That was special Jayden, thanks a lot" "am the one who should be thanking you MS Layla for if you hadn't showed up I would have had found myself in some really difficult situation. "Tightening my grip on her, I slightly lifted her waist making her body fall into mine "Layla , I know am in no place to make such promises to you but you aren't in this alone, am here for you and I want you to know that you can always rely on me whenever you need anything...well not totally anything so don't call me when you're stranded in some restaurant for I can't clear bills of a woman of your caliber." My heart gloomed when she laughed at the last part. "I don't know ow this will sound but you're the piece that's been missing in my life. I better be moving before the little one wakes up." She said moving into her Gucci bag and pulled out some bank notes and handed it over to me. My eye widened at the site of the bank notes as this was the first time I see this many notes all together . she took out a piece of wipes and wrote her number in it. " I know you cant give me your number due to your profession but kindly get back to me once you can through that number." With a light smile I closed the distance that was between us, grabbed her neck pulling her close to my body and gave her a deep passionate kiss while she was still in shock of what I had just done, I headed to her neck then landed a hickey on her. "Now you belong to me and only me, not even that cunt of a husband should touch you cause no one messes with my property.
Camila's POV:
For a moment, I just stood there, pretending my hands weren't slightly trembling as I handed him the money. I watched the disbelief in his eyes—the kind that says I've never had this much, and now it's in my hands. I knew that look too well. I'd seen it before... in mirrors.
But Jayden—he was different. He didn't ask for it. He never did. That's what pulled me in deeper. That, and the way he said my name like it had meaning again. Layla. Not like my husband said it—cold and obligatory. No. Jayden said it like it was a secret between just the two of us.
As I scribbled my number on that ridiculous piece of wipe—because I didn't carry paper like a normal person—I realized I was doing something reckless, dangerous even. And I didn't care. Maybe it was the way he looked at me like I mattered, or maybe it was because for the first time in years, I wasn't invisible.
Then he moved closer.
Too close.
His hands were rough, sure—calloused. Nothing like the manicured, distant hands I was used to. But they were real. Grounding. I didn't expect the kiss. I didn't want to expect it. But when his lips met mine, I forgot about the world outside that dim room. Forgot about the cameras, the lies, the rules. Even the little one sleeping down the hall.
And just when I thought the moment couldn't get any more unhinged, I felt the sting on my neck—the hickey. Possessive. Bold. Reckless. His mark.
He pulled away with that same fire in his eyes, claiming me as if I was a trophy won in battle.
Property, he said.
Something in me should've flinched, should've recoiled at the word. But instead, I felt an unsettling thrill. Not because I liked the idea of being anyone's possession—but because for the first time, someone was willing to fight for me.
I watched him walk away, and all I could think was: God, what have I done... and why do I want more?
The night air is sharp as I leave the café, the phone now in my hand, and I can't shake the nagging feeling that everything in my life is held together by a thread. But at least I've got the phone. At least I've made progress today—small steps.
I've transferred Clara's exam fees. That's done. The groceries are next. I can't risk letting her starve, and I sure as hell won't let myself go without a meal anymore.
I pull the phone from my pocket, tapping through to the system. It's set up now—just another tool I can use to stay afloat. The screen lights up, and I activate the system's main interface. It's a simple thing, a little app that connects me to various resources—jobs, money transfers, even quick ways to stay in the loop. I glance at the display: System Status: Functional. It's not much, but it's the only thing that keeps me on track.
I don't have the luxury of slowing down. I check the available jobs in the system. A few simple deliveries, odd jobs that pay small, but I'm not picky right now. I'll take what I can get. Each task feels like a lifeline, a way out from the mess I've made of my life.
I turn into the convenience store, a tiny, flickering neon sign casting light across the dim parking lot. The inside smells of stale chips and cigarettes, and I can't remember the last time I felt like I belonged anywhere.
