals, I barely made it on time. As I settled at my desk, a colleague approached me. "Jake came looking for you earlier. He wants you in his office."

Thanking her, I made my way to Jake's office. I knocked on the glass door, watching his expression shift from bright to scowling as he saw me.

"Good morning, Jake," I said, trying to sound cheerful.

"The only good thing about this morning would have been you closing that client," he replied, dropping his pen with a sigh. "We can't afford to lose this quota. If you can't close this deal, you lose your job, Zoe."

With a palpitating heart, I rushed back to my office, grabbing the file with the contract details. Jake had managed to get me a client, one of our biggest potential clients whom no one wanted to dare approach because of his ruthless reputation. I needed to appear in a conference meeting with his associates and close in less than thirty minutes. I pored over the documents, determined to understand every clause and phrase. I had to convince them of the benefits they'd gain by choosing our firm.

When the time came, I walked into the conference room, trying to project confidence. The rectangular, white-painted room buzzed with conversation, but no one paid me any attention. I was to lead the presentation, so I steeled myself for what was to come.

Minutes later, the client I desperately needed to impress walked in with his entourage. I nearly dropped my documents in shock. It was him – the man I'd been with at the club last night. He barely glanced at me before taking his seat opposite mine.

I forced myself to breathe. How could I not have asked his name? It didn't matter now. I had to nail this presentation, no matter what.

Putting on my best business smile, I addressed the room. "Good morning, Mr. Jameson Montague, CEO of the company we hope to partner with. Shall we begin the presentation?"

For the next ten minutes, I explained the deal's context, benefits, and how it would profit Jameson's company. The men in the room seemed impressed – all except Jameson.

"Is that it?" he asked coldly when I finished.

"Yes... what do you mean?" I asked hesitantly.

"How is this any different from the first proposal I rejected? There are no changes, no added benefits. Not to mention your poor presentation," he stated, his gaze piercing.

"If this is all you have to offer, we're done here," Jameson said, standing up and leaving the room.

I chased after him, my job hanging by a thread. He entered a VIP room, and I followed, finding him alone inside.

"You," he said, pointing at me. "Is this why you showed up at the club? To sleep with me, thinking I'd help you close your deal? How low can you stoop?"

"No, you've got it all wrong," I pleaded, my voice quivering. "What happened last night has nothing to do with this. It was a coincidence, I swear!"

"Do you take me for a fool?" Jameson's anger was palpable, his eyes flashing with rage. "You thought I wouldn't know? That I wouldn't see through your desperate ploy? Do you expect me to believe anything you say after this deception?"

"Look," I shot back, my own frustration and fear bubbling over, "I promise you, I had far more serious problems last night than stalking the CEO of a company I'm trying to close a deal with, just to sleep with him on a whim?"

"Lying till the very end," he sighed, pulling out his phone. Moments later, two burly security men entered the room.

"Escort her out," Jameson said nonchalantly, "and make sure she doesn't appear here or at any of our associated companies again. Ever."

As the men approached me, the full weight of my situation crashed down. In trying to save my career, I had not only destroyed it but had potentially ruined any chance of rebuilding it elsewhere. Tears stung my eyes as I realized that in a matter of minutes, I had lost everything I had worked so hard for.

"Please," I whispered, my voice breaking, "you don't understand what this means. This isn't just about a job. It's my entire future."