Chapter 3

The comments section hissed with anticipation:

[HE ACTUALLY REFUSED? WHAT A PRETENDER!]

[USELESS! CAN'T EVEN HANDLE A WOMAN!]

[MR. STERLING'S BACK MUST BE ACHING!]

The speakers crackled to life with the cold electronic voice: "The 'Proximity Challenge' begins. Follow the rules, or we'll release more of our 'pink bubbly air.'"

Adrian roared, "Go ahead! I'll die before I let you have your way!"

The electronic voice chuckled. "And what about Ms. Summer?"

The drug's effects were at their peak. I shook my head, unable to speak.

The electronic voice turned cold. "He might be a mountain to climb, but for you, it's just a veil away. Aren't you going to make the first move?"

The screen cut to a pink hair tie, a birthday gift for my sister, Chloe. She wore it every single day.

The electronic voice cackled viciously, "If you don't want anything to happen to her, make him kiss you. Don't you want to?"

The comments went wild:

[BIG GUNS! KISS HER!]

[IS HER SISTER'S LIFE MORE IMPORTANT, OR HER MODESTY?]

[BETS ON A MISSIONARY KISS! 500,000 STAKE!]

My blood ran cold. Chloe was the person I loved most in the world.

My reason was slowly slipping away.

"Who paid for this?" Adrian gritted out.

The electronic voice replied, "Don't you worry your head, Mr. Sterling. We just get paid to 'handle' problems."

The countdown began. The screen flashed, showing Chloe tied to a chair, her mouth gagged, shaking her head and crying desperately.

I screamed, trying to rush forward, but Adrian held me back.

"Ten... nine..."

I cried, "Adrian, please..."

Trapped between the drug's torment and the threat, I gave up struggling.

He looked up, shocked and pained.

The comments section erupted: "She's finally coming around!" "Mr. Sterling, don't just stand there, kiss her!"

"Kiss her, then get to it!"

"Eight..."

He didn't move, just turned his head, straining against the wall, his body trembling.

We both knew the consequences.