Chapter: 35

"What happened to Lilliana's face?" Caden asked, as if it was nothing of importance.

Alicia kept the explanation brief, given that there were people around them.

"She Lost her temper and ended up hitting her face on my hand," she said with a casual tone.

Caden paused for a moment before laying down a five.

Alicia didn't hesitate. "Four twos," she announced as she placed her cards on the table.

Caden lifted his gaze and stared at her. His voice dropped as he said, "Miss Bennett, I played a five."

Unfazed, Alicia responded, "So what? Is it bigger than four twos?"

The silence that followed was deafening, leaving the other player feeling visibly uncomfortable.

Caden flicked his card onto the table and passed his turn.

Alicia threw down a three.

Caden responded with a ten, trying to keep the game moving.

Alicia placed her cards down, smirking as she declared, “I've got four of a kind."

The player next to her leaned in and whispered, "Uh. Miss, you just threw down a Four of a Kind. And aren't I supposed to be your common enemy?"

Calmly, Alicia responded, "I'm aware of that."

Well...

The player glanced between Caden and Alicia, feeling awkward. “What a strange way to flirt," he muttered under his breath.

Alicia's mouth twitched, but she didn't respond to him directly.

Turning to Caden, she said, “Let's keep it simple. Whoever finishes their cards first wins."

Caden understood that Alicia wasn't focused on the card game itself.

Thus, he played another card, signaling his agreement to her terms.

Alicia quickly laid down her best cards, barely managing to win the round.

She clapped her hands together and said, “So, the song-writing deal is done then."

Caden gave her a half-smile before flipping his cards face down on the table.

The player looked confused and asked, “What cards did you have? She barely had anything left, and you still couldn't beat her?"

When the cards were revealed, the player stared in shock. "A straight flush? Why didn't you play it?"

Alicia didn't know how to respond.

She had been quietly pleased with her win, only to realize that Caden had let her have it.

Suddenly, the victory felt meaningless.

After the player left, a waiter came to clear the table and served two cups of coffee.

Alicia lifted her cup and looked directly at Caden.