THIRD PERSON POVKyla took another shot of whiskey, her hand steady despite the burn in her throat. The sharp tang didn’t bother her, it never did. She sat alone in front of her mirror, her makeup half-wiped, her wig discarded on the counter like a fallen crown. The woman staring back at her was stripped of glamour. Just skin, shadow.This was the version of her the world hardly ever got to see. She reached for the cotton pad again, dragging the last bit of liner from beneath her eye. The silence in the room was suffocating, but she didn’t move. She just stared at her reflection, the plain and weary version of herself, and drank.Her thoughts slipped backward.She had been twelve when they took her.Her parents had borrowed money from the wrong people, loan sharks with no patience and no pity. When the debt couldn’t be paid, they offered up their daughter. It wasn’t even a negotiation. One day she was home, and the next she was standing in a compound with high fences, surrounded by
RONALDThe flashes were blinding. A hundred tiny lights exploding in my face as I stood behind the mic, my tie knotted too tightly around my neck. I didn’t flinch though, I kept my posture straight, my face calm and tone measured.The statement had already been written and memorized.“The viral video circulating online involving myself and my fiancée’s brother is a deep fake, an AI-generated fabrication with malicious intent. I am currently engaged to my fiancée, Kyla Johnson, and our wedding plans are proceeding as scheduled.”Another round of flashes. Murmurs rippled through the press pit. Someone tried to raise a hand.But I didn’t let them.“I urge the public to stop engaging with or spreading content designed to damage innocent lives. Thank you.”That was it.I didn't give space for any questions or explanations.I turned and walked off the podium, ignoring the shouts behind me. Their voices were just noise now. I didn’t care what they thought, or if they believed me. That wasn’t
JEFFREYThe room was dim, just the soft rays of light that cut in from the blinds casting shadows across Ronald’s skin as he hovered above me. His chest rose and fell in sync with mine, our breaths shallow and heated.He kissed me slowly, and with intention. Not rushed or desperate like before, but like he had all the time in the world. Like I was something he needed to memorize.His hand cupped my face, his thumb stroking along my jaw as he moved inside me, deep and steady. Every thrust was slow, and drawn out, like he wanted to feel everything, every vibration of my body beneath his, every sound that escaped my lips.“Fuck… Ronald…” I whispered, my voice barely audible between gasps. My fingers curled into his back, my legs wrapping tighter around him. He fit against me so perfectly, like this was where he was always meant to be.He kissed my throat, my collarbone, his lips brushing reverently against my skin, grounding me. There was no space between us. His chest pressed into mine
RONALD The moment I stepped back into the lounge, I saw him.Collins.He was by the bar, one hand curled around a glass filled with something dark and expensive. He hadn’t seen me yet. Good. Because the second my eyes landed on him, something inside me snapped.I didn’t even pause to think.My fist clenched at my side, tight and ready. I walked straight toward him, my shoes silent and quick against the polished floor. And before he could even look up or flash that smug grin of his-I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall.The sound echoed, a dull thud followed by the shatter of ice in his glass. And then my fist connected with his jaw so hard that my knuckles cracked against his bone. Collins winced and stumbled from the force, but didn’t go down.Blood stained the corner of his mouth, but the bastard still licked his lips and smirked.“I see your little pet rattled on to you, huh?” he said, with his voice calm and casual, like I hadn’t just rocked his jaw. “Get y
RONALDA sharp jolt hit my body, like a static snap and my eyes fluttered open.Kyla was leaning over me, gripping my arm with one hand, her brows furrowed. “Are you okay?”I blinked slowly. My head felt light, like I had been drowning. My limbs tingled faintly.“Yeah,” I mumbled, trying to gather myself. “Yeah, I’m okay.”She didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? I can drive you to a hospital.”I rubbed my forehead, then leaned back into the seat and exhaled deeply. “No, I’m fine. Just… dizzy. I'm probably just stressed.”She studied me for a second longer, then leaned back in her seat. The hum of the engine, still running, the only constant sound in the quiet park.“Can we… continue this later?” I asked, my voice a little rougher than usual. “I don’t feel so great.”Kyla tilted her head. “But you’ve already read it. All that’s left is to sign.”Oh right. She was right. The contract was already in my hands and i had gone through them already.I nodded and reached for the pen. My hand
THIRD PERSON POVRonald turned to Jeffrey before they left the lounge.“Wait for me by the car,” he said softly.Jeffrey moved to follow them but hesitated, and nodded.Ronald followed Kyla without another word.She didn’t slow down, or even glance back. Her steps were brisk, heels clicking with precision across the marble floor and then down the steps outside.“Kyla, I’m sor-” he started once they were outside.But she intentionally cut him off. “We’re taking my car.”She didn’t pause for a moment, she just kept walking.Ronald clenched his jaw and fell in step behind her. He didn’t want to get in that car with her, not right now, because she was angry and he had no idea where she was going. But this probably wasn’t the time to resist.Kyla slid into the driver’s seat. Ronald got in on the passenger side without another word.She started the car and pulled out of the estate fast, ignoring the flash of cameras and the cluster of reporters camped by the gate. Her face remained expressi