A LOVE GAME:-DO OR DIE

CHAPTER SIX

Kingsley Mansion – Grand Ballroom

The mansion glowed with golden light.

Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead as elites from powerful families filled the hall—laughter, quiet deals, and whispered gossip blending into one.

It was Aria Kingsley’s night.

The grand doors opened.

Silence rippled through the room.

Heads turned.

Two figures stepped in.

Rosette Monroe.

And beside her—Elena Silverstone.

They walked in with effortless elegance.

Composed. Untouchable.

Every eye followed them.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

“Who’s that with Rosette?”

“Is that Silverstone’s daughter?”

“They look… powerful together.”

Aria, from across the room, turned toward them.

Her gaze lingered.

The night was unfolding exactly as planned.

Then—

The doors opened again.

Ryan Vander stepped in.

Kai Ashford beside him.

Ryan looked as composed as ever—sharp suit, cold expression, presence that demanded attention without effort.

The room shifted again.

More whispers.

“Ryan Vander…”

“He came.”

“Then Dominic Blackwell might show up too…”

Aria’s eyes flickered at that.

The crowd settled as she stepped onto the podium.

A soft hush followed.

“Thank you all for coming,” Aria said, her voice calm yet confident.

“It means a lot to have you all here tonight.”

A faint smile.

“I hope you enjoy the evening.”

Applause filled the room.

She stepped down.

And then—

The doors burst open once more.

He walked in.

Dominic Blackwell.

Aria froze.

Her breath caught.

Her eyes locked onto him—and everything else faded.

Flashback

Music. Lights. A crowded club.

Aria, unsteady, trying to leave.

A man stepped into her path, his intentions clear.

Before anything could escalate—

Another hand pulled him back.

Dominic.

Calm. Dangerous.

“Back off.”

Later—

A quiet hotel room.

Aria, still not fully herself, emotions blurred, walls down.

Dominic had meant to leave.

He didn’t.

That night changed something.

A line crossed.

A memory that refused to fade.

Present

Aria’s heart pounded.

Dominic stood there, just as she remembered.

Unbothered. Composed.

He walked further in—

And stopped near Elena.

“Elena,” he greeted smoothly.

Elena smiled.

“Dominic.”

They exchanged a brief, familiar handshake.

Aria watched.

Something tightened in her chest.

Then—

Dominic turned.

His eyes met Aria’s.

For a second—

Everything stilled.

“Aria,” he said.

Her name sounded different on his lips.

Too familiar.

Too close.

She stepped forward slightly, trying to steady herself.

“Dominic.”

Before the moment could deepen—

Another voice cut in.

“Dominic.”

Rosette.

All eyes shifted again.

Rosette stood there, calm, composed, unreadable.

Her gaze rested on him—not soft, not warm… but knowing.

The air changed.

Ryan, from across the room, noticed.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Now—

Everyone was here.

Kingsley Mansion – Private Corridor

Dominic glanced at Rosette.

A subtle signal.

Later.

Before anyone could notice—

He reached for Aria’s wrist and pulled her out of the ballroom.

They stopped in a quiet corridor, far from the crowd.

Hidden.

Silent.

Dominic turned to her.

His gaze intense.

“Do you remember that night?”

Aria’s breath caught.

She nodded slowly.

A faint smile formed on his lips.

“Good.”

Before she could say anything—

He pulled her closer and kissed her.

It wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t hesitant.

It was familiar.

Aria froze for a second—

Then responded.

But just as quickly—

She pushed him back slightly.

Her eyes searched his.

“Why did you do that?”

Dominic smirked.

Then leaned in again, brushing his lips against hers briefly.

“Now we’re even.”

He straightened, completely unbothered.

A wink.

And just like that—

He walked away.

Aria stood there alone.

Heart racing.

Thoughts tangled.

Back to the Ballroom

Dominic re-entered like nothing had happened.

Rosette noticed immediately.

A hint of surprise flickered across her face.

“Dominic,” she said calmly. “I didn’t expect you to come.”

He gave a small smile.

“I wasn’t planning to.”

She raised a brow slightly.

“Yet here you are.”

Before he could reply—

Another presence stepped in.

Ryan Vander.

His gaze moved straight to Rosette.

Then—

To Elena beside her.

“Rosette,” he said coolly, “you brought Elena with you.”

A pause.

“Why?”

Rosette turned to him, unfazed.

