Chapter 28: Decoy
"Let's go now, babe, I will teach this pervert a lesson back at the crib," my lover turned towards me, seemingly oblivious to the unfolding situation.
What pervert? That guy is clearly a decoy. I can't believe I underestimated the intelligence of the person who managed to corner me like this. He was smart enough to cover his track. novE(lB)In
"He's not the creep. I just spoke to him," I addressed my lover with teary eyes, playing up my vulnerability. Sometimes, a little damsel-in-distress act could work wonders, especially when dealing with guys who rely on their muscles instead of their brains.
"What!" My lover became frustrated, his attention abruptly shifting to the decoy that the creep had planted.
"Who the hell are you then?" He berated, his frustration and anger evident in his tone.
"I got paid to call her 'darling' by someone. He told me he was doing this for a vlog, and she was a paid actress!" The man's response was tinged with fear, his expression showing his unease. I can even see some tears in his ugly eyes.
"A vlog?" I muttered to myself, the pieces slowly coming together in my mind. In the age of YT, it wasn't unheard of for people to pay strangers to do strange things just for the sake of views. Damn it, I had fallen right into his hand.
"What should we do with this guy then ?" My lover asked , he had already threaten the guy so he might call the police on them.
I need to think of way to not escalate this situation. The creep told me that he will still give me another chance , and now that I failed once . I can't bring my lover with me or it will really be over.
"Let him go, and just give him some money to keep him quiet. Let's play along like we're part of the vlog," I whispered urgently to him.
"You're really smart, Honey," he replied, his confidence in my plan evident as he swiftly acted on my instructions.
As we played our parts in this frustrating charade, the tension in the air began to dissipate. My lover handed over some money to the man, who eagerly accepted it with a nervous nod.
"Thanks for being a sport," my lover quipped, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. The man mumbled his thanks, clearly eager to escape this bizarre encounter.
With the man gone, we were left standing there, the cafe's ambiance returning to a normal.
My lover turned to me with a raised eyebrow.
"What's our plan now ?"
I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the ordeal finally starting to take a toll on me. I want to tear that creep apart.
"It seems like someone thought it would be a fantastic idea to turn my life into hell."
My lover's face darkened, his protective instincts kicking in.
"I can take care of that guy for you," he offered with a serious tone.
As much as I appreciated his willingness to protect me, I knew that further intervention from him would only complicate matters. I didn't want to become involved in criminal activities. Someone like me don't deserve the prison life.
"I'll head home for now. He mentioned meeting up again next week. I'll update you then," I stated, my tone casual but my intentions far from innocent. Instead of waiting, I was planning to confront the blackmailer alone, manipulating him to my advantage.
I was well-versed in deceiving men, and this one would be no exception. All I needed was to create an atmosphere of comfort until he dropped his guard, revealing his vulnerabilities. He would soon learn that crossing paths with me was a grave mistake, and I would make sure he regretted ever messing with someone like me.
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As I strolled the bustling streets, anxiety still clung to me. While he had assured me that he wouldn't upload the videos, how could I simply trust the word of a stranger?
Ironically, I spotted the same decoy that the creep had used earlier. He was leisurely enjoying an ice cream, a grin plastered across his face. It seemed he had decided to treat himself after our encounter. What a pathetic loser, I thought with a sneer of contempt.
"Miss," his voice called out, interrupting my thoughts.
"What?" I replied, my annoyance evident in my tone. This guy had some nerve. Was he really attempting to hit on me? I couldn't help but mentally scoff. Given his shabby appearance and the mask he wore, I couldn't imagine he had much to boast about in the looks department.
"Your friend, the one who told me to call you 'darling.' I saw him again," the guy's words cut through my thoughts like a shock.
"Where is he?" I asked with urgency, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest.
"I saw him walking that way, heading down that alley," he replied.
His words acted as a starting pistol, igniting a sense of urgency within me. I needed to see his face, to put an end to this twisted game. Without a second thought, I dashed off.
The alleyway was eerily quiet as I entered it, but I paid no mind to the silence. My focus was one thing: follow him and then call my lover for backup. With every step, my heart raced, driven by a mix of anticipation and dread.
But just as I reached for my phone to dial my lover's number, panic surged through me. My phone was missing.
"Fuck!" I cursed aloud, the realization hitting me like an ironic joke. It must have fallen out while I was running. In a situation where every second mattered, the loss of my phone was a devastating blow.
"Miss, you dropped your phone," that loser's voice came to my rescue, and I quickly turned around to retrieve it from him. At least, he's a little bit useful
But as I reached out, my heart sank – the guy was now wearing a disturbingly wide smile, his eyes glinting with something sinister.
"I'm going to kill you if you make a noise," his chilling words gripped me with fear, paralyzing me on the spot. Strangely, I didn't doubt his threat for a second. My knees grew weak, and each breath became a laborious effort. I couldn't even manage to shout if I wanted to. What the hell is happening to me?
