Game Plan: Game We Play, #1

By Viola Herman

When my sister asked me for a favor, I never imagined that I would find myself in the middle of a hurricane. Not only that, but she left me there all alone.

I started working at Media Linc pretending to be someone I wasn't. The place was full of wolves. They threw more than a few hateful glances my way. But I was more determined to survive than I had ever been in my entire life.

I maneuvered between a former friend, an asshole boss, my sister's lies, and a person who could destroy more than just my life. The blackmail set off a chain of events that I could not stop.

In the chaos, a feeling was born. It was exactly as he had predicted. There was no way we could fight it and win against it. What brought us together against mutual hatred was stronger than anything around us.

And it was built on two pillars: lies and chess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viola Herman
• Release date: Mar 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9788397025202

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Copyright © 2024 by Viola Herman

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written permission from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This book is work of fiction. Any resemblance to places, events, or real people is entirely coincidental.

Ebook ISBN 978-83-970252-0-2

Paperback ISBN 978-83-970252-1-9

Table of contents

Copyright

Table of contents

Author’s Note

Prologue

1 Emma

2 Emma

3 Emma

4 Dusk

5 Emma

6 Mason

7 Emma

8 Mason

9 Emma

10 Emma

11 Dusk

12 Emma

13 Emma

14 Emma

15 Emma

16 Mason

17 Emma

18 Mason

19 Emma

20 Dusk

21 Emma

22 Emma

23 Mason

24 Emma

25 Emma

26 Mason

27 Dusk

28 Emma

29 Emma

30 Emma

31 Mason

32 Emma

33 Mason

34 Emma

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Game Plan is a romantic suspense book. The story includes elements that might not be suitable for some readers. Mentioned kidnapping, human trafficking, murder, death, obsessive partners, are present in that novel. It includes also explicit sexual content and coarse language. Readers who may be sensitive to these elements, please take note.

Prologue

The King's Indian Defense is a well-known chess opening in the closed debut group. It is currently used by the best chess players in the world.

A lamp on my desk gave the only faint glow of illumination in my office. The shadows it cast didn't bother me at all. Most people were afraid of the darkness and what lay beneath it. But not me; I loved the darkness. It brought comfort and endless possibilities. So many possibilities…

I would gaze into a dark corner of the room, my eyes unseeing. In my mind, I saw every piece of the puzzle. Five years ago, I created the original plan. By now, I had worked out every detail. I predicted every contingency and every solution so that my plan would end similarly. You could say that I bided my time, waiting for the right moment—the moment when all the pieces would fall into place.

One of the most critical pieces had now appeared in the exact place. My eyes turned to the brown file on the desk. I opened it gradually, almost gently. I knew exactly what I would find inside. The file contained all the information I needed. On the cover was a picture. On a busy street, a woman rushed into a cafe. At the last moment, she looked over her shoulder as if she sensed someone behind her. A few light strands of hair slipped from her braid. Her lips curled tightly, and suspicious blue eyes scanned her surroundings. They expressed everything that could not escape her tight lips.

The photo failed to capture her breathtaking beauty. She wasn't a classic beauty, yet when a man looked at her, his breath would catch in his throat. Something about her caught my attention. The short red sleeveless dress was too revealing for my taste and left little to the imagination. Still, it wasn't the first time my eyes had wandered over the shape of her body.

She had narrow shoulders, round and full breasts, a tiny waist, a small ass, and damn athletic legs. According to the information, she attended yoga classes twice weekly and visited the gym three times a week. She knew how to take care of her body.

My thoughts had once again drifted into dangerous territory. I had to adjust the growing erection in my pants. Nothing, not even such a beautiful pawn, could interfere with my master plan. I had waited too long and wanted revenge too much. I could feel it pulsing through my veins, feeding every cell in my body and ruling my mind. There was no choice but to sacrifice this pawn on my way as I pursued victory.

