Chapter 5: The Rival's Move
Elena didn't sleep well that night. The conversation with Adrian played over and over in her mind, each word like a pulse she couldn't escape.
"One year. Mutual benefit. After that, no obligations."
The practical part of her brain—always the strongest—replayed the logic. One year of financial security could save her brother. One year without fear. One year.
And yet… Adrian Blackwood's eyes, sharp and unreadable, haunted her dreams.
Impossible man.
---
The next morning, she arrived at her office early. She always liked the quiet before the chaos, the hum of computers and faint scent of coffee in the air. Today, though, the calm was short-lived.
Her phone buzzed. Another message from Ryan Hale:
Lunch today? There's something you need to hear.
Elena frowned. She knew Ryan meant well, but the timing was… suspicious.
And that's when Adrian entered her life again.
Her phone buzzed yet again. This time, unknown number:
You're meeting him today? Don't be late. – A
Elena groaned. Two men, both demanding her attention, both pulling her in opposite directions.
Why can't life ever be simple?
---
Lunch was set at a casual café downtown, neutral territory. Elena arrived to see Ryan already there, sipping coffee, looking effortlessly relaxed.
"Morning," he said warmly, smiling. "I figured you'd be busy today. So I got here early."
Elena forced a smile. "Morning. You're… persistent."
"I'm worried," Ryan replied, his tone gentle. "About the dinner last night, about… everything. That man—Blackwood—is not someone who can be ignored. He's dangerous in ways people don't realize."
Elena stiffened. "Dangerous?"
"Yes. He's unpredictable, and he's determined. You need to be careful."
She looked down at her coffee, heart thudding. "I can handle myself."
Ryan's eyes softened. "I know you can. But even the strongest people sometimes need help. Let me be that help."
---
Meanwhile, Adrian had been watching from a distance. The system chimed almost immediately.
[ Rival approaching Target. Intervention required. ]
[ Bonus Mission: Initiate accidental contact within 24 hours. ]
[ Reward: Target trust +10%. ]
Adrian smirked under his breath. Rival thinks he can win her over. Amateur.
He stepped into the café. Elena looked up, and her heart skipped—not with fear this time, but irritation.
"Blackwood," she said flatly.
"Carter," he replied, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Ryan. He stopped, expression unreadable. Then his gaze returned to her. "I see you've already started lunch without me."
Elena bristled. "I didn't invite you."
"You're too polite to tell me to leave," he said coolly.
Ryan shifted in his seat. "I think you're mistaken," he said softly. "We're not here to… compete."
Adrian's smirk widened. "Oh, I don't compete, Mr. Hale. I win."
The tension in the room crackled like electricity. Elena felt caught between a flame and a storm.
The system chimed again.
[ Target emotional vulnerability detected. ]
[ Mission: Protect Target from Rival influence. Time remaining: 48 hours. ]
Adrian's eyes flicked to her. "Elena," he said quietly, just enough for her to hear. "You don't need to be polite. You can tell me what you really think."
Elena blinked, taken aback. His tone was softer than usual, almost… considerate. She clenched her cup. "I don't need your help, Blackwood."
[ Mission Progress: Minor success detected. ]
Adrian's lips twitched into a faint, satisfied smirk.
---
The conversation grew tense but civil. Ryan tried to gently pull Elena into side discussions about her life, her brother, and her concerns. Adrian, in contrast, stayed silent most of the time, observing, calculating.
Then came the "accidental contact" the system demanded.
Elena reached for her cup at the exact same time as Adrian. Their hands brushed lightly. She yanked it back immediately, but the heat of the contact lingered longer than it should have.
[ Mission Completed: Accidental Contact. Target trust +10%. ]
Elena glared at him. "Do you do that on purpose?"
"Do what?" Adrian asked innocently, though the corner of his lips betrayed him.
"Touch me. Purposely. To annoy me."
He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "I don't annoy. I… create opportunities."
She groaned inwardly. The arrogance never ends.
---
After lunch, Ryan offered to walk her back to the office. Adrian followed discreetly, keeping just far enough behind to observe but close enough to intervene if needed.
"You're really persistent," Elena muttered to Ryan as they walked.
"I care," he replied simply.
"You don't even understand the situation," she said. "You have no idea what you're up against."
Ryan's gaze softened. "Then tell me. Let me understand. Let me help."
She hesitated, then shook her head. "I can't. It's… complicated."
Adrian, overhearing from a distance, felt a small pang of frustration. Complicated? She means him.
The system chimed.
[ Host jealousy detected. ]
[ Bonus Mission: Display subtle possessiveness within 24 hours. ]
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Complicated indeed," he muttered.
---
Back at the office, Elena's day was a blur of calls, paperwork, and restless thoughts. Adrian had left her with one clear message: he would be waiting at the next opportunity to assert control—while Ryan would be there to challenge him.
By evening, she found herself back at home, exhausted. Her phone buzzed again. A new message from Adrian:
Target must rest. Tomorrow, we continue. – A
She groaned, tossing her phone onto the bed. "Why does this feel like war?"
Her hand unconsciously lingered near the phone, hesitant to delete the message.
Financial security… one year… one year…
Her thoughts twisted into a web of conflict. Heart versus logic. Desire versus duty.
And somewhere in the shadows of the city, Adrian Blackwood was preparing his next move.
[ Mission: Kiss Target within 5 days. Time remaining: 4 days, 23 hours. ]
He smirked at the system's prompt. Let the game begin.
---