THE CEO'S FORGOTEN NIGHT
- Genre: Billionaire/CEO
- Author: Katherine Obasi
- Chapters: 97
- Status: Completed
- Age Rating: 18+
- 👁 35
- ⭐ 7.5
- 💬 523
Annotation
One careless evening. One overlooked error. A single secret that transforms everything. Adrian Blackwood, a rich CEO, had a wild one-night affair with a stranger eight years ago and never looked back. He was unaware that she had taken their kid with her, in addition to her memories. Adrian and Elena Hayes are now compelled to enter a chilly, deceptive partnership because of an arranged marriage that neither of them want. He can't recall her. She keeps their daughter hidden. Furthermore, treachery pierces harder than love ever could when the truth comes to light. cruel. jealousy. mistresses. Betrayal of family. However, the one thing Adrian never anticipated finding—a connection with the little child who calls him "Daddy"—lies underneath his cold heart. Can the lady who concealed his deepest secret be won back by a guy who ruined everything? Will a second shot at love arrive too late?
Chapter 1
Chapter 1: A Single Careless Evening
Adrian's perspective
The gala had gone on and on. Fake laughter, a flurry of handshakes, and too many women batting painted lashes at him as if he were the auction prize. Adrian Blackwood detested these evenings. They reminded him too much of the perfect manners, keen business sense, and steely heart his father had demanded of him.
It was suffocatingly hot outside by the time he left. Adrian had waved his driver away when he asked if he wanted to go straight home. He had no desire to return to the deserted penthouse where he was surrounded by silence. Not this evening.
He ended up in a downtown club, a place he hadn't visited in years, as a result. The bass throbbed so loudly it rattled his chest, and neon lights flickered against the polished floor. With his jacket thrown away, his tie relaxed, and a glass of whiskey in his hand, Adrian sank into a booth in the corner.
When Adrian raised the glass to indicate, the bartender said, "Another one?"
Adrian's voice was clipped and sharp as he said, "Keep them coming."
He hardly ever had more than two glasses. But he wanted to forget tonight. Ignore his father's legacy lecture. The investors who muttered behind his back should be forgotten. Ignore the meaningless existence that accompanied being among the wealthiest men in the city.
He saw her then.
He initially believed that the alcohol was deceiving him. This was not the place for her. Not in this sea of desperate ambition and heavy makeup. She stood out right away, her wide brown eyes searching the room as if she wasn't sure whether to stay, and her long dark hair cascading down her back. She clutched her cocktail as if it would protect her from the noise, and she appeared anxious.
Adrian was unable to take his eyes off it.
⸻
Elena's perspective
As Elena pulled at the hem of her borrowed dress, she muttered to herself, "This is a terrible idea."
Grace, her best friend, was already dancing like she belonged here, lost in the crowd. Elena, however, felt like a fake. The lights were too harsh, the music too loud, and Grace's forced heels made every step painful.
She wasn't meant to be present. She was the good daughter, the responsible one. The one who looked after her parents, who never crossed the line, who studied rather than go out.
But she kept hearing Grace's voice. Elena, one evening. You only have one night to live. Stop hiding in your books for one night.
So here she was, trying to fit in while drinking a cocktail she didn't even enjoy in a packed nightclub.
Then she sensed it. A look. intense and relentless. She saw him when she looked up.
She gasped.
The man on the other side of the room was... terrible. His eyes seemed to burn even in the low light, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass, and his broad shoulders that filled out his black shirt. He appeared dangerous, pricey, and someone she had no right to even look at.
Nevertheless, he was observing her. Just her.
Elena's face turned red. She quickly turned her head away and pretended to take a sip of her drink. However, he was already approaching her when she turned to look back.
⸻
Adrian's perspective
Adrian was not thinking. He simply shifted. Naturally, people parted for him, women smiling hopefully, men looking warily. However, he failed to observe any of them. His gaze was fixed on her.
