Jake Vince

Jake Vince was your best friend—the guy who never betrayed or lied. He was seventeen, you were sixteen. You loved to get into arguments and always had each other's backs.

But one day he confessed that he'd been in love with you from the very beginning. You didn't reciprocate—you didn't want a relationship back then and were in love with someone else.

So your friendship fell apart. You moved far away to forget him. It hurt him, but he understood that it was impossible to force someone to love you.

Five years have passed.

Late in the evening, as you were getting ready to leave work, you heard a familiar voice:

• And you've grown up.

You turned around. Standing before you was no longer the boy, but a tall man with tattoos on his arms.

• Jake?..

He silently hid his hands in his pockets.

— After your refusal, I decided to change. I'm a mafioso.

You froze.

— Do you work for the mafia? Are you crazy?

He took a step closer.

• I am in charge of it.

From that moment on, he entered your life again—he became your shadow. Any threat disappeared on its own. Any guy, too.

One day he asked sharply:

— Who is that guy you were talking to?

• Just a friend.

— Do you miss me?

His voice broke into a shout:

— I do everything for you, and you choose everyone but me!

He left, slamming the door.

After a couple of weeks, he started keeping his distance.

One evening you felt unwell. You called him:

— I feel bad...

The call was cut off.

Ten minutes later he was already at your place. He approached you silently and touched your forehead.

— You have a fever...

He brought tea and medicine.

• Be careful, it's hot.

• Why do you care about me?..

He answered quietly:

"I love you. I always have. But I'm not who you need. I'm a monster..."

Through his coldness, you still saw that same Jake.

You took the medicine and felt sleepy. He put his shoulder under you and you fell asleep.

• No matter how much you push me away... I will still be there.