Episode 2

Narrated by Ruby Evans.

The silence that followed the kiss was so intense I could hear my own heart pounding in my chest.

James was motionless, his jaw clenched. Olivia squeezed his arm, but her eyes pierced me as if I had committed a crime.

It was Lorenzo who broke the silence.

"Well, I guess everyone knows we're together now." He gently ran his thumb over the corner of my lips, as if he wanted to prolong the effect of the scene. "Darling, want a drink?"

"Darling?" I didn't know whether to laugh or push him away, but I decided to play along.

"I'd love one."

Charlotte grabbed my arm as soon as Lorenzo walked away towards the bar.

"Ruby. For God's sake. What was that?!"

I blinked a few times, still trying to process what had just happened.

"I..." I shook my head. "Long story."

She crossed her arms.

"I have time."

I sighed and discreetly looked at James. He was still there, looking at me as if trying to decipher a riddle.

"I needed a final play against James," I confessed in a whisper. "So, I kind of hired a stranger to pretend to be my boyfriend."

Charlotte's eyes widened, and she brought her hand to her chest, as if she needed support to keep from fainting.

"You WHAT?!"

"Shh!" I covered her mouth. "Do you want everyone to hear?"

"Have you gone mad?!"

"Maybe a little."

Before she could continue, Lorenzo returned with two glasses of wine. He handed one to me and put his arm around my waist again, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, with an amused smile.

"Oh, Lorenzo," Charlotte smiled forcedly. "I'm just getting to know the mysterious man better who appeared out of nowhere and swept my friend off her feet."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Well, Ruby and I have a special connection. It all happened very quickly, but when you know, you know, right?"

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at me, and I returned the look with a silent plea for her not to expose me.

Lorenzo took a sip of wine and leaned towards me.

"Your ex is still looking."

I took a deep breath and turned slightly. James was indeed watching us, his fists clenched.

Then Lorenzo whispered in my ear:

"Want to have a little more fun?"

My eyes narrowed.

"What are you up to?"

He smiled.

"Dance with me."

I blinked, surprised.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"But I..."

Before I could argue, Lorenzo took my glass, placed it on a nearby table, and took my hand.

"Trust me, Evans."

And, suddenly, I was being pulled onto the dance floor.

The hall was crowded, but it seemed like everyone made space for us. Slow music filled the room, and Lorenzo placed his hand on my waist naturally, guiding me as if we'd been doing this for years.

"You dance too well for an app driver," I teased.

He chuckled softly.

"Who said I'm just a driver?"

I frowned.

"So, who are you?"

He twirled me gently and pulled me close again.

"For now, I'm your fake boyfriend. Let's keep it that way."

I should have been worried. I should have asked questions before dragging a complete stranger into this charade.

But, for some reason, being there, in his arms, felt like the most right thing I'd done in a long time.

And, as we danced under everyone's curious gazes, I realized that Lorenzo Moretti, or whoever he was, still held many secrets.

My head was spinning a little, but I just wanted to keep having fun. Lorenzo was great company, even though I barely knew who he was.

"One more!" I raised my glass, and Lorenzo rolled his eyes before accepting the toast.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Ruby?"

"Maybe." I let out a laugh, already feeling the effects of the alcohol completely loosening me up.

The hall was almost empty now. Most of the lawyers from the firm had left, including James. Hallelujah! He finally stopped looking at me like I was a puzzle he couldn't solve.

"You won, Ruby." Lorenzo leaned against the bar counter, watching me with an amused smile.

"Won what?"

"Your ex. He was pissed, you could see it from a mile away."

I smiled triumphantly and took another sip of my drink.

"Serves him right."

Lorenzo tilted his head, analyzing me as if trying to decipher something in me.

"Are you always like this?"

"Like what?"

"Determined. Fun. A little crazy."

I laughed out loud and leaned against him, feeling his firmness. The man was strong. And warm. And he was smiling in a way that made me want to get closer.

And then, on an impulse, I opened my purse and took out a wad of cash.

"Here. Does this cover your services for the night?"

Lorenzo looked at the money and then at me, clearly holding back laughter.

"Are you trying to pay me?"

"Yes."

He pushed the money back towards me.

"I don't need this, Ruby."

"But I insist!"

"Ruby..."

"Lorenzo..."

He laughed, took the money, and put it back in my purse.

"Let's do this: I'll keep the experience of an interesting night, and you keep your money."

I pouted.

"Fair enough."

And then, before I knew it, we were laughing, drinking more, and when I realized... we were in a hotel room.

"What?!" I looked around, blinking several times.

The room was luxurious, with a king-size bed covered in pristine white sheets. The soft carpet cushioned my faltering steps.

Lorenzo looked at me with amusement.

"You're the one who brought me here, remember?"

I blinked.

"Me?"

He nodded.

"You practically dragged me."

I let out a drunken laugh and then...

"How much do you want to sleep with me?"

Lorenzo's eyes widened, and then he burst out laughing.

"Ruby, are you trying to hire me?!"

"I'm not trying. I'm offering an excellent deal."

He moved closer, his eyes sparkling with amusement and... something more.

"Do you always do this?"

"Never." I smiled. "But I'm tired of being a goody-two-shoes."

Before he could say anything, I pulled him by the collar of his shirt and kissed him.

The kiss was anything but gentle. It was intense, fierce, full of pent-up desire and alcohol. His hands slid around my waist, gripping my skin as if he wanted to mark me.

And, suddenly, there was no turning back.

My body was pushed onto the bed as Lorenzo got rid of my shirt, kissing every exposed inch of skin. My heart hammered, my breath was ragged, and I felt alive.

My hands tugged at his hair as he kissed my cleavage, and I gasped as I felt his lips exploring my skin.

"Lorenzo..." I moaned softly, feeling his touch drive me wild.

He looked at me in a way that made my skin tingle.

"Are you sure about this?"

I looked at him and smiled.

"Absolutely."

And then, the night happened.

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains and a strange sense of comfort.

Something warm enveloped me. Something firm. Something that breathed...

I opened my eyes and saw Lorenzo beside me, sleeping peacefully.

Shit.

I moved slowly and felt the sheet slide over my skin.

I'm naked. I slept with him.

I covered my mouth with my hand, my brain trying to process everything.

Then I looked at the watch on my wrist.

8:30 AM

WHAT?!

I jumped out of bed as if I'd gotten an electric shock.

"What...?" Lorenzo murmured sleepily, opening one eye.

"I have a trial at nine!"

He blinked, looking confused.

"Is the hotel on fire?"

"Worse! I'M LATE!"

I ran around the room, grabbing my clothes, trying to get dressed in record time. My shoes were tossed to one side, my skirt to the other... How did this happen?!

Lorenzo watched me with a lazy smirk.

"Do you need help?"

"No, I need a teleporter!"

I grabbed my purse and, on impulse, took out the wad of cash and handed it to him.

"This is for the hotel and the wonderful night. Thank you so, so much for helping me!"

He sat up, blinking a few times.

"Ruby, I already told you—"

"Bye!"

I ran out of the room before he could finish.

I didn't know if I was running from shame, from Lorenzo, or from my own insanity.

But one thing was certain:

Last night would change everything.