008

~REGINA~

Was I expecting this turnout? Hell no. Was I spellbound for a few seconds? Hell yeah. 

I mean, what were the odds that the man I was trying to remind my already thumping heart that we could never be together because of his marital status, and this lady and her funny mapped-out events were trying to bring us together again.

"What kind of stupid arrangement is that?" Kristen's fianceé broke the sudden ice that descended on the dining hall. Everyone was busy glancing amongst themselves. I bet they were trying to know the people who were just called.

Everyone except Karina and Kristen. Karina was shell-shocked as she glanced from me to Kristen.

Kristen's fianceé sprang up to her feet, causing me to flinch lightly. Her murderous gaze was on the woman, whose gaze was focused on the event list, probably to start from where she stopped— as though she hadn't just dropped the bomb.

 "I came to this resort to spend some quality time with my fiancé and you are pairing him with another, huh?" Murmurs ensued amongst the table.

My jaw clenched on hearing her words. I just kept my gaze focused on my plate in order to stop myself from staring at Kristen again.

"This is a game. No one is taking your 'fiancé' away from you." The woman started in a slightly raised voice that commanded attention, placing extra emphasis on the word, fiancé. I didn't know why I suddenly felt the urge to chuckle.

"It was stated in the routine which you signed before payment. You abide by any game issued out. If you are not interested you can pull out. And stop distracting me and constituting a nuisance." The woman uttered a matter-of-factly and I couldn't help being amazed at how she lashed back at Kristen's fiancé.

The lady huffed. "Fine, we are pulling out. Let's go, Kris." She replied. 

Reflexively, I looked up and saw her glancing down at Kristen who in turn was staring at me. His gaze was pointed and it gave me the chills. 

I had never been in a situation where I was viewed as trying to steal another lady's husband. Despite my sudden fondness for the man sitting across from me, I was no man snatcher and I wasn't about to be one.

"Is that the girl you are paired with, Kris?" Her question prompted me to wrench my gaze away from Kristen and fix it on her. She was glaring at me as though I was already fake dating her boyfriend.

Instead of replying, Kristen kept his gaze fixed on me.

From his response when the announcement was made, I thought that was the last thing he wanted, but seeing the way he was staring intensely at me, I was beginning to think otherwise.

"Let's go, Kris!" The lady slightly yelled and to my utter shock, Kristen shook his head.

"No, Billie. We are already here. We are going ahead with the game." He tugged her hand. That was when I realized they were holding hands. I didn't know why that stirred up an unsettling feeling inside me. So, her name was Billie...

 "Sit down and let her call out the rest of the participants." He added firmly. 

Cursing, Billie flopped down on the seat and for a moment I thought she hit her back against the edge with the speed she landed against the seat. Even Kristen narrowed her gaze at her.

But she wasn't staring at him, she was staring at me. The intensity was burning through my skin and she had that disgusting look as though I was leprous. I hated being looked at that way.

Our host had started listing out the names of other guests and the games they would be participating in, but my mind wasn't there.

Right then, I decided that I wasn't going to participate in the game. I was still nursing my heartbreak and the last thing I needed was getting into a fight with a woman because of her boyfriend— or was it fiancé?

So, I let go of Brandon's hand— quite frankly, I didn't know when it got there. I guess he was just trying to play the role he was paid for. While I did that, I slowly stood on my feet. 

"I'm not interested in the game either." 

This obviously snobbish lady might be thinking I was readily waiting to latch against her boyfriend just like Valentina did with Remy. But far from it. My fondness came to a screeching halt at the realization that he was engaged. So, I needed to prove that now and back off.

I was about to leave the table when Kristen reached across the slightly large table and held my wrist, halting my movement. I sharply turned back to glare at him.

I was just realizing how tall his arms were because he didn't stress himself by standing up and his arms were securely holding mine.

"You are not backing out of this game." He muttered softly, but I could feel the command in his voice.

"Sit down, Regina." He added in a softer voice. I could feel the intensity of Billie's murderous gaze tripling.

"She can pull out if she wants and you don't get to tell her what to do." Brandon countered, glaring at Kristen who in turn let out a low growl that reverberated through my body instead of his.

Brandon made to say something else, but I held his shoulders while holding Kristen's gaze. I noticed his gaze hardening as my hand rested on Brandon's shoulders.

I broke the locked gaze and turned to Brandon. "It's okay." 

I couldn't feel the courage to leave there anymore. My resolve was weakened by Kristen's stare and I found myself slowly descending on the seat, just as our host resumed what she was listing out.

Billie's gaze wasn't the only gaze I could feel right now. More gazes were flying my way including that of Remy and I couldn't bring myself to look up again. I hated being the center of attention.

Then I felt Karina's hold on my left wrist. Slowly, I looked up in her direction. She was smiling sweetly at me. "Don't mind her." She mouthed and I smiled back, almost chuckling.

 I found solace in her smile and words, and before long I felt the tension that had earlier settled on my shoulders to gradually dissipate.

Before dinner ended, I had already gathered enough courage to see this game through. It might be risky owing to my fondness for him, but I already decided to carry on with it.

Since he— who was engaged— could agree to it, why couldn't I?