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CHAPTER 12: PERSPECTIVE MATTERS
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 13: DRAWING LINES IN THE SAND
After their meal, Samuel bid her goodnight and went to sleep. He wrestled beneath the sheets and tossed and turned while she sat by the window, taking in the evening. With the glass of wine in her hand, she counted the stars within the frame of the hotel window to occupy herself.Her sister was in one of the rooms, sleeping peacefully, high on the excitement of her older sister's wedding. Samuel's family was also spending the night in various rooms. Aside from Ysabel, Kali was sure that the others were equally excited about the wedding.She tilted her head back and finished her wine in one gulp. In the silence in the room, she felt herself crumbling to the nerves that eluded her for most of the wedding. The reception had gone on forever when all she wanted was for it to end. The dance had been torture. The smiling had been torture.When she turned around, Samuel was fast asleep, cuddled against one of the pillows. She turned the lamp off, plunging his side of the room into darkness.
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 14: NEW BEGINNINGS AND OLD WARS
Samuel looked at Kali before getting down from the car. She stood in front of it, admiring the new house, a mansion his father purchased as a wedding gift. Samuel felt guilty about it for many reasons, but mainly because his father truly believed him madly in love with a woman he barely knew. Kali wore wide-leg jeans and a jersey crop top, but it was barely noticeable under the bulk of the fur coat she had on. The one thing he learned about his wife was that she loved to look fashionable. Even her pyjamas had a certain aesthetic to them. At first, he assumed she was spending atrocious amounts of money on her outfit but was surprised to learn that she bought them at stores that sold knockoffs. Of course, when she was dating her ex, he bought her more branded clothing, but Kali left everything he ever bought her in the old apartment his mother apparently owned. She was a practical woman, one trait in her he could deeply respect. “We aren’t going to stand here all day.” She sighed, ta
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 15: EMBER'S HOME
“Passport?” Ember handed over her passport, watching as the man revised it and finally slapped his stamp on it. Once she passed every checkpoint, she rolled her suitcase out of the airport and got into the nearest taxi. It had been so long since she was home; everything was foreign to her. Honestly, she wasn’t sure why she returned after she missed the wedding. Samuel didn’t mind that she did, so she could have stayed back, but something wouldn’t let her leave things as they were. Back in Germany, she had a life. One built as a safe space to grow when she was a young adult. After so many years, she suddenly felt alienated from her family. A stranger living on the outside, looking in. No one cared that she didn't attend the wedding. They were used to her living apart from them. It unsettled her greatly. Ember didn’t want to get back into her mother’s hysterics, but she didn’t want to become a ghost to her family. She had already missed a wedding; the next thing would be to miss the
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 16: A FRIEND ACROSS ENEMY LINES
Kali took the apron off and handed it to one of the girls working in the house. Ember was in the parlour, waiting for Kali to join her, but she took her time. First, she instructed them on the rest of the work they needed to do in the kitchen and the dining area. Next, A prepared a small tray of treats for her guest. There was no one else to attend to her. Samuel had left to get supplies, and Kali had no idea when he'd return.After living with the man for months on their honeymoon and now that they were back, she had learned a few things. He had faults, but Samuel was otherwise more kind than unkind. Even when he said hurtful things, usually without thinking, he didn’t let time pass before apologising.Since he held Ember on such a high pedestal, Kali could only assume that the woman was more decent than her mother. It meant she couldn’t be as sarcastic or cold as she was whenever she spoke with Giovanna.“Thank you.” Ember graciously took the glass she offered and relaxed into the se
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 17: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Samuel propped his head on his hand, staring at the television in front of him. It was about time for the dinner, but his family had not arrived, and his wife, the word still made him shiver, was not down from their room. She wasn't getting ready. He knew that. She'd been dressed when he left and chose to sit in the room while he waited in the parlour. Since he returned from the honeymoon, it was a task to not check in on Flora to see how she was doing. Samuel tried to forget, bury himself in work and his project, and, dare he add, his new life, but there were moments when the thoughts resurfaced. The house was close to the town where Flora lived, where she worked. It wouldn't take long to get in a car and drive over to her place, but he didn't. Every time the thought resurfaced, he shot them down. For every desire he had to see her, there was a good reason to stay away. Flora hated him for the way things ended. He hated that he couldn’t be honest with her and tell her the truth, bu
