Chapter 3: Playing for Keeps?

Silence followed the obviously insane question. But this time, Alex kind of expected that when even he would’ve reacted similarly or even worse.

Moreover, the lack of response gave him some time to think, a little benefit he didn’t really expect he’d have.

In that long pause, Alex realized that he still hadn’t regretted asking that. He thought that, with how suddenly he was springing it on Giovanni, he might have major doubt right after saying it.

But still nothing. He still had enough resolve to stand there on his own two feet after dropping such a bomb.

And yes, he went through it knowing that on the insane chance Giovanni would agree, this was probably going to be a more clear-cut business deal than an actual romantic relationship. But after what he had just experienced with Dominic, he’d take clinical over tentative feelings any day now.

Moreover, this guy had never been all that sappy or overly expressive, but even when he thought back to their childhood, despite the kid now looking all full-grown and intimidating, he was still the same person who didn’t sell him short.

The one who didn’t give a shit if his opinion differed from everyone else’s collective delusion.

So Alex felt that even if he’d likely get rejected or even if he might end up incurring Giovanni’s ire, at least the guy would show all that to his face instead of stabbing him in the back.

"If not contractually... then—then maybe even for keeps...?" he repeated tentatively, his voice sounding like it was echoing even if it wasn’t.

"..."

"..."

Well, he did say he was fine with any sort of outcome, but having to deal with such unbearable silence wasn’t really what he imagined. Even a man like him could only take so much before wanting to bolt out of the room.

But maybe Giovanni had noticed how he tried estimating his distance from the door and suddenly spoke even more baffling words.

"Beat me at any game in this room, and I’ll do it."

Giovanni’s voice remained as calm as ever, which contrasted with Alex’s unexpected squeak of,

"Really?"

"Mn. But doubt me again, and the deal is off."

"!"

Right. Got it.

Alexander made a move for the pinball and hit start. The host, having played more times than Alex, had the obvious edge.

Still, how bad could it be, right?

Disastrous, apparently.

Sure, Alex was maybe good enough for a CEO who shouldn’t have the time for any of this, but next to Giovanni, an even busier boss, it felt like his luck was right under the mud.

In what world would he be able to even beat the guy?

Was that why he agreed that easily? Knowing that it would actually be impossible to win?

Two hours. That was how long he had been trying, and that was how much time Giovanni had been humoring him when it was clear he was getting more and more hopeless at it.

"Used up your luck getting rid of trash?"

It was probably meant in jest, but Alex felt like scratching his face because maybe that was what really happened to him when he managed to escape the marriage that would’ve ended up even worse had it been filed officially.

"Yes. The trash was too big, and I needed a lot of luck for it..."

"Figures. That’s why I’ve been generous with the chances. Even now, I’ll give you one more."

Alex stared at Giovanni, who was leaning leisurely against the billiard table while waiting for him as he stood in front of the pinball machine like a wet puppy.

It was clear between them that Alex was the one who needed this to work out.

So he did something he hadn’t done in a while and prayed for this pull to work this time around.

The machine started clamoring once again, and Alex watched as the ball went whizzing away. But just when he thought he’d finally gotten it this time, the ball sure started strong, but went straight for the gutter after so much as hitting several points.

Wow.

Maybe that was karma for praying right when he needed it instead of religiously.

But despite how he felt about things, a deal was a deal, and he was already fortunate enough not to have been asked to leave the moment he mentioned something as insane as asking for Giovanni’s hand in marriage right after he asked for business assistance.

So, thinking about how he’d gracefully exit after saying his thanks since he did manage to get one thing, he made a bid to face the imposing game room owner.

Only when he did, he was surprised to encounter a wall.

No, that would be Giovanni’s chest.

"...What?"

He was momentarily confused, but even more so when he felt fingers reaching for his hand.

"Try again."

Giovanni’s voice was much closer now, and Alex heard him despite how quietly he muttered.

"Again?"

"Again."

The confused failure at pinball didn’t know what to make of that, but before he could even ask for clarification, he felt fingers guiding his hand to the shooter rod for a tug.

"!"

The same silver ball shot across the pinball machine, bouncing wildly between bumpers as lights flashed with every hit.

Surprisingly, instead of going straight for doom as it had done so earlier, the score kept climbing rapidly.

10,000... 25,000... 50,000.

The ball struck another bumper, ricocheted into a narrow lane, and triggered another burst of lights that reflected in Alex’s eyes.

BONUS!

As if powered by something else entirely, the machine acted like it was fearful of getting replaced, finally ending with a score that was over 24,000 points higher than Giovanni’s original high score.

"!!!"

It was hard not to gasp excitedly at that despite his age, but after seeing pitiable numbers and really taking that even worse than how he’d been jilted just moments ago, seeing such a number made him want to run around to celebrate.

Alex turned around, wanting to boast a little as if almost forgetting that Giovanni’s hands literally pulled the rod with him, but at that point he couldn’t care less.

However, when he turned his head, he was surprised to meet the man’s eyes already locked on his, and Alex ended up frozen with probably a weird look on his face.

Defensively, he opened with, "You can’t invalidate that, alright."

But to his surprise, Giovanni simply said, "Mn. I know, future Mr. Mercer."

Alex’s eyes widened at the title, and he was momentarily taken aback when he almost lost his footing as the body that apparently had been supporting him stepped back.

Thankfully, Giovanni steadied Alex, who was still recovering.

"Gio—"

"I tend to honor deals I make."

"I know..."

"But I’m not crazed enough to forget your position. So for both our sakes, go home. Sleep."

Huh?

"If you wake up thinking you still want the same arrangement, then we’ll put it on paper."

"On paper?"

"Yes. On paper."

Giovanni tilted his head, and Alex almost took a step back, but then the man continued, and he couldn’t quite figure out where to place his foot.

"I can’t possibly have my biggest gamble walking around without so much as an agreement, can I?"