Chapter 3

(Rebecca)

The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I rushed to answer it, and there stood Daniel, looking completely exhausted. "Welcome home, babe," I said, kissing his cheek in hopes of lifting his spirits. It worked; he smiled and enveloped me in a long embrace, the warmth of his presence comforting me as we stood there for a moment, lost in our own world.

He stepped inside and headed straight for our bedroom, a familiar routine that felt routine yet intimate. We’d been living this way since I had to evacuate my apartment due to a crushing debt.

As Daniel began to take off his shirt, I couldn't help but admire how his muscles moved in perfect harmony. There was something undeniably attractive about him as he revealed his toned physique. I leaned against the doorframe, allowing myself to momentarily forget my worries and simply bask in my desire for the man who had seemingly claimed my heart.

He grabbed a towel, peeling off his pants, and my breath hitched at the sight. Just as if he could sense my thoughts spiraling, he turned to me with a confident smirk. My pulse quickened; the chemistry between us was electric.

"Stay back," I said, raising my hands as if to create a barrier, but he closed the space between us effortlessly. My palms brushed against his chest, feeling the heat radiate from him like a flame, igniting something deep within me.

"What’s going on in that mind of yours, babe?" he whispered softly, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

"That you should take a bath," I managed to say, my voice trembling just a little.

He gently took my hand and brought it to his face, that teasing glint in his eyes growing brighter. "Are you sure you want me to take a bath?" he asked, and just like that, my resolve crumbled. I quickly pulled away, heart racing.

I dashed out of the room, desperately trying to calm my frenzied thoughts. Why was I feeling so… horny these days? Is it age and maturity taking a toll on me?

God help me or I might lose my virginity out of wed lock.

I sank onto the sofa, taking a deep breath to collect myself. The impending “Temptation Trial” loomed in my mind like a dark cloud. It was tomorrow, but how do I tell Daniel that I would be away for ninety days? I certainly can't tell him I enrolled in the game.

His whistling pulled me from my spiraling thoughts, and I adjusted my position on the sofa, forcing a smile.

Daniel settled beside me, casually draping his arm around my shoulders. "What's for dinner, babe?" he asked, his voice warm and inviting.

"Dinner?" I stammered, confused. Then the realization hit me like a sudden gust of wind. "Oh, right! Dinner!" I exclaimed, feigning enthusiasm.

He raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his expression. "Why are you—"

"There’s no dinner," I interrupted, trying to keep my tone light.

"What?" His eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean there’s no dinner? You went grocery shopping.”

I swallowed hard. "I… may not have gone grocery shopping," I admitted meekly, stealing a glance at his reaction.

"Then what did you do with the money you requested?" he pressed, his brows furrowing.

My head processed a million ideas in a second, scrambling for a plausible excuse that wouldn’t give away my secret. "I ran into one of the creditors on my way back, and they cornered me. You know how they can be. I had no choice but to give them the money I had on me," I fabricated smoothly, hoping to divert him.

His mouth fell open, and an incredulous scoff escaped his lips. "So what you’re trying to say now is that there's no dinner?"

I nodded, my head hanging low, and he scoffed again before releasing a humorless laugh that sent a shiver down my spine.

He withdrew his arm from around me and rose from the sofa with a resigned sigh, heading straight for the bedroom.

As soon as he was out of sight, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "That went smoothly," I muttered to myself. One hurdle down, but the bigger challenge loomed ahead.

I made my way to the bedroom where I found him lying face to the wall. "Babe," I called softly, approaching him. "Are you mad at me?"

"No, I just need my energy to survive until tomorrow," he replied, his voice still thick with exhaustion.

"Skipping a meal for one night won’t kill you," I joked lightly.

"I sincerely hope so," he replied and I rolled my eyes.

"Get up, we need to talk," I insisted, trying to keep my tone serious despite the anxiety swirling in my stomach.

"Tomorrow," he replied, his voice soft and weary, like he was already drifting away.

“There won’t be a tomorrow, we have to talk now!” I countered, my voice firm.

“Yes, there might not be a tomorrow,” he agreed as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I might not get to live to see another day.”

I couldn’t help but scoff at his melodrama. “You’re being dramatic,” I smirked, but inside I felt a twinge of guilt.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked, finally facing me but still looking a bit dazed.

I cleared my throat, heart racing as I prepared to reveal my news. “I will be away for a while,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Away to where?” he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

“Albany,” I said, barely holding eye contact. It was the city where the game would be held, a safe enough answer, but still a part of me felt guilty.

“What?!” he exclaimed, turning to fully face me now. “What for?”

“A job,” I replied, the lie tumbling out. “I landed a job there today, and I was asked to report to work tomorrow at 10 AM.”

“A job? Today? Albany? Tomorrow? At 10 AM?” He scrambled to put the pieces together, and I could see the confusion etched on his face.

My heartbeat kicked into overdrive as I feared I would get caught in my lies. “What kind of job?” he asked.

“Receptionist,” I answered, hoping my casual tone would mask my growing panic.

“Company name?” he pressed.

Panic set in. I can't go on like this. If this question and answer session continues, I'll definitely get caught. I have to stop this now.

“What’s with the interrogation? Do you not trust me?” I replied, my voice rising slightly. “Do you think I’d create some elaborate lie or do something crazy that would put us both in danger?”

He stared at me, silence hanging heavily in the air.

“Yes, you really shouldn't believe me. A woman in my position would do anything to escape this mess, so yes, I shouldn’t be trusted,” I continued, lowering my voice and dropping my gaze, adopting a wounded expression.

And just like that, my little ploy worked! He sighed deeply, pulling me into his embrace. “Why would you say a thing like that? I would never doubt you. Never ever,” he assured me, his voice warm and sincere.

“I was just asking because I want to make sure you’ll be safe,” he continued, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I’m doing this because I love you, and I want you safe,” he added, and I forced a smile that felt genuine enough for the moment. It was a victory of sorts, having deftly navigated a minefield of questions without revealing my true intentions.

“I’ll also be away for some time,” he said, and my heart skipped a beat as I raised my head to meet his gaze.

“Why?” I asked.

“Company field trip,” he answered.

“Oh, cool! At least the utility bills will go on hold for a bit,” I said, excitement evident in my voice. “How long will you be gone for?”

“A month,” he replied, and suddenly the news felt like a gut punch.

“A month?” I echoed, my frown deepening. I had hoped for something longer to help with our expenses. “Why can’t it be ninety days at least?”

“Ninety days?” Daniel raised an eyebrow, curiosity flashing across his face.

As the weight of my words sank in, my ears buzzed, and panic shot through me. Oh no, why did I say that?

“Babe?” he asked, a hint of concern lacing his voice.

Fuck!

“Nothing!” I blurted out, scrambling for a plausible explanation. “I just meant it might be good for us to stay away from the house for a bit; it could help us save on bills. That’s all, I swear there's no secret motive here.” I tried to sound cheerful.

He locked eyes with me, his gaze piercing, and I could practically hear my heart pounding in my ears.

“Why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?” he questioned, tilting his head slightly.

Oh no, this is bad. I had to backtrack quickly.

“Me? Hiding something from you? Why would I do that?” I shot back, my voice rising just enough to convey feigned irritation. “Why do I feel like you're beginning to lose trust in me?" I asked in return, feigning rising annoyance.

"Lose trust in you? Why would I ever do that, babe?" He replied softly.

"Good! Now enough with the questions, and let's go to bed." I said with finality in my tone.

With that I laid in bed, facing the other side of the wall. In a few minutes, I felt him lie behind me, enveloping me in his embrace. Then did I take deep breath in relief. That was really close.