Forbidden Thirst

2.My new bosses.

The harsh light of morning flooded the room, illuminating the reality of my situation. With a sense of urgency, I flung the sheet off my body, my heart racing as panic set in. Hastily, I began to gather my scattered belongings, the events of the previous night crashing down on me.

As I scanned the empty space beside me, the gravity of what had transpired hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only had I lost my virginity to a stranger, but I had also woken up alone in a private room in the club. Despite the turmoil raging within me, I could not help but acknowledge the beauty of my surroundings.

I quickly made my way out of the house, my mind racing as I hailed a cab. Discovering that I was only an hour away from home—my home in New Square, nestled in the heart of New York City, brought a sliver of relief.

Thankfully, I managed to slip back into my house undetected, breathing a sigh of relief as I closed the door behind me. Rushing to the bathroom, I sought solace in the familiar ritual of a shower, eager to wash away the remnants of the night before.

Sinking to the floor of the shower, tears mingled with the water cascading over me as I tried to replay the events of the previous night in my head, but nothing came to mind. The weight of my regret pressed down on me, suffocating in its intensity. How could I have been so reckless, so foolish?

I regret going to that stupid club so badly. I had gone against everything my Mom had said, except for getting pregnant. I don't remember using a condom, and I wasn't taking the risk, so after a few minutes of crying, I got up to change and headed out to get myself contraceptives just to be a hundred percent sure.

"Where are you coming from?" My Mom asked the moment I came through the door.

"Oh, I just went out to jog for a bit," I lied.

Lord, please forgive me.

"Oh, it's funny how you look so fresh from a jog," she expressed her skepticism. I would normally go out for a jog once in a while, so it shouldn't seem as though it was impossible.

"Yeah, I actually stopped at the park for a few minutes to get some fresh air," I lied once again, the pills safely kept between my breasts to hide them from her.

"Ok," she flipped her hand in the air, believing what I said thankfully.

It was such a painful experience lying to her, something I've never done in a long time.

Making my way to the kitchen, I quickly got something to eat first before heading to the bathroom to take the pills.

Heading back to my room, I pulled out my phone, grimacing at the broken screen. To make it worse, I had no money to buy a new phone.

There were a few missed calls, voicemails, and texts from Dillion. I ignored them and saw one from my mother last night. Was she the one who was calling me when I dropped it along the way?

Does she know I snuck out last night? Just then, my phone began to ring from a number I didn't know, so I picked up the call.

It was a human resources representative from Steele World Bank, a multi-billion-dollar company, and they wanted me to do an interview today at ten in the morning. It was already eight fifty-five. I remembered applying to this job a month ago, only getting a contact from them now.

So, I hurriedly got ready, forgetting about the night before, about losing my virginity to a handsome stranger I've never met before, and the fact that I wasn't even married. So many things were happening to me all in the time frame of twenty-four hours.

"Where are you going?" My mom asked as I picked up my bag with my documents from my table.

"I'm going for an interview. I'll text you the info while I'm on my way. I'll be back soon!" I yelled, heading through the door.

Landing this position would mean a lot to me, and all my years of doing well in school would finally pay off. Hopefully, I wouldn't be turned down again because of how I looked.

I've always admired the beautiful and grand building of the bank. Heading inside, I was guided to the fifth floor and into a room occupied by a few other individuals who appeared to be going through interviews as well.

I heard one snicker as I entered the room, but I paid her no attention. Thankfully, I had managed to arrive five minutes before my interview time.

"Lily Singh," the lady from Human Resources, whose name was Tessa, called, signaling me to follow her.

"You'll be personally interviewed by the company's CEOs, Hayden and Hunter, today. I expect nothing but professionalism, as this is a one-time opportunity only. All the best," she ushered me into a room, closing the door behind me before I had an opportunity to ask her any questions.

Turning to look at the two CEOs, I was met with utter shock. The man I had run into from the club and had slept with was sitting before me, with a doppelganger sitting on the table next to him.

"Take a seat, Miss Singh," the one around the table instructed me to do. Although they must be popular, I've never paid them much attention whenever I saw them on TV.

They were both handsomely made; they both even had light blue eyes. I just hope the Lord didn't sin me for appreciating two gorgeous men.

I can't believe the man who took my virginity last night is sitting right before me!

I hesitantly made my way to the table and sat slowly, hoping he didn't remember or recognize me. I was always the mediocre one, and no one ever spent much time remembering me, always easily forgetting how I looked along with my name.

"Let's get down to business," the one sitting on the table said to me.

"I see you've graduated from the University of Michigan at the top of your class with honors. Impressive. Tell me something, Lily, do you have any responsibilities, such as kids, etc.?" The one I met at the club asked, catching me off guard with this particular question first.

"Uh..."

"I forgot that we haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Hunter, and this is my brother, Hayden Steele." So, the one I met at the club, his name is Hunter.

I see.

"Thank you both for inviting me here today," I greeted the two.

And just like that, I was asked a few questions which I answered superbly because I had been through so many interviews I almost knew all the questions they were going to ask.

All this time, the two kept looking at me intensely, but I still kept my composure. I may have slept with him, but I'm not stupid enough to let my feelings get the best of me and ruin my chance at such a good opportunity.

"You didn't answer my question previously, Miss Singh. Do you have any responsibilities such as children? I need to know if you're flexible enough," he questioned, his inquiry somewhat coming off as a little sensitive at the end.

"No, I don't. I have no children," I answered Hunter's question.

"How soon do you think you can start taking care of us?" Hunter bluntly asked, making me shocked at his question.

"What my brother means is, how soon can you start helping us take care of business? We're a bit piled up in terms of workload, and the sooner you can assist us, the better," Hayden corrected.

"As soon as you like, Mr. Steele," I addressed the two professionally.

"That'll be perfect," Hayden replied, keenly watching me with both his hands crossed against his chest, showing how muscular he was.

If I weren't as level-headed, I would've been drooling at the two handsome men before me.

"You can leave now, Lily. I'll see you here tomorrow sharp at eight thirty. Don't be late. Human Resources will inform you of the proper procedures after this," Hunter said.

I was flabbergasted at how easy it was to have gotten a job here, but nonetheless, I was happy and took my leave, feeling very elated I was able to land a job.

But just before I walked out the door, I could have sworn I heard Hunter say,

"You were absolutely right, brother. I think she'll make a great addition to our little family." I smiled at this, not knowing the real meaning behind his little statement.