One-Night Stand

Mia’s POV.

The night was quiet, Everything was quiet, well, except for the sporadic barking and howling from a few dogs in the neighborhood, and our loud voices as my mom tried to reason with me and change my mind before I break off the engagement and cancel my wedding to Riley Osborne. It’s been two hours since Carrie picked me up from the hospital and ever since I walked through that door, my mom has been firing me with tons of questions, while my dad locked himself in his room, brooding. 

“No. No. No. I won’t marry that two-timing bastard.” I roared angrily.

“Mia, please try and understand. We don’t have a choice. We need to make this deal as soon as possible. If we lose this company, this house, it could kill your father. All his life, he has toiled to get to where we are today, he has done everything possible to give you and your sister a good life. We have never asked for anything in return, just this one favor. Please, my Mia-Mia.” My mother tried to convince me. 

“Oh, come on, mom. Don’t you Mia-Mia me, I’m not falling for it. I don’t care if we have to live on the street and feed on garbage, I still won’t marry Riley Osborne, I won’t do it, mom. I won’t. For fucks sake, he cheated on me, with... With... With that bitch Loretta. 

Jeez, mom, 

What do you want from me? Because of this merger, you want to tie me to a cheat, a fucking cheat. I can’t even bear that thought. I can’t think about it. I can’t stand the sight of him, he disgusts me. How can I spend the rest of my life with him, I can’t even bare to look at his face without thinking of him lying on top of that whore, screwing her as if his life depends on it. How can you subject me to a life of misery and heartache, how could you mom?” I threw my hand in frustration and huffed. I am trying so hard not to cry in front of them. I’ve promised myself that I won’t shed a drop of tears because of those two shameless traitors. 

Since Riley chose to be with her, then good riddance. I’m not going to go crawling back to him simply because we need to use their port, I won’t sell myself short, I’m not going to marry that bastard and that is final. 

“He said he is sorry, Mia. He was drunk last night and Loretta seduced him. You can’t cancel your wedding because your fiance had a one-night stand with a stupid whore, you need to forgive him, my daughter, he is your husband-to-be, and remember marriage is all about understanding and forgiveness. He used to be your best friend, why don’t you give him a second chance?” my mom continued to explain and plead in her gentle voice, but I was not in the mood to listen to her. 

“That’s the thing mom, he is supposed to be my best friend, he berated me, betrayed my trust, and screwed Loretta. Friends don’t do that to each other, I can never trust him again.” 

“Come on Carrie, say something help me out here,” I called out to my sister who sat on the couch ignoring us completely. 

“What do you want me to say, I told you Loretta was a bitch, but you never listened to me. I warned you about her, but you thought I was jealous of your friendship with your bestie,” She mocked, shrugging indifferently, giving me a look that suggested that I was sorely on my own. I huffed in frustration and turned back to mom, “I won't do it, mom, and you can’t make me do it. I would rather die than be his wife. I will find another way to save our company, it doesn’t have to be the Osbornes.” I stated firmly and turned to walk away, but my mom pulled me back and landed a hot slap on my face, her eyes blazing in anger.

“You selfish bastard!

How are you even my daughter?

You only think about yourself, you don’t consider the rest of the family. You may have finished school, but what about your sister, how do we pay for her tuition when the bank takes everything?

Your father has a heart condition that needs a constant check-up. We need to monitor his heart condition or he dies. How do we pay for all that, how do we pay for his surgeries, Mia? How do you expect us to survive this, how do we pay the bills?” she roared in anger as the tears slid down her cheeks. My hands instinctively came to curb my cheeks that stung from the pain of her slap and I hung my head low, refusing to look at her face.

 The truth is, I get her. I mean, I totally understand why she is being so persistent. The banks are coming to take our house and our last cargo ship. The Osbornes are our only hope to save my father's company and protect his legacy. We are going to lose everything if I don’t marry Riley, everything my father worked so hard to achieve will be taken away from us. We will be shamefully kicked out to the street with nothing. My father's reputation, our family name, will be dragged into the mud. I never wanted this to happen, and that was why I agreed to be with Riley in the first place.

