Game of Love Ch. 08

"You're still staring at me, Sergio!" Eric said, this time staring at the man. "What's wrong with you?"

Sergio shook his head and got closer. Then he raised his hand and started getting it closer to Eric's face. Eric lost the smile on his face and just stared at Sergio nonstop, wondering what he was doing. Sergio stopped halfway when he saw the look on Eric's face.

"I am sorry but..." He paused and took a deep breath. "...can I?"

Eric froze. He couldn't say anything and Sergio got that as a hint. He moved his shaky hand and touched Eric's cheek, caressing it softly. He chuckled happily, failing to fight his tears. He was really happy and now he was assured that whatever had happened was definitely real.

Eric smiled sheepishly. "By the way, congratulations on your engagement."

Shit! Everything had been going great until Eric decided to blow it all away. Sergio slowly withdrew his hand slowly and dropped his eyes to the floor. Now that Eric had brought that topic, fear took him by surprise and his heart began racing.

"Well, thank you very much." He chuckled nervously. "Everything, well, I cannot complain. But thanks."

Eric nodded.

Sergio figured he still needed to apologize for that engagement too. He felt he needed to explain to Eric how things had happened and why he had gotten engaged to Trevor. He felt he needed to let him know how his life had been in the past five years.

"Well, Eric, about the engagement. I... I just wanted to say that..."

Shit! Sergio almost cursed when his phone started ringing. Bad timing.

"Sorry!" He apologized as he took his phone out. "I have to take this."

Eric nodded and Sergio took the phone. He didn't talk for long.

"I am so sorry, Eric." He apologized. "I hate to leave but something important came up and I have to go."

"Of course, I don't mind." He smiled. "Just drive safely, okay?"

Sergio felt like he was riding on top of mountain. "I will but..." He paused and sighed. "...I would love to see you again, if you don't mind. Please, don't deny me of this."

Eric nodded. "Of course," He slipped his hand through his pocket and handed a card to Sergio. "That card contains my lines and also my address. You can call me and we can talk."

Sergio almost jumped out of excitement. He was on cloud 9.

"I will call you." He said happily. "Expect my call anytime."

Eric waved his fingers through the air and watched as Sergio walked out of the office like a little kid with a smile on his face. When he got out, he opened the door again and looked at Eric just to ensure he wasn't dreaming. Then he closed it and left.

As soon as he left, Eric lost the smile on his face and it became stern again. He was staring at the door, seeing the image of Sergio leaving. Man, the hunk had really changed and he was undeniably sexy. But Eric had a plan up his sleeve and it was gonna be fun.

What was he up to?

***

"Oh come on, you know it was funnier when I was there." Adrianna laughed as she came down the stairs in only a tank top and a sexy short with her hair tied backwards. "I am sure that you guys miss me a lot and can't wait for me to return."

She continued talking on the phone with her friend abroad, laughing. But suddenly, something happened, a voice that she hadn't heard in a long time and she got shocked.

'I'll take you to the candy shop. I'll let you lollipop, go ahead girl, don't you stop.'

"I am gonna have to call you back, honey." Adrianna said, cutting the call.

She rushed to her brother just as he was making his grand entrance, dancing happily and singing. He actually had his hands up, giving that sexy dance. Adrianna couldn't help but smile and start dancing herself to meet him halfway.

Adrianna could have sworn the man entering the house was the man she'd seen years back, happy, down to earth and a smile of an angel. Shit! She could feel the mood in the house already lifting and she was ready to join in that mood.

'I'll take you to the candy shop. I'll let lick the lollipop. Go ahead girl and don't you stop. You're going to hit the spot.'

"Yeah, baby!" Adrianna shouted at the top of her voice, whining her waist like a belly dancer.

She got surprised when he actually took her hand and span her around and they started dancing in rhythm together. Even the maids who heard what was going on had to take a peep to see what was going on. And when they saw it was their master singing, they couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, Adrianna, sing with me."

'The work we do.' He sang.

'The work we do.' Adrianna sang happily.

'The way we do.'

'The way we do.'

'Are just between you and me.'

'Oh yeah,' Adrianna then started laughing.

"Okay, hold on, let me catch my breath." She held his hand but didn't lose her smile. "What's going on? You seem happy, in fact, the kind of happiness that I saw years ago."

