DAMIEN
I woke up with a pounding headache and the unmistakable ache of regret settling in my chest.
My eyes adjusted slowly to the morning light spilling through the hotel curtains. The sheets were tangled around my waist, and I was completely naked. I sat up, groaning as fragments of last night came rushing back.
Damn Danny.
My cousin thought it would be funny to spike my drink and push some girl at me as a birthday surprise. I’d only gone to that ridiculous party out of respect for my uncle. Should’ve left earlier. Should’ve seen it coming.
Instead, I stormed out like a caged bull and rented a private suite just to cool off.
I remembered pacing. Feeling wired. Not thinking straight. Sitting down. And then…
She ran in.
The door had been open. I hadn’t meant to leave it that way. But she entered like she was running from something—wide-eyed, shaky. I still couldn’t picture her face clearly. Everything about her was a blur, a fever dream.
But I remembered the rest. The kiss. The way she trembled. The way she didn’t say no.
The blood on the sheets.
Was it her first time?
I stared at the faint red stain, my gut twisting. She hadn’t seemed afraid—just… overwhelmed. And I’d asked for her consent. I’d promised to compensate her. I always kept my promises.
But she left.
Why?
I swung my legs off the bed and rubbed my hands over my face. Maybe she thought I was just another arrogant billionaire out for a night of fun. Maybe she didn’t believe I meant what I said.
My phone rang. I answered distractedly while moving toward the bathroom. A quick call about this morning’s board meeting.
By the time I got out of the shower and started getting dressed, I spotted something lying on the carpet near the foot of the bed.
A plastic badge.
I bent down and picked it up.
“Stewart.”
There was a small bar logo printed in the corner of the badge.
So… she worked at a bar.
I pocketed the badge and straightened my cuffs. I didn’t know why I cared so much. But I did. I wanted to see her. Talk to her. Not out of guilt—though I wouldn’t deny there was some—but because I’d made a promise.
She deserved more than silence.
Later that afternoon, after a tense meeting with the board, I handed the badge to Lewis, my assistant.
“Get the CCTV footage from the hotel. Use this to track her down. I want to find her.”
Lewis, ever efficient, nodded and left without a word.
By evening, he was back—but with disappointment.
“The hotel cameras were down last night,” he said. “Maintenance issue. They only came back on this afternoon. Nothing from last night.”
I clenched my jaw. “And the girl?”
“I went to the bar,” he continued. “She didn’t show up today. I asked around—she’s private. No social media. No close friends. Just works hard and keeps to herself. But I did get a name and address. Alicia Stewart. Red hair.”
I gave a slow nod. “Go to her house,” I said. “Bring her to me. I don’t care how long it takes. I owe her. And I want to keep my word.”
Two hours later, Lewis returned—with her.
He led her into my office.
“This is Alicia Stewart,” he said and closed the door quietly behind him, leaving us alone.
I stood from behind my desk, expecting… something. Recognition. A flicker of memory. A pull in my gut.
But nothing came.
She stood there awkwardly, hands clasped, eyes downcast. Her hair was black. Her posture tense. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was soft and uncertain.
“Good afternoon, sir. I’m… Alicia Stewart.”
I studied her. She didn’t sound like the girl from last night. Then again, I hadn’t exactly been sober. My memory was hazy at best. Still… this didn’t feel right.
But then she started talking.
“I went to the Shelton Hotel last night,” she said. “Someone at work mentioned I could make extra cash helping out at an event. It seemed harmless, but when I got there, two guys forced me to drink. They drugged me. Tried to….”
She stopped, biting her lip. “I managed to escape. I ran into a room… I think it was yours.”
She was blushing. Hesitating. Embarrassed.
That shy, broken tone. That vulnerability.
Maybe it wasn’t her, or maybe it was.
“Was it… your first time?” I asked carefully.
She nodded. “Yes. I always wanted to wait for marriage, but… last night ruined that.”
I looked away for a second, jaw tightening. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
I exhaled slowly and turned back to her. “Your hair… last night it was red.”
She smiled nervously. “Wig. I wear one at work. I don’t want anyone recognizing me outside the bar. My mom would kill me if she found out I worked there.”
“And your name…” I raised an eyebrow. “You said Alicia Stewart, right.”
She shifted on her feet. “It’s… Diana actually. Diana Stewart. That’s my real name. But I use Alicia at work. It’s easier that way. Clean separation.”
“And your family?”
“I help take care of my granny,” she added quickly. “She’s been in the hospital a while now. My mom refuses to support her treatment. They don’t get along. So I work extra shifts… quietly.”
I stared at her for a long moment.
She was composed, but not confident. Poised, but not defensive. If this was all an act, she played it well.
I let out a breath and finally said, “I owe you an apology. Last night… that wasn’t me. I was drugged. My cousin pulled a stunt I didn’t see coming.”
She nodded slowly. “You saved me. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what those men would’ve done to me.”
“I still feel responsible,” I said. “I don’t want to put a price on what happened, but… I meant what I said last night. Let me compensate you.”
“There’s no need,” she said quickly. “You already helped me more than you know.”
She turned slightly, about to leave.
I stopped her. Gently, but firmly, I caught her hand.
“Diana Stewart,” I said quietly. “I made a promise last night. And I never break my promises.”
She blinked at me.
“Tell me how I can help you,” I said. “Otherwise, I’m not letting you walk out that door.”
