Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Dave's frame visibly tensed, "Leda, it wasn't me... It was Levi, he's the one who said you..."

"What he said doesn't matter. What does is that you brought me to this dinner party, and you used me to strike up a conversation with Mr. Hawkes, didn't you? Or was that Levi's doing too? He must be incredibly dedicated!" "Leda, hear me out... I wasn't using you, I swear. I'm genuinely terrified of these kinds of social gatherings, that's why I asked you to come with me..."

"Terrified? You seemed quite at home, mingling and enjoying the wine, looking anything but scared."

"I..."

Dave was at a loss for words.

"Let's end this here. From now on, if we meet, we'll be strangers," Leda said, turning on her heel.

Suddenly-

"Think you can just walk away from me?" His voice was cold and deep, as if emerging from the depths of hell, "Do you think it's going to be that easy?" Leda turned around to see the once cheerful and honest 'puppy dog' now bearing a look of sinister greed, no longer hidden behind a facade.

"Two million dollars, plus the lead role in that A-list TV series, and we're square."

Leda laughed, stepping closer to him, "You're setting terms with me?"

Dave clenched his teeth, then said, "You could say that."

you think you're in

intimate photos, isn't

grew even wider, "And if I refuse, what then? You'll release

"That's right."

Dave was

of me that I'm

scandal of being kept?"

couldn't care less. I'm not in showbiz, nor do I aspire to be a superstar. But what

a few words, she had him

reverting

Dave's expression shifted

puppy dog' look, "Leda, I'm sorry I was wrong,

lightly tapping his cheek with a look of

you, I could pamper you,

are gone, I

as easily. That's the

QUMS

survive in this circle, know your place. Don't

I was supporting you; to put it bluntly, you were nothing but