The Invisible Chains

Early the next morning, I ran downstairs to find David Rogers, the security guard.

David lost his wife over ten years ago and desperately wanted to find a new companion. So, he always targeted the older ladies who did their morning exercises in the neighborhood.

However, those ladies all had children, pensions, and comfortable lives. None of them was interested in the old security guard living on welfare, and they found him completely annoying.

I walked up to him and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "David, want me to set you up with a companion?"

His eyes lit up immediately. "Yes, of course! Who are you introducing me to?"

I smiled faintly and pointed at myself. "What do you think about me?"

David burst out laughing. "Hey now, you're pulling my leg! Get out of here! Stop messing around and let me work."

I chuckled. "I'm not joking with you at all. I really like men like you. You make me feel so safe and secure. I've always been attracted to older men."

I forced myself to say these disgusting words. Since Alice could use her system to steal all my boyfriends, I wanted to see if she would want this particular man.

Men were proud by nature. When he heard me say that, David straightened up with confidence. "Really? You're not playing me, are you?"

I insisted, "Really. My parents are pushing me hard to settle down. Let's just go ahead and give it a try."

With that, David and I exchanged contact information. He even tried to get a little handsy, but I dodged it by saying I had to rush to work.

As if finding a new lease on life, David sent me quite a few messages throughout the day. Naturally, I replied to every single one, making him fall into the illusion that we were in love.

During work, I could not focus on anything my employer said. I was just hoping Alice would not let me down.

When it was quitting time, I just walked out of the company entrance when Alice came charging out of some corner and slapped me across the face.

She hissed, "Lauren, are you out of your mind?! Why would you date that old man? Are you sick or something?!"

She looked completely unhinged as she climbed on top of me, pinning me down so I could not get up.

I quickly raised my hands to protect my face, but inside I felt absolutely thrilled. "Mind your own business! Who I date has nothing to do with you. I like older men. So what?"

My coworkers, who were also getting off work, saw me getting beaten up and immediately called the police.

Before long, the officers arrived and heard what happened between us. They did not really understand why I was dating an old man, but since it was not illegal, they could not say much about it. Instead, they turned to lecture Alice for attacking me.

"Who she dates isn't your business. You can't just put your hands on her like that!" one officer scolded.

Of course, Alice could not tell the police about her so-called system, so she had to make up excuses. "I was just worried about her! She's so young and doesn't know better. That's why she's dating an old man. As her friend, I was just trying to talk some sense into her."

I snapped, "I already cut ties with her, officer. She stole my boyfriend before, so we haven't been friends for a long time. And she just hit me. I feel really dizzy now and nauseous, and my teeth feel loose. I want her arrested!"

There were surveillance cameras right at the company entrance, so there was no way Alice could twist the truth. Facing the possibility of jail time, she finally got scared and started begging me to forgive her.

Seeing her like this made me feel incredibly satisfied. Finally, there was a day when she had to beg me. Nonetheless, I had no intention of forgiving her. In fact, I wished the police would lock her up forever.

Soon, the officers took her away.

Just before leaving, Alice dropped her pitiful act and glared at me viciously. "Don't think you can escape me. I told you, I have a system. You'll never get away."

The officers later informed me that she would be held for 15 days. Yet, I thought that was nowhere near enough.

After all, my entire life and work were rooted here. I was not about to abandon everything just because of some so-called system.