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 18: A DAUGHTER IN LAW TO BE FEARED
"Samuel?""Yes.""I know I haven't said this, but I am happy for you." Samuel averted his gaze from his father's face and looked down at his feet as his father spoke. "I am happy to see you're content with a woman that loves you. I am extremely grateful that, in the end, you are with someone who values you."Suddenly, he felt sick. He barely managed to utter his short reply. "Thanks, dad."Would he still feel the same pride when he found that Kali meant nothing to him? The love he admired and was grateful for was nothing more than a farce to keep up appearances. The daughter-in-law he fancied wanted nothing more than to rip their family apart. Samuel had no doubt that she would destroy everything if it meant taking his mother down with it. "You really like her?""I do. She has proven herself to be a levelheaded and well-mannered young woman. Of course, the circumstances of her arrival are not the best, but you both have done so well fighting for your feelings.""You aren't afraid we
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 19: NEW WIFE, NEW LIFE
Samuel was awake at five, the grim of night had not broken up, and the open window only allowed a minuscule amount of light into the large room. Unable to go back to sleep, he resorted to staring into the thick nothingness. Kali slept beside him, her breathing shallow and even.Flora stayed over with him a couple of nights when they were dating. Sometimes, when he couldn’t sleep, and she woke to find him restlessly moving around the room, she would keep him company. They would huddle on the bed and talk about meaningless things, finding a good laugh here and there between chats. When she slept in his arms, he would hold her close, her scent embracing him as they slept. It was never awkward. Always free-spirited and lively.When Kali had suggested they share a room because the bed was large enough, he was not a fan of the idea. Even though the bed was indeed large enough. If he stretched out his hand, he wouldn’t be able to touch her because she slept close to the edge of her side of th
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 20: A GOOD DAY FOR BAD LUCK
Early in the morning, after Samuel left for work and all the servants had finished their work, Kali prepared to leave the house. She made plans with June to drive her around the city and spend the day with her before she returned home to pack her things. She pushed down on the button that controlled the mechanical gate. Before she could start the car, her eyes caught the rear-view mirror, and she noticed a familiar car driving in. First, disbelief rendered her speechless, frozen with her hands on the wheel. The car drove in further and parked behind her own. Flabbergasted, she got down from her car at the same time Richard did. “Hello, Kali.”“Get out.” She whispered under her breath. Richard got closer, reaching out to touch her arm. She shoved his hand away, standing her ground and speaking with more confidence. “Get out of here. I don’t want you anywhere near me. How dare you come to my house.”“Your house. How easily you fit in here, right? But you and I know that you don’t belo
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DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 107: THE ENDING, OF SORTS
Samuel looked at the restaurant as he stood against his car. It had been a month since his grandfather passed, and things in his family were still not back to normal. His father had forgiven him for his part in the lie, and he also forgave Kali because he believed they were pushed against the wall. But whatever quarrel he had with their mother was still going on. He had tried to talk himself out of tonight with the excuse of waiting for things to cool down. But, he decided against it.He looked back when he heard another car approaching. Sure enough, Mathew was driving to park beside him with Kali in the passenger seat. She waved at him, and he winked in reply.He called earlier to ask her to prepare."Hello." She greeted as she stepped out of the car. "I was surprised to get your call.""I thought you would be." He took her hand and kissed her. "You look lovely.""Thank you. I wore something stunning, as you asked.""Thank you, Mathew
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 106: FINALLY LAID TO REST
“Have you spoken to your dad?”“Yes.”“Are you better?”“No.” Samuel shook his head, and Kali solemnly pressed against him. “He is not only angry with my silence but also with my mother. He doesn’t want the quarrel to overshadow my grandfather’s passing. He won’t address things now.”
