"The Mask He Wore"

Author's Note:

Whew... this one?Somebody's losing it, and the other is acting like love is a virus they refuse to catch.Warning: Prepare for emotional side effects 😅

Elena's POV

I was still outside his hotel room, breathing hard.

He slammed the door in my face.

Not mad. Not upset.

Boiling.

I pulled out the Holandes access card.

Click.Door open.

I stepped in like I paid the rent.

He turned around slowly.

"Are you insane?" he asked.

I stood my ground.

"No," I said quietly. "But maybe I'm about to be. Because you? You're making me crazy."

I shut the door behind me and stepped closer.

"You slammed the door on me like I was nothing."

Silence.

Stone cold.

I could've left.

But I didn't.

"I'm not going until I get your name."

Still no reply.

I moved closer. Sat on the arm of the couch.

"You really want me to fall for you, huh?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

He looked at me—barely—but the damage was done.

"You should go."

I laughed again, but it didn't feel funny.

"I think I already fell. Now what?"

Jake's POV

Why is she still here?

Why won't she give up?

My hands moved across the keyboard. My focus? On the AI.

A full digital assistant. Trackers. Wipers. Built-in security logic.

I didn't need Elena.

I needed this.

"I'm building a system," I muttered.

She stepped forward. "What kind of system?"

"Hacking. Programming. Full AI support."

Her voice dropped. "You're serious about this?"

"Deadly."

The computer beeped.

Job 02: Incoming Message.

Another corrupt target. Another test. Another win for the AI.

I looked up. She was still there.

Waiting for something I couldn't give.

My screen pulled me back in.

The machine made sense.

She didn't.

Author's Note:

Elena confessed... maybe?

Jake's stone cold... but is that real?

And the AI? Partner or problem?

Drop a comment — Team Elena 💔 or Team Jake 💻?

Next episode's gonna hit hard.