CHAPTER 87: LET’S PLAY A GAME

It might be funny if someone Daisy knew found her in the bathtub, lying low and trying to hide herself from whoever was coming. But at this moment, her heart was on the verge of exploding from the fear of being discovered.

She could hear the room door opening, and the moment the bathroom door creaked, she instantly held her breath. ’Please, Theo, come faster.’

She had managed to send an emergency message to him earlier, but after that, she put her phone on silent, not even on vibrate.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Her grip tightened on the edge of her clothes. The moment she heard the man click his tongue, she felt she could guess exactly who it was.

And then, he appeared.

The man came into view and stood right beside the bathtub.

"You know..." George crouched down next to her hiding spot. "I’m really not a fan of playing hide and seek..."

Daisy’s lips trembled or maybe it was her jaw going numb from the sheer fear gripping her.

"Or..." His smile widened. "should I play along?"

At that moment, she could only blink, her whole body shutting down—frozen still.

George scratched his forehead. "It’s awkward not hearing your voice." He stood up, leaning into the bathtub when she suddenly shouted,

"Stop!"

He blinked, slow and judging. "And you expect me to stop? Do you know how many days I’ve had to wait for you to come out of that damn house?"

"I’m married!" she shouted, slowly dragging herself toward the other end of the bathtub.

"And...?" George tilted his head. "You’re married?" He scoffed. "Who cares? You know, I actually tried to play the cool gentleman before... Wait for you to come to me, follow all that advice about how to make a girl fall in love. But you... you’re really an exception."

Daisy’s breath hitched. "George, please..."

He cut her off, voice low and fierce. "No. I’m done playing nice. Done pretending this is some game. You’re mine, whether you like it or not." He leaned in, smirking. "Theo Kingsley? I’m not scared of him. He shouldn’t have taking you—"

"No! No! I chose him!" Daisy snapped, now standing at the edge of the bathtub, eyes darting wildly, searching for an escape. "That’s the difference between being in love and being forced to love..."

George chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Love, obsession... same difference to me. But if being obsessed means I get to have you, I’m all in."

Daisy’s voice was steady, firm. "No, George. Obsession is one-sided. I told you from the very beginning... when they arranged our marriage... I would never fall for you."

He narrowed his eyes, voice low and sharp. "What’s worse than my obsession? That you’re with Theo."

She snapped back, voice trembling with anger, "What’s wrong with him?! He never did anything to you... and from what I know, you two were good friends before."

He inhaled sharply and sank down to the edge of the bathtub, voice quieter but heavy.

"Yeah, we were friends once. I thought we’d be brothers forever, you know? But then... things changed."

He ran a hand through his hair, eyes darkening. "We’re sworn enemies now, and what makes it interesting is—"

Before he could finish, Daisy screamed, stumbling back.

"Don’t come any closer! Or else..." She grabbed the showerhead, holding it out like a makeshift weapon, her hands trembling.

George paused, a slow smile curling on his lips. "Or else what, Daisy? You’ll spray me with water?"

But he didn’t move forward. Instead, his eyes softened for a brief moment, almost regretful.

"I don’t want to hurt you... I just don’t know how to stop myself." His head tilted slightly as he looked at Daisy. "Can you just accept me?"

"How?!" Daisy’s frustration bubbled over, her voice sharp. "I’m married!"

"So... what if you weren’t?" George’s gaze locked onto hers.

"No!" She stomped her foot, voice cracking with the weight of her emotions. "How many times do I have to tell you? You can’t force me."

George’s jaw clenched, but his voice was low and steady. "I’m not asking you to force anything. Just... don’t shut me out completely."

Daisy shook her head, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "No...!"

George took a deep breath and said, "I mean, you can try giving me a chance to pursue you... like in a fair way. Then, if you still don’t accept it, I will—"

"You won’t! You will keep bothering me... so just please, can you just accept that I didn’t have any feelings for you. There will be no fair way, because I am someone’s wife..."

His eyes darkening, "Hmm... okay... let me tell you one secret..." he leaned closer while Daisy trembling with her body was already leaning on the wall behind, "When we were in school, Theo always got a first place but there is one time that I got to take that position," he smiled.

Daisy could feel the goosebumps all over her body.

"I cheated and he arrived late that day..." He chuckled, "Our relationship? Yes, we were friends but jealousy outgrows the friendship and sometimes, jealousy turns into something much darker."

George’s eyes darkened as he leaned in slightly, his voice low and raw. "What I wanted to say is... Theo, even though he looks cold and ruthless now, he never played dirty. But me? I’m different."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the silence between them.

"I crossed lines you don’t even want to imagine, all because I couldn’t stand losing not just to him, but to everything he represents."

Daisy’s heart pounded harder, caught between fear and a strange, aching sympathy.

"Now, you’re with him... and that’s why I can’t let you go." George’s smile twisted into something chilling, far from charming. "So... since you’ve decided to stay with him," he said, his voice low but sharp, "let’s play a game."

Daisy’s breath hitched, the danger behind his words sinking deep.

"I’ll count to ten," he said, stepping closer. "Then you run... as far as you can. But when I’m done, I’ll catch you." His eyes gleamed with a challenge but to Daisy, it felt like a warning.

"Ready?"