A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah)

Chapter 109

My heart stile anda ment, or pot to pull away

"Hurry up and play

The guy who'd won earlier called out impatiently

Hesitantly, I placed down a "South Pawn

Norman chuckled "Nice move! Playing the South Pawn-may it being you smooth sailing

With an, he took another diag from his cigarette, aqusting my chessmen for me again.

Truthfully, Ild know a little about chess. Growing up, Tolten watched my mom play with her friends, though watching was one thing-playing was another

As I gradually picked up the rules, I found may well getting the hang of it until I looked down at my pieces and realized I had a checkmate.

I glanced at Norman, unsure. He casually flicked his cigarette ash and gave me a nudge. "You've por it! Time to collect!"

He stood up, calling out loudly, "She won! Hand over the cash!"

The other three groaned, reluctantly digging in their pockets.

"No way! Mr. Wood's hack just med. She's won back everything he lost earlier. We need to go another round

The game res

resumed, with Norman sitting next to me and occasionally guiding my moves, sew more comfortable, I began to understand why so many people found the game so thrilling Each piece opened up multiple possibilities for deferent strategies it was ammually pretty fun Caught up in the excitement, 1 lost track of time. Round after cound, I kept winning with triple millipers, y pile of winnings steadily

by growing. Even Teri joined in, eagerly counting my

In the final game, I landed yet another perfect checkmate with a race, grandmaster-level move The thither players les out exaggerated groam. "Ugh! We've lost so much in one night!

"No moce, no more. Arlanna's luck is unbeatable. We can't keep up!

"Yeah, right! She said she didn't know how to play, but clearly, she's a prof

One of them even gave me a mock, seful look, which made me feel a bit guilty

Norman, counting stack of bills with a satisfied smile, glanced at them and smirked, "What are you all whining about? Paying respect to Alanna is worth every penny, isn't it? He turned to each of them, giving them a nudge

"simon, didn't your dad want to take on that Bailey Hills maintenance contract? Tomorrow, go talk to this person. Tell your dad to bring you along, and mention my name.

ban, to another, he said. "Gabriel, what are you whining about? You lost the least tonight. And that Patek Philippe you wanted? I'll get it for your birthday.

"And you, Sebastian. Keep talking that I love hearing it, and I'm sure she does, too. Aren't you chasing after that girl, Georgina Kelly lend you a car to Impress her " Their sour expressives immediately turned to smiles, and they started singing Norman's praises-along with a few compliments for me.

Just then, the door opened, and a server was trying to bold someone back, saying, "Mr. Linden, please! Mr. Linden.

Flooked up, but before I could process what was happening, a strong hand grabbed my arm, yanking me so hard that I almost fell off my chair. Norman Merved quickly, pulling me into his arms and away from Elijah's grasp,

The room fell silent. Esjak glared at me, his eyes filled with anger andisentment. "I didn't expect to find you hera

1 iradied myself, meeting his gaze calmly. "I didn't expect to see you here wither, Mr. Linden. Must be late "

He pointed at Norman, standing protectively in front of me. "How do you know him?"

Norman swatted Elijah's hand away, imirking with a casual disdain. "What's with the temper, Mr. Linden? Something got under your skin today?"

The mom erupted in laughter. The others weren't on Elijah's side and clearly felt no need to show him any respect

Bijali's dare sanded on Norman. "Mi Wood, what's your game?"

Not man picked kin mat with a picky, Telening confusion. "What's my game? I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Elaken." Elijah unteled, "Pasing dir seems like you're quite skilled at kicking people when they're down, aren't you?";