The Wrong Room, the Right Man
Copyright© 2025 by The Ignored Sentinel
Chapter 3
Erotica Sex Story: Chapter 3 - On vacation with her husband, Asha returns drunk to her hotel, fumbles with the wrong keycard, and slips into a stranger’s room. What began as a mistake becomes the start of an unforeseen events.
Caution: This Erotica Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Fa/Fa Mult Coercion Consensual Drunk/Drugged Reluctant Heterosexual Fiction Crime Cheating Sharing Slut Wife MaleDom Light Bond Spanking Group Sex Interracial Black Male White Female Indian Female Masturbation Oral Sex Safe Sex
Asha snapped back from her thoughts when the bell rang. James went to answer the door; room service had arrived. In the living room, she settled on the sofa, sinking deeper into the soft velvet cushions. The large TV on the wall was off. Its blank screen showed the lights from the Vegas skyline outside. She turned her eyes to the view of the neon lights of Vegas through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She took a deep breath and traced the edges of her emerald robe. She was impressed with the glitz and glamour.
Living in Mumbai, she thought she knew intensity. But nothing had prepared her for Vegas. It was not the man, but the man who had turned her world upside down. James walked in, holding silver trays stacked with dome plates. He found Asha staring at the neon lights. Her robe had risen high enough, showing a faint reddish mark on her thigh. He smiled softly.
“Loving the view?” he asked, placing the trays on the low glass table.
Asha turned, startled, and pulled down her robe. She nodded, smiling at his gaze. “It’s ... big,” she said, “Grand,” placing the velvet cushion on her thighs.
James settled next to her on the sofa. He piled grilled vegetables on her plate. Then, he added a chocolate-covered strawberry, placing it carefully at the edge. He refilled her champagne glass until the bubbles danced at the rim. “Sometimes bigger is better,” he said, his eyes warm with sincerity, and handed her the refilled glass.
She took a slow sip, and the bubbles tingled her throat as she swallowed. Her eyes drifted to the open V of his robe. Dark hair trailed down his torso. She wanted to look away, but the sight held her. She forced her attention on the food, not on his monster underneath his robe. She took a bite into the strawberry. The bitter chocolate gave way to sweet fruit. It was a distraction.
James noticed her struggle to chew simple food. Her eyes kept darting away from his robe. He could tell she was battling with herself. She wanted to look at him. He leaned forward. His robe parted wider. Her eyes dropped to his crotch, then snapped back to her plate. Her fingers trembled around her fork. It felt like delicious torture.
He grinned and leaned back against the velvet sofa, swirling his champagne. “Didn’t expect that by the pool,” he said, his voice low. “You came hard, screaming my name.” He watched her face flush. Her knuckles turned white around the glass. He kept his tone casual. “Tell me,” he said. His eyes locked onto hers. “Was it the pain?” He tilted his head slightly. “Did you enjoy it?”
Asha avoided his gaze but couldn’t hide the itch between her legs. “Both,” she admitted. The word felt rough against her throat. “I’ve never ... felt that owned.” Her grip tightened on the stem. “Arjun never touched me like that. Never made me feel I needed it.”
James smiled slowly and set his glass down and moved closer. “Forget him.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “But tell me—” He paused, watching her pupils dilate. “When I spilled inside you ... were you scared? Did you worry you’d get pregnant?”
Asha hesitated. That thought had flashed through her mind—hot panic—as she realized his seed was inside her. But she buried it, lost in the moment. “A bit,” she whispered. “But I didn’t care at that moment.” She met his gaze, honesty spilling out. “It felt ... right. Like you were claiming what belonged to you.”
James leaned back, his robe falling open. He didn’t cover up. Instead, he showed himself in naked glory. “Look at me,” he said softly.
Asha struggled not to look. But her eyes shot up, wide and conflicted, as she looked at him.
“Do you want to belong to me?” He asked directly.
The champagne glass shook in her hand. A sharp breath escaped her lips. Heat rushed from her neck to her cheeks. She didn’t look away. She didn’t shut her eyes. She just stared at him. His open robe left nothing to the imagination. Her mouth went dry and heart raced at his demand, not a question. Just moments ago, she had let him in—a stranger to fill inside her. No thought for the consequences. Thoughts of her husband and her family flooded her mind. The quiet life she thought of starting in the USA with Arjun. The nights with James were only one-night stands, she reminded herself. She hesitated to speak, stopping the words in her throat. She worried her lips would betray her, saying something awful.
