The Night I Wasn't Meant For You

Ariana Cole POV

I should have died six hours ago.

The thought had been replaying in my head ever since the plane landed. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw it again. The violent turbulence. The screams. The terrifying moment when the aircraft dropped so suddenly that several passengers cried out in panic.

For thirty endless seconds, I had been convinced my life was over. Then somehow, against all odds, the plane stabilized. We survived. But the fear stayed with me.

Even now, as I stepped through the revolving doors of the Vale Grand Hotel, my hands were trembling.

"Welcome to the Vale Grand, Miss Cole."

The receptionist greeted me with a bright smile.

I managed a weak one in return. "Thank you."

The luxurious lobby sparkled beneath crystal chandeliers. Marble floors stretched in every direction, reflecting the warm golden lights above. Expensive artwork decorated the walls, and everything smelled faintly of fresh flowers and money.

Normally, I would have admired it. Tonight, I barely noticed. I was exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally.

All I wanted was a hot shower and a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

A hotel employee approached and offered to take my suitcase. "Your suite is ready, Miss Cole."

I nodded gratefully. The elevator ride felt endless. I leaned against the mirrored wall and closed my eyes. The image of the shaking aircraft flashed through my mind again.

My stomach tightened. I opened my eyes immediately. No. I didn't want to think about it anymore. I was alive. That was all that mattered.

When the elevator doors finally opened, I followed the employee down a quiet private hallway. The corridor seemed unusually elegant for a guest floor.

Thick carpets softened every footstep.

The walls were decorated with expensive paintings. But I was too tired to question anything.

The employee stopped before a large double door. He swiped a key card. The door opened. I stepped inside. Then stopped. The room was enormous. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline. A grand piano occupied one corner. A modern fireplace glowed softly against a marble wall. The living room alone was larger than my apartment.

For a moment, I wondered if there had been some kind of mistake. Then exhaustion overpowered curiosity. Maybe the hotel had upgraded my reservation. Maybe wealthy hotels did things differently.

Honestly, I didn't care.

"Enjoy your stay, Miss Cole." The employee smiled before leaving.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Silence filled the suite. I dropped my handbag onto a nearby chair. Then I kicked off my shoes. My entire body ached.bThe flight. The stress.The fear.

Everything was finally catching up with me.

I walked into the bedroom.

The massive king-sized bed looked like heaven. Without bothering to unpack, I climbed beneath the covers. The mattress was impossibly soft. For the first time all day, my muscles began to relax.

Maybe tomorrow things will feel normal again. Maybe tomorrow I could stop thinking about death. Maybe tomorrow-

The thought faded before it could finish.

Sleep claimed me almost instantly. I didn't know how much time had passed when I heard it. A click.

My eyes remained closed. Then came the sound of footsteps. Slow. Steady. Deliberate.bMy heart skipped.

Someone was inside the suite.

For a second, I wondered if I was dreaming.

Then the footsteps stopped. The room fell silent. My pulse thundered in my ears.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. A man stood at the entrance of the bedroom.bTall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in black.

The city lights spilling through the windows cast shadows across his face. Yet somehow, he looked unreal. Like something straight out of a dream. Or a fantasy. My breath caught.

He was, without question, the most beautiful man I had ever seen. For a moment, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. His dark gaze swept over me lying in his bed. Confusion flashed across his face. Then suspicion. Then something else I couldn't quite identify.

The stranger took a single step forward.

And that was when I realized one terrifying possibility. This wasn't my hotel room. The man opened his mouth. And my heart stopped.

"Who are you," he asked quietly, "and why are you sleeping in my bed?"