As if electrocuted, she instantly pulled her hand back, then buried her face into Xavier's chest in utter embarrassment, not daring to even lift her eyes.
The man, on the other hand, let out a good-natured chuckle. "Serena, you're even more irresistible when you're shy."
The door opened, and he eagerly carried her inside the room, heading straight for the bedroom!
Time seemed long, the distance short-an enchanting room, full of passion and intoxicating sights...
...
The next day, the hotel officially opened for business. As the acting CEO, Xavier had to leave early to be on-site at the operations department.
Serena, for once, had a proper day off and allowed herself the rare luxury of sleeping in.
Still drowsy, she didn't know how much time had passed when she heard a knocking at the door.
Xavier had a room card. If it were him, he wouldn't need to knock!
If not him... then who?
Vega?!
Yes! It had to be Vega!
Yesterday, Xavier had dragged her away before she could properly catch up with Vega-she must be here today to continue their chat!
Lowering her guard, Serena got out of bed, still in her sleepwear, and walked to the door.
"Who is it?" she asked out of courtesy.
There was no response from the person outside, but the knocking continued relentlessly.
"Coming, coming, stop knocking already!" Thinking Vega was just being impatient, she didn't think much of it and twisted the lock open.
Just as she cracked the door open a sliver, a tremendous force came crashing through, shoving the door wide open-along with a heavy stench of alcohol.
Before Serena could even see who it was, the door slammed into her with brute force, knocking her to the ground.
A lewd voice rang in her ear. "Heh heh, babe, you're lookin' real fine."
She quickly turned her head to see a burly drunk man, yellow teeth on display, leaning crookedly against the doorframe, eyeing her with lustful intent.
"Who are you?! What do you want?!" Serena forced herself to stay composed, hiding every trace of panic.
The drunkard staggered toward her, rubbing his hands together with an evil grin. "I'm your loving husband, here to take care of you!"
Serena pushed herself up with her hands, trying to get to her feet.
But as she shifted her weight, she realized she had twisted her ankle during the fall.
A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her leg, making every movement excruciating.
The drunk man quickly loomed over her.
Serena instinctively backed away, her eyes full of wariness. "What are you trying to do?! I'm warning you, don't you dare! Or you'll regret it!"
"Don't be scared! I'll be real gentle with you." His breath reeked of alcohol, and he swayed on his feet, towering over her. His foggy little eyes glinted with sleazy desire. "Tsk tsk... Even prettier up close!"
Then he squatted down and reached out his filthy hand toward her face.
Disgusted, Serena slapped his hand away. "Get lost! I'm warning you-leave now, or I'll start screaming!"
The drunk man cackled shamelessly. "Oh, I like feisty little kittens! Scream all you want. This whole floor only has this one room-scream until your throat's sore, no one's coming to save you!"
"You! Aren't you afraid of security cameras?! The hallway's full of them! If you dare lay a finger on me, you won't get away!"
"Oh yeah?" The drunkard shuffled to the side, revealing the open doorway, and pointed outside. "Take a look. You think cameras will save you?"
Serena immediately had a bad feeling and quickly glanced at the security camera facing her room.
The next moment, her eyes dimmed, and a cold fear took root in her heart.
Sometime earlier, the camera had been tampered with-its lens was completely covered by a black object. Nothing from this side could be seen at all.
The change in her expression only excited the drunk even more.
He wobbled forward and crouched down, forcefully grabbing Serena's chin. "Listen to me, sweetheart. There's no way you're getting out of this today. Might as well cooperate and save yourself the suffering. If you serve me well, I might even go easy on you!"
"Tch!" Serena glared at him, her eyes blazing with fury. "Cut the crap! Let go of me right now!"
The drunk didn't just ignore her-he squeezed harder.
Her jaw throbbed with pain, as if the bones were about to crack.
She tried twisting away, reaching up to claw at his filthy hand, but it was like trying to pry open a steel clamp-there was no budging it.
After struggling for a bit, Serena's strength began to fade.
"Heh heh!" the man leered at her. "What's this? Worn out already?"
"I'm warning you," Serena bit out, glaring at him word by word. "If you dare touch me, I swear you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
Whether it was the alcohol numbing his senses or sheer boldness, the drunk grinned wider and kept moving closer.
He let go of her chin and reached for her collar.
Serena clutched her neckline tightly, gritting her teeth through the pain as she slowly backed away.
But against a drunken brute, all her resistance seemed pitiful and powerless.
In just a few moments, she was completely overpowered.
The man yanked on her collar, and with one rough tug, several buttons scattered like fallen leaves.
"Get away from me! I said get away!"
No matter how calm and composed one could be, at this point-there was no way not to be scared.
Serena helplessly turned her head toward the bedroom.
Earlier, thinking it was Vega at the door, she'd let her guard down. Her phone was still in the bedroom.
With the distance now, it was impossible to crawl back and call for help.
The entire 36th floor consisted of exclusive presidential suites-visitors were rare.
Hoping for someone to randomly show up and help? Practically hopeless.
By now, the drunkard had stripped off all but his underwear, grinning lewdly as he rubbed his hands and stepped toward her.
Serena admitted it-she was terrified.
***