The event took place at a luxury resort about two hours away from the city. The drive was long, but beautiful: the trees were tall, open roads, and the faint gold of the setting sun.
Vicar sat in the car ahead with some of the senior designers, while Arica and I rode with a few team members. She talked the entire way, she was full of energy and laughter, while I stared out the window.
When we finally arrived, the hotel took my breath away. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the scent of roses filled the air. It was the kind of place that made you forget the rest of the world.
We checked in, Arica and I shared a suite while Vicar stayed in the executive wing.
The event would take place the next evening.
That night, I could hardly sleep. I was too excited to sleep.
The next evening, the ballroom shimmered with light. Everyone was perfectly dressed. Music played softly while glasses clinked and laughter filled the air.
Vicar looked extremely handsome in a black tuxedo. When he walked into the room, all heads turned. He gave a polite nod to a few people, then his gaze met mine.
For a second, the world slowed down.
"You look… different," he said when he approached.
"Good different or bad different?" I teased, my voice smaller than I intended.
"Good different. Very good." He smirked.
My heart fluttered. "Thank you, sir." I replied.
The event was amazing.
We laughed, clapped, and cheered as names were called. When VOSS Couture finally won the award, there was a loud applause.
Vicar stood on stage, accepting the trophy with that calm confidence that always surrounded him.
But when he turned and looked at me from the podium, his eyes softened just a little: enough for my heart to skip.
Afterward, there was an after-party in the garden. Arica was everywhere, she looked so happy.
"Come on, Berlin!" she called, holding out a drink. "Celebrate! You've earned it too.
"I'm not much of a drinker." I muttered.
"One glass won't kill you," she teased.
I hesitated, then took it. "Fine, just one."
The drink was sweet and cold, the bubbles tickling my throat. Then another glass came, and another. I don't even remember who handed me the third one.
The music got louder. The lights blurred, my head started to feel heavy, and the world tilted a little.
"I think I need to go lie down," I said, laughing weakly.
"I'll take you," Arica offered quickly.
But her smile looked… strange. Almost too calm.
After that, everything became blurry.
I remember her walking me through the hallway. I remember the soft click of a door. I remember a deep voice: maybe Vicar's, asking something I couldn't understand.
Then darkness.
When I woke up, the first thing I felt was the cold morning air brushing against my bare shoulder.
I frowned, blinking at the bright sunlight spilling across the room. My head pounded, and my mouth was dry. Slowly, I turned and I froze..
Vicar was lying beside me.
My heart nearly stopped. His chest rose and fell gently, his face was calm, the sheets were tangled around us. I realized with horror that I was wearing nothing but his shirt.
"No," I whispered, panicking, "No, no, no."
I scrambled out of bed with my hands shaking. My mind felt foggy and broken. What had happened?
As I searched for my clothes, Vicar stirred. His eyes opened slowly, confusion flashing across them. Then, he realized.
He sat up, his jaw tightened. "What the hell?" He thundered.
"I don't know!" I said quickly, tears rolled down my eyes. "I swear, I don't know what happened." I cried out.
He stood, grabbing his trousers from the chair. "Don't play innocent, Berlin."
"I'm not!" I cried. "I don't even remember how I got here."
He stared at me, anger darkening his face. "You expect me to believe that? That you just wandered into my bed?" He yelled.
"Please, Vicar, I swear…" I sobbed.
"Enough." His voice was sharp. "You think this will make me like you? Pity you? Maybe give you a raise?" He snapped.
The words cut deep.
Tears spilled down my cheeks. "I didn't do this. I would never do this." I cried out.
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly furious. "Get dressed and leave before anyone sees you here. This?" He gestured between us "...never happened."
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
He turned away, his jaw clenched. "I thought you were different, Berlin"
Then he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
I sank onto the floor, shaking. My mind spun in circles. I tried to remember the night before: the drinks, and Arica's hand on my back.
A flash of her smile hit me like lightning.
She poured my drink.
My breath caught. No? it couldn't be. Arica was my friend. My best friend.
But then… why couldn't I remember anything after that third glass?
I grabbed my phone with trembling hands and texted her.
Me: Where are you?
Arica: Breakfast hall. Are you okay?
I stared at the screen. The words looked normal and innocent. But everything inside me screamed that something was wrong.
When I walked into the breakfast hall a few minutes later, everyone was already eating. Arica waved the moment she saw me.
"There you are! You look tired. Did you sleep well?" she asked with a smile.
I forced a nod, sitting across from her. "I… think so." I stammered.
Her eyes sparkled. "You disappeared early last night. Guess you couldn't handle the champagne." She said.
I studied her carefully. "Yeah," I said slowly. "Guess not."
Vicar walked in then, his face was expressionless. He didn't even glance my way. But the tension in the air was thick enough to choke me.
We left the hotel later that afternoon. The car ride back was quiet and heavy for me. I sat in the back seat, staring out the window, trying not to cry.
Vicar didn't speak a word.
By the time we reached the office, he stepped out first, said a
brief "thank you" to the driver, and walked off without even looking at me…