chapter 6

The cafe was buzzing with the morning rush, but Lena felt detached from the lively atmosphere. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts as she nervously stirred her coffee, glancing at the entrance every few seconds. She had been dreading this meeting, but she knew it was inevitable. Mark had been insistent that they speak in person, and his tone on the phone had left no room for argument.

When the door finally opened and Mark stepped in, Lena's heart skipped a beat. He was exactly as she remembered—tall, with an air of quiet confidence that made him stand out even in a crowd. But today, his usual warmth was absent. His eyes were cold and red as they scanned the room, landing on Lena with an almost clinical detachment. He walked over to her table without a hint of a smile.

“Mark, thank you for meeting me,” Lena began, trying to keep her voice steady. She gestured to the chair opposite her, but Mark didn’t sit. Instead, he crossed his arms, his expression hardening.

“I’m only here because Jacob was my friend,” Mark said bluntly, his tone as cold as his eyes. “Don’t mistake this for anything else.”

Lena's lips curved into a small, almost defiant smile. "I understand," she said, leaning back in her chair. “I just needed to talk to someone who knew him.”

Mark’s face hardened even further, and his expression one of barely contained anger. “Seriously, did you?” he challenged, finally sitting down but maintaining his distance. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you played a part in all of this. Jacob is dead, Lena. HE’S DEAD because of Victor, and you were right there beside him.”

Lena’s eyes remained fixed on Mark, but her expression didn't falter. “Jacob’s death… was unfortunate,” she admitted, her tone detached, almost clinical. “But you know as well as I do that he was never strong enough to survive in Victor’s world.”

Mark’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at her words. “You knew how dangerous Victor was, Lena. You knew what he was capable of, and you still chose him over Jacob, who genuinely loved you. Why?”

Lena sighed, feigning a regret she didn’t truly feel. “I made a choice, Mark. A choice that was best for me. I chose power, protection, wealth—all of it. Jacob… well, he was the polar opposite of that. He was holding me back. He was… "weak.”

“You sound just like Victor,” Mark spat, leaning forward. “But do you want to know a very intriguing and interesting fact? Victor doesn’t care about you. You’re just another trophy to him, something else to take from Jacob.”

Lena’s smile widened slightly, her eyes gleaming with cold amusement. “Maybe. I am quite the trophy. I mean, take a good look at me,” she said softly, adjusting her hair to the back. “I’ve also learned that power is the only thing that really matters in this world, Mark. And with Victor, I have that and more.”

Mark stared at her, disbelief and disgust warring in his eyes. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Lena. Victor is obsessed with anything that belonged to Jacob, and that includes you. You’re nothing but a mere pawn to him.”

“Is that so?” Lena leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “Then maybe I like being his pawn. What if I chose to be a pawn? Maybe I like the power, the thrill of it all. Have you even ever thought about that?”

Mark’s expression darkened, and he leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart. “Lena, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into,” he murmured, his voice low and intense. “Victor is dangerous, more than you realize. He’ll chew you up and spit you out when he’s done with you.”

Lena tilted her head slightly, her eyes never leaving his. “You think I don’t know that, Mark? You think I don’t know exactly what kind of man Victor is?” She reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of his collar. “But maybe I’m not as innocent as you think. Maybe I like playing with fire.”

Mark’s breath hitched slightly at her touch, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he grabbed her wrist, his grip firm, but not painful. “You’re playing a game you can’t win, Lena,” he said, his voice rough. “And when it all comes crashing down, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”

Lena’s smile was teasing, almost mocking. “You’re so sure of that, aren’t you? But what if I win, Mark? What if I come out on top?”

Mark’s eyes bore into hers, a mix of anger, frustration, and something else—something darker. “You’re delusional if you think you can outsmart Victor,” he growled, pulling her closer. “He’s ruthless, Lena. He won’t hesitate to destroy you if you get in his way.”

Lena’s pulse quickened at the intensity in his voice, but she refused to back down. “Maybe I’m not afraid of being destroyed,” she whispered, her breath ghosting across his lips. “Maybe I’m willing to risk it all.”

Mark’s grip tightened on her wrist, his other hand coming up to cup her cheek. “You’re playing a dangerous game,” he repeated, his voice low and filled with warning. “And you’re going to get burned.”

Lena’s eyes flickered with defiance as she leaned in even closer, her lips brushing against his. “Then let me burn.”

For a moment, neither of them moved, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, just as quickly as it had built up, Mark let go of her wrist and pushed her away, his eyes hardening once more.

“You’re making a mistake, Lena,” he said coldly, standing up and stepping back. “A mistake that’s going to cost you everything.”

Lena watched as Mark stood up and walked out of the cafe, her heart steady, her mind clear. But as his words echoed in her mind, a sliver of doubt crept in. “Victor is obsessed with anything that belonged to Jacob, and that includes you. You’re nothing but a mere pawn to him.”

For a fleeting moment, a chill ran down her spine. Was Mark, right? Was she just another possession to Victor, something to be controlled and discarded when he grew tired of her? The thought lingered, stirring an unease she hadn’t felt before. Victor’s possessiveness, his need for control—it - was all starting to make sense in a darker, more sinister way.

But just as quickly as the doubt surfaced, Lena pushed it aside. She wasn’t some naive girl to be manipulated and discarded. She was stronger than that, smarter. And if Victor thought he could control her, he was in for a surprise. She had chosen her path, and she would walk it with her head held high, no matter the cost.

She stood up, feeling a renewed sense of confidence. As she gathered her things, she noticed curious glances from the other patrons, but she ignored them. She stepped outside the cafe, the morning sun warming her face as she took a deep breath.

But her moment of resolve was shattered when she saw him.

Leaning casually against the wall, Victor was watching her, his eyes cold and calculating. He pushed off the wall and started toward her, his movements smooth and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey.

“Going somewhere, Lena?” Victor’s voice was soft, almost gentle, but it sent a chill down her spine.

Lena froze as Victor’s gaze bore into her, his smile a twisted blend of possession and control.