Chapter 98 Chapter 98

Chapter 98 Chapter 98
The day continued... as it should. Everyone went about the day like nothing happened last night—no, they did so like what happened wasn’t anything serious. Everyone except for Scott, whom we left to keep thinking what happened was only but a dream. 

Scott had gone out with his friends, claiming he needed fresh air and a break from the house, which I didn’t blame him for. After last night and the emotional whirlwind of the morning, a day out wasn’t the worst idea. 

What was the worst idea? 

Being stuck in this giant mansion with nothing to do. 

The staff moved around quietly, as they always did, cleaning surfaces that already sparkled, straightening pillows that were already aligned. The air-conditioning hummed softly. Somewhere in the hallway, a vacuum whirred. 

But for me? 

There was nothing. Nothing but boredom threatening to swallow me whole. 

So, naturally, I went to find Ace. 

I reached his door and knocked lightly. “Ace?” 

A muffled sound came from the other side, something between a groan and a complaint. 

I pushed the door open. 

He was lying on his bed, scrolling on his phone lazily with one leg hanging off the edge. 

His eyes flicked toward me. “What is it, Sabrina?” 

I sighed. “I’m bored.” 

He scoffed instantly. “Of course you are.” 

I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“You don’t have any friends,” he said bluntly, shrugging. “So naturally you’re bored.” 

My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?” 

He lifted his eyes from his phone, expression dripping with amusement. “You heard me.” 

“That’s rude.” 

“It’s true,” he countered. “You’re always lurking around me or Scott. You need hobbies.” 

“I do have hobbies,” I snapped. 

“Name one.” 

I opened my mouth and froze. 

Exactly. 

He laughed at my silence. “See?” 

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Whatever. I came to see if you wanted to do something today.” 

Ace dropped his phone on his chest. “I can’t.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because,” he said, stretching, “I already have plans.” 

I raised a brow. “Plans with who?” 

He grinned. “Michael.” 

The name alone was enough to send a sharp jolt through my memory. The last time Michael was here, I learnt of the stupid bet. The smug look on his face. The way he treated me like a prize. 

My face hardened instantly. 

“Oh.” My tone chilled. “Him.” 

Ace noticed immediately. “Oh God. Don’t start.” 

“I’m not starting,” I said defensively. “It’s just, he made that horrible bet about me, remember? And I really don’t want to be around him.” 

“I apologized,” Ace said. “He apologized.” 

“No, he didn’t.” 

“He sort of apologized.” 

“Does ‘you weren’t supposed to find out like this’ count as an apology to you?” 

Ace winced. “Okay… yeah. That wasn’t great.” 

I folded my arms. “Ace, I don’t want him here.” 

He sighed and sat up fully. “Sabrina, listen. Michael isn’t… he’s not a bad guy, okay. He’s stupid sometimes, yes. And does he go too far sometimes? Yes. But he’s my best friend.” 

I stared at him, unimpressed. 

He continued, “Just forget it. Seriously. He won’t try anything this time. I’ll be there. Just… relax, okay?” 

I stared at him for a long moment before letting out a slow, exhausted sigh. 

“Fine.” 

“Good girl,” Ace said with a smirk. 

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. 

Then, unexpectedly, he leaned over and kissed my cheek. Not in a romantic way. But before I could react, the doorbell echoed through the house. 

Ace’s face brightened instantly. “That must be him.” 

“Already?” 

“He’s here!” 

He jumped off the bed and hurried out. I followed, albeit reluctantly, but stopped halfway down the stairs. From the top landing, I saw him swing the door open. 

Michael stepped inside. Tall, cocky, and dripping with the same smug confidence that always rubbed me the wrong way. He had a smirk waiting on his lips like it belonged there. 

And when he looked up and saw me on the stairs… 

He blew me a kiss. 

I scoffed loudly and turned away. 

Ace laughed behind him, clapping his friend on the back as they walked toward the stairs. 

I didn’t wait. I walked straight into Ace’s room and sat down on the couch near the window. 

The setup was unmistakable. Ace had gone all out with the video game arrangement. Controller chargers, LED lights, two gaming chairs, snacks, and drinks. The whole battle-station thing. 

This boy really planned a whole tournament. 

By the time Ace and Michael entered, I was already seated. 

Ace immediately went toward the screens, adjusting wires, hitting buttons, and muttering at the loading screen. Typical Ace behavior. 

Michael, meanwhile, veered straight toward me. 

“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath. 

He plopped onto the couch beside me, way too close, leaning back like he owned the house. “Hey, Sabrina.” 

I didn’t answer. 

“Still mad at me?” he teased. 

I turned my head toward Ace. “Ace, your friend is talking to me.” 

Ace didn’t look up. “Then talk back.” 

“I don’t want to.” 

Michael grinned. “Come on, sweetheart. It wasn’t that bad.” 

I narrowed my eyes. “You made a bet over me.” 

He shrugged, unbothered. “At least you won.” 

I choked on air. “What?!” 

Ace burst out laughing from across the room. 

Michael smirked deeper. “Relax. I’m kidding.” 

“No, you’re not.” 

He laughed, placing an elbow on the armrest so he could lean slightly closer. “Okay, maybe I’m not. But I’m a changed man.” 

“You’re not.” 

“I could be,” he said, tapping his chest lightly. “For the right person.” 

I turned away with a disgusted scoff. “Ace!” 

Ace didn’t even turn around. “Get along with him, Sabrina. I’m busy. And he’s not trying anything.” 

“Yes, he is!” 

Michael grinned innocently. “I’m not doing anything.” 

He was doing something. He was absolutely doing something. 

He leaned closer. “You look good today.” 

“Don’t.” 

“Don’t what?” he asked, voice dropping lower in that fake-flirty way. 

I folded my arms and moved to the very edge of the couch. “Ace, tell him to stop.” 

Ace sighed dramatically. “Michael, stop.” 

“I didn’t do anything!” Michael protested. 

“You’re in her space.” 

Michael raised his hands playfully. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave.” 

He didn’t. 

He leaned closer again. 

“What exactly happened last night?” he asked with a smirk that made my heart stop. 

My eyes widened. “Nothing.” 

“Ace told me—” 

“Ace told you NOTHING,” I snapped. 

Michael laughed. “Relax, I’m joking.” 

I hated him so much. 

He leaned in again, and before I could react, he tilted his head as if he was trying to kiss my cheek. 

I pushed him first, but when he leaned in again— 

I slapped him. 

A small, sharp sound filled the room. 

Michael froze. 

Ace turned immediately and burst into loud laughter. 

Michael rubbed his cheek. “Damn, Sabrina. You hit hard.” 

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped. 

Ace laughed harder, pointing at his friend. “That’s what you get, idiot. Come on, leave her alone and come lose to me.” 

Michael huffed, glaring playfully at me before rolling off the couch and going toward the gaming chair. 

He sat down, rubbing his cheek. “She’s gotten pretty violent.” 

“She warned you,” Ace said smugly. 

I crossed my arms, still irritated, still boiling a bit. 

Michael shot me one more smirk. “It was worth it.” 

“Ace!” I shouted again. 

Ace only laughed more.