Chapter 2 A Game

• Nicole felt an overwhelming headache as she slowly opened her eyes. Her body ached as if she had just gone through intense physical exertion. Every now and then, a sharp pain flared in certain sensitive areas. It was like she’d been hit hard, leaving her with unbearable soreness.
• As her eyes adjusted, Nicole was shocked to realize she was in an unfamiliar room—one she had never seen before. Her expression tightened with fear. Summoning courage, she dared to look down at her own body.
• It was like a bolt of lightning struck her—Nicole was completely naked, not a single piece of clothing on her. She glanced to the side and saw that the space next to her was empty. No one was there. Her breath quickened. Her heart pounded wildly.
• Nicole’s face turned deathly pale. Memories flooded back: the party, Oliver approaching her. She clutched her hair as another memory surfaced—drinking Oliver’s alcohol.
• “Oh God, what have I done?” Panic surged through her. She wanted to scream and cry, but tears wouldn’t come. She steeled herself, trying desperately to stay calm.
• Pushing aside the blanket, Nicole got out of bed and immediately grabbed her dress, which lay carelessly on the floor. Ignoring the pain and soreness, she dressed and stepped out of the room.
• In the hallway, at the far end, Nicole noticed three men deep in conversation. Her eyes narrowed sharply as she thought she recognized the back of one of them.
• She was about to turn away, but something in her heart urged her closer. Finally, she approached the group.
• “Well, Oliver Maxton, so you really did sleep with Nicole Tristan?” Matthew said, staring at Oliver.
• Oliver smirked. “You saw me leave the party with Nicole, didn’t you?”
• “But we still need proof, Oliver. The game is only yours to win if you can show us video evidence of you sleeping with Nicole,” Carlos challenged, demanding proof.
• Oliver casually handed his phone to the two men. “See for yourselves. I’m not lying. If I succeeded, I’ll admit it.”
• Carlos and Matthew took the phone and immediately played the video. Smirks spread across their faces as they watched Oliver and Nicole having sex. Their bodies were mostly covered by a blanket, but their upper bodies were visible.
• Nicole’s moans echoed softly. Carlos and Matthew exchanged satisfied looks—Oliver had won the game. They hadn’t expected him to pull it off.
• “Incredible, Oliver. You really did sleep with Nicole Tristan,” Carlos and Matthew laughed smugly.
• “So you made me a bet?” Nicole’s body froze. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She had heard every word of Oliver’s conversation. Her heart shattered knowing she had been made the subject of a bet by three of her seniors.
• “Nicole?” Carlos and Matthew were stunned to see her. They looked awkward, caught off guard. Oliver just stood there, staring at her tear-streaked, devastated face.
• “Why are you so cruel to me?! Why?” Nicole screamed.
• “Oh, come on, Nicole. It’s just a game. You’ll do it with your boyfriend someday. Don’t take it so seriously,” Matthew said shamelessly, as if what they did was innocent.
• Nicole glared at Carlos and Matthew with red, hate-filled eyes. “Where’s your heart, using a girl’s honor as a game?”
• Carlos stepped forward and lifted Nicole’s chin. He brought his lips close to hers and whispered, “Relax, Nicole. Don’t overreact. Your game with Oliver was satisfying. Your moans were sweet. If I’d been in on the bet, I wouldn’t have let you sleep all night.”
• “Disgusting!” Nicole punched Carlos’s muscular arm.
• Carlos and Matthew laughed at her anger.
• “Leave. I’ll take care of her,” Oliver said coldly to his friends.
• Carlos and Matthew shrugged. Then, looking at Oliver, they said in unison, “Alright, we’ll leave first. Tomorrow, your prize will be delivered.” With that, they walked away.
• Nicole stared at Oliver with eyes reddened from endless tears. She stepped closer, her gaze filled with pure hatred. “Are you satisfied? I hope you sleep well with your prize.”
• “Of course I’m satisfied; I got two pleasures tonight.” Oliver stepped closer and stroked Nicole’s cheek with two fingers.
• Slap!
• Nicole slapped Oliver hard. Her shoulders shook as tears poured down her face. Lightning flashed in her eyes, reflecting deep resentment and hatred.
• Oliver touched his cheek, staring coldly at Nicole. “You’re bold to slap me,” he said, trying to contain his anger.
• “That slap doesn’t compare to what you did, Oliver! Where is your conscience?! How could you use a girl’s honor as a game!” Nicole shouted.
• “Girls like you are only naive on the outside. I know you enjoyed my touch, so don’t be a hypocrite!” Oliver said coldly.
• Nicole wiped her tears, her face burning with anger. “Men like you will never understand what it feels like to be made a game, Oliver Maxton. I’m not an object to be used as a bet!”
• She stepped back, distancing herself from Oliver. Her eyes looked fragile and dazed. The pain was clear in her gaze. The look stopped Oliver in his tracks.
• “Congratulations, Oliver Maxton. You’ve destroyed my life. From now on, I never want to see you again, let alone speak your name. By God, I hate you. I really hate you!”
• Nicole ran away, leaving Oliver standing still. Her sobs were heart-wrenching. Oliver’s gaze remained cold and deep as he watched her leave. For some reason, her words unsettled him.
• Several years later…
• Nicole gazed out at the streets of London. Behind her strong demeanor, her eyes looked weary. Painful memories resurfaced as she stared at the city—memories she had tried to bury, hoping never to cross paths again with the man who destroyed her.
• A car stopped at a red light. People crossed the zebra crossing. Suddenly, as the light turned green, a familiar man was inside the car passing by Nicole. Someone she knew all too well.
• “No! It can’t be him—the disgusting man!” Nicole gasped, startled, then quickly dismissed the thought. The beautiful woman was sure she must have been mistaken. She looked away, but her heart raced uncontrollably.