Fated to Be

Bright Star Club Kiona Brooks was twenty two years old. Family and friends called her Ona. After being chased out of her father's house by her stepmother, Kiona was left with no choice but to fend for herself. Her father desperately needed eye surgery, and she had to find a way to pay for it. She searched everywhere for a decent job that paid well but found nothing. In the end, she accepted her best friend Alicia's offer to work night shifts at Bright Star Club while keeping her daytime job as a waitress at a restaurant. "Take off your glasses, girl," Alicia said, slipping them off Kiona's face. "Don't look so serious. Be a little flirty." Ali, as Kiona always called her, looked at her expectantly. "Don't you think these skirts are a little too short and the tops too revealing?" Kiona asked, tugging awkwardly at the hem of her skirt. "Ona, what do you want me to do?" Alicia sighed. "Can you please find me something a little more decent?" Kiona pleaded, clasping her hands together. Alicia looked at her with a serious expression before shaking her head. "I knew you'd say that. Honestly, I can't blame you. You've always been the most decent among all of us—even back in high school." "I'm sorry, Ali. I didn't mean to complain. I'll do it, but—" Before Kiona could finish, Alicia interrupted her with a grin. "No more 'buts.' Get in there and start working." She handed Kiona a tray of drinks along with a card that read Table Seven. Without another word, Kiona walked into the crowded club and searched for the table. After a few moments, she finally found it. She placed the drinks on the table and turned to leave. "Hey, beauty," one of the men called. Kiona turned around politely. "Is there anything else you need, sir?" she asked. Before Kiona knew it, the men were insisting that she stay. "I'm going," she said, attempting to leave. "Wait," the older brother said. "Finish one bottle first, then you can go." Kiona immediately shook her head. "I can't. I have a very low alcohol tolerance." Ignoring her refusal, he forced the bottle into her hands. After only a few gulps, her head began to spin, and her body suddenly felt weak. A terrifying realization struck her. I've been drugged. Panic surged through her. Using the little strength she had left, she pushed herself to her feet and stumbled toward the exit. "She's getting away!" the younger brother shouted. "Go after her!" the elder brother barked. The two brothers immediately chased after her. By the time Kiona reached the next corridor, her vision had become blurry, and she could barely keep her balance. Then she noticed a door slightly ajar. Without thinking twice, she rushed inside and quickly locked it behind her. Outside, the two men stopped in front of the door. They exchanged amused looks before the elder brother smirked. "This is Mr. Reynolds' private room." "There's no way she'll leave this place alive." Inside the room, Kiona's vision continued to fade as she stumbled forward and crashed into the solid chest of a tall, handsome man. He caught her before she could fall. His sharp eyes narrowed as he noticed her trembling body and unfocused gaze. The drugs left her mind in a dizzy, dreamlike fog. A rebellious thought slipped through her defenses "Losing my virginity to a handsome guy like this... it wouldn't be such a loss, right?" No. That wasn't me. The drugs were talking. she shook her head, trying to clear the haze. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable, a silent question passing between them. In his head, he was wrestling with his own confusion. Kiona's hands moved to his chest, beginning to unbutton his shirt, a silent invitation he understood immediately. He guided her toward the bed, moving with a quiet focus as he discarded his shirt and tie. When he leaned in, his lips found hers in a gentle but intense kiss. As he kissed her, his hands slipped underneath her skirt, sliding her underwear away. The warmth of his touch sent electric chills down her spine. Every gesture was filled with a tenderness that eased her lingering hesitations. They held each other close, lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Every touch, from his hand on her waist to his lips against her jawline, sent soft chills down her spine. She held him a little tighter, surrendering to the comfort of his presence. It was a slow, tender experience defined by mutual care. As dawn broke, they lay entwined in a deep, peaceful embrace. Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. A phone vibrated on the bedside table. The man woke first. "CEO Reynolds, your board meeting begins in twenty minutes," Gilbert reminded him over the phone. "I'll be there." After ending the call, he dressed quickly. Before leaving, he looked back at the sleeping woman. For reasons he couldn't explain, he felt strangely drawn to her. "Could she really be the one?" Just then, Kiona slowly opened her eyes. The warmth in his expression disappeared, replaced by the cold mask everyone knew. He placed a bank card on the bed. "Take this." Kiona stared at him in confusion. "What is it?" "There's one million naira in that account." She frowned. "What are you talking about?" "You don't expect me to take responsibility." His voice remained emotionless. "You approached me. Now you've gotten what you wanted." Kiona could only stare at him. Without another word, he walked away. The door closed behind him. She looked down at the untouched bank card. One million naira. It should have solved all her problems. Instead... It felt completely worthless. For the first time in years, Kiona quietly broke down in tears. Kiona sat alone in the changing room, her heart heavy with grief. In just one night, she had lost something she had always cherished. If her stepmother ever discovered what had happened, she would never let her live it down. Worse, she would use it as an excuse to force Kiona into a life she desperately wanted to avoid. No. No one could ever know. She took a deep breath and buried the secret deep within her heart. After changing into her regular clothes, Kiona walked to the reception desk, placed an envelope on the counter, and offered the receptionist a faint smile. "I'd like to resign," she said quietly. Inside the envelope were her resignation letter and the bank card Lyrien had given her. Without waiting for a reply, she turned around and walked out of Bright Star Club, determined never to return.