The system vibrates in my hand, a reminder of the scan and search I just did. A small notification pops up:
New Task Available – Grocery Restock: 30 mins. Payment: $50
I accept the task without hesitation.
I grab some cheap noodles, canned goods, and the essentials that I know will get me through the week. I don't think about it—just grab and go. The system has already calculated the optimal route, showing me the best way to navigate the aisles and the shortest path back to my apartment.
I head to the phone section, grabbing the cheapest model off the shelf. The system prompts me again:
Purchase Logged. Proceed to Checkout?
I tap yes.
I head to the counter, the clerk rings up my purchase, and the total is higher than expected. The system automatically scans my payment info and transfers the funds from my account to cover the phone and groceries.
As I walk out of the store, the phone in my hand feels more like a lifeline than it did before. The system's helping me make it through, even if it's a small step.
I find a quiet corner and set up the phone. It's a quick process. The system's already pulling up WeChat, syncing my data and accounts.
Install WeChat
The system flashes. Download in progress. Estimated time: 3 minutes.
While the app installs, I scroll through the available jobs in the system. There's a new task: a delivery for a restaurant. It's easy enough, and the pay is decent. It's not much, but it'll help keep things moving.
The app buzzes again: WeChat Ready. Payments Processed. Confirmed.
I transfer the remaining funds for Clara's exam fees and buy some extra groceries. Task Completed. Payment: $75. The numbers on the screen flicker, confirming the transaction.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. For a moment, the world doesn't feel like it's falling apart. At least I've done what I promised.
I stand up, the phone still in my hand. The system vibrates again, a new notification. Incoming Alert: Urgent.
I don't have time to process it. I need to keep moving.
I make my way home, the weight of the phone and the groceries in my bag oddly comforting. The system's humming quietly, like an ever-present reminder that I'm not completely helpless.
I turn the corner to my building, my heart slowing for just a second. But that's when I hear it. A scream. High-pitched, filled with fear. It's Clara.
I've never heard her scream like that before.
Adrenaline surges through me. My body reacts before my brain can even catch up. I rush up the stairs, the system automatically highlighting the fastest route to my apartment.
System Alert: "Threat Detected. Priority Level: 5"
The system flashes red as I push through the door, and then I freeze.
Clara is on the floor, her hands struggling against the force of an estate mate on top of her. He's forcing himself on her, and my body goes numb with rage.
The system is silent. It doesn't need to alert me again. I already know what I need to do.
I don't think about it. I don't care about the consequences. I move, and I move fast. I grab the estate mate by the collar, slamming him into the nearest wall. The system activates a warning: Physical Violence Detected. Danger Level: High.
I ignore it.
I hit him again, harder this time. Learn your place you worthless dog. The sound of his nose breaking is almost satisfying. His hands flail, trying to break free, but I'm too far gone. My fists keep coming down on him, one after another. He's nothing but a piece of shit who thought he could take what was mine.
His body crumples to the floor, and I stand over him, chest heaving.
Clara is crying, shaking in the corner. I can't bear it.
I walk to her slowly, the system still humming quietly in the back of my mind. Status Update: Threat Eliminated. Remaining: 1 Unidentified.
But none of that matters. What matters is Clara. I kneel down, pulling her into my arms.
"It's okay. You're safe now. I've got you."
She doesn't speak at first, just sobs into my chest, but then she whispers, "Jayden, I'm scared."
The weight of her words presses down on me. I don't know how to make it better. But I will. I swear, I will.
The system hums again, a soft notification popping up: Task Completed: Protection of Subject – Clara.
It doesn't matter. None of this matters. What matters is that I'll keep her safe. And no one—no one—is going to hurt her again.
I take Clara back into the room, holding her close as the sirens wail outside. The system scans the apartment one last time, checking for any further threats.
System Status: Secure.
I close my eyes for just a second, letting myself breathe. But I know, deep down, that nothing will ever be the same. Not after tonight.
And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she's safe from now on.