The game we play

The afternoon sun spilled through the tall windows as Kira and Tatiana crossed the threshold of the Blackwood estate. Everything inside felt both familiar and strange, an opulence Kira recognized from old visits, but this wing was new, distant.Tatiana, chatting excitedly, led the way, explaining that Mrs. Blackwood had retreated to another home, a more private one because her son who just back from Shanghai, was arriving. Kira’s pulse quickened she had no idea Mrs. Blackwood had any visitors let alone it being her son. Mrs Blackwood had three children two boys and one girl. “My father told me her children were married. Did he come with his wife?” Kira was pondering and calculating how she’d react towards Mrs Blackwood’s unfamiliar son and wife. As they entered the living room, a hush hung in the air. Guests lounged on plush sofas, waiting for the matriarch. Kira recognized a few family friends but felt a subtle disconnect as everything around her felt like a stranger’s world. Then, her eyes drifted across the dining table, where Ezekiel sat, casually eating, exuding a confidence that somehow made him stand out even more. Her gaze lingered, and then, just as she was about to look away, she spotted it, his portrait on the wall, his name boldly inscribed beneath. A jolt ran through her, this was Ezekiel Blackwood, a name she never expected to encounter so close to her carefully guarded world. Ezekiel looked younger than she expected, this guy is married? She thought to herself, If she hadn’t seen his portrait with the name inscribed beneath, she would have thought he was just another visitor of the Blackwood matriarch. The realization sat quietly at the back of Kira’s mind, but it didn’t stay there for long. Ezekiel didn’t look up immediately. He was seated at the dining table, posture relaxed, one hand resting near his plate, as though he had all the time in the world. The soft clink of cutlery against porcelain filled the space in a calm, almost deliberate rhythm. Kira hesitated, just for a second. Then she looked away first. Not because she was nervous. Because she refused to be the one to stare. “Come on,” Tatiana murmured, already waving at a few familiar faces. “Let’s greet them.” Kira followed, her steps measured, her expression controlled. The room felt too open, too exposed, like everyone could see more than they actually could. As they moved closer, Kira caught sight of him again, this time from the corner of her eye. Ezekiel. And this time… He was looking at her. Not in a rushed way. Not like someone caught off guard. But like someone who had already noticed her long before she realized it. Kira didn’t react. Not outwardly. But something in her shifted. A quiet tension. A flicker of awareness. His gaze didn’t linger in a shy or curious way, it was steady. Assessing. And for the first time in a long time… Kira felt seen. She regained her composure and greeted the guests together with Tatiana. Ezekiel’s lips curved slightly, not a smile, not quite. Just enough. He leaned back in his chair, eyes still on her. A faint curve still lingered on Ezekiel’s lips, not quite a smile, but enough to signal amusement. He leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on Kira. Then, almost casually, his gaze shifted. To Tatiana. “Hey, Zeke,” Tatiana greeted, stepping closer with familiarity. “How are you?” Ezekiel studied her for a brief moment, his expression unchanged, except for the slight narrowing of his eyes, as if he was searching his memory. “…Do I know you?” he asked, calm, but curious. Tatiana gasped lightly, placing a hand over her chest. “Don’t tell me you forgot about me,” she said, half offended, half teasing. “It’s Tia.” Just as the moment hung… the kitchen door opened. “Oh my daughters!” Mrs. Blackwood entered with presence warm, but commanding in a way that made everyone naturally turn toward her. Tatiana lit up instantly. Kira’s posture shifted slightly, relief, recognition, familiarity. They both moved forward and hugged her. “Ah, I heard something like you forgot Tia,” Mrs. Blackwood said with a knowing smile, pulling back slightly to look at Ezekiel. “Tia… Tatiana,” she corrected gently. Ezekiel exhaled softly, nodding once. “Yes,” he said. “I do remember her. I was just trying to recall… from where.” Tatiana laughed, clearly satisfied, and the three of them slipped into easy conversation, catching up, exchanging light jokes, the kind of familiar warmth that filled the room naturally. Kira stood slightly apart. Not uncomfortable. Not lost. Just… observing. Her eyes moved between them, taking in the ease, the familiarity. She adjusted her expression, calm, neutral, unreadable. When the brief silence opened, Kira spoke. “Good afternoon.” Ezekiel didn’t respond immediately. His attention was still elsewhere for a second, before it returned to her. A beat passed. Then… “Good afternoon,” he replied, tone smooth. “How are you?” Kira nodded slightly. “I’m fine.” “I heard you’re graduating,” he added, now watching her more directly. “Yes,” Tatiana answered from beside her. “We both are.” “Both of you?” Ezekiel repeated, glancing between them. “Yes.” He gave a small nod. “Then congratulations.” And just like that, the moment dissolved. They followed Mrs. Blackwood as she moved deeper into the house. Inside the house, the atmosphere shifted again more relaxed, more familiar. Kira and Tatiana shared their results with Mrs. Blackwood, who responded with visible pride. At one point, she even danced slightly just a small, joyful moment that softened her otherwise composed demeanor. Then she pulled them into another hug. “You must eat,” she insisted warmly. Tatiana didn’t wait. She slipped into the kitchen almost immediately, already comfortable navigating the space. Kira followed but more out of quiet curiosity than habit. Passing by the dinning table where Ezekiel sat. Inside, they found the chef and household staff already working. Tatiana greeted them easily, slipping into conversation as though she had always belonged there. Kira stayed slightly back, listening, observing. Mrs. Blackwood returned shortly after, placing wine, drinks, and light snacks before them. “Eat something,” she said. “So you guys won’t complain that I didn’t celebrate your success. The main meal will be ready soon.” She then went back to attend to her guests. During the light conversation between Tatiana and the kitchen staff, Tatiana leaned slightly toward Kira. “Why are you so quiet?” she asked in a low voice, smiling. Kira simply smiled in response. Soft. Measured. Later, when the space around them loosened and people drifted away, Kira leaned slightly closer to Tatiana. Her voice dropped just enough to be private. “Your cousin,” she said casually, glancing in the direction of the room they had come from “…is kind of cute.” Tatiana turned toward her immediately, a knowing smile forming. “Oh he’s mummy’s youngest son you know” she replied. And just like that… something subtle had been set in motion.