James smiled. He switched on the TV. A video flickered to life. It was an old clip. Shaky, like it was recorded on a phone. The image was grainy. There was Arjun, with another woman. The room looked familiar. She recognized it from their video calls. Arjun sat on the sofa, pulling the woman onto his lap. The scene felt strange. This wasn’t what she expected. She felt a mix of confusion and betrayal.
Asha gasped, trying to look away. But the scene was too much—Arjun with his hand under her skirt, her moans filling the air. Her stomach twisted. On the screen, Arjun was laughing as the woman straddled him. Her skirt was hiked up.
James watched her. He was calm. “Your husband films everything,” he said, his voice low. “He’s careless. Leaves his phone lying around.” James wasn’t smug. He was just stating facts. “I didn’t need to dig deep. Just scrolling through his phone showed me enough.” He didn’t pause the video. “Months of this. While you waited for that visa.”
Asha stared at the screen. Her fists tightened in her lap. She suspected James had done this, preparing and preying. “My visa?” Her voice cracked. “How do you know that?”
“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “It wasn’t my plan.” James moved closer, but he didn’t reach for her. “Your husband shares secrets when he drinks too much.”
Suddenly, Asha stood. “I have to go to him.” Her legs felt weak beneath her robe.
James caught her wrist with a firm grip. “Why? You were worried when you slept with me. But he cheated first.” His voice sliced through the silence. “Your marriage was already over.”
Asha tried to pull away. “I can still...” Her voice trailed off.
She looked back at the video—Arjun’s drunken grin, the woman’s flushed face. She thought she could still pretend. Pretend she hadn’t seen this. Forget sleeping with James. Her hands shook against James’s grip. She imagined whispers at family gatherings. Her mother’s tear-streaked face loomed large. The suffocating weight of society’s pity pressed down on her.
He slowly released her wrist. “Look,” he said, pointing at the screen. “He stopped caring about you long ago.” His tone was flat, without judgment.
“So what?” Asha shot back, her voice sharp. “I have to save my marriage!” She was furious with Arjun, which made the words feel like ash in her mouth. “Or else my life will be over.”
“It won’t be,” James said. He stood but didn’t step closer.
Asha turned, now anger boiling towards James. “You don’t know anything!” Her voice broke with rage. “I can’t face my family. I—” She paused, her fingers twisting the robe belt. Her eyes shifted from the video to James’s bare chest. “You’re just like him.” The accusation slipped out before she could stop it. “A pervert. You got me drunk, cornered me, and then showed me his videos.” Her breath quickened. “You knew I’d hate him. You wanted me to stay!”
James didn’t flinch and walked over to the bar. He leaned against the counter, robe hanging open. “Yes, and I sleep with women I like,” he said it bluntly. “Hell. I’ve had fucking plenty.” His eyes locked onto hers. “But I remember each one. Every name.” He paused. “If they choose to stay, I care for them. Protect them. Build them up.”
Asha felt frozen. Chloe’s words echoed in her mind: He offered me a clean bed and food ... I wanted to stay close to him. Asha’s grip on her robe belt relaxed. She took a breath. “Chloe said—” she murmured.
James didn’t let her finish and kept going. “You weren’t innocent either, watching me at lunch today.” He pointed toward the screen. “Go. Tell your husband. Tell him I showed you what he’s done. Tell him about last night—and tonight.” His eyes locked onto hers. “Tell him you screamed my name.”
Asha froze as her heart raced in her throat. She knew Arjun would deny everything. Worse, he’d twist it all back on her. Make her feel guilty. She imagined his face crumpling with betrayal, then hardening with rage. Their future ... gone. Just like that.
She slumped onto the sofa. She didn’t look at the video, still playing on loop. Arjun’s and the woman’s smirks still mocked her ears. Each lie he spun—late nights at the office, sudden trips—fell apart. She grabbed her champagne glass and downed it in one bitter gulp. James stood by the bar, watching her. She glanced at him. His robe hung open. It was a stark contrast to Arjun’s hidden life and penis.
“What should I do?” she asked. Her voice was empty. Not a plea—just weariness.
James smiled slightly. “Depends on you, sweetheart.” He paused. “Walk back to him and act like nothing happened. Forget it all.” His laugh cut through the air. “Or—” He trailed off.
Asha tightened her grip. “Or?” The word stuck in her throat. “What?” she pressed, waiting for the second option.
