It Started With One-Night Stand

Serena P. O. V

Fuck you, Jason.

I raised my hands high to the beat of the EDM music that filled my ears. The influence of alcohol is enough to make me forget about the problems that led me to run away to Monaco.

Today, it's exactly two hundred days since my relationship with Jason ended. My friends took me to Monaco to celebrate 'Two Hundred Days Without That Jerk Jason'.

I can live without Jason. On second thought, he wasn't worth crying over. Even though I spent sixty days crying and shutting myself in my room. Jason not only broke my heart, but also made me doubt that there are good men in this world.

On paper, Jason met all the criteria my parents wanted in a son-in-law. Jason strengthened my strained relationship with my parents and made it more amicable. He may not be the most handsome man I've ever known. Jason compensated for his physical shortcomings by excelling in other areas.

Jason was very polite. He could melt the heart of Mr. General of the Air Force, aka my father, with his manners. Papa stated that there are a few young people today who have good manners. Jason is the exception to the rule.

During the two years we dated, Jason truly treated me like a queen.

Until finally, Jason broke my trust.

I shook my head quickly, pushing the image of that bastard Jason out of my mind. It's the two-hundredth day. I've promised not to cry over him anymore.

Starting tomorrow, I will move on. Eloise and Renesmee helped me make a list to move on from that asshole. The first point was to resign from the office, so I wouldn't see my ex's face again. By distancing myself from Jason, I'm sure I can get over him faster.

Second, a vacation to Monaco. Eloise and Renesmee forced me to leave the house we shared. I couldn't refuse, because they were forcing me to forget Jason.

In Monaco, I also made a list of what I wanted to do. How long had it been since I'd really thought about what I wanted to do to pamper myself?

"Serena, we're in Monaco. Come on... get rid of that sad face." Eloise brutally shook my shoulder with an obnoxious laugh. I nearly tripped because wearing high heels while intoxicated is not advisable.

"The tattoo still hurts on my skin." I hissed softly while rubbing my chest.

Eloise's laughter hardened, and her eyes glanced at my chest. I wore a stylish strapless lace up corset mini dress to my 200 days of being a single party. The dress beautifully highlighted my neck and shoulders. This was Renesmee's idea, since I had to show off the tattoos I got this afternoon.

Getting a tattoo is one of the 101 ways to forget Jason. I want to feel sexy and make Jason regret dumping me, regardless of the benefits.

"Anyway, please note the second list." Renesmee approached me with a satisfied laugh. "I deliberately brought you here, so you could get a new guy."

Renesmee met the billionaire while sunbathing on the beach in Monaco. After that flirting session, they became close, and he told her that he was throwing a party at his villa. Renesmee agreed, expecting high-class guys at the party. That's how I ended up at this party.

I can't deny that this party was quite fun. I reduced my alcohol tolerance to savor the free vintage drinks. Renesmee's instincts were not wrong. Many handsome men enjoyed a lavish shirtless party at the Monaco Billionaire's villa.

However, I wasn't desiring flirting. It wasn't that I was still thinking about Jason, but I wasn't ready to get involved in a new relationship.

I danced to the music while Eloise and Renesmee tried to distract me with potential rebounds.

Deep in my heart, I'm not looking for someone new.

And... I licked my saliva.

I was grabbing a drink at the bar counter when my eyes fell on a man who didn't seem to care about his surroundings. He wasn't dancing and wasn't even looking around. Ever since I noticed, he hadn't touched the drink in front of him.

Deliberately, I lingered at the bar counter. From this place, I could study him clearly. I was sure that wherever he was, he would definitely attract women. Tonight alone, there were many women who approached him, but they only got a faint smile in return.

Everyone who comes to this party has one goal, and that's to escape from trouble. Isn't that the essence of a party? For a moment, forget the problems of real life. Alcohol and music, perhaps followed by make out, make problems seem so far away.

This man must be running away from trouble.

He looked away. It was too late to dodge because he caught me studying him. Already wet, I waved at him. Just like the other women who tried to approach him, he also gave me a faint smile.

