Games

Games
     SAMANTHA'S POINT OF VIEW

“Where did you leave your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you for what feels like ages!” I exclaimed, my voice tinged with exasperation as I flopped down onto the bed, letting out an audible huff. The plush comforter crinkled beneath me, but my mind was too tangled in frustration to appreciate the coziness of my surroundings.

“I’m really sorry, baby,” he replied, his tone laced with a hint of regret.

“I just... I got caught up with something important. Please, don’t be upset with me.” I could almost hear the tension in his voice even from across the phone line, and that only made my irritation bubble up even more. I rolled my eyes dramatically, feeling my irritation simmer. 

“Too busy to answer my call? What on earth could possibly be so important?” I prompted, my curiosity piqued.

“What were you doing that made you ignore my calls?”

He paused for a moment, and I could sense a smirk forming on his lips even from the other end.

“Don’t act like you don’t already know what I’m up to, Sam. Or wait... are you seriously thinking that I’m off with another woman?” His playful yet pointed question made me bite my lip instinctively, a reflex born from the mix of amusement and annoyance.

“Of course, I mean, really... what else could make you too busy to pick up the phone? It’s not like you’ve got a ton of things keeping you occupied,” I replied, my sarcasm evident. To my surprise, he burst into laughter, a rich sound that cut through the tension in an unpredictable way.

“Oh, my jealous Samantha, you crack me up. You’re just too funny!” he chuckled, his voice warm with affection.

“But just to set your mind at ease, I promise I’m not with any other woman, so please don’t be mad. You know what I’m working on, so have a little faith and relax.”

A flicker of relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a lingering concern. 

"Please tell me you've klled that dumb doctor,” I urged, the words tumbling out with a sense of urgency. There was a pause on the line, a comfortable silence that felt heavy with unspoken thoughts, before I finally heard him scoff in response.

“No... I mean... she’s not my target, so I don’t understand why I would kill her,” he said, and the moment those words left his lips, a wave of anger surged through me, igniting a fire that simmered just beneath the surface.

“What do you mean by that? She’s not your target? Since when have you started thinking like that?” I demanded, my voice laced with incredulity.

“You killed the last doctor without a second thought, and if I recall correctly, he wasn’t exactly your problem either. What makes this doctor so different from him? Or have you somehow let her charm you into falling in love with her as well?” I couldn’t hide the frustration etched across my face, punctuating my words with an accusing frown.

“What are you even talking about, Sam? Seriously, what do you mean by I’ve fallen in love with her? I met her only once! I handed her the drugs to give to Donovan, and I swear that’s all there was to it,” he responded, his voice strained, as if he truly believed his own words. Sighing softly, I felt the weight of the situation press down on me.

"I just don’t like how you phrased that," I replied, my voice steady but filled with conviction. 

"The way you spoke made it sound like you would never harm her. You made a promise to me, you know. You said you would take her out of the equation, so don’t even think about having a change of heart.” My frown deepened, a clear sign of my displeasure with his unwillingness to hold fast to our agreement.

“Fine... if that’s what you want, then I suppose I’ll consider it done. But we still need her, so please keep that in mind,” he conceded, his expression a mix of resignation and frustration, and I nodded in reply, even though I knew he couldn’t see me. 

"Did she agree to do it?? "I asked.

"She has no choice.... If she doesn't do it...... Then it means she wants her family dead"He said and I grinned darkly.

"There's something else I want you to do baby"He said after some seconds.

"Anything for you baby.....spill it"I said with a smile.

"I will..... When you come over"He said and I smirked immediately.

"Okay baby..... I will be there tomorrow morning"I said and heard him chuckle loudly.

"I can't wait for tomorrow"he said and I laughed heartily.
 "Naughty boy"I said with a grin.





DONOVAN'S POINT OF VIEW

"Please, Novan, just try to calm down," Amica Mea urged gently, her voice soft yet firm.

"You really shouldn't let your anger bubble over like this; it's not good for your mental health." Her concern was evident, and as I turned to look at her, I couldn't help but frown deeply, my expression darkening with frustration.

"Do not even think about telling me to calm down, Amica Mea...," I retorted, my voice laced with indignation.

"How can you expect me to keep my cool when someone had the audacity to lay a hand on you? The worst part is, he attempted to force himself on you! And you think I should just breathe easy?" I felt a surge of fury coursing through me, my heart pounding as I struggled to contain the tempest within.

