9 Let The Games Begin

You know that feeling of fulfillment whenever you finished something? When you finally get that thing you wanted to have all your life? That feeling you get when you opened a jar that others couldn't. That proudness you feel when you beat the highest score in any game. That exhilaration when you see your name in the rankings. The feels that you get when you accomplish something great and you just can't stop smiling because the feeling is just so damn great.

That is what I am feeling right now! Even though I could feel my jaws getting numb from the widest smile I've ever painted on my face, I still could not stop. Like what I have just said, I feel so damn good.

"You look like an idiot." A female voice snorted in the background.

My smile vanished in an instant and glared at Elle, who is currently inhaling the donuts that are "supposed" to be her gift for me.

Trust her to ruin my perfectly good mood. You know what, I'm gonna forgive her just this time.

"Is this Keith's effect on you? Creepy..." She added.

The mention of Keith's name plastered a goofy smile on my face, my mood's basically soaring high up in the clouds.

"Seriously though, you look like an idiot. Stop it!"

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"What's it got to do with you if I smile?! I'm happy so I have the right to do that! Why are you so hot-headed?"

She just rolled her eyes at me and continued eating. She's so moody these days I swear to God.

"Why are you here at my office anyway? Do you have an appointment with me?" I asked. My left brow is raised in her direction.

"Nothing. Just wanna ask if your talk with loverboy went well that's all..."

I smiled at her with twinkling eyes, twirling the loose curls of my hair, I answered.

"Everything is according to my plan. Let's just hope that it will go smoothly as it is."

I leaned back at my chair and contemplated for a bit. "Anyway, your brother is one of the Gold Partners right?"

"Yeah, he is."

"Can you get me an appointment with him?"

Elle looked at me with curiosity.

"Why? I thought you don't need their help?"

I smirked as I heard her question.

"We made a deal involving GP, whoever gets them, they win," I answered.

"Really? What did you bet?"

"If he wins, he'll have my company. And if I win..." I leaned forward at the table as I trailed off. "I'll have him. No playing dirty..." I finished, a ghost of a smile marring my lips.

A flash of recognition sparkled in her green eyes. She was trying to hide her grin as she stared at me, understanding what I had in mind.

"Ahuh, so why bother talking with my brother?" She eyed me like she knew what I'm planning.

A grin broke off my face.

"Who cares about his rules? I'll do anything to win, playing dirty or not." I said.

Elle shook her head with a know-it smile.

"I'll bribe him if you want. He's been bugging me about Wanda lately. Do you remember that antique Mercedes car I got at a raffle in a car show? I'll give it to him with their yes as return. How bout that?" She offered.

"Wow. You're really gonna do that? For me?" My eyes widened with incredulity. "Isn't Wanda your trophy?"

"C'mon Wynter, in exchange for your happiness, that's just a small sacrifice. I and Thea can finally rest easy if you'll succeed with that plan of yours. What are friends for right? Just make sure you'll have his d.ck as soon as possible."

I should really plaster her mouth...

"You know what, I should feed you more donuts."

"I wonder what would be his reaction if he learned that Gold Partners said yes to me?"

My mind procured a lot of scenarios and I blanched. Oh, he's so gonna get mad.

Just thinking of him being mine, I couldn't help but smile in victory.

Sooner or later, I'll have him at my disposal...

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WYNTER'S private phone rang as she listened to the board's weekly sales statistics. As of the report, their finances skyrocketed from the past months.

Elle's name is flashing on her phone's screen. One look at the caller ID and she answered it immediately, tuning out everyone except Elle. She excused herself and the presenter stopped talking to give her leeway.

"Elle, you called?" She greeted out, excitement bubbled up inside her as well as tension.

"You got it." Elle's voice echoed back and she can't stop grinning goofily at the news.

"Damn right I do!" She shouted, loud enough to capture everyone's attention. She cleared her throat and gestured. "Sorry."

"For real?" She asked in astonishment. That was fast!

"Yep! And you're welcome! You owe me a treat in Krispy Kreme." She responded.

"Hell! I'll even buy you the whole retail. Thank you so much, Elle. You're the best!" I said cheekily.

After some more, I ended the call.

"Please continue..." I said to the presenter with a shit-eating grin still plastered on my face.

Got him!

Plan C is a success!

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THE door from his office opened and there revealed Katrina, her younger sister. She throws something at his desk and he took it. It was a portfolio of records from the investigator he hired about Gold Partners.

He looked at Katrina who stood right in front of his desk.

"What is it?"

For six years, Katrina changed drastically from a sweetheart to a tough, cold woman. The sweet teenage girl who has a smile for everyone now stood there scowling at him.

"Can you fvcking stop sabotaging my wedding! I'll marry Luxus whether you fvcking agree or not." She snarled.

I sat there amazed at her outburst. She never raised her voice at me before.

That dumbass she called Luxus is a bad influence. She's literally cursing me right now.

I sighed before I tried to explain.

"Look littl--"

"Also, stop with the endearments! I'm 25, I'm not little anymore! We'll marry without your blessings and that's final." She snarled again.

Stunned by her actions, I stared at her like she grew another head.

I'm gonna kill that bastard...

"Anyway, Sinn Vitali is looking for you, he said he'll wait for your call." She stated calmly this time before she stormed off out of my office here at home.

I clicked my tongue as I watched her leave, slamming the doors closed.

Luxus, that fvcker. I told him not to mess with my sister and he seriously did just that. I'll give him a visit one of these days...

I fished out my phone inside my drawer and called Sinn.

Sinn Vitali is an ally and a good friend of mine. He lives in Italy and we could only meet if I go there or if the congregation holds an occasion.

"Sinn." He greeted with a clipped voice.

"This is Keith. You're looking for me?" I asked as curtly as possible.

I heard a screech on the other side, like a woman screaming angrily.

"--shut the fvck up and go to your room!" A male voice this time. Another episode of cursing and screaming went on before it became silent and then I heard Sinn again.

"Sorry 'bout that. Amethyst is being a b.tch again. I fucking swear to the devil that this woman would wear me down..." He huffed out, clearly annoyed.

"Women..." I said, voicing my thoughts with one word while cringing. "Why are you looking for me again?"

"Ah that. I think Gollum is fvcking up our dealings. I saw him talking with Slander yesterday, and that sunovabitch just accepted money from him. You should drill Drumond, that fvcker is in contact with Gollum after all. I got his phone and I saw overseas calls to Drumond himself." He said.

A nerve ticked at my head after I heard him. Lately, all my dealings were always failing because of some stupid reasons. Drumond is one of the dealers I sent in those dealings and it fvcking made sense to me right now.

"He's making an idiot out of you man, make a move before it's fvvking too late."

A dark cloud swarmed at Keith's demeanor, deadly and terrifying.

"I'll see to it, if he's proven guilty then I'll teach him a lesson." He said darkly, sporting a maniacal smile then tossed the phone across the room.

He ran his fingers through his hair and his eyes nailed at the brown folder on his table. It's a complete report of the Gold Partners' members that he asked. He's going to review and then construct a plan to bait them.

The side of his lips lifted as he remembered Wynter's determined face. He was confused at her whims. Why did she want him instead of her company?

The woman puzzled him.

Actually, he had a vague understanding of it. He thinks that Wynter wants him because of his prestige and power. After all, If she got him, she'll have all. Like a complete package.

He'll have to win this game, he never loses at his own game after all.

McIver Holdings will be his.