Playing Along
1042 Words
Amanda could still hear Ben’s words echoing in her head.
I was never supposed to fall in love with you.
The underground parking garage suddenly felt too small.
Too quiet.
oo suffocating.
For a moment, Amanda couldn’t move.
Everything she believed about the past two years—every memory, every promise, every kiss—felt like it was shattering piece by piece.
Ben had been sent to her.
Sent.
That meant everything between them had started as a lie.
Amanda slowly turned back toward him.
Her heart hurt, but something else was rising inside her now.
Something colder.
Something sharper.
Ben stood beside the car, watching her carefully.
“I know how that sounds,” he said quietly.
Amanda forced herself to breathe.
Her mind was racing.
If Victor Chain had sent Ben…
Then the entire relationship could have been a setup.
But one question burned through her thoughts.
Why?
Why would the Chain family send someone to her?
And why now?
Amanda swallowed the anger rising in her throat.
Losing control wouldn’t help her.
Not right now.
Instead, she did something that surprised even herself.
She smiled.
It wasn’t a big smile.
Just enough.
Ben frowned slightly.
“Amanda…”
“You said you weren’t supposed to fall in love with me,” she said softly.
Ben nodded once.
“Yes.”
Amanda tilted her head.
“But you did.”
Silence settled between them.
Ben looked at her like he was trying to read something hidden behind her eyes.
“Yes,” he said finally.
“I did.”
Amanda nodded slowly.
Inside, her chest felt like it was splitting open.
But on the outside, she remained calm.
“So what now?” she asked.
Ben studied her for a moment.
“I still want to protect you.”
Amanda almost laughed.
Protect me?
From what?
From the war he helped create?
But she didn’t say that.
Instead, she stepped closer to him.
“If Victor sent you to me,” she said quietly, “then he must expect you to bring me to him.”
Ben’s jaw tightened.
“That was the original plan.”
“And now?”
Ben didn’t answer immediately.
Finally, he said,
“Now things are complicated.”
Amanda nodded again.
Her mind was already working.
Victor wanted her.
Her father was huntin her down.
Ben was standing right in the middle of both sides.
That meant Ben was the key to everything.
If she stayed close to him…
She might discover the truth.
About the war.
About Victor.
And about the man she thought she loved.
Amanda folded her arms.
“So the entire city thinks you kidnapped me.”
“Yes.”
“My father thinks you’re the enemy.”
“Yes.”
“And Victor wants to see me.”
“Yes.”
Amanda let out a slow breath.
“Sounds like I don’t have many options.”
Ben looked at her carefully.
“You always have a choice.”
Amanda’s eyes met his.
“No,” she said softly.
“I don’t.”
Ben’s phone vibrated again.
He glanced down at it.
Another message.
Victor.
Ben quickly turned the screen away.
But Amanda had already made her decision.
If she wanted answers…
She would have to walk into the lion’s den.
Amanda stepped closer to him.
“Take me to Victor.”
Ben’s head snapped up.
“No.”
“You just said he wants to see me.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m bringing you to him.”
Amanda crossed her arms.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t understand what kind of man he is.”
Amanda let out a quiet breath.
“Actually, I think I’m starting to.”
Ben shook his head.
“You’re not safe around him.”
Amanda’s voice sharpened.
“And I’m safe around you?”
The words hung heavily in the air.
Ben didn’t respond.
Amanda sighed and leaned against the car.
“Look around, Ben.”
She gestured toward the empty parking garage.
“My family is hunting me.”
“The Chain family is hunting me.”
“And the only person standing between both sides… is a man who just admitted he was sent to spy on me.”
Her voice softened.
“So tell me honestly.”
She looked straight into his eyes.
“Why should I trust you?”
Ben looked like he didn’t have an answer.
For the first time since Amanda had met him…
He looked uncertain.
And that scared her more than anything.
Finally, he spoke.
“Because if Victor gets you first…”
His voice dropped.
“…you may never leave his world again.”
Amanda’s stomach tightened.
“His world?”
Ben nodded.
“The Chain family doesn’t just want power anymore.”
Amanda frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Ben hesitated.
Like he was debating whether to say more.
Before he could answer—
A loud engine roared through the parking garage.
Both of them turned toward the entrance.
Three black vehicles sped down the ramp.
Amanda’s heart skipped.
Ben’s expression instantly hardened.
“That’s not the police.”
The vehicles screeched to a stop nearby.
Doors opened.
Several armed men stepped out.
Amanda recognized the symbol on their jackets.
A silver chain wrapped around a crown.
Her blood ran cold.
The Chain family.
One of the men stepped forward slowly.
He smiled when he saw Amanda.
“Miss Stone.”
Amanda’s heart pounded.
“I’m afraid you won’t need to come to us after all.”
The man gestured behind him.
And someone else stepped out of the vehicle.
Amanda’s breath caught.
Victor Chain himself.
Tall.
Calm.
And watching her like a man who had already won the game.
Victor’s gaze shifted briefly to Ben.
Then back to Amanda.
His lips curved into a small smile.
“Hello, Amanda.”
His voice was smooth.
“I’ve been waiting a very long time to finally meet you.”
Amanda’s pulse thundered in her ears.
Victor’s eyes flickered toward Ben again.
Then he said something that made Amanda’s entire body freeze.
“You did well, Benjamin.”
Ben didn’t respond.
Victor’s smile widened slightly.
“Now bring her to me.”
- Writer
