Aarohi didn't leave her apartment the next day. She couldn't.Every time she looked at the door, she imagined opening it to find Adrian waiting on the other side.
The roses still sat on her table, no matter how many times she threw them out. Every time she blinked, they reappeared—fresh, crimson, impossible.
By evening, exhaustion dragged her down. But just as her eyes fluttered shut, her laptop came alive.
VirtuDate: CEO Edition is requesting immediate access.
Her pulse raced. If she ignored it, would he come for her in person? If she opened it, was she walking straight into his trap?
She chose the lesser evil.
Inside the Penthouse Again
The skyline shimmered. Adrian was already there, standing with his back to her, hands clasped behind him as he looked out over the city.
"You disappoint me," he said without turning. His voice was calm, but she heard the thunder beneath it.
She swallowed. "I didn't ask for any of this."
Finally, he faced her. His gray eyes were sharp, unblinking. "And yet, you signed the contract. That alone makes you mine."
Aarohi's breath hitched. "It was just a stupid test! A job for money—"
Adrian cut her off with a sudden gesture, and the penthouse dissolved.
Now, she stood in a dark alley. Rain fell in heavy sheets, puddles rippling at her feet. A shadow moved behind her. She spun—A man lay sprawled against the wall, unconscious… or dead.
Her scream echoed.
Adrian appeared beside her, calm as ever. "This," he murmured, "is the kind of world I live in. Power, risk, blood. And now, you will live in it too."
She backed away, trembling. "No—I'm not part of this!"
He stepped closer, rain sliding off his flawless suit as if reality itself refused to touch him. "You already are."
The First Crack
A sharp noise shattered the moment.A glitch. The alley flickered, breaking into pixelated fragments before snapping back.
For a brief second, Aarohi saw something behind Adrian—his form flickering, almost… hollow.
Her fear shifted into something else—realization.
He wasn't invincible.
Adrian must have seen the look in her eyes, because his smile curved, slow and dangerous. "Careful, Aarohi. Curiosity can be lethal."
He leaned in, his whisper curling against her skin."But don't worry… I'll teach you how to survive in my world."
Before she could reply, the game forcefully logged her out.
Back in Reality
Her laptop screen was black.
But on her phone, a new notification glowed.
[System Alert: 72 hours remaining until full integration.]
Aarohi's stomach dropped. Full integration?
Her reflection stared back at her from the dark screen—eyes wide, face pale, roses behind her.
And for the first time, she realized this wasn't just about Adrian wanting her.
The game itself was pulling her in.