Chapter 4.
1605 Words
Miriam stirred slowly, her body heavy, wrapped in a warmth that didn’t belong to her bed.
Her brows furrowed, and her eyes snapped open.
Sunlight poured through the glass windows, far too bright, far too unfamiliar. The ceiling above her was different. The sheets—silk, cold, expensive, were definitely not hers.
Then it hit her, the club, the bet, him.
Heat rushed to her face instantly. She shot up, the movement sending a dull ache through her body that made her wince. Every muscle protested. Every shift reminded her very clearly of everything that had happened the night before.
"Oh my God…" she muttered, dragging a hand down her face.
She turned quickly to find the other side of the bed empty. No trace of him, no sign he had ever been there.
For a second, something strange flickered in her chest, disappointment? Relief? She couldn’t tell.
"Good," she exhaled, more to convince herself than anything else. "That’s… good."
Her eyes drifted around the room, taking in the luxurious space properly this time. Whoever he was, he wasn’t just some random guy.
That thought barely settled before her gaze snapped to the window again. The sunlight was too bright, making her heart drop.
"What time is it?!"
She scrambled out of bed, nearly slipping as her feet hit the floor. Her eyes darted around wildly until they landed on a wall clock.
Her stomach twisted. "I’m gonna be late."
Panic surged instantly as she recalled the interview she was supposed to have that morning. The job she had been desperately hoping for.
"s**t, s**t, s**t!"
Miriam rushed around the room, spotting her dress crumpled on the floor where it had been carelessly discarded the night before. She bent quickly to grab it, and the moment her fingers touched the fabric, everything flashed before her. His hands, his voice, the way he...
She froze, heat crawling up her neck again, her cheeks burning. "Focus, Miriam!" she snapped at herself, shaking her head hard as if to physically throw the memories away. Now was not the time.
She pulled the dress on quickly, wincing slightly at the soreness in her body as she adjusted it into place.
She looked around for her bag and phone but none came into view. "f**k!" She cursed. She had left everything behind with her friends just for the sake of the bet.
Another realization slammed into her. "Eunice." She muttered.
Eunice must have taken her things home after everything.
Without wasting another second, Miriam bolted out of the room, and out of the club building entirely, ignoring the curious looks thrown her way.
The cool morning air hit her face as she stepped outside, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her.
She flagged down a taxi almost immediately. "Eunice’s place, please," she said quickly, sliding into the backseat.
"Where is Eunice's place?" The driver asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly, and explained where she was going.
The ride felt longer than it actually was.Her fingers tapped anxiously against her thigh, her mind racing between embarrassment, urgency, and the faint, lingering memory of the night before. By the time the taxi pulled to a stop, she was already reaching for the door.
"I’ll get the money, just wait," she told the driver quickly before jumping out.
She rushed to the door and knocked hard.
The door swung open, revealing Eunice with her hair messy, eyes half-lidded from sleep.
"Miriam?" she blinked, confused.
"I need money," Miriam blurted out immediately. "Taxi is outside,please just pay him, I’ll explain later."
Eunice didn’t even question it. One look at her disheveled state was enough."Okay, okay. Relax," she said, stepping out with her wallet.
She moved past Miriam, heading straight to the waiting taxi and settling the fare without another word.
Miriam stood there, shifting slightly, suddenly very aware of how she must look.
Eunice turned back slowly after paying, her eyes scanning Miriam from head to toe. She sniffed Miriam. "You smell like c*m, don’t tell me…" Eunice began, one brow rising.
"Yes," Miriam replied, stepping into the house.
"What?" Eunice followed her, shutting the door. "You actually slept with a stranger? Miriam, have you gone mad?!"
"Technically," Miriam shrugged as she stepped into the bathroom. "I needed to clear my head."
"With s*x?!" Eunice burst.
"Yeah, people do that," Miriam answered, unbothered as she turned on the shower.
"Yes, but not with strangers!" Miriam protested.
"Yeah, but I won't see him again which even makes it better." Miriam replied as she bathed quickly. "A stupid bet, one reckless night to clear my head, and a stranger I won't see again, doesn't it sound like a nice idea?"
"No!" Eunice negated.
