After choosing the dress, he then drove me to another area of the villa.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"You love asking questions, don't you?" he asked sarcastically.
"Yes - it's called being human," I replied.
Driving towards some basement, my eyes met with a dark parking lot. He parked the car, killed the engine, and got out of the car. I remained inside for a few minutes until he opened my door.
"Do you need me to help you get out?" he asked.
"No, thank you," I replied, "It's just so dark in here, I can't even see a thing."
"That's the thing, Rea."
The lights went on and I was surrounded by tons of guards, with dark shades and in black suits. I turned around to Antonio.
"Should I be scared, Antonio?" I asked.
"You tell me," he said, his arms folded against his chest.
"Okay," I said, "What do you want me to do?"
They looked at me, surprised.
"Seems you want a challenge," Antonio said, "Calm down, you won't be doing a thing after today."
They brought a chair and motioned me to sit. Soon, they were asking me questions.
"Why did you offer yourself to Antonio?"
"To pay up for my Dad's crime," I answered.
"What other reason do you have for doing so?"
"None - I want to cover up for my Dad's crime."
The next question came unexpectedly.
"Would you fall in love with Antonio?"
I frowned. I looked at Antonio who seemed to anticipate my answer.
"I rather not say," I said, looking away. I thought they would drop the question but they still wanted my answer to it. I couldn't dodge it - they were all waiting for my answer.
"Are you being stubborn?" Antonio asked.
"Why don't you answer the question?" I asked.
"It was not directed to me."
Right.
I took a deep breath before I replied. Antonio was handsome. Anyone would fall for him at first glance. But...
I couldn't let him know that - then give him a boost? No way.
"Depends," I replied.
Antonio looked at me, surprised by my answer.
My answer was unexpected. Just as I wanted.
The rest nodded as they moved away. I stood up and looked at Antonio.
"Satisfied?"
"Just one thing left," Antonio said.
We were taken to another area. I saw colorful spots everywhere.
"Guess you know what we are going to do," Antonio whispered.
"Paintball."
"Men!"
Antonio called out. He then gestured to the open plane.
"Good luck."
I nodded as I went to look for my hiding spot. Paintball was never my thing but I could do it with an activity.
The whistle blew and all the men went out. I remained in my position until the game was over. I heard some men laugh.
"Rea, come out!"
I slowly came out and walked to Antonio, who chuckled before he spoke.
"You need to move closer to the goal Rea."
He pointed at the pole with the bell.
"Look. I will join the game, and let's see how much of a strategic person you truly are."
I shook my head as I walked ahead, "You owe me big time if I win."
With a smirk, he replied, "No problem."
"I will ask a request from you if I win."
I looked at him before I turned away.
The second round started. It was Antonio against me. For the first few minutes, the ground was silent. I peered through the rocks to see the pole with the bell. It seemed so close, yet so hard to reach.
"Move 5 times to the right then shoot walking backward to the target," I told myself.
"Come on!"
One man was down. I covered my mouth so as not to make noise. I looked to my right, which was empty. I rolled over one side.
Another shot was made. This time it was Antonio.
"He found me," I hissed.
I had 4 moves to make. The area fell silent again. I aimed at another man.
Bullseye!
Another man was eliminated. 5 were left. I was supposed to move but I didn't want the others to know, so I remained in my spot. I heard someone from behind me.
It was Antonio's right-hand man.
"Figured you were still weak," he said.
I took my paintball tool and shot my ball in his leg.
"I think you still need some training... Damian," I said.
Soon, another shot was heard. It landed on Damian's chest.
"Never call my wife weak," I heard Antonio say.
I didn't realize the smile I had on my face when I heard Antonio's words and saw Damian eliminated.
But one problem was out.
Antonio knew where my hiding spot was.
I shot at the remaining 5 men who were hiding next to Antonio. 3 were down. 2 were left. I felt Antonio's eyes on me so I made my move. I rolled to the right 3 times.
One move left.
I saw the other men approaching me. I took the time to eliminate them all, which was a breeze.
Now it was Antonio and I left. We fell silent on the ground for quite some time before Antonio made a move. He shot the tree behind me as a warning. I looked to my left and ahead in case, Antonio was hiding close by. I looked at the bell which was a few meters away from me.
It's now or never.
I rolled for the last time and moved slowly. With a short glance, I could see Antonio making his advancement.
Time for my warning.
I shot in between the rocks he was hiding behind.
"Woah!" the other men exclaimed.
As I saw Antonio getting distracted, I decided to make a run for it. I was reaching for the goal when I felt a hand grab my waist and before I knew it, we were rolling on the grass; I was on top of Antonio.
"You cheated," I said.
"You need to be aware of your surroundings," Antonio replied.
We both looked at our paintball tools which were a bit distant from us before looking at each other.
"How about we call this a draw?"
I took out a paintball from my pocket and let it fall on his chest.
"Maybe not," I said, with a smirk on my face.
Freeing myself from his grip, I ran to the pole and rang the bell.
"Rea is the winner!:
I fell on my knees, which scared some of the men.
"No, no, no! I am okay! It's just..."
I stood up again and looked at Antonio.
"It's been a while since I had this much fun - and got to beat somebody!"
Antonio, with a smirk on his face, removed the grass on my hair, "I must say, Princess, I am impressed."
"You are treating me like a child," I said, moving his hand away.
He then carried me in bridal style.
"I can walk on my own," I said.
Antonio ignored me and we went to the car in silence. As we were driving back to the villa, I kept asking him questions.
"So," I said, "This game we played... what was your goal of bringing me here?"
Antonio glanced at me shortly before looking back at the road.
"To test out your readiness," he said.
"For the challenges ahead."