Chapter 3

3

I thought Jaxson would give up. Instead, he became like a piece of gum stuck to my shoe.

He started sending me daily updates about his life. It was constant.

"Filming a reality show at the beach today. The view is amazing."

"Doing a photoshoot for a magazine. What are you up to?"

"I heard you work for that illustration firm we partner with. Are they working you too hard? Maybe I should talk to your boss."

In my past life, this would have made me feel special. I would have fallen for him all over again.

But now, I saw it for what it was. He didn't like me; he just wanted to win.

He was a predator who hated losing a target. Once he got what he wanted, he would get bored and cruel.

I ignored his messages. But when he threatened to call my boss, I finally replied.

"My boss is great. Please stay away from my workplace."

He sent a voice note immediately. He was laughing. "God, you're so serious. I was just kidding around."

I hated his jokes. They always ended in someone else's pain.

Just then, my best friend Lola walked over and showed me her phone. She looked disgusted.

Her screen was flooded with messages from Jaxson.

"Is the pretty girl too cool to talk to me? You're breaking my heart, babe."

"Sweetheart, give me a chance. Just one reply."

Lola looked at me, confused. "How did you have a crush on this loser for five years?"

"He acts so pure on TV, but he's a total creep. Do his fans know he's like this?"

I gave a bitter smile. "I was blind, Lola. I'm seeing clearly now."

Jaxson had no idea that the girl he was trying to hook up with was my best friend.

Lola never liked him. She only went to those concerts because she loved me.

"He's not going to stop," Lola warned. She was right.

For the next few months, Jaxson messaged both of us every single day.

He thought he was a god. He thought two ordinary girls would eventually cave in because of his fame.

But he was wrong. We both kept him at a distance.

A year went by. I spent my time working extra jobs and saving every penny for my mom's surgery.

Without him in my life, things were peaceful. Until the day he showed up at my office.

Seeing him in the lobby made my blood run cold. I felt a surge of panic.

He looked at me with a dark expression. "Lyra, are you jealous because Lola is prettier? Is that why you told her to ignore me?"

I froze. Lola would never betray me. He must have used his connections to find me.

"You're coming to a dinner party with me tonight," he commanded. "If you do, I'll let this go."

"If not, I have ways to ruin your life. I can make sure you never work in this town again."

He looked at me like I was a mouse in a trap. I didn't blink.

I pulled out my phone and opened a specific folder. I held it up to his face.

"Go ahead and try," I said. "But if you do, these will go public. Your career will be over by morning."