Chapter 16 Chapter 16.

Chapter 16 Chapter 16.
(Lucian)

After ensuring that my transgressor had paid dearly for his mistakes, I stepped back to admire my handiwork, the aftermath of my wrath hanging heavily in the air, when a loud crash pierced through the silence, pulling my attention away. 

My instincts kicked in as I turned sharply in the direction of the sound; my men scrambled out of the room in a rush, clearly on the hunt for something, or someone that had stirred up the chaos. 

I settled back into my chair, body poised, waiting for the outcome of their search, though my eyes remained fixed on the dying man before me. 

Moments later, my lead man returned, a look of disappointment etched on his face. "We found nothing, boss."

I nodded curtly, diverting my gaze back to the transgressor. "Clean up this mess," I ordered, the tone of my voice leaving no room for discussion.

I stood up and made my way out of the room, every step calculated. As I returned to the room, I opened the door only to be met with her, her suitcase in hand. I noted the way her complexion drained at the sight of me, sparking a flicker of curiosity mixed with concern.

"Going somewhere?" I asked, the corner of my mouth curling into a smirk.

"No," she replied sharply, the smile stretched unnaturally across her face, masking something beneath. 

I arched an eyebrow, glancing at the suitcase before her. "So...?" 

Her hesitation spoke volumes. Finally, she let out a reluctant admission. "Oh, yeah! I was actually going somewhere." 

My curiosity piqued again, only to be dashed as she continued, "I was going to your room."

I felt a mixture of amusement and disappointment at her response. "What? My room? Why?" 

"Why?" She seemed genuinely surprised at my question. "Doesn't this room bother you?" 

"Bother me?" I echoed, confused.

She nodded vigorously. "Yeah! I feel like this room isn't perfect enough for us." 

Although her logic was flawed—every room in this game house was identical, I decided to keep my composure. 

"It's perfect. We can stay here. We’ll stay here together," I replied.

“Really?” Her voice was laced with disbelief, clearly taken aback by my response. “Are you sure?” she pressed, uncertainty creeping in. “But—”

“It’s okay,” I interjected firmly, my tone brokering no argument. “We’ll stay here.” I stepped boldly into the room.

“Yeah, we will,” she replied reluctantly, a hint of resignation in her voice. “I have no choice but to obey your command if I really want to keep my head.”

“Yes,” I affirmed, locking my gaze onto hers. “Defy me, and your head is gone.” In that moment, I noticed the flicker of fear distorting her features, a brief crack in her armor. 

Flashing her a wink, I strode deeper into the room, my confidence propelling me forward while she remained rooted in place, overwhelmed.

I began to button down my shirt, acutely aware of the coppery scent of blood clinging to my skin, a remnant of my encounter with that bastard. I needed to wash it all away.

Suddenly, a bell echoed through the room, followed by Sia’s cheerful announcement: “Dinner time, everyone!”

I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall; it was already 7 PM. Time had slipped away from me.

With one last look at Rebecca, who was still processing our exchange, I made my way into the bathroom, the cool tiles underfoot contrasting sharply with the heat of the moment I had just left behind.



(Rebecca)

I didn't realize how much I was holding my breath until he disappeared into the bathroom. My heart raced in the silence that followed, pounding against my ribcage like a trapped bird. That had been too close. How am I supposed to escape now?

Daniel's voice echoed in my mind like a haunting refrain, his chilling taunts replaying. "No one wants to end up with a loser...a loser like you. You are a loser, Rebecca...and losers only attract failure and defeat, and I don't want that."

His words rattled around my thoughts, but my reply to him rebounded back, fierce and defiant. "I will not leave this game no matter what happens...So from now on, walk with your eyes at your back because I will not let you off the hook when I begin trampling on everyone." I couldn’t just walk away, not when I had a reckoning to deliver. Daniel had to pay for what he did.  ll make him pay even if it means dinning with the Devil. Only I'm gonna dine with this Devil with a long spoon. 

With this newfound resolve igniting my courage, I rolled my suitcase back into place and steadied my aching ankle before making my way downstairs for dinner. Each step felt heavy with purpose as the shadows of the past kept whispering at the forefront of my mind.

