Chapter II: The Second Betrayal and a New Awakening -1

Yvaine.

My head felt like it was going to explode; everything was spinning. This happened long before I opened my eyes. So, when I finally opened them, it was as if all the sunlight pierced my brain, leaving me blind.

It took me a few minutes to recover, but I finally got used to the light. I looked around, trying not to make any sudden movements because my head felt like it was going to explode. I also noticed that my body was sore and numb.

I was alone in a hotel room, naked in bed. Images of kisses, the pain of the first time, and then discovering paradise—bodies satisfying each other, my cries of desire mixed with grunts of male satisfaction—exploded in my mind, assaulting my memories.

I automatically sat up and pulled back the sheet. There, like living proof of my crime, was the evidence of what I had lost: the only thing I had left to give to my boyfriend, Harry.

But I had given it to a stranger I didn't even remember. The bloodstain stood out on the white sheets—irrefutable proof that I had lost my virginity. My inner muscles, which I didn't know I had, ached, and I had trouble sitting up and walking.

The worst thing was that even though I tried to feel dirty, violated, and raped, I didn't. Something told me it was more of a surrender than rape. After several attempts, I searched for my clothes as best I could because my body hurt. I found them folded on the couch with a note that said,

"Dress me." I didn't understand. I looked for my cell phone and purse, finding them on my nightstand next to a glass of water and two aspirin with notes that said, "Drink me" and "Eat me."

I almost choked, but after drinking the water, I left the aspirin alone, afraid of being drugged again. I started to get dressed when a note on the television suddenly caught my attention: "Watch me." Fearfully, I turned on the TV with the remote control. Suddenly, the image of the most handsome man I had ever met appeared before me.

"Hello, beautiful Alicia. I imagine you woke up with a headache, feeling disoriented, and terrible. I wanted to see you wake up, but something came up, so I left you this video instead. Now that you can see my face, I'm not sure if you'll remember me. I don't know how you're feeling, but there's something I'm going to show you, especially what you asked me for." A recording automatically appeared of the two of us in the shower. When he asked me what I wanted, I saw myself begging him to make me his.

The worst part was the images that came to my mind from that night, which confirmed what the recording said. He tried several times to stop, even when he realized I was a virgin. But I never let him. I was the one who wanted it. I was the one who provoked him. I was the one who almost abused him.

Shame spread throughout my body. The recording continued: "I imagine you must be very embarrassed and sore right now. Move carefully; that's normal when you lose your virginity for the first time. Don't feel bad. It was a wonderful night. But there's something you'll have to remember. Last night, you signed an agreement with me. I checked your phone and saw that you have a boyfriend. Leave him.

After tonight, you're mine. Yvaine Stewart, I want you to know who you belong to: You are President Norman Miller's wife. If you want to know more about me, look me up online or ask me.

By the way, we didn't use protection all night, so it's possible that you're now pregnant with my child. We'll have to...

I couldn't finish watching the recording. I turned off the TV in terror at the thought of that man taking possession of me and my peaceful world. Clearly, I had to talk to Harry. I had betrayed him. I felt dirty and ashamed.

Although I was sure someone had drugged me, I had to find out who was responsible. I thought of my cousin, who was in the next room, and decided to talk to her and tell her everything. I turned on the TV one last time and looked at my first lover.

"Goodbye, Mr. Miller! Forget I ever existed. I hope there are no consequences, although you'll never know," I said to the frozen image on the TV. After picking up my phone and purse, I left to look for my cousin.

When I arrived at her room, I saw the "Do Not Disturb" sign, but the door was ajar. I felt terrified. What if my cousin had also been drugged, and now another man—or even Norman Miller himself—was taking advantage of her after spending the whole night with me? No, that man hadn't abused me. In fact, I had used him to satisfy my desires, and he had driven me crazy all night.

"But he could also be a stud and be doing the same to my cousin now," I thought. I decided to go in and help her. I didn't want her to feel the way I did. Despite the pain in my body, I crept into the hallway and grabbed a vase from the sideboard.

I heard the moans of a man and a woman mingling. I remembered the moans Mr. Miller and I had made throughout the night. I shook my head to erase that image from my mind.