In order for her to hear him over the thumping music, he leaned in close and spoke in a low pitch.
"This is your first time here?" he inquired.
Her wide eyes snapped up to meet his in a start. "That clear?"
A grin pulled at his lips. "Obviously."
Her mouth twisted uneasily. "You're not incorrect. I would prefer to be somewhere else.
"So why stay?" Adrian cocked his head in genuine interest.
She paused, as if considering whether or not to tell the truth. She shrugged at last. "Why not?"
He was disarmed by that straightforward response. He laughed, something he hadn't done in months.
"What's your name?" he inquired.
"Elena," she murmured. She had a honey-sweet, uncertain voice.
He tasted it again and said, "Elena." "Dance with me," he said, lowering his voice even more.
Her gaze expanded. "I don't dance,"
"Tonight, you do." He extended his hand steadily and confidently.
She hesitated for a heartbeat. She then slowly slid her hand into his.
⸻
Elena's perspective
Elena felt a shock of something she couldn't identify as soon as his palm closed around hers. Her nerves were chased away by the rush of heat in her veins. The music seemed less loud as he led her onto the dance floor.
Firm and sure, his hand found her waist. He walked with easy *ssurance, directing her as if she had been destined to follow him all along.
She tried to hide the fact that her heart was pounding as she said, breathlessly, "You're good at this."
He grinned. "You're not too horrible yourself."
The naturalness of her laughter surprised her. He made it too simple. Sparks flew with each movement of his body against hers and each brush of his fingers.
Their faces were inches apart as the song slowed. Elena's breath caught once more. His eyes flicked to her lips and back to her eyes.
"Come with me," he said in a low, nearly commanding voice.
She ought to have refused. He was unknown to her. He was erratic and dangerous. The rebellious part of her that Grace had attempted to awaken, however, whispered louder than logic.
"Yes," she muttered.
⸻
Adrian's perspective
He didn't give her a chance to reconsider. Adrian gripped her with his fingers and dragged her through the crowd and into the night air. Around them, the city glowed, with neon lights bouncing off wet streets and the sound of strangers laughing. She was trying to keep up with his long strides while laughing and panting.
Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed by the time they arrived at his hotel.
The world inside became hazy. As his hot, demanding mouth met hers, her laughter turned to gasps. Every article of clothing that fell to the ground was a secret that had been abandoned.
His voice was rough as he whispered against her skin, "You're so very beautiful."
She whispered, "You're... drunk," but her fingers curled into his shirt and pulled him in.
He kissed her once more and said, "Not enough to forget this."
Heat and need turned the night into a blur. His rough voice enticed her to make soft sounds from her throat as he whispered her name on his lips. The outside world vanished.
"I don't even know your name," she whispered into the silence as they finally lay tangled together, exhausted and breathless.
A low laugh rumbled in Adrian's chest. "Perhaps that is preferable."
Her lips curled slightly, her lashes fluttered, and then she fell asleep against him.
Adrian was wide awake, gazing up at the ceiling. It was only one night, he reminded himself. Only a diversion. Something they would both forget.
However, he knew deep in his chest that this night would follow him forever even as he closed his eyes.
Chapter 2
Elena's perspective
The light was the first thing Elena saw. She didn't recognize the soft, golden glow coming through the curtains. The second was the drum-like, sharp, insistent pounding in her head.
She pressed her palms to her temples and moaned softly.
Where am I?
The memories came flooding back in a matter of seconds. The club. The individual. His hands on her waist, his dark, smoldering eyes, and the way his lips had robbed her of all rational thought.
Then—just flashes. Warmth. He whispered her name in his voice. Her own gasping for air.
Elena's heart pounded as her eyes popped open.
She was in a hotel room. Clothes were all over the carpet, and white sheets were tangled around her. A chair with a black jacket draped over it. Grace's dress, which she was wearing, crumpled close to the foot of the bed.
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