Jackim_Ochieng

Elias Stone, an 18-year-old student from a humble background, is constantly mocked, abandoned, and heartbroken due to his poverty. Living in a world where beauty, status, and wealth dominate, he endures pain and betrayal from those closest to him. His life takes a sudden turn when he stumbles upon a mysterious watch that grants him tasks, each tied to a unique reward but also a hidden cost. As Elias navigates the treacherous waters of student life—full of parties, peer pressure, drugs, competition, lust, and heartache—he discovers a darker side to the world he inhabits. With every task, he gains power, but the price for his growing strength might just be his soul. In a world full of fake love, secret romances, and corruption, Elias must decide whether to use the power of the watch for revenge or redemption, all while facing the ultimate test: does true love exist, or is it just another illusion in a world built on deception?

THE WATCH

She wasn't just the daughter of a media tycoon. She was the kind of girl who could own a room by doing absolutely nothing. A slight tilt of her head, a faint glimmer of a smirk, and even lecturers adjusted their ties. But to Elias, she wasn't just a pretty face on the evening news.

It started in the university's upscale cafeteria—The Velvet Spoon, an elite lounge where only the influential, the rich, or the cunning dared to sit. The soft jazz in the background barely drowned out the shallow laughs of moneyed students talking about brand deals, podcast downloads, or their summer homes.

He wore thrifted sneakers, a plain tee, and jeans stitched at the knees. Yet, somehow, he turned heads—not because of what he wore, but because of what he carried: mystery.

Mila sat in the far corner, a MacBook open, sipping an imported strawberry chai. Her glossy black hair curled behind one shoulder, eyes hidden behind Cartier shades. Two security guards stood discreetly near her table.

"Excuse me, Mila," he said coolly. "Mind if I borrow a seat?"

She didn't look up. "They're all taken."

He smiled. "Good thing I brought mine." He pulled a chair from a nearby table and sat.

Her fingers paused over the keyboard. She glanced up, lips parting.

"You're the boy from the protest videos," she said.

She smirked. "Revolutionary, poor, and ballsy. I'll give you that."

"Oh, right. You're also the boy who's being watched by the admin, two news stations, and probably someone with a sniper rifle."

"Yet you haven't told me to leave."

She set her cup down. Her smile thinned. "Because I'm intrigued. Poor boys usually beg for a selfie. You come for my table."

"Maybe," she echoed. "But most boys also don't play games they're too weak to win."

Elias leaned in, voice low. "I don't play to win, Mila. I play to change the rules."

She blinked once. It was the smallest crack in her icy armor.

That night, Mila found herself alone in her penthouse dorm, replaying their encounter. She hated it. The confidence. The way he didn't drool over her like the rest. The quiet fire in his voice.

She poured herself a glass of wine and clicked on a news report.

"Anonymous student exposes corruption in Campus Verde—our reporter dives into this unfolding chaos…"

Elias' face wasn't shown, but everyone knew it was him.

And her father? He'd already begun preparing a statement. Campus Verde's reputation was bleeding.

Mila scrolled through her messages.

Dad: Keep away from that boy. He's dangerous.

Classmate (Sasha): You sat with Elias? He's trending on StreamTok.

Unknown Number: Be careful. Some secrets kill.

Her hand trembled as she closed the screen.

And it involved a scandal, a cover-up, and something buried—literally—in the past.

Meanwhile, Elias sat on the rooftop of his dorm with a stolen soda, watching the moonlight shimmer off the glass towers of the city. He could feel the shift. The power. The buzz. His name was climbing.

But he also knew the game was changing.

Update: Mila Wambua's secret is connected to an unsolved case.

Hint: "The Gala Tragedy – March 2019."

Clue Location: Silverhall Library, Archive Section, Row 9, File 73.

"I guess we dig now," he muttered.

Chapter 7: The Ice Queen’s Mask