He will ruin you

...#ADDICTED...

The knocking turns into pounding sharp, relentless.

"Laura. Don’t make me do this. Open the damn door."

She clutches the velvet ring box in her hand, her fingers trembling. One last breath. She walks to the door and opens it.

It was JAKE.

Disheveled, shirt stained with blood and soot. Rage burns behind his eyes, but there’s something deeper, hurt.

JAKE voice shaking

"You were mine. You said forever."

"Forever ended the day you disappeared into that world without me."

"I left to protect you. And now? You’re with him?"

She doesn’t answer. That silence speaks louder than any confession.

"He’s not love, Laura. He’s a storm. And you’re standing in the middle, blind."

"Maybe I like the way it feels."

"He’ll ruin you."

He steps closer. Too close.

"Let me fix this. Come with me. Right now."

She lifts the ring box between them. Jake looks at it like it's poison.

"It’s already too late."

She shuts the door in his face and locks it.

Laura slumps to the floor, her back against the door. Her eyes well with tears, but she doesn’t let them fall. She just stares at the box.

Such an unexpected nightmare

AT MATTHEW’S OFFICE

Matte black walls. Dim lighting. Monitors show security feeds Laura’s building, her hallway.

Matthew watches Jake storm out. His jaw tightens.

MATTHEW quietly.

"He touched her door."

He reaches for his phone.

"Make him disappear. Tonight. I don’t want a body. I want silence."

It was short but clear. He want Jake to disappear and that is a piece of cake. So easy. Not exciting at all.

AT A ROOFTOP BAR

The city sprawls below. Lights shimmer like broken glass. Laura sits across from SOPHIE, her childhood best friend, now a high-end divorce lawyer.

"I thought you swore off men with guns and God complexes?"

LAURA dryly answer

"Apparently, I have a type."

"You know what they call girls like us who fall for men like them?"

"Dead?"

"Worse. Owned."

Laura sips her drink, eyes distant.

"Maybe being owned is better than being alone."

Sophie’s expression softens. She reaches for Laura’s hand.

"No. Not for you."

Laura’s phone buzzes.

'I'm here my love'

"I guess he is here". Sophie say it with a side eyes.

"Yes, I guess I have to go."

"Yes yes, I know your man will always be your number one."

They laughing and hugging each other and after that Laura left.

She goes down the elevator and the first thing she saw was a tall handsome man in a black suits waiting for her. And that man is no other than Matthew Larson.

Her man, she guess...

AT THE PARKING GARAGE

Jake unlocks his car, glancing around. The air is too still.

JAKE sarcastic

"What, no dramatic ambush?"

He turns the key.

Nothing.

Then—

A SHADOW MOVES.

He reaches for his gun and it was too late.

BANG

It echoes like thunder in a coffin.

Jake collapses, blood spreading beneath him like spilled ink.

A SILENCED VOICE in the darkness

"You have played with fire. JAKE FONDERS"

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