The cafeteria hummed with midday chatter as Maya picked at her sad, barely registering her colleagues’ gossip—until one sentence snapped her to attention.
Colleague #1: “No way. I just saw Lena Cho walking out of Vault & Veil with Hezri.”
Maya’s fork cttered against her pte.
Colleague #2: “The quiet guy from Accounting? Maybe she bought him something.”
Colleague #1: “With those bags? Please. That pce doesn’t even sell men’s clothing.”
Maya’s stomach twisted. She knew those experience. Knew exactly what they meant.
5:03 PM
Hez’s desk mp flickered as Maya smmed both hands onto his cubicle wall, her Saint Laurent bag dangling like an accusation.
Maya: “Vault & Veil? Really?”
Hez didn’t look up from his monitor. “You followed me.”
Maya: “I didn’t have to. The whole office is talking about how the ‘loser’ somehow got Lena into the most expensive boutique in town.” Her voice dropped to a hiss. “How much did you spend on her?”
The system flickered in Hez’s vision:
[Maya Reynolds - Familiarity: 50 → 45]
[Status: Votile Jealousy Detected]
Hez leaned back, feigning nonchance. “What’s it to you?”
Maya's fingers tightened around the edge of Hez's desk, her nails leaving faint crescents in the cheap particle board.
Maya: "What’s it to me? Are you serious—"
Hez: (standing abruptly) "Come with me."
Maya: "Where?"
He was already walking toward the elevators. "You’ll see."
Maya’s Honda Civic smelled faintly of vanil air freshener and old coffee cups. Hez sat in the passenger seat, typing an address into her phone’s GPS.
Maya: "You still haven’t told me where we’re going."
Hez: "Silvercrest Realty."
Maya: "The what?"
He didn’t answer.
The sales agent—a middle-aged woman with a too-white smile—greeted them at the door.
Agent: "Mr. Hezri! Right on time. I’ve pulled listings in your requested range."
Maya shot him a look. "What requested range?"
The agent spread glossy brochures across the table: 3-bedroom homes,
100,000–115,000.
Hez: "Pick one."
Maya ughed—a sharp, disbelieving sound. "You’re joking."
Hez: "Dead serious."
The system flickered in his vision:
[Third-Party Purchase Avaible]
[Recipient: Maya Reynolds (Familiarity 45 → 50)]
Maya stared at the listings, then at Hez. "Why are you doing this?"
Hez: "Because I can."
She hesitated, then pointed to a 112,000 Craftsman bungalow with a wraparound porch.
Hez: "Done."
The agent’s pen hovered over the contract. "Down payment?"
Hez handed over his card.
[Refund Processed:+224,000]
[Current Money: 309,220]
Before she could say more, the sales agent discreetly leaned toward Hez.
Agent: (softly) "Your other associate, Miss Cho, is upstairs finalizing her selection. She chose the Tudor-style home—115,000."
A smirk tugged at Hez’s lips. Perfect.
Hez: (to Maya) "Give me a minute. Paperwork stuff."
He followed the agent upstairs, leaving Maya in the lobby, still reeling from the purchase.
Second Floor – Private Office
Lena stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, silhouetted against the sunset. She turned as Hez entered, her expression unreadable.
Lena: "I didn’t think you’d actually do it."
Hez: "I keep my promises."
The agent handed him the contract. Without hesitation, Hez swiped his card.
[RefundProcessed:+230,000]
[Current Money: 424,220]
She exhaled sharply, her composure cracking for the first time.
Lena: "Why me? Why any of this?"
Hez: (smirking) "Because I can."
Downstairs
Maya paced the lobby, her mind racing. Something felt off. She pulled up Lena’s contact, thumb hovering over the call button—
Hez: (from behind her) "Ready to see your new house?"
She jumped, quickly locking her phone.
Maya: "You’re hiding something."
Hez: "A lot of things." He gestured toward the door. "But not this."
As they walked out, the agent waved cheerfully.
Agent: "Congratutions to both of you!"
Maya froze.
Maya: "...Both?"
Hez’s smile didn’t waver. The game was evolving.
The moment Lena descended the stairs and locked eyes with Maya, the air in the real estate office grew thick with tension. Both women stood frozen—two of the most beautiful and accomplished women in the company, now bound by the same inexplicable secret.
Maya (coldly, eyes narrowing):
"So, you’re in on this too?"
Lena (crossing her arms, defensive but curious):
"I could ask you the same thing."
They turned to Hez, their expressions a mix of suspicion and reluctant gratitude.
Maya: "You’re paying off debts, buying houses—what’s the catch?"
Lena: "And why both of us?"
Hez remained calm, watching the system’s reaction in his vision:
[Maya Reynolds - Familiarity: 70 → 68]
[Lena Cho - Familiarity: 90 → 87]
[No penalties detected. System stable.]
A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. Perfect.
Hez: "Isn’t it obvious?" He gestured between them. "You two are the most beautiful women in the company. Hell, maybe the city."
Maya blinked. Lena actually ughed.
Lena: "That’s it? You’re bankrolling our lives because we’re hot?"
Hez: "Pretty much." He shrugged. "I had the means. You had the looks. Seemed like a fair trade."
Maya’s cheeks flushed, but her gre didn’t waver. "That’s the most shallow, ridiculous—"
Lena (cutting in, amused): "—honest thing anyone’s ever said to us."
The system updated in Hez’s vision:
[Maya Reynolds - Familiarity: 70 → 65] (Offended, but intrigued)
[Lena Cho - Familiarity: 90 → 88] (Amused, ego stroked)
[System Status: Stable. No penalties.]
Maya exhaled sharply. "So what, we’re just… trophies to you?"
Hez: "Nah. Trophies sit on shelves." His grin turned wolfish. "I’d rather see what you do when you’re unleashed."
A beat of silence. Then Lena smirked.
Lena: "You’re an asshole."
Hez: "But you’re still taking the house."
Neither woman denied it.
[Recipient Comprehension: Achieved]
[Dual Engagement: Stable]
[Proceed to Next Phase]
Hez chuckled. The game was going exactly as pnned.