You see, We are used to living as elites, we had it all, and we had everything we ever needed to live a comfortable life. Dad learned about this shipping business from my grandpops, and with that knowledge he expanded the family business, acquiring a fleet of ten cargo ships. We had it all and our business was perfect, everything was going well for everyone. Then all of a sudden, we lost everything. All our cargo ships got lost at sea, my father took loans from the banks to pay for damages and freight claims. In the twinkling of an eye, we lost nine cargo ships and we incurred a high debt that couldn’t be cleared up even after selling our port. All we have now is a ship, and dad is so scared to resume business because he thinks we would lose this one as well.

He had no other choice but to seek help from his business partner, Evans Osborne. From his reaction to this whole ordeal, I can tell that something was up. I can’t shake off the feeling that something was up, it felt like he had something to hide and I can’t help but wonder if he knows who is responsible for our misfortunes. He claims that the Osbornes were our only hope to have the company, and when they proposed a marriage deal to unite both families before doing business with us, he gladly accepted the deal and he served me to Riley on a platter of gold.

“The Osbornes are our only chance of survival, they can save our business and protect us from danger, you have to marry Riley to seal this deal.” He persuaded me. I almost went mad with rage, I was like, “Protect us from what exactly?” 

I mean, It’s our business we are fighting for and not our lives. But he makes it sound as if our lives were in danger, and they gave me no choice, I couldn’t say no to my family. I was friends with Riley, we attended the same business school and we hung around the same circle of friends. When the deal was proposed to us by his parents, he convinced me to accept the deal, he said we could make it work and he confessed to having feelings for me. So I agreed to this sham of a marriage. And he turned out to be a dickhead, a fucking cheater.

I can’t believe that my mom would hit me because of Riley. It’s obvious that she cares more about our family's status. She cares about our elite status and prestige. It sure looks like my happiness doesn’t matter to her and it hurts to see that she values wealth and privilege more than her daughter's happiness. Well, too bad she trained me to make my own decisions and stick to what I believe. I’m not a pushover and I’m not going to let her ruin my life by forcing me to marry Riley.

“We would find a way to survive mom. We can find a little apartment downtown, I’ll get a job, and I’ll work very hard to support our family. I’ll get two jobs, if that is what it takes, I’ll do anything to support our family, but I won’t marry Riley Osborne. You can hit me as many times as you wish, but it won’t make me change my mind. I’m not getting tied to that cheating bastard for the rest of my life. I would rather die!” I spat out angrily and turned around once more, making my way up the stairs in annoyance. I was close to the top of the stairs when I heard the sound of a door swinging open, I looked up and saw my father glaring daggers at me, his face void of emotion. He looks tired and grim. I’ve never seen him looking so stressed in my entire life and it hurts me to know that I am causing him so much stress.

“You will marry him, Mia. You will forgive Riley Osborne and you will marry him. This deal is our only chance and I will not let you ruin our lives. One day, you will come to understand why I am doing this, but until then, you cannot say No to the Osbornes, I won’t accept that.” He said indifferently, giving me no chance to argue. I have no idea what is happening to our family, my parents love us dearly, and they adore my sister and I. But ever since the beginning of our misfortune, they have been acting so weird. I don’t know what is going on, but I won’t let him use me as an asset to make business deals.

“No, dad. I won’t… I can’t marry Riley and you can’t make me.” I snickered.

“Mind your language, young lady!” he yelled at me furiously, causing me to gasp in shock. I could hear mom and Carrie's worried chatter as they both ran up the stairs in a hurry. Dad has a heart condition, called Coronary heart disease. It is vital that he stays calm always. Screaming this hard would raise his blood pressure and that is not good for him. 