I never approach men at bars, clubs, or similar places. Actually, I'm not a party girl. People misunderstand me and think I'm a party girl, but I'd rather be at home watching anime. My wibu side, which not many people know except Jason. According to him, my hobby of watching anime actually makes me look special. It was our similarities that made him approach me. Plus, we were office colleagues, so the approach went smoothly.

In fact, the approach clouded my common sense and made me unable to see who Jason really was.

The strange man had my attention. I grabbed a glass of beer and approached him. Without asking permission, I took up the couch next to him.

"Hi," I greeted him with a cheerful smile.

From this close distance, I could see him intently. He had a handsome face that seemed cold. I didn't cover up when I looked at his body intently.

Damn him! He has a nice body. Body from intense workouts at the gym. He's the only guy here who isn't shirtless. People would feel embarrassed if he revealed what he was hiding under his black shirt by taking it off. From my observations, I'm sure he has tantalizing abs.

Very different from Jason. How could I be blindly in love with my ex? I'm sure in another year, Jason will have a beer belly like an alcoholic middle-aged man.

"My name is Serena." I extended my hand and half-screamed over the deafening music.

He looked at my outstretched hand before replying. "Leopold."

Leopold... Leopold... Leopold. I repeated the name repeatedly, silently. It's a unique name, but it suits his mysterious-looking figure.

"So, what's your problem?" I asked, while looking at him without blinking.

Leopold looked at me with a furrowed brow.

I laughed lightly. "People who come here must have a problem. Take me, for example. I'm here to celebrate 200 days since my ex-boyfriend ended our two-year relationship."

It etched a smile on his full lips.

"So, what's your problem, Mr. Leopold?" I asked again as I leaned back against the sofa. A faint smirk spread across my lips as I caught his blue eyes gazing down at my exposed thighs.

He shrugged, indifferent. "Nothing special."

I pointed at the crowd dancing in the backyard of the villa. "Does anyone know?"

Leopold nodded briefly. "My business partner. But I don't know where he is now."

My blood rushed at his words. His voice sounded heavy, sexy, and raspy when he spoke longer sentences.

"I came here at the invitation of my best friend. She knows the Billionaire guy who owns this party. Luckily, the party was pretty fun." I fiddled with my wineglass with a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, not my type." Leopold snorted softly before taking a sip of whiskey.

I turned my body to face him. His Adam's apple rose and fell slowly, making me hold my breath. He's so hot. "So, what's your type?"

He looked at me from behind his lush lashes. His wet, red lips smirked before answering my question. "Music type or girl type?"

He trapped me.

I put my wineglass down as I relaxed myself. "Both."

He laughed softly, showing his rows of neat teeth. "Nothing in particular. How old are you?"

His question made me flinch. I tilted my head to the right to examine him. The lighting in this area was quite dim, so I couldn't clearly catch the age of his actual figure.

"I'm twenty-three years old this year. Why?" I asked, while flashing a small smile.

Once again, a smile appeared on his sexy lips. "Well, you're too young. So, you're not my type."

"What the hell..."

Serena P. O. V

His reply made my blood boil.

I definitely didn't accept rejection. Besides, the reason was really unclear.

"What's wrong with me being too young?" I looked up to give him a challenging look.

Those sharp eyes glanced at me, then took another sip of whiskey. "Women your age only bring trouble."

I stared at him with narrowed eyes, unable to understand his opinion. "Like what?"

Leopold turned his body toward me. My position, also facing him, caused his thighs to touch mine. He looked down for a moment, and I seized the moment to close the distance with him. I deliberately held one side of his thigh with my thigh. He growled softly, but I ignored him.

"Nothing." Leopold used one hand to say that he was uncomfortable with my question.

He tried to break away, but I leaned my body towards him even more. I noticed that Leopold looked a little surprised and then kept his distance from me.

From the way he looked at me, it was as if I were a parasite. And he didn't hide his desire to stay away from me.

"Why?" I asked, teasing him even more by moving my chest.

Leopold growled hoarsely. "I got divorced because I got involved with a young girl like you. Satisfied, Miss Serena?"

I should have sympathized with his problem, but I burst out laughing at his answer.