1

Emma

God, I hated that asshole with all my damned heart. If I could, I would have strangled him with my bare hands right then and there. Of course, that would only have been possible if I had gotten rid of the twelve witnesses first. The eyes of everyone gathered in the conference room were focused on me. That didn't make my plan for the perfect crime any easier.

Adam, you can't— I started to say.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for today's meeting. Adam chuckled. I'll see you at the next review in a month.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He wasn't even going to let me express my thoughts.

Adam stood up from the chair and pushed it back hard as if it had insulted him. Glancing around, he scanned the room, explicitly omitting me.

He headed for the exit without wasting another second of his precious time.

I got up from my seat, grabbed all the documents, and followed him without looking at anyone.

I was wearing several inches of cursed stilettos, not my allies in this task. They just weren't made for chasing any guy.

When I arrived at Adam's office, his door was already closed. I wasn't going to play nice, so I grabbed the handle and burst in. Behind my back, the door slammed shut with a loud bang. Half the floor must have heard it without much effort.

Taking advantage of a wave of anger, I stood in front of his desk with my hands folded.

Adam slowly sat back in his chair and gave me a thorough inspection. When his gaze rose, I felt a shiver run down my spine. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, although I used to feel it differently. In the past, his attention had meant something completely different.

Adam was eight years older than me. He was a tall, stocky man. In his steel-colored suit, he intimidated the people around him. His short black hair was always perfectly styled. He had chocolate eyes that never stopped judging people, situations, threats, or opportunities.

Adam, you can't just take this campaign away from me.

I can't? Are you sure I can't?

A mischievous smile appeared on his face.

So that's what this is all about.

It wasn't about me or the client's dissatisfaction with my ideas. It was a show of strength, of power. It was about what I had lost by ending our relationship.

I took a deep breath and started over. Does the client have any objections to my work?

No. I don't know anything about that.

Neither do I. So why would you do that when everything is already caught up? This is illogical. And you want me to walk away from the whole thing two weeks before the deadline? Olivia doesn't know the first thing about this project. Not to mention, she looks like a child in a fog who doesn't know what she's doing. My client—

Your client! Adam cut me off and stood up from his chair. He clenched his hands into fists so hard that I could see the whitened knuckles. He rested them on the desk in a gesture of strength and looked like a bull under attack. A deep frown appeared on his forehead, and he rolled his eyes in anger. Don't you think you're getting carried away with this? Hmm? Or will it soon turn out that this company works only because of you? How is it, Emma?

Adam, we initially set boundaries between us. I feel like you're trying to get back at me for leaving.

At this point, I could easily imagine thick white steam coming out of the bull's ears. Do you think so little of me? Do you think I would take your project away from you in the name of some stupid, offended pride or revenge?

Unfortunately, that's how it looks, I stated emphatically.

The man before me changed into a completely different person in a split second. The irritation that was so obvious was hidden behind a wall. Adam's face became completely blank, and his chocolate eyes revealed nothing.

Then he smiled like nothing happened. His moods changed so often that it was dizzying.

He smiled, and my heart boiled with anger. I had the feeling he enjoyed it. My loss of control was a source of pleasure to him. I, on the other hand, hated it. I hated not being in control.

Emma, I'm sorry that you feel upset by my move, which, by the way, is motivated solely by concern for the good of the company. I can assure you that it has nothing to do with our breakup. I know that Olivia is a better candidate for this project.

The only project Olivia would have been better suited for than me was the one hidden in Adam's pants. We both knew this, although neither of us said it out loud. We also both knew that he was testing this theory before I'd even dumped his scabby ass.

Naturally, if you disagree, I can bring it up with the CEO, who will undoubtedly neutrally resolve the issue.

Sure. How neutral can your father be?

When you decided who was going to handle this, there was no one better than me to do it. It was your decision. At this point, it looks like we lack competence.

I'll take care of it.

Please give me a reason why Olivia, who has been working here for six months with no work experience not only in marketing but in general, is the right person to replace me. You said yourself that this idea was brilliant. For God's sake, open your eyes. You're exposing the company to hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial penalties. Don't tell me you aren't full of hurt pride! You're putting one of your most important customers in the hands of someone who is only gaining experience.

