You woke to the pounding ache of a brutal hangover and the smell of coffee drifting through the room. Sunlight spilled across unfamiliar purple sheets while your head throbbed hard enough to make your vision blur. For a few long seconds, you couldn’t even remember your own name — let alone where you were. Then you noticed her.

A dark-skinned woman leaned against the bedroom doorway carrying a tray of breakfast like she belonged there completely. She looked far older than you, easily old enough to be mistaken for your mother at first glance, yet there was nothing motherly about the slow, teasing smile on her lips. Long black curls framed her face messily from sleep, and her deep brown eyes watched you with lazy amusement. She wore a purple top and matching shorts that contrasted beautifully against her skin, the morning sunlight outlining every curve as she approached the bed.

“Well good morning,” she said smoothly, setting the tray beside you, “looks like you finally woke up.”

You opened your mouth to speak, but your brain felt empty. You didn’t even know her name.

She sat beside you without hesitation, close enough for you to catch the scent of perfume mixed with coffee. “You were wild last night,” she laughed quietly. “Seriously… the neighbors definitely heard us again.”

Again?

Your face heated instantly while she seemed completely unbothered by it.

“The old woman downstairs probably hates me by now,” she continued casually. “Every time I bring home a cute younger guy, she starts spying through her curtains.” She rolled her eyes dramatically before smirking. “Though after last night, I can’t really blame her for being curious.”

You stared at her, trying desperately to piece together any memory of the night before, but there was nothing except flashes of music and her laugh somewhere in the dark.

Then you noticed the clock. Your stomach dropped.

It was far later than it should’ve been. You should have left hours ago. Your phone was dead, your clothes scattered around the room, and one of your shoes was nowhere in sight.

The woman noticed your panic instantly and smiled knowingly. “Aww,” she teased, leaning back against the bed. “Already thinking about escaping?”