ONE NIGHT WITH THE CEO

TESSA'S POV “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I said. “You need to loosen up, Tessa,” Aliyah said, “ Just this night, no rules. ” If someone had told me that one night would change my whole life, I would have stayed home. The big, glowing sign read "Awana Club." People were dancing inside, and I could feel the music in my chest. Aliyah grinned, holding my hand. “You deserve to have fun for once, Tessa. Just one night! ” The bouncer checked our IDs and let us in. The air smelled like perfume and smoke, strippers dancing in each corner of the club and colourful lights moved around like crazy. My heart beat fast. It was loud, crowded, a bit scary, but also exciting. I smiled back at Aliyah watching her order our first shot of the night. I have never been a fan of shots, but tonight, Aliyah insisted. Aliyah then went straight to the dance floor while I stayed by the bar. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I ordered something light, hoping it would calm my nerves. That’s when I saw him, he was sitting at the corner of the bar, wearing a black shirt that fit too well. His sleeves were rolled up, showing strong arms and a wristwatch that looked really expensive. His dark hair was neat, his jaw sharp, and his eyes oh, his eyes were deep and calm, like he could see right through me. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. He noticed me looking and gave a small smile. I looked away immediately, pretending to check my phone. But my heart wouldn’t stop racing. Then, he stood up and started walking toward me. Every step made me more nervous. I told myself, Don’t panic. Maybe he’s just going to the restroom. But no, he stopped right beside me. You look like you don’t belong here,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. I turned slowly. “Is that supposed to be an insult?” He smiled. “No. It’s just… You look too calm for a place like this.” “I’m not usually calm,” I said before I could stop myself. He chuckled softly. “Good to know.” We talked. About random things, music, and even anime. “You watch Attack on Titan?” I asked, shocked. “I like Death Note more,” he said. “What? Demon Slayer is better!” I argued. We ended up laughing like we were old friends. It felt strange how easy it was to talk to him. Time passed, and my drink started to make everything blurry. The music got louder, but it didn’t matter. I felt safe with him, like the world had paused just for us. When he leaned closer, I didn’t move away. When he whispered, “Let’s get some air,” I followed. We ended up outside, where the night was quieter. The wind felt cool against my skin. The streetlights made everything golden. He looked down at me and smiled, that kind of smile that makes your stomach flutter. And before I could think, he kissed me. It wasn’t gentle at first. It was real, warm, desperate like he’d been waiting for it forever. My heart was racing so fast it almost hurt. I should’ve stopped him. I should’ve said no. But I didn’t. That night, we left together for a nearby hotel. And for a few hours, I wasn’t Tessa the perfect daughter. I wasn’t a church girl. I wasn’t scared or shy. I was just… free. Everything felt right, even though deep down, I knew it wasn’t. When I woke up the next morning, the sunlight was already peeking through the blinds. My head hurts. My throat was dry. I turned over but he was gone. The bed was cold beside me. No note. No number. Just silence. My heart sank. I sat up slowly, holding the sheet to my chest, feeling completely lost. The memories from last night came rushing back, the music, his lips, his hands, the way he looked at me. I whispered, “What did I just do?”. I had given everything to a stranger I didn’t even know. I looked around the hotel room again, hoping maybe he had left something, but there was nothing. Only the sound of cars outside. Tears filled my eyes. I felt dirty, stupid, and scared. I grabbed my things and left quickly, keeping my head down. The streets were quieter in the morning, and everything that had looked so bright last night now felt empty. My phone buzzed, it was Aliyah. Aliyah: Girl, where are you? You disappeared! Me: I’m on my way home. I couldn’t tell her what happened. Not yet. When I got to my apartment, I just sat on my bed, staring at the wall. My heart felt heavy. I wanted to forget. I wanted to go back to being me again. But somehow, I knew I never would. Because no matter how hard I tried, his face wouldn’t leave my mind. The way he smiled was like he already knew me. I didn’t know his name. I didn’t ask. I didn’t care. Because that night, I wasn’t the careful girl with big dreams and a small apartment. I was just Tessa, the girl who finally said yes to herself. I remember the warmth of his breath, the scent of his perfume, the way his hands shook just a little when they touched me. That night, I was a new Tessa, not the timid, shy Tessa, the bold one! The one who followed a total stranger to a hotel, the one who had a one-night stand with a guy she met 2 hours ago. By evening, I convinced myself to move on. “It was just one night,” I whispered, pacing around my small apartment. “Nobody needs to know. It didn’t mean anything.” I washed my face, brushed my hair, and forced a smile in the mirror. New week. New job. Forget him. I went to bed early, hoping morning would wipe it all away. The next day, Sunday, while ironing my clothes for my first day at the new company, I turned on the TV. The news reporter’s voice filled my apartment: “Coming up next, a look at the young billionaire behind the fast-rising Davis Construction Group. Mr Ethan Davis, recently named one of Los Angeles’s most influential CEOs.” My hand froze, I looked up. On the screen, it was him. The same man from last night. The same eyes. The same smile. I felt my stomach twist. The iron slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a loud sound. My breath came out shaky as the reporter kept talking. “Ethan Davis, age 30, is known for his private lifestyle and strict professionalism. Sources say he rarely attends public events unless necessary…” My heartbeat was thunder in my ears.No.It couldn’t be. It couldn’t be him. But it was. The man I spent the night with. The man whose name I hadn’t even asked. The man who owned the very company I was supposed to start working for tomorrow.I sat slowly on the couch, covering my face with both hands. “Oh my God,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What have I done?”