Chapter 3 Make It Stop

The impact wasn’t huge, but enough to make her heart leap into her throat.

Her head snapped forward, the seatbelt catching her. Her breath caught in panic as her car skidded to a stop.

Rebecca blinked rapidly, dazed at the thought that it could've been more than that and she probably could've died. “Oh my God…”

She stayed there for a few seconds, trying to catch her breath. But just as quickly, she realized she needed to check the other person. It had been her fault after all.

She fumbled with her seatbelt and pushed the door open, stumbling into the downpour.

Another car, a sleek black luxury sedan, was stopped a few feet away, its front bumper dented.

A tall figure stepped out, holding an umbrella. The rain illuminated his sharp features, his dark hair plastered to his forehead, his jaw tense yet calm.

“Are you alright?” the man’s voice was deep, steady, yet filled with concern.

“I—I didn’t see you,” Rebecca stammered, guilt washing over her. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t—”

“It’s okay.” He moved closer, his gaze assessing her rather than the car. “You’re shaking. Were you hurt?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, no, I’m fine. I just… I wasn’t paying attention.”

“You shouldn’t be driving like this,” he said quietly, noticing the redness of her eyes, the tear-streaked face, the disheveled hair that clung to her cheeks. “You seem to have been crying.”

Rebecca looked away, embarrassed. “I’m fine. Really. I just… need to go.”

She turned to get back into her car, but when she turned the key, nothing happened. The engine sputtered weakly and died.

“Come on,” she muttered, trying again. Still nothing.

The man exhaled softly, closing his umbrella and crouching by her door. “Your car’s not going anywhere tonight. Probably water in the system or a damaged fuse. Let me help you.”

“No, you’ve already done enough by not getting mad even after I hit your car,” she said shakily, brushing hair from her face. “I’ll call a tow or something.”

“It’s almost midnight, and it’s storming,” he replied. “You won’t get anyone out here fast.”

“I’ll wait,” she insisted, though her voice was trembling.

He straightened up, looking at her with calm authority. “You’ll catch a cold out here.”

Rebecca hesitated. The rain soaked her through; her clothes clung to her skin, her teeth beginning to chatter.

“Please,” he said, softer this time. “At least wait somewhere dry. My driver can handle your car. My hotel is nearby. You can rest, and warm up there while my driver gets someone to fix your car and bring it.”

Every instinct in her told her not to trust a stranger. But tonight—tonight she had nothing left. Her body was shaking, her heart shattered, her mind numb. And there was nothing normal about today.

“Alright,” she whispered finally.

He gave a small nod. “Good. I’m Rek.”

“Becca,” she murmured, barely audible.

“Becca,” he repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. “Come on. Let’s get you out of this rain.”

He guided her gently to his car. The warmth of the interior hit her immediately, and she sank into the leather seat, hugging herself. Rek spoke quietly to his driver, instructing him to call the mechanic and handle her vehicle.

The drive to his hotel was silent. Rebecca stared blankly out the window, lost in the storm within her.

When they arrived, Rek helped her out. The lobby lights glimmered off the marble floors, too bright for her swollen eyes. He led her to the elevator and up to his suite.

Inside, the room was sleek and modern—everything she was also used to. He handed her a towel and gestured toward the bathroom.

“You can shower if you want. I’ll order something hot.”

She nodded mutely, clutching the towel. “Thank you. For… being kind.”

He smiled faintly. “You look like you’ve had a rough night.”

Rebecca just nodded before disappearing into the bathroom. She came out few minutes later, wrapped in the hotel’s thick white towel.

Her damp hair clung to her neck, droplets still sliding down her shoulders. The warmth of the suite was a sharp contrast to the cold, merciless rain she’d just escaped.

Her eyes found him immediately. He had changed out of his suit into a plain white T-shirt and dark shorts, his tall frame outlined by the dim golden light of the room.

“I realized your clothes were wet and there's no way you can wear them again so I picked out my shirt. It's new so you don't have to—”

“It’s fine,” Rebecca cut in, giving him a small smile. “Thank you.”

She picked up the T-shirt and short, went back into the bathroom to get dressed.

She came out in a few minutes to meet Rek still in the position she left him. With a faint, knowing smile, he nodded toward the small table near the couch. “I thought you might want something warm,” he said. “It’s just coffee. Nothing fancy.”

The steam curled gently from two mugs, filling the room with the rich scent of roasted beans.

Rebecca hesitated before crossing over, each step slow, cautious. Her legs still felt weak from crying, and her chest ached with the heaviness of too much emotion.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice quiet but steady enough. She took the mug, letting its warmth seep into her cold fingers. “But I think a glass of whiskey would be better.”

Rek looked at her and then nodded. He just went to the fridge by the bedside and brought out a bottle of whiskey, took out two glasses and poured some content into it.

Rebecca grabbed the glass and downed all the contents in one go.

Rek, now seated, leaned against the edge of the couch, arms folded, watching her quietly. “You wanna tell me what happened?” he asked, after a moment. His tone wasn’t probing, just an odd concern.

Rebecca didn't say anything. Instead, she picked up the bottle of whiskey and drank directly from it.

"I lost my parents today." She finally said after taking a long sip.

Derek looked up. Wondering the pain she must be going through now.

“And I caught my fiancé cheating,” she added, not sure why she was even telling him that.

“You must be in a lot of pain,” Rek said, feeling sorry for her.

Rebecca let out a bitter smile. "Yeah. I am."

He didn't bother asking questions neither did he bother offering her any advice or words of consolation. He didn't know what to say.

Rebecca sighed heavily. Her heart still beating unevenly, like it hadn't recovered from what it had endured. Her throat burned with unshed tears. Her heart bleeding with everything that had happened.

"I feel like drowning," she whispered.

"I'm sorry " he said, and something in the way he said it made her chest ache even more.

She looked at him—properly this time, his face was calm. He not only looked calm but handsome. More like someone that she could use to forget her pain even if it was just for a moment.

Rebecca was never like that. Maybe it was the death of her parents and the betrayal from her fiancé and stepsister that had overwhelmed her, and caused her to want a total stranger.

Without thinking, she stood up slowly. And walked to him. Her breath shaky.

Rebecca swallowed hard. Her heart pounding like drum. "Make it stop. Make me feel something else. Anything else F

or tonight."

His expression shifted from calm to an expression she couldn't understand.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his brows arched.

“Have sex with me,” she blurted out.