Chapter 03

It felt as if I was teleported to the coldest place in the world when Mezakiel told that the gamble was all about me and Aspen ending up together. That's how Mezakiel and I will win. 

"S-Stop lying around me! Are you sure that the name you mentioned will be our target to win?!" I shouted and even slammed the table. I also took some customers' attention. "Why do you know his name?!" 

Mezakiel shrugged his shoulders, looking like he's no idea. "Why do I know? Me, lying around you? Hey, listen." I automatically shut my mouth and leaned backward when Mezakiel pointed at me with his glaring eyes. "Remember that we're players here. Cooperate and stop reacting into every information I say, Aspen Medina was the mentioned target that you're suppose to end up with." 

I flinched in surprise and wrinkled my nose at him. I don't get why this guy knew Aspen but it's obvious that Mezakiel discovered Aspen's existence as the game manager mentioned.  The person I like, being the target and who must end up with me was the victory factor. But why, me?! 

I crossed my arms and pouted at Mezakiel. "I quitely understand for now. But why me? Why should I be the one to end up with Mr. Aspen Medina to win the game?" 

Mezakiel pretended like coughing to cover up his laughter. There's nothing funny here?! Mentioning Aspen to be involved here turned the game more complicated. After all, he dumped me. 

"Who else among us shall Aspen end up? Me? Gross, pft." I turned my eyes into slits to him. 

"Y-You know! It's not bad that you'll do the part of ending up with Aspen instead of me," I said with a fake smile, avoiding his eyes. I sounded so weird but I don't want to meddle up with Aspen anymore. Mezakiel stirred his juice drink. "If you'll listen to yourself clearly, I'm certain that you'll even shut your mouth for days." 

I widened my eyes on him but he  still leaned his head on his hand. "Miss Karin Ruiz, there are no rules in the gambling that the main player shall do all the process to win. May I let you know the real concept of this gamble?" 

With his interesting point. My hands slammed the table and leaned my face near him. I darted his eyes a sharp gaze. "Why is Aspen involve here and why should I be in a relationship with him to win?" 

Mezakiel performed a smirk and leaned on his seat. "This bet was held saying if Mr. Aspen Medina and Ms. Karin Ruiz end up together, my side will win!". 

My lips parted ang I gawked in surprise. "Who managed this bet? Does he or she know me? Is that person messing up with me?!" 

Mezakiel didn't mind looking my side of getting stressed after knowing the crazy flow of this gamble. "Who knows? That's why I participated, I sided the part that you shall win with that guy and that's why we need to conspire in order to claim the victory." 

I stared at how he gently sipped his drink while darting a keen glance at me. "If you won't trust me, then sooner you'll see Aspen ending up with another girl, or our opponent to this gamble." 

I gasped out of surprise due to how I imagined it. This gamble is proven true once I'll see Aspen having his girlfriend. And that girlfriend he'll have soon must be the other player siding the gamble's bet. Mezakiel's bet was me to Aspen so once I help him win the bet, I will end up with the person I like and we'll also win the reward.

My head stooped lowly and watched my feet fidget. "I-I don't know why this gamble manager involved me into such a weird game. I have no idea who that person is also." 

"Then, was it settled that you will agree? Come on, just make Aspen's heart yours and victory will lean on our side, Karin." This  Mezakiel, he won't stop convincing me until he gets the agreement he seeks from me. 

But he doesn't need to force me that much already, I made up my mind. 

I breathed heavily and caught the eyes of Mezakiel. "Fine! I will do it." 

"But one condition. Let me meet the mastermind of the wager soon!" 

"Hah? You couldn't just do that easily!" I creased my brows on him. "Wh-Why is that?! I'm a part of the game now so it's part of the activity to see that person." 

"No, not a help. There's no use." 

This guy's being very suspicious. The more words he spits out, the more suspicion I throw at him. 

"Maybe because you're the real dealer about this. That you're just messing up with me!" I stated with a bit giggle but Mezakiel even hugged his stomach while laughing. "Seriously? If you keep on doubting like that, you will swallow your suspicions when the other girl makes her move to Aspen." 

My eyes widened to show the fear that flashed across me. Even if Aspen dumped me...

My fists clenched, I could not tolerate seeing that he will happily hang out with another girl. I really like him, I still want him! 

"After all, Karin. I heard that you like that guy?" Mezakiel asked and his confident smirk skipped myself from breathing. 

"How did you know?!" How far could this guy's dicovery go?

The only thing I did was to look away and scratch my head. "A-A bit so I won't bother trying to make a move on Aspen for winning here." 

"Well then! It's settled. Our first step here is to make Aspen notice you," Mezakiel said and he stood up, fixing his blazer's collar. I stood up too and faced him.

To collaborate with Mezakiel, to win this gamble is to make Aspen Medina end up with me before the other opponent succeeds. Since Mezakiel will also help me, I will possibly have the chance to make Aspen like me. 

I clapped my hands once in front of him. "We'll do this. For the sake of winning!" 

For the sake of winning Aspen!

Mezakiel offered a scoff and slid his hands on his pocket before walking away. "From now on, our collaboration will begin. Tomorrow, you must take your first step to him ." 

"What? Tomorrow already?! That's so sudden! There was no given deadline to the game!" I complained while following him from walking. 

"There was no deadline, but an expected race to that man's heart pressures the flow of the game. As a player, we need to avoid resting still, it's like letting the opponent win." 

He had a point to what he had said. But it's easy for Mezakiel to say it since he will just support me! I will be the one to make most of the work here. 

It only started with me, borrowing money to this guy but who knows I need to involve Aspen now? 

Just before the sun rose up to the sky, an unexpected man came to knock my door just to tell me something. And here he is, sitting on my couch with his shopping bag. 

This Mezakiel, he's really persistent to win! He even knew the place I live! 

Mezakiel opened his shopping back and what made me gasp in surprise was that he pulled out a red ribbon and a red dress. 

"W-What's up to you?! Do not tell me that you came here at this hour just to give me these?!" I complained in an exhausted way but my voice was low. He pretended like he didn't hear anything, he put the red dress and the red ribbon over my table instead. 

"Wear this at school today," he ordered and crossed his arms. I was never the type of girl who easily exposes myself wearing this dress. 

"I have my own outfits to wear for today so don't imply that I badly need your full support into anything!" I defended with my hands on my waist, standing in front of Mezakiel. 

He then stood up as well but started walking away. We're not done talking yet! 

"H-Hey!" I tried stopping him. "Take the dress and ribbon with you!"

"No, if I told you to wear that. Weart that! Aspen was known who's attracted to girls in red stuffs!" He opened the door. How did he even know that fact? I have no idea about what Aspen's attracted to.

"You could say that you don't fully need my support but you actually needed it without you knowing. Wear that dress and show it off to him later!" 

He left me gawking in the air, imagining myself with this fancy red outfit. This won't be easy, it will be more complicated than what I had expected.