In the fourth year of dealing with Prince Axel and the domineering Clayton, they made a bet. The challenge was which one could persuade me to spend my first night with them. The loser would have to give up any pursuit of our mutual childhood friend.
The aloof Prince Axel, eyes tearful, kissed me and admitted, "I just want to be your loyal companion." Ever gentle, Clayton placed a locket around my neck, one he'd prayed over with every step of a pilgrimage, promising, "Kamiyah, I will marry you."
I believed him, allowing him to untie my Victorian-style dress. But at the last moment, Clayton burst into laughter, and journalists hidden behind the door aimed their cameras at my exposed form.
And there with them stood Axel, his expression cold, stripped of any kindness.
"Axel, the game is over. From now on, I alone will pursue Emerald," Clayton declared heartlessly before walking away, leaving me to face Axel’s wrath. Furious at his loss, Axel drenched me in gasoline and locked me in the hotel room.
When the flames ignited, my story began anew.
***
When my eyes opened again, the aphrodisiac Clayton had given me started to take effect. Just like in my previous life, he held me tight, kisses trailing down my neck. "Kamiyah, watching you suffer is more painful than carving out my own heart," he murmured, slowly slipping off my dress, filled with anticipation. "Do you want this? I will marry you."
In my past life, those words filled me with joy as I trembled in his arms, ready to give him everything. But the next moment, he harshly pushed me away, discarding a year of tenderness.
My nails dug deep into my palms as I lowered my defenses. Living this life again, all I wanted was for it to end quickly so I could escape as far as possible. And, true to form, Clayton’s smile widened, signaling the end of the game.
The tightly shut door swung open, and a swarm of reporters entered. Trailing them was Axel, who had pursued me with declarations of love for a year. The man who once comforted my every frown, who brought me to the highest peak of the Alps and filled the night sky with fireworks spelling 'Kamiyah', now stood impassively as I trembled and cried.
"Kamiyah, I will wipe your tears forever," Axel once promised gently. But now, as I quaked with fear, his face was void of emotion.
Clayton smirked triumphantly, "Axel, the game is over. From now on, only I will pursue Emerald."
Emerald, the adopted daughter of the Reeds, and our childhood friend, plagued by a congenital heart condition, had spent most of her life abroad. I knew they couldn't let go of her, and Clayton hesitated in his pursuit of me because of it.
Yet, he once said, "Kamiyah, in my eyes, no one compares to you." But it was all a cruel joke, a lie.
Clayton hurried away, desperate to find his true love. The luxurious gown he had given me, now shredded, lay at his feet. With trembling hands, I tried to cover myself with the tattered remains in front of the cameras, knowing full well that by tomorrow, my naked image would spread across the city, broadcasted on giant screens.
Axel stomped on my hand, sneering, "Kamiyah, how could you stoop so low? A dress and a drug from him, and you couldn't wait to surrender yourself?"
His words slashed at my dignity, and once again, cameras were aimed at my bare form. This was no longer the Axel who tearfully begged me not to leave, claiming I was his everything.
In my past life, I screamed and raged at both Axel and Clayton. When I mentioned Emerald, Axel erupted in anger, choking me, "How dare you speak her name?"
And in the end, a fire consumed me in that hotel room.
This time, I was calm and numb, "It's my fault, Mr. Nelson, please, let me go."
