CHAPTER 2 : COUPLE’S INFERNO ☕🍫

[Raven’s POV]

“Do you even realize what you’re asking us to do? Play a sensual live-action game!”

I paced the circumference of our bedroom.

Leo didn’t seem to be listening to a word I said. To me, this was a mistake—but to him, it was a life-changing opportunity.

“Just understand, Raven. This could put an end to our conflict.”

I sighed. “What do you mean? It's a sensual game meaning they would definitely require us to have sex while the whole nation watches in delight, do you really want the world to see we don't satisfy each other?”

Leo sighed. “Let's atleast try, I promise to put in my best, fuck you just the way you like it, please, Raven, we need this.”

“What if we don't win?”

“Our chances are high already, we have a large following. That puts us ten steps ahead of the other players. We can win this if we pretend to be obsessed with each other.”

“Yeah, right. And after that, what next?”

“I don't know…we split the money, get a divorce—like you’ve always wanted—and finally have our freedom.”

“Wow, Leo. You’re really something.”

He walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulders.

“I mean this, Raven. We wouldn’t have to be stuck with each other. You get your freedom. I will clear our debts and we'd finally be free.”

This was just crazy. I couldn’t imagine having sex on national television. But being finally free from this marriage would be a delight—and the prize money was huge.

That would be enough to start life over and finally retire.

I think.

“Fine,” I said at last. “Since this is what you really want, Leo, let’s go for it. Let’s play this game and get… a divorce, as you wish.”

“Yes!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air before quickly controlling himself.

Pathetic.

How unattractive I must have become to be treated this way—like a goddamn pawn. Oh well. I didn’t enjoy the sex anyway. Might as well get a divorce right after this game.

But what if we didn’t win?

“First things first,” I said, interrupting Leo’s victory dance. “We need something to hold us accountable.”

“What do we need an agreement for, Raven? We trust each other.”

I raised a brow.

“Fine… whatever you say.”

I went to my locker, grabbed a plain white sheet of paper, and placed it on the desk in front of us while jotting things down.

“I have rules. One—we give it our best. We play to win. If I must have sex on national television, then I must win.”

Leo nodded.

“Two—we split the money sixty–forty. I get sixty percent, you get forty.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Leo. Really. Three—if by chance we don’t end up winning, you won’t go back on your word about divorcing me. We still get a divorce.”

“That’s too much,” Leo said. “We’re playing to win. What do I gain if we lose?”

“Fame across the globe—like you’ve always wanted. I still get my freedom, and you get drowned in ambassadorial deals and endorsements.” I slid the paper toward him.

He signed it.

“Deal.”

“One more thing,” I added. “No falling in love. I need out of this marriage, so let’s not get attached.”

Leo scoffed. “What makes you think we’d fall in love? We’ve been together for a year and still can’t stand each other. What would change?”

I looked at him, dead serious.

“Exactly. Nothing would change. So do we have a deal or not?”

“It’s a deal.”

“Perfect. We don’t have time to waste. If we accept this invite, we need to get our cards within seven days.”

“And be at the venue in the first week of the coming month,” he added.

I ran a hand through my hair. “That’s like two weeks from now. Are we really doing this?”

“Yes, Raven. We’ve both signed the contract. There’s no going back now.”

I had never seen Leo this excited about anything before. The next morning, he woke us up early, made breakfast, and by eight o’clock, we were already at the gaming company to receive our entrance cards.

“Calm down, Raven. You’re sweating through your palms again,” Leo said, squeezing my hands lightly before planting a peck on my forehead.

Yeah, right. Public affection was a must.

“One would think I forced you here,” he whispered.

“I’m just nervous,” I replied. “Don’t worry—I’m not backing down.”

“Here you go,” the manager said, handing us our identity cards. “You can’t lose these. You’ll need them to enter the game house and remain in the game.”

“Thanks, Phil.”

We walked out of the office feeling oddly enthusiastic. Leo hugged me tight, whispering “Stay calm” every now and then.

“Well, well, well…” A slender, model-looking woman walked toward us. “Who do we have here? If it isn’t our legendary gamer couple—Leo and Raven. Neorix’s top stars.”

Fiona.

Also known as Neorix’s model gamer—and secretly called the witch of the gaming world.

She was known for sabotaging games and tricking her rivals to win. She was the last person I expected to see today, but I knew exactly why she was here.

“Fiona, what a pleasant surprise,” Leo and I said together, hugging her lightly—barely touching.

“Don’t tell me you guys also got invited,” she squealed. “Oh my God! I can’t believe I’ll be participating in a game show with the iconic Leoven!”

Ignore her.

Fiona never showed her true colors. She hid them behind flattery and fake friendship—that’s how she eliminated her rivals.

But I knew Fiona better than most. She was also Zade’s ex-girlfriend, and I’d had my fair share of being sabotaged by her.

“Fiona, baby—I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Her yellow-haired fiancé, Ken, appeared out of nowhere.

Leo and I watched in disgust as he kissed and rubbed every inch of her body.

“I missed you so much,” he said before noticing us. “Oh—Leo and Raven. Didn’t realize you were here.”

“Yeah. We were just leaving.”

“Er—” He tried to speak, but I was already dragging Leo toward our car.

“I can’t stand that Fiona,” I grunted once we got inside. “You know what, Leo? Let’s go into that show and win. I mean every word.”

Leo only smirked.