After That Night

Chapter 13 Game?

“Game? What game?” the man asked, his brows lifting slightly as he looked at Violet.

He rubbed his temples before taking a place beside her, clearly interested in what she had suddenly come up with, even though he tried not to make it too obvious.

Violet glanced at him, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she tried to hide the excitement in her eyes.

“Say something that would surprise me, and in return, I’ll say something that will surprise you.”

The man smirked, his eyes lingering on her face.

Violet chuckled softly. “Let’s begin.”

“Begin?” He lifted his eyebrows, looking at her as though he were trying to figure out what was going through her mind. “What are the rules?”

“Oh.”

Violet sat up a little straighter, suddenly realizing that she hadn't actually explained the most important part.

“The rule is simple. If you say something that surprises me, or I say something that surprises you, the person who gets the other person surprised earns two spoons of the food you cooked.”

She pointed toward the bowl sitting in front of her, making sure he understood exactly what she meant.

The man followed the direction of her finger and glanced at the food before looking back at her.

“That’s the prize?”

“Yes.”

He gave a low chuckle, clearly amused by how seriously she was taking the game.

Violet crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him.

“What? Are you scared?”

“Of you?”

“Then don't act like it.”

The man shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he leaned back comfortably.

“Fine, you begin.”

“Okay.”

Violet immediately fell silent.

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

She scratched her forehead, her eyes drifting toward the ceiling as she tried to think of something, anything, that could possibly surprise him.

What could she say?

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

He was patiently waiting, looking far too entertained by her sudden silence.

The longer she remained quiet, the more amused his expression became.

“Having trouble?” he asked.

“No.”

“Then why aren't you saying anything?”

“I’m thinking.”

He chuckled.

“Take your time, little tiger.”

Violet rolled her eyes.

She really didn't like being called that, but somehow, whenever he said it, she found herself fighting back a smile.

She turned her face away from him for a moment, pretending to be deeply focused on the game, although her mind was racing.

Then, suddenly, an idea came to her.

A playful smile slowly tugged at her lips.

She turned back toward him.

“Did you take my bracelet?”

The man's expression changed almost immediately.

The playful smirk on his face disappeared, and his eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the bracelet.

The bracelet.

Of all the things she could have brought up, she had chosen that.

Was this really the right time to bring up the bracelet?

Violet watched his reaction carefully, noticing the subtle change in his expression.

She knew she had caught his attention.

The man leaned back slightly, studying her as though he were trying to figure out whether she had asked the question because she genuinely wanted to know or because she was deliberately trying to provoke him.

Violet didn't look away.

She waited.

“Give it to me and claim your prize,” she finally said.

Violet's eyes immediately brightened.

The thought of finally retrieving her bracelet made her pout happily, and she couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on her face.

He didn't answer. Instead, he simply held out his hand.

Violet looked at his hand, then back at his face.

There was something about the way he was looking at her that made her suspicious.

“What is the prize?” the man asked, his voice suddenly carrying a playful edge.

Violet blinked.

She hadn't expected him to ask that.

“You're the one who made the rules,” he reminded her.

She narrowed her eyes.

“I know.”

“Then tell me.”

Violet glanced at the bowl of food, then at him.

She thought for a moment, wondering what she could possibly ask for that wouldn't sound too ridiculous.

The man waited patiently, his gaze never leaving her.

Finally, Violet raised two fingers.

“Two…”

But she suddenly trailed off.

Before she could finish, the man lifted his fingers and lightly touched them to Violet's lips, stopping her from saying anything else.

Violet blinked, completely caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

For a moment, she simply stared at him.

He slowly withdrew his hand, but his eyes remained fixed on hers.

Violet shrugged slightly, trying to hide how surprised she was.

She cleared her throat and looked away for a brief second before turning back to him.

“I want the prize to be you,” he said.

Violet's expression changed.

She stared directly into his eyes, wondering if she had heard him correctly.

The playful atmosphere that had filled the room suddenly shifted into something heavier, something she couldn't quite explain.

He didn't look away.

“I want you,” he muttered, his voice slow and deliberate.