One Night, One Contract

Vanessa Just blend in." I told myself, more like gave myself emotional encouragement. Being here felt very overwhelming. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever be at an event like this. The glittering ballroom of the Devonte Grand hotel, with chandeliers hung high up in the ceiling dripping in crystals, the clinking of champagne glasses, and various designer gowns sweeping the floors. I had never felt more out of place than I did here. I know I'm evidently underdressed as I tugged at the hem of an old, worn-out satin dress that I had worn to my high school prom almost eight years ago. Surprised it still fitted. My heels were borrowed, of course, because I didn't own any heels apart from my work shoes. I was not a heels person, so I didn't see the need to own one. The hotel receptionist had no business being at an annual Devonte charity gala. Still, somehow the Devontes suddenly came up with the idea to invite a few handpicked employees, and I, for some reason unknown to me, fell into that list, considering that it hadn't been all that long since I started working here. People would give anything to work in the Devonte Grande hotel. Well, I would say I was fortunate because I failed my first three interviews here, but I got in on my fourth. The fact that I have a Bachelor's degree in hotel/ hospitality management and that I am resilient had absolutely nothing to do with it. Kidding. This was a dream come true, because not only have I always wanted to work in this hotel, but I had always wanted to own one someday. And what better way to start than at a hotel as prestigious as The Devonte Grande hotel, which was the best hotel in all of New York and America as a whole. I just didn't expect to feel so invisible in a world I so wanted to belong to. That was until I saw him. He wasn't just attractive, he was dangerously handsome. Dressed in a midnight black suit tailored to perfection, hugging every part of his huge sculpted frame. He radiated an aura of confidence and pride and something else.... Power. Our gazes locked on each other from across the ballroom. I stared at him nervously, he looked like someone who could destroy my whole world with just a snap of his fingers. My hands got sweaty as he began to move towards me in a subtle predator's grace. "You don't look like you belong here." He breathed out hoarsely and my breath hitched subconsciously. "Funny. I could say the same about you." I replied trying to sound confident. "Touché." He smirked. "So tell me. How are you here?" He asked as he twirled his champagne glass, before taking a sip from it. "Well, it just sorta happened." I stared, amazed by the level of aura emanating from him. "So, would you like to get out of here?" He asked with a smirk, not breaking eye contact with me. It felt good to be noticed by someone so good-looking and rich that I felt undeserving of the attention he was giving me. According to my ex who broke up with me two months ago. 'I was a lowlife with big dreams that were unattainable for someone like me.' The most painful part is that I believed him. He made me feel insecure and unseen when I was in a relationship with him and I was thankful that he had left me because I was now able to see myself in a better light. I had never slept with a stranger for the first time after meeting them, for once I wanted to break my stupid principles. The same principles that kept me glued to an abusive cheat and a liar for three years. There was no name exchange or anything. But I felt something, a connection of some kind, and I'm sure he felt it too. And that was all I needed. A silent agreement was formed between us, with no questions asked. An hour later, we were in his penthouse suite. He offered me a drink, which I gladly accepted even though my insides were screaming at me not to. One night. That was all it was, no strings attached. No lies and no expectations. But when I slipped out of his bed before dawn, leaving him a note, that I had a nice time. I wondered for a second what it would be like getting to know him. I regretted the fact that we hadn't exchanged names or any personal information, so there was absolutely no way I would be seeing him again. 'It's for the better, and I'm so out of his league anyway.' I thought to myself. ************************************* I arrived at the hotel the next day and carried on with my work as usual. Thoughts of last night came flooding back, and as much as I tried to distract myself by burying myself in work, it still made no difference. I finally succumbed to the unholy memories of what had happened last night. His feathery kisses on my skin, his gentle caresses, and wild lovemaking. His hoarse grunts as he pounded into me. The slapping sounds of our skin. His dirty talks and sweet endearments as he whispered subtly in my ears. The sweat that dripped down his well-defined and toned body. The sound of my moaning. The pure ecstasy that passed through my core each time he made me come. "Vanessa, Vanessa! Guess what I just heard." My friend and co-worker Anna yelled, jolting me back to reality. "What did you hear this time, Anna?" I asked unenthusiastically while updating my sales account book. As much as I loved my job, I didn't sign up for an overly chattering gossip and information monger as a co-worker and friend. "Well, I heard that Alexander Devonte, the only son and heir to the Devonte conglomerates, has just returned home to take over the hotel." Anna yammered on gleefully, while I drowned out her voice as I continued working. "Nessa, are you even listening to me?" Anna asked, sounding offended. "Yeah yeah, the Devontes' only son is returning home, right?" I responded and looked up from what I was doing, and fixed my gaze on her. She huffed. "Vanessa, I said that ages ago. I was talking about how the evil Devonte twins and their mother will not be taking the news well since he's rumored to be the illegitimate child." She explained and I nodded impassively, going back to what I was doing. "I wish I had someone other than you to talk to." Anna lamented, her voice laced with irritation as she rolled her eyes at me. I paid her no mind, and there was peace for a few seconds before she began again. "Vanessa, do you know how many employees in this hotel will kill for this information I'm bringing to you for free?" She asked, arms akimbo. When I still showed no signs of interest, Anna gasped like I had just committed a felony. Add dramatic to the list of things that Anna was. I sighed, feeling a headache build up as I turned to her. "Look Anna, I don't give a f**k about the Devontes and their family affairs. I don't even give half a f**k if Mr Devonte's son is the king of England, all I want to do right now is go on with my work peacefully. Can I please do that?" I lashed out, and for some weird reason, Anna kept quiet. I turned back to face the front desk again, exhausted and drained from thoughts of last night that won't go away, and Anna's constant yapping. My soul almost left my body as I was met with a pair of stormy grey eyes staring stoically at me, the same pair of eyes that had been haunting my every thought since last night.