Chapter 55: Shadows of Desire

Later that afternoon, Sophia cornered Joi in the hallway, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

"You think this is funny, don't you?" Sophia hissed, stepping closer until she was nearly in Joi's face. "You think you've won."

Joi didn't flinch. Her expression remained calm as she met Sophia's glare head-on. "What I think is that you're wasting your energy on the wrong fight."

Sophia scoffed bitterly. "Don't act so smug. Adrian will realize what you really are soon enough."

"Really?" Joi tilted her head, her tone steady. "Because the way I see it, he's already made his choice."

The words struck deep. Sophia's face contorted, her lips parting as if to lash out again, but Joi didn't let her.

"You've lost, Sophia," Joi said quietly, her voice firm. "And no amount of glaring or scheming will change that. Adrian doesn't need a shadow clinging to him anymore."

Sophia's composure cracked. "You bitch."

Joi only smiled. "Careful. You're showing your true colors." She turned to leave, but paused just long enough to add, "You can stay bitter if you want to, but it won't get you anywhere. Not with him."

Sophia was left speechless, her nails digging into her palms as Joi walked away, calm and victorious.

That night, Sophia sat alone in her room, the walls closing in on her. Adrian's indifference haunted her, replaying over and over in her mind. Her humiliation from Joi's words burned deep, but more than anything, it was Adrian's coldness that shattered her.

Reaching for her phone, she scrolled through her contacts, her hands trembling until she found the name she needed—Shane Dawson.

Her voice was a whisper when she spoke into the phone. "Shane…it's Sophia."

A long pause. Then, Shane's smooth, dangerous voice came through. "I didn't expect to hear from you again."

Shane's voice on the line was calm, controlled, yet there was a dangerous edge beneath his tone.

"What do you want, Sophia?"

"I have something you might find interesting," she replied, her lips curling. "Adrian and Joi are together."

There was a pause. Shane leaned back in his chair, his fingers tightening subtly around the phone. Adrian. The name alone sparked irritation deep within him, like a splinter he couldn't remove. So it's finally come to this.

"Get to the point," he said flatly.

Sophia's voice turned sharper, eager to bait him. "We both know you want Joi. I can't handle her, but I know you can. Take her. Use her as leverage against Adrian. Force him to back off, and in return…" She paused, as if savoring the words. "You'll have Joi all to yourself."

For a moment, Shane said nothing, though his mind was already working. Joi. Her name echoed like a siren in his thoughts. He could picture her—defiant yet fragile. She was the only one who had ever managed to unsettle him, make him feel something. But now, the idea of taking her from Adrian, of claiming what should have been his all along, awakened something darker in him.

"Done."

The word fell like a hammer—final, unwavering.

Sophia exhaled in satisfaction, but Shane wasn't listening anymore. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his eyes narrowing as a cold smile ghosted his lips. 'Joi will hate me for this. She'll fight, cry, scream…but eventually, she'll realize there's nowhere to run. She's mine, and Adrian won't be able to take her back. This time, I'll win.'

Sophia's voice pulled him back. "You'll take care of this quickly, won't you?"

"Leave that to me," Shane replied smoothly, though his thoughts burned sharper.

"Adrian's had enough. I've been too patient for too long. It's time to remind him who I am—and what happens when someone takes what belongs to me."

As the call ended, Shane's jaw tightened. The dangerous calm that had anchored him before began to crack, giving way to the storm building inside him. Joi. She would be his, no matter the cost.

---

Joi's laughter rang through Emily's apartment, filling the space with the kind of joy they hadn't shared in weeks. Wrapped in blankets, surrounded by half-empty snack bags, and sprawled across the couch, it felt like nothing had changed. Just two best friends, lost in a bubble of late-night chatter.

Emily swirled the soda in her hand, her grin turning mischievous. "Alright, spill it. What's it like not being a virgin anymore?"

Joi froze, nearly choking on her drink. "Emily!" she squeaked, eyes wide.

"What?" Emily feigned innocence, biting back a smirk. "Don't Emily me. Look at you—you're glowing! I swear, you've got that I've been claimed sparkle."

"Claimed?" Joi's voice cracked, and she grabbed a pillow, launching it at her friend. "You're insane!"

Emily ducked, cackling as the pillow sailed past her. "Oh, come on! Don't act like you didn't enjoy it. Did he—" Emily waggled her brows wickedly, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper—"take his time? Or was it one of those rip-your-clothes-off-and-get-to-it kind of deals?"

Joi buried her face in her hands, groaning as heat crept up her cheeks. "Why are we even talking about this? I'm not telling you!"

Emily snorted. "Please. You're a terrible liar, Joi. The second I mentioned it, you turned redder than a stop sign. Besides, I know you. You wouldn't let just anyone—" she paused, lowering her voice dramatically—"pop the cherry."

Joi peeked at her through her fingers, scandalized. "Emily!"

"What?" Emily cackled, unrepentant. "Best friends get to ask these things. It's in the rulebook."

Joi finally gave up and grabbed a bag of chips, tossing one at Emily's face. "You're unbelievable."

Emily caught the chip mid-air, popping it into her mouth like it was the most natural thing in the world. "And yet you still love me."

Joi shook her head, fighting a laugh, her face still flushed. "Maybe I need to rethink that."

"You say that now, but wait until you need someone to help you pick out lingerie for round two."

"EMILY!" Joi shrieked, her face practically glowing at this point.

The room erupted with laughter, so full and carefree that it chased away the shadows of the past few weeks. The teasing stretched on, with Emily refusing to drop the subject and Joi swatting at her in mock outrage, their banter flowing like it always had.

By the time dawn began to break, painting streaks of soft gold across the apartment, Joi lay back against the couch, smiling up at the ceiling. Emily's head rested on her shoulder, and for the first time in forever, the silence between them felt peaceful.

"I missed this," Joi whispered softly.

Emily hummed, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips. "Me too, Joi. Me too."

And with that, the world outside faded away, leaving nothing but two friends, the memories they shared, and the promise of better days to come.