Forbidden Mistake.

Heartbroken and drunk beyond relief, Annika stumbled out of the bar and into the cold night air. Lucid tears streamed down her beautiful face as her heart ached painfully, as if someone had squeezed it into a fist, and now she didn't know how to release it. 

The betrayal by her father cut deeper than any other wounds she had suffered as a child. It was so fucking painful and stinging that it left her breathless and gasping for air.

The fact that her father, who had raised her like a princess and always protected her, could betray her in such a way never occurred to her. She thought if the whole world came to an end and had no one to protect her, she could still rely on her dearest father. But alas, the very father, who should have been her rock abandoned her and turned his back on her.

"As expected, one should never trust others but themselves," Annika muttered bitterly as she wandered aimlessly through the streets, broken and lost, completely oblivious to the fact that a bunch of men in black suits had been following her for a while now. 

Just as she reached out to grab her phone from her coat to request an Uber, she saw a black-shadow flash from her peripheral vision. Everything went dark, and she lost consciousness.

...

A men in black suit with big build carried Annika in his arms as he walked toward the certain suite. He anxiously looked at the handsome men besides him who is calming writing something down in his I-pad. "Boss, do you think this girl will be able to satisfy his Highness?" 

The man paused in his action. He didn't looked up but his lips curled up in a smirk. "Satisfy? Heh. Your lovely highness will be more than happy to devour this lamb." 

…

Annika opened her eyes and was met with glaring darkness. Her mind was hazy and blurry, making it hard for her to focus. 

Where is she? 

Suddenly, pain shot through her body as something entered her. "Ah!" She screamed, her back gracefully arching, and her pale fingers tightly holding on to the duvet as if her life depended on it. 

Droplets of tears fell from her squeezed eyes uncontrollably, and she whimpered painfully. 

"Shh~" A soothing voice echoed next to her sensitive ears, accompanied by a pair of long fingers slowly rubbing circles on her stomach, helping her calm down. 

Annika took a deep breath and slowly opened her blue eyes. 

She was met with a pair of dark gray eyes that sent chills down her spine and made her soul shudder.

"You're doing wonderful, sweetheart," The man whispered huskily in her ears. His voice was deep and velvety, like a siren's call, entrapping her in a web of desires and passion.

As the pain soothed down, butterflies flutter in her stomach, and a wave of pleasure washed over her, overwhelming her entire being as if she was bathing in a sea of fire with only source of coolness emitting from the man above her. 

... 

When Annika opened her eyes again, the sky had already turned bright, and the birds were chirping outside.

A masculine scent with a hint of sandalwood engulfed her nose. Her heart raced faster and wilder as the little fragments of last night frivolous act invaded her mind.

Damn!

Did she just sleep with a man?!

Annika flushed red, and she quickly tried to get up, only to realized she was trapped in a strong pair of arms. She instantly went frigid, and she looked to her side.

A person. No, a man lay beside her, his features covered by his messy hair, and only the lower half of his face was vaguely showing through the strands. But Annika's breath caught in her throat when the strands moved a little due to the wind coming through the window and his side profile was revealed.

His face was so entrancing and beautiful that Annika's breath quickened. His sharp jawline that could cut a marble and his high cheekbones that seemed to have been sculpted by a master artist left Annika in awe.

She has never seen a man this beautiful in her entire life.

Even her childhood sweetheart, Matthew, couldn't compare an inch to this gorgeous stranger who looks like a Greek god come to life!

But before this god wakes up, Annika has to leave quickly. She can't risk being caught. First, she is already going through a lot of troubles, and if her father or others find out about this, she will be doomed and will have no face to save at all.

Carefully, Annika twisted herself out of the stranger's warm cage and quickly dressed herself up. Her back aching painfully sweet as she limped to the doors, her heart in her throat, and praying she wouldn't be caught red-handed like those in movies.

After a while, almost two hours later, the man woke up from his sweet slumber. His eyelids trembled before flickering open, a cold glint flashing in them like a dagger. He sat up quietly, his eyes momentarily pausing on the blood stain on the duvet as he ran his long fingers through his long, messy curls.

After a long silence, his thin set of sexy lips curled into a devilish smile as he covered his face with his hand, letting out a low chuckle. "That wild rabbit escaped, huh."

…

As soon as Annika reached the villa, she was greeted by her fuming father and Avery who was standing quietly on the stairs. His older yet handsome face was red with anger, his eyes throwing daggers at her.

"Where have you been the entire night, Annika?" he asked, his voice chilly with a hidden warning.

"Uh... I was at my friend's house, Dad," Annika lied, looking anywhere but at Nicholas. Her head was down as she anxiously rubbed the corner of her shirt. She hoped her father wouldn't catch on to her lie. Since childhood, she had been very weak at lying, and she hoped this time God would help her out.

Nicholas stared at Annika with suspicious, doubtful eyes, looking her up and down. His gaze momentarily paused on the purple bruise peeking out from her shirt's collar. His eyes narrowed chillingly. "Did you sleep with someone?"

Boom!

Annika's eyes widened, and she looked up. Her heart beat faster, and her breath caught in her lungs. How did her father find out? She immediately shook her head and stepped back. "What... What are you saying, Daddy? How can you even think about me like that?" She accused him, trying to guilt-trip him. "Is this what you think about me, Daddy?" She looked at him with teary eyes and wobbly lips. "Do I look like a slut to you, Daddy?"

Nicholas's expression softened a little, but his eyes still emitted the same chilliness. "The bruise on your neck looks like a hickey," he said, his voice firm and leaving no room for argument, as if his words were law.

Annika's heart sank at her father's insinuation. She shook her head hard and denied it instantly. "No! What are you saying, Daddy? A hickey? Are you out of your mind?" she said, her voice decorated with fake anger. "I am your daughter, Daddy! I wouldn't do such a thing!"

"You've already done a lot. Adding one more to the list won't change anything," Nicholas said, giving Annika a dirty look. "Also, get changed; I am coming to drop you off at the airport." He instructed before leaving Annika like a tossed doll. 

Meanwhile, Avery who was silently watching the show, smirked triumphantly at Annika and walked away. 

A big drops of tears rolled down Annika's cheeks like a waterfall. Her heart sank into a scary abyss of darkness as she stood there, at the gate of her house, alone and broken beyond repair.