One Night Stand and With The Ruthless Billionaire

Emilia's POV “Relax, Emilia. You look like you're about to pass out.” Elsa called out, her words barely audible over the sound of the music thumping in the ballroom. “How can you tell?” Kelsey asked, half distracted as her eyes were glued to a guy in a white tuxedo among the crowd. Before Elsa could respond, Kelsey beat her to it. “You know what? Never mind. I'll catch up with you guys later. That's if I find the man behind that mask to be a bore.” She added the last part over her shoulder, as she strode to the man in white. I fiddled with the locket of my necklace nervously - the one my mother had left me before she died. In uncomfortable situations like these, it usually helped to put me at ease, but now, it has no effect. Maybe it was because it was finally dawning on me the stupid mistake I had made. Joining them had been an unusual impulsive decision for me, and I was already regretting accepting their invite. I sighed heavily, “I can't believe you guys talked me into this.” I said to Elsa, my eyes scanning the guest's room with their glittering masks and equally stunning attires. Deep down, I knew their outfits were more expensive and luxurious than mine, but I had broken the bank to get this red dress, so, I felt I was on the same level with them…in a way. “Don't worry, Emilia. The hardest part was gaining entry into this place. Now that we're in, I'm not going to allow you to go back on our agreement. Try to blend in and by the end of the night, some Romantic partner will sweep you off to his castle.” The excitement in her voice was palpable, but I didn't feel the same way. “What if it's a frog?” She giggled, “At least it will be a rich one. Now, go.” She urged, pushing me forward into the crowd. Excited chatter and clinking of glasses surrounded me, making me feel more overwhelmed. I looked back and couldn't find Elsa anymore. Traitor! I swallowed the lump in my throat as the music changed to an upbeat one and most guests took to the dance floor. It's not too late to leave now, Emilia. You can still make it back to your crampy shared apartment in time and get some sleep. No matter how much I wanted to follow that nagging voice in my head, I knew my friends would be disappointed in me. I'd be disappointed in myself too. It's just for tonight, Emilia. Besides, no one knows you here. Just enjoy the night! True. I had nothing at all to lose. I strutted towards the barside to get a drink. Some Dutch courage can help me loosen up and get me through the night. “Hey, beautiful. What would you like to order?” The bartender asked. I opened my mouth to say that this wasn't my kind of crowd, so anything would do just, but he beat me to it. “Don't worry, I just have the thing for you.” He turned away, mixing something vibrant and sparkling. “Here you go.” He handed me the glass, so I lifted it to my lips and took a cautious sip. As I stood there, my eyes drifted across the room and landed on a tall man in a black suit, effortlessly commanding attention amidst the chatter. My heart raced as my eyes traced the contours of his suit, the fabric hugging his frame perfectly. There was something about the way he carried himself that drew me in. As he turned slightly, our eyes met for a fleeting moment, and warmth flooded my cheeks. I was thankful for my mask that shielded my embarrassment. I adjusted it nervously, feeling both exposed and hidden at the same time. Minutes stretched into hours as I remained transfixed by him. Just when I thought he might look away, he strode towards me, an air of confidence surrounding him that made my heart hammer wildly against my ribcage. “That’s the third drink you've had,” he noted, his voice deep and smooth, sending delightful shivers down my spine. Oh, he’s been watching me? I thought to myself, finding it endearing instead of creepy. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice amidst the storm of nerves. “I can handle it.” The words came out stronger than I felt. He chuckled softly, his gaze still locked on mine. “Easy or you’ll be drunk before the end of the night.” Good point. “Why would your companion leave such a beautiful woman like you all alone?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief. I couldn't help but giggle, the sound surprised me. “I came alone,” I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. “That's fine with me,” he replied, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret just between us. The way he said it sent a thrill through me, and I found myself leaning in closer, drawn to the magnetic pull between us. “Would you like to dance?” He extended his hand, and without thinking, I placed my palm in his. As he led me to the dance floor, the music shifted to a sensual Latin rhythm that pulsed through the air. My heart raced, not just from the beat but from the way he moved with an effortless grace, guiding me as if we’d danced together for years. I can barely keep up, but he seems to anticipate my every step, pulling me closer as we sway. “I don’t normally do this,” I confess, the words slipping out before I can stop myself. The alcohol buzzed in my veins, emboldening me. He smirked, his gaze intense and playful. “I have a knack for making people lose themselves around me.” Heat radiated between us as our bodies moved in sync. I can feel the warmth of him against my skin, and it’s intoxicating. The world around us faded. It was just him, and I was lost at that moment. “Why don’t we take the party elsewhere?” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. I blinked at him, caught off guard by the suggestion. My mind raced—this was moving too fast, but there was something in his eyes that made it hard to say no. Before I knew it, I nodded in agreement, my heart pounding with both excitement and trepidation. He took my hand again, leading me away from the dance floor and toward the elevator at the far end of the hall. The anticipation crackled between us like electricity as we stepped inside. The doors slid shut with a soft thud, sealing us away from the noise of the party. As soon as we were alone, he pulled me close, capturing my lips with his in a kiss that ignited every nerve ending in my body. I couldn't help but melt into him as our lips moved together with an urgency that left me breathless. We paused, still breathing heavily as the door opened. He led me to a private room down the hallway. After unlocking the door, he turned to face me, “Where were we?” … By 2am, I jolted awake, my head pounding like a drum in a marching band. Panic surged through me as I took in my surroundings—this was not my room. I was in a stranger's bed, the sheets tangled around me. My eyes darted around, landing on clothes strewn carelessly across the floor: a jacket, a tie, my red dress. A heavy sigh of regret escaped my lips. What have you done, Emilia? I clutched the bedsheet to my bare chest as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. My heart raced with each movement; I needed to get dressed and get out of there before he woke up. My gaze fell on my phone resting on the nightstand. I snatched it up and slipped into my dress. My heels lay abandoned nearby, and I picked them up, balancing them awkwardly in one hand as I tiptoed toward the door. I glanced back at the man whose name I didn’t even know—the one who had given me the most memorable night of my life—and felt a pang of something unrecognizable. But there was no time for sentimentality; I had to leave. With one last deep breath, I turned the doorknob and stepped into the hallway, my heart racing as I made my escape into the night.