Chapter 27: Chapter 27

“He’s going to lose.”

“What is he thinking? Wagering for his wife? Is that a mad man?”

“He’s doing it on purpose.”

Ethan set down his wager. The group of onlookers puff, stupefaction because of the amount. Two cards were dealt with him by the trader. His brows wrinkled while scrutinizing the cards. My vision is getting dim due to my tears falling perpetually. I didn’t fight back as I just acknowledged the reality that he was gambling on me. He has chances of losing based on the mass reaction and unsatisfying scowls.

“YES!”

Alejandro punched his fist in the air. The sweats on his forehead are forming. His eyes are dilating with so much exhilaration. I lowered my eyes on the ground, watching my tears drop on the floor. The audiences are getting chaotic as they applaud and rustle concerning Alejandro’s side. I smiled shrilly to myself.

Was all his words are fair secretion of lies? Is there even a truth behind his longing eyes each time he looks at me? Is this his plan to break me? Because of pushing him away? Did I hurt his sense of self just because I disapproved of him? Was it all because I humiliated him? I chuckled. The dauntlessness of him to get hurt when he used me in the first place. He enslaved me. His toy. His puppet.

Now that I am allowing him to prove himself, he put me here! He relinquishes me for money. This is another unflinching of treachery. I will never forgive him. I will never look at those eyes that mollify each time he looks at mine. He’s heinous. A manipulative bastard who doesn’t care of other’s feelings. All he cares about is himself. And I am so imbecilic for trying to see something in him!

I will never, going to love him.

I winced when I heard boisterous cheers coming from the crowd. My eyes widened in fear when they said the game was over. They didn't declare who's the winner. The guards' grasp on my arms tightened, and I heard soft footsteps. I didn't look up. I just centered my eyes on the ground. My body is cliff-hanging on edge. My breathing hitched when I saw pair of dark shoes stop in front of me. I swallowed numerous times when he held me by my chin and brought my face up. My heart stopped beating for a minute when I saw those tattoos.

His lips bent up, making that irritating smile. He compellingly snatches my arms and drags me towards him. He looks hungry and agitated as his fingers snake through the opening of my dress. I pried his hands away and narrowed my eyes, even though they sting a little because of crying. He sulked his lips, prodding me with his puppy eyes.

“You’re sad, little girl? Don’t worry, and I will take care of you. You don’t deserve that guy who wagered on you.” he whispered in my ear as he attempted to lick me on my neck, but I backed away, dodging his long tongue.

“Maybe, you’re right.” I heard no hint of emotions in my voice as I looked at Ethan’s way. He’s still sitting there, legs crossed, eyes are shooting daggers towards our way. He doesn’t look interested, whereas observing Alejandro’s making his moves on me. My heart sank, and my brain told me not to wail once more. I bit my lip and just looked at Alejandro’s eyes, vanquished.

Does my life matter anymore? If these individuals around me see me as their toy of entertainment? I have no education, job, or money to go by. Possibly, I should go with Alejandro. He can use me. I don’t mind now since I’m getting the hang of it somehow or another. Being mishandled by other people, controlling my emotion…

“What do you say, sweetheart? Are you going home with me?” he asked as he caressed my cheeks. My tears were swelling up, but I restrained them. I gestured my head, and he let out a satisfying breath on my forehead. He wraps his arms around my waist, directing me towards the exit.

“You’re not going to regret this, honey. I will make you my queen. Those who will touch you will be thrown away with my wrath. You are mine, alone. No one can stop me. Not even a powerful creature out there.”

“You can now all go home! Shows over, everybody! I won, and this woman right here is now my wife.” he declared gladly, then he snatched my arms. We walk away from the scene. People are making us away. A few are happy for us. Some are appalled by the way Ethan alacrity me. I didn’t look in their eyes. I don’t have the energy to fake a grin to them. I center my attention on the ground, holding up for us to get away from this lobby.

“Stop.”

We halted on our spot when we heard Ethan’s voice thundered on each area corner. I clenched my fist as Alejandro looked his way. I didn’t look back. I loathe him so much I can’t picture myself running back again to him.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

I listened to his strides coming towards our way. I fight back the urge to look at his eyes. The gathering of people was quiet as they expected what would happen. Alejandro let go of my arms then met Ethan. I can feel the tension is rising. I glanced sideways to the audience. Their eyes are centered on the two behind me. I swallow.

