ROWAN For My One-Night Stand.
I read it twice before scoffing.
“Seriously?” I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.
I already knew it was a one-night stand.
Did he really have to write it like that?
Like I was just another number?
I shook my head and unfolded the paper.
Maybe the man was handsome… But his choice of titles seriously needed work.
My eyes moved across the page.
“Hello.
If you’re reading this, then you’re finally awake.
Your clothes are inside the mini wardrobe in my dressing room.
They’re clean and neatly arranged.
Feel free to freshen up before you leave.
You won’t see me because I’ve already left.
Your car is parked safely downstairs.
Have a great day.
I lowered the letter.
“…That’s it?” I stared at the paper for a long moment and didn’t even know what to say.
Should I call him a jerk?
Was this the kind of reply he gave every guy who woke up in his bed?
I folded the note again and placed it back exactly where I’d found it.
Then another thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“…Wait.” Does this mean… This wasn’t the first time he’d written a note like this?
I frowned.
“No way…” The more I thought about it, the more suspicious it became.
Was this some kind of routine?
Did he bring random men back to this penthouse every other weekend?
Did he have an entire stack of these letters hidden somewhere?
I looked toward the dressing room.
“I wouldn’t even be surprised if he has a template.” The thought made me shake my head.
“Unbelievable.” I wasn’t really angry at him.
I was just… disgusted.
Then again… Who was I to judge?
I wasn’t exactly innocent either.
Last night wasn’t supposed to happen.
I only ended up here because my whole world had fallen apart.
Because I’d walked in on Kelvin cheating.
Because I wanted, even if only for a few hours, to stop feeling so broken.
I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath.
“It was a mistake.” “A reckless, stupid mistake.” I nodded to myself, trying to believe it.
And the best thing to do now is forget that this ever happened.
Last night was over.
There was no reason to keep thinking about a man whose last name I didn’t even know.
I’d leave and go back to my normal life.
With that decision made, I picked up my phone and car keys from the bedside table before making my way toward the dressing room.
Just like the note said, a small wardrobe stood in one corner.
I opened it.
Inside were my clothes, neatly folded as though they’d just come back from the dry cleaners.
Even my shoes had been cleaned.
“…Okay.” I blinked.
“Now that’s just showing off.” I took off the bathrobe, got dressed as quickly as my sore body would allow, and left the penthouse without looking back.
I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.
The doors closed softly.
The ride down felt strangely quiet.
My reflection stared back at me from the mirrored walls.
I looked exhausted and embarrassed..
…
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.
I walked through the luxurious lobby as casually as I could, trying my best not to make eye contact with anyone.
For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone knew exactly why I’d spent the night here.
“Get a grip, Rowan,” I whispered to myself.
“They don’t know you.” I stepped outside and immediately looked around.
Rows of expensive cars filled the parking area.
My eyes searched for my own car.
Left.
Right.
Nothing.
“…Where did he say he parked it?” I frowned before pressing the unlock button on my key.
Beep!
Beep!
The familiar sound echoed from the far end of the parking lot.
“There you are.” I walked over, unlocked the door, and slid into the driver’s seat.
The moment I closed the door behind me, silence filled the car.
I rested both hands on the steering wheel and let out the deepest breath I’d taken all morning.
“What a crazy twenty-four hours.” I laughed softly.
Yesterday, I thought I had the perfect boyfriend.
Today… I didn’t even know what my life looked like anymore.
I inserted the key into the ignition.
Just as I was about to start the engine… My phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
An unknown number.
I frowned.
“Who could this be?” For a few seconds, I debated ignoring it.
Whoever it was could always call back later.
But something told me to answer.
I sighed and pressed the green button.
“Hello?
Who is th—” “Rowan!” The familiar voice cut me off before I could finish.
My grip on the phone tightened instantly.
“It’s me… Kelvin.” His voice sounded broken..
“Please…” “Please don’t hang up.” “We need to talk.” “I’ll explain everything.” “If you don’t give me a chance…” His breathing became uneven.
“I swear…” “I’ll kill myself.” I stared at my phone in disbelief.
Was he actually serious?
After everything he had done… After cheating on me with the one person he knew I hated the most… He had the audacity to call me and threaten to kill himself if I refused to listen to him?
I almost laughed.
No.
I did laugh.
A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips as I leaned back against the driver’s seat.
“What a manipulative bastard.” I muttered under my breath before lifting the phone back to my ear.
“So let me get this straight.” My voice was calm.
“You cheated on me…” “You lied to me.” “You betrayed me.” “And now you’re trying to make me feel guilty?” I let out another short laugh.
“Kelvin, do you honestly think that’s going to work?” There was silence from the other end and I didn’t wait for him to answer.
“And why exactly do you think I should care if you kill yourself?” My grip tightened around the steering wheel.
“You made your choice the moment you climbed into bed with Jae.” “You don’t get to betray me and then expect me to comfort you because you’re suddenly feeling guilty.” I took a slow breath before continuing.
“If karma decides to deal with you, then that’s between you and karma.” “So if you’re calling to threaten me with your life…” I shrugged even though he couldn’t see me.
“…you’re wasting your time.” “I really don’t care.” The line went completely silent.
It seemed my response wasn’t what he had been expecting.
Finally, he spoke.
His voice sounded weak.
“Rowan…” “Why are you treating me like this?” The question almost made me lose my mind.
“Treating you like what?” He sniffled.
“You’re hurting my feelings.” I blinked.
Then I burst into another round of laughter.
“My God…” I wiped at the corner of my eye.
“You really have no shame.” “Rowan, if the situation were reversed…” He hurried to say.
“If you were the one who cheated on me, I would’ve forgiven you.” I cut him off before he could finish.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”