Game of Love Ch. 16

Trevor's eyes widened, his mouth shaking. "Are... are you threatening me?"

"I don't make threats. I make promises, and I deliver those promises."

Trevor balled his fist, hitting the wall in anger. Giada who had been watching the whole drama rushed to him, holding him tightly. But he shrugged her off, glaring at her.

"Son, please...."

"And you mom, you couldn't even tell me anything. You knew Sergio's life was in danger and you pretended like nothing was going on. Don't I mean anything to you?"

"No, honey!" She held his hands, kissing them both. "You mean the world to me. I can never do anything that would hurt you. I am so sorry this happened."

"No, mom!" He said with tears in his eyes. "Because of all this, Sergio has brought home a stranger. A stranger is right in his room as we speak, probably sleeping closer to him. I am the one that is supposed to be with him in that room, mom. I am the one that was supposed to be in his arms. You don't know how much to hurts."

"I know... and very soon, that pain will go away." She smiled, trying her best to assure him. "You'll have your happy ever after with the man after your heart. I promise."

Trevor sighed and then tried his best to smile. He couldn't stay mad at his mother forever. After all, she was his best friend and ally. She might have messed up but she was still his mother.

"I know, I just... I just don't know what to do anymore, mom. It's been a week I've been here and Sergio's hatred keeps on growing. What should I do?"

"Leave him!" Jayden said harshly, lighting a cigarette. He needed to smoke his stress out. "I don't know what your obsession with that guy is anyway. There are a lot of guys out there that would kill to have you. Stop wasting your time on a man that doesn't give shit about you."

Trevor glared at Jayden, rolling his eyes. "You're the last person I would expect to understand. After all, you have no emotions. You don't feel a thing."

"That's right." Jayden didn't care. "I don't have feelings or emotions. They make you weak, and stupid. Just like you."

Trevor groaned angrily, hissed and stormed out of the room.

"And you, don't make me regret having you as my partner." He pointed at Giada with his cigarette. "Tell that son of yours to control his mouth, otherwise, I am gonna have to rectify my mistake."

"You don't have to worry about it." She assured, getting closer. "But we've got more pressing matters than Trevor right now. Sergio escaped his planned accident unharmed. I am sure he's suspecting we had something to do with it. He's a very stubborn man, and he won't rest until he finds out the truth."

"Sergio wouldn't have escaped from death today." His hands tightened into fists, smashing the cigarette, not even minding that it was burning his hand. "There was no way for him to escape. I had planned it perfectly. But... this boy he came with home ruined my plans. If not for that stupid boy my plans would have worked." He yelled, stamping his foot in rage. "Right now, it would have been a different story. But this boy meddled and I swear I'll teach him to mind his business. I'll make him regret ever saving Sergio's life. I swear!"

Giada loved the attitude she was getting from Jayden. God, he was smoking hot. But she wouldn't dare tell him that. She only wished Brice was half the man Jayden was. They would have been a power couple. They'd have ruled the world.

***

Sergio was seated on the couch in his room, busy on his laptop. It was morning already and he was dressed in black skinny jeans, and a blue t-shirt with sandals on his feet. His hair was combed to perfection. He was responding to some of the emails that had been left for a week.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It came quietly and then there was silence.

"Sergio?" A voice came from the other side. "Are you in?"

"Come in!" He announced.

The door opened and Adrianna rushed in with a smile, closing the door behind her. She was scanning the whole room as she walked to where Sergio was seated. He knew what she was looking for, but he was gonna wait until she asked.

"Where is he?" Adrianna asked, raising an eyebrow. "Don't tell me he already left?"

Before Sergio could answer her question, the door to the bathroom opened and the boy came out. The moment he did, he stared at Adrianna and she couldn't help but smile. He was quite handsome. He had icy grey eyes, and when he smiled sheepishly, Adrianna saw the braces on his teeth. He looked even younger than he did the previous night.

"Good morning?" Her voice was cheerful. "How are you and how's your head? Sergio told me yesternight that you experienced a headache?"

"Err..." The boy stammered, feeling his muscles freeze. "... I am okay, now, ma'am."

Wow! He had a sexy Spanish accent that Adrianna couldn't help but chuckle when she heard him speak.

