"I'm pregnant," uttered a girl to her office colleague, the man who had long been ingrained in her heart. "You should consider terminating the pregnancy that's only a few weeks old. Besides, its unexpected presence will only add new complications that will further complicate our future," he advised. The man she liked outright rejected her, citing various reasons that left her shattered. Moreover, it was that same man who ruined her life when a sip of alcohol led to an incident. Zeeya got pregnant, and Griffin refused to take responsibility. He didn't want to embarrass his family and ruin his career, resorting to ruthless tactics.
Chapter 1 PROLOG
"The sun's rays pierced through the light, disturbing the peaceful slumber of two individuals, especially the woman, who slowly opened her eyes. It was the first time she had opened her eyes, revealing Griffin's serene face, still closed in sleep. Zaylee held her breath as she woke up, quickly putting on her clothes and leaving Griffin's room.
Fortunately, it was still early enough for her friends to be awake. Zaylee immediately cleansed herself, crying her heart out beneath the shower's cascading water. She scrubbed herself roughly, unable to believe this was happening and not just a dream. Zaylee yanked at her hair in frustration.
"Stupid!" "Stupid!" "Stupid!"
Zaylee's shouts echoed in the bathroom as tears continued to flow. She scolded herself for being so foolish as to listen to Dicky and accompany Griffin, who had been influenced by alcohol.
Zaylee felt weak, sitting helplessly under the unrelenting shower. She cried, regretting the mess she had made of her life. She couldn't undo what had been destroyed. Zaylee truly felt disgusted with herself for failing to protect her purity. Her memories returned to the events of last night, and now, they came flooding back wholly.
That night, they had been the climax of the project they had completed. Everyone who embarked on the business trip had finished their tasks ahead of the deadline. It had been a precious moment, and they had decided to celebrate their success by ordering a high-alcohol content beer. They all drank, except for Zaylee, who chose to take in the fresh air on the balcony of their accommodation. She gazed at the city lights, lost in her thoughts, with her mind sinking deep into her heart.
Griffin, who was already half-drunk, laughed and dismissed his friends when he noticed the figure of the girl who used to be his girlfriend. Unlike his other friends enjoying the party, he didn't seem normal.
"What are you doing? Is something bothering you?" Dicky asked, noticing that Griffin had not touched his last glass of alcohol and was instead focused on something, blinking several times. It was only natural that his vision started to blur as he felt more intoxicated.
"You're busy staring at your ex!" Dicky teased, knowing precisely who had caught his friend's attention.
"I can help you!" Dicky whispered, teasing Griffin, who had been unresponsive to his comments.
"Zaylee!" Dicky called out, making Griffin angrily turn to his friend, wondering why he was calling the girl who made him sick just by looking at her.
Dicky's voice startled Zaylee from her reverie, and she approached him. Griffin turned away, disgusted by the girl standing before him.
"Can you help me? I need to take Sam and the others to their rooms. So, please help me take Griffin to his room," Dicky playfully instructed Zaylee to escort Griffin to his room.
"Isn't there another way?" Zaylee asked indifferently. After all, many coworkers were here, so why did it have to be her? She looked at Dicky with a probing gaze, clearly understanding that he was playing a trick on her.
"Who else? Everyone is already unconscious. It has to be you. Look, they're all passed out," Dicky replied. His words made sense, and Zaylee finally agreed to escort Griffin to his room. However, she waited to carry Griffin. Instead, she approached Salsa.
"Rose! You can go back to the hotel room. I have to take Griffin to his room. I'll join you later!" Zaylee said, feeling uncomfortable around Salsa.
"Alright! I'll go first!" Salsa said with a smile, immediately tidying up everything and heading to her room.
Salsa and everyone else also returned to their rooms, leaving the common area in disarray, as everyone had been affected by alcohol. Griffin, the weakest regarding alcohol, was now wholly incapacitated on the sofa.
"What are you going to do?" Griffin asked in a half-conscious state as he saw Zaylee still standing beside him.
Zaylee stared at Griffin, who seemed to reject her good intentions vehemently. She didn't leave; instead, she waited for Griffin to get up.
Griffin looked sharply at Dicky, who had entered his room, and immediately got up, stumbling along the wall. Zaylee followed him from behind. Griffin didn't pay attention to Zaylee and ignored her small steps as she walked alongside him. Griffin pushed her away when Zaylee reached for his arm to guide him, his posture unsteady.
"Zaylee Caroline, I hate you so much! My life is a mess because of you!" Griffin rambled, his words incoherent. Zaylee ignored the man in front of her.
Zaylee opened the door and guided him to lie down on the bed. She removed his shoes and pulled up the blanket, all while Griffin stared at her silently. Zaylee suddenly felt a tense atmosphere around her and quickly left. Unfortunately, Griffin's hand moved faster than she did.
With one swift motion, the girl was trapped beneath Griffin. Zaylee began to feel fear as Griffin's hand locked above her head. Even in his drunken state, Griffin's strength was considerable. Zaylee looked at the helpless and anxious man who was almost losing consciousness.
"Griffin! You're insane! Let go of me!" Zaylee pleaded as Griffin continued to kiss her roughly, taking her by surprise. Zaylee tried to push him away with all her might, but Griffin kept kissing her passionately.
Griffin closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, and then slowly opened them. His gaze was intense, staring at Zaylee, who now looked vulnerable, her face flushed and tearful. Griffin missed her; he wasn't lying when he said that Zaylee's departure had shattered him into pieces.
Zaylee struggled again, but Griffin's grip was unyielding. He didn't give Zaylee any room to escape, whether he was regaining consciousness or just acting on impulse under the influence of alcohol.
Zaylee began to lose her strength, unable to breathe at all. She forcefully slapped Griffin's broad chest to make him release his grip so she could live. Griffin stopped kissing but didn't move his face away from hers. He could maintain a firm hold on Zaylee's hand with just one hand, rendering her rebellion futile.
Griffin unbuttoned Zaylee's shirt with a single swift move, causing all the buttons to come undone. Zaylee was terrified, and Griffin continued his advances, with Zaylee helpless and unable to stop him. His hands roamed freely, daring to explore the forbidden parts of Zaylee's body that he should not touch. But he didn't care; he followed his instincts under the influence of alcohol.
"Griffin! I beg you! Stop!" Zaylee pleaded hoarsely, tears streaming down her face as her strength dwindled. She couldn't overpower Griffin's strength.
It was a shocking ending to the night for Zaylee. She never expected her night.