SIX YEARS AGO
"Drink with me, Sofia. Just one glass, to celebrate the family's new partnership."
Sofia turned from the window where she'd been pretending to admire the view and found Raluca standing close with two champagne glasses. Her stepsister's smile was wide.
"I'm not really in the mood for drinking tonight."
"Not in the mood?" Raluca pressed one of the glasses into Sofia's hand. "Father just closed the biggest deal of his career, and you're standing here like someone died."
"I'm tired, that's all."
"You're always tired. Or busy. Or too good for family celebrations." Raluca raised her own glass. "One drink won't kill you."
Sofia looked at the champagne and then at Raluca's face.
"To Father's success," Raluca said, lifting her glass higher. "And to new beginnings for all of us."
"What new beginnings?" Sofia asked.
"Just drink, Sofia. You are such a party pooper."
The champagne tasted bad from the first sip. Sofia frowned and lowered the glass.
"What's wrong with your face? You look like you drank a glass of acid. When did you start hating champagne?" Raluca asked.
"It tastes bitter."
"It's from Father's private reserve. It's perfect." Raluca took a long drink from her own glass without any reaction. "Stop being so dramatic and childish."
"I'm not being dramatic. It genuinely tastes off. This is not the first time I have drunk champagne; this one is horrible."
"Maybe your palate isn't as refined as you think it is." Raluca moved closer. "Drink up. There's plenty more where that came from."
Sofia took another sip to avoid arguing and immediately regretted it. The bitter taste was stronger now, and her mouth felt strange.
"Raluca, it's bad. It's not my palette. Are you sure this drink is from Dad? because…
"There you are." Camelia appeared beside them with her usual cold expression. "Sofia, several of your father's associates have asked to meet you. Come."
"I'm not feeling well, actually."
"Nonsense. You look fine." Camelia gripped her arm. "These men are important. You will be polite and charming for once in your life."
"Mother, I think Sofia really isn't feeling well," Raluca said with false concern. "Look at her face. She's flushed."
Sofia touched her cheek and realized she was burning up. When had that happened?
"I just need some air."
"You need not embarrass this family." Camelia's fingers dug in harder. "Smile and make conversation. It's the least you can do after everything your father provides for you."
The room tilted slightly, and Sofia grabbed the edge of a nearby table. "Something's wrong. I think I need to sit down."
"Oh, for heaven's sake." Camelia released her arm with disgust. "Raluca, deal with your sister before she makes a scene."
"Of course, Mother." Raluca wrapped an arm around Sofia's waist. "Come on, let's get you some air."
"I don't want to go outside. I want to go home."
"You can't go home like this. Father will be furious if you leave his celebration early." Raluca guided her toward a side door. "I know a quiet place where you can rest for a bit."
"Where are we going?"
"Just trust me for once."
But Sofia didn't trust Raluca. Had never trusted her. She tried to pull away, but her legs weren't working properly, and the floor kept shifting beneath her feet.
"What did you do to me?"
"I didn't do anything. You're the one who drank too much." Raluca's voice was sweet, but her grip was iron. "Here, let me help you to a car."
"I only had one glass."
"You had three, actually. I kept refilling it while you were zoning out like you always do. Honestly, Sofia, you need to pay more attention."
Three glasses shouldn't make her feel like this. Sofia tried to count back, but her thoughts were getting fuzzy and disjointed.
They emerged into the cool night air, and a black car pulled up immediately. A driver Sofia didn't recognize got out and opened the rear door.
"Where's Father's driver, Ben?"
"He was busy. I arranged this one." Raluca practically pushed Sofia into the car. "Take her to the Grand Hotel. You know which room."
"Wait, what? I'm not going to a hotel."
"You can't go home like this. What would Father say?" Raluca leaned in close, and her perfume was overwhelming. "Just rest for a few hours, and you'll be fine."
"Raluca, please. Something's really wrong. I think I need a doctor."
"You don't need a doctor. You just need to sleep it off." Raluca pulled back and spoke to the driver. "Make sure she gets there safely. And remember what we discussed."
"I remember."
"What did you discuss?" Sofia tried to focus on the driver's face, but it kept blurring. "What are you talking about?"
"That he should make sure you are safe. Just rest." Raluca shut the door, and the car pulled away.
Sofia tried the door handle, but it was locked. She banged on the window, but they were already moving, and Raluca had disappeared back inside.
"Let me out. I want to go home."
"Miss, your sister said your dad will be mad at you if I take you home, so relax. The hotel where you can rest for a few hours is close by."
Sofia felt panic rising through the fog in her brain. She fumbled for her phone, but her purse wasn't on the seat beside her.
"Where's my purse? I had it when we left."
"Don't know anything about that."
"You're lying. Someone took my purse. Was it Raluca?"
The driver didn't answer.
"Please. Whatever Raluca paid you, I'll pay you more. Just take me home."
"I'm driving you to a hotel. That's all I'm doing."
The car pulled up in front of a luxury hotel, and the driver got out. Sofia tried one more time to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
The driver opened her door and reached for her arm. "Come on. Come, let me help you to your room."
"I'm not going in there."
"What do you mean by you are not going in there? In your state, you need to sleep off the alcohol in your system. You need my help to get to your room, or you will get hurt."
He pulled her from the car, and Sofia's legs buckled. Everything was spinning, and her skin felt like it was on fire.
"Sir, I need to go to the hospital. I feel like shit. And this is not normal."
The driver looked at her for a second. "Miss, the alcohol will wear off after a few hours; all you need is rest and cold water. I'll help you to your room first."
"Room 2806," the driver muttered, checking a piece of paper. "Or is it 2804? Her handwriting is shit."
He half-carried her through the lobby, and Sofia tried to call for help, but her voice came out as a weak whimper. The night clerk looked up briefly and then away, deliberately ignoring them.
The driver approached the clerk. "Hello, I need the key card for room 2804."
The clerk looked in the cabinet. "Sir, the key card has already been collected. Did you lose it?"
"No, we left her bag at the party, and the keycard is inside. Please give us the spare key card. The driver adjusted Sofia, who was about to fall.
"Drunk girlfriend," the driver said loudly. "She had too much at a party. I'm just getting her up to our room."
The elevator ride made Sofia's stomach heave, and the hallway seemed to stretch forever in both directions.
"Where is the room?" the driver asked himself, looking between two doors. "Fuck it."
"Wait, which room is this?" The handwriting on the paper is very bad. I hope I got the room number correct.
"2804. That's right. Enter, and someone will find you."
"Don't leave me here. Please don't leave me." Sofia pleaded.
But he was already walking away, pulling out his phone to call someone.
Sofia looked at the key card and then at the door. Room 2804.
The drug was intensifying, and her whole body felt like it was burning from the inside out. She needed help. She needed someone to explain what was happening to her.
She used the key card with shaking hands and pushed the door open.
The room was dark except for the light coming from another room deeper inside. Sofia stumbled forward, and the door clicked shut behind her.
"Hello?"
Silence. Maybe no one was here. She could just lock herself in and sleep off the alcohol.
Then a man's voice cut through the darkness, deep and concerned rather than angry.
"You're not supposed to be here. Who let you in?"
Sofia looked up and saw the most beautiful man she'd ever seen standing in the doorway of the bedroom. He was tall with dark eyes and strong features, and he was moving toward her quickly with genuine concern in his expression.
"Please," she managed to whisper. "Please help me."