James chuckled softly. He pressed a button on the remote. The old, grainy footage disappeared. The screen lit up with clear security footage of Arjun. Next to him was another man—tall, hooded in a balaclava, clearly hiding his face. They looked like they were up to no good. Arjun leaned against a wall while the tall man rifled through pockets. A third person entered the frame; then the hooded man kicked the person hard. Arjun joined in and grabbed a wallet from the victim. Just like that, they vanished into the shadows.
Asha sat frozen, her breath caught in her throat. The clock showed 08:37 PM. Not much time had passed since she’d last seen Arjun. With confusion filled in her voice, she asked. “What’s this?”
James walked up to her and sat close, his thigh pressing against hers. He pointed at the screen. “That’s my dear,” James said softly. “is a planned setup.”
Asha recoiled. “What?!” Her eyes shifted from James to the footage. “Arjun wouldn’t...” Her voice trailed off as she saw Arjun grin at a hooded man. He patted his pocket, looking drunk and satisfied.
James leaned in, his robe brushing against her bare thigh. “He wouldn’t, but he quickly lost the three thousand I gave him.” He let the words linger. “He was drunk and wanted to bet more. My employees took care of the rest.” He paused. “I paid them to stage that robbery,” James added.
Asha gasped. “You paid them?!” with disbelief in her face.
James nodded, his expression flat. “Your husband thinks he got lucky,” James murmured. “He doesn’t even know his partner in crime.”
Asha’s eyes shot from the screen to James. He held her gaze. The champagne glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the marble floor. Glass shards scattered everywhere. But she didn’t care. James had just confessed. Arjun didn’t just steal. He was pushed into it—caught like a fool in James’s trap. Used like a puppet. It wasn’t just Arjun’s drunken choice. It was James pulling the strings. James had thrown her marriage over a cliff.
Asha recoiled, stomach churning. She pressed a hand to her temple, feeling betrayal deep in her bones. “Why trap him?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Why make his life hell?”
James moved in closer. “That choice is yours to make,” he said, tracing a finger along her collarbone.
Then, he stood up and walked away. He walked up to the bar and picked up the phone, dialing room service. “Spilled champagne. Send cleaning,” he said. His voice was low, detached.
James didn’t look back as Asha rose, her robe gaping open. The robe slipped off one shoulder, but she didn’t pull it up. She stepped over the broken glass. A small shard pierced her heel, and bright blood formed. But she didn’t care. She walked toward the window. Looking at her reflection in the glass, her throat tightened. Stay: betray Arjun completely and become James’s pet. Leave: live the rest of your life with a liar, a cheater, a drunken gambler, and a thief.
“Asha—your foot!” James shouted with panic as he noticed the blood spreading on the marble floor.
Asha didn’t look back. Her eyes were glued to her reflection. The pain in her heel was nothing compared to the confusion in her heart. She was struck with a complicated decision to make. James approached quickly. His robe flew open, oblivious to his nudity. He scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom, setting her on the edge of the bed.
Kneeling at her feet, he inspected the cut. His thumb brushed her sole, warm and reassuring. “Not so deep,” he murmured.
He grabbed fresh towels and a first-aid kit to tend to her wound. His fingers pressed cool cotton with antiseptic against her heel. She winced, the sting sharper than before.
“Hold still,” he said softly, wrapping it tight with practiced care.
His brow furrowed, focused entirely on her injury. It was a stark contrast to the intense man she had seen earlier by the pool. Asha stared at the top of James’s head as he knelt before her. The sharp smell of antiseptic filled her nose. Her mind raced with Arjun’s betrayal and James’s manipulation. The pain in her heel. The deeper ache of her crumbling marriage. She looked up to the ceiling and closed her eyes. She tried to block out the images flashing under her lids. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
James finished wrapping the bandage around her foot. He looked up, noticing the tear on her cheeks. He stood up without a word, watching her. He knew her thoughts—the torn wedding vows, the sting of betrayal. She was weighing her future. A woman like her needed assurance.
He quickly grabbed her shoulders and kissed her. Hard. It wasn’t gentle or unsure. It was a claim. At first, she stiffened. Her hands pressed flat against his bare chest. But the heat of his skin and the rough scrape of his stubble on her chin broke her resistance. Her lips parted. She yielded. He deepened the kiss, swallowing her gasp. His hands slid down her back, pulling her closer. Her fingers tangled in the fur of his robe, clinging tightly. They broke apart for air, foreheads touching. Her breath was ragged, and her lungs burned.
He didn’t ask. He didn’t plead. His voice was low and firm. “You’re staying.” It wasn’t a question. It was a command. His thumb brushed the tear track on her cheek, smearing it.
