Tomi threw a peanut shell at Aldo’s face, making the others laugh.
“I know, I know… I’m handsome,” Aldo joked.
“So, do you like Giska or Naomi better?” Tomi asked.
Ever since breaking up with Giska, Aldo had been content with being single and focusing on his work. Tomi was quite sure that Aldo had also slept with a few women after his fallout with Giska years ago. Their relationship had become unclear since then.
“Tom, after the way he snapped at Naomi earlier, do you still not believe that Aldo has been loyal to Giska since high school?” Rey teased Tomi.
Tomi clapped his hands together. “Ah! Sorry, sorry… So, you like Giska more than Naomi?” he called out to Aldo, who was busy buttoning up his garish shirt.
“Why did Ardo buy such a weird shirt?” Aldo mumbled, avoiding Tomi’s question.
Rey smirked at Tomi’s frustration over being ignored. He understood why Aldo was hesitant to make the first move—Naomi could easily hurt Giska if she ever found out that Aldo liked her younger sister and was serious about her.
Watching Aldo’s love life unfold between the two women felt like watching a never-ending soap opera, with conflicts that made no sense. Rey cleared his throat, trying to get Aldo and Tomi’s attention. The two turned to him, ready to listen.
“Anyway, I have an idea. Do, since you lost our bet, I want you to surprise Giska on her birthday. Hopefully, you two can get back together,” Rey said cheerfully.
Aldo immediately frowned. “Rey, don’t take advantage of the situation,” Aldo retorted, throwing a peanut at Rey’s face.
“What kind of bet did you guys make this time?” Tomi grumbled.
“Guessing when Priska would get caught,” Rey replied.
“Oh.” Tomi understood. “In that case, just surprise Giska at my studio—birthday cake with colorful candles,” Tomi suggested to Aldo.
Aldo didn’t respond immediately, but his expression made it clear that he had no intention of doing anything like that. “That’s way too cheesy,” Aldo said, eyebrows furrowed.
“Do, I won the bet. No complaints! And I don’t mean something that cringey—the real challenge is for you to kiss Giska in front of Priska,” Rey said with a devilish grin.
“Rey, are you insane? Why would I kiss Giska in front of Priska? Whatever I do with Giska is my private business,” Aldo snapped.
Tomi scratched his temple, wincing. He grabbed a peanut, peeled it, then looked back and forth between Aldo and Rey.
“Oi, what’s this about, Rey?” Tomi demanded an explanation.
“Priska likes Aldo—that’s why she even joined our game,” Rey said, pointing at Aldo, who looked completely unbothered.
Aldo was still focused on examining Ardo’s gemstone ring. Tomi’s mouth slowly formed an ‘O’ as realization dawned on him. He had never noticed how deeply Priska had fallen for Aldo.
“This is so she understands that Aldo never had any feelings for her from the start. So she won’t keep hoping for a Prince Charming to save her,” Rey explained.
“Oh, Rey. I thought I was the biggest asshole here after Indra,” Aldo said, chuckling.
Tomi furrowed his brows, watching how scheming Aldo and Rey were. Just then, Ardo returned, carrying a tray full of snacks and bottled drinks.
Thirty minutes later, Indra arrived, bringing Priska with him. She walked in with her head down. The moment Indra entered, the room fell silent. Aldo, meanwhile, was already thinking of ways to get out of Rey’s cringe-worthy challenge, which he had to do because he lost the bet. Priska had really been caught just this afternoon.
“Who gave you permission to sit?” Indra snapped at Priska when she tried to sit on one of the empty chairs in Ardo’s living room.
Priska’s eyes welled up with tears. Her face was pale, dark circles under her eyes. She was startled to see Rey sitting calmly among the others. Rey, on the other hand, averted his gaze, avoiding her eyes. A smirk played on his lips.
Once again, Priska felt like nothing more than a plaything. In the end, she remained standing while the men sat comfortably in their chairs, even though her legs ached from exhaustion after running for so long.
“Tell them what we talked about earlier,” Indra ordered.
Priska hesitated, clasping her hands together as if seeking strength. “I want the rules changed. You all have to promise—no sex of any kind. And once everyone has won the game, you have to let me go. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t touch me again,” she pleaded.
Ardo and Tomi immediately protested—they were the most opposed to the idea.
“Ndra! We paid a lot for this. Does it make sense for Priska to just be a maid or assistant? She’s beautiful—what a waste not to touch her!” Tomi snapped.
“I’m out if the rules change,” Ardo said, standing up.
Tomi and Ardo were ready to walk away from the conversation that had just begun. Meanwhile, Rey and Aldo had yet to share their thoughts on the new rule. Indra raised a hand, signaling everyone to calm down.