The One for You Would Never Leave You

"Are you really going through with this, Rose?" my best friend asked, eyeing me as I carefully applied a fresh coat of lipstick. The decision was made, I was going out tonight. Clubbing, of all things.

All thanks to my ex, who dumped me after two years because he suddenly decided I was too boring and not his type anymore. Funny how it never seemed to bother him before.

I felt the sting behind my eyes, the threat of tears rising, but I blinked them away. He didn't deserve that...not now, not ever. And I wasn't about to mess up my makeup over someone who clearly never saw my worth.

"I'm fine, Bella. Really. You don't have to worry," I said, raking my fingers through my hair to give it that intentionally messy, effortlessly sexy look. She was only concerned because she knew me well,crowds, loud music, alcohol... None of that was really me. But maybe that was the problem. Maybe I needed to change things up. Maybe he was right, and I was too stiff.

"It's just... it feels like you're doing this to prove a point to Derick," she said gently. And maybe that's what it looked like from the outside but the truth was, this had nothing to do with him anymore.

"I'm not doing this for Derick," I told her, my voice steady. "He's out of my life for good". This is for me.

"I just want to know what it's like to be wild for once. You could come with me, you know," I offered, noticing how anxious she looked.

Bella let out a frustrated sigh. "Trust me, I'd love to...but I've got a shift at the hospital tonight." Of course she did. Being a nurse meant her nights were often spent saving lives, not tagging along on impulsive clubbing adventures. So, it was just me tonight. Solo. But that was okay. Maybe I needed the space to let loose.

"Please don't do anything crazy," she said, pulling me into a hug before giving me a playful smile.

"Yes, ma'am," I teased, grabbing my bag and heading for the door.

"See you tomorrow!" she called after me.

"Bye!" I shouted back, just as I slid into the Uber waiting outside. I hadn't driven myself on purpose,if everything went according to plan, I'd be far too drunk to be behind the wheel.

I asked the driver to take me to The Cyclone, a chaotic, infamous club I'd only ever heard wild stories about. Something told me that's exactly where I needed to be tonight.

The line outside was insane...mostly kids who looked like they'd only just turned eighteen, hungry for their first real taste of nightlife. I didn't feel like waiting around. Tugging the neckline of my dress just a little lower, I gave myself a confident, sultry smile in the reflection of my phone screen and strode straight past the crowd.

The bouncer didn't say a word.

Just like that, I was inside.

The music hit me like a wave,loud, fast, and overwhelming. For a split second, I second guessed this whole idea. But no, tonight was about shedding my usual self. Tonight was about being bold.

As I pushed through the crowd, people were already losing themselves to the beat, some were drunk enough to forget what planet they were on.

I was just about to reach the bar when someone grabbed my hand. I turned to see a man who looked like he could barely stand.

"Dance with me, pretty thing," he slurred, pulling me against him. I practically crashed into his chest, instantly assaulted by the heavy stench of alcohol. Gross.

"Not tonight, sweetheart," I said, gently but firmly pushing him away before he could try anything else. I slipped into the nearest seat at the bar.

"Hit me with your strongest drink," I told the bartender, who raised an eyebrow in question.

I just shrugged. Why not?

The first shot went down rough,fiery and foul tasting. I winced. How people did this for fun, I had no idea. Still, I was here to let go. No overthinking. No rules. Just chaos.

As I glanced at the dance floor, the sea of bodies swaying under the flashing lights, my thoughts drifted straight to him. Was this the kind of nightlife Derick craved? Late nights, packed clubs, strangers bumping shoulders? We'd had our moments...sweet dates, quiet picnics, long walks in the park. I gave him all I could, so what more did he want? How did I go from being his person to suddenly not his type?

I used to ignore the way he double tapped bikini pics on Instagram like it meant nothing, but maybe that was always a red flag. Still, I couldn't believe he woke up one day and decided I wasn't enough.

And yet... Here I was, standing in the middle of a club trying to prove I was. No. I stopped myself. I wasn't doing this for him. This night,this version of me was for me.

Then I heard my name.

"Rose?"

I froze.

People always say speaking of the devil brings him to life, and apparently, that's not just a saying. Because there he was...Derick,of all people, in the same damn club, tonight of all nights. And he wasn't alone. A girl clung to him like she had to mark her territory.

I pulled on my most convincing fake smile and turned.

"Derick. Hi." I greeted coolly, silently screaming for him to walk away.

But of course, he didn't.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, clueless.

I almost laughed. What was I doing here? I should be asking him that. But I kept my voice casual.

"Just out for a drink with a friend. You?"