"Don't call me, ma'am." Adrianna walked to him and held his hand, helping him sit on the couch next to her. "You can call me, Adrianna."

"Why?" He asked in a soft voice.

"Because I say so." She was so calm. "Besides, you saved my brother's life yesterday. We owe our thanks to you, Javier. By the way..." She rubbed on his hands sweetly. "... you're a very handsome boy. You're indeed an angel that was sent to come and save my brother from death."

Javier felt a bit shy that he had to drop his eyes to the floor.

"I don't think I deserve your praises, ma... Adrianna." He took a deep breath. "I only did what I did because I couldn't just watch and do nothing. I am glad I saved his life because he's done a lot for the people in my community. Good people like him don't deserve such fate. By the way, thank you so much for the food. Mr. Sergio told me you were the one that made it."

"You don't have to thank me. I made the food as a token of my gratitude."

Javier sat back and let the happiness soak right into his bones. It passed through him like a warm ocean wave, washing away the stress he had been feeling to leave him refreshed. He could tell from Adrianna's words, her smile and her gentle touch that she was a good woman just like her brother.

"Anyway, have you contacted your family?" Adrianna asked. "If you haven't, I can help you talk to them. They must be worried about you."

Adrianna watched as Javier's smile began fading, replaced by worry, or was it confusion. Even Sergio looked at the boy.

"Did I say something wrong?" She shrugged. "I... I want to..."

"I think it would be best if Javier stayed here for a while." Sergio hollered, staring at his sister. "He... he ran away from home."

"What?" She gasped, her eyes widening. "He ran away from home?" She glanced at him and he couldn't make eye contact with her. "Why?"

"His parents are dead and he was living with his aunt. She is a gambler, and she was in a lot of debt." He said in between sighs. "Can you imagine she used him as a way to pay off her debt? He was to be a slave to one of her debtors for life. He ran away before the man could get ahold of him. That was how he ran into me and saved my life."

Adrianna looked at Javier, getting even closer. "Oh, that is awful. I had no idea. You poor boy, no one deserves to go through that. But we've got her to thank, because if not for what she did, Sergio's life wouldn't have been saved. And he's right, you can stay here for as long as you want."

Javier looked at Adrianna, tears welling in his eyes.

"Thank you so much, for that." He put his hands together. "One day, I'll repay your kindness."

Adrianna had no idea what happened, but she gripped his hands and pulled him in a tight hug. She had no idea why she did it, but she didn't regret it. When she hugged him, she felt so warm, so calm and at peace. She'd never felt that way with anyone other than her brother and Eric.

Sergio watched with a smile on his face as the two hugged. His mood lightened, and a quiet contentment spread through him. But the hug took longer than he expected. He had to clear his throat to get the attention of the two.

"Adrianna, can you take care of him for me?" He asked as he closed his laptop, getting up from the couch. "I have somewhere I have to be urgently."

"What? No way!" Adrianna shook her head abruptly. "You expect me to agree to you going outside after you narrowly escaped death yesterday? I am so sorry, but I am not going to allow you."

Sergio chuckled. "What happened yesterday will never repeat itself. I let my guard down, and I almost got killed. But staying indoors won't solve anything for us. Our enemies are busy working on our downfall, and I can't just leave it like that. I am just going to the police station to give a statement and after that I am meeting Steve at the company. We've got a very important project coming up. And..." He paused and combed his hair with his fingers. "... I have to continue my search for Eric. The more I delay, the more scared I get."

Adrianna couldn't fight her brother on that. He had touched her weak point.

"Be very careful, and call me every two hours." She rested his hand on his shoulder. "I need to know you are safe."

Sergio hugged his sister tightly and then kissed her forehead. "You know I will. Take care."

He took his phone, waved at Javier and left. Adrianna watched as her brother left and she continued staring at the door, praying that he was gonna be safe. She felt a hand on her shoulder and almost jumped.

"I am sorry, Adrianna." Javier apologized. "I believe he's gonna be fine. Mr. Sergio is very strong and your love will protect him from all dangers."

She smiled softly. "I guess so. Anyway, would you like to do anything or maybe eat something?"

Javier smiled genuinely. "I would love to cook for you if you don't mind?"

"Of course, I don't mind. And I think that would get my mind off some worries. Let's go."