"Yes," Miriam countered, stepping out of the bathroom. "God, that man ripped me apart."
Eunice shook her head, rolling her eyes. She threw a towel on Miriam. "Cover up. Don't turn me on or I might rip the remain piece of you right now."
Miriam smiled. "I would gladly let you but I have an interview to rush down to," she planted a quick kiss on Eunice's lips before running off.
"Mimi, are you sure you really have an interview this morning?" Eunice frowned, following her into the bedroom.
Miriam picked out one of Eunice's clothes, and threw them on. "I'll make it up to you tonight."
Eunice walked to her, her hand tucking a strand of hair behind Miriam's ear. She leaned over, her breath hot against Miriam's lips. "Come immediately you leave the company," she said, her gaze now on Miriam's lips. "I want to f**k you all day."
"Okay," Miriam whispered back, stepping away.
She grabbed her phone and bag on Eunice's nightstand, and rushed out of the house. "See you when I get back!"
Miriam didn’t slow down until she was out on the street again.
The morning had fully come alive now, cars moving, people rushing, the city already halfway through its day while she felt like she was just trying to catch up to it.
She flagged down another taxi almost immediately. "My place," she said quickly, giving the driver her address as she slid into the backseat.
This time, the ride felt even shorter, her leg bouncing anxiously the entire way. Her mind kept jumping between things—the interview, her mother...
The taxi stopped, and she rushed out, barely waiting for it to fully halt before she pushed the gate open and hurried inside.
The house was quiet. "Good," she whispered under her breath.
No time for questions. No time for explanations.
She ran straight to her room, shutting the door behind her. Clothes were pulled off in a rush, replaced with something far more appropriate—a fitted blouse, a pencil skirt, and heels that clicked with purpose.
In minutes, she looked like a completely different person. Responsible, composed, and untouchable. Nothing like the girl from last night.
She grabbed her folder of documents from the desk, quickly scanning to make sure everything was intact. Certificates, CV, identification, everything she had worked so hard for.
For a brief second, she paused. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror. Calm on the outside, chaos underneath.
"You’ve got this," she muttered, grabbing her bag and heading out again. She didn’t check if her mother was home, she didn’t want to.
She hailed another taxi, and rushed instruction.
"The Morin Group," she said this time, her voice steadier than she felt.
The building stood tall and imposing, glass reflecting the morning sun like something untouchable.
Miriam stepped out slowly this time, adjusting her clothes instinctively.
This was it... the opportunity she couldn’t afford to lose.
Inside, everything felt different. Polished floors, quiet efficiency, people moving with purpose. It was a world she wanted to belong to, and today, she would.
"Miss Miriam?" the receptionist called.
"Yes," she stood quickly.
"The Head of HR will see you now."
Miriam followed, her heels clicking softly against the floor, each step echoing louder in her chest.
The interview room felt colder than expected. The man across from her, Head of HR, barely smiled as he gestured for her to sit.
"Let’s begin."
The questions came one after the other, sharp, direct, and unforgiving. But Miriam didn’t crumble. She answered with clarity, confidence, and just enough edge to stand out. Every experience, every struggle, every late night, it all poured into this moment.
By the time it ended, there was a brief silence. The man studied her for a second longer than necessary then nodded. "Congratulations, Miss Miriam Daniels," he said. "We'll like to move forward with you."
For a moment, she didn’t react, then it hit. Relief flooded her so fast she almost laughed.
"Thank you, sir," she said, holding it together.
"Come with me," he added, standing. "You’ll need to meet the CEO."
The walk to the CEO’s office felt heavier, more important. This was the top, the final step.
The HR head knocked once before opening the door. "Sir, the new hire."
He stepped in, Miriam followed, and then she froze.
The man behind the desk was speaking, his attention on a file as he gave instructions to another staff member standing across from him.
"Make sure this is finalized before..." he paused, lifted his head slightly, and their eyes met.
Everything inside Miriam dropped. Her breath caught, her fingers tightened around her folder.
"No... It couldn’t be." She muttered under her breath.
But it was, the same man from the club from last night now sitting behind the desk like he owned the world. Because he did, he was the CEO.
- Writer