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 105: THE ONES WE LIED TO PROTECT
Samuel looked down at Kali as she slept, stretched out underneath the duvet. She had slept through the night and barely flinched when he got her out of the pool and to their room. She was exhausted, and he understood why. He decided to end the façade once and for all, so while he faced his family, he wanted her to rest.Samuel kissed her cheek softly before he left the house and headed for his parents. Luckily for him, everyone was present when he arrived. They were still slow from waking up, but they gathered around the table.“Is something wrong?” His father spoke first, taking a generous gulp from his cup of coffee.“Not anymore.”“What do you want to talk about then.”Samuel had not taken his eyes off his mother since she joined them. When he saw that she was slowly figuring out what he was there to do, he gave her a little smile before turning to a drowsy Giovanna.“Gio, you were right ab
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 104: LOVING THE PAST THAT FORGOT YOU
Flora looked up at the house, trembling with anxiety and incredibly confused. The man who drove her to the home was as silent as a graveyard with a hard and unassuming stare. He didn’t even say a word when she turned her panicked eyes on him. He only indicated that she continued up the stairs.She had asked before what Claudius wanted to meet her, but the man had only grumbled, so she decided to follow his lead and walk into the house. He handed her over to a maid, who took her purse and jacket. She took Flora to a brightly lit room.“Mr. Devon?” The maid called, closing the door softly.He coughed, struggling to get comfortable on the bed. She rushed to help him. She adjusted his pillows and made him as comfortable as possible.“Please sit.” He wheezed, pointing to a chair in front of the bed.Flora carefully sat down, looking at the mass of machines connected to him. “Thank you. I am sorry. I had no idea you we
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 103: SUNSHINE AND RAIN
When Samuel arrived in the evening, he was surprised by Kali at the door. She jumped out of the shadows, scaring him before throwing herself in his arms. He caught her, bellowing with laughter as they kissed."I would assume your day went well?""I believe it did, but that's not why I am happy. I am happy to have you home."Samuel set her back on her feet and noticed the scarf she held in her hands."Are you cold?""No. It's for you.""Me?""Yes. For your eyes, darling."He complied, closing his eyes and allowing her to wrap the scarf around his head, sealing him in darkness. He followed her cautiously as she led him up the stairs and into their room. He scolded her lightheartedly when the door smacked into his chest."Hey!""Sorry." She stressed and led him still. "Sorry. We are here."She took the scarf off and stepped back. He kept his eyes closed, opening them carefully so he wasn't dazzled by the light
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 102: A DATE WITH THE DEVIL
Kali looked up at the house. If she could even call it that. Something about this family made them hungry for prime real estate. From the marble fountains to the immaculate shrubs and garden, the manor looked like it could have been owned by an Earl or a Duke. Kali wouldn't be surprised if she was told the building used to belong to one."Mrs. Madden?" Kali turned to the maid. "Are you looking for someone?"She stuttered, finding herself as she got out of the car. "Yes. I am looking for Mr. Devon.""Alright. Please come in." She began to walk Kali towards the house. "He hasn't been in the best health these past few weeks. I'll tell him you are here to see him, but I can't promise he would agree to sit with you. He hasn't had visitors in weeks.""That's alright. If he won't see me, I'll leave a message."She had come prepared for any event. She'd prefer to say all she had to to his face. If he refused, she had typed and printed a detailed letter exp
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 101: THE DISCOVERY
Samuel nervously nibbled on the pencil in his mouth as he sat at his desk. Two weeks had passed with no word from Ember on how her search was going. She asked them to trust her, saying she'd call when she found something.Kali was on the balcony, watching the warm evening sky while he worked to keep himself busy. He had seen little of his family throughout this time. He visited the house once when he was sure his mother was out and scarcely talked to his dad on the phone.The curtains swooshed, and Kali came to him. She languidly slid her arm up hi
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 100: THE WOMAN HE MARRIED
Kali walked into her sister's apartment. She had planned to visit her earlier but kept pushing the date back until she couldn't anymore. June was home, and Kali left work early to catch her sister before it was too late. Samuel had taken the first step with Ember, and it was her turn.If she waited, who's to tell what Ysabel might do? Just as she informed Kali about Richard as a desperate attempt to cause a rift between them, she might say something to June one of these days."I am glad you came. Sit. Can I get you anything?" June asked.
DANGEROUS GAMES CHAPTER 99: MERELY MAKING PLANS FOR YOUR DOWNFALL
Kali woke up early and slid out of bed while Samuel was still asleep. She walked around the apartment quietly. After the previous day's events, she was exhausted and starving. She wanted to stuff herself with whatever she could find in the kitchen."Morning."Kali looked over her shoulder, scared. "Oh, Ember. It's you.""Sorry to scare you.""It's alright. I was about to rummage through your kitchen for something to eat. Would you like to join me?""Sure."Kali was nervous. She had forgotten most of her conversation with Samuel because her brain was still asleep. But after seeing Ember, Kali remembered Samuel had told her everything. She hoped Ember wasn't too angry or disappointed in her. She considered her a friend, and it would hurt to lose that."What do you want?""A sandwich is fine.""I am too hungry to show off, so what if I make us a simple sandwich for today?""I'll take it."Kali prepared s
