Game Master

THE VINTAGE CLOCK RANG, it's already six in the evening. My work starts at eight am and ends at six pm. I always make sure that by this time all employees are bound for home. I know that they still have their own lives to live besides I don't want to pay any overtime if they don't really need it. Time is indeed precious, so we need to learn to spend it wisely. "Let's call it a day."

"But-" She was about to say something when my business phone rang. "It's Mr. Chua, Miss." She handed my phone. I motioned her to go.

But before she took her leave, I quickly said, "Let's call it a day, Rina." She looked stunned but then silently obliged. She slightly bows as a form of respect. I took a deep breath before I answered my phone. "Hey, what's the sudden call?"

"Um, can you go on the rooftop?"

"As in now?"

"Yes"

I snatched my purse and started walking but still talking on my phone. "Okay, you're weird. What's all this fuss about?" I unexpectedly met Rina and she seems to be waiting for someone. She straightened up and pressed the button of the lift for me. "After you, Madame."

Still confused, I mouthed thanks to her and proceeded to Chua's business. "Are you still there?"

"Yes, are you alone?" just, what the hell is this? "Yup, but if you do something reckless, I can easily kill you." It's true. I heard his teasing chuckle.

The lift's floor indicator rang and darkness surrounded me. "What the-Chua, seriously.."

A soft relaxing music played. It's from a violin. One by one the lights lit and the whole rooftop looked like a magical place.

I searched for that guy and I found him standing there while holding a bouquet of red roses. Another batch of LED lights lit and it was formed into a question.

Will you be my girl, officially?

My mind automatically stated the ten rules that I've made years ago. Even though I wanted to think about all of them, this time I want to listen to my heart. "Is he worth it? Is he healthy for my heart?"

I only got one answer..

"Yes." To know them is to take a risk, just like in business. I can easily mend myself again. He enveloped me with his warmth. A soft kiss landed on my forehead. "Thank you, babe."

The corners of my lips unconsciously lift. The music was well-played. The surprise candlelight dinner added romantic vibes. Everything felt so dreamy.

The dinner went fine. His usual gentleman self was there, together with his kinda lame jokes made it.

"I DON'T WANT this day to end." Chua said as he took me inside the DV Condominium. "Me too, but we also need to rest. We might get fed up with each other." He shook his head in response but a smile is still resting on his face.

He caressed my cheeks and kissed them. "Rest well, babe. See you soonest." I walked him out to the lift and when it closed the smile plastered on my face fell.

I place the bouquet on the side table. "Red roses.. I prefer Blue tulips." I threw myself at the couch "this day is full of surprises" I sighed in exasperation as I thought loudly.

"Yes, it is." A voice second the motion. I know that voice. "What the fuck are you doing here?" She giggled. "I heard what happened."

"You always know what happened." Anne might have an incredible intuition, meanwhile Gloria has eyes everywhere. "Play your game well, Hime Dela Vega. Be the game master like you used to be."

"I'm still the game master, Gloria."

"If you say so.." she said in a sing-song voice.

She hands me my special tea set. "Where the fuck did you find it?" she just shrugged. "Shut up and sip." She spoke again. "Do you need a pilot?" I shook my head. "Nah, I just want to rest here for a while." She's now grinning like a crazy Cheshire cat.

As soon as I finished my tea, I walked towards my room. I begin stripping my clothes and toss it somewhere.

I turned the faucet on and let the water cascade and fill the exclusive bathtub. I lit my scented candles and tossed a bath bomb towards my tub. When the bath bomb was fully dissolved I slowly lowered myself in the tub inhaling the fresh scents or jasmine and lavender both from the candles and the scented bath bomb. A less violent stress reliever.

The rooftop scene kept on playing in my head. There's a part of me that condemns what I did, but my heart says the opposite. "Is this really it, is he really the one?"

I've been through four scumbags. The first one was snatched by my stepsister. The rest cheated as they can't keep their itch. The last one was because of conflicts in interest.

That's why I made a ten-rule but, also known as the ten-commandments wannabe.

I. Let someone love you more than you do

II. Don't forget to love yourself

III. Never shall you make everyone know what exactly you are feeling.

IV. Don't trust too much. Always be suspicious of their intentions.

V. Know when to expect extravagant things.

VI. Identify what type he is.

VII. Give and Take

VIII. Play your game very well.

IX. Make yourself proud.

X. If broken, mend yourself again.

To boost your confidence and to save yourself before its too later- because life is unfair and can fuck you up.

"1981 Champagne for your thoughts?" I automatically hissed for Gloria's sudden appearance. "Geez, can't you knock?" She just grins. "I can but where's the fun in that and I shouldn't waste my talent." she wiggled those feathery eyebrows. I grab the wine glass to take some sip.

"Do you think it's worth the risk?" Gloria just shrugged. "It's up to you. I've warned you already." she said with a mocking tone. "Don't blame me when I say, I told you so.."

I was about to throw the wine glass when she vanished like a thin air. "Tss, can't she just trust me or spill the fuckin' tea?" I leaned my back for a better angle. Now, the mood was disturbed.

After relieving all my stress, I stand up from the tub. "Fuck, Gloria Greene. Let's get back to work." I smirked. I pushed the button and let the bathtub clean itself. As soon as I stepped in the shower area, the water sprinkled and rained on me. I can't count how many times I sighed.

I grab the towel and dry myself. I don't mind walking naked because that's how I love my body. I reached the secret room in no time.

I put on a robe then, holographic pictures appeared, the prospects, the allegedly guilty individuals.. and now-things get messier. I stared at Rina's photo. "I thought she's planning things behind my back, maybe it's just about Chua's surprise." But then again, I can't deny the fact that she easily gave my address to Chua without asking my permission. The way she wants to insist her ideas for the past few days, lead me on something.

Yet, I'm going back to the start again. However, Gloria's saying something else too. Between us, she knows very well how to dig information. Just like how Leo stalked Anne before. He's a secret keeper and a digger at the same time.

"This is confusing, but I can't put my guard down. Right, Hime. Now let's show them how good you are at deductions." I closed my eyes and took ten deep breaths.

As I counted one to ten, flashes of possibilities popped. Clues and the remaining untouched traps. "Let's get back into the game."

"I'm the game master and game changers are not allowed inside my den."

I should keep my eyes open for the sudden attacks. The enemies are hiding beneath the shadow of darkness. Anyone can have a two-face façade.

"You know what, your secret hideout looks so boring and outdated." I can't help but to roll my eyes in annoyance. "I didn't ask for your presence here." She put a few fingers under her chin. "Maybe I should ask the team to bring new friends." She keeps nodding her head as if nothing.

"Will you please, get lost for a while." She winked then vanished again. "God, please.."

A message flashed on my 64-inch screen. "How is it going?" He cleared his throat before answering. "I think I need more time." my eyebrows furrowed. "Leo, we can't just let this pass." He exhaled sharply. "I know, but I'm waiting for the right timing. They're sneaky as fuck."

I want to tease him about cursing, but this is our top priority. "Just be sure that it's worth it. I'll slice your balls out if that fails." The monitor turned off.

"You're just the same as your girlfriend. The same headache." I quietly said. "Birds with the same feather, really flock together." My gaze wandered and it fell on the grand piano.

"Look how sleek you are." The grand piano was placed here to calm my nerves. It also helps me to think outside the box or even wider.

My fingertips met the keys. The calming tune of Debussy's Clair de lune blends with my mood. Just like how I mastered playing those instruments, I am the pro in any game.