The two left talking to each other, getting to know each other.

***

The kitchen was filled with laughter as the trio chatted, and enjoyed the food that Javier was cooking. It was so loud that one would have thought that it was Adrianna and her friends when in reality, it was Kim, Adrianna and Javier. Javier's cooking was perfect, and his sense of humour was on another level. Kim couldn't remember the last time she laughed the way she did. She was happy after a long time, and it kinda made her emotional.

"Wow! Where did you learn how to cook like that?" Kim asked as she licked her fingers clean. "This food is so amazing, it can be easily served in a five-star restaurant."

Javier's mouth curved into a smile. "I wish I could say my mother taught me, but she was a bit lazy when it came to cooking." His Spanish accent was so amazing that it spoke to their very souls. "I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother in the kitchen. I can say I inherited her kitchen skills."

"Bless her?" Kim gestured with her hands.

"Yeah, may her soul rest in peace." Javier put his hands together. He lost his smile on his face, and stared at the mother, and daughter. "By the way, I am so sorry for the loss of your son in law. It must not have been easy saying goodbye to him."

Kim's face went blank as guilt filled her again. Her expression hardened and she tried to smile, but it failed horribly.

"My son still holds on to the hope that he is gonna be found." Colour drained from her face as she spoke. "He's never stopped searching since he went missing. It kills me every day to see him like that. I don't know what I should say to him, or what I should do. I feel like helping him but... I don't think I have the right."

Kim felt her daughter's hands rubbing her shoulders. Javier felt bad that he had brought up the topic. They'd been having so much fun.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean..."

"Its's okay." She forced a smile. "I just wish I had been nicer to him while he was still alive. Every day, I kept on arguing with him on useless issues, but... he truly loved my son. He used to cook all the time, and would beg me to eat but... I never tried anything. Sometimes, I feel I am responsible for his disappearance."

"Mom?" Adrianna whispered, holding her hand. "You don't have to blame yourself for Eric not being here. All we can do now is pray that Sergio finds him, and brings him home. He is a very nice boy and he won't think twice about forgiving you."

Tears shone in Kim's eyes and she tried her best to smile. She wanted to say something to her daughter but was interrupted by the vibration of her phone. She quickly opened the phone and once she saw the message, she lost the smile on her face.

"Excuse me, I have to do something."

She smiled at the both of them, and left.

"She's a good woman." Javier commented. "I think I like her."

"Yeah," Adrianna sighed. "But aside from that, you need to make more of that food. My brother will be starving when he comes back from work today. Can you do that?"

"You think Mr. Sergio will love the food?" Javier asked with a raised eyebrow. "I think it would be better if you cooked his food. Your cooking is also wonderful."

"Are you kidding?" She laughed. "Sergio will love it. Just do me this favour, okay?"

Javier smiled, dropping his eyes to the floor. Adrianna was on another universe. She was fun to be around.

***

"Why are you texting me?" Kim was annoyed as fuck. "The last time I checked, you and I are not friends. And our deal ended a long time ago so stop annoying me with your calls."

"Ha ha..." Jayden laughed, crossing his legs. He was seated on the couch, staring at Kim with an evil grin on his face. "Kim, I don't know why you still don't get it. I run this game, and I get to say when it's over, and if it's not. Do you understand? By the way, how did you like my gift yesterday? It was a shocker, right?"

Kim's forehead creased. "You like playing with people's lives, don't you? You think you're god or something? Don't think for a second that just because I kept quiet yesterday when you tried to have my son killed that I will keep quiet again."

"In this game, I am god, and I can control the turn out of events." He snapped his finger, laughing even harder. "But, it all depends on your compliance, Kim. And don't think that you're gonna say anything because you won't. From now on, I will dictate what you should do, and what you shouldn't do."

"I am not gonna be a pawn in your game anymore, Jayden." She yelled. "You almost killed my son when you assured me he was gonna be safe. I signed those bloody documents to save his life. But I won't keep quiet anymore. I am gonna tell him everything, and then we'll see if you'll still be laughing."

"You won't do such a thing, foolish woman!" He rose from the couch like a whirlwind, his chest rising and falling in rage. "Do you think I am playing here."

