096's POV:
I don't know what happened to my host. One moment, he was the same as when he arrived in this world—mysterious, manipulative, and detached. But in the last two days, something has shifted. Something... darker. He scares me now. I'm just trying to get through this without him realizing I've been ripping him off. If he ever found out, I don't think he'd forgive me. The way he commands me, without hesitation... it's unsettling. All I can do is hope he never fully grasps the power he has over me—or that I don't end up being a casualty of his unrelenting desire for control.
Hugo's POV:
The modeling session dragged on longer than I would have liked. I was modeling for some low-level fashion company, and although I didn't mind the work, I was just so ready to get to dinner. All I wanted was to be with Ben and Layla. It wasn't like I was running from the work, but… well, let's just say, the thought of their company was way more appealing than more photoshoots.
" Hurry, Ben! Hurry! Layla has already been saving a private booth for us for over half an hour!" I shouted, trying to hurry Ben along.
"Hahaha, okay, princess—"
"If I'm a princess, you have to be my king!" I teased, trying to play along.
Ben looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of affection and amusement. "Okay, my princess."
Wait—what did I just say?
I could feel my cheeks heating up as I realized I had just called Ben my king. That… wasn't what I'd planned on saying. Why had I said that? I'm not exactly the type to just go blurting things like that. But something about the moment felt right. And I could tell that Ben wasn't just playing around.
Ben's POV:
I couldn't help but smile as Hugo teased me, calling me his "king." The way he said it with such innocence, it was too cute. I've only ever seen him act like this once before, and it honestly melted my heart. I hadn't meant to call him "princess," but I'd done it—because that's what I'd called him when I spoke to Layla about him. And now, hearing Hugo call me his king… it made my heart swell. I think we were both in uncharted territory here.
Hugo's sudden change in demeanor had me flustered. This wasn't the same Hugo I had known for years, the one who hid behind a facade. I didn't mind this new version of him. I liked it. But there was also a new, dangerous energy in the air, and I had no idea where it would take us.
Hugo's POV:
[ 96, find me better rings. ]
{ Okay, I found a group of rings in the C-level store, but I can't access it until you complete a C-level world or have a C-level system. }
[ How do I make you a C-level system? ]
{ By using points, but it will take around 738,000 points. }
[ Do it. ]
{ But host— }
[ Did I stutter? Do it. ]
{ Yes, host… Process complete. The rings are 8,000 points. Do you still want to purchase them? }
[ Yes. ]
{ You have 243,900 points remaining. }
After everything with the rings was settled, we made our way to the restaurant. I grabbed Ben's arm and ran ahead, eager to see Layla. But when we reached the entrance, I saw her struggling. Michael, that idiot, had a tight grip on her wrist.
Layla's POV:
I had been sitting in the private booth, anxiously looking out the window, waiting for Ben's car to pull in. When I finally saw it, I rushed to the entrance, ready to greet them, but before I could reach the door, Michael grabbed my wrist.
"Layla, I finally found you!" He sounded desperate, like he had all the time in the world to harass me.
I sighed, already over this. "Oh, it's you... I'm busy, so can we talk later?"
"By busy, you mean you're going on a date with another man! Don't try to hide it!" he yelled, trying to make this seem worse than it was.
"WHAT does it even matter to you? We've met, like, five times—five!" I snapped back. "And we aren't even dating!"
"But I love you!" His grip on my wrist tightened, and I winced in pain.
"And I don't!" I yelled, glaring at him. "Leave me alone!"
His response was just to hold on tighter. Pain shot through my wrist, and I couldn't take it anymore.
Before I could say another word, I saw Ben rushing toward me. His eyes were filled with determination, and he didn't hesitate for a second. He grabbed Michael by the collar and punched him square in the face.
"Let her go! Didn't you hear her say it hurts?" Ben's voice was full of fury as he demanded Michael release me.
Michael, stunned by the punch and the force behind it, took one look at my wrist, now bruised and black and blue, and finally muttered an apology before running off.
Hugo's POV:
Ben was amazing. He didn't even hesitate to protect Layla when he saw she was in pain. That was the kind of person he was—strong, dependable. I knew I had to get us out of there, away from the bad vibes of the restaurant. We decided to go back to my place instead.
Once we were home, I set up the first aid kit and went to work on Layla's wrist, applying cooling ointment. But as I was treating her, I could feel something building up inside me, something I couldn't hold back anymore.
"Layla, Ben… we need to talk. I know both of you were reborn."
They looked at me in shock, clearly taken aback. "But I just want you to know—so am I," I continued, my voice softening. "When I died, I became a ghost. I watched everything that happened… I'm sorry. I tried so hard to show you I was there. I called out for hours, but you couldn't hear me!"
Tears welled up in my eyes as the flood of emotion finally broke through. It wasn't something I had been able to express until now.
Before I knew it, both Ben and Layla rushed to me, enveloping me in a tight hug from both sides.
"No, it's not your fault," they said in unison, and we all burst into laughter.
I wiped my eyes and looked at them both seriously. "Actually, I have a gift for both of you." I led them to the couch, sitting them down next to me.
"I just want you both to know... I love you both. And I need you in my life. Will you marry me?" I asked, getting down on one knee.
Both of them looked at me in shock, but then, after what felt like an eternity, they both said yes. And as I slid the rings on their fingers, I knew that we were beginning a new chapter together.