Game On

"What?!"

"I don't like to repeat myself."

"You're kidding."

"I don't joke."

"Is there something wrong with your head?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Then what the hell?"

"Don't flatter yourself. It's convenient, that's why."

"You---"

Jacob and Gio watch as Xavier and Amara bantered once again, with the latter as usual at the losing end.

Amara was so annoyed that she grabbed her purse, stood up harshly, and planned to walk away, but Xavier also stood up.

"What are you doing?" She warily asks.

"Oh, aren't we going to check your place now?" Xavier retorted, eyeing her ready-to-walk-away posture.

"You-- check your face, jerk!" Amara fumed and marched off aggressively. She looks like an angry little bunny.

Xavier's lips arc upward unknowingly.

"Bro, you're really born to nail down Amara Mondragon." Jacob guffaw.

Amara was so angry she heavily kicked the door of Gio's car. That hurts but damned! How she wishes it was that damn jerk face instead, so even if it is painful, at least it's worth it!

What the hell did he still want from her? Before, he couldn't wait to get rid of her, and now he agreed to be her roommate? She already distanced herself from her past, and here he comes, barging into her life once again! She doesn't want to repeat such foolish mistakes from her previous lifestyle in City A, okay?

"Oh Missy, please be merciful to my Johnny!" Gio exclaimed from afar when he saw Amara repeatedly kicking his car.

Amara turns around and looks at them coming in her direction. She gritted her teeth to stop herself from screaming bloody murder. Amara suddenly felt like these trios had come to annoy her to death today. With her arms crossed below her chest, she gloomily watches them approach her. Jacob stifles a laugh, Xavier's expression is calm and composed, and Gio's face is torn between wanting to run away or save his baby Johnny.

"Why are you coming? I did not agree." Amara started. Glaring daggers to Xavier.

"Why not?" Xavier challenge.

"I don't want you as my roommate!"

"So, do you want me to be your lover instead?"

Jacob, Gio, and Amara equally choke from what he said. And the goddamn man is smirking. That damn smirk and smart mouth always made Amara go crazy about him. He's like a descendant of archangel but, at the same time, the son of the devil.

"Heh! no thanks, you're no longer my type." Amara declared without hesitation.

"Oh?" Xavier probes, striding closely towards her.

Amara couldn't help but step back until she had no more space to go. Her back against the car door. She couldn't help holding her breath when Xavier's hand landed only an inch away from her body. Amara pursed her lips at the beautiful sight in front of her. Her eyes followed his long fingers, the protruding veins in his hand, the simple silver men's watch he wore, the lean muscles hidden underneath the white button-down shirt he casually rolled up to his elbow, and the sinfully attractive face. This man is simply a walking panty-dropping-gorgeous. If not for his cold and aloof personality, she wouldn't be surprised if there's a long line of beauties who will throw their dignity away and kneel before him.

Amara raised her chin and defiantly glared at him. She hates how he towers over her despite her being already taller than the average height of females. Her head still barely reaches his neck.

"Then what's the problem?" Xavier tilted his head downward. One more inch, and their equally well-defined nose will touch.

"You are the problem!" Amara asserted, eyes blazing with undisguised hatred. She just couldn't understand what kind of game this man was playing against her again? Hasn't he caused enough pain to her yet?

Xavier's lips curled upward, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He watched how expressive her eyes become whenever she's angry. With her hair now dark and silky, it no longer hides the type of woman she really is—feisty, independent, and strong-willed. The spark in her eyes occasionally reveals her hidden depth and intelligence.

"Are you perhaps afraid that your feelings towards me will come back?" Xavier questioned, watching her expression closely.

Amara frowned. She couldn't help inhaling the musky and minty fragrance he exuded. His eyes were dark and unfathomable, framed by long and thick eyelashes that can make any woman green on envy. His lips are in a thin slit of natural reddish color and raised upward in a devilish smirk. His chiseled jaw and protruding adam's apple were even sexier up close.

It would be a lie if Amara said she wasn't affected; after all, this is the first time this man initiated to be in close proximity to her. Her young girl's heart, by then, would have fainted in pure bliss if it had happened before. Amara clenched her fist tightly. She smirks.

"Xavier Sylvester, if there's one thing you should know about me is..." Amara tiptoed and whispered to Xavier's ear, "once I give up, there'll be no more turning back."

"Roommate, is it? Game on." Amara declared. Xavier's eyes flashed with amusement and pride before it was masked with calmness.

"Hmm," he hummed sexily.

"Gio, let's go!" Amara urged.

'Fvck, she fell again in his ploy and games, that damned jerk!'

Amara thought before slamming the car door shut.