"Why wouldn't I be?" He grabbed her waist and raised her, spinning her around. "You're a genius, my beautiful sister. You're the best."

He put her down and kiss all over her face. Adrianna was still surprised as fuck.

"Hey! First tell me what I am getting these kisses for, Mr. Alvarado."

Sergio laughed. He couldn't contain his happiness.

"Adrianna, you're a genius and your brother is happy right now. I have the happiness of the entire world in me right now." He screamed. He knew his mother wasn't around because he'd left her at the office attending to a meeting. "I love you!"

"Calm down." She laughed. "What's up? The suspense is killing me, Sergio. You know I don't like surprises."

Sergio took a deep breath and blushed. "Well, guess where I am coming from?"

"From the office?"

"Yes but before that, I went to Eric's office and he forgave me, Adrianna." He said with tears in his eyes. "Eric actually forgave me. I couldn't believe it when I heard him say it but... we poured our hearts out to each other and now, we're okay."

"Oh my God!" She gasped, covering her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes and she hugged her brother tightly. "I am so happy for you two. How did it happen? Tell me everything. Did you guys talk after? What happened? I am dying of curiosity here, please."

"Calm down." Sergio laughed. Then he took his sister's hands and held them tighter. "You know what, Adrianna, I have you to thank for everything. You're the one that has always pushed me to make things right between Eric and I. Now it has happened and I don't know what I can do to..."

"Take me shopping silly!" Adrianna chimed in. "You know how crazy I am about new trends in fashion. On second thought, why don't you take Eric and I out just to have fun? I am dying to spend more time with Eric."

Sergio laughed. "I'll try but thanks. If not for you and your support, I don't know where I would have been now. You supported me when I almost gave up and now I feel like after five years, I finally have the old me back. After Eric told me he was ready to forgive me, I suddenly got some strange confidence. I felt like the way I was back then, everything came back. I haven't stopped smiling since I left his office."

Adrianna nodded. "That's called love, Sergio. You've got your love back and that's all that matters in this case."

Sergio sighed gloomily, slightly losing his smile.

"I don't know about that, Adrianna. Eric has forgiven me and that's what is important." He was trying to be confident but Eric's feelings were still a mystery to him. "I don't know if he still loves me or not but I have him back and I am content with that. Whatever follows, I will be very happy with that, even if it's friendship."

Adrianna sighed, nodding, but deep in her heart, she didn't accept any of that shit. All she wanted was for Eric to come back into his brother's heart and take his place back. She was gonna play a thing or two just to ensure that that happened.

"Anyway, tell me everything, Sergio. How you feel and..."

"Hey, I think I have revealed too much. I need to shower and attend to my cheek." He rubbed on it. "Eric slapped me. I'll talk to you later."

He kissed her cheek and started making his way upstairs whistling but Adrianna wasn't gonna let him go just like that. She followed him, insisting that he told her everything. She wasn't gonna let it.

Meanwhile, Trev was standing at the entrance door like a statue, feeling like he was standing in ice cold water. His heart was racing and his body was trembling in fear and anger. While the both of them had been talking, Trevor had arrived to surprise his fiancé only to be surprised with the news that he heard.

He couldn't even breathe properly. He was cold with dread and fear trickled down his spine.

'He forgave me!'

He clenched his fists as resentment blossomed within him and rage throbbed in him like a heartbeat. His eyes turned red and his body visibly shook. He couldn't believe what he'd feared had happened. He quickly made a quick turn and stormed out of there. He knew he had to act fast.

***

"There's still no progress?" Giada asked, sounding frustrated as fuck.

'I am sorry, ma'am, but the whole thing has just gotten worse.' The man on the other end spoke. 'We've reduced our prices by more than 50% and still, it's getting worse. Revamp has really paralyzed us and if we continue like this, we're gonna be at a great loss here.'

Giada groaned, almost crying. "Is there anything else we can do because we cannot continue like this?" She gasped. "What will our investors and partners say if they get to hear of this? I don't wanna have complications in my company. Do all you can, lie, cheat, sabotage that revamp."

'But ma'am...'

"I don't wanna hear it." She yelled. "They're probably doing the same to us as we speak. We need to act fast."

Without hearing what the man had to say, she cut the phone and threw it on the couch. Then she started moving from side to side like she was going insane. She was scared, mad and that pulsing headache wasn't helping matters.

