Felix’s POV
Nandito ako ngayon sa labas, umiinom ng whiskey at hinihintay na dumating si Nikolai. Nagsisigarilyo din ako, ang usok na nagmumula sa sigarilyo ay tila nagiging bahagi ng madilim na gabi. Ang mga ilaw ng lungsod ay kumikislap sa paligid, naglalabas ng mga anino na parang kumikilos sa sarili nilang paraan.
I took a deep drag from my cigarette, watching the embers glow bright before exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. The night was still, but my mind was racing. I was finally about to have what I wanted—Jenna. The thrill of the gamble was still fresh, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of exhilaration that came with my victory over Aiden.
Minsan, naiisip ko kung gaano katanga ang mga tao. Aiden was so caught up in his own addiction that he’d risk losing Jenna, the one person who truly cared for him. I chuckled softly, imagining the look on his face when he realized he’d bet her away. I couldn’t wait to see him squirm; it was all part of the game.
Maya-maya, nakita ko ang sasakyan ni Nikolai na paparating. I crushed the cigarette butt under my heel, quickly downing the last sip of whiskey before tossing the glass aside. I had to put on a show—Nikolai would expect nothing less.
As he stepped out of the car, I noticed his usual air of confidence. He approached me with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. “I hear you’ve made quite the acquisition, Felix.”
I grinned, leaning against the wall. “You have no idea. Aiden’s not as clever as he thinks he is.”
Nikolai chuckled, crossing his arms. “So, what’s the plan now? You’ve got the girl, but what next?”
I took a moment to think, weighing my options. “I’ll keep her close, make her understand what it means to be with someone like me. I’ll show her a life she can’t resist. But I need to make sure she doesn’t try to run back to Aiden. I can’t have any loose ends.”
He nodded, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. “Smart thinking. Pero bakit ba si Jenna pa ang ginawa mong kabayaran? Marami diyang babae, pero si Jenna?”
I leaned back against the wall, letting his question linger in the air. “Jenna isn’t just any girl,” I replied, my tone steady. “She’s different. There’s something about her—maybe it’s her spirit, or the way she doesn’t back down. I’m drawn to that. Plus, Aiden clearly cares about her, which makes it all the more satisfying to take her away from him.”
Nikolai chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “You always did like a challenge. But you know this isn’t just a game for her. She has feelings for Aiden.”
“Does she?” I challenged, my smirk widening. “That’s cute. But feelings don’t matter when someone loses in a game like this. The moment Aiden gambled her away, he forfeited his right to her.”
“Fair point,” he conceded, “but you can’t ignore the fact that she might fight back. Girls like her don’t just roll over and accept their fate.”
I shrugged, unfazed. “Let her fight. I enjoy the thrill of a challenge. Besides, I have my ways of making her see things my way. Once she realizes the kind of life I can offer her, Aiden will be nothing but a distant memory.”
“Just don’t underestimate her,” Nikolai warned, his expression turning serious. “You know how fiercely protective people can get when it comes to their loved ones.”
I waved off his concern, taking a step closer to him. “That’s the beauty of it. The more she fights, the more fun it’ll be to break her down. And if Aiden tries to come at me, I’ll make sure he regrets it. I have a reputation to uphold, after all.”
Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “And what about your reputation with Jenna? You think she’ll just fall for you after all this? She might resent you for it.”
I scoffed, confident in my ability to charm her. “Resentment can turn into something else, given time. I’ll show her my world—show her the power I hold. She’ll realize that with me, she can have everything she’s ever wanted.”
“And what about her trust?” Nikolai asked, probing deeper. “You know that’s not something easily earned.”
“Trust is earned, yes, but it can also be manipulated. I’ll give her a taste of the good life, and when she sees how much better it is with me, she’ll forget all about Aiden. She’ll come to rely on me, and that’s when I’ll truly have her.”
Nikolai smirked, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re a piece of work, Felix. But I have to admit, you’re entertaining to watch.”
“Entertaining or not, I’ll make this work. Aiden thinks he can just waltz back into her life when it suits him. He has no idea what he’s up against.”
As the night wore on, the whiskey warming my veins, I felt a surge of confidence wash over me. I had the game firmly in my control, and I wasn’t about to let anyone—especially not Aiden—take it away from me. Jenna was mine now, and I would ensure that she would learn to embrace it.