The sound of running water drifted from the bathroom.
Elsa's pulse hammered. Her gaze darted around the room, desperately searching for something—anything—that would explain how she had ended up here.
She slowly raised the duvet. "Shit," she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
The shower went silent.
Elsa scrambled, looking for her gown, but the door swung open before she could find it.
A handsome tall man wearing low-waisted black trousers stepped out. Water droplets still glistened on his broad, sun-kissed shoulders.
"You're awake," his deep voice rumbled through the quiet room.
Elsa nodded and scrambled off the bed, her hands trembling as she looked for where she had tossed her clothes.
"For whatever happened last night...I " She swallowed hard.
Mr. handsome picked up the gown from the bed and handed it to her.
"I... I won't blame you for anything." She took it from him. "Don't worry. I won't ask you to take responsibility... even if something happens."
She grabbed her handbag. Exhaling when she saw the divorce papers still inside.
"So, you're just leaving? After completely ruining my night?"
Elsa froze. "I-I ruined your night?" she stammered.
"You pulled off my tie..." He stepped closer. "You kissed me... and you did a few more entirely unforgettable things."
Elsa's breath hitched.
He leaned in. "...And now you're leaving without breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Have breakfast before you leave. It's already downstairs." His hand reached for the doorknob. "I don't bite. Go take a shower first, and come down when you're done."
Thud. The door closed.
Why can't I remember anything after taking off my clothes?
But the deep ache between her thighs told her everything she needed to know.
Elsa walked down to the dining room wearing a fitted dress she had found. She wondered who he was. He looked incredibly familiar, but she was certain it wasn't just from last night.
She slipped into the chair across from him.
"Good morning, ma'am," an older man standing at the end of the long table greeted her with a bow.
Elsa pressed her lips together.
"Eat. You skipped dinner last night." The stranger pushed a plate toward her.
She tapped her lap, thinking of a way to ask him what happened without sounding weird.
""I'm sorry if I was too tough on you," he said, watching her carefully.
"What?... No... no, you weren't. I mean..." Elsa cleared her throat. "I can still walk."
The words left her mouth before she could stop them.
Emir looked up at her.
Why did she say that?
She wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole.
"Mmm."
The driver turned away, clearly fighting back a laugh..
The driver turned away, clearly fighting back a laugh.
Elsa lowered her head but nearly choked as the man tilted his head to sip his coffee. Dark hickeys peeked just above the collar of his crisp shirt.
Please don't tell me those were my doing.
Heat rushed to her face.
"I'm sorry if I was difficult," she murmured.
"You weren't," he replied calmly.
Silence settled over the room.
"Have we... actually met before? Before last night?" Elsa tightened her grip on her fork.
His fork froze halfway to his mouth.
He looked at her. "We met yesterday."
That wasn't what Elsa was actually asking.
His phone began to ring sharply on the table. He glanced at the screen before looking back up at her. "My driver will take you back after you finish breakfast."
***
Elsa rested her head against the passenger window, watching the city streets blur past.
Did Dora not take the bait?
"Where am I dropping you, ma'am?" the driver asked as he checked the rearview mirror.
"You can just call me Elsa."
The driver nodded respectfully.
Elsa leaned forward. "Mr..."
"Jason."
"Mr. Jason," Elsa said quietly. "Do you... do you actually know what happened last night... how I...?"
"Oh, last night?" Jason chuckled. "Last night was... unforgettable. To be honest, I didn't expect Mr. Emir..."
"Emir?" Elsa murmured.
"Yes. Mr. Emir saved you from falling off a rooftop bar last night," Jason explained, steering the luxury sedan through traffic. "After that, you followed him straight to his car. You couldn't even tell us your address."
He glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"I have to admit, I was shocked. Mr. Emir doesn't usually let anyone get close to him, let alone touch him."
"What?"
"I've worked for Mr. Emir for years, Miss Elsa, and I've never seen him bring anyone home. You're the first."
Elsa groaned and bumped her head lightly against the tinted window.
The driver couldn't hold back his laughter.
When the luxury car finally pulled up in front of her apartment complex, Elsa stepped out, bowing her head slightly as the vehicle glided away.
She immediately pulled out her phone, seeing missed calls and messages from Josh:
Where are you? Are you at home?
Elsa locked the phone and walked up to their apartment, unlocking the door.
Her feet froze in the entryway.
Red heels.
A lace bra.
A white shirt.
She stood in front of the couch. There they were—Josh and Dora, tangled under a single sheet in a deep sleep.
They did it... so why did I also sleep with someone?
She snapped a quick photo, then turned on her heels and left the apartment. Standing outside the building, she held her phone to her ear.
Beep... beep...
"Josh..." Elsa said sweetly. "I'm so sorry I didn't come home last night but I'm on my way up right now to make breakfast."
"What?! You're—" Josh panicked, cutting the call.
Elsa smiled. The click of her high heels echoed against the concrete stairs as she reached the door and slowly pushed it open
