Chapter 87: The Penitence

The blue team seemed to have the upper hand, taking down the red team members one by one. However, in an unexpected twist, the red team counterattacked with an effective strategy, evening the odds and leaving the game in a thrilling one-on-one showdown. Analú, representing the red team, faced the last member of the blue team, whose face was hidden behind a special protective suit.

The blue team’s player demonstrated impressive precision, easily eliminating opponents. Analú, on the other hand, moved cautiously, taking advantage of the terrain’s hiding spots. Despite her efforts, one mistake cost her dearly: she took three simultaneous hits to the head, chest, and back. The blue player celebrated their victory with enthusiasm, securing the win for their team.

When the game ended and everyone began removing their protective suits, the surprise was evident: Britney was the player who had defeated Analú. Seeing her, Analú’s expression hardened. If she had known Britney and Nicolás would be there, she would have never agreed to go to the amusement center.

Alexia and the magnate Frederick were equally stunned.

—What are they doing here? —Alexia murmured in confusion.

It was then that Mateo, with a carefree smile, congratulated the winning team. Nicolás, in turn, thanked him for the invitation. The truth came out: Mateo had invited the couple, unaware of the feelings brewing between Analú and Nicolás.

Alexia noticed her friend’s discomfort and signaled her father to leave.

—I don’t want Analú to go through this —Alexia whispered seriously.

However, Analú decided to stay. While the others moved on to other activities, her mind was already forming a plan. She scanned the play area and approached Britney with a proposal.

—Britney, how about a game of chess? —she asked with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

—Huh? Sure, sounds fun. Though I warn you, I’m pretty good —Britney replied confidently.

—Perfect, but let’s make it interesting. How about a bet? —Analú suggested, carefully choosing her words.

—Sounds fair. What do you propose?

—The loser fulfills a punishment chosen by the winner, but it’ll be revealed at the end of the game. Nothing dangerous, of course.

—Deal, and let’s make sure everyone here is a witness —Britney agreed, self-assured.

They sat across from each other as spectators gathered around. Analú received encouragement from Alexia, Mateo, Frederick, and the magnate. Britney, meanwhile, only had Nicolás rooting for her.

The game began, and Britney quickly took the lead, moving the pieces with near-mechanical precision. Analú, though worried, didn’t stop analyzing every move. She couldn’t afford to lose again to Britney. The tension mounted, and after almost an hour, Analú made her final move.

—Checkmate! —she exclaimed with joy.

She stood up and started dancing, celebrating her victory as the spectators applauded.

—Good game, Analú —Britney admitted, trying to keep her composure—. Now tell me, what’s my punishment?

Nicolás frowned at that. He knew Analú well and suspected that her punishments, though clever, could be quite uncomfortable.

—Britney, your punishment will be to spend fifteen minutes under that tree with your hands raised. If you lower them, you’ll have to start over.

—That’s it? —Britney asked, relieved—. That’s super easy.

Britney confidently walked toward the designated tree, unaware of what awaited her. She was wearing very short shorts and a sleeveless top, making her the perfect target for the mosquitoes swarming in the area. Just a few minutes in, she started jumping from side to side, trying to fend off the insects.

The spectators watched curiously, wondering why Britney seemed to be dancing under the tree. When the fifteen minutes finally ended, Britney came out visibly irritated.

—That was horrible! There were a million mosquitoes! —she complained, scratching her legs covered in bites.

—I’m sorry, Britney —Analú said with an innocent smile—. I didn’t know there were so many mosquitoes there. Right, Nicolás?

—Yes, love —he replied—. Believe me, you got off easy.

Analú felt a wave of satisfaction as Nicolás defended her, and though her heart raced, she held back from showing too much.

As evening fell, the group began to say their goodbyes. Nicolás helped Britney put on her helmet, and the two of them left on his motorcycle.

—How did you feel today? —Frederick asked Analú as they left the park.

—Honestly, better than I expected. At first, it was hard seeing them here, but after beating her at chess, I felt more at ease. Did you see her legs?

—Yeah, I thought you were being merciful —Alexia commented, amused.

—I was. It’s not my fault she’s so delicate —Analú replied with a sly smile—. Besides, she’s always rude to me. I’m sure she can’t stand me.

As they walked away, Analú couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and relief. She had come to the amusement center to distract herself from the problems that tormented her, but the unexpected presence of Nicolás and Britney had reignited emotions she thought were under control. Despite everything, her small victory over Britney in the chess game felt like vindication—a reminder that she wouldn’t always come out on the losing side.

For the first time in a long while, Analú allowed herself to savor a moment of triumph, even if it was fleeting. The smile of satisfaction on her face wasn’t just from winning the game but from proving she could stand up to Britney and come out ahead. However, the closeness between Nicolás and his girlfriend still felt like a thorn in her heart. The sound of Britney’s laughter, Nicolás’s protective tone toward her... all of it replayed in her mind like an annoying echo. No matter how much she tried to ignore it, she knew it still affected her more than she was willing to admit.

Walking alongside Alexia and Frederick, she tried to focus on the day’s small victories. She had shown her strength, even in a simple game, and realized something important: she wouldn’t let anyone step on her again—not even Britney. Her mind filled with thoughts of future confrontations, sketching possible scenarios where she wouldn’t just endure but emerge victorious.

Though pride for her cleverness swelled in her chest, a pang of melancholy wasn’t far behind. She was aware that all of this was merely temporary relief. Nicolás remained unattainable, and her heart, despite her attempts to shield it, continued to be vulnerable in front of him.