"Well, the silver lining is that he didn't manage to hurt me," she replied, her calm demeanor juxtaposed against my escalating anger. She took my hand, her grip warm and reassuring, attempting to ground me amidst my rising temper. 

"Calm? You expect me to just be calm, Amica Mea?" The incredulity in my voice grew with each passing word.

"How can I possibly remain calm. Where does he live? What right did he have to even touch you?" My questions came out in a rapid-fire barrage, but my agitation only fueled my sense of helplessness, driving me closer to the edge.

She let out an exasperated scoff, breaking her typically serene facade.

"You know, this is precisely why I hesitated to share what happened. Just look at you—all this anger is doing nothing but stressing you out even more. Please, for your own sake, try to calm yourself, Novan." I took a deep breath, attempting to focus on her gentle words as I stared intently into her eyes.

"Fine… I’m sorry,” I muttered, my voice softer now but still heavy with emotion.

"I… I really can’t help it," I admitted, fighting against the tide of anger threatening to overwhelm me. My chest felt tight with the mixture of protectiveness and frustration, and even as I tried to regain my composure, I felt the fire of my anger still flickering just beneath the surface.

"There is an incredibly significant matter that I was desperately trying to convey to you, Novan... something of utmost importance. While I rushed out of his house into the car, my heart racing with fear and urgency. To my utter shock, as I flung open the door, I stumbled upon a strange man seated inside. He gave me a peculiar drug. With a menacing glare, he insisted that I had to administer it to you, or else..." She paused, visibly trembling as worry etched across her features, her lips nervously biting down as she tried to form the words, 

"...he would hurt my family."

Her anxious tone hung heavily in the air, and I could sense the gravity of her concern. 

"Did he actually do that??" I exclaimed, an involuntary burst of laughter escaping my lips, much to her astonishment. She gazed at me with wide eyes, her expression a perfect mixture of disbelief and confusion.

"Did you just catch everything I just shared with you? Because honestly, I can't wrap my head around why you're laughing right now," she said, the incredulity in her voice unmistakable. It was the kind of look I had encountered countless times from others when my reactions didn't align with the seriousness of a situation. The way she looked at me was akin to how people often perceive someone who has entirely lost their grip on reality.

"I assure you, I did hear you loud and clear, Amica Mea, and I genuinely apologize for my laughter... It’s just that I couldn't control myself," I responded, attempting to calm her down, though I could see her frown deepen in response.

"You couldn't help but laugh amidst all of this?? Really, Novan? We're discussing matters that involve your very life! This is not the time to be chuckling about such serious threats!" She scolded, her eyes narrowing as her frustration mounted.

"You honestly looked like a lunatic laughing when you should be worried! You need to take this situation more seriously!"

"I wasn’t laughing from the depths of my heart, Amica Mea..." I confessed, my voice heavy with unspoken burdens. A wave of emotions washed over me as I continued,
 “I find it astonishing that he just won't relent... His resolve is unsettling, and when he claimed that he would make me pay, I could see that he was deadly serious.” As I spoke, I noticed her expression shift; the initial tension in her features began to soften, replaced by a mixture of concern and understanding.

“You sound like you really know him, do you?” she probed gently, her curiosity piqued by my words. I couldn't help but scoff lightly at her inquiry, the sound mingling with disbelief.

“I wouldn’t say I know him well anymore… I mean, there was a time when I thought I knew him inside and out, but that’s no longer the case. He has morphed into someone completely unrecognizable, a stranger wearing the guise of the person I used to know,” I explained, each word laced with the painful memories of better days. I noticed her face contort into an expression of confusion, as if wrestling with the fragments of my revelation.

“Don’t dwell on it too much, Amica Mea… I assure you, I will do everything in my power to protect your family. I pledge my life to this promise,” I said, my voice dropping to a murmur as I reached out and gently rubbed her hand in a soothing manner, hoping to instill a sense of safety in her heart.

“Thank you, Novan,” she replied, her voice laced with gratitude but tinged with worry. 

“I was contemplating the idea of informing your parents… It seems like they might be our best hope in tracking down that person once and for all. Their support could be invaluable.” A smile spread across my face at her thoughtfulness; it was nice to see her thinking strategically in the face of danger.

“No, don’t,” I responded, locking my eyes with hers, my expression serious and insistent. The gravity of my words sank into the air between us, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears.

