"Who's that?" I demanded, my chest pounding so fast I didn't even know why.
"Maybe it's just your friend… or your family's colleagues," Jake said.
"Friends? I don't have friends. And I don't want one."
"A colleague, then?"
I shot him a sharp look. "It's not like this is your first day on earth, Jake. Can't you see the house is surrounded by guards? No one just walks in here."
"Then who's that?"
"I'm asking the same question," I snapped, rolling my eyes.
"Stay here," Jake's voice dropped low and protective, as he walks toward the door.
But my legs moved on their own, following him.
"I said stay inside," he growled, glancing back.
"Just open the door," I pressed, refusing to back off.
"Can you stop being stubborn for once?"
"Can you stop overreacting? Just open it."
Instead of unlocking it, he pulled out his phone and opened an app.
"You installed a camera—"
"Shush."
I rolled my eyes and peeked over his shoulder anyway.
A hidden camera? Seriously? Why isn't he a cop or some undercover investigator? He's too good at this stuff.
I saw the camera but there wasn't anyone outside.
"It's just a box, Jake."
"I know. I know. But can you please shut up for a moment?"
I just give up and shut up then he slowly opened the door.
"Wait there. I'll get it." He went outside, picked up the package, and opened the door, bringing it inside and placing it on the table in the living room.
"Lock the door," he ordered with his voice that was firm and serious.
"Why would I follow your order?" I shot back, crossing my arms.
"Fine. Then let whoever's outside grab you the moment the door opens."
My mouth went dry. "Blah, blah, blah," I muttered, rolling my eyes to cover the nerves creeping in.
He's overreacting.
Can you calm down, Mr. Professor? The way you act and that tone was enough to send chills crawling up my skin.
"What is it?" I asked, my heart racing.
"I don't know. But I have to be the first one to look at it." His voice was laced with suspicion.
"Can you stop overreacting? It's probably just—" The words stuck in my throat and my heart sank when I saw what spilled out.
Photos. Dozens of them.
Pictures of me, naked in bed and exposed. Next to me was a man whose face had been intentionally blurred out. Faceless. But the angle of his body, the positioning like it was supposed to do something on me.
"W-wait… that's me." My words shook.
"And that… was me." Jake's jaw tightened as he indicated the man in the photograph. His voice lowered and colder. "This is a setup."
His jaw tightened like he was angry or something.
"Setup? What do you mean?" I asked, my legs wanting to collapse under me.
"Who was with you that night?" he asked in a sharp tone. He was talking about the night at the bar where we first met.
"Nobody. I was alone."
"Not even someone you know? A friend?" His questions were coming more quickly now.
"Oh, wait. There was a woman. She walked up to me, told me she was a fan of my work… asked to take me out for a drink."
"And you drink it?" His voice grew sharper.
"Y-yes. But I didn't know—"
"What came after?"
"I got dizzy. Drunk, though I hardly drank. I used the wrong bathroom… and that's when I ran into you."
His fists were balled. "Did you notice her face?"
I shook my head. "No. But she had a tattoo. A flower, on her neck. All purple instead of red."
Jake's expression grew dark. "James..." He muttered a name under his breath, but I heard it.
"James…? Who's that?"
His jaw clenched. "James. We once used to be friends. Until he discovered I had a thing for the same girl he liked. He's been wanting to destroy my reputation ever since and brought me down professionally, attempted to ruin my reputation. I even lost my teaching license because of him. And now, he's using you… because he believes you are my biggest downfall.
Downfall?
My hands shook. "But how do you know it's him?"
"The woman who came over to you is his assistant. She's done it before."
I took a step back, my mind reeling. "But… how am I even a part of this? I just met you after I met that woman."
Jake looked down at the ground. "Don't ask. You don't have to know everything."
"That isn't right. You told me I'm involved with you now, no matter what I want. I deserve to know."
"You're not involved. Not if I have anything to say about it," he said, not looking at me, attempting to leave.
"Hey!" I yelled after him. "See that you do, because if my parents discover this, I'm a goner."
He braked, his shoulders knotting. "So you're not ready to risk it with me?" His tone was low, nearly sounding disappointed.
I moved forward, drawing level with his gaze. "I am ready. I'm ready to go down with you. But I won't let it be them who breaks me. Do you get it?"
I left him standing there. He had that sly smile on his face again.
I couldn't sleep. My mind was a storm, questions rotating with no answers. This was why I didn't want friends. They always became enemies. They exploited your heart as a weapon to fight against you. It sucked.
I was going out for some fresh air. That's when I saw him. Jake was on the couch, slouching forward, elbows on knees, head low as if the burden of the world was on his shoulders.
"Hey," I said softly.
He raised his head, taken aback. "Hey… why are you still awake?" He gestured to the seat beside him, inviting me to sit down.
I toyed with the pillow in my hands, keeping away from his gaze. "And you? It's already late. Tomorrow will be a mess if my professor himself can't concentrate."
He let out a dry laugh. "I'm worried. About you. That something will happen while I'm at sleep."
I arched a brow, grinning. "You're getting soft on me now, huh?
He snorted, scrunched up his face. "Woman, it's what I have to do. If your parents hadn't pleaded with me to watch over a nagging girl, I'd be at the bar."
His words hit me harder than I thought.
"So… I'm a burden." My voice broke.
"N-no, I didn't mean it that way—
"It's okay." I got up, not wanting him to notice the pain in my eyes. "If that's what you believe, fine." I walked away, heading back to my room, slamming the door shut.
A few minutes later. Then came the banging.
"Seriously, are you not going to open this door?" He was strained on the other side. "You're going to just keep walking away from all of this because you don't like the way it turns out? That's not your style, Reina. Fine. Do as you please."
Do as I please?
Fine.
I flung the door open, dragged him in by the shirt, and pulled him inside.
"What the-"
"Do as I please?"