Trevor stormed in the house and boy was he mad. As soon as he reached, he threw the small bag he was carrying on the floor and sat there, looking like his body was vibrating. He had tears in his eyes and he was only a few seconds away from crying.

"Trevor!" Giada got worried when she saw him. She rushed to him and sat closer to him, holding his hands. "Baby, what's going on? Are you okay?"

"Okay?" Trevor yelled, furiously rising from the couch. "How can I be okay, mom, when all of a sudden, my own fiancé is running after that low life? That bitch is trying to seduce my Sergio once again."

"What are you talking about? Where did you hear this? I am sure that ..."

"No, mommy!" He snarled, a tear rushing down his cheek. "I didn't hear this from anyone else. I heard it from Sergio's own mouth when I went to see him this evening. He was talking to that spoilt bitch of a sister and he was telling her that he went to that whore's office. And the worst part of it all is that, I heard that they're now in good terms. What am I supposed to do, mommy?"

"What?" Giada's heart jumped in her chest in fear. "That can't be, Trevor. I thought you had Sergio under control."

"I thought I did, ma. But now I don't know how I had let that happen."

Giada clenched her fists. "This boy has bitten more than he can chew. And I have had enough of him. Forget about doing things the right way because now he's awaken the monster in me and he'll definitely get killed by this monster. He's definitely up to something. On one hand, he's slowly trying to destroy my company and my reputation and on the other, he's getting closer to Sergio."

"What did you say, mom?" Trevor gasped, his eyes widening. "Eric did what?"

Giada sighed. "I don't know how he did it but he's somehow paralyzed our new collection. It's not doing well on the market and we're at the verge of incurring a loss."

"Ma, that can't be." Trevor couldn't mask the fear in his voice. "That cannot happen. That new collection is the best we've ever produced so far. And we had put in a lot of funds. You know what's going to happen if we incur a loss, ma. We cannot make a loss, otherwise..."

"I won't let that happen, Trevor. No!" Giada vowed. "We are not gonna go down just like that. That boy is making me desperate and he has no idea what kind of lengths I can go to just to have things my way."

"But ma...."

"Now listen to me, Trevor!" She held his shoulders, staring into his eyes. "This boy has become more powerful and influential but I am gonna do whatever I can to make sure that we defeat him. But I need you to listen to me. No matter what, you need to get married to Sergio, no matter what happens. If at all we fail at defeating him, we have a greater chance if you get married into a family like Sergio's."

"I do understand, mommy!" He nodded. "And I'll do just like that, I promise you. Sergio is mine and mine alone. I'll never let him and I know exactly what to do."

Giada smiled. "Thank you and always remember who the enemy is in this case. We have to do all we can to weaken him and finally kill him."

"Understood!" He nodded.

While the two of them were talking, Brice finally arrived and he looked really happy. He had a smile on his face. He was wearing a dark blue designer's suit with black shoes and he had a laptop bag with him.

"Hey, there." He greeted, waving at his family. "How was your day?"

He went straight to his wife and was about to kiss when suddenly, she blocked him with her hand. He was surprised. Giada had never stopped his attempt to kiss her, not even in front of his son.

"What's wrong?" He asked, still wearing a smile. "Are you mad that I came home a little late? I am sorry. I had a lot of things to do at the office and..."

"You had a great day?" Giada smiled and when Brice nodded, she lost it. "Good. Because while you were busy enjoying your day at the office, your illegitimate son was busy creating problems for me. I mean, what the hell does he want from me? Isn't it enough that he almost destroyed our perfect family years ago? Why can't he leave us alone?"

Brice frowned. "Eric?" He gasped. "What did my son do?"

"Oh!" Giada chuckled bitterly, lifting her shoulders in a half shrug. "So he's your son now, huh? Anyway, your stupid illegitimate son has paralyzed our new collection on the market. We haven't been able to sell anything since his arrival. He's doing this on purpose to get back at me, at us?"

"What?" He gasped, shaking his head. "Giada, I am sure you're mistaken. I don't think Eric would do that."

"Really?" She put her hands on her hips. "Then how do you explain his collection rising to the top and mine to the bottom? Not even these stupid companies have recorded a drop in their sales. Isn't it a coincidence that only my company is suffering here?"

"Giada, I cannot help you there." He said simply. "You saw Eric's collection and you know..."

