Bounded To You

Chapter 1 🥰🥰

The spilling light of the morning sun slipped through the sheer curtains as the soft chirping of birds filled the air. Alora opened her hazel eyes and slowly sat up on the bed. Her gaze drifted to the mirror, and there she saw them-puffy, red eyes staring back at her.
Yeah, why wouldn't they be red and swollen? She had cried the entire night.
Scenes from the previous day flashed through her mind like a TV show replaying on repeat. She had just finished a meeting with the board of directors at her company and had been feeling uneasy all day. For weeks now, she had tried reaching Chris, but he never answered her calls. All her messages remained unread.
You might ask-had she gone to his house?
Yes, she had.
And every single time, he was never home.
"This is really pissing me off," she muttered as she shut down her laptop and walked out of her office. Reaching the parking lot, she climbed into her spotless G-Wagon, ignited the engine, and drove straight to Chris's place.
After about thirty minutes, she stopped in front of a large mansion.
I hope he's home, she thought. I really need an explanation for all these sudden changes.
She was about to knock when she noticed the door was slightly open. Hesitantly, she stepped inside. Clothes were scattered across the floor. Her heart sank when she spotted a woman's underwear tossed carelessly to one side. Then came the sounds-loud, unmistakable, and painfully familiar.
Her chest tightened.
She walked upstairs, each step heavier than the last, and pushed the bedroom door open.
Chris.
And her best friend.
They were so caught up in each other that they didn't notice her standing there.
Her world shattered.
"Chris... how could you?" she finally managed to say, tears streaming down her face.
"What-Alora? You're here?" Chris panicked as he scrambled away.
"It's not what you think," he said quickly, trying to reach for her.
"Don't you dare touch me with those filthy hands," she snapped.
"Babe, I'm sorry. I swear-it was a mistake."
"Oh really?" Alora laughed bitterly through her tears. "Was it also a mistake bringing my best friend into your bed? Is this why you ignored my calls and messages?"
"That's not the reason," he replied weakly.
"Then tell me the reason," she demanded, her voice cracking.
Silence.
That was all the answer she needed.
"I get it now," she said quietly. "And you, Tracy-I thought you were different."
She turned toward the door.
"I never want to see either of you again."
She drove straight to a nearby bar and drank until the pain dulled. Glass after glass disappeared.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why did you hurt me like this?"
The bar was nearly empty, except for a man seated at the far end, watching her quietly. Soon, the alcohol took over, and she passed out.
The man smiled faintly as he settled the bill.
"Such a wasted beauty," he murmured. "Let's get you somewhere safe."
He lifted her gently into his arms.
"Boss, what are you doing? You don't even know her," Nicholas said, worry written all over his face.
"I'll take her. You take her car," the man replied calmly.
"But-"
"Nicholas, no arguments. Just do as you're told."
"Yes, sir."
The man-Raduch-drove her to a hotel.
In her sleep, Alora mumbled broken words-sometimes crying, sometimes laughing, her heart clearly shattered.
Interesting, Raduch thought. And strangely endearing.
At the hotel, the staff greeted him warmly. He took the key and carried Alora to his room, ignoring the curious glances around him.
Inside, he gently laid her on the bed and turned to leave when her hand suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Please... don't leave," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I thought he loved me," she cried softly. "I thought I was good enough."
She eventually drifted into sleep.
Raduch sighed, studying her face.
"Who broke you this badly?" he asked quietly.
He stepped back.
Get it together.
Raduch Cornard-one of the most powerful men in the world-was known for having no emotions. At only twenty-seven, he had achieved what many never would.
Yet here he was.
He took one last look at her.
"I'll find you again, damsel," he said softly, then walked away.