CHAPTER 6: Game Room

Khlea’s Point of View

I was just looking at my teammates while we were all holding the cue stick. My friends’ attention was focused only on Allison, who was staring at the cue ball. It stands while measuring how to attack to shoot some balls that are its target.

 “What do you think about that, Nishane?” The8 asked with a smirk on his lips. “It looks like our friend will be hit because of that heir. Imagine that Nishane is weak, but Clifford chose him.”

No one answered us, but Allison sat down hard, causing it to shoot its target balls. She stood up properly, then looked at all of us without emotion. “Whatever happens, we don’t care anymore. It’s Cliff’s life. Their life.”

She is right. But even I know that things are complicated for them, so what if Cliff has special feelings for Nishane?

“Allison is right. We shouldn’t get involved in any of Cliff’s personal business with Nishane. There is only one thing we need to do for Clifford—to protect him,” Seven said.

I was a little surprised because Seven rarely speaks or give opinions. Only The8 was loud to us.

I took a deep breath and returned the cue stick to the cue rack. I’m honestly not in the mood to play right now. I also have no plans to go to the Headquarters because I’m too lazy to leave the house. I feel like I have no energy.

I took a cigarette stick and lit it. This area is open, so even if we smoke, it’s okay. I sat down and looked at the vast city lights, which is one reason why this place is my favorite at night. I calm down every time my eyes see this scene.

I smoke.

“What happened?” asked Allison, who had just appeared at my side.

I didn’t look at her. I parted my long, burgundy hair. Wavy, that’s why it had more volume when it fell after I cut it. “I have nothing to say.”

“Come on, Khlea. I know you.”

That’s when I looked at him. “Really?”

“Yes.”

I laughed softly. Of course. Of all the people who know me, Allison really knows my true nature best. What I feel—she can read even with the first glance in my eyes. Unlike her. I can’t read her.

I turned, so that we were facing each other. “Alright. Let’s try if you really know me.”

“You and Cindy broke up, didn’t you?”

I was shocked for a moment but recovered after a while. I crossed my arms across my chest. “How did you know about it? I haven’t told anyone yet. Actually, it’s been less than 5 hours since we broke up,” I said directly. I have no idea how she found out about that.

Allison nodded before turning to me for a moment, then she looked back at the city lights.

 Actually, I really don’t know anything and I’m just catching you. You can’t be a problem. You are okay with your family. And lately, you’ve only been thinking about your relationship with Cindy," she said.

I blinked my eyes. “Y-you mean, you don’t know anything?”

“Nothing unless you say so. So what happened?” she asked me again.

I took a deep breath before answering. “It’s boring.”

“Why are you bored? Don’t you love her?”

“I love Cindy, but I’m tired. Because I didn’t think she would repeat what she was doing.”

“Did she cheat on you?”

I shook my head. “No. She can’t do that to me.” I looked again at the beautiful city lights. I felt reassured even just looking at it.

“Where did you get tired of the relationship between the two of you?” she asked again.

To be honest, Allison doesn’t ask questions. That’s why I’m surprised now. What she asks me so many questions. “Why are you interested in my love life?”

Allison shook her head. “I just want to know because you’re not the type of girl who would play drama. Even if you don’t speak, we know you have a problem,” she said. That’s also true because I’m a jolly person.

As long as I can show that I’m okay, I will do it. If I have a problem, I usually only tell them when I’m done and I’ve worked out a solution. “I’m tired because there are times when she just creates an issue so that we can argue. No third party was involved, but she was jealous even during my time.”

“On your time?”

“Yes.”

“She doesn’t know anything about what your real job is, does she?”

“Yes. We can’t tell others, can we?” That’s one of our rules. That’s why it’s hard for me to explain what’s happening to Cindy. I don’t want to gamble anything and say because it’s hard. I also don’t want her to sympathize with what trouble there is with my being a mafia.

“That is difficult. Does she always demand your time?”

I let out a deep breath. “It’s always that. That’s why I got fed up. I also understand her, because if I was in her situation I would be surprised too. I will really ask. A demand.”

Allison nodded. “Maybe it’s better what you did.”

“Are you serious?”

“Hmm.”

The wind blew violently around me. “It hurts for me, but I have to accept it.”

“What are you talking about?” The8 asked with a smirk. She took a cigarette and lit it.

“Nothing,” I answered. I’m sure she’ll just tease me, so it’s better that she doesn’t know anything.

She raised an eyebrow. “Okay.” The8 looked at Allison. “Are you ready for our schedule tomorrow?”

“Kay Mr. Zhen?”

“Oh.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that one will agree to the deal we offer?”

