The Aftermath

Lexi stepped out of the car and onto the sidewalk, her feet carrying her towards her apartment on autopilot. 

Her mind was still reeling from the events of the previous night. She couldn't believe what had happened. 

She had gone to Julian's mansion as a professional, and yet, she had ended up in his bed.

"I hope l didn't make a mistake or mess up my life."she whispered to herself as she is moving closer to her small apartment.

As she entered her apartment, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her living room. 

But everything felt different now. She felt different. She felt like she had crossed a line, and she wasn't sure if she could ever go back.

Lexi flopped down on her couch, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She couldn't believe she had been so reckless. 

She had always prided herself on her professionalism, and yet, she had thrown it all away for one night of passion.

"What have I done."she whispered to herself again.

Just then, her phone rang, shrill in the silence of her apartment. 

Lexi groaned, not wanting to talk to anyone. But the phone persisted, ringing again and again until she finally picked it up.

"Hello?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lexi, it's Julian. I just wanted to check in on you." 

"How are you feeling?"

Lexi's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how she was feeling.

"I'm fine," she said finally, her voice neutral.

"Lexi, don't lie to me." 

"I know you're not fine. We need to talk about what happened last night."

Lexi sighed, rubbing her temples. She didn't want to have this conversation. She didn't want to confront her feelings.

"Julian, I don't know what you want me to say. It was just one night, okay? 

"It didn't mean anything."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. 

"Lexi, don't diminish what we shared. It was special, and you know it."

Lexi's heart fluttered at his words. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right. 

"What they had shared was special and a mistake. 

It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

"Julian, I need some time to process everything. 

"Can we talk about this later?"

"Of course, Lexi. I understand. But know that I'm not giving up on us." 

"We have something special, and I'm not going to let it go without a fight."

Lexi's heart skipped a beat at his words. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she was ready for what Julian was offering.

"Thank you, Julian," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Anytime, Lexi. Anytime."

Lexi hung up the phone, her mind racing with thoughts of Julian and their conversation. 

She couldn't believe how easily he had gotten under her skin. She had always been the one in control, the one who called the shots. 

But with Julian, she felt like she was losing her grip.

"Am not a cheap girl, but I don't know what really happened yesterday night."Lexi said.

Just then, her doorbell rang. It was her best friend, Rachel.

"Hey, girl! I brought coffee and pastries," Rachel said, walking into the apartment.

Lexi forced a smile onto her face. 

"Hey, Rach. I'm so glad you're here."

Rachel set the coffee down on the table and turned to Lexi. 

"So, what's going on? 

"You look like you've lost your last marble."

Lexi sighed, flopping down on the couch. 

"I think I made a mistake, Rach. 

"A big one."

Rachel's eyes widened. 

"What kind of mistake?"

Lexi hesitated, unsure of how to reveal her secret. 

"I slept with Julian Blackwood."

"I lost my virginity to him yesterday night."she said sadly.

Rachel's jaw dropped. 

"The billionaire? 

"The one you were working for?"

Lexi nodded, feeling a wave of shame wash over her. 

"Yeah, that one."

Rachel sat down beside her, putting a hand on her arm. 

"Lexi, it's okay. "

"We all make mistakes." 

"But what's important is how we learn from them."

Lexi shook her head, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. 

"I don't know if I can learn from this one, Rach."

"I feel like I've ruined everything."

"I know the reason why am saying all this things,Rach."Lexi replied.

Rachel pulled her into a hug. 

"You haven't ruined anything, Lexi. 

"You're just taking a detour. "

"And I'll be right here with you, every step of the way."

As they hugged, Lexi felt a weight lift off her shoulders. 

Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe she wasn't ruined after all. Maybe she just needed a little help finding her way back.

As they sipped their coffee, Rachel probed Lexi for more information. "So, what happened with Julian? 

"How did it go from a professional relationship to...well, you know?"

Lexi blushed, her cheeks flushing pink. 

"It was just a moment of weakness, I guess. We were both feeling vulnerable, and it just happened."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "A moment of weakness? 

"That's not like you, Lexi." 

"You're always so in control."

Lexi sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I know. That's what makes this so hard. "

"I feel like I've let myself down."

"Honestly,l don't know how it happened."she said.

Rachel put a hand on her arm. 

"Lexi, you're being too hard on yourself.'

"We all make mistakes." 

"And besides, it's not like you committed a crime or something."

Lexi smiled wryly. "I feel like I might as well have. I mean, what if this gets out? 

"What if people find out that I slept with a client?"

Rachel's expression turned serious. "Lexi, you can't let fear control you. You have to focus on the present and move forward."

"And besides, Julian doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would exploit you like that."

Lexi's eyes widened in surprise. "You're right. He's been nothing but kind and respectful."

"Maybe I'm just overreacting."

Rachel grinned. "Maybe you are. But that's what friends are for - to help you see things clearly."

As they chatted, Lexi felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Maybe she wasn't doomed after all. 

Maybe she could salvage this situation and move forward. And with Rachel by her side, she felt like she could face anything.