The reborn of a one night stand : the CEO rise.......

Elora's pov ‎ ‎ ‎I was drowning. ‎ ‎Not in water. In noise. In alcohol. In myself. ‎ ‎The bar was too loud. Music thudding like a fist on the skull. Neon lights flashing red, blue, like a police raid inside my chest. People everywhere, laughing, shouting, dancing. My head hurt already but I ordered another drink anyway. ‎ ‎Vodka. Straight. Burned down my throat like fire. Didn’t care. Needed it. ‎ ‎I tapped the glass against the counter once, twice, like maybe it could answer me. Of course it didn’t. Bartender gave me that look. The “you’ve had enough” one. I gave him the “don’t you dare stop me” one back. He moved along. ‎ ‎I was alone. That was fine. Better than pretending to be fine at home. Better than listening to Papa’s voice in my head. Better than remembering my ex-fiancé’s stupid smirk or my so-called best friend’s perfect face. ‎ ‎I laughed out loud suddenly. The guy next to me glanced, maybe thought I was A all crazy. Maybe I was. Who cares. ‎ ‎One more shot. ‎ ‎A guy who I'm pretty sure has been staring at me for quite a while works up to me ‎ ‎Tall. Jacket hanging loose. He leaned against the counter. ‎ ‎“You look like you need company,” he said. ‎ ‎I snorted. “I look like I need another drink.” I said gulping down another glass of sodak ‎ ‎He laughed. A little too loud. “I can get you one.” ‎ ‎Part of me wanted to tell him no. Another part—the tired part, the hurting part—shrugged. Why not. What’s the worst that can happen. (God, if only I knew). ‎ ‎We talked. Or more like, he talked. I half-listened. He asked about my name, my college, my life. I answered short. Abrupt. Didn’t want to give too much. But he kept pushing. ‎ ‎He had this way of leaning closer, making his voice soft. Like he cared. Like he understood. And for a stupid, stupid second, I let myself think maybe— just maybe it would be good to forget tonight. ‎ ‎“Come,” he said finally. “Let’s get out of here. Too loud, yeah?” ‎ ‎I hesitated. My head was buzzing, from alcoho.i knew I shouldn't go with him, but damn I'm too drunk I can't even control my self.. then again, what's the worst that can happen, I need to go away from the loud music anways. and so i stood up. My vision blurred a little when I stood up. ‎ ‎He held my arm. Too gently. “Just a quiet room upstairs. You’ll feel better.” ‎ ‎My feet moved before I could think ‎ ‎The hallway upstairs was dim. My heels clicked against the carpet, slow, unsteady. He unlocked a door. Room smelled of smoke and something sour. ‎ ‎I remember the bed. The lamp. His hand on my wrist. ‎ ‎Then nothing was gentle anymore. ‎ ‎Laughter. Not mine. His. Others. Shadows moved in and out. Phone screens glowing. A camera pointed at me when I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. My voice cracked once—“stop”—but it drowned in their noise. ‎ ‎Darkness ate the rest. ‎ ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎When I woke, my head was pounding. Mouth dry. Body aching in places I didn’t want to think about. Clothes torn. Skin burning with bruises that didn’t belong. ‎ ‎The room was empty. Only the stink of sweat and liquor left behind. ‎ ‎Phone on the floor blinked red light—recording stopped. My stomach turned. I pushed it away like it was poison. ‎ ‎For a long time, I couldn’t move. Just stared at the ceiling, numb. Then before I knew it tears came. Ugly, messy. I pressed my fists against my eyes until stars burst. ‎ ‎Finally I dragged myself up. Found my bag in the corner. Shoes missing but I didn’t care. Just wanted to leave. ‎ ‎My reflection in the bathroom mirror made me pause. Mascara streaked. Lip cut. Neck bruised like fingerprints. I looked like someone else. Someone already dead. ‎ ‎I washed my face but it didn’t help. Water couldn’t clean this. Nothing could. ‎ ‎I left. ‎ ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎The hotel lobby was bright. Too bright. Morning already. My body screamed with each step. My mind just wanted to vanish. ‎ ‎And of course—of course—life had one more knife to twist. ‎ ‎At the exit, blocking the glass doors, stood Him. My ex-fiancé. Perfect suit, perfect jawline, perfect lie of a man. ‎Her. My best friend. No—ex best friend. Hair glossy, eyes shining cruel. ‎ ‎Together. Smiling. Waiting for me like vultures. ‎ ‎“Well, well,” she said, voice dripping honey and poison. “Look who crawled out.” ‎ ‎My ex chuckled. “Didn’t know you had it in you, Elora. One night and you already look—” his eyes swept me up and down, “—ruined.” ‎ ‎My stomach clenched. For a second, I froze. They wanted me broken. Humiliated. On my knees. ‎ ‎I straightened instead. Pulled my shoulders back even though they ached. ‎ ‎“Funny,” I said, voice sharp. “You’re still the same pathetic pair.” ‎ ‎Her smile faltered. Just a flicker. Good. ‎ ‎“You think you’re better than me?” she hissed. “After what everyone saw last night? After what’s probably already online?” ‎ ‎The words hit like knives but I didn’t flinch. Not here. Not in front of them. ‎ ‎I took a step closer, close enough to see the flicker of doubt in her eyes. “At least I don’t need to steal scraps of men to feel wanted.” ‎ ‎My ex’s face hardened. He wasn’t expecting bite. He wanted me small. He got fire instead. ‎ ‎“You’ll regret that,” he muttered. ‎ ‎I laughed, sharp and ugly. “I already regret ever knowing you.” ‎ ‎Then I pushed past them. My body trembling but my chin high. Didn’t stop. Didn’t look back. Let the glass doors slam behind me. ‎ ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎Only when the street was empty, only when i was sure I had gone for enough , only when I was alone— ‎ ‎That’s when it broke. ‎ ‎The strength drained out. My knees gave. Tears burned hot and fast. I pressed my hand against the wall, choking on air, body shaking. ‎ ‎I wanted to scream. I wanted to disappear. I wanted—God, I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore. ‎ ‎But one thing I knew..... ‎