"Oh cut me the crap!" She yelled. "Don't you try to defend him because you know what kind of monster that bastard son of yours is. And if that's not even enough, he's busy running after Sergio just to hurt my son." She snarled. "My poor son is being stressed here and you're not even a bit concerned. He loves Sergio a lot and now he's wondering if their wedding will even take place because of that bastard."

Brice's jaw dropped and he took a quick glance at his son who had tears in his eyes.

"What nonsense is that?" He asked, getting a bit angry. "Why would Eric do that? He doesn't know who Sergio is and I am sure they've never met before. You're talking nonsense."

"Nonsense!" Giada barked in her husband's face. "It is you who is responsible for all our problems."

"Excuse me!" Brice chuckled, shaking his head. "Why are you blaming me? How am I at fault?'

"You're at fault!" She yelled in his face. "Instead of you being faithful to your wife and your son, you went chasing after that bitch like a dog in heat. And you gave birth to that bastard who's been a problem ever since he was born. You couldn't just keep your stupid dick in one place, no! You had to move it from..."

"Enough!" He snapped, lifting his hand up. Man, he was really mad and Giada had never seen him that mad at her before. "How dare you talk to me like that, and in front our son! Where's your respect for me as your husband?"

"Why?" She laughed. "Are you ashamed? Isn't it the truth? Too ashamed to admit that what I am saying is the truth? You're the one that..."

"I said enough!" Brice gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "And why are you pointing fingers at me, huh? How am I at fault here when you're also to be blamed here?"

Tears welled up in Giada's eyes and she just stood there staring at her husband without even blinking. She was boiling in anger.

"I know what I did was a mistake but you were the cause of all this." He said, pointing at her. "While I was busy working like a dog to give you the lifestyle that you wanted, what did you do? You were busy counting diamonds. I needed love but you needed a dog to bring you food, jewelries, diamonds and to pamper you like your father did."

"Daddy, please, it's enough!" Trevor pleaded, putting his hands together.

"Please, Trev!" Brice gestured.

"Really?" Laurel sobbed as a million tears made their way down her face. "You're blaming me for your mistakes? What did I do wrong by loving you, trying to change your life?"

"And what did I get in return, Giada?" He said with tears in his eyes. "I sacrificed my own life, my love and my dreams just to make you and your father happy. I know what I resorted to was wrong and I still came back when you begged me to.

My son, my own flesh and blood was out there suffering and I never did anything because I was following your instructions. I chose to leave that life behind, a life where I was completely happy and came to you. Even at that, I did my best to love you but you were still not satisfied. I am also human, Giada, and I have feelings too."

Brice had lost it all. Trevor rushed to his crying mother and held her tightly, trying to soothe her but it was not working.

"I loved you so much, Brice and I still do. You don't have to tell me all these hurtful things." She sobbed.

"Sometimes I doubt if you loved me or you were just obsessed with me." He spoke softly. "You had caused all this. Laurel supported me and she stood by me through tough times. Maybe, maybe I should have just gone my separate way. And maybe you're right, I am to blame for all this."

"Why would you say that to me?" Giada cried, gripping his collar. "You don't have the right to tell me that. Not after what I have done for you. You know I love you."

"Maybe you do and I have followed your every instruction. Even when you told me to manage Sandoval group of hotels, I never argued although I knew that Sandoval fashion house is the biggest company we have and that was because I wanted to please you. But now, now you're making me see things in a different light. I should have gone my separate way and maybe, my son wouldn't have gone through all the pain he did. I still don't know if he'll ever forgive me or..."

"I am your wife and I love you so much and..."

"You might be but you never understood the responsibilities that come with that."

He removed Giada's hands from his collar and rushed upstairs with tears running down his cheeks. He was in so much pain.

"No!" Giada cried, falling to her knees. "You can't say that to me."

"Mommy!" Trevor knelt down and held her. "Mommy, please, do not break down. I am sure daddy didn't really mean it."

"How could he say that I was a bad wife?" She wailed. "How could he say all those hurtful things to me? I love Brice so much and I had sacrificed everything for him."

"He's just angry." Trev reassured. "Please, shhhhhhhhh... everything will be okay."

Trevor held his mother tighter as she cried like a baby, rubbing on her shoulder. Never had he seen his mother cry before and it hurt him more than it did her. He wasn't gonna let that go.