I already knew the answer. They weren't there for a quiet drink. They were going to get drunk, maybe do more, and it had nothing to do with me. Still, the fact that he even cared what I was doing? Irritating.

"I don't see how that's your business. You should probably get back to your... 'friend'," I said with a sharp smile. "I wouldn't want my boyfriend running into you here."

Where that lie came from, I had no idea. But I owned it.

His eyebrows shot up. "Boyfriend?"

"Yes. He went to the restroom. Should be back soon."

Derick looked stunned, which honestly made me want to grin.

"What, you thought I'd be crying in my room over you? Please. I didn't get a terminal diagnosis we broke up."

And just then, as if the universe had a sense of humor, a tall, handsome man appeared, walking toward the bar.

Without thinking, I got off my stool and walked straight to him.

"Hey babe, you took forever. I was starting to worry," I said quickly, keeping my voice low and my tone sweet. His face immediately showed confusion.

"Please. Just go with it," I whispered just loud enough for him to hear over the music.

Something shifted in his expression he caught on fast.

"Sorry, love," he said smoothly, "I left my phone in the car. Had to grab it."

Then he kissed me on the cheek.

I spotted Derick still watching, and the performance in me kicked up a notch. I pulled the stranger closer and kissed him full on the lips.

I meant it to be all show. Just to prove a point. But something about the kiss... didn't feel like acting. His lips didn't feel unfamiliar. They felt... right.

When we pulled apart, I looked toward where Derick had been, but he was gone.

And now, I was left standing with a stranger I had just kissed like I meant it.

"Do you kiss random guys like that often?" he asked, clearly amused.

I met his eyes for the first time, and everything slowed. They were striking...warm, intense, almost too much to look away from.

"I... didn't mean to," I said, though I wasn't even sure that was true.

He smirked. "I'm Ryan, by the way."

"Rose," I replied, still breathless.

And just like that, my night took a turn I hadn't planned for.

"Thanks for the save back there," I said as we slipped back onto our stools at the bar. Derick was gone thank God, and I hoped he'd stay gone in every way possible.

Not in that way possible I know what you're thinking.

"No problem," Ryan replied casually, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "So... mystery man was he your ex?"

"Unfortunately," I muttered, exhaling sharply. "Derick. Just a ghost I haven't fully exorcised yet."

"Ghosts don't usually look that possessive," he said, raising an eyebrow.

I laughed bitterly. "Please. He dumped me like I was expired milk. Whatever that was back there wasn't love, it was ego."

Ryan didn't push further. Instead, he waved the bartender over. "Same as before?" he asked, already ordering the drink for us both.

I nodded, a reckless smile tugging at my lips. "Let's turn this night up."

When the drinks arrived, I barely hesitated. I threw the shot back like water and slammed the glass on the counter, already signaling for another.

Ryan let out a low chuckle. "Someone's on a mission."

"Damn right I am," I grinned, downing a second, then a third. The burn in my throat was sharp, but it matched the fire inside me.

"Okay, okay," Ryan said, laughing as I reached for a fourth. He gestured to the bartender to pause.

I blinked at him in slow confusion and reached for his drink instead. But before I could grab it, his hand wrapped around my wrist.

I looked up at him blurry, tipsy, annoyed.

"You took mine," I pouted, slurring slightly.

"You've had enough," he said gently. "Trust me. I'm trying to save you from a regret you'll meet in the morning."

Then he surprised me by lifting my hand and pressing a soft kiss to it. My breath caught. A blush crept across my cheeks that had nothing to do with the alcohol.

"Dance with me," I said suddenly, already getting up and tugging him toward the dance floor.

He let me lead, though I could tell it was more for my sake than his, he moved with the quiet confidence of someone who didn't get dragged anywhere he didn't want to be.

The music pulsed through the room, deep bass vibrating through my chest. I turned around, my back pressing against his chest, and began to move with the beat. His hands found my waist, and we swayed together in a rhythm that felt far too natural.

I let my body relax into him, feeling the warmth of him behind me. My hips pressed into him, my movements slow and deliberate. His breath brushed against the curve of my neck.

He leaned in and whispered something that got swallowed up by the music but I caught fragments beautiful, deadly, game.

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down my spine.

I could feel him, really feel him..hard against me, and suddenly, everything around us disappeared.

"We should go," he murmured near my ear.

I turned to face him. His eyes burned into mine, full of unspoken promises. Dangerous ones.

"Lead the way," I said, my voice low, lips parted in anticipation.

Ryan laced his fingers through mine and pulled me through the crowd. As soon as we stepped outside, the cool air rushed against my skin, grounding me only for a moment.