"There you are. Everyone comes here because they're running away from their problems." I patted his shoulder, sympathizing with his tragedy. "Well, I hate people who cheat the most. But seeing you look frustrated, maybe you can change my perception. Although, the act of cheating is never right."

Leopold looked at me with a flat gaze and a lazy expression on his face. "No, thanks."

I lightly patted his sturdy shoulder. "Come on... you know what? They say confiding in strangers works. I broke up with him because he had a girlfriend and they were planning a wedding. I only found out that I was the second person after he said he wanted to end his relationship with me."

Leopold seemed to be holding back a smile. Even though two hundred days had passed, I still couldn't forgive myself for being so stupid.

"One month before the wedding, he met me at home and asked me to have sex for the last time." I continued with a fiery look of emotion.

This time, Leopold no longer covered up the look of disgust on his face. "Let me guess. You really want to have sex with him."

I looked down and almost slammed my forehead on the bar counter. This stupid me was still hoping Jason would call off the wedding and choose me. Even after the passionate sex, Jason didn't come back to me.

"I swear, I wish his penis couldn't stand up. Better yet, impotent!" I exclaimed loudly, feeling my emotions rising at the thought of my last encounter with my asshole ex.

Leopold was no longer laughing. This time, he had a serious look on his face. "Once in our lives, I think we should be fools first to know our true value."

"Apparently you're wise, too." I folded my arms across my chest. "So, what's your foolishness?"

Leopold let out a long breath. "My marriage was in trouble, but instead of finding a solution, I fell for the charms of a young woman. She's an intern at my company."

"You're having an affair?" I asked, clenching my fists tightly.

He rubbed his face quickly. "I didn't have sex with her. But I felt very guilty. So I told my wife the truth, and the next day the divorce papers were on my desk."

"Apparently, your story can't make me change my mind. Even once, you still played with fire behind your wife's back." I sighed and drank the remaining wine in the glass.

"I know," he replied softly.

His face revealed more profound issues beyond cheating and divorce.

"That's not the only foolishness you're referring to, is it?" I smiled a little while looking at him intensely.

His sharp eyes looked sad, perhaps remembering the fatal mistake he had made. "Nope. My mistake was marrying the wrong woman."

His answer piqued my curiosity. This is the first time I've met such a complicated man.

"And the apprentice girl is a good girl?"

Leopold shook his head. "Do you know what I'm thinking right now?"

I folded my arms across my chest and put on a gentle expression as he confided in me.

"My best friend just got married. Before this, he didn't believe in love; in fact, he vowed never to get married. Until he met his current wife. Seeing him reminded me of my marriage. I didn't have the sincere attraction that I saw in my friend's eyes when he looked at his wife. I realized more and more that I married the wrong woman," Leopold replied with a sharp intake of breath. I'm sure he's feeling a great deal of emotional turmoil right now.

I had originally approached him to flirting. But I didn't expect him to tell me a story that left me stunned for a few moments.

I looked at him with an uncomfortable feeling. "I'm so afraid that no man is right for me."

Leopold grinned faintly. "Then we're doomed."

I snorted. I'm not usually this desperate. However, Leopold had a point too. There might not be a genuine, good-hearted man destined for me. Or I would meet that person at the right time; who knows when?

In the past, I used to worry about finding my future soul mate. Tonight, I've abandoned the Serena persona, who incessantly fretted over hypothetical scenarios. And I tried to enjoy what was in front of me.

Currently, there is Leopold in front of me. I smiled a little. He seemed to realize that there was a cunning idea in my mind, so he looked at me with a question mark.

"What if..." I grabbed his big hand and pointed it at my chest. "I'm a mistake, and you're a mistake. Why don't we just enjoy this mistake until we find the right one?"

"Are you kidding me?" Those ocean-blue eyes flashed as they looked at me.

If he had thought I was being presumptuous, then he would have pulled his hand away. However, he was silent. His large palms stroked my breasts, which were not accommodated by my short dress.

"Don't play any further," I said as his free hand was about to slip into my dress.