“I am your father, Mia. You have no idea how difficult it is to give you away to that scumbag. Do you know what we are up against?” He scolded me angrily, yelling at the top of his voice, glaring daggers at me.

“Dad, please…

You have to stop…” Carrie let out in a panic as she went to his side, trying to get him to stay calm.

“Connor, please remember your heart condition.” My mom reminded him as he kept glaring furiously at me. 

But it was too late…

His hand flew to his chest as he scrunched his face in pain.

“Mia, quick!

Get the driver!” Carrie called out to me as I stood there like a statue. I snapped out of my shock and ran down the stairs in a frenzy, calling out to the driver.

“Look what you have done, you stubborn child. Why can’t you just listen to us?” my mom let out in agony as my father was moved into the car. 

“Stop it already, mom. Any sane person would react the same way. It’s not her fault. I wouldn’t marry that guy if I were in her shoes.” My sister scolded her immediately, speaking up for me for the first time since all this began. At least she got mom to keep quiet and I’m grateful for the silence because my head is swirling with different thoughts.

I was lost in my own thoughts, I can’t believe that I just caused my father to have a heart attack. If he does in the hospital, it’s going to be my fault. 

Drakes POV.

My kid brother Riley is getting married tomorrow. He had been begging me to attend his wedding but I couldn’t give him a definite answer because I wasn’t sure I was ready to come back home after so many years.

I had a fallout with my parents many years ago. They had wanted me to give up my dreams and aspirations and take over the family business after my father retired but I wanted more than that, I wanted to travel around the world, meet people and expand our business and make it worldwide.

Our family is wealthy and influential in the country but I want more than that, I desire to make money my own way and become famous through my own hard work but my family just wanted me to pick up from where my father stopped and settle down to live a quiet life. I had a huge argument with them after they tried to force me into an arranged marriage. They can be so overbearing, they plan our lives and expect us to live according to their script. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I left Los Angeles and I moved over to New York City, where I set out to expand our family's business without their knowledge. 

Riley was made to run the company while I was gone. He was twenty-five years old when he started working in our company as acting CEO. I coordinated with him from my base in New York, working with him to take our business nationwide, and together, we have succeeded in achieving much more than I had ever dreamed of. Our company is much bigger and we have set up several branches in more than ten different countries. So it is safe to say that we are not just wealthy, we are famous and influential. I even indulged myself and satisfied my desire to own my brand, my own very company, one that bears my name and not my family's name.

But, It's been ten years since I left, and I think it is high time I come back home and sort out the issue with my family. That is why I came back for Riley’s wedding, I was hoping to use this as an opportunity to speak to my parents and apologize for running away and abandoning my responsibilities. 

Who would have thought that the wedding would be canceled after their bachelor/bachelorette party?

A part of me wants to blame myself for what is happening right now, but it’s not my fault, is it?

…FLASHBACK…

I was in my hotel room, watching one of my favorite shows on TV when I noticed that someone was tampering with my door lock from outside. I turned off the light immediately and lay still on the bed, pretending to be asleep so I can catch whoever is trying to break into my room. This is so unacceptable, it could be one of our staffers that’s stealing from our clients. I’ll fucking deal with whoever it is, I’ll not let this slide. I lay still and watched the door close, but no burglar walked in through that door, instead, I was greeted with the warm presence of a woman.

She nearly tripped and fell when she walked in through the door, and I realized that this is no burglar, it was just a very drunk woman that has no idea of where she is or what she is doing at the moment. She must be from the party downstairs and she reeks of alcohol. On the other hand, she is extremely beautiful, so curvy and elegant. I couldn’t see her clearly because the room is very dark but I caught a clear glimpse of her stunning beauty when she walked in through the door. She staggered forward and slumped on the bed, heaving a sigh of relief as she enjoyed the comfy bed, my bed.

