Chapter 2

My wrist jerked instinctively as Michael grabbed it.

In disbelief, I turned to lock eyes with him. "What? Afraid I won't keep my word?"

Michael pulled me down onto the couch, hit play on the remote, and glanced at his watch again. "Ten minutes. Let's see what excuse you come up with then."

I shook my head quickly, trying to calm him down. "No, I won't."

The movie kept playing.

Both the System and I let out a sigh of relief. [Hang in there, Host. This is your last shot.]

I prayed silently that nothing unexpected would happen, begging God to show me a bit mercy.

But things didn't go as planned. With two minutes left in the film, Michael's phone rang.

He shot me a look, but didn't say anything. I knew what he meant. He only promised to watch the movie with me, not that he wouldn't pick up his phone.

Michael answered the call.

Vivian said, "Michael, are you almost here? I'm dying from so much pain. It hurts badly. Michael, before I die, can I see you one last time?"

Michael's face went tense. "What did the doctor say? Don't be scared. I'm coming right now. You're not going to die. I'm here for you. I'll keep you safe."

He jumped up and bolted out the door, forgetting his jacket.

The wind blowing through the hall sent chills down my spine, raising goosebumps all over. My faint call for Michael was carried away by the breeze, unheard by anyone.

The movie kept playing. The distant Northfeld Manor was in full bloom, as if the end of the film marked the beginning of a new life.

When the screen went dark and the cast list started rolling, I sank into the leather couch and muttered, "I failed the mission, right?"

My voice was flat, as if I were announcing the movie was over.

The System stayed silent, but I could tell it was tacitly acknowledging my failure.

I asked, "How am I going to die? Please, don't let it be too pathetic. You know, my whole life has already been a mess."

[Heart failure.] The System sounded frustrated, like it was chewing me out for giving up on myself and doing nothing to change things. [Host, why didn't you stop him?

[You begged him at first, and he agreed to stay and watch the movie with you. It was only two minutes away. All you had to do was beg him one more time.]

I didn't say anything.

The System got more anxious. [You really believe Vivian's lame excuse? I told you, she only twisted her ankle. After all these years, Michael does have feelings for you.]

"But not much, right?" I retorted softly.

Last time, there was an art exhibition. Michael promised he'd be there. But on that day, Vivian ended up calling him away, so he could go shopping with her.

I waited outside the gallery for ages, but all I got was a text from Michael bailing on me.

The time before that, it was the sunrise. I had to beg and pester Michael before he finally agreed to come with me. But that night, Vivian called him away again.

Vivian claimed she was afraid of the dark, so Michael left me by myself in a tent at the top of the mountain. He promised he'd be back soon.

But I ended up waiting for him the whole night, all the way until sunrise.

He had no clue. The tent was so dark, even the faintest bit of light got eaten up by the darkness around me.

The mountain wind howled, and it felt like the world had forgotten about me.

Once the sun came up, I packed up the tent alone.

Michael finally showed up, way too late. He tossed out a casual excuse. "Vivian wouldn't let me leave. You're so independent, not like her. Alright, I promise, next time I'll be there for the sunrise with you."

It was always the same story, with no exception.

"I've never been his first pick," I told the System.

The System got anxious and scolded me for doing nothing. [But this time is different. You're going to die.

[Two more minutes. That's all it takes. If you can keep him here, you'll live. If he comes back now, I'll count your mission as a success.]