CHAPTER 9: the world is always a game

　　Gwen’s POV

　　I knew they still have doubts about the words that comes out of my lips. I also feel like I’m dreaming but when I prick my finger with needles, I can still feel pain. Even if I slap or pinch myself. It’s futile and I feel like a crazy lad. I nodded as a response to Raffa’s sarcasm. He has always been that irritable person but when you get the chance to get close to him, he can be gentle and warm. “Well, it is because of this.” Rahim places the invitation on the mini table. Raphael grabs the envelope and opens it. “Invitation from Mara?” he asks. I nodded. “I heard that she is your ex, right?” Mariz ask. He nodded. “Yes. She is my ex-wife that abandons me because he marries your dad to become a mafia leader,” he murmurs. “My dad trains me to be the next leader but all of a sudden, I received a message and he told me that he didn’t want an illegitimate child to rule his business and his mafia group. But I doubted it was him because he never call me by my name. He always used my nickname which is… mango.” I sigh.

　　?“That was Mara’s message. Se poisoned your dad so he could die slowly and let the mafia and business world believe he dies because of serious illness,” she says. “I see. Now it makes sense. I can’t believe he marries a snake that bites him,” she whispered. “Well, I designed her to be the sexiest seductress. Her aim is to be called the mafia queen. By the way, I have to remind you that you have to fight for the things your dad left for you. Don’t let her win. Be a badass bitch,” I stated while pointing my finger at her. “I’ll think about it,” she replied. “This is so sudden. Why did she suddenly send us an invitation? What does she want from us?” Raffa ask. I snap my fingers and look at him. He gave me that puzzled glare.

　　?“Exactly. Mara is full of tricks and this invitation? This is the start of her plans of using the three of you by blackmailing you guys,” I remark. “What? Wait, you know what the plan is, are you?” Raffa ask. “Yup. I know. This party will strangle Raffa first. You will drink a cup of wine that she’ll give and that has a libido pill. One of her men will take you to a room with incense which drives the both of you into a super intimate night. She will have pictures and a record of it and you know. She’ll blackmail you next like she’ll post it on social media and act like a victim,” I paused and grab the invitation.

　　?“You will agree because your name and business will be endangered?because of that sex video. From then on, you will help her with her transaction. Her business was illegal like gun running, illegal drugs, and smuggling. You will use your mafia member behind your brother’s back.” He looks at me, he must be trying to see if I’m lying or what. “The next one that she’ll hook will be Rahim. I haven’t remembered what kind of incident that is but… I’ll tell you when I remember what could it be. I just happen to remember them when a clue like this invitation appears in front of me,” I stated and threw the paper back on the table. “Then how about him?” Mariz ask. “Oh well… ahaha, he’s the easiest of all. His feelings for her were driving him crazy. You saw how beautiful she is right? She knew his weakness in bed or other aspects. She’s the wife of his for two years. Their aim is the house of Rose. You know them, right? They are the strongest house in the?country.” She spoke and cut me halfway. “Is she using the house of lily for that?” she asks. “Yes. So you have to be strong and train yourself in order to live the life that your dad wants for you. The male members of your dad’s mafia were fooled by her. Some of the females of that group were forced to have sex with the males and it was her idea. That’s why you have to save them,” I remark. “What?! That woman! I will kill her!” she screamed and punched the table. I blink when I saw the glass table cracked because of her punch. “Scary,” I mumbled. ?I can’t stop myself from being amazed and seeing what is the potential of Mariz’s character. “I wonder how obstinate Geneva’s character is? Hmm… I want to meet her the soonest!” They look at me. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” Raphael says. I cough. “I’m sorry if I was too excited. Anyway, go to the party. It says here that you guys can bring your date. I got a badass idea. It's show time,” I wink. The three of them sigh. “I started to get scared of you, Ms. Writer,” Rahim says. I laugh. “Just a little bit. I‘m a psycho. So I’ll show that to our enemy.” They end up shrugging their shoulder. “I think your the scariest person I've ever met,” Raffa mumbles.

　　?I look at my reflection and touch my back. The pain is not as much as it was during our first weeks in the hospital while recovering. In four days, Mara’s birthday is knocking. I remember the phone number that I wrote for Grace’s character. Should I call her? It’s been weeks since that day that Mara tries to kidnap her. If I’m not mistaken her story will revolve around different sweetness with her four husbands. She’s still in her training of becoming a full-pledge leader of the rose household. Those four husbands of hers had their own specialties which helps her to polish her capability as the mafia queen of this country. I put on my lingerie and sat on the couch. I have three journal notebooks in which I wrote what I remember in this story. I wonder if the real world’s time was ticking. I’ll be dead if it was especially since I have to meet and talk to the animator who will turn my story into a manga and anime as well. “It will be a waste if I’m dead in the real world and this story will just leave behind to be one of my unfinished legacies,” I mumbled and closed the notebook.

　　?I heard a knock. I opened the door and it was Raffa. He is holding a can of beers in his hand while the other were holding a tray of chicken wings and peanuts. “Can I come in?” he asks. “No problem. It's your house anyway,” I remark and let him in. He went straight to the balcony. The balcony of each room had its own table and chairs. I wanted to ask why he suddenly knock on my door and… “These clothes, is this owned by the ladies that you guys dated? I’m a little curious.” He looks at me from head to toe. “I know my looks are not even close to average one but stop showing what is obvious,” I stated and take a seat. He stood in front of me and held my chin. “I wonder what average you are referring to,” he says and caresses my lower lip. That made me blush. “What are you doing? Uhmp!” My pupils dilated as I saw how he close his eyes. He kissed me! His lips were soft and his movements were gentle but filled with the hot intrusion. He smirks after and licks his lips. “That taste much better than I imagine,” he says and takes his seat. I grab some chicken wings and eat. I hide my embarrassment and the mere fact that I didn’t know how to react! My goodness! Why did he do that?!

　　?“I just wanted to know why you let that ex of yours cheat on you?” he asks. I sigh. “I told you guys, already. When I indulge in my writing, that took more of my time. I even forgot our scheduled dates and I’m always been off to what’s in when it comes to fashion. I look like his aunt when we go on date. I don’t have time to socialize so I can’t open up a topic with him on our dates. But my best friend in college? She was good at communication and she know topics that catch his interest. That’s why I lost the game. Life had always been a game right? Even in this world,” I mumbled. He laughs and sips his beer. “If we can change time, or if you can revise our lives, we wanted to be normal people. Who work hard to pay for their needs and bills. Being a rich whatsoever person is much more painful than dealing with body pains because of working hard in constructions,” he says. “Then today! I’ll be your genie who grants a single wish. Raffa, what is your wish that you want me to do for you? I’ll try my best to do it. So?” I ask.