Bedroom Betrayal, Boardroom Confession

Carolyn’s pov Today was finally here. I had waited for this day all my life, the day my Dad was going to officially announce me as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amon Group. Going to a business school was never my dream. But I went anyway, because my dad convinced me too. He said I needed to be qualified enough so I could take over Amon Group from him when he retires. Right now, Mary, my sister and I are seated in our living room, waiting for our dad to come downstairs so we can leave for the office. My face was covered in smiles. “Daddy is here,” Mary said, gesturing to our dad, who was descending the stairs. “Good morning, Daddy,” we greeted. I rushed to my dad to collect his suitcase as usual. That has been an unspoken role between my dad and me for the past 4 years. Every morning I quickly get dressed for work, come to the sitting room, wait for dad, collect his suitcase from him, and then we leave for the office. “Carolyn,” Dad called behind me once I was about to reach out for the doorknob. “Yes, Daddy,” I replied cheerfully, walking back toward him. He took a deep breath, then exhaled, “If I say I am not aware of how long you have waited for today, then I could be lying. But…” The room went pin-drop silent, Mary and I exchanged glances, and our gaze returned to our Dad, who stood there with zero expression on his face. My stomach tightened “But what, Daddy?” I asked if my voice was shaking. My dad walked closer to me and took my hand in his. “Firstly, please keep in mind that any decision I take is for the betterment of Amon Group.” I blinked, trying to process all of this. He was already justifying without stating the actual challenge. “Dad, please go straight to the…” “I am sorry, Caro,” his voice cut in, “I am going to appoint Mary as the new CEO, she is more qualified for that position.” “You what?” I scoffed. I stared blankly at Dad and yanked my hand from his and placed it on my temple. “Daddy,” my voice trembled. I took some steps backward. “You are joking, right? Please tell me it's a prank,” I pleaded, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes as I stood there patiently waiting for him to burst into laughter and say “It was a prank,” but nothing. My heart hammered in my chest, a mixture of confusion, pain and frustration. I looked at Mary, wondering if she was as confused as I was, but the look on her face said she wasn't surprised at all. Then an evil smile appeared on her face. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still. Mary rocked slightly on her feet before clearing her throat. “It's really no big deal, Carolyn, at least you're not sacked. Be grateful, it shouldn’t be a big deal if either of us becomes the CEO,” she sneered. The walls felt too tight. The air was tight. Did she just ask me to be grateful? I have spent years of my life working hard to earn this position. I dedicated the past 4 years of my life working my ass off for that position, and here she was asking me to be grateful because I wasn’t sacked. I let out a little laughter, “I should be grateful, you said,” forcing my gaze on Mary, “So where were you when I spent sleepless nights brainstorming on how to produce the new product that has been fetching this company millions of dollars?” I asked. “You were probably somewhere in the world sleeping for 12 hours and drinking expensive champagne, and here you are talking about being grateful, or maybe you were…”, I was saying my voice higher than normal. “Stop. Stop it, Carolyn,” my dad interrupted, his voice steady and firm, his hand gesturing in the air. The silence in the room felt like a ticking bomb. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, “Your sister is a financial analyst from Cambridge University; you should be taking advice from her." “I ～ I hav～” No word came out. The pain was too raw to process. I wanted to argue that I have a master's degree in business management, I also have a BSc. in accounting, and I am as good as Mary, if not way better than her. But there was no point arguing. Mary had always been Daddy's favorite, his princess. I watched him take Mary’s hand, and they walked toward the door. “Daddy,” I called out, my voice louder than intended. They turned silently “If you make Mary CEO, God be my witness, I will resign,” I said the words slowly, like I was still processing it myself. “Carolyn, you just need to…” Mary was saying. “I need to do what? I shot back, “Of course, I need to calm down, right? It is easy to say so when you are not the kid who has literally had to beg for your father's love always, you're not the kid who has worked all her life for a position her dad is about to hand over to her sister,” I yelled at Mary. And for a moment there was something soft in my father's eyes, something like he understands my frustration, and suddenly it was gone. “Great, then, just make sure you pack out of my house after you resign. You are no longer a kid, you are old enough to be on your own,” my father said. I flinched as his words hit harder than expected. He turned and disappeared through the door with Mary. My heart was heavy with a sense of my new reality. I. Was. Now. Alone. I nodded in acceptance and took a deep breath, knowing this moment had changed