Asha nodded, feeling small, giving in. Her body relaxed against him as she placed her forehead on his shoulder. Her mind cleared. She believed Arjun wouldn’t fight for her, not like this.
Then, the doorbell rang. James stood up, pulling his robe tight. He walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Asha watched him go, her bandaged heel throbbing. When he opened the suite door, the hotel service staff stood there to clean the broken glass. And beside them was Chloe. Her blonde hair was neat. Her eyes were wide and curious as she scanned the suite. She wore a sleek black dress.
“Heard there was trouble,” she said softly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Her eyes landed on the broken glass sparkling on the floor.
James smiled, trying to ease the tension. “It’s sorted now.” He pointed toward the bedroom. “She’s in there.”
Chloe stared at the glass, hesitating for a moment. Then, she walked toward the bedroom. James remained in the living room. He pressed his thumb against his temples, trying to gather his thoughts. The room service staff moved quickly. They brushed the shards into a dustpan. James watched them, his expression unreadable.
Chloe walked into the bedroom without knocking. Near the bed, Asha was trying to walk, testing her injured foot. The bandage on her foot and the pain in her face were clear.
Chloe didn’t wait. “Don’t,” she whispered, rushing to Asha’s side.
Asha froze mid-step, near the bed, eyes wide. “Chloe?” Her voice faltered. She pulled her robe tighter around herself.
Chloe grabbed Asha’s elbow as she swayed. “Sit down.” Her grip was firm but gentle. There was only concern and no judgment. “You’ll reopen it.”
“Looks like you’ve had quite the night,” she said, sitting down beside Asha. They sat together on the edge of the bed. Chloe looked at Asha’s bare legs, then to her face. “James told me what happened with Arjun.” Chloe placed her hand gently on Asha’s knee. “That video ... it’s brutal.”
Asha stared at Chloe’s fingers. “You knew?” she whispered.
“I’ve been with him for a while.” Chloe nodded slowly. “He doesn’t keep secrets.”
“So what now?” Asha shuddered, tightening her robe.
Chloe leaned closer. “You look exhausted,” she said, studying Asha’s face. Then, she looked at the bandage again. James had hastily done the first aid, but there was a chance of infection. “We need to make sure that wound is properly cleaned and dressed,” Chloe said softly.
Before Asha could protest, James entered, knocking on the door once. He walked towards them, his robe cinched tight. “Staff’s done and left,” he announced, eyes switching between Chloe and Asha.
Chloe stood up. “She needs medical attention,” she insisted, gesturing to Asha’s bandaged foot. Blood had seeped through the cloth, staining it red. “That cut looks worse than you think, James.” Her tone left no room for debate.
James walked to the bedside and knelt down. Carefully, he lifted Asha’s foot. The wound was worse than he thought. It was still bleeding. “Fuck,” he whispered under his breath. James got up quickly. “I’ll call a doctor,” he said, his voice sharp. He walked over to the phone by the bed, his robe trailing behind him.
Asha watched him dial the number. Her robe was loose and transparent. She pulled the robe tighter, painfully aware of her own appearance.
Chloe understood Asha’s discomfort. “Call the doctor to her room. She’d prefer privacy,” she said softly to James. “She would like to change.”
James nodded, talking to the in-house doctor with quick instructions. Asha watched, stunned. For a brief moment, he was not commanding but obeying. This wasn’t the powerful predator who had trapped Arjun and taken her raw. This was a man submitting to Chloe’s quiet influence. He ended the call and went to silently hold the bedroom door open.
Chloe slipped an arm around Asha’s waist, guiding her up. “Come on. Let’s get you checked properly,” she said, then she turned to James—sharp, demanding. “And James, you stay here and do what needs to be done.”
James’s shoulders slumped slightly as he followed them into the hallway. He leaned against the doorframe, eyes fixed on Chloe guiding Asha toward the suite next door. He couldn’t help but notice Asha’s bandaged foot. She looked uncomfortable as she walked. He stayed quiet, watching them.
Chloe helped Asha into her suite and guided her to the sofa. Asha winced as her heel touched the cushion. “Let’s get you dressed,” Chloe murmured. “More modest.”
She opened Asha’s suitcase from the closet. Inside, she found a simple gray tunic dress, an Indian kurti. It was soft cotton, ankle-length. Asha went to the bathroom, slipped off the robe, and pulled the dress over her head. Then, a sharp bell buzzed. The doctor entered—a brisk woman in a white coat, carrying a leather medical bag. Chloe stayed close, holding Asha’s hand as the doctor unwrapped James’s makeshift bandage. The doctor cleaned it thoroughly, and Asha gasped at the sting.
