JASMINE
The chauffeur's car glided smoothly through the city streets, but my mind was anything but smooth. I sat in the back seat, arms crossed tight over my hoodie, staring out the tinted window as skyscrapers blurred past.
The confetti from earlier still clung to my sleeves like tiny accusations. Jaden isn't Stephan's real son.
The system had dropped that bomb like it was casual news, then clammed up tighter than a vault. No detailed explanation. Just "complete the next task for more info."
I leaned my head against the cool glass and muttered under my breath.
"So that's it? Nothing else? You're really gonna leave me hanging with 'Jaden's not his kid' and then ghost me?"
(Aside from that, there is nothing else to reveal at this time, Host.)
"Great. Super helpful."
(You will unlock further truths after completing the next task.)
I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. "And what foolish task is that this time?"
(Your car will be stopped soon. Have a sensible conversation with him.)
"'Him' who…?"
Before I could finish the sentence, tires screeched ahead of us.
Our car jerked to a hard stop. The seatbelt dug into my shoulder. The chauffeur cursed under his breath and gripped the wheel.
"What the heck!" I yelped, pressing my palms against the dashboard.
A sleek silver sports car had cut us off diagonally, blocking both lanes. The driver's door swung open.
(Host… that is Henry Maxwell. Have a conversation with him. Make sure you end whatever you have with him. Permanently.)
I stared at the figure stepping out.
He wasn't ugly, don't get me wrong. Tall, lean, sharp cheekbones, light brown hair swept back in that "I woke up like this" way rich guys always manage.
Designer jacket, expensive watch glinting in the sunlight. But next to Stephan? He looked… watered down. Like someone tried to copy the original blueprint and forgot to add the fire.
Stephan was at midnight and thunder. Henry was just… cloudy in the afternoon.
I stepped out of the car before the chauffeur could stop me.
"Ma'am, wait…!"
"I am fine," I snapped over my shoulder. "Stay in the car."
Henry sauntered toward me with that cocky half-smile that probably worked on ninety percent of women the original of this body. He stopped a few feet away, hands in his pockets, head tilted.
"Wow… stop drooling," he drawled, eyes raking over me from the backward cap to the baggy joggers.
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
He laughed a bit low, amused, and closed the distance. Before I could react, he grabbed both my hands and tugged me closer.
My stomach flipped at once and I felt like this wasn't in a good way.
(Host… stay away from him. Points will be deducted if you allow physical contact.)
I yanked back hard, but his grip tightened for a second stronger than I expected then I twisted free and slapped him across the face.
The crack echoed off the cars around us. Henry's head snapped to the side. His hand flew to his cheek. Shock painted every line of his face.
"Did you just slap me?" he asked like he was too daft to grab.
I planted my hands on my hips. "Yeah. I did. Any problem with that?"
"Jasmine…"
"Henry!" I shouted his name back at him like a curse.
He blinked rapidly, words failing him for once. "Yo… you… How the heck is your hand that hard?"
"Well, now you know. Next time you touch me without permission, I will do worse than slap you."
He recovered too fast, and if he followed as smirk crept back. He stepped closer again, voice dropping low.
"Hey… are you mad at me because you didn't bother to come see you in the hospital?" I stared at him as he moved closer to me.
"I promise your husband is the reason why I didn't reach out to you. He blocked every single means for me to reach you so…" he was about to touch me when I raised my hands ready to strike.
"Move closer one more time I swear…"
"Relax. You have to do what I want. Have you forgotten… you… " I stomped hard on his foot.
He groaned, stumbling back a step, clutching his designer shoe.
"What the freak is wrong with you?" he hissed.
I crossed my arms with a snicker. "You know what? I can't recall what strings we had in the past, but let me remind you. I no longer care about you. I am only after my husband now. So back off."
I flipped him the middle finger for good measure. His eyes narrowed as he stared back at me.
I scoffed and turned to walk back to the car but his hand shot out. He grabbed my wrist roughly and yanked me around.
Before I could react, he pulled me flush against him and kissed me so hard.
Shock froze me as my limbs locked. My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out. His lips were warm, insistent, tasting faintly of mint and entitlement.
For one horrifying second, my body remembered something my mind didn't.
Then reality crashed back.
I shoved him away with all my strength. He stumbled, wiping his mouth with his fingers smirking as he had won.
"You bastard!" I yelled, scrubbing my lips furiously with my sleeve. I didn't want his taste anywhere near me. Not even Stephan had kissed me yet.
"See?" Henry leaned in again, voice silky. "Even though you can't remember, your body does."
His hand slid up to my neck, gentle, but possessive.
"Next time don't play silly games with me. I know you want to evade this really badly, but… There is no way you can evade it."
He leaned so close his breath brushed my ear.
"Don't forget our deal. You don't want the whole world knowing the real you."
Then he released me, Winked and turned to Lucas who had been watching the entire thing with a sour expression.
"Relax. Your lady will be going with you now."
Henry strolled back to his car as if nothing had happened. The silver sports car peeled away, leaving tire marks and silence.
I stood there shaking as my lips tingled, making my stomach churning.
The system pinged at once cold and immediate.
(Host… your next task has been assigned.)
(What the freak?)
[Task: Uncover the full nature of your past relationship with Henry, including any shared secrets or deals he is holding over you.Reward: +25 points + partial unlock on Jaden's biological father identity.]
[Penalty for failure: -40 points + forced 24-hour "original Jasmine" personality override.]
"Ma'am?" Lucas' voice snapped me back. He stood by the open car door, face tight with disapproval. I could practically hear the lecture he wanted to give.
"Let's move to the car," he said quietly.
I stared at him for a long second. "What's your name again?" He hesitated but still responded.
"Lucas, ma'am."
"Good. Lucas… never tell your boss about this or I will make sure he fires you." His jaw clenched, but he nodded once. "Understood."
I climbed into the back seat. The door shut with a soft click.
The car pulled away smoothly as I pressed my forehead to the window again. This time the city lights felt colder.