Leopold swallowed. He was still looking at me with a furrowed brow. Meanwhile, I wore a defiant expression. I wondered how far he would take my challenge.

And seconds later, Leopold's full lips silenced me with his rough kiss.

Serena P. O. V

Hands down. Last night was the best kiss I've ever had.

Once I'm in a relationship, it usually lasts a long time. It's no wonder that my references to kissing and sex experiences are so few.

The last guy I kissed was that asshole Jason. Everything about him was a fatal mistake that I shouldn't have to bring up. Even remembering him made me feel like I had wasted my time.

Overnight, Leopold had managed to erase all memories of Jason from my mind.

Last night's kiss happened so suddenly. In the slightest, I didn't expect him to erase our distance. It could only petrify my body like a statue. I only realized this when I felt Leopold's palm holding my nape.

This was also my first experience. Kissing with a stranger.

He's practically a stranger. Last night was my first encounter with him. An encounter that lasted less than an hour but ended with my tongue dancing with his.

It would be a lie if I said his kiss was just a passing fancy. He was a great kisser. I could feel how much he dominated the kiss. He took the initiative, and he also directed me to kiss him back the way he wanted.

I didn't want the time to end. The kiss with Leopold deserves to be on the list of the most enjoyable things that happened in my life.

After the breakup, I made a list to remind myself that life is too meaningful to cry over one person. Now, Leopold's kiss was at the top of the list.

He started it, and he also ended it. One second he was mercilessly controlling my lips, and the next he was letting me go. Leopold assumed an upright posture. From the makeshift lighting, I could feel his piercing gaze.

"I know you were trouble," he muttered, accompanied by a low growl.

I forced myself to smile, even though I wanted to jump onto his lap and feel his lips again. However, I restrained myself. I swear to God, this was a very tough test.

"Am I worth the trouble?" I puffed out my chest, giving him a challenging look.

His full lips moved to form a smirk. He didn't say anything else until he finally left me alone.

He kissed me like an animal. I wonder how it feels when he fucks me.

I cursed myself. It seemed like Leopold had too much power over me; even after his departure, I couldn't think clearly. And I kept thinking of many things about him.

"Hey... Is the devil possessing you?" Eloise's loud voice brought me back to the present.

I scanned the busy beach, filled with people enjoying the water, breeze, and sun. The sun was leaving an orange tinge, as it was about to set. The music was pounding, and the noise made the beach club so lively.

My best friends and I were at Larvotto Beach, which is at the top of the list of the most famous beaches in Monaco. Larvotto Beach has a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea and soft white sand. The seawater has mesmerizing shades of blue, inviting me to swim. Palm trees line the beach, giving it a cool feel. And there is a small jetty that connects the beach to the abundant marine life.

The perfect location to escape trouble. However, only my body was here because it still left my mind at the party last night.

"So, who was the man who kissed you last night?" Renesmee leaned in with a seductive, curious gaze.

I chuckled when I heard her question. "You mean?"

Renesmee rolled her eyes. "I saw you kissing a man last night. So who is he?"

Throughout today, Renesmee was the most chatty among the three of us. I wanted to applaud her because she was the only one who managed to hold her curiosity until the afternoon. It wasn't easy for the curious Renesmee, as I'm sure she had wanted to interrogate me since this morning.

"Stranger," I said as I fiddled with the straw in my orange juice glass.

"What about him? Is he handsome, hot, and rich?" Eloise seemed to get an injection of energy every time we talked about guys. Her doe eyes sparkled like pearls in the afternoon sun.

I didn't answer right away. My mind replays Leopold's image from last night. The dim lighting and alcohol impaired my ability to fully see his appearance.

"It's probably, as you mentioned, Eloise. I couldn't get a clear picture of him because of the poor light. But he was the greatest kisser ever in my entire life," I replied in a cheerful tone. I really couldn't hide the merry twinkle on my face.

"You also said that when you were dating Jason." Renesmee's elegantly beautiful face showed clear disgust as she snorted.

I shook my head quickly. "Jason's score is only up to 30 out of 300,000. Well, Leopold..."

"Who's Leopold?" said Renesmee rapidly before I could finish my sentence.