Chloe squeezed her fingers. “Almost done,” she whispered.
Next came an antiseptic spray. Finally, a sterile needle pricked Asha’s arm. Chloe smoothed Asha’s hair back from her damp forehead. The doctor gave pills for pain, packed away her kit, and then left. Chloe remained beside Asha on the sofa. Chloe didn’t speak, busy typing a quick message to James on her phone. When she finished, Chloe tucked her phone away.
Chloe looked at Asha and touched her arm lightly. “Better?” she asked softly.
Asha nodded.
“Good,” she said as she stood up. “Let me get water for your medicines.”
Asha stared at her bandaged heel—neatly wrapped now—then looked up at Chloe. Asha thought of Chloe as a sister stepping in without being asked. Her quiet competence was striking. She was impressed by the way she had commanded James without raising her voice. Chloe returned with water. She got a blanket to cover Asha’s knees. The gesture felt intimate—protective.
Asha’s throat tightened. Sisters share secrets and fears, she thought. With Chloe, she could, she believed, and blurted out, “Do you trust James?” The words felt harsh, but she continued, “He trapped Arjun—paid people to stage a robbery.”
Chloe paused, looking at Asha with softened eyes. “He’s ruthless,” she said. “But he protects what’s his.” She leaned in closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Anyone could see you were hurting long before you did.”
Asha’s fingers tightened around the blanket. Her knuckles turned white—but Chloe’s calm presence held her steady.
Chloe continued speaking, low and direct. “Tell me,” she said, facing Asha fully. “Didn’t you like James?” There was no accusation.
Asha froze as memories rushed in. James was commanding, yet it ignited something inside her. She looked away, her cheeks flushed. “I don’t know,” she whispered.
Chloe didn’t push her. Instead, she poured a glass of water and handed it to Asha with the pills. “Take these. Then rest,” she said calmly.
Asha swallowed the pills. Chloe adjusted the blanket over Asha’s lap. The gesture was oddly soothing. Asha closed her eyes, exhaustion pulling her under.
The next morning, Asha knew she woke up late, as the sun streamed through the blinds. Chloe was beside her on the sofa. She was curled under a throw blanket, still asleep. Across the room, James sat in a plush chair. He wore dark jeans and a charcoal sweater. He looked different, more casual. He scrolled through his phone, a steaming cup of coffee beside him.
Asha blinked against the bright light. Her heel throbbed slightly beneath the crisp bandage. The pain was there, but the medication dulled it. Chloe stirred next to her. She stretched and sat up. Her blonde hair was a mess, eyes soft with sleep.
“How’s the foot?” she asked, shifting closer. Her shoulder brushed against Asha’s.
Asha smiled and nodded. “Better,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. She glanced at James but didn’t say anything.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said quietly, setting his phone aside. His gaze fell on Asha’s bandaged foot. “I spoke to the doctor.” He paused, his expression softening. “She told you you will be okay. But you need rest.”
Chloe yawned, stretching her arms overhead, “Excellent, she won’t leave this room,” reaching for her phone.
“Before that—” James leaned back. “I have something to show.”
He grabbed the remote from the coffee table. With a click, the TV flickered on, filling the room with harsh blue light. A local news report flashed bright banners across the bottom: BREAKING: ROBBERY NEAR GRAND PHOENIX HOTEL—ONE SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
The anchor’s voice was serious as she continued, “—developing story overnight at the Grand Phoenix Hotel & Casino.”
Security camera footage rolled. It was grainy and black-and-white. The video showed a hooded man and Arjun. It was the same video Asha saw last night.
Chloe burst with excitement. She jumped and rushed to James. “You did it!” she whispered, beaming as she kissed him on the cheek.
James smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist. They stood close, eyes glued to the screen.
The news anchor spoke. “The suspect, a California resident, was arrested early this morning.” Footage showed Arjun being pushed into a police car. “Authorities found stolen cash and credit cards.”
A detective appeared. “We urge tourists to stay alert,” he warned.
Chloe tightened her grip on James’s arm. “He’ll be charged?” she asked softly.
James nodded. “Enough to bury him.” His eyes flicked to Asha, watching her closely.
Asha stared at the screen. Asha kept her face calm, expression neutral. Inside, her mind raced. Arjun’s scared face pressed against the police car window looked smaller than she remembered. “How long?” she asked, her voice flat.
