Chapter 2 Bumping Into The Most Attractive Boy
Phoebe's words hit her like a hammer as she dropped the car key on the bed, and suddenly, memories of last night flooded back. Dear Pluto... she thought, remembering the excitement, the plans, the party that had changed everything.
September 19th, 2019.
Dear Pluto,
Tonight feels like it's going to be a really big night. I probably shouldn't be excited, considering why I'm really attending this party, but I am. Phoebe got us this invite, and it's the rich people's graduation after party. I'm on my way to make some money, connect with the wealthy, and see what happens with Scott Jones. Something feels different tonight—like things might actually change for me. I just want to make it through and start making a name for myself after graduation.
Emma sighed, pushed her long silky black hair back and placed her pen in the middle of her diary, and closed it gently. Tonight was the moment she had been waiting for. Her college graduation after party.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, trying different kinds of smiles. Which one would fit an event like this? Her eyes were defined. It was a cat eye shape, and hazel in color, and her lips were plump with a cupid's bow mouth shape. She took a moment to fix the last bit of her lipstick.
She opened her closet. A long sleeved black dress caught her eye. Black had always been her go to color. For her, it showed strength and confidence.
She wore the dress and paired it with her favorite black heels. She was five feet eight inches tall and slim with long legs, and the heels raised her by four inches. She smiled, satisfied with her look.
Emma had a complicated relationship with money because of her past. Her mother's words echoed in her mind, "Money always makes you a better person. A bigger person. People respect those with money. It can get you far in life. Whoever said money would not give you happiness lied."
And she believed that.
The memory of her father's death when she was just seven years old haunted her. She believed that if they had had enough money for his surgery, he might have survived the accident. The memory still stung.
Just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed. She placed the phone to her ear. "Hey Phoebs, are you there yet?"
Phoebe's voice came through, a little annoyed. "Yes, Jones and I are here and we are waiting for you. Where are you? The party has started."
"I am on my way out now." She ran to the door and suddenly stopped. "Sht!"
"What?"
"You have not sent the address. How am I supposed to know where the party is?" She laughed as she tapped her head for even forgetting.
"Oh! I thought I did. I'll send it now. Just make sure you are on time. Remember, you need to meet Scott Jones if you want to make some money, or if you want him to help you out with any favors. He was the reason we got an invite to this party tonight, because he really wants to meet you. The hotel hosting the party is owned by his dad. If you want tonight to be as amazing as you want it to be, you must be on time to meet him before he slips away and you miss the opportunity."
Emma sighed. "I'll be there soon."
Phoebe had told her about Scott Jones weeks earlier—how he was known for helping women with favors. But it always came with a price. Their body. Because to him, that was the only thing they could offer. He had everything, and he never failed to boast about how rich he was.
Emma wasn't comfortable losing herself and going against her morals just for money, but she needed it. And when the act was done, she would try not to feel anything. It was just sx. Sooner or later, she was going to lose her virginity. She just had to do it this time, because of circumstances.
The address came moments later.
Emma and Phoebe became inseparable since their freshman year. Emma had gotten into the fashion program with a scholarship and she first met Phoebe at the freshman party. She was drunk and was left alone at the bar, and Phoebe helped her to her own dorm to spend the night only to find out the next morning that they were roommates. It was the beginning of their friendship.
Wherever Phoebe went, she followed.
"Thank you." Emma smiled politely at the taxi driver as she stepped out.
"Thank you ma'am. Have a nice night," he replied.
The soft breeze brushed over her, and her eyes moved around the surroundings. "Is this the right place?" she wondered, then a luxurious hotel on the left caught her attention. "Looks like this is it. You can do this Emma," she whispered to herself. Breath shaking as she formed a smile on her lips. "Let's meet Scott Jones." She fixed her dress as she walked to the building.
The hotel was decorated with elegant lighting that gave it a royal look, its golden front shining in the dark. She reached the entrance but stopped when a security guard asked for her invitation. Emma gave him her invitation and he allowed her in.
Inside, she saw a lively crowd talking and enjoying the party.
She saw the rich kids from her department.
She took out her phone to call Phoebe. No response, but knowing her friend, Emma knew she would be at the bar.
"I knew I'd find you here," she said, walking toward the bar with her arms crossed. Phoebe turned with a bottle of champagne.
"So glad you made it on time," she said, coming closer to check Emma's outfit. "You look stunning in that dress. Better than I did." She placed an arm around her shoulders with excitement, taking in a sharp breath. "Scott is going to fall in love with you."
Emma's brow raised in confusion. "But you said he doesn't fall in love."
"That was what I heard, but still, maybe you will become an exception. He liked your picture when I showed him."
"Emma," a voice called behind her.
She froze. She recognized that voice and would recognize it anywhere. It belonged to Toby Hallway, her ex boyfriend.
She frowned and turned to Phoebe. "What is he doing here?"
