Secrets Unraveling

l opened my eyes, the room spinning around me, as the throbbing ache in my head intensified.

"Arrgh... Bloody hell! What did I do...?" I groaned out.

Confusion washed over me as I tried to piece together the events of the previous night.

My memory was a hazy canvas, fragmented and scattered.

The last thing I remembered was drinking with Jace, a man whose presence brought both comfort and mystery and my very saviour.

As the memories slowly trickled back, I was struck by a wave of shock and embarrassment.

Hell, I was a mess yesterday.

I recalled my frenzied behavior, my desperate plea for him to sleep with me, and even attempting to undress him.

The way I kissed him, the need, how I stroked his hard on through his trousers.

Gosh! Shame and regret coursed through my veins. I feel my cheeks become hot and flushed crimson from embarrassment as I realized the extent of my actions.

I cover my face with both palms as the memory replayed in my head all over again.

With every second, the more I felt doomed and the ground should swallow me whole.

And then, like a flicker of light in the darkness, the door pushed open with a light sound, causing me to snap my head up and shift my gaze to the direction.

Standing right by the door was the star actor in the show of my embarrassment, Jace.

He walked into the room and his gaze met mine, filled with a complex mix of concern and understanding.

I could see that he had witnessed my irrational behavior, and fear gripped me as I wondered how he perceived me now. His deep blue eyes raked over my body, staring intently at me like as though he has se kind of x-ray vision.

I felt naked under his penetrative gaze and recalling last night-God who knows how far we had gone.

Subconsciously, I wrap my hands around my body and the hotel pajamas clung to my body, a stark reminder of my vulnerability, and I felt a sudden urge to hide.

Jace's voice broke through my turmoil, his words soothing yet tinged with a hint of regret.

"Hey, Kiera."

I look up again, my gaze locking with his when I hear his deep voice.

"Please don't worry. Nothing happened between us. I did not take advantage of you."

Doubting his words, my gaze traveled down my body, indicating the change in clothes without speaking. Jace got the cue quickly and did his best to correct my thoughts.

"The hotel clerk changed your clothes, and I slept in the next room last night."

His reassurance calmed my racing heart, at least to some extent. It seemed that my memory had indeed been severed by the effects of alcohol.

Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to speak.

"Thank you."

Still I lower averted my gaze at the thought of me unzipping him. How boldly dangerous that was.

Most guys would have jumped in on the opportunity to have a willing woman like myself. Sigh!

"I'm sorry about, you know. I... I don't know what came over me last night. I'm sorry for my behavior," I manage to blurt out quickly.

Jace offered me a compassionate smile, his eyes filled with understanding.

"Kiera, you were drunk, and I can't blame you for your actions. Just know that l intervened when I saw a man claiming to be your husband trying to do something to you."

I look at him again. Something about how he spoke pulled my attention to him. I watched his Adam's apple bulbed as he spoke and remained transfixed.

Gosh he was so handsome and good.

"I did what I thought was right to protect you. Please, don't beat yourself up over it. Like I said, I'm Jace, an old time friend. I wouldn't hurt you."

As he spoke, a myriad of emotions danced within me. Gratitude mingled with caution as I contemplated his kindness.

With all that had happened between me and Nicholas, it was only safe to say that my trust bar for people has dropped and I knew better than to believe every dashing man I see.

What if he had ulterior motives? After all, I was a woman of wealth and stature, and the world had taught me to be wary of others' intentions.

But his striking beauty, coupled with his genuine concern, stirred a spark of intrigue within me.

Still, I couldn't afford to get entangled with any man,especially not now. The pain and trauma from my past life was a constant tinder that men and I needed to be far from each other.

Ring! Ring! The sound of his phone ringing pulled me out of my reverie and my eyes were focused now on his face once more.

"Excuse me. I need to take this call. Make yourself comfortable in the meanwhile," he stated and turned around.

Just as he got to the door, Jace paused and turned around.

"I have ordered for a new set of clothes for you while your old and ruined ones are dry cleaned. I couldn't throw it away without your permission," he said with a wink.

"It would be delivered along with the new ones.

I smile at him with a nod and watch him take his leave.

Lost in my thoughts, I reached for my phone on the bedside table and turned it on, only to be met with a barrage of missed calls from Iris, my best friend.

My fingers trembled as I dialed her number, anxious to uncover the reason behind her persistence while knowing I had ditched her at the bar yesterday and left with Jace. Of course she would be worried.

She answered almost immediately, her voice laced with urgency.

"Kiera, thank goodness you called back!"

"Hey, Iris. I'm sorry about...

"Save it, that's not very important. Your grandfather knows about your divorce with Nicholas."

"What?!"

"Yeah. He found out somehow, and he's demanding an explanation. You need to come home."

A mix of emotions swirled inside me. Relief, as the truth was finally unveiled, mingled with apprehension about facing my grandfather's wrath.

My divorce had been a closely guarded secret, but it seemed that secrets had a way of escaping their confines.

"Iris, I'll be there as soon as possible. Thank you for letting me know. I just hope grandpa is alright."

"He will be once he hears your explanation."

"Sure. Thanks."

Hanging up the phone, I felt a renewed sense of determination.

As much as I loved my grandfather, he needed to know too. With Jace's unexpected presence and the revelation of my divorce, one thing was clear. I had to confront the shadows of the night and the demons of my past, to truly embrace the light that awaited me.