“Yes. I hope he doesn’t prolong the deal with us. I want to relax tomorrow.”

The8 and I looked at each other. Even if Allison didn’t say it and The8 and I immediately knew what it meant to say ‘relax’. I just shook my head because that’s not really how a person relaxes. Well, Allison is the only one I know like that.

A few moments later, Allson said goodbye to us, which is why I frowned. “Where are you going?”

“I just have something to talk about.” I followed her to the exit where her motorcycle, Velvet, was parked. Allison got on and then put on the helmet. “Why haven’t you come back inside yet?”

I leaned on the doorsill and looked at her. Where are you going?"

Even though he was wearing a helmet, I knew that he was surprised by my question. “Am I just leaving at this hour, Khlea?”

I breathed deeply. “Well, you know that I’m broken-hearted and then you’re going to leave me,” I was still pouting when I told her that.

“Am I your daughter?”

“No, but you know that I don’t want to be left when I’m in this state, right?” She knows that I need someone to talk to when I’m thinking about something, but now she doesn’t seem to remember.

That’s when Allison removed the helmet from her head. “Khlea, I just have something to talk to, then I’ll be right back.”

“Can I come with you?”

“No.”

“Why? Didn’t you say you were just a moment?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to come with me.”

“Fine! If you do not want to, then do not! Take care!” Even though I was annoyed, I didn’t insist anymore because I was just more annoyed with her. I ran back inside the game room and saw that Seven and The8 were talking about stopping when I got close to them. “Have you eaten? I’m hungry.”

“Just order,” said Seven. It stood up. “I am going home.” He didn’t wait for The8 and I to answer until there were only two of us left.

“If you’re waiting for me to suggest what food you can order, well, I can’t suggest anything because I’m on a diet. I don’t want to be tempted. I’m sleepy. Goodnight, Khlea! Bye!” Even he passed me by and left me alone inside the game room.

“Wow! Those are true friends. Things that don’t even concern me.” I just shook my head. I didn’t expect that those two men would sympathize with me because I knew that they didn’t want to take me seriously. They tease hard, especially The8.

I just left the game room and went to the building where we live. I’m in 3rd floor of our building. The whole area is mine. No one can step on 3rd floor because it’s my private place. I have my own house, but I prefer to stay here first because I only remember Cindy when I’m at my house. Here I can be quiet alone.

Cindy and I have been in a relationship for several years. We also went through a lot that I thought we couldn’t handle. But I don’t know why I got tired. Because I wanted nothing else than to be happy in my relationship with him. My dream is to have a relationship that I agree with in everything, but I don’t expect to get bored.

I took clothes from the walking closet. The color pink pajama is what I chose as underwear before I entered the bathroom. I took off all my clothes before I got into the bathtub that I had prepared before I went to the game room. I was immediately relaxed when I felt the warm water. I will close my eyes. Actually, I wanted to call Cindy to say hello but I couldn’t. I can’t be soft. I have made up my mind to end everything with us. It hurts me because I know that he is hurting, but he is not healthy anymore. We need to move forward so we can both breathe.

After I finished taking a shower, my stomach was churning. I can’t think of anything to eat. The fridge is full, but I’m not in the mood to cook. I sat on a chair while thinking of something to eat. Will I cook or order? I don’t know.

A few moments later, the doorbell rang in my unit, which made me frown. I stood up and peered through the peephole to see who would be coming to my unit at that hour. It even surprised me to see Allison outside, so I opened the door.

“Allison, what are you doing here?” I asked her.

She didn’t speak, but she showed me something. She was holding a pizza box. “Seven said you don’t know what to eat. That’s why I bought you out.”

“Are you seven?”

“Yes. I’ve been calling you for a while, but you’re not answering my call.”

“I hid my phone so Cindy couldn’t contact me. Thank you,” I said while taking the pizza from him. “Do you want to come in?”

“Nah. I’m full. I’m going to my unit.” She was about to turn away, but she seemed to remember something. “By the way, block Cindy’s number if you don’t want her to contact you. You know that the phone is important to us, right?”

“Y-yeah…”s

“Goodnight, Khlea.” That was all she said before he turned around and took the elevator.

It left me wondering because I didn’t know why she brought me food. She can not buy me because I know that she is also busy. I closed the door and went straight to the dining table and put down the pizza box. Before opening it, I went to my room and took my phone from the nightstand cabinet. A lot of text messages from my friends and also from Cindy. My heart ached again, so I immediately blocked Cindy’s number because Allison was right. I can’t lose contact with my friends. I just shook my head and let out a violent breath.

I went out to the dining area and took out some soft drinks from the fridge and started eating. I didn’t forget to send a text message to Allison. “Thank you, Alli.”