Before I could speak, he backed me up against the wall of the building and crashed his lips onto mine.

I melted into the kiss, moaning softly as his hands held me firmly, yet gently. His mouth moved over mine like he already knew me. When he finally pulled back, I was breathless.

We walked toward a sleek car parked by the curb. The headlights blinked as he clicked the keys.

"Yours?" I asked, half dazed.

He nodded, opening the door for me. I slid in without hesitation something I'd never normally do. But tonight wasn't about rules. It was about release.

The drive was quiet, the tension between us thick. When the car slowed and turned into a private driveway, I blinked at the mansion coming into view.

"Wait... you live here?" I asked, stunned.

Ryan didn't answer right away. He stepped out, walked around, and opened the door for me. I had barely stepped out when his arms swept under my legs and back.

"Whoa what are you doing?" I gasped as he lifted me off the ground, bridal style.

"Carrying you inside," he said smoothly. "Can't have my date stumbling through my gates."

I laughed, the sound catching in my throat as I looked at him. His grip was strong, secure and for the first time that night, I didn't feel wild.

I felt safe.

"Put me down, I've got legs, you know," I protested, squirming slightly in Ryan's arms. But he just smirked and kept walking, carrying me like I weighed nothing. My words didn't matter he was determined.

As soon as we stepped inside his house, the mood shifted again. He set me down, and before I could catch my breath, my back met the wall with a soft thud. His mouth was on mine instantly, picking up where we left off only hotter, more urgent.

It was insane. I was doing everything I never thought I would. Just hours ago I was spiraling over Derick, and now I had a complete stranger's hands exploring my body like he knew exactly what I needed. The alcohol, the adrenaline, the frustration it was all one dangerous mix.

Buttons flew, zippers followed. Our clothes were scattered in every direction, and I couldn't even care. My fingers fumbled with his belt in desperation, and I cursed under my breath.

"Someone's eager," he murmured against my neck, voice low and teasing. The sound alone made me melt.

I didn't even realize we'd made it to his bedroom until I felt the mattress under my back.

His lips traveled down my neck, each kiss igniting something inside me I didn't know existed. I found myself thinking how Derick never took his time like this. It was always rushed, always about him. But this? This felt different.

"Make love to me," I breathed.

"I plan to," he answered, and he meant it.

He didn't rush. He didn't hesitate. And by the time I closed my eyes, I knew no one else was going to measure up after this.

I stirred slowly, letting out a sleepy yawn as I sat up. I stretched... and froze. A warm hand lay across my stomach. That wasn't mine.

Wait this wasn't my bed.

My eyes widened as I glanced around. The unfamiliar room. The masculine cologne in the air. And then... him.

Ryan.

My heart raced as flashes from the night before rushed in: the club, the dancing, the kiss, the bedroom...

Oh god.

I covered my mouth to stop the gasp from escaping. What had I done?

I needed to leave. Now.

Carefully, I lifted his hand off me, trying not to wake him. I slid out of bed, my eyes scanning the room for my clothes. Nothing. It looked like a tornado had torn through last night, and our clothes had been its first victims.

I crept toward what I guessed was a closet and jackpot. I grabbed the first shirt I could find, pulling it over my head. No bra. No underwear. Just one of his shirts that hung past my thighs. Not ideal, but it would have to do.

I slipped my feet into his oversized slippers, grabbed my purse from the couch, and made my way to the door like a thief sneaking out of a heist.

Halfway through my escape, I heard him shift and groan behind me. I froze like a statue, praying he wouldn't wake up.

After a long, tense second, silence.

I exhaled in relief and crept out, gently shutting the door behind me.

As soon as I stepped outside, I bolted.

I flagged down the first taxi I could find and sank into the back seat like I'd just outrun a disaster.

When we pulled up to my place, I muttered a quick "thank you" and stumbled out, still wearing his shirt, slippers, and a storm of emotions.

That was one hell of a night.

But just as I walked into my apartment, heart still pounding, I stopped dead in my tracks.

There was someone inside. Sitting casually. Waiting.

My eyes narrowed.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped.

And just like that, the chaos wasn't over.

"What are you doing here?" I asked again, sharper this time, just in case he'd somehow missed it the first.

How the hell had he even gotten into my house? Then it hit me of course. We'd dated for two years, he knew exactly where the spare key was. I was going to have to talk to Cara. The locks needed changing. Immediately. He didn't get to waltz in whenever he pleased anymore. He wasn't my boyfriend, and he had no right.