“Who is this woman and what the hell am I going to do with her?” I thought within me as I watched her lying face-down on the bed. There is absolutely nothing I can do to get her out of this room without creating a scene and embarrassing her. I’ll just let her sleep off her highness, I’m sure she’ll be somber in the morning and we can then sort out this misunderstanding. I’ll have to take the couch tonight so she doesn’t have crazy thoughts when she sees me by her side in the morning. I’m guessing she is one of Riley’s guests and she is also going to be at the wedding tomorrow, it would be a shame if she creates a scene at my brother’s wedding because of me, my parents would never forgive me. 

I tried to gently move out of the bed so I don’t wake her up, then she stretched her hand and grabbed me, making me still in my movement. She touched my bare chest with her soft warm hands, sending shivers down my spine. Then she raised her head and squinted her eyes to gaze properly at me, causing my heart to beat faster as I anticipated her reaction when she notices my presence. Surprisingly, she doesn’t scream or scurry away when she saw me, instead, she flirted with me, moving her soft, warm palm on my chest, sending warm tingles all over my body. From her words, I could tell that she is so drunk and she is mistaking me for someone else, my rational side was telling me to stop her but my body was sending different signals to my brain, eliminating every sane thought from my head.

No woman has ever made me feel this good. My chest is filled with her sweet fragrance, pulling me closer to her, I know the right thing to do was to stop her because I am not who she thinks I am, but I wanted this, I wanted her so badly, which is so weird because I don’t even know her. She kissed me passionately, moaning into the kiss as she kissed me all over, eliciting a groan out of me. I tried to, believe me, I really wanted to stop her, but it felt so good as she pleasures me, it felt so fucking good. I know she wouldn’t remember a thing by tomorrow, so I relaxed and let her suck me off, sending waves and waves of pleasure rippling through my whole body as she takes my dick in her mouth like a pro, taking me to the back of her throat like a fucking expert. Damn! I nearly released my cum in her throat. 

I’ve never experienced something like this in my whole life. The fact that she is still a virgin is quite surprising. I couldn’t leave her in her aroused state after she just pleasured me so well. I decided to return the favor and make her feel as good as she just made me feel. I was heading down to her juicy honeypot when she mentioned a name that made me pause immediately, 

“Yes Riley, that feels so fucking good.” She moaned out in pleasure, making me halt, as I tried to comprehend her words. It’s got to be another Riley, right?

I mean, there is no way in hell that I’m going to believe that I just had so much fun with my brother's bride-to-be, it’s definitely not her. She wouldn’t be fooling around on the night before her wedding.  Should have stopped her at this moment, I could have called someone in here to take her to her room and make sure she is okay, but I couldn’t deny myself this much pleasure. I couldn’t stop, even if wanted to. It’s too late to back down now, I need to see this to the end,  I need to make her cum, besides, she would never be able to remember any of this by tomorrow, after all, I’m not planning on taking her virginity, it belongs to the Riley as she mentioned earlier, the Riley whom I know is certainly not my brother.

After making her cum so hard, I watched her snuggle closer to me, drifting off to sleep. She is so drunk and exhausted from our little sexual escapade, and I adored her beauty. She is so gorgeous, so amazing and I want her for myself. It’s quite unfortunate that she belongs to another man. 

…END OF FLASHBACK…

I mean, There I was sitting on my own when she walked into my room. Yes, I knew she was drunk and I could have at least stopped her from making a fool of herself, but I couldn’t help it, okay?

I’m a man, and I have feelings as well. How on earth am I supposed to say no to such a beautiful lady, especially when she was touching me in all the right places, making me feel so damn good. I gave in to my desires and I had fun with her. You can sue me for it, but that wouldn’t change the fact that I had fun with her and I don’t regret it. 

I would have tried to talk to her in the morning, but she woke up way earlier than I expected, and when she realized that she was not in her room, she flew into a panic and ran out of my room like her life depended on it. I ran after her in a bid to stop her and explain to her that nothing happened, and maybe get her number, but I couldn’t do any of that because she had a much bigger surprise waiting for her in her friend's room. 