“How so?” Alejandro confidently asked. He sounds like he wanted to laugh at Ethan’s defeat, and now, he’s begging to stop us.

“You lost.” Ethan declared. His voice is profound and debilitating, as on the off chance that you can’t do anything but listen to his demands. Gasp and sudden whispers possess the whole lobby. I wrinkled my eyebrows, baffled. What?

“Excuse me? Who are you to say that I lost? We have an audience to prove that you lost, and I won. The dealer is right in front of us.”

I saw they all looked in the dealer's way from the side of my eyes.

"It's true, Azarel lost this time."

“See? So what you are going to point out is useless. I don’t care if you’re known here as the king of gambling ever since you subjugated the owner of this place. Now, that I defeated you, it’s time for me to take the thrown.”

An uproarious commotion resounded all through the whole area. Because of the sudden pressure, I look behind to see Ethan holding Alejandro’s wrist. He didn’t wince on his spot. His eyes are dull, shooting a look to Alejandro, who’s shocked since he can’t move.

I thought he would break his bone when he grabbed something beneath Alejandro’s sleeves. He showed me a card. My jaw nearly hit the ground. People narrowed their eyes and looked at each other, whispering and chanting. The dealer came to their spot and inspected the card. Alejandro was stunned. He couldn’t move a muscle. Ethan’s lips curved, and his eyes sparkled. His expression changed into something I rarely see. He looks excited and delighted about what’s going on.

“You cheated. You stole my card while the dealer wasn’t looking. You think I didn’t notice?”

The dealer took the card. His eyes were bewildered. He looked at Alejandro’s way, who couldn’t even dare speak. Ethan was enjoying seeing his face looking so down. I covered my mouth when he snapped his arms, making Alejandro shriek in torment. He pushed the man to the ground while holding on to his twisted arms. The mass back away, startled. The dealer attempted to calm Ethan, but he didn’t listen.

“I won. I believe you have my money and my wife. I want to take it.”

“N-no!” Alejandro screamed. His pride and ego were evident. Ethan’s eyes darken, and I know that look. He’s not scared of putting to death him here.

I heard a clink of a weapon next to me. One of Alejandro's guards pointed a gun in Ethan's way. My eyes widened in fear, and before I could stop him, he pulled the trigger. My world suddenly drew out, and I held my breath and followed the bullet towards Ethan's chest. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I'm frightened of what might happen to him. If only I were fast enough to push the guard away.

“Ethan!” I don’t care if I shouted his real name. I hurried up to his side when he touched his heart. He took a step back, and his eyes were on his chest. I cried and halted in my tracks. N-no! I slowly walked to him. My arms were shaking, and my internal parts were going wild. I know what I said about loathing him and would never run back to him. I ate my words as I am worried debilitated right now.

I can’t lose him. Not right now. Not here in this hideous place. I need to take him to the hospital!

“E-Ethan…” my voice broke when I touched his cheeks.

“I-I’m so sorry….” I whispered as I attempted to hold his face to look up to me. But I paused when I noticed there’s no blood coating out from his suit. When I look at his face, he’s grinning.

W-what?

“You can’t kill me,” he muttered coldly. He alters his expression when he looks at the guards behind me. He stood up settled his coat as if nothing had happened. He tossed away the bullet he caught. The audience’s eyes broaden in shock as they gape at Ethan, who casually punched the guard on his face. The man flew away because of the force of his blow. He landed before the other guards. They slowly look up at Ethan, who stopped before them. His hands behind his back, towering over them with his menacing eyes.

He didn’t say anything. He motioned his hands, inquiring for something. The guard wobbly gave the bag to Ethan. He grabbed it from him then turned around. He looks in my way, who’s gaping at him. He snatched my arms then constrained me to come with him. He kicked Alejandro on the stomach before we went straight to the exit.

I look at Ethan, who’s looking straight ahead. When he looked down at me, he caressed my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, my love. It won’t happen again.”