Married by Scandal to the Billionaire

Avaya’s POV “No, no, no, no, this wasn’t supposed to happen, I can’t let anyone find out about this.” My clothes were scattered around the room. My heel? Nowhere to be found. “You’ve got to be kidding me” I dropped to my knees, trying to check underneath the bed. Nothing. My heart was racing. I didn’t want him to wake up before I left. I hurriedly picked up my clothes and put them on. Still scanning the room for my heel. Then I spotted it. On the coffee table. How did my heel end up on the coffee table? “Seems like last night was… intense.” I giggled. The hotel room looked like it cost more than my rent. I glanced at the bed. He was still asleep. Great. Now I just have to be as quiet as possible. I carefully picked up my shoes and grabbed my purse. I quietly looked through my bag, making sure all my belongings were intact. “My phone.” “Where’s my phone?” It was on the edge of the bed. Right next to him. “Shoot.” I gently picked it up. Trying not to wake him up. I glanced at my phone. 16 missed calls. Endless texts from Mia. She’s going to kill me if she finds out about this. I told her last night was a bad idea. I left with this man last night without letting her know. I should’ve responded to her text last night. I heard the bed sheets rumble. I froze. His eyes opened. “Leaving already?” The sleep rasp in his voice made me weak in the knees. Focus Avaya. “I was trying to escape, you know, like in the movies.” “Oh, I see.” “Then you’ll spend months trying to find me because you were so captivated by me and our night together” “Don’t flatter yourself.” “You know it’s true.” He scoffed. Just as arrogant as he was last night. “Leaving without saying goodbye is rude.” “I didn’t want to wake you up.” “I’ll leave you to it then.” He closed his eyes back. Clearly trying to go back to sleep. “Do I at least get your name before your dramatic escape? It’ll help me find you faster.” I chuckled. “You shouldn’t try to find me. One night stands are supposed to be a one time thing.” “So this was just a one night stand to you then?” I just stared at him. He couldn't even see me, his eyes were still closed. I didn't want to tell him why this couldn't be more than a one night stand. I just avoided the question. “Avaya.” I murmured. “What?” “My name, it's Avaya.” “Avaya.” He repeated, in that same sleepy voice. “You?” “Damien.” That was all he gave me. Fine by me. The fewer details, the better. I reached for the door. I turned back to look at him for a second. His eyes still closed. “Have a nice life, Avaya.” I smirked. “You too, Damien.” I left the room and shut the door. I leaned on the shut door behind me, reminiscing about last night. I immediately snapped myself back to reality. “I have to make sure that no one finds out about this.” *twenty hours earlier “That is absolutely not happening.” “Yes, it is.” “Mia, stop.” “Come on, Avaya, you look absolutely miserable.” I glared at Mia, absolutely fed up. “I do not.” “You do.” She looked at me with that “you know I’m right” look. “Look at you, you’ve been staring at the same page of your book for 30 minutes now.” “I’m just thinking.” “No, you’re overthinking.” There was a difference, probably. I sighed. “Everything just feels so wrong.” “What feels wrong?” “My life. I feel stuck. Like I have no control anymore.” “Hm, is it because of Lucas?” “Yes.” Of course it’s Lucas. Lucas Montgomery. Billionaire. Eligible bachelor. Future husband, according to everyone. The questions started months ago. “When is the proposal?” “Both of you look amazing together, you will make beautiful babies.” I should have been happy. It’s what I wanted. Instead, I felt trapped. Not because of Lucas. Lucas was kind, intelligent and successful. The problem was that I felt like I wasn’t writing my own story anymore. I felt like my future wasn’t my choice anymore. “But this is the life you’ve always wanted.” “Yes, but my life feels completely different now.” “How?” “Now I have to be fit to be a billionaire’s wife.” “Then let’s do this.” “Like I said, absolutely not happening.” “Just one last time. One last reckless night.” “You know how our nights usually go, I can’t afford that right now.” “We’ll be careful, I promise.” I sighed. She’s right. Just one last time. We’ll be careful. “Alright. Let’s do it.” “Great! Start getting dressed. Wear something sexy.” “Sexy?” “Yes! I just got this new dress that I think would look amazing on you.” Mia said excitedly. Every luxurious thing I’ve worn, I got from Mia. Bags. Jewelry. Dresses. Perfume. I fit in because of her. “You look amazing.” Her eyes widened as she stared at me. “We’re going to have the best night of our lives.” “I’m scared.” “What did I tell you? We’ll be careful. You look too good to back out now.” I sighed. Mia’s driver dropped us off. We were standing outside one of New York’s most exclusive rooftop bars. I started to feel like my old self again. Prime Avaya. I would hang out at top class bars all night with Mia. Pretending that I belonged. The best way to meet influential people is to be where they would be. I loved this life more than I would like to admit. The place was beautiful. Glass walls. City lights. Money. So much money. Everything looked expensive. Everything smelled expensive. The people looked like they’d stepped straight out of magazine covers. But I couldn’t have that life by just living under Mia forever. I had to marry into it. I had to marry Lucas Montgomery. I couldn’t live my carefree life anymore if I wanted security. For Chloe. For myself. I checked my reflection on the glass walls. Fixed my posture. Confidence was the one thing I had that was mine. No one could take that from me. So I carried myself like I owned the place. “Come on!” Mia grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. “Tonight, you are not thinking about Lucas.” “I barely think about Lucas” She raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe just a little bit.” “No thinking about bills.” “You know that’s impossible.” “You’re focusing on enjoying yourself tonight.” She handed me a cigarette. I stared at it. “Absolutely not.” “One drag.” “I don’t smoke.” “Neither do I.” “So why do you have this?” “Just take it.” I rolled my eyes and took it. “I’ll go get us drinks.” Mia said before leaving. I was staring at the cigarette. I hadn’t even taken a drag before I regretted accepting it. I heard a voice beside me. “You look offended by the cigarette.” I turned. A man stood beside me holding a glass of whiskey with one hand and the other hand tucked into the pocket of his trousers. He looked like he owned the place. Tall. Light blue eyes. Extremely attractive. His smile suggested that he enjoyed annoying strangers. “It’s rude to eavesdrop.” “You didn’t answer my question though.” His arrogance was surprisingly attractive. “Peer pressure.” “At your age?” “I’m supposed to be letting loose today.” “Then let’s let loose.” I should have walked away. Instead, I stayed. First mistake.