Chapter 98: Let's Play a Game

“Oh…and I wasn’t lying about the stars. You can see a bunch of stars from this mansion because it has a stargazing tower,” Edward defended himself as he winked at me.

A stargazing tower, huh? This place is away from the city too so it made sense that we would be able to see the stars from here.

‘I guess he’s always had an interest in astronomy…’ Lucien’s words came back to me. It can’t be…did Lucien figure it out?

“You don’t live here, right?” I asked for confirmation. This place was too far from the city for daily use, I thought.

“Right. I have a few other places at the city center. I don’t come here often so the old man you saw earlier must be so overjoyed that I’m here today. Let’s eat a lot at dinner to please him, ok?” Edward said as he took my hand in his before leading me deeper into the mansion.

I call it a mansion, but this place was different from the other mansions that I was used to. The architecture of his place was very modern and must be inspired by the latest Scandinavian architecture style. It was minimalistic with a clean silhouette and a lot of glass walls and windows instead of the neo-gothic architecture of other older mansions. I would still refer to it as a mansion due to its gigantic size.

“We have some time before dinner. Want to play a little game to kill the time?” Edward asked with a playful smile.

“What do you have planned this time?” I asked suspiciously.

“You’ll see,” Edward replied with a little laugh.

…

“This is the game room,” Edward said as he led me into the game room.

I could understand immediately why this was the game room when I stepped in. There was equipment for all sorts of games in the room and various game areas. Boardgames, dice, cards, balls and so many other things. The room was large with a lot of open space and some parts of the floor had mats installed like a gymnastic gym. What are we going to do here? Play a game of cards?

“Are we going to play cards? I’m not so good at it. Can we go with a boardgame instead?” I asked with a smile.

“We’re going to play a very old and common game. The treasure hunt. You know it right?” Edward stated.

“As in we search for a hidden treasure, right?” I replied. I know the game well enough, I guess.

“Yes. Except we will compete against each other. We won’t be racing to see who can find the treasure first though. You’ll be the one searching for the treasure and I will be the one who hides the treasure.

The time limit is 30 minutes. The treasure is in this room. If you can find the treasure within that time limit, then you win. If you don’t, then I win. How does that sound?” Edward explained the game to me enthusiastically.

“And…what will I get if I win?” I asked. Games are only fun if there’s a prize.

“Of course, you’ll get to keep the treasure that you found. After all it is valuable and I can guarantee you that it is something that you’re searching for,” Edward replied.

Something that I am searching for…what could it be?

“How do you know that I’m searching for it?” I asked suspiciously. I mean, I wasn’t even aware that I was searching for something valuable.

“Simple. You’re not wearing it…the pendant I gave you,” Edward replied with a knowing smile.

My hand immediately went to my empty neck. It can’t be…he had the necklace? How?

“You have it? How come the necklace is with you…?” I asked in confusion. Lucien took it so how can it be with Edward.

“I won’t answer your questions for free. This is the game room. If you want something, you must win it.

How about this? If you win the treasure hunt, in addition to getting the necklace back, I’ll answer truthfully any three questions that you want. In exchange, I’ll add a little handicap in the game. I’m nice though, so I’ll also give you a hint as to where the treasure could be. Deal?” Edward challenged me with a sweet smile.

The boy in his story grew up into a twisted man indeed. I wanted the necklace back but what I wanted more was to get truthful answers out of him. If I could ask him any questions, then…

“Any questions, right? I can ask any three questions and you will answer all of them truthfully, right?

Even if…I asked about the incident in my dream, right?” I asked, hating how desperate I sounded. If this is a trap, then I have no choice but to run into it.

“Yes. I’ll answer any three questions including the one regarding your dream. Want to play?” Edward said as he cocked his head to the side, all the while his alluring green eyes were on me.

Three questions. If I can win the game, I’ll get some answers out of Edward. Find the necklace in this room in 30 minutes, how hard can that be?

“What happens if I lose? What would you want in return?” I asked cautiously.

“Umm…a peck on my lips would do. So, what will it be? Do you want to play this little game with me?”

Edward said with a sweet smile as his eyes narrowed slightly.

What did I have to lose? I just need to find the necklace in this room within 30 minutes and then I’ll get the necklace back along with answers! If I lose, then I’ll just have to kiss him…right?

“Deal. Let’s play,” I replied after coming to my decision.

“Excellent!” Edward exclaimed happily while clapping his hands together. He looked like a child happy that someone was willing to play a game that he invented.

“So…do I close my eyes while you hide the treasure?” I asked. Let’s do this.

“I’ve already hidden it. So now, as agreed, I’m going to give you the hint. I’m such a nice guy seriously, this hint will cut down your work by so much. The treasure is in this room…the hint is…the treasure is on my body,” Edward stated proudly as he grinned at me.

What?! The treasure is on his body? Well, that was surprising but…I can do a body search of a man in 30 minutes for sure.

“Oh…and as agreed. This is your small handicap…otherwise the game would be too easy, and you won’t get the answers to your precious three questions, right?” Edward teased as he walked over to a cupboard.

I watched him silently until he returned to stand face to face with me again.

“The handicap is that you won’t be allowed to use your hands during this game. You will wear this handcuff, don’t worry it’s made of rubbery plastic so it won’t hurt your wrists, but it will restrain you so that you can’t use your hands,” Edward explained casually as if this was totally normal.

He grabbed my hands and gently put the handcuff on me so that my hands were bounded from behind.

“What?!” I exclaimed. I can’t use my hands…so how will I search him?

“Your 30 minutes starts now…oh, by the way, my hands are unbound and…there are no rules against me touching you…” Edward stated as he smiled with so much satisfaction. I wanted to hit him.

--To be continued…