Phoebe shrugged smugly. "I don't know. Maybe he paid his way in to be with you."
Emma scoffed. "Haha. Funny. If I remember correctly, I dumped him three weeks ago. That bstrd cheated on me because I would not sleep with him. He is so toxic. Why can't he leave me alone Phoebe? help me."
Phoebe's lips narrowed. Then she nodded. "I think I know how to get rid of him."
Emma sat. A glass of liquor appeared in front of her. "What do you mean get rid of him?" she asked, taking a sip.
Phoebe smirked, patting her friend lightly. "Just drink. He won't be hurt. He will just... be out of your life." She made a call, poured Emma another shot, then disappeared for a moment. When she returned, she said with a satisfying sigh, "He has been taken away by Jones and his friends. Tonight, no one will bother you. We are getting wasted."
Emma was relieved that he was finally gone. For weeks, he had been trying to see her but she had been ignoring him. She suddenly remembered why she was attending the party in the first place. "Wait, what about meeting Scott?"
"Don't worry. You will meet Scott. I am sure he is with his people. He will call me when he is ready to meet you." Phoebe clinked her glass with hers.
Emma drank. The music started and Phoebe gasped, tapping her. "This is our song. Come on!" She dragged Emma to the dance floor.
Emma laughed, and as they danced to the blasting music, she felt alive. In a few minutes—or hours—her life would change when she finally met Scott Jones. He had only seen her picture, and a sudden worry hit her—what if it wasn't enough to make him want her?
She hoped that when he saw her in person, he would feel the same way he had when he saw her picture. She took a deep breath, trying not to let the feeling weigh on her. She hoped he would choose her.
"Hey Emma." Phoebe's boyfriend joined moments later. He stood in front of them.
"Hey, Jones."
His hand wrapped around Phoebe's waist. "I'd like to borrow your friend for some time. I hope you don't mind?"
"No. Not at all."
"I love you," Phoebe told Emma. "I'll be back soon. Please, please find someone to talk to. You know what I mean. Just have fun." She winked as Jones pulled her away.
Emma exhaled sharply and headed for another drink. As she reached the bar, she suddenly felt the ground shift under her and the room spin. She tried to stand straight but her heels slipped and she collided with a young man heading out of the party.
Both of them fell to the ground.
She groaned as she opened her eyes and she saw the man who had fallen on her. His hand caught the back of her head before it hit the floor.
He was breathtaking. Dark wavy hair, ocean blue eyes, a defined nose, a carved jaw, and perfect lips. Her stomach churned.
"You alright?" he groaned, standing before offering her his hand to help her up.
She took it. "I'm so sorry," she yelled because of the loud music, lost in those eyes.
"Beautiful girls don't apologize." He smiled gently. "I should be the one apologizing. You seem a little drunk."
Emma breathed in and tried to steady herself, smiling back at him. His face was the only thing that felt clear to her. At least, that was what she felt.
They were silent for a moment, then she spoke. "I don't think I have seen you here before. Did you go to this school?"
"Yes," he nodded. " It is a big place. It is impossible to know everyone."
"Yeah, true," she said with a nervous laugh. Why the heck would she ask that?
"I'm Ezra." He held out his hand. She hesitated but placed hers in his.
"Emma."
"That is a beautiful name for a pretty girl." Then he added, "Want company? I'm heading out. To be honest, it is boring here."
"Boring?" Emma raised a brow. "This music, the people...it is electrifying. You don't like parties?"
He had been to countless parties in his life, so this one didn't faze him. He shrugged softly. "I am not just feeling it. I was told fewer people would be here. There are too many people. I don't like it." She nodded and he slipped his hands into his pockets. "Want to get out of here? Drink? Talk?"
Emma laughed. "About what?"
"Anything. What brings a girl like you here all alone?"
That word halted her for a moment. "I am not alone. I came with my friends."
He nodded slowly. "Alright." His eyes drifted around but he didn't catch any friends she talked about. "It looks like you are the only one here. Come with me."
He gently took her hand and led her to the bar. They sat. Emma's heart thudded as she glanced at him. The dangerous part was that she was not sober, and he was dangerously attractive.
As he lifted the glass, she watched the drink slide down his throat. It was slow. It was effortless. It was mesmerizing.
She tried to focus on the music, the crowd, anything—but all she could see was him.
He leaned closer, just enough that she caught the faint scent of his cologne. It was sharp, intoxicating. She swallowed hard. Her lips parted, but no words came.
The room spun slightly, her heels digging into the floor as her body betrayed her nerves.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She knew, in that moment, that if he wanted anything from her, she wouldn't be able to refuse—not because she wanted to, but because the pull between them was too strong to fight.
Ezra smiled, and it was dangerous. It was magnetic.
She drew a shaky breath, forcing her gaze away from him... but even as she did, the pull was already there.
And everything felt more complicated.