Zara opened her eyes as the morning sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, dazzling her. She blinked several times, trying to adjust to the brightness. The memories of last night were still painfully clear—every touch, every whisper, every pain she had felt, as well as the promises spoken amid the waves of euphoria. Now, they felt hollow and painful all over again.
Her body felt shattered, and it wasn't just physical exhaustion. The emotional fatigue was crushing her, too. Last night, she had escorted a drunk Tama to the hotel room inside the club with the help of a bodyguard.
There had been moments when she wanted to escape that man's reach. But the bodyguard hadn't moved from the front door, and Tama's swift movements had trapped her again, leaving Zara no choice but to sleep in the same bed as him.
Tama's touches last night hadn't been loving. They had been a humiliating transaction. Every touch felt like a burn that would never heal, scorching all the way to her bones.
Tears streamed down her face, soaking the pillow that still smelled of Tama's cologne—the scent that had now become a symbol of her own betrayal.
"Oh God..." she murmured, still unable to believe it. Her virginity had been taken from her in Tama's grip and under his power last night.
Her eyes closed again. She wished she could remain inside a dream that would never end. She was afraid to wake up and face the reality of her life again.
A while later, the bathroom door opened, revealing a refreshed Tama dressed in a white bathrobe.
Zara stared at him uneasily, shrinking back as Tama walked toward her.
"You're awake?" he asked gently. His eyes couldn't hide the satisfaction shining in them after what he had gotten from her all night.
With what little courage she had left, Zara glared at the silent Tama as he watched her. "Uncle... you promised you wouldn't violate your own moral principles. What happened last night? Why did you—" Zara couldn't finish. It hurt so much that her chest felt tight.
Tama sat beside Zara and reached out to wipe away the tears flowing down her cheeks again. "Sweetheart, you've misunderstood. This isn't about violating morality. It's about... fulfilling a business agreement." His voice sounded gentle, but it was false.
His hand touched Zara's chin before gripping it tightly. "You have no right to be angry, Zara. You're under my control now. And don't regret what happened." His words were cold and sharp, like a dagger driven hard into her chest.
"Does it still hurt down there?" he asked, suddenly concerned again. The abrupt changes in his attitude made Zara uncomfortable.
"Go take a shower. After that, have some breakfast. I've already ordered the food."
Zara remained silent, obeying everything Tama said as he moved to help her.
Zara entered the bathroom, which felt comfortable—more comfortable than the bed where Tama still was.
She winced as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Tama had left countless red marks across different parts of her body. They certainly wouldn't disappear anytime soon.
Alone, she was confused about where her relationship with Tama would go from here. Would he really let her go after what they had done last night? Or would Tama tighten his captivity over Zara with all his power?
"Why are you taking so long?"
Tama's voice from the other side of the door shattered Zara's reverie. She quickly splashed water over her face.
"I'll be out in a minute," Zara answered quickly.
Enduring the pain in her body, she stepped into the shower stall and cleaned her body, which felt dirty.
After showering, Zara came out wearing a bathrobe like Tama's, only smaller. The hotel room seemed to have been designed for a couple, judging by how everything provided came in pairs.
Zara shyly looked at the two hotel servers setting breakfast on the table.
Tama, who had been sitting and reading a magazine, turned his attention toward her and looked her up and down. A faint smile curved his lips, making Zara wonder, What's so funny?
"I was hoping to see you naked," he murmured flatly, though his words carried a deeper meaning.
Zara snorted, then flinched and instinctively caught the item Tama threw at her. "Put that on," he ordered.
Zara smiled awkwardly at the server, who kept a blank expression. Did Tama have no shame at all? She desperately wanted to stuff something into that mouth!
Awkwardly, Zara went back into the bathroom and put on the dress inside the paper bag.
After fixing her appearance, she came back out. Only Tama was there now, facing the row of plates filled with an appetizing breakfast spread.
"Eat. You must be hungry," Tama said when he saw Zara standing there silently, staring at the food.
Setting aside her awkwardness, Zara sat on the sofa across from him and immediately sampled each dish.
"That dress looks perfect on you."
Zara lowered her head to examine the dress she was wearing. It was a peach, short-sleeved dress that fell slightly below her knees, with several sparkling accents along the collar.
She couldn't deny that the dress was beautiful and fit her perfectly. She liked it.
Somehow, the man had managed to get clothing in exactly her size.
Tama, meanwhile, wore a black shirt ensemble that looked incredibly elegant, with an aura of expensive refinement.
"But I like you better when you're not wearing anything at all," Tama continued suggestively, making Zara choke on her food.
"Cough... cough!"
Tama seemed more honest and open with her now.
He immediately stood and approached Zara, offering her a glass of water, which she accepted at once.
"Are you all right?" he asked, unable to hide the panic in his voice. His hand gently rubbed Zara's back to calm her.
"It stings a little," Zara whispered.
"Watch how you eat," Tama said before returning to his original seat on the sofa.
Zara only nodded and didn't respond. His words, which referred to her appearance the night before, had destroyed her appetite.
Tama then picked up his breakfast and straightened the magazine he had been reading.
"Why aren't you finishing it?" Zara shook her head slightly and began spooning up the food that remained.
In silence, her mind kept turning over the same question. Had this relationship only happened for one night? There wouldn't be any more nights, would there?
Zara finished her breakfast in silence. When she was done, she looked at Tama, who was finishing his own meal. "Uncle, a-are you going to let me go after this?" Zara asked, summoning her courage. Tama froze for a moment beneath her gaze.
"You want to leave just like that after what we did last night?" he asked pointedly, making Zara uncomfortable enough to look away.
"Last night's sex wasn't nearly enough to cover the money you owe me, Zara," he said sharply, stabbing her like a dagger lodged deep in her heart.
Zara admitted it to herself. Yes... she wasn't worth more than that. One night wasn't enough to pay off more than one billion in debt.
"We'll make an agreement. Neither of us wants to lose out, right?" Tama declared, ending his breakfast with the last cup of coffee.
After breakfast, a man came to the hotel room they occupied. He was Juan Mahesa, Tama's assistant and close friend.
Tama watched Juan stand in the doorway and scan the room. His expression changed when he looked at the disheveled white bed.
"Come in," Tama ordered.
Zara looked at the man who had been at the club with Tama the night before. For some reason, his gaze seemed incredibly intense, especially as it traveled over her entire body.
Juan sat on the sofa in the middle of the room and looked at Zara, who was still sitting stiffly. "We didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves last night. I'm Juan, Tama's friend and personal assistant." Juan extended his hand and shook Zara's delicate hand.
"Zara," she said briefly, pulling her hand away once she felt they had been introduced properly.
Tama cleared his throat, interrupting them, and looked at Juan across from him.
"Let's get straight to the point. Juan, I want to make an agreement with Zara. Your job is to record every point we agree on."
Juan looked thoughtful as he considered what Tama had just said. "You want to play with fire, huh? I thought yesterday was only an agreement for one night." His expression showed his displeasure. His friend was asking for trouble by making the woman in front of him his mistress.
"I've changed my mind," Tama said shortly. His gaze remained fixed on Zara, who sat silently listening.
"You know this is extremely risky." Juan murmured the warning, remembering that the agreement was illegal and that Tama was already married.
"I know."
"This is the most extreme step you've ever taken, you know?" Juan said, warning him.
"Now I like a challenge."
Juan couldn't believe that Tama, who usually lived a straight and focused life without ever getting involved with unfamiliar women, had now made such a different decision.
Even Juan couldn't deny that the woman beside him was breathtaking and seductive. And damn it, he was tempted, too.