Chapter 67 The Game Ends on My Terms
Adrian's POV
I step out of the car and stare at the house I bought when I was still in college. It has become old and rusty.
The last time I came here was with her, but she wasn't the first woman. It used to be a safe abode, where I run to, hiding from the noise and chaos out there.
I inhale through my nose. All the memories I buried somewhere deep down soon start crawling back.
I stagger and gasp as my chest tugs painfully. This was where I brought all the women I love but I chose not to bring Darcy.
I don't want to have any connection to this place again but now, someone somewhere playing tricks on me has forced me to return.
Whatever it is, the fear and anger, I have to overcome it sooner than later. I'm already here and there's no turning back.
I take one firm step forward but pause when the sky suddenly turns dark. The sun has hidden its face. The leaves on the floor suspend in the air as the wind sweeps them off the ground.
My gaze scans the area but I see no one in sight. I expect to see CCTV cameras but I don't see anything.
This path is mine to walk alone.
I suck in enough air and resume walking. I walk as if matching the pace of my heartbeat.
Soon, I stand before the door. My hand rests in the doorknob but instead of twisting it open and pushing the door open, I freeze.
I squeeze my eyes shut and growl as the memories hit me with full force. The laughter. Banters.
As if it burned me, I snatch my hand from the door and take steps back. I clutch onto my head.
My legs wobble, making me stagger. My lungs contract painfully.
Those scars never healed properly. The muscles in my shoulders tense and my knees sink to the ground.
The pain from the fall is nothing compared to the heartache I'm feeling.
I don't know how much time passed when I slowly open my eyes. My nose flares and my eyes become bloodshot.
I clench my hands and press them against the rough floor. I try to stand but it's as an invisible force is pinning me down.
My demon wants me to succumb. To surrender.
Damn!
This person in the shadows is attacking me from all sides. Not giving me breathing space.
My body starts to grow weak and my eyes become droopy.
Do I want to give up now?
I got the answers as soon as memories of Hazel and Darcy rushes through my head. The future plans I have for my family will all go up in flames, if I back down.
Beads of sweat trickle down my face and my shirt is soon wet. With all the strength I can muster, I push myself up.
Promises should be kept and I wish to honor mine. Whatever is behind that door, I must face it headon.
With unsteady, feathery steps I approach the door again. I turn the doorknob.
The door makes a loud creaky sound as it opens. Cobwebs cover every corner. The furniture is now dirty and torn.
The pace of my heartbeat slowly reduces. The place doesn't look like anyone came here.
But I trust Jim, especially with information like this.
Goosebumps creep across my skinbut I keep walking, heading towards the rooms.
My thoughts continue to run wild. It's impossible that the two women I brought here would return.
There's definitely someone else.
I stop at the first door and it's open. Everything is the same way as I left them years ago.
Clothes litter the floor. The bed is undone.
The wooden floor makes sounds as I walk on it. The door of the next door is partly open but there seems to be artificial lighting in the room.
I open the door wider and take a step in.
I squint my eyes bit. My stomach ties into a knot with my eyes focus on the several screens. Live videos from different corners and areas in my house is playing.
I stare at the screen blankly. I'm done reacting. It's better if my enemies never know my next move.
My lips stretch into a small smile that didn't reach my eyes, as I realize the game is nothing but a cheap scheme.
Not to underestimate whoever it is, but either way, he or she has a long way to go. So much to learn if they want to bring me down.
Walked closer, I sit on the old office chair and cross my legs and rest my head on my hand as I watch the videos.
Whoever it is, is watching me from wherever they are. Immediately, I enter the room, I noticed the small camera at the far end of the wall, adjacent to the door.
Darcy ruined their surveillance by changing all the cameras because why are old videos playing on the screen?
Boredom begins to seep in so I stand, heading back to the living. I knew from the beginning that I will not be seeing him or her.
But at least, they get to know that I'm hot on their trail. Now I have clarity. The person only has an edge when we provide them with what to use against us.
Without resources from us, they're just basic like every other schemer out there.
Now I'm changing my strategy. Push, pull and repeat. Provoking them to show themselves.
As I reenter the living room, my gaze shifts and it lands on a paper on the wall. A note for me.
I stand a bit farther.
"If you ever come back here and you see this, that means you're openly accepting to play a game with me. Let the fun begin."
A game?
A game within a game!
Whatever it is, I know it won't be in my favor but it's not set on stone that I can't overturn the game and become the mastermind.
This person knows me well but not enough to know that I hate games, yet love the game of chess.
In chess, anyone can be removed and anyone can be replaced. Indeed, I have a lot to lose but I'm selfish enough not to want to lose anything.
In their minds, they may be arrogant enough to think that they don't have anything to lose but I don't believe that.
Even though it's only life they have and is not afraid to lose, no law states that I can't toy with it before taking it finally.
A slow, painful and memorable death doesn't sound like a bad idea to me.
And Darcy, I know she doesn't want to be a liability, so we'll be both the confidant and pillar to each other.
Together we'll protect our home, family and peace.
I approach the paper and tear it off the wall. Everything has dragged on for way too long and it's annoying me
I still can't say who is behind all of this. They started it but I'll be ending it.
My way.
This game ends when I decide it does!