~Aiden's POV~
I arrived at the bar, angry and needed to cool off my mind.
"How could my mother think of my wife in such a manner? We both checked ourselves medically, and we are fine, no underlying health conditions", I mumbled in my heart, my grip tightened around the glass.
"How do I take off this burden? What do I do to stop my family from pressuring me? My thoughts spiraled as I gulped another sip.
I had taken two glasses of blended whiskey already and was about to go for the next glass. As I raised my glass to signal the bartender, my thoughts were distracted by the warm pleasantries of a subtle voice. I gently raised my head to see the face behind the voice.
"Hi, I am Sarah", a young lady greeted me at the bar, extending her hands toward me for a handshake.
I gently nodded to acknowledge her presence but didn't pay attention because I wasn't interested in having a conversation.
"You seem too tense for a man your age" Sarah persisted. "Daddy issues? Let me guess", she teased, as she pulled a seat close to me.
"I appreciate the conversation, but I just want to be alone in my thoughts. I will appreciate it if you respected that" I said, my tone firm, yet weary.
"How about I pay for the next round? I am new to the area, just looking for someone to talk to… and maybe clear my mind too" Sarah was still persistent, not giving up until she got my Attention.
With a heavy breath, I sighed, dragging a hand down my face.
"Alright, Missy you win, next round on you and then we go our separate ways" Agreeing reluctantly.
A spark of excitement arose from Sarah. What started as small talk soon blurred into a haze of whiskey and slurred conversations. I was completely wasted—barely aware of my environment, and my words were barely clear, I staggered back into my chair as I attempted to stand. There was no way I would make it to my car, let alone drive to my house.
Sarah offered to help.
"Excuse me," Sarah said approaching the bartender. "Is there a Motel nearby where we could just spend the night? My friend here is completely drunk and can't go home".
"There's a place just two blocks away from here" the bartender replied.
Rolling her eyes in relief and expressing a thankful hand, she headed toward me and pulled me up
*****
The sound of my phone's alarm ringing woke me up, my head pounding like a drum, my throat dry as a desert. My eyes broadened as they wandered the enter room, and I realized the room was unfamiliar. My clothes were littered on the floor of the room, but then I couldn't remember how I got into the room.
"Could I have gone back home? Or did Annabel book us a Hotel? Still searching for answers in my head.
Then I noticed it — a female figure lying on the same bed I stood up from, half naked and fast asleep.
My heart dropped, racing faster than usual.
"Who is this? How did I get here? I don't recall anything from last night aside from the argument with my parent that led me to the bar. No, no, no this could not have happened".
I quietly scrambled to gather my clothes as I hurriedly and silently dressed up, desperate to leave before the nightmare unfolded any further.
***
Annabel
"It was 8am already and I haven't seen Aiden yet". I snapped.
I picked up my phone and was about to dial Kourtney's number when I heard a car drive in. I looked outside my window and it was Aiden's car. I felt a bit relieved seeing he was in one piece.
I immediately took to my heels and headed downstairs to meet him at the entrance because I was worried all through the night.
"Where have you been? Curious, I inquired, whispering into his ears while I held him in a warm embrace but I could still smell the strong stench of Alcohol on his breath.
"I am sorry I couldn't take your calls, I was just… trying to get my shit together" he replied calmly, taking his eyes off mine as someone with guilt.
I could sense something was off. I know Aiden so well— he was nervous, but I didn't want my curiosity to push him off, so I relaxed.
"Let's go inside," I said softly. "You need a warm bath".
Without hesitation, we walked up the stairs. My mind raced with unspoken answers.
****
Aiden
As I stood under the shower, motionless, drowned in thoughts as the water poured down from the shower. My body tensed, yet the heat did little to ease the weight pressing against my chest.
I could feel it. The awful feeling of betrayal curled around my chest.
It was all coming together— fragments of the previous night unraveling in my mind. Flashes of heated whisper, tangled limbs, and the intoxicated recklessness I had drowned myself in. The stranger from the bar.
My breath thumbed.
"I don't even know her name, I can't remember who she said she was, how foolish I was I. I have had a one-night stand with a stranger". My eyes struck in suspense.
My hand pressed on the cold tiles, my fingers curling into a fist. A reflection of myself from the dazed mirror taunted me— my eyes widened in disbelief, my heart pounding hard by the second as guilt erupts from within.
I had betrayed Annabel. Thrown it away — all for what? A reckless, alcoholic-fueled mistake?
A quick snap to reality and I was out of the shower. I needed to head to the office as the CEO of MK Cosmetics, I needed to be in sound mind, not the one I had a few minutes ago during the shower.
As I made my way out of the room and headed downstairs, laughter and giggling from a room across the corridor made me half. It was Annabel and some domestic staff in the room unboxing the presents she got from her congratulatory party the previous day.
"Babe, are you off to work already?" Anna curiously asked with a soft grin.
"Yes, I have to be at the office today". I replied as he walked towards her. "I have to meet with some new investors today, they are flying in from Paris". As I leaned down to kiss her, an image from last night flashed through my mind—Sarah's lips, her touch, the scent of alcohol and regret lingering between them.
Annabel tilted her head gently."Well, I would have suggested you take a day off" She mumbled as she shrugged her shoulders.
" I will be back as soon as I am done with the meeting. Are you okay with that? I asked, watching her expression closely.
Nodding her head in satisfaction, she stood to hug me and also walked me to the door. Just as we approached the doorways, Annabel's phone rang.
Annabel glanced at the screen, her brows furrowing.
"A strange number," she muttered.
My mind raced.
'Could it be her?'
'No. No, it couldn't. Could it?'
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay composed.
Annabel hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hello?"
Total Silence.
Then, a voice—steady, professional, yet unreadable.
Her expression changed—first surprise, then something different. Curiosity? Uncertainty?
I held my breath.
She halted and nodded slowly. "Oh I… I see, I wasn't expecting this."
My stomach churned, my chest beating in tension.
She paid attention for a few more seconds, gazing at me briefly before turning back.
I gripped my fists, my heart thumping.
Then—she smiled. A small yet genuine smile.
"I see… Yes, I'd love to discuss this further," she said.
I breathed out, but my comfort was short-lived.
Because I had no idea who was on the other end of that call— or if my worst nightmare had just begun.