“Why are you concerned?”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I didn’t expect you to know Mr Silverstone daughter that well.”

Rosette tilted her head.

“And why is that?”

Ryan hesitated for a brief moment.

Then—

“She’s been abroad for years.”

Rosette’s lips curved faintly.

“And?”

Ryan went silent.

She stepped a little closer.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

A beat.

Then Ryan said it—

calm, but deliberate.

“We might get engaged.”

Silence.

Rosette scoffed lightly.

“And you felt the need to inform me?”

Ryan paused.

Just for a second.

As if even he didn’t know why he said it.

Before the moment could stretch further—

Kai appeared out of nowhere.

“Alright,” Kai said, grabbing Ryan’s arm, “that’s enough tension for one night.”

He pulled Ryan away.

“Come on, before you start another silent war.”

Ryan didn’t resist.

But his gaze lingered—

on Rosette.

And hers—

lingered right back.

Kingsley Mansion – Ballroom (Later)

Dominic excused himself, disappearing into the crowd to mingle with other elites.

Rosette and Elena were left standing together.

After a moment, Elena spoke.

“Is there something going on between you and Ryan?”

Rosette turned to her, slightly surprised.

“Why would you ask that?”

Elena studied her carefully.

“There’s… tension. Chemistry, maybe.”

Rosette let out a soft laugh.

“Me? With Ryan Vander?”

She shook her head.

“Definitely not.”

A pause.

“That man is trouble.”

Elena leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.

“I don’t know…”

A small smile formed.

“I feel like you two might end up together.”

Rosette gave her a look.

Elena returned it with a knowing expression.

Rosette rolled her eyes.

“Go mingle,” she said. “That’s why you’re here.”

Across the Hall

Aria stood with Valerie.

Valerie crossed her arms, watching her closely.

“Where have you been?”

Aria’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“I was… around.”

Valerie smirked.

“I told you Dominic would show up.”

Aria sighed.

“Yeah… you were right.”

Valerie glanced around.

“Unfortunately, I still haven’t talked to her.”

Aria raised a brow.

“Then go.”

A small push.

“Stop sitting with me and go talk to Rosette.”

Valerie hesitated.

Then took a deep breath.

“Alright.”

She walked toward Rosette and Elena.

“Hi,” Valerie said, steadying herself. “I’m Valerie Everett.”

Rosette looked at her calmly, observing.

Before Valerie could continue—

Rosette spoke.

“I know who you are.”

A pause.

“You’re Chris’s ex-girlfriend.”

Valerie blinked, surprised.

“You remember?”

Rosette took a sip of her drink.

“I remember things that matter.”

A brief silence.

Then—

“What do you want?” Rosette asked directly.

Valerie took a breath.

“Every time we meet, it’s always business.”

She met Rosette’s eyes.

“I want to be friends with you.”

That… wasn’t expected.

Rosette stared at her for a moment.

Most people avoided her.

Few approached her like this.

“Why?” she asked.

Valerie smiled slightly.

“Because I think you’re cool.”

A pause.

Then—

Rosette’s lips curved faintly.

“Interesting.”

She reached for her phone.

“Give me your number.”

Valerie’s face lit up.

They exchanged contacts.

Rosette picked up her glass again and took a sip.

Unaware.

The drink was drugged.

Later – Party Ending

Guests began to leave.

The night slowly quieted.

Rosette walked toward the exit—

Her steps unsteady.

Her vision blurred.

Suddenly—

She slipped.

But didn’t hit the ground.

Strong arms caught her.

Ryan.

He frowned, noticing immediately.

Something was wrong.

Her body felt hot.

Too hot.

“This isn’t normal…”

Without hesitation, he carried her out.

Hospital

Ryan moved quickly, urgency replacing his usual calm.

Doctors were called.

Tests were run.

“Drugged,” one of them confirmed.

An antidote was administered.

Time passed.

Ryan stood nearby, watching.

Silent.

Thinking.

The Next Morning

Rosette’s eyes slowly opened.

She was in a hospital bed.

Her head throbbed slightly.

Memories blurred.

She sat up—

And noticed a note beside her.

Be careful at events like this.

Not everyone comes with good intentions.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Who…?”

She checked herself quickly.

Everything was intact.

Nothing had happened.

She exhaled softly.

Relief.

But also—

Suspicion.

Her expression hardened.

“Whoever did this…”

A pause.

“I’ll find out.”