She caught her best friend screwing her husband-to-be, who happens to be my kid brother, Riley. That fucking did it. She ran out of the hotel like a lunatic, sobbing sadly. She was distracted and confused. She wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings and she nearly got hit by a car. She came this close to getting hit by a car, the shock and heartbreak were just too much for her, and she passed out on the street, lying helplessly on the road. 

I never showed my face, I kept lurking in the dark, observing from a safe distance. I waited a few minutes to give my brother a chance to save his fiancee and make things right, but he never came for her, he couldn’t care less about her safety. I had to take her to the hospital, I know this shouldn’t be my problem, I mean, I don’t even know this girl. But seeing her lying helplessly on the street made me realize that I’m now involved in this matter, whether I care to admit it or not.

“Are you sure you will be okay without me?” Liam let out as soon as I stepped out of the hospital that Saturday morning. I have been in this hospital for a couple of hours, I had to stay back and make sure she was okay and when I confirmed from the doctor that everything is going to be okay, I left her in the hospital. 

“I’ll be fine man. They are still my parents, it’s not like they are going to kill me or do anything to hurt me. Just make sure she gets home safely, I’ll meet you back at the hotel.” I responded.

“And why do you care so much about this girl, Drake?

She is still your brother's fiancee and last I checked, you are still in a relationship with Rosalie.” he did a quote in the air when mentioning her name and he scoffed at the end. He never hides the fact that he hates Rosalie, and she makes it quite clear to him that the feeling is mutual. I have never understood the conflict between them, but I try to keep the peace between them before it could get more conflicting. I try to limit their interactions, making sure they have no reason to see or speak with each other.

“I know she belongs to my brother, but I still need to look out for her, Liam. Besides, Rosalie is no longer my girlfriend. She left me two weeks ago, remember?”

“Yeah, whatever. Just don’t go having any funny ideas about that girl, she is taken!” he let out sternly, throwing his hand in frustration as he turned around and went back into the hospital. 

I almost laughed at his theatrics. I wonder what he is going to say when he finds out that she had been in my room last night. I’m sure he would never stop teasing me about it. Gosh, what was I ever thinking?

I went back to the hotel and had a quick shower. The news of Riley’s canceled wedding is everywhere in town. Their wedding was supposed to be today, and everyone was looking forward to it because it was supposed to be the talk of the town. Our family is so popular in this city, we practically run this city. And from what I heard, her family is doing great as well. They are going through a rough time, but then again, that is how business is. I’m sure her father would sort out it out in no time.

I felt uncomfortable as I stepped out of my Porsche, the news about my brother's breakup is everywhere. And there is a leaked video of my brother and the girl he screwed last night. That video is supposed to be confidential, I wonder how it got leaked. 

As I walked into the hotel lobby, I spotted the girl causing this whole scandal, the same girl that had been with Riley last night. She was having a conversation with the receptionist, the same one that had given me the key to my room last night. I saw her passing a brown envelope to the receptionist before turning to leave the lobby. I guess she is checking out of the hotel because she had her luggage with her.  

I did not stop, and I acted oblivious to their dealings, but something else caught my attention and I realized that something else is going on here. From the glass doors of the elevator, I saw her walk toward a black SUV that is parked in front of the hotel. The driver came down and took her luggage from her, putting it at the back of the car. Then she opened the back door and stepped into the SUV and just before she shut the door, someone sitting in the back seat of that SUV leaned down to place a peck on her cheek.

I know him, I’ve heard so much about him and I know what he is capable of. His name is Austin Foster. He is a member of the Russian organized crime or Russian mafia, otherwise known as Bratva. He is a notorious criminal, and he is wanted in many countries for drugs and human trafficking.

I may not be Bratva, but I am the Godfather and the Bratva pakhan cannot dare to cross me. I don’t know how Riley got himself involved with these guys, but I’m certainly going to get to the root of this matter.