The Billionaire One Night Lie

It was Sunday evening. Thira stood in the kitchen, staring at the floor while holding her phone in her hand. She was nervous about her job interview the next day. Her friend, Carden, had helped her find it. Maybe, if she got the job, she could finally leave this place.

She heard footsteps behind her. Her stepmother, Celina, walked in wearing her high heels and strong perfume. Thira kept her eyes down, hoping Celina would just leave.

But Celina opened the fridge and frowned. "Did you make dinner yet?"

Thira swallowed hard. "I... I was about to start."

Celina let out a harsh laugh. "Useless girl! Who are you waiting to do it? Me? Or Vela?"

Thira felt the words cut deep inside her chest. She held back her tears as Celina stepped closer.

"If it weren't for me," Celina said coldly, "you'd be starving on the streets. Don't think I won't throw you out if you keep being useless."

Thira said nothing. She quickly untied her apron and left the kitchen. Her legs felt weak as she climbed the stairs to her room. She closed her door quietly behind her, pressing her back against it. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

She wiped them away.

Later that day, as the sun had set, Thira sat on her bed, picking out a simple pale blue dress for the interview. She wanted to look neat and serious. While folding it, her phone buzzed.

Her heart lifted. She grabbed it quickly, hoping it was her boyfriend checking on her. But when she saw the name on the screen, her smile faded. It was Vela, her stepsister.

Vela was Thira's stepsister; they weren't that close, but certainly not enemies. Despite her mom's hostility, she still confided in Thira for some time.

She answered quietly. "Hello?"

"Thira..." Vela's voice was shaking. "Do you remember that guy I told you I met online?"

Thira frowned. "Yeah... why?"

"I think he's a psycho," Vela said, her voice breaking. "He brought me to this Club Altere. He's acting weird. I think he might hurt me. Please... Room 020. Don't tell Mum. She'll kill me."

"I'm coming right now," Thira said, already pulling on her black hoodie over the dress.

The call ended before Vela replied. Thira grabbed her keys and opened her bedroom door carefully. The house was quiet. She saw her father reading in the living room.

"Papa," she said softly. "I'm meeting a friend for coffee. I'll be back soon."

He didn't even look up. "Mhm."

She rushed out into the night, her chest tight with fear. Please let Vela be okay, she prayed, starting her old car and driving as fast as she could.

Thira drove quickly through the quiet city streets. Her hands shook on the steering wheel. Soon, she parked in front of the club and ran to the entrance. Loud music thumped inside.

She showed a photo of Vela to the bouncer. "Room 020?" she asked, out of breath.

He pointed down a dark hallway. "VIP rooms that way."

The hallway was quiet. Her flats squeaked on the floor as she walked quickly to the door near the end. Room 020. The door was slightly open. She pushed it gently.

"Vela...?" she called softly.

No answer. The room was pitch black. Thira stepped inside, her fingers fumbling to turn on her phone flashlight.

Suddenly, strong hands grabbed her from behind. She screamed, kicking and fighting, but a cloth pressed over her mouth. The smell was sweet and sharp. Her screams grew weaker as her body felt heavy. The room blurred before her eyes.

Where is Vela? Is she safe? Thira tried to keep her eyes open, but her body felt so weak.

She heard footsteps and saw a tall man walking in. She couldn't see his face clearly, but he came close and held her face. His lips pressed on hers roughly, and for a moment, her body responded weakly to his kiss. His hands pulled at her clothes, and her mind was too foggy to stop him. Their bodies pressed against each other, and her world faded into darkness.

~~~

Thira woke up feeling cold. Her eyes opened to a dim blue light above her. Her body ached everywhere. She felt the thin sheet covering her and realised she was naked.

Pain throbbed between her legs. Her chest tightened with fear as she sat up, holding the sheet tightly around her. She looked at the messy bed and saw money stacked near the pillows.

Tears filled her eyes. What happened? Was she drugged? Did she lose her virginity?

She looked around, her heart frantic, and realized her phone was gone. Her clothes were scattered on the floor. She covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming as tears poured down her face.

Then the door opened suddenly, and Thira flinched back against the wall.

Vela walked in, looking perfect as always.

"Oh, thank God you're okay. I was so worried." Thira said, looking at Vela, who smirked.

Thira stared at her confused. Behind Vela came Darian. His eyes moved over Thira's trembling body wrapped in the sheet. His face turned hard and cold.

"You told me you were saving yourself for marriage," he said, voice full of disgust. "Now you're letting strangers pay to sleep with you?"

Thira shook her head quickly. "No, Darian, please. It's not what it looks like-"

She turned to Vela, tears falling. "Tell him, Vela. Please tell him what happened."

Vela smirked slightly and turned to Darian. "Do you believe me now? I told you she was cheating."

Thira felt her heart shatter. She reached out to Darian, crying as tears fell to the floor. "Please..."

"Don't touch me, slut," he spat, stepping back.

Then he turned and walked out with Vela following him, leaving Thira alone in the dark room. Tears streamed down her face as she curled up under the thin sheet, her body shaking with silent sobs.

What the hell happened to her?