He took some documents from the table and threw them at Kim. Kim slowly knelt, picked up the papers and when she looked at them, she felt a shiver go down her spine. Her heart hammered in her chest so hard that she groaned in pain. She raised her head, and glared at him.

"What the hell is this? And what am I supposed to do with it?"

"Oh, that's our marriage certificate, sweet Kim." He laughed for a second before his face became stern. "Aren't you an educated woman? That's the power of attorney papers."

"Are you crazy? What else do you still want from me. I gave you everything I had."

"Yes, but I want everything that this family owns." He seethed. "I want you to make your son sign those papers. He's gonna transfer everything he owns into my name, and you are gonna help me with that."

Kim felt her heart pounding in her chest but she tried to ignore it and slow her breathing. She glared at Jayden as she silently gripped the paper, feeling adrenaline coursing through her veins. Just as she began to feel sweat on her brow, she heard Jayden's evil laugh.

"But, why do you look so shocked?" He teased, crossing his arms on his chest. "I had clearly informed you before that I will destroy you." His voice and his face was sinister. "Coming back to those papers, you're gonna make him sign and I don't care how. But I need them back in less than 48 hours. Am I understood?"

"No way!" Kim roared. "I will not do that. I am not a puppet who's going to dance to your tunes."

Before Jayden said anything, there was a sound of a rip as Kim pulled the document apart in half. She ripped the paper into bonny confetti and let it rain upon the floor. Jayden's nostrils flared as he watched Kim rip the paper to shreds. Flames of anger licked through him and his hands started clenching into fists. His lips drew back in a snarl as he got closer to her, taking in a sharp breath.

"It seems you've forgotten who I am, Kim. Do you want me to remind you?" He gripped her arm, slamming her body onto the wall. Kim groaned in pain. "Don't fucking mess with me, bitch! Do you know how long it took me to make those?"

Kim furiously released her arm, pushing him away from her. "You can do your worst. But, if you think I am gonna cheat my son into transferring those properties to your name, then you've got another thing coming. You can go ahead and kill me if you want, but I won't let you win. You know my son is standing in your way and now you're desperate. You can go ahead and kill me, but I can assure that you won't win. I am gonna tell Sergio everything today. I don't fear you anymore."

"Ha ha...." Jayden bust into laughter. "Haven't you learned anything up to now. It seems I need to re-lecture you. I don't care about your threats but if you open your mouth, then I am afraid..." He paused and a frown appeared on his face. "... you may not have time to bid farewell to your lovely daughter, and your son. You will be standing in the graveyard next to her coffin and regretting why you didn't listen to me and do what I had ordered you."

Kim shook her head in fear as tears decorated her face. "No, please..."

"Why are you begging me? Go!" He gestured towards the door. "Go and call your son. Tell him everything, but in the next minute expect to receive your daughter's corpse at your door step. And Adrianna has such lovely skin, she's very beautiful. I'd hate for it to be stained."

Kim sobbed, feeling her strength leave her.

"I warned you. If you do anything that pisses me, I'd kill Adrianna mercilessly." He laughed in a grim voice. "And then I would send her to you piece by piece. I wasn't joking. So, it's up to you to save your child, or your husband's illegitimate child. I would hate to kill my sister."

Kim began cry, she didn't want to, didn't want Jayden to see her weakness, didn't want him to draw more strength from her weakness. She couldn't help it, though. She felt so alone and helpless. She was standing in front of the devil.

"You don't call the shots, Kim. I do." He prodded. "You should know by now that I defeated you the very first day I called your phone. And that was inevitable."

Kim dropped to her knees, shaking like a leaf.

"But I am such a generous man." He added. "I am gonna spare Adrianna's life for now. But seeing that you've pissed me off, just wait and watch how the next four days are gonna be hell for you. You could have avoided this by making that bastard sign those documents. Now I am forced to use my methods, and I never play fair. What next happens will only be your fault."

He laughed at the top of his lungs, leaving Kim alone in the room.

The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds for her. She paused trying to hold back the strange feelings rumbling inside her, but she couldn't do it. A lone tear traced down her cheek, and just like that, the flood gates opened. So many tears burst fourth like water from a dam, spilling down her face. Her chin trembled as if she was a small child. She breathed in heavier than she had ever before. She was gasping for air that simply wasn't there. She didn't know what to do, but weep.