er's

-remembered song, the kind that clung to the cor

ven planne

s, someone who thought rubbing shoulders with billionaires was the same as being on

, there

filtered, like she didn't care who heard. She moved like someone discovering freedom for the fir

my di

ways

sn't like the women I usually met - polished, practiced, transactional

ood that

eyes met across the crowd. She never held the gaze

led, and I cau

uch. O

have wa

I di

space beside me, her scent wrapping around my senses - strawberries and

ch for

one s

se I didn't expect it. Her boldness.

ne

meone to take her home, she did

kiss

s fire and defiance, lips that knew what they wanted.

when

thout me. And truth?

ook he

stories. No

istry. Ju

eets and breathless gasps, something s

s diff

n-she w

oticed when I opened my eyes. My hand stretched acros

pt

ing of daylight bleedin

r. No quiet footsteps in the

was

htening. My head was clear - I hadn't

nd of h

ss of h

ame - no, not even that

e never as

a

the bathroom. Cold water blasted away the fog clinging to my t

e? No. I knew users.

adn't asked

n look at the

at me like I was

t me like I

omehow, mad

towel as I returned to the bedroom. I

e it

ide it, a crisp hu

long moment. Then I

d. Just folded over. A so

ght. Keep the ligh

No number

scaped me, humo

his a

bucks like... like I was some g

ike gasoline. I crushed th

hadn't been

to

e mock

r move - walk in, blow my min

she thought

ndred

ell. Not to chase. But because

hell w

uldn't I f

the nightstand and scro

third ring. "Yo, ear

ed a

und like you'v

st," I sa

a pause. "

top thing. I need the full guest

serious? Wha

do it,

ose something

nce was

amn. You're not usually this ra

nish that

rs. I'll reach out to the organizers

e," I said, en

e bed again, the crumpl

red a

out and placed it

emi

t shouldn't have

now couldn't sto

hell w

ant to see her

ed to see

ause of

hing about her...

ated lo

ame in silk dresses an