CHAPTER 61: OVERHEATED

"Where’s your place?" Rafael asked as soon as they settled into the car.

"My... my place—ah, it’s so hot, Sir," Bianca murmured, tugging at her blouse, her face flushed.

"Hot?" Rafael frowned, glancing at her. The AC was blasting the coldest it could.

He studied her carefully, and then his jaw tightened.

Oh, shit.

Flushed cheeks, unfocused eyes, and a body burning with heat made Rafael realize that his best friend’s secretary had been given a stimulant.

Damn it.

Rafael’s mind raced. Bianca’s current state was dangerous, confusing, and completely out of his control.

"Bianca, what’s your address?" he asked again.

"Sir, I’m so hot. I feel like I’m burning. I—" she stammered, her words faltering as she squirmed in the seat.

Bianca’s worsening condition made Rafael slam the accelerator and get out of there as fast as he could.

Inside the car, he tried calling Adrian, but of course, his phone was dead. Panic twisted in Rafael’s chest. Without wasting another second, he decided to take Bianca to his apartment—it was the closest place he could get her to safety.

Once inside his apartment, Rafael locked Bianca in one of the guest rooms.

Rafael grabbed his phone and dialed a trusted contact. "Hey... I need your help. It’s urgent. My friend, she took some kind of stimulant and I don’t know what to do."

His friend let out a long sigh. "There are a lot of stimulants out there. Which one?"

"The kind that acts fast..." Rafael replied, trying to stay calm.

There was a pause. "I... I don’t know. Can you be more specific?"

Rafael ran a hand through his hair. "It’s the one that messes with them, hits fast... makes them feel uncontrollable desire."

"Oh... I think I know what you mean," his friend said slowly. "I heard about a stimulant that’s been going around in New York. Some idiots keep using it. Came from unknown sources, and the distributors are still being chased by the cops. It’s notorious once someone takes it, they can’t think straight and feel this overwhelming, uncontrollable desire. The effects won’t stop until they... release that desire."

Rafael’s chest tightened. "And... what if they don’t get help quickly?"

His friend’s voice grew serious. "I’m not 100% sure, but it can be bad. There have been cases where people went into cardiac arrest because it wasn’t handled fast enough. Look, maybe you could try putting her in a cold bath, just to see if it calms her down a bit. Or get her to a doctor immediately. But honestly... I can’t promise it’ll work."

"You don’t know?" Rafael asked, his voice tight.

"Yeah. There have been cases where nothing worked. If you want to take a risk, try handling it with a cold bath or getting her to a doctor. If not, find someone who can help her immediately."

Rafael’s heart felt like it skipped a beat. "Okay... thanks. I’ll figure something out."

His head throbbed, sharp pain shooting through his temples. He pressed his index finger and thumb against the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the tension. Panic gnawed at him—he couldn’t let anything happen to Bianca.

Worried about Bianca’s condition, Rafael checked on her. The sight made his eyes go wide, a cold shock running through him. Her clothes, once neatly in place, were now scattered across the floor. He quickly turned his head, heat rushing to his face, his mind momentarily blank, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. The woman before him was now left only in her underwear.

"Hot... hot... hot," Bianca whimpered weakly, her voice trembling, utterly helpless.

Rafael’s worry for Bianca pulled him closer before he even realized it. His steps were almost automatic, drawn to her like a magnet. With a mix of panic and urgency swirling inside him, he raised his right hand and pressed the back of his palm against Bianca’s forehead.

Shit...

Her body was burning up. Every inch of her felt like fire beneath his touch.

"Hot... hot... please... please... Sir... help me," Bianca whimpered, her voice trembling and weak.

Her gaze, filled with vulnerability and desperation, held him captive. Rafael couldn’t tear his eyes away, his throat dry as he swallowed hard, every instinct screaming to protect her.

"Please..."

"Bianca... do you know what you just said?" Rafael’s voice was sharp, full of worry and disbelief.

"Please... please..." she whimpered, shaking.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Sir... Rafael," Bianca whispered, her voice weak but still clear.

"And do you know what you’re asking me?"

She just nodded, her body burning. Every word Rafael said seemed to make her feel even hotter.

"Do you understand what’s happening to your body to make you like this?"

She nodded again.

"You stupid woman..." Rafael muttered under his breath but stopped himself. He closed his eyes for a moment to calm down. When he opened them, his gaze stayed on her. "Do you have a boyfriend? Should I call him?"

She shook her head.

Shit.

Rafael’s mind was spinning. He started pacing, anxious and restless.

Damn it.

He had never been in a situation like this. And yes, he was still a virgin. Maybe people wouldn’t believe it, but it was true. While Zak and Adrian bragged about their sex lives, Rafael stayed quiet, just listening sometimes. He still couldn’t believe how he’d resisted all these temptations... until now.

"Hot... Hot.. Please... please, help me..."

Bianca’s voice snapped Rafael’s attention back to her.

"I’m asking you again, Bianca. Do you know what you’re asking me to do?"

She nodded, unable to resist.

"Are you still a virgin?" Rafael asked, his tone serious.

He held his breath, waiting for her answer. When she nodded, he exhaled, a strange sense of relief washing over him. Somehow, knowing she was still untouched eased the knot of tension in his chest.

"You’re okay with this? Or... should I take you to a doctor instead?" he asked, still unsure.

Then he remembered his friend’s warning—going to a doctor might not work. Panic surged as he considered his options.

"Sir... please, help me..."

"Bianca. I’ll ask one more time. Is there no man who can help you right now?"

She shook her head.

"Hot... help me, sir."

"Fine. This is your choice. Don’t blame me if you regret it later." Rafael let out a weak sigh and carefully lifted her, placing her gently on the bed.

***