James met her eyes. “He’ll get bail and will be out by evening.” He paused. “His record will be stained forever.” His voice turned serious. “And immigration flagged his visa. He could be sent back to India after sentencing.”
Chloe froze, with panic raging over her. “What about Asha?” She turned quickly to James. “If Arjun leaves, her visa depends on his status!” Her grip tightened on his shoulders. “You didn’t think—”
James walked over to Asha and knelt in front of her. “I’ve arranged an investor visa for you,” he said quietly. “Through my company.” He gently touched her bandaged heel. “You stay with me—legally, independently. No ties to Arjun.”
Chloe felt a wave of relief. “That’s great,” she breathed, her features softening.
But Asha didn’t move. Her eyes stayed fixed on James. He leaned in closer. His thumb traced the edge of her bandage. “You can send the arrest footage to your family. This evidence...” he said, his voice steady. “ ... is enough to divorce him and keep your honor intact with your family.”
James reached into his pocket. He pulled out two phones, one of them Arjun’s phone. He placed them flat in her palm. The screen felt cold against her skin. “The video,” he said quietly. “It’s inside the phone,” gesturing to the first one.
He stayed close, waiting. Chloe moved closer too. Asha’s thumb hovered over the screen and pressed the power button. Asha’s face was calm, but inside, something stirred. It felt strange—relief, freedom, and a dark thrill—all mixed together. She quickly opened WhatsApp and copied all the numbers from Arjun’s phone. First, she entered her mother’s contact. She didn’t hesitate as she uploaded the video. Then, she added Arjun’s sister and his parents in Mumbai. She added a short message before sending: This is why I’m leaving him.
As she looked up, her calm face slowly broke into a grin. “Done.”
James smiled, and Chloe clapped her hands. But neither matched the excitement bubbling in Asha. Asha had buried her husband under his own sins. She didn’t feel guilty, having transformed from Arjun’s wife into James’s accomplice.
As James stood, Chloe wrapped her arms around James. She hugged him tightly. Her blonde hair brushed his cheek. “You did it,” she whispered.
James held her close, wrapping his hand around her waist. Asha watched how Chloe relaxed into his embrace. Chloe’s fingers tangled in his sweater. Asha realized she wasn’t the only woman in his life. It didn’t hurt; she felt no jealousy. Instead, Asha watched their easygoing intimacy; she felt curious. Chloe had cared for her. She stood up for Asha’s needs. Maybe having Chloe in her life wasn’t so bad.
The phone in her hand, Arjun’s phone, suddenly rang. It was the relatives she had just sent the video to. Asha stared at the screen, the ringtone loud. She didn’t know what to say. Chloe stepped back from James’s hug and approached Asha.
“Give it here,” she said softly. Taking the phone, Chloe silenced the call and powered it off. “Let them digest it first.” She slipped the device into her own pocket, then turned to James. “We need breakfast—proper fuel.”
Together, they had breakfast in the living room. James sat in the plush chair, while Chloe and Asha sat beside each other.
While they ate breakfast, Chloe coached her. She leaned in, her voice low. “Keep it simple. Arjun abandoned you in your room. Say he got drunk and went to gamble in the casino. Say he locked you in the room and ran. It fits his arrest story.” She paused. “No details about ... us.”
When Asha’s mother called, her voice trembled. Asha gripped the phone tightly, knuckles white. “He left me alone, Ma,” she whispered, echoing Chloe’s words. “At the hotel—no money, no phone.”
Asha’s eyes switched from James to Chloe. He sipped black coffee by the window, oblivious. Chloe was grinning next to her.
“I’m safe now. Staying with an elderly Indian couple. They helped me check out.” She lied, with a hint of exhaustion. “I’m calling from their phone. They’ll help me find work ... sponsor my visa.”
Then, her mother sighed with relief on the other end. Asha knew her mother believed her story. But her in-laws? They were a different story. They bombarded Arjun’s phone with calls. Asha didn’t pick up. She spoke to them only through the new phone. Asha didn’t care if they believed her. They didn’t matter anymore. The lies flowed easily with the help of Chloe’s coaching.
James approached them after two hours of calls. He slipped Arjun’s phone into his pocket. “I’m heading out,” he said, voice sharp and direct. “This phone goes to the detective, a man I know. He will handle everything.” He paused at the door, hand on the knob. “Rest. Order room service.”
Chloe grinned. “Oh, we are not going anywhere.”