Page 100 of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping

Once inside the warm interior of the car, I lean back against the leather seat, trying to calm my racing heart. The city lights blur past the window as we make our way through the storm-swept streets. With each passing minute, we draw closer to the office—and to whatever consequences await me there.

I close my eyes, trying to prepare myself for what’s to come. But all I can see is Jack’s face, his eyes full of desperation as he tried to explain his actions. I shake my head, pushing the image away. I can’t think about Jack now. I need to focus on saving my career.

As the car pulls up to the office building, I see a lone figure standing in the lobby, silhouetted against the bright interior lights. Tyler. Waiting for me.

The driver opens my door, and I step out into the swirling snow. Each step toward the building feels like I’m walking to my own execution. But I straighten my spine, lift my chin, and push forward. Whatever happens in there, I’ll face it head-on.

The glass doors slide open, and I step inside. Tyler’s eyes lock onto mine, his expression unreadable.

“Chloe,” he says, his voice cold and professional. “Let’s talk in my office.”

I follow Tyler to the elevator, my nerves silently screaming for me to stop. The ride up to his office feels interminable, the silence between us thick with tension. When we finally reach his floor, he leads me down the darkened hallway, our footsteps echoing in the empty building.

Tyler unlocks his office door and gestures for me to enter. As I step inside, I notice he’s left the overhead lights off, with only his desk lamp illuminating the room. The city lights twinkle beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the snowstorm creating a surreal, muffled atmosphere.

“Sit,” Tyler commands, pointing to the chair in front of his desk.

I lower myself into the seat, trying to keep my composure. Tyler remains standing, looming over me, his face half in shadow.

“So,” he begins, his voice low and controlled. “Dark Secrets. Quite an interesting hobby you have there, Chloe.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Sloane told me about your wild accusation about me. And I want you to know that if you drop this now I won’t go to Jasmine and—”

He holds up a hand, silencing me. “Stop. I’ve seen it all. Every post, every video, every... interaction.” He spits out the last word like it’s poison.

“To assume it’s me is—”

“It’s you. I’m not an idiot. So stop with your innocent act.” He smirks. “But if you want to go to Jasmine, fine by me. I’m sure she’ll love seeing those videos of you.”

“You don’t have proof, and your accusations are—”

He rolls his eyes. “How long are we going to play this game? Bored yet? It’s you. Anyone—including Jasmine—will see that. Not to mention you were wearing a necklace that was signed out by you and only you while you were rubbing your fingers all over your bare breasts. Sloane should have thought about deleting your name from the portal when she made up that pathetic lie.”

My cheeks burn with shame and embarrassment. I want to defend myself, to explain that it’s merely fantasy, just role play. Frankly, I also want to tell him it’s none of his business and what I do on my own time is up to me. But the words stick in my throat.

Tyler moves around his desk, his fingers trailing along the polished wood. “You know, when I first discovered your account, I was shocked. Angry, even. I thought about terminating your contract on the spot.”

My heart sinks. This is it. I’m about to lose everything.

“But then,” he continues, his voice taking on a strange tone, “I kept watching. Reading. And I realized something.”

He turns to face me fully, and I’m struck by the intensity in his eyes. It’s not anger I see there. It’s... something else. Something that makes my skin prickle with a mix of fear and an emotion I don’t want to name.

“You’re incredibly talented, Chloe, or should I call you BlackAsChlo now?” Tyler says. “The way you captivate your audience. It’s even more interesting than when you do your jewelry influencing as just boring ol’ Chloe.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, unsure where this is going.

Tyler leans against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have a proposition for you. One that could take your career—both of them to new heights.”

My mind reels. Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? “I don’t understand,” I say cautiously.

A slow smile spreads across Tyler’s face, and in that moment, I realize I’m in deeper trouble than I ever imagined.

“Oh, I think you do,” he says in a voice more sinister than I thought could come from this man. “I may not have been a subscriber at first. But I am now. A subscriber with expectations.”

My blood runs cold at Tyler’s words. The implications of what he’s saying sinks in, and I feel a wave of nausea strike.

“Tyler,” I start, my voice shaking, “I don’t think—”

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