Chapter 3 – The Deceptive Man

"Jeslyn?"

Jeslyn was startled when she opened her bedroom door. Leonel had tricked her. The person standing outside wasn’t him—it was Jefran.

“What’s going on?” Jefran asked, pulling Jeslyn out of her thoughts.

“Um... it’s nothing,” Jeslyn replied with a sweet smile.

“When did you get home? Why didn’t you let me know? I’ve been looking for you,” Jefran said, his gaze fixed intensely on her.

Jeslyn cleared her throat, her heart pounding with anxiety. She had assumed the visitor was Leonel. And the idea of him showing up at her house seemed too bold—yet not impossible.

“Jeslyn?” Jefran called again, snapping her out of her daze. “What is it? Are you sick?”

Jeslyn quickly shook her head, trying to regain her composure. “No, I’m just... sleep-deprived. That’s why I’m a bit out of it,” she lied, avoiding his eyes.

But Jefran wasn’t easily convinced. He stepped inside without invitation, closed her door, and stood directly in front of her. His eyes were sharp, as if trying to read her mind.

“Jeslyn, is there something you're hiding from me?” he asked softly.

“What do you mean?” Jeslyn tried to smile, but the nervousness was clear on her face.

“I don’t know. You’ve been acting strange. Since yesterday. And now you suddenly disappear and can’t be reached…”

Jeslyn took a step back. “I… I’m fine, Jef. I just needed some rest. I think I’m a little worn out,” she replied calmly.

“You sure?” Jefran asked.

“Yes, of course. I’m very sure,” Jeslyn answered with a faint smile.

“Next time, don’t disappear without a word. You’re my fiancée, and I’m responsible to your parents if anything happens. So at least reply to my messages,” Jefran said, slightly irritated.

“Yes, okay.”

“Well, get some rest then. I’ll be going. Leonel should be arriving at the main house this afternoon,” Jefran said.

Jeslyn’s whole body tensed, her heartbeat erratic at the mention of Leonel’s name.

“Um… alright. You go ahead. I just need some rest,” Jeslyn said.

“Okay.” Jefran gently patted her head before walking out, leaving her alone.

As soon as the door shut, Jeslyn locked it and leaned her body against it, letting out a long breath.

“This is bad… I almost got caught,” she muttered, covering her face with both hands.

Leonel’s face flashed in her mind again, along with the memory of his last teasing words on the phone.

"Think carefully, Jeslyn. Because I will be collecting."

Jeslyn rubbed her face harshly. “That man is terrifying. How could he influence me so easily?” she murmured.

Her phone vibrated again.

Jeslyn stared at the screen, holding her breath. A message appeared—from the last person she wanted to hear from:

Leonel: “Surprised? Relax, I’m not the impulsive type. Let’s enjoy this little game. And don’t think I’ll let you go that easily, my dear future sister-in-law.”

“Crazy bastard,” Jeslyn muttered, exhaling sharply after reading Leonel’s message.

She tossed her phone onto the bed, hugging herself as she paced back and forth across the room. Her heart was racing, her mind spinning with the worst-case scenarios if the truth ever came out.

“Calm down, Jeslyn. He’s just bluffing. He wouldn’t dare go that far… right?” she said to herself, though doubt was written all over her face.

She glanced at the phone on the bed—vibrating again. Another message. From Leonel.

Leonel: “Get ready. I’m coming to see you. We need to talk... privately.”

Jeslyn’s eyes widened. Soon? When?

She quickly grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she typed a reply.

"There’s nothing left to talk about. What happened yesterday was an accident. I was drunk. Please, just forget it!" —that’s what she wrote.

But before she could hit send, her phone buzzed again. A new notification—not a message, but a photo.

From Leonel.

Jeslyn’s hand shook as she opened the image.

And in an instant, all the color drained from her face.

It was… a photo of her and Leonel. In a hotel room. Asleep on the same bed. Her head resting against his bare chest while he looked straight at the camera, smirking triumphantly.

Jeslyn covered her mouth, her entire body trembling.

“No... it can’t be… he has proof?”

“That sneaky bastard!” she cursed.

Another message came in.

Leonel:

"If you still think it was just an accident, I’ll gladly remind you how beautiful that accident was, Jeslyn. Oh, and what would happen if this photo found its way to Jefran, hmm? Poor guy..."

Jeslyn sank to the floor, weak. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

Her phone almost slipped from her hand. Her fingers were shaking, her body ice-cold. Leonel’s words pierced her thoughts—sharp, with veiled threats.

“He’s not bluffing… He’s really insane,” Jeslyn whispered, barely audible.

Fear crawled over her like a shadow. This wasn’t just a one-night mistake anymore. It had turned into a dangerous game—one involving pride, family, and her future.

She buried her face in her hands as the tears began to fall.

Then suddenly, her phone vibrated again.

Incoming call: Leonel

Jeslyn froze. The screen blinked, taunting her. She couldn’t press the green button, but neither could she look away.

“What do you want?!” Jeslyn snapped, her voice sharp and angry.

On the other end, a low chuckle echoed.

The laugh made her skin crawl. His voice was calm, but had a manipulative undertone that chilled her.

“I just want to talk, sweetheart,” Leonel finally said, his voice deep and relaxed. “But you seem tense. Don’t worry, I haven’t sent the photo to Jefran… yet. As long as you don’t make me angry.”

Jeslyn clenched her fists, trying to stop the trembling that had spread from her fingertips to her spine.

“Mr. Leonel, I don’t want anything to do with you. Just pretend that night never happened!” she snapped, her voice trembling.

“That excuse again?” Leonel chuckled. “Unfortunately, I’m not the kind of man who forgets something so pleasant that easily. And besides… you enjoyed it too, didn’t you?”

“Stop talking like that!” Jeslyn shouted, her voice a mix of anger and panic.

Leonel laughed louder. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop… if you agree to meet me tonight. Alone.”

Jeslyn froze. “What?! Are you insane?”

“I know,” Leonel replied casually. “And I also know that if you turn me down… that photo might accidentally land in Jefran’s inbox. You wouldn’t want your fiancé to find out, would you?”

“You disgusting bastard!” Jeslyn snapped.

“You’re not the first to call me that,” he said calmly, which only made Jeslyn huff in frustration and hang up.

She had no other choice. Should she meet Leonel tonight?

Jeslyn stood still, her gaze vacant as she stared at the now-silent phone. Her breath came in shallow bursts, her mind racing through every possible outcome.

If she refused, Leonel could really send that photo to Jefran, and everything would fall apart—her engagement, her family, her future. But if she complied… what would that manipulative man do to her?

“No… this is insane. I have to find a way out. I can’t keep letting him control me,” Jeslyn whispered, massaging her temples.

But before she could think further, a new message came in.

Leonel:

"Eight o’clock. Same place. Come alone… or be ready to lose everything."

Jeslyn stared at the screen, her eyes wide. “Same place?” she murmured. Oh God—the place where it all began.

She swallowed hard.

“If I really have to face that devil… I’ll make sure I’m no longer the prey,” she said softly.

Trying…

Leonel: “Don’t be late, sweetheart. I’ll be waiting.”

Degh.

***