On the rooftop, the dart game had turned into the center of attention.
Jennifer stood with her arms folded, looking hesitant. The sparkling red sequined gown shimmered under the colorful lights as she shifted her weight.
Roy turned to her with a playful grin. "Jennifer, come on — try it."
Jennifer shook her head, smiling awkwardly. "I don't know how to play…"
Roy stepped closer and gently took her hand. "Come on, I'll show you."
She let him guide her in front of the board, feeling uneasy but not wanting to kill the mood. Roy positioned himself right behind her, one hand lightly on her waist as he guided her throwing arm.
"Like this," he murmured close to her ear, adjusting her grip. "Relax your wrist… and follow through."
Jennifer threw. The dart flew forward but landed weakly in the middle of the board.
The girls around them burst into laughter.
Jennifer's cheeks flushed. "I told you this was a bad idea."
Roy smiled and moved even closer. "Let me help you properly."
He guided her hand again, his body pressing lightly against hers from behind, fingers resting on her waist with just enough pressure to feel intentional. This time, the dart flew true and stuck firmly in the board.
The small crowd clapped and cheered.
Jennifer jumped happily, spinning around in excitement and throwing her arms around Roy in a quick hug. "I did it!"
For a brief second, she felt the expensive cologne on him and the firm hold of his hands on her back. Realizing what she was doing, she stiffened and pulled away quickly.
"Sorry…" she muttered, embarrassed.
Roy just laughed, clearly pleased.
In his parked car a few blocks away, Leo exhaled a slow stream of smoke from his cigarette. Through the omniscient view, he saw every detail in crystal clarity — the way Roy's hand had lingered on Jennifer's waist, the brief hug, the flash of discomfort on her face before she masked it with a smile.
He knew Roy's type well. They had played basketball together long enough for Leo to see behind the friendly mask. Roy was the classic mid-level rich brat — cocky, envious, and always looking for a way to feel superior. He had always resented how Leo outshone him in skill and presence, no matter how much money Roy threw around.
Now that Leo had left his "little lamb" alone with him, Roy was going to enjoy showing off.
The group continued with a few more rounds of drinks and laughter. Roy played it smart — he kept the other girls around, making sure Jennifer felt safe and included. It worked. Her guard lowered with every drink and every joke.
Eventually, Jennifer checked the time and felt she'd had enough.
"I think I'm done for the night," she told the group with a tired but happy smile.
Roy nodded immediately. "Let's get you home."
They stepped into the elevator together. As the doors closed, Jennifer turned to him.
Roy leaned against the elevator wall with a lazy laugh. "Don't worry, Jennifer. I don't drive a shit truck like some people. Even if we had a little accident, we'd be fine."
Jennifer fell silent, unsure whether that was a subtle dig at Leo's old Honda or if she was reading too much into it.
When the elevator doors opened at the ground floor, the valet was already waiting with Roy's car. The matte-black Lamborghini roared to life under the neon lights, its aggressive lines and glossy finish looking even more imposing at night.
The valet opened the door with obvious respect. Roy casually slipped him a hundred-dollar bill.
Jennifer thanked the valet softly and slid into the passenger seat. The interior was luxurious — buttery soft black leather that hugged her body, ambient lighting glowing along the dashboard, and the faint scent of expensive detailing.
Roy smiled as he got in. "So what do you think?"
Jennifer ran her fingers over the sleek console. "Wow…"
Roy smirked, pressed the accelerator, and the beast roared to life with a deep, powerful growl that vibrated through the entire car.
The Lamborghini roared forward, slicing smoothly through the late-night traffic of Downtown LA. The powerful engine purred with restrained aggression as Roy wove between cars, the city lights streaking past the windows like liquid neon.
Jennifer sat in the passenger seat, feeling increasingly out of place. The buttery leather cradled her body, the ambient lighting cast a soft, expensive glow across the cabin, and the city blurred by outside. She felt like she was trespassing in a world she didn't belong to.
Even though no one was staring, she could sense the invisible hierarchy of wealth and status pressing in from all sides. It made her sit a little straighter, hands resting tensely in her lap.
Roy glanced over at her, one hand resting casually on the steering wheel.
"So, Jennifer," he asked with an easy smile, "how long have you and Leo been together?"
"About six months now," she replied.
Roy nodded slowly. "He's a lucky guy."
Jennifer smiled softly, genuine warmth in her voice. "I think I'm the lucky one. I actually asked him out first — never thought he'd say yes."
Roy let out a quiet laugh, his eyes drifting back to the road for a moment before returning to her.
"You know… " It's interesting," he said lightly. "You two seem to come from such different worlds sometimes." He paused, letting the words linger. "After university, things tend to shift. Connections, opportunities… they start to matter more than people like to admit."
Jennifer stared out the window, watching the glowing buildings streak by. Roy's earlier words still lingered in the air between them.
After a moment, he spoke again, voice light but deliberate.
"You got quiet," he said. "Everything okay?"
Jennifer forced a small smile and turned her head slightly. "Yeah. Just… thinking. It's been a while since I've been out like this."
Roy nodded, eyes on the road. "I get it. I was probably out of line earlier." He let the comment hang for a second before adding, almost gently, "Don't get me wrong — Leo's a solid guy. But after university, things change."
Jennifer's fingers tightened slightly in her lap. She didn't reply right away.
Roy glanced at her again, his tone staying casual. "A girl like you could go anywhere. You're smart, you're beautiful, you've got presence. It'd be a shame to limit yourself just because of… well, circumstances."
Jennifer didn't know what to say. She wanted to defend Leo — to tell Roy that he was so much more than wealth or status — but the words died in her throat.
The difference was undeniable. The warmth and luxury she felt sitting in this car could never be matched in Leo's old Honda. The casual way Roy had slipped a hundred-dollar bill to the valet was something Leo could never do. For the first time, she found herself wondering if her life with Leo would always feel… incomplete.
A few minutes later, the Lamborghini slowed to a stop in front of Jennifer's modest off-campus apartment building. The contrast between the sleek supercar and the ordinary street was stark.
Roy killed the engine and turned toward her.
"Here we are," he said, voice warm. "Safe and sound."
Jennifer unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thank you, Roy. For the ride… and for tonight. I had fun."
"Anytime," he replied, flashing that easy, confident smile. "Seriously. Don't be a stranger."
She nodded and opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. The sequined dress caught the streetlight as she turned back to wave.
"Hey, Jennifer," Roy called out before she could close the door. "I forgot to ask — what's your Snapchat?"
Jennifer paused, then smiled and pulled out her phone. They added to each other quickly.
Roy grinned. "Now I can brag to the others that I actually got your contact."
Jennifer laughed softly. " Stop teasing me."
She waved once more and headed inside. Roy watched her until she disappeared into the building, then let a satisfied smirk spread across his face. The Lamborghini roared back to life and disappeared down the street.
**
In his parked car a few blocks away, Leo exhaled a slow stream of smoke from his cigarette.
He nodded to himself, voice low. "I guess there was a reason why this guy called Playboy."
Just then, a new System message appeared in front of him.
[Corruption Milestone Reached]
Jennifer – Corruption Meter: 5%
First Milestone Reward Unlocked:
•$5,000 (untraceable deposit)
•1,000 System Points
•Minor Observation Enhancement (improved emotional clarity on linked Prey)
Congratulations, Host.The hunger is beginning to grow.
Leo stared at the glowing blue screen, a dark, satisfied smile slowly forming on his lips.
/c/DevilsWhisper