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“I don’t intend on losing, Clorinde.” Navia stared at the person sitting beside her. “You’re risking more than you can afford.” tightening her grip on the cards she tried to intimidate the woman she’s playing against with. “And that’s not good for you.” she warned one last time.
Clorinde snickered. “Come on, Navia. It’s not that serious, seriously stop it.” throwing the +4 card on the table her laughter echoed louder. “See?”
Navia fumed in frustration. “You are unbelievable.” ever since vacation started they’ve been stuck in their apartment, apparently for reasons that they simply don’t want to go home to their houses. “You do this in daily basis.” sighing heavily Navia started picking twelve cards from the deck, shes never won this game against Clorinde and its infuriating her.
“Dare I say thats you waving the white flag?” Clorinde retorted, obviously having all the fun with their game. “For someone extremely smart and strategic, you’re bad at this.” she teased followed by a chuckle.
“Card games require luck, not intelligence.” Navia answered back. “Should we play a game that requires cognitive capacity?”
Clorinde hummed, reconsidering Navia’s proposal. “What does that get me?”
“Anything.”
Taking her time to think about it, Clorinde’s eyes wandered around the corners of the room before eventually making contact with Navia’s. “Anything?” the corner of her lip subtly curled.
Taken back by the question Navia hesitated for a second. Is there something that she needs to look out for? But as confident as she is, she knows theres nothing to be cautious for. Navia nodded before averting her gazes. “In return–“ she wont let herself not benefit anything from the game.
“You wont get anything in return.” Clorinde stopped her opponent from talking. Taking the cards away from Navia’s hands she began playing with her opponent’s nails, gradually slipping her fingers she softly clasped Navia’s hand. “Because me letting you play is already your prize for winning.” looking up to Navia in hopes their eyes would meet she gently squeezed their hands together. “So, what it would be?”
And once again, Navia was caught off guard. Refusing to look right into Clorinde’s enticing stare she let out a nervous laugh. She knows once she gets caught with those alluring eyes her knees would be a wobbly mess in a minute. “That’s not fair.” she protested.
“You’re smarter than me, you have the advantage. Shouldnt I be the one saying that?” Clorinde questioned. “What’s this? Little Miss Navia is afraid of losing?” she continued to provoke while sensually holding Navia’s hand.
Trying to play it cool Navia refused to hold tighter, letting her hand loose while she feels how Clorinde consistently clenches her hand. “Smarter doesn’t spell winner.”
“You know..” Clorinde withdrew her hand before she continued speaking. “I thought my company’s enough to entertain you, my Lady.” Clorinde reached out for the cards and began shuffling it on the table. “Another round of Uno again, then?” she glanced and beamed a smile at Navia.
Navia hates being on the losing side but she hates it more when it’s Clorinde she’s up to. She has always known Clorinde to be a cunning but not to this extent. “I’ll accept your conditions.” seeing how Clorinde is taking her lightly Navia badly wants to get back on her opponent.
Clorinde replied in excitement instantly discarding the cards aside. “Then tell me what this game is about.” arms laid on the table. “Because there’s something I’ve always wanted to do.” smiling all innocently she didnt conceal the enthusiasm in her tone.
With that response Navia felt that she gained the upper-hand. Shes not letting this day end with Clorinde winning that easily. “Actually, I’d rather play Uno.” Navia smiled, her fingers tracing on Clorinde’s hands as she slowly lean in drawing closer to Clorinde’s face. “And maybe if I lose..” her stare meeting Clorinde’s, Navia slyly smiled. “You can get the anything you want.”
And Clorinde took it as a challenge, she drew herself nearer. Their faces inches away, one misstep and something unexpected would unveil. “You never won a single match throughout.” she mumbled, trying to further annoy Navia. “Are you sure?”
Navia tilted her head sideways, inching even closer than they were already. Their lips one breath away distance from each other. “I know.” she whispered. “But you seemed quite..” Navia languidly moved her face towards Clorinde’s ear. “Desperate for it.”
Clorinde was suddenly still, her breathing began to stutter. Its as if shes wrapped and cornered by a predator that she cant seem to predict the next move. Clenching her fists, she bit her lower lip. “Not the ears.” she said between her breath. She was confident that she could match Navia but the ears should be an off limits zone. That was hell of a foul move.q
Navia respected Clorinde’s words and moved away instantly. Plastering a smile on her face like she did nothing. “So might as well lose if it means you win something you’re eager to have.” she winked.
Clorinde was trying to stabilize her breathing with all the gimmick Navia was pulling on her. “I wont go easy this time.” Clorinde jokingly threatened while gathering the cards, preparing it for their showdown.
Navia just stared at Clorinde, propping her arm on the table she rested her chin on top of her palm watching how Clorinde’s fingers twirled around the cards. “I like putting up a fight.” she sneered.
Distributing the cards Clorinde scoffed. “I hope you do too in other situations.” as she view her cards she knew for sure shes winning the round.
While Navia’s cards seem to have ran out of luck. Even the gods cant win her set, not even the most brilliant person could find a way to victory with such doomed cards. “Oh.” she expressed. “Only if you put me in those certain situations.” Navia sucks in card games but shes where she wants to be. “Are you going to?”