Chapter 562
Snooker? Yeah, right. This was just his way of keeping me locked up like some kind of hostage while he tried to force Steve into winning. It was clear now—I wasn’t getting out of here until after the game.
Fine. If I had to stick around, I might as well make it count. Honestly, I’d already calmed down. The whole phone-smashing thing was just for show. Hernan had been spying on me, tampering with my phone to track every call and message. Destroying it was the only way to stop him from eavesdropping.
I’d thrown my little tantrum, and now he was going full-on villain mode with his plans. Any more drama would just be a waste of energy.
So, I stepped out onto the terrace for a little fresh air. But the second I saw it, I froze. The terrace was massive—it stretched across the whole estate, with lush gardens, a golf course, an open-air snooker hall, a pool, and probably some other stuff I hadn’t even seen yet. It looked like a giant playground for rich people.
And there he was—Hernan, standing at the pool table like he owned the place. The moment he spotted me, he waved. “Hey, Keira! Wanna join me for a few rounds?”
I thought of Bruno, who once swore he’d beat me at snooker. I wasn’t sure what his deal was with Hernan, but one thing was clear—Hernan could wipe the floor with him without even trying. Handling Bruno was easy. But his fans? They were a whole other problem. Obsessed and ready to go full-crazy on a dime. The only way to keep them in line was for Bruno to step up. And the only guy who could make him do that was Hernan.
I stayed put, pretending I didn’t hear him, even though his voice was as clear as day.
“I heard you’re pretty good,” Hernan called, turning the stakes up a notch. “If you beat me, maybe I’ll let you go early.”
Since when did I have such a reputation? I’d only ever played casually with Jace and Steve, but now even strangers were trying to challenge me? It was obvious Hernan was dying for a match. The more he wanted it, the less likely I was to play along. “Nah, I’m good,” I called back, grinning. “What if I win and you get all mad and try to kill me?”
He burst out laughing. “You’re just a kid, alright? I promise I won’t kill you. And if you win, I’ll grant you any request you want.”
I smirked. Looks like this guy wasn’t immune to my innocent act.
“You swear?” I asked, playing the skeptical card.
He gestured to the maids and gardeners nearby. “They’re all witnesses.”
Even though he said that, I didn’t nod. Instead, I leaned casually against the railing. “And if I lose? What happens then?”
“That’d be perfectly normal,” he said, his smirk growing. “No one can beat me.”
Arrogant much?
“So, if I lose, no big deal,” I said, double-checking. “But if I win, you’ll grant me anything?”
“Yep,” he said, motioning me down with a finger. “Now come on.”
I’d made him wait long enough. I had a pretty good read on him by now, so I didn’t waste another second and headed downstairs.
Hernan took one look at my outfit and scrunched his nose. “Those are awful. Why not pick something from the closet?”
“I don’t like them,” I said flatly.
He chuckled, his smile softening. “If you don’t like them, don’t wear them. A girl should do exactly what she wants.”
There was something almost sweet in his tone, the same kind of soft vibe Hayden used to have with me. And that’s when it hit me—why I hadn’t gotten over Hayden. Even after everything.
I wasn’t the type to cling to the past. If I could walk away from Jace—the guy I was supposed to marry—then I could move on from anyone. But Hayden? His kindness stuck with me in a way I couldn’t shake.
Still, I had to move on. Eventually. That thought squeezed my chest, but I shoved it aside and walked over to the pool table. I eyed the balls! “So, what’s the game?”
“Standard rules,” Hernan said. “Whoever clears the table first wins.”
I was about to agree when he added, all smug, “Since you’re a lady, I’ll let you go first. And I’ll even give you a three-ball head start.”
If he wanted to play gentleman, fine by me. “Alright. How many rounds to decide the winner?”