“Why not?” she asked, her surprise evident, a flash of confusion darting across her features. The question lingered like a bead of water, desperate to be answered, and I knew I needed to tread carefully in my response.

"You won't understand , Amica Mea," I stated softly, my tone encompassing a mixture of concern and urgency.

"It’s already quite late in the evening. Please, do go to your room and get some sleep," I implored. She held my gaze for several long, silent moments, her eyes reflecting a blend of emotions before she finally rose from her seat, letting out a deep sigh that seemed to echo the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"Good night, Novan," she murmured, a hint of resignation evident in her voice, before she turned and walked out of the room, her footsteps barely audible on the floorboards.

"See you tomorrow morning, Amica Mea," I called after her, watching as she exited the room. The door clicked shut with a finality that amplified the solitude settling around me.

As soon as she was gone, my expression darkened once more, and I felt that familiar frown etching deeper into my features. With a sense of urgency, I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Scott’s number, my mind racing with thoughts of what needed to be done. 

"Come in... now," I instructed tersely before abruptly hanging up, the silence of the room amplifying my mounting anxiety.

It wasn't long before the door swung open, and Scott burst into the room, a look of alarm etched on his face as he took in my expression.

"He's here in America, Scott," I stated, my voice tinged with irritation and a hint of defiance. 

"And this time, I refuse to just sit back and wait for him to make his move. I’m going to fight back, and I intend to show him exactly what kind of monster he has turned me into." 

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I recounted the events that had unfolded.

"He approached Amica Mea and demanded that she hand over some sort of drugs, threatening her family if she doesn't comply. I simply cannot stand idly by while he's dragged her into this chaotic mess. It’s time to take a stand. He will not be the one hunting me this time." 

The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air, and I could sense the urgency of our impending confrontation simmering just beneath the surface.

"I've given him an incredible amount of time to reflect on his actions, to pause and truly consider changing his ways, especially given the history we share. I've tried to be patient because of all the memories we built together in the past, all the moments that linger between us. But I have reached my limit—no more chances," I declared firmly, taking a long, deliberate breath in an effort to steady myself.

"I need you to locate Kenton and instruct him to dig up some information of real significance. I want every detail about his hideout. Every last shred of evidence, every single thing that could give us an advantage—it’s time to stop putting up with his tiresome games. He still has this misguided perception that I’m the same calm, innocent Donovan , the boy who was easily fooled by his tricks. But he’s sorely mistaken; his delusions will soon be shattered. He has no idea what a maniac I’ve become," I muttered, glaring intensely in the direction of my thoughts.

"And there’s yet another task I need you to prioritize first thing tomorrow morning," I continued, my voice growing more intense.

"I want you to find out where Amica Mea went yesterday. And then I want you to track down that vile bastard who dared to attempt to assault her. How dare he even think about violating her in such a despicable way? I’ll make him pay dearly for his actions; he will bleed, and I’ll ensure that he is never able to use that dck on any woman again—ever. Find him and bring him to the underground house. I’ll personally make sure to witness his suffering. I want to hear his cries and watch him writhe in pain," I said, and I could see the fervor in my eyes as he nodded in immediate understanding.

"Understood, boss. I'll make this my top priority and begin working on it at first light," he replied, bowing his head in respect, ready to take on the grave task I’d assigned him.

"And… I must insist that you keep a especially vigilant eye on Amica Mea," I instructed with a sense of urgency.

"Because we simply cannot afford to overlook anything at this point. We have no way of knowing if he has managed to place someone within the confines of the mansion, lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike. Trust me when I say that I know exactly who I'm dealing with, Scott. This man is desperate and unscrupulous, fully capable of taking extreme measures if it serves to bring me harm. It’s all quite baffling; how could he possibly be aware that I have another doctor?" I added, letting out a chuckle that masked my rising anxiety. 

"Your mission is clear: find that damned spy and, well, you know the course of action that must be taken," I asserted firmly as I watched him nod in acknowledgment, understanding the gravity of the task ahead.

"That will be all for now," I concluded, and he immediately bowed his head in compliance before swiftly exiting the room, the door closing softly behind him as I was left alone with my thoughts.

As I lay back onto the bed, releasing my body with a loud thud against the mattress, I spoke softly to myself, 

"I'm ready for your games, Giovan. Just know that I hope you are equally prepared for what’s to come."