"The one who kissed me." I replied with a giggle. My brain reflexively played back the footage of Leopold kissing me hotly. "Well, he's out of a thousand."

Eloise and Renesmee burst out laughing. They seemed satisfied because it looked like their mission to get me to Monaco had succeeded. At least I could talk about Jason without any lingering hurt. Disappointment was still there, but it was disappointment at my stupidity.

I looked around the beach, which was getting more crowded because it was about to be sunset. I was about to look away when my eyes fell back on the figure at one table, not far from where I was. I rubbed my eyes a few times to make sure I wasn't looking at the wrong person.

"Leopold," I muttered.

"You mean the man who kissed you last night?" Renesmee turned her head, following the direction of my gaze.

Eloise quickly moved closer to us and stared in a random direction. "Seriously, where's the man who managed to kiss you?" she asked while shaking my shoulder.

I pointed to the north hesitantly. It was dark last night, so I couldn't clearly examine Leopold's face. But I was sure that this man on Larvotto Beach was Leopold.

"The man in the white T-shirt?" asked Eloise again while pointing at Leopold.

I nodded as I tugged on Eloise's shameless hand. I was one hundred percent sure that the man in the white Brunello Cucinelli T-shirt was Leopold.

"Woah..... BBC." Renesmee clapped her hands while whistling seductively.

I looked at her with my forehead wrinkled. "What?"

Renesmee looked at me with a big smile. "You're good at spotting attractive men, despite the poor lighting at last night's party. This radar of yours can never lie." Her thumb pointed behind her back, and it clearly drew a lascivious look on her beautiful face. "He's the definition of mature, dashing, rich, and big black cock."

I almost choked on my orange juice when I heard the review from Renesmee's mouth. "Damn! You've been watching too many BBC-themed blue movies."

Fuck being the center of attention. Renesmee's bad habits always make me laugh. Behind her elegant, noble figure was a burning desire to have a BBC boyfriend.

Renesmee made wild assumptions based on her blue movie collection. Meanwhile, I continued to observe Leopold. The bright light this afternoon allowed me to see him clearly.

His skin was golden-tan as the sunlight hit it. From the firm structure of his face, I guessed that he had European blood and perhaps a hint of black people. And last night I enjoyed his kiss so much that I didn't notice his thick accent.

While I was studying him, he accidentally looked in my direction. Leopold even moved his chair, probably to make sure that he recognized me. And I saw a look of recognition on his face that made me sure he really was Leopold.

"Yes, it's him." I nodded and immediately took a quick sip of orange juice. With just one look, he managed to dehydrate me.

"You have no intention of going to him?" asked Eloise.

I frowned while chuckling lightly. "Are you serious?"

"Serena, you're the one who said that his score is three thousand above Jason's. Are you sure you would rather not approach him?" Renesmee raised and lowered her eyebrows with a teasing look.

Last night, alcohol overpowered me, so there was a reason behind my impulsive behavior. Today, I can't blame the alcohol. And suddenly, my courage ebbed. I saw his friends, who seemed to be from the upper social class, leaving him alone at the table.

"He's alone," Eloise whispered in my left ear.

I remained frozen in place.

Leopold looked back at me. A faint smile spread across his face. From this distance, I felt my goosebumps bristle at the sight of his smile. It was as if he were right next to me.

"If you would rather not move, I can really take your place to meet him." Renesmee had already made a move to stand up, but I beat her to it.

My best friends laughed loudly at the sight of me standing up.

"Not today, Renesmee," I said with a flirty smile.

"Don't forget the condoms, and let us know if you don't go back to the hotel tonight," Eloise said casually.

I snorted rudely as I smoothed my long black hair that flowed freely down to my hips. "We're not necessarily making out."

To the laughter of my friends, I walked over to Leopold. His gaze followed my every step as I walked towards his table. He scrutinized me with his sharp eyes as I wore a floral print dress with spaghetti straps. As I walk, the floral print dress that shows off my curves moves gracefully. I also complement my style with a pair of sandals and a white mini bag.

The thinner the distance between him and me, the faster my heart beats.