Chasing The Wrong Bride

CHAPTER 3 - ROOM 808

Theo's POV

The party was too loud for me.

Even in our private booth, the bass from the main club downstairs was shaking the glasses on our table.

George was already drunk and singing off-key with his birthday crown falling off his head. Bob was arguing with the waitress and trying to order more bottles of whiskey. Carl was the only one still sober, watching me and laughing.

“Theo! Have one drink,” George called out, holding a bottle of whiskey and reaching for my glass on the table.

“Nah,” I shook my head immediately, “I’ll pass, you know I don’t drink much.”

“Oh..” George smiled drunkenly, “That’s right. How about cocktail? I can make arrangements.”

“Come on man, loosen up! It’s Georgie’s party,” Bob returned, holding two bottles of whiskey in both hands, “Let loose tonight and let’s go crazy.”

I was exhausted from the investor meetings I had today and my chest was starting to feel tight again from all the smoke machines. I just wanted to go home.

I stood up. "I'm going home, guys. Happy birthday again, George."

George grabbed my arm. "No way! It's my birthday! You promised two hours! It’s only been one hour."

"We even arranged company," Bob said with a wink, drinking from his glass and grinning. "A hot one. Just for you, lonely billionaire. She's waiting upstairs to relax you."

My face turned cold instantly. "What company? What are you talking about?"

"You know..." Bob made a stupid gesture with his hands. "A girl. A call girl. For fun."

"I told you I don't do that s**t," I said, angry. "Cancel it right now."

I looked at Carl. He put his hands up.

"Don't look at me. That was Bob's idea. But I did book you a room because we all had drinks tonight. I can't drive you home like this. Room 808. Just go sleep there. Alone. I promise there's no girl inside, just a clean room."

I believed Carl. He never lies to me.

"Fine. 808. But if I see anyone inside that room, I'm leaving this hotel and I'm never coming to any of your birthdays again."

I took the key card and went upstairs. The hallway on the 8th floor was quiet compared to the club downstairs. 808 was at the very end.

I swiped the card and pushed the door open.

Someone was on my bed.

A woman, curled up on her side in a small black dress, fast asleep. Her hair was covering most of her face. She wasn't moving at all but was breathing deeply.

I got angry immediately. So Bob did arrange someone and Carl lied to me.

"Miss, you need to leave," I said from the door, trying to stay calm. "This room is taken. You need to leave now."

No answer.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Nothing. She didn't even stir. She was sleeping too deeply.

I walked closer, frustrated. I was about to shake her shoulder to wake her up when her scent hit me.

Roses.

Soft, cheap rose body spray mixed with something natural and sweet. Not expensive perfume. But familiar. So familiar it made my heart stop.

It was the same scent from that night. The night I almost died on the floor of that lounge fire choking on smoke. The scent of the girl who saved me.

My chest, which had been tight all night suddenly felt calm. That scent had lived in my dreams for six months.

I bent down closer. My heart was beating too fast.

I gently pushed her hair away from her face to see who she was, expecting the face on the picture Carl had showed me three days ago.

But it wasn't Chloe.

This girl had a softer face. Darker hair. Fuller lips slightly open as she breathed. She looked nothing like the blonde girl in the photo Carl showed me. She was beautiful in a completely different, innocent way.

But she smelled exactly like my savior. Was she somehow connected to Chloe?

She was breathing heavily, too deeply asleep. Like she was drugged or just completely exhausted. Her makeup was smudged and she looked vulnerable.

I reached out to shake her shoulder to ask who she was and why she smelled like her but stopped myself halfway.

She looked so tired. So small on that big bed.

And that rose scent was making me feel calm and safe in a way I hadn’t felt in months. My breathing was easy, my heart was quiet.

Looking at her helpless frame, I decided to let her be for the night and interrogate her in the morning. Besides, her presence didn’t seem to pose any harm to me but calmness.

I took off my jacket and my shoes and lay down on the far edge of the bed, as far from her as possible. I made sure not to touch her. I didn’t want to scare her.

The rose scent pulled me into deep sleep almost immediately.

I don't know how long I slept.

I woke up to a scream that almost burst my eardrums.

"AHHH! PERVERT! GET AWAY FROM ME!”

I jolted awake so fast I hit my head on the headboard.

“Stay back. Don’t touch me!”

The girl was sitting up, holding the blanket so tight to her chest that her knuckles were white, staring at me with huge, terrified eyes full of tears.