Chapter 1
“Alright, goodbye,” I said as I hugged my brother and left for home.
It was dark and cold while I was walking. There wasn’t much traffic, nor were there many people around. I checked my phone—it was already 10 p.m. I had to book an Uber because there was no way I was walking 50 minutes alone to my house.
Scrolling on my phone to find the Uber app, the light mode almost blinded my eyes. I just picked the first driver I saw; it showed he was 15 minutes away. “Uhh, yeah I can wait,” I mumbled while looking for a bench.
The cold wind brushed against my body and I folded my arms, regretting how my long-sleeved dress wasn’t helping much. I sat on the bench with my legs crossed, observing my surroundings. The bench was placed by the sidewalk, facing the major road.
Suddenly, I spotted a little girl across the street. She had just walked out of a*****e and was trying to cross the road by herself, heading toward my bench. Thankfully, there weren’t any cars passing. I quickly stood up, ran to her, and held her hand, guiding her back into the store.
I bent down and asked, “Hey sweetie, where are your parents?”
She pointed into the store, and right then, her mom came running out.
“DORA! I was looking everywhere for you!” her mom said, breathless.
“She tried crossing the road by herself, so I stopped her,” I explained.
Her mom thanked me and walked away with the little girl. As I crossed the road back to my bench, I heard the girl shout, “HEYYY!” I turned and saw her waving goodbye.
“Aww,” I smiled, waving back.
And then—suddenly—a car hit me.
It all happened in a blink. My body slammed onto the smooth road. A high-pitched ringing sound filled my ears. I couldn’t feel anything. I lay flat, trying to breathe, my head spinning. The last thing I heard was a car door opening and someone lifting me into their arms… then everything went black.
---
My name is Tiana Davis. I’m 21, British, and currently living in Spain.
I’m a graduate, but unemployed—for now. I lost my last job as a hotel receptionist because I refused to sleep with my boss. Honestly, I wasn’t even surprised. Over time, I’ve come to believe most men are liars and cheats. I’ve always had a hard time trusting them.
Still, I’ve found another way to make money. I use dating apps to meet men—ones willing to spend. And they pay a lot.
Of course, it helps that I’m beautiful. My defined features and body shape make it hard for men to resist. Medium-sized boobs, a slim waist, a big curved ass, straight brown hair—men literally drool when they see me.
I also have a younger brother, Khalid. He’s in boarding school, and I’m the one who takes care of him. Our parents divorced when my dad cheated. My mom left us when I was 18 and moved abroad. I haven’t heard from her since. My dad eventually remarried and moved on, leaving just Khalid and me.
---
The sound of steady beeping pulled me out of the darkness. My eyes fluttered open. I was in a hospital.
“What happened?” I whispered to myself.
A nurse walked in, smiling. “You’re awake, that’s great. You lost consciousness after a car hit you, but luckily, you don’t have any serious injuries. Just a bump on your head. You’ll be fine once you’re fully conscious.”
I nodded slowly. “Did the cops do anything about the person who hit me?”
“I don’t know about that, ma’am,” she replied.
“Oh, okay… do you know who brought me here?” I asked, trying to recall the face I’d seen before blacking out.
“Yes, it was a man. He said he’d come back today to check on you.”
She handed me my bag. “Your phone and clothes are in here. Do you want anything?”
“No, thank you.” I quickly grabbed my phone and went straight to Snapchat.
My best friend, Leila, had spammed me with messages last night:
_Tianaaaaa, where are you?? Are you good? You’re always online, why aren’t you replying?? Or did you just sleep early…_
She's the type to leave thousands of messages.
“Girl, you won’t believe what happened,” I texted her.
Within seconds, she texts back asking if I'm okay.
"I got hit by a car. I'm in the hospital now, but don't worry I don't have any serious injuries"
She replied instantly. "WHAT THE HELL, TIANA?! HOW?? OMG. I’m coming right now!"
“You don’t have to, I’ll be discharged soon,” I replied.
_Shut up, I’m coming._
Minutes later, she texted again: Uh, I just got in an Uber but I don’t know where I’m going. What hospital are you in??
Laughing, I checked a form on the desk for the hospital’s name and sent it to her.
Within 20 minutes, Leila burst into my room. “Oh my God, my baby!” she cried, hugging me tightly.
“I’m okay, Leila. Don’t worry,” I reassured her.
She gave me a suspicious look. “If you’re okay, why are you still lying here, huh?”
“I just… want to wait so I can thank the guy who brought me in. The nurse said he’s coming back today.”
Leila smirked. “Mhm. And what if he’s tall, young, handsome, rich, and perfect?” she teased, elbowing me.
I rolled my eyes. “Please, a guy like that doesn’t exist. Look at your boyfriend—he’s not exactly Prince Charming.”
“True, he’s a little ugly,” she laughed, “but he’s amazing. Anyway, speak of the devil, he’s calling me. Be right back.” She rushed outside to take the call.
I changed out of the hospital gown and into my clothes, then sat on a chair by the bed.
The door opened.
A man walked in.
And my breath caught.
He was stunning. Dark curly hair, big hazel eyes, a sharp nose, lips soft-looking like cotton candy. He wore a button-up shirt, black pants, and polished shoes.
We held eye contact for a few seconds before he spoke.
“Well, hello there. I’m Aiden.”
His deep voice made my heart skip. I froze, staring at him until I remembered to take his outstretched hand. His palm was large and warm, making mine feel tiny.
“I-I uh… I’m Tiara—sorry, I mean Tiana,” I stammered.
“Nice to meet you, Tiana,” he said, stressing my name. “I was the one who carried you here after the accident. I suppose the nurse mentioned I’d stop by.”
“She… she did. Thank you.”
“I couldn’t just leave you there. The man who hit you was drunk. He’s in a cell now.”
Each word sent shivers down my spine. Leila was right. He was young, tall, handsome, and he looked _rich_ .
“Oh. Great,” I muttered, avoiding eye contact.
“We may leave now, if you please,” he said.
“We?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll drop you at your place.”
I hesitated but agreed. He offered his hand again to help me up. I grabbed my bag and phone, and he led me outside to his car. A sleek black Jeep. Definitely expensive.
From a distance, I spotted Leila giggling, mouthing _oh my gosh_ and gesturing that she’d text me later.
Aiden opened the passenger door for me. I got in, and he slid into the driver’s seat.
Trying to lighten the tension, I asked, “How do I know you’re not going to kidnap me?”
He chuckled. “I’ve got better things to do than kidnap a woman.”
I smiled faintly, resting my hand on my taser inside my bag just in case.
“Show me the directions to your place,” he said smoothly.
We talked throughout the ride, sharing small details about ourselves.
When we arrived, he parked outside my house. “You and your house have a lot in common,” he teased.
“Oh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your house is pretty,” he replied, giving me a look that made my stomach flip.
I thanked him, stepped out, and walked toward my house thinking, _he didn’t even ask for my number. His loss._
Then I heard a horn.
It was him.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t get your contact,” he said, stretching his phone toward me.
“Oh—yeah.” I quickly typed in my digits and handed it back.
Feeling oddly satisfied, I finally walked inside my house and collapsed on my bed, smiling at the ceiling.
“What is this I’m feeling? Lust?” I whispered to myself.
