Jerome’s p.o.v

I leaned against my balcony railing, watching the people below – so happy and carefree, couples holding hands, friends embarking on a night out that they will hardly remember come morning - which brought me back to the foundation of my own friendship with one Kaiden Romano.

Kaiden and I had met during our first year attending Princeton at some frat party where plenty of poor decisions had been made. He was clearly a ladies man, a charmer – he had game and I respected that, not to forget he came from one of the most powerful families in America which meant he was definitely someone you would want on your side.

Whereas he majored in commercial law and minored in business management, my attention was drawn sorely to human resource management – which the hard work I put in and well honestly my connection to Kaiden landed me working at my dream job with a six figure salary yet I still felt something was lacking in my life.

I thought I had found that something or rather someone when I met Andrea Pellistri – remember her from earlier on? The woman that not only cheated on me but tried to pass of another man’s baby as my own – how fucked up his that?  Kaiden did warn me she was spending too much time with her Pilate’s instructor, but I was a fool blinded by love as many of us are.

I guess he did try to be a decent friend, well up until he stuck his tongue down Nova’s throat among other places – which is reason enough for me to want to make him pay.

I was there the first time Kaiden lost his mind, how he believed he was stalked and in danger, playing the part of a victim just as an excuse for his poor decision making skills. He was belittled by everyone after that, most losing their respect for him until he clawed his way back to the top – this time I will make sure that won’t happen.

My plan to destroy Kaiden required one special person – Haley Stevens, the only girl that broke his heart. After flying to San Francisco to meet her and offering a substantial amount of money to help me ‘trick’ Kaiden, she laughed in my face and threatened to tell him about what I was getting up to – luckily a little blackmail here and there shut the bitch up real quick.

Feeling deflated, I visited a local gentleman’s club…ordered myself a whiskey on the rocks and lap dance from one of the exotic dancers. As the woman swayed her hips to my pleasure, a certain blonde took her place on stage – immediately catching my attention. It wasn’t because of her long legs and fair skin, simply put – she had a remarkable resemblance to Haley.

 A few drinks later and a promise of 100 000 thousand dollars - the woman was ready to do whatever I wanted. A quick makeover, washing out all the unnecessary glitter make up her wore and a dye of the hair along with some new clothes and I had my very own Haley Stevens, the ghost of Kaiden’s past that was going to destroy his present and future.

I must admit this plan is going to work out even better than I imagined. With O.G Haley staying in San Francisco and posting every detail of her life on social media, Kaiden would have absolutely no ground to stand on when he starts trying to convince people she has been stalking him – isn’t that just a delight?

End of p.o.v

“Don’t jump off the balcony until you pay me.”

“You sure are funny, Hannah.”

“Don’t you mean Haley?” The woman smirked, accustomed to her fake identity.

“You can relax, nobody is watching you. Now have you done what I asked for?”

“Here.” Hannah dropped a shoe box at Jerome’s feet.

“50 paper rings.”

“That’s it? Hannah this took you 48 damn hours – time we could off spent torturing Kaiden.”

“What can I say, I’m a busy girl.”

“Remember who you’re working for, or I’ll just have to throw you off this balcony and guess what honey no one will give a fuck because you’re nothing but a slut for hire. Now here’s the key to Kaiden’s office, you know what to do.” Jerome forced the key into Hannah’s hand before walking back inside.

“But hasn’t Kaiden been working for home?” She shouted behind him, seemingly unaffected by his words.

“Don’t you worry about that, I’ll fake an emergency to get him back in the office – but first I have something to take care off.”

Carrington Treatment Centre.

“Miss Stratford you have a visitor, come with me please.”

“I thought I weren’t allowed any visitors.”

The security guard remained quiet as he lead Nova towards the garden where Jerome lay in wait like a snake in grass.

“Nova. I’m glad you’re getting help.”

“Jerome, how did you even find out about this place?”

“I may have overheard Kaiden speaking to one of the doctors here and well I put things together, I was just so worried about you – excuse me.” Jerome apologised before answering his phone, leaving Nova the opportunity to ease drop on his conversation.

“I don’t care about anyone else, fuck what about me?”

These words from his lips sliced through Nova’s brain, awakening memories that lay dormant. Suddenly her withdrawal symptoms seemed irrelevant, she had two things on her mind – survival and revenge.

“It was you.” Nova spoke barely audible – recognising Jerome’s voice as the one she heard behind closed doors arguing with Johnny.

“What was that doll?” Jerome ended his call and walked towards her.

“I need to go, I have a group therapy session in like 10 minutes.” Nova lied, knowing she needed to get away from Jerome as quick as possible.

“Okay, no problem. Take care of yourself please.” The two awkwardly hugged before Nova was escorted back inside.

“I need my phone please.” Nova begged while trailing behind the guard.

“Patients aren’t allowed to use their phones ma’am.”

“You don’t understand, this could be a life or death situation. I need to warn Kaiden about everything.”

As Nova continued to plead her case, sirens went off causing mass panic within the facility

“What’s going on?”

“We have a 10-16 in the common hall, all other patients are to return to their rooms immediately.” This statement echoed on repeat through the buildings intercom system.

“What’s a 10-16?”

“Member of staff taken hostage. Miss Stratford please go straight to your room, this is for your own safety.” The guard instructed before rushing off.

At this moment Nova did not see any imminent threats to her own well-being but rather an opportunity to find a phone and get a hold of Kaiden.