Arriving at the vast dining room, I noticed the atmosphere was heavy with unwelcome cheer. The table glimmered under the chandelier, and a few contestants were already deep in conversation, laughter bouncing off the walls like daggers aimed at my insecurity. I spotted Daniel, his charming smile directed at Tina, the two of them sharing a moment that turned my stomach. The scene made me want to hurl.

I took a deep breath, swallowed my emotions, and settled into my chair at the table. Filling my plate, I numbly stacked the food like barriers against the world around me. Rage boiled inside as I stole glances at Daniel and Tina. Their camaraderie was unbearable, and I could feel the bitterness rising like bile in my throat.

Suddenly, Lucian walked in. The room fell silent, and the air shifted. He casually pulled out a chair beside me, confidence radiating off him as he sat down. Ignoring the food, he pulled out his phone, dismissing everyone and everything in the room.

"You might want to eat now before it gets soggy," Tina said to him, her tone hinting at mock concern.

He didn’t look up from his phone, completely ignoring her as though she hadn’t spoken at all. But Tina, undeterred by his indifference, reached over and placed a generous helping of streak on his plate. "Unfortunately, your partner doesn’t know her job, so I’m stepping in for humanity’s sake," she added, her voice smooth but sharp, a sweetness that curdled my stomach.

I scoffed at her audacity, ready to retort, when an idea flickered in my mind. I swallowed my words and, instead, shoved a bite of food into my mouth. I feigned a cough, overemphasizing my discomfort as I pretended to choke. A few concerned hands reached for me with glasses of water, bringing with them a chorus of worried voices. Among them, I felt the familiar touch of Lucian’s hand on my back, patting me gently but firmly. I hadn’t anticipated such an immediate reaction—my plan had worked, drawing his attention, and shitting off Tina. I did it out of risk, preparing myself for a possible neglection, but luckily, I won his attention. 

Yet, amidst the flurry of concerned gestures, Daniel’s hand remained conspicuously absent. He was entirely absorbed in his meal, and the sight ignited a spark of anger in me.

"I’m alright," I finally managed to say, turning on a bright smile for those who had rushed to my side. They all eventually retreated, their concern easing.

"Are you sure? You didn't even sip any water," Lucian spoke with a softness that surprised me and scared me at the same time. 

Now was the moment to set my plan in motion. "Yeah," I pouted lightly, feeling the weight of his gaze. "But it would be nicer if you fed me the water yourself."

"Here," he offered, lifting the glass to my lips.

I shook my head defiantly. "No, I don’t want it that way," I insisted, deepening my sulk. He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"I want it..." I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a whisper, "...just like we shared the wine earlier." I caught a glimpse of Daniel's disdainful scoff from the corner of my eye.

Without a word, Lucian tilted his glass and took a sip of water, his gaze locking onto mine as he leaned in. In an instant, his lips found mine, and my body froze momentarily, fists clenching tightly at my sides. It felt as if a battle was raging within me, my instinctive disgust warring with the unexpected rush of thrill the kiss ignited.

The cool water from his mouth slipped down my throat, his tongue brushing against mine, a combination of sensations that left me conflicted. Even amidst the turmoil, I felt a flicker of something unsettlingly pleasurable.

After a heartbeat that felt like an eternity, I pulled away, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes, attempting to mask the turmoil swirling inside me. 

Lucian just winked, his attention quickly returning to his phone as if he hadn’t noticed the storm brewing beneath the surface of our interaction.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked, trying to break the tension. “Here, eat something,” I said, sliding my plate toward him, feigning kindness.

With a casualness that irritated me, he picked up his cutlery and began eating from my plate, completely at ease. 

I turned to Tina, whose eyes were locked onto the scene before her, rage simmering just beneath her composed exterior. A sly smirk crossed my lips as I quipped, “And he only listens to his partner, no matter how irresponsible she may seem, as you’ve pointed out.” 

The disbelief etched on Tina’s face was almost intoxicating, and I savored the moment. It was satisfying to see her struggle to contain her frustration, knowing that even in this sea of confusion, I had the upper hand.