"So... you were with him last night?" His voice was edged with accusation, and that's when I realized the shirt and slippers I had on weren't doing me any favors.

"And why exactly is that your business? In case your memory's failing you, we broke up." I moved to walk past him, but his hand shot out, catching mine.

"Let go."

"Does he treat you better than I did? Does he touch you better? Kiss you better?" His words grew harsher until, before I knew it, he yanked me toward him. My chest pressed against his as he leaned in, trying to kiss me.

The sound of my palm meeting his cheek cracked through the air. I shoved him back.

"Are you out of your mind?!" I snapped, heat rising in my face. "You dumped me. You cheated. And now you're in my house, questioning me about another man? Who do you think you are?"

"Rose..." he murmured, soft, like he thought saying my name might magically undo everything.

He should've tried imagining how I felt when he ended things with that pathetic excuse about me being 'too uptight' only for me to hear he went clubbing with a female coworker hours later.

"What do you want, Derick?" I folded my arms.

"Us," he said. "We can fix this. I'll take the blame. You forgive me, I'll forgive... last night."

I laughed, cold and humorless. "I don't need your forgiveness. If anything, I should be thanking you for setting me free. Now get out."

"Come on, babe-"

"Don't call me that," I cut in. "You lost that right."

"What the hell is your problem? I'm offering to get back together. Shouldn't you be happy?!"

Before I could answer, a voice came from behind me. "What's going on here?"

Relief washed over me. Cara stood in the doorway, her eyes flicking between us. Derick's lip curled, he'd never liked her, and the feeling was mutual.

"What's this trash doing in our house?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Watch your mouth, slut," he shot back.

That was it. "Derick, leave," I ordered.

"Yeah, and while you're at it, disappear off the planet," Cara added.

"She's been poisoning you against me, hasn't she?" he said, pointing at Cara.

Cara's laugh was sharp. "You broke up with her, now you're trying to pull her back like she's some toy you tossed aside. Get lost."

"I'm calling the cops," I said flatly.

"I'm already dialing," Cara added, fishing in her bag.

"Fine!" Derick spat, storming out like the drama king he was.

When the door shut, Cara turned to me, her tone softening. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Her eyes narrowed. "He didn't hurt you, right?"

"No."

She exhaled, then suddenly her expression shifted to mischief. "Now... why do you look like you just walked in from a very interesting night?"

"You wouldn't believe me," I muttered.

"Try me."

So, I told her well, the parts I remembered.

By the time I finished, she just stared, wide eyed and speechless, until suddenly she jumped to her feet, squealing like she'd just won the lottery.

"My best friend had a one-night stand! Tell me everything was he gorgeous? Rich? And why the hell did you run off?"

"I wasn't sticking around to be caught in that awkward morning after moment," I sighed. "Besides... you know I haven't been with anyone but Derick."

Ryan. His name alone made my chest tighten. He wasn't leaving my head anytime soon. But it was just one night. He'd forget about me surely.

"Anyway," I said, steering the conversation away. "I'm starving. Let's eat."

We grabbed cereal, then collapsed into a nap marathon.

When I woke up, it was because I'd dreamed of him. One night, and he was already haunting me.

The weekend passed in a blur of grocery shopping and clothes hunting Cara helped me pick out outfits for my new job. Monday came too soon.

Dressed in a neat black skirt, pale pink blouse, and heels, my hair swept into a bun, I walked into the building ready to impress.

At the building's entrance, I greeted the security guard, flashed my new ID, and stepped inside. The sleek lobby made me feel both tiny and important at the same time.

"I'm here for my first day," I told the receptionist with a polite smile.

"Name?" she asked without looking up from her monitor.

"Rose Norman."

Her head snapped up, recognition flickering across her face. "Ah Miss Norman. One moment." She picked up the phone, spoke quietly, then hung up. "Someone will take you to Mr. Ricci's office."

A woman from my interview panel appeared moments later, greeting me warmly. "Follow me, please. He's already in his office."

I nodded and stepped into the elevator with her, trying to ignore the nerves twisting in my stomach. We rode up to the twenty third floor in silence, and my pulse only grew louder in my ears.

When we arrived, she slipped into the office first, leaving me outside. A moment later, she reappeared with a smile. "You can go in now."

Still smiling, I opened the door. My new boss stood with his back to me, gazing out of the massive window.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted.

No response.

Then, slowly, he turned and my smile vanished.

And for a moment every laying just feels like a dream.

I shut my eyes for a moment, silently wishing that when I opened them, he'd be gone. Maybe I've been thinking about him too much lately, imagining him in every space.

Oh shit.