After it was over, they lay intertwined on the luxurious bed. Diana stared at the ceiling, wrapped in a blanket, an empty feeling settling over her. She turned away, ignoring Brandon completely.
“Done with me already? Cold as ever,” Brandon teased, propping himself up on his elbow. “How was it this time? If you’re still not satisfied, there’s always next time…”
Diana’s temper flared. She sat up, glaring at him. “Do you think I’m some cheap fling? That you can have me whenever you want? Don’t forget, this was just a way to repay you. There won’t be a next time!”
Brandon scoffed. “Diana, don’t act all innocent with me. You were quite the player, meeting different men every day.”
Diana’s expression darkened. “You investigated my actions?”
“You were quite the campus celebrity, known for having plenty of partners. I didn’t need to dig for that,” Brandon said, his tone carrying a hint of jealousy.
Diana fell silent.
It was true-she had dated different men, hoping to feel normal again.
But the more she tried, the more she realized her dislike for men wasn’t something she could change.
Diana was proud, especially around Brandon.
She would rather let him believe she had been with countless men than admit the truth.
After all, he had been with plenty of women too, hadn’t he?
“If you already know about my colorful dating history, then let me be clear.”
Diana tilted her head, deliberately provoking him.
“You’re just average. If it weren’t for my promise, I wouldn’t have spared you a second glance.”
Brandon’s expression darkened. He was on the verge of losing his control.
Seeing his reaction, Diana felt a sense of satisfaction.
She gathered her clothes, ready to leave.
Just as she was about to go, his voice stopped her.
“Aren’t you curious about Dave?”
Diana hesitated, her fingers hovering over the last button of her blouse.
Her eyes shifted to the bed where Brandon lounges lazily, a cigarette hanging from his lips.
“You’re actually willing to talk?” she asked, her voice laced with doubt.
Brandon’s eyes flickered from her face to her chest, a sly smirk forming.
“One more night, sweetheart, and the CEO’s secrets are all yours. Deal?”
Diana’s patience snapped. She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.
“Shameless!” she shouted.
Brandon swatted the pillow aside, his smirk growing. The more she pushed back, the more determined he seemed to prove something.
He leaned back with a casual shrug. “Inside information on the Phoenix Alliance Group CEO isn’t something you can just buy, Diana. Think it over.”
Diana’s frustration boiled over. She grabbed her coat and stormed toward the door.
Behind her, Brandon’s voice carried a teasing lilt. “My door’s always open for you.”
She hesitated for a second, then slammed the door shut without looking back.
By the time Brandon finally rolled out of bed, dawn had begun to break.
Diana checked her phone and saw a message from Bianca with a room number.
No judgment, just the information she needed.
Diana returned to their shared room and found Bianca fast asleep. She slipped in quietly, careful not to wake her.
Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the room.
Bianca finally woke up, stretched, and stepped out of the bedroom. Seeing Diana already at the breakfast table, she smiled.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Diana greeted with a grin. “Sleep well?”
Bianca, still shaking off sleep, mumbled a greeting and made her way to the table. “When did you get back last night?” she asked, her voice rough from sleep.
“Oh, not too late,” Diana said vaguely, stabbing a piece of sausage and popping it into her mouth. “Probably right after you fell asleep.”
Bianca sat across from her, noticing the way Diana dodged the question. She didn’t ask further, but a knowing glint flickered in her eyes.
“So, Brandon last night? How’d that go?” she asked casually.
Diana nearly choked on her food. “What? Brandon? What are you talking about?”
Bianca shook her head gently. “Don’t play dumb, Diana. Brandon’s a known playboy. If it’s just a fling, that’s your choice. But don’t get attached. You’ll only end up hurt.”
A shadow crossed her eyes as memories of her own mistakes surfaced. She wouldn’t let Diana go through the same pain.
Diana stared at her plate, letting out a quiet sigh. “I know, Bianc. I won’t fall for him.”
Bianca sighed but didn’t push further.
As they ate, the sharp ring of a phone cut through the silence.
Bianca glanced down. An unknown number flashed on the screen.
Bianca frowned, worried it might be a work call. She answered quickly.
“Bianca, it’s Michael,” a panicked voice filled the line. “Have you seen Sophia?”
“Sophia?” Bianca’s brow knitted in confusion. “I left her with you last night. Isn’t she with you?”
“She’s missing!” Michael’s voice was tight with panic. “Her phone is off, and I’ve searched the entire club. She’s nowhere to be found!”
Bianca had never heard him this distress. Her grip tightened on the phone as she dropped her silverware with a loud clatter.
“Maybe she went back to the company. I’ll call and check,” she said quickly.
“Okay. Let me know if you find anything,” Michael replied.
After ending the call, Bianca’s tense expression made Diana uneasy.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“Michael says Sophia is missing,” Bianca said as she quickly dialed her agency’s landline.
“Missing?” Diana repeated, worry creeping into her voice as she watched Bianca make frantic calls.
One after another, Bianca called different numbers, but each attempt only made her expression darker.
She finally hung up, her face grim.
“What’s going on?” Diana asked, making her anxiety deepen.
Bianca gripped her phone tightly, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at Diana.
“I called the agency’s landline, Sophia’s assistant, and the event organizers. No one has seen her. She hasn’t contacted anyone since last night.”
Her voice trembled as she paused.
“Sophia is really missing!”
“What?” Diana set down her silverware and stood up quickly. “Then we should call the police right away.”
“We need to check her place first,” Bianca said, frowning.
They quickly got dressed and left the room.
As they walked out, they saw Dave and Michael in a conversation in the club’s lobby.
Bianca didn’t spare them a glance. Her expression was blank as she headed straight for the exit.
Michael noticed Bianca’s expression and quickly excused himself, rushing over.
“Any news? Were you able to reach Sophia?”