Chapter 9: The Challenger and the Game.

I woke up a sweaty, exhausted mess, the thick covers bunched up at my feet from tossing and turning the whole night. My head throbbed in tempo with my heartbeat, and I rubbed my temples in comforting circles. My shoulders were lightly sunburned, the irritating itch that prevented any possibility of staying in bed any longer. I glanced at the window, the long blade of hot sunshine slicing into the wall—it was time for breakfast.

As I stumbled to my feet and made my way upstairs, I couldn’t shake the flashing images of the previous night; Matti’s possessiveness simmering over, his touch on my skin, the way he handled me. It was wrong and indecent, yet I craved that taboo more than anything—shattering it and spitting in the face of everything we held sacred. There was no going back from what we did time and time again. The bond of this secret keeping us tethered together as we descended deeper into this twisted abyss.

God! I was getting wet just thinking about it.

I pulled on the edge of the hand-rail emerging in the kitchen, the faces of my family coming into view, causing a faint blush to spread across my face.

My dad’s cheerful voice rang out, “About time, we were waiting for you, sleeping beauty!” His brightness elicited a dry, sleepy smile. The smell of fresh fruit and coffee making me perk up slightly.

I heard my mom’s voice next, laced with some uncertainty, “Looks ... Looks like you had some night, huh?” A surge of cold dread rushed through me as I followed her gaze down to my own knees, bruised and scraped. I hadn’t noticed the damage our little encounters had on my body, how visible it all was. My cheeks turned a deep crimson, sizzling with embarrassment, my heart fluttering like a trapped bird.

“Yea, had a couple too many at the club ... slippery dancefloor and all that.” I chuckled nervously, sitting down across from her to hide my knees under the table, “Matti had to drag me home.”

“He always takes such good care of you.” My oblivious dad muttered, full of praise as he ruffled Matti’s hair.

“He definitely does.” I replied, locking eyes with Matti briefly before shifting my gaze to mom, her raised eyebrow sending a jolt of panic and worry through my core. I quickly looked away, loading my plate with bread and fruit while chugging my black coffee.

The tension was broken by a lifeline thrown by Matti, his eyes on mine as he interrupted the stare-off between me and mom, “I kinda feel like hitting the beach again.”

“Yes!” I agreed with glee, gently stroking his leg with my foot under the table. I was eager to get out of the house. Perhaps I needed a chance to cool off in the sea, take a break from this ever-consuming infatuation with danger and Matti. Yet, as my foot gently clung to his calf, hidden from view, I knew I didn’t want him too far.

After breakfast I rushed to my bedroom, tossing clothes aside as I slipped into my bikini, the flowery patterns contrasting with my gentle sunburn as I applied more sunscreen, taking in the nostalgic aroma of our first day here. Then, I slipped into that thin, yellow sundress we got at the market, the memories of how it came to be mine making me shiver with anticipation of our continued descent into this madness.

I trembled slightly as I saw Matti leaving his room, our eyes locking with baited breaths holding our chests steady. He wore a pair of shorts and a loose tank top, his shoulders and arms emphasised by the grey fabric draped over his torso, reminding me of his strength and dominance last night. I bit my lip and tried to ignore his gaze, the way he was drinking in my curves through my wispy dress. I made my way upstairs, making sure he followed and watched me.

I knew he’d be behind me, observing how indecently that dress clung to my curves, blushing and trying to stifle the obscene thoughts circling his mind like vultures. I loved having that effect on him.

The car ride to the beach felt shorter than before, as if my mind were elsewhere, the only thing that snapped me back to reality was the salty smell of the sea and baking sand. I furrowed my brow and squinted my eyes as I looked over the horizon, driving past all those people enjoying their day at the beach. I couldn’t focus on any of it, my mind was an exhausted haze.

“Do you kids want to grab a couple of Gyros?” My dad asked, cutting through my daydreams, “I think your mom and I are gonna grab something before we hit the beach.”

I exchanged quick looks with Matti before answering, “I ... I think we’re good.” My heart fluttered but I knew I needed to cool off, was that even going to be possible?

“You can just drop us off here, well meet up later?” Matti added as he watched my mind wander again, my eyes glazing over with inner conflict.

The car pulled to a gentle stop next to the beach. I felt the oppressive heat rush into the car, as I opened the door, stepping outside and immediately feeling the metal clips on my back pack heating up against my skin. I looked over at Matti who exited the other side, we stood side my side, watching the car pull away, disappearing in the heated haze of the late morning sun.

I felt goosebumps, a shiver and a hitch in my breath as I felt Matti’s hand snake around my waist. I looked down to see his hand on my hip, then up at his face, still looking off into the distance. He was getting bolder, I loved it, yet how close to the sun could we fly before this all fell apart?

“So ... What now?” He asked, looking down at me, almost as if searching for guidance or permission.

I moved forward to where the pavement met the sand, breaking away from his grip was difficult, the remaining electricity begging to pull us back together, “Let’s find a nice spot and figure it out.” I smirked and swayed my hips as my feet navigated the hot sand.