everything in my life. I rushed upstairs and began parking. ******** “Pour me more shots,” I said to the bartender, his eyes filled with a silent question. I just forced a smile at him and threw the shot into my throat and winced. The air in the bar throbbed with bass; the dance floor was crowded with both singles and couples who clung to each other, dancing to the tune of the music. I looked around the room, wondering how happy almost everyone was. While my heart was burning in pain, I noticed a man staring at me. I tried moving my eyes away, but his grey eyes under his long, dark lashes and dark brows wouldn't let me. His gray eyes were the kind of eyes that drew you in, deep and enigmatic. He started to walk toward me, his gaze soft and unwavering, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot about my frustration. I blinked. “Hi, pretty, having a rough day,” his deep voice cut through. “You have no idea,” I mumbled, placing my glass on the table. He chucked, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down my spine.“Actually, I do. Everyone has their demon.” “Demon?” I scoffed, “Mine is my sister and father.” The words tasted sour on my tongue. He raised an eyebrow, “That only means your devil is family,” he said in a sarcastic tone. A small smile spread across my lips. “I always thought devils were outsiders. Surely not mine." He took a seat beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine. The air between us thickened. I took a deep breath and began telling him about my shattered life. He did not interrupt me; he just listened, his gaze fixed on my face. He told me Henry was his name, and he was here to drown his own sorrow. My breath caught, and the desire to press my lips against his mouth so I could feel the texture of his full lips crossed my mind. Hold yourself, Carolyn. It had to be alcohol. The bartender leaned over our table. “It's 3：00 am, Sir. We need to close, ” he said, his voice flat. “Alright,” Henry muttered, trying to help me get on my feet. We both lost our balance as the stool wobbled us back into our sitting position. “Take it easy, Sir,” the bartender said, a hint of concern in his voice. “We are good,” Henry fired back at the attendant. The bartender raised an eyebrow. “Should I call you a cab or…he paused, glancing from Henry to me,“...or I could get you both a room upstairs.” “Get us two rooms,” I said with a hand gesture, and Henry nodded in approval. The bartender left and went to make arrangements for the rooms. Minutes later, he was back. “I am sorry, we only have a room available now,” he announced. “Will you take it?” “Yes,” Henry and I blurted out in unison, startled. The attendant smiled and handed the room key to Henry. He placed a hand on mine; his touch sent shivers down my spine. “Let's go,” he murmured. I did not hesitate. My red strapless dress enunciates my wide hips and backside. I stood up slowly, and we made our way tipsily to the elevator. I knew I looked sexy, but the flirty stares and smiles I got from men as we walked were confirmation. Once we were on our floor, our footsteps echoed down the hallway, squinting in the room numbers as they blurred in and out of focus. Still, we found ours. I could see him looking at me from behind. “Seems like you're going to burn me with your eyes,” I said to him. Though my vision wasn't clear, I couldn't help but notice his eyes were fixed on my body. “Your body turns me on,” he replied. He planted a soft kiss on me softly and my p***y quivered. He broke the kiss and trailed his lips and tongue down my chin to my neck. I moaned in pleasure while trying to suppress the sound, but I couldn't stop whimpering from slipping out. Everything was happening so fast. Hours ago, my heart was shattered by my own family. I know I was expected to spend the next couple of hours crying and begging for my father's love. But here I was enjoying the touch of a total stranger, you know, the wildest part. I do not regret it. I wanted more, more than a disowned child should. He took off my dress, then his, and planted more treacherous kisses on my neck. I broke the kiss and whispered to him, “Please make me forget my pain." I know I sounded desperate, but my entire body was on fire. “With all pleasure ! " He assured me, "I am going to make you scream.” His hands slid over my perfect breast, and his d**k jerked in reaction. Never did I wish to get laid down by a stranger, but no matter how I struggled to hold myself, my body betrayed me. It was a long night of exotic lovemaking. Hours later, my hand reached out for the blanket reluctantly, but I felt an unfamiliar headache. I blinked slowly and opened my eyes. Panic crawled through my throat seeing my underwear, dress and a note on the side chair. I glanced at the unfamiliar room, wondering how I got there. A hotel room? How…？ A vague memory of last night flashed in my memory. Oh my God! What did alcohol just make me do? I asked myself. I began to panic. Where was I? I lowered my head in shame, and my eyes became teary. So that is it, he just used me as a distraction from his troubles and paid me off like I am some slut. Alcohol !. I rushed out of bed and gathered my clothes, took my bath, and once I was out of the hotel, Mary’s text came in: “Hope you had fun last night, sis.”