Look Into My Eyes; Tell Me What You See

Princess's POV

Broken hearts and lost souls came to find comfort in the dimly lit bar. Others also came to celebrate. The bar was old and worn out with chipped tables and mismatched chairs filling the space. The faint smell of beers lingered in the air blending with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.

I sat on a high barstool, staring at my half-empty glass of whiskey.

My eyes were swollen from sleepless nights. I couldn't hide the tear stains on my cheeks, something even the bartender seemed to notice in his pitying look.

“ Another one?” the bartender asked, stepping closer.

I nodded, not having the energy to speak.

My fingers tightened around the glass as memories of him—Kelvin flooded my mind. His cold words rang in my ears. “ You don't belong here” “ I can't be with someone drowning in debt”

I took another sip of the whiskey, trying to drown the pain down but it sat like a rock in my chest.

Quietly, I poured my heart out to the bartender, my voice breaking as I spoke about the lies, the betrayal, and the painful realization that the love I had once believed in was gone.

“He took everything we built and destroyed it” I whispered, my voice raw. “ I gave him everything and now I'm left with nothing”

The bartender nodded, refilling my glass. “ Heartbreak is tough,” he said softly. “ But you're not alone. We've all been there”

I didn't reply. The room was filled with chatter and laughter. A cruel reminder of what I had lost.

Through my blurry vision, I noticed a man standing beside me, ordering a drink. He was tall and well dressed, his sharp presence standing out in the noisy bar.

After taking a sip of the whiskey, I slid off the barstool nearly losing my balance. I grabbed the man's tie and pulled him closer to steady myself.

“He broke my heart,” I said, my words unclear. “ Are you going to break mine too?” my legs gave out and I collapsed on the floor, too tired to care.

He knelt beside me, his expression unreadable. “ Let me help you,” he said quietly.

I wanted to argue, to push him away but my body refused to move.

He sighed then lifted me with ease, guiding me out of the bar and to his car. The world blurred as exhaustion and tears took over me. I felt the car hum beneath me and then darkness

When I woke up, the weight of the night before hit me like a wave. This wasn't my bed, this wasn't my room.

I blinked up at an unfamiliar ceiling adorned with delicate flower designs. Panic shot through my chest and I sat up quickly. The plush mattress and silk sheets felt wrong, too luxurious.

“ Where am I?” I called out, my voice trembling.

The door opened and a tall, athletic man stepped in. He was the same man from the bar. His neatly styled black hair and piercing blue eyes watched me carefully.

“You're awake,” he said, his deep voice breaking the silence.

I pulled the blanket tighter around me. “ Where am I? Why am I here?” I demanded, still confused.

“You were drunk and passed out on the floor,” He said, leaving a tray of water and pills on the nightstand. “I couldn't just leave you there”

“I didn't ask for your help!” I snapped, my panic turning into anger. “Why didn't you just leave me there?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Would you have preferred to stay on the floor of a bar?”

I had no response. He sighed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded paper. He tossed it onto the bed. “ I didn't bring you here out of kindness. I brought you here because I need something”

Confused, I picked up the paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it. My eyes widened as I read the words: It was a contract —Millions of dollars in exchange for a fake relationship. My stomach churned. Was this a joke? Or was he preying on my pain to serve his agenda? Why does it feel like my heartbreak is being used against me? First Kelvin and now this stranger.

“You've got to be kidding me,” I said, disbelief thick in my voice.

“no touching, no kissing, no romance,” he said flatly, gesturing to the rules at the bottom of the page. “ It's just business”

I looked up at him, anger rising. “ Why me? Why not someone else from the bar?”

“ Because I saw an opportunity, and I don't think you can afford to say no,” he said unapologetically.

My chest tightened at his words. “You think I'm so desperate I'd agree to this?”

He stepped closer, his expression cold. “ I don't think. I know. You're drowning in heartbreak. This could make you get back at him or solve your problems”

Before I could respond, the door opened again. He left the room while a maid stepped in.

“ Good morning, ma'am,” she greeted with a polite smile.

Ignoring her greetings, I grabbed my heels, and stormed out, frustration boiling in my chest. The house was huge and extravagant but suffocating.

When I reached the front door and tried to open it, I realized it was locked. Panic rose in my chest. The thought of being trapped made my breathing quicken.

“ Hey!” I shouted, turning around to find the maid behind me. “ Why is this door locked?”

“ Sir instructed me not to let you leave until he returns,” she said calmly.

I clenched my fist, frustration boiling over. With no way out, I sat on the couch in the large, silent living room. I stood up again, pacing back and forth as the minutes passed by.

This mansion, no matter how great it is, felt like a prison. I'm late for work already and I had to wait for only God knows when.

“ Your breakfast is ready, ma'am,” the maid said, interrupting my thoughts. I was starving so I had to follow her. She led me to the dining hall. The glass table was set with many dishes, far more than one person could eat. The maid pulled out the chair for me as I sat down.

As I looked at the food, I couldn't help but ask, “Why are you treating me like this when you don't even know who I am?”

“ My boss mentioned you were his…girlfriend,” she said, her words hanging in the air like a slap.

My breath caught, “His what?”

“ That's what he told me, ma'am,” she said simply. “And I'm here to make sure you're taken care of”