My hands began to shake with anger. The unfairness of the situation was throwing me off balance. Adam's goal was to throw me off my equilibrium and turn the whole thing against me. It wasn't the first time we played this game, and it wasn't the first time he'd manipulated the situation to fit his perfect plans.

I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs. I closed my eyelids for a moment and took a deep breath.

The worst part was that this wasn't only about me. This turn of events will disappoint Mr. Saurii.

I opened my eyes and looked around. I was familiar with this office not only from business conversations, but I could still hear the laughter we'd shared in this one room long after the office had closed for the day. The sense of loss wasn't as great as I might have expected, but it was there.

My gaze once again went to Adam. I could have sworn that what I had been thinking just a moment before was reflected in his eyes. The sadness of defeat mixed with a range of happy moments of infatuation. I didn't know what he saw in my eyes, but he straightened up and relaxed a bit.

Emma—

Adam, please— we both started at the same time.

He gestured for me to speak first. I felt like a sapper disarming a bomb; I had to be careful with every word. The thoughts I wanted to convey to him could blow up in my face at any moment. I ask you to think about it some more. You know I'm capable of doing anything for this campaign. You know from your own experience that I can achieve the unattainable.

He nodded his head in agreement.

I have only the good of the company and the client in mind. Not my own. Mr. Saurii's satisfaction will bring great profits to the company now and in the future. We have worked together for three years, and you know me, Adam. I'm simply asking you to put our personal problems aside for a little while.

Adam looked down, and I could tell he was embarrassed. His hand went to his neck, and he began to rub it. My gut told me he was hesitant. There was still a spark of hope. The office door opened just as he was going to answer.

Like me, a few moments ago, Olivia entered the office without knocking. Her confused eyes flicked from Adam to me and back again. With a fake smile, she hid her surprise in a second.

That smile wasn't the only fake thing in her body. Oh no. I could still add the fake cheeks, fake breasts, and unnatural platinum hair to the bag.

I had to admit that she looked beautiful in a white and black dress with asymmetrical patterns. She attracted the eyes of many men, I had no doubt. Her long, slender legs in golden sandals could have caused more than one accident on the road.

Oh, Adam, she said in a tone dripping with sweetness.

I thought you were done for the day, and we could go home together now. I have big plans for us…

I averted my gaze. Along with her front teeth, I wanted to get rid of the fake sweetness. To calm my breathing, I counted to ten. Her insinuation made me sick.

When Olivia started working with us six months ago, she seemed very ambitious and concrete. I knew she could achieve a lot if she managed her career well. But for God's sake! I didn't know that she would direct her professional ambitions right into my ex-boyfriend's bed.

I dated Adam for over eight months. It was never my intention to have a personal relationship with my boss. That wasn't what I wanted. I was stupid, and I let myself be swayed by a ridiculous, feminine, unrealistic desire to just be happy. But I was stupid not to see how Olivia was creeping between us. By the time I noticed, it was too late.

A soft grunt drew my attention to Adam. Olivia, as you can see, I'm still talking to Emma.

Well, yes, I see, darling, she replied seductively, blinking her green eyes.

Do men fall for these Bollywood tricks? Yeah, they do.

Emma… My replacement turned. I'm so sorry. I hope you won't hold a grudge for long. You remain my mentor and my greatest role model.

It took Adam a good minute to realize what Olivia was admitting. A look of horror flashed across his face, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. He shook his head slightly in a sign of disappointment. But in whom? Himself? Me? Olivia? Or all three of us? It didn't matter anymore.

As for my relationship with Adam, I'm also sorry you found out this way. Neither of us…

Olivia trailed off, and Adam watched my reaction. I, on the other hand, tried to keep a poker face. Blah, blah, blah. Neither of them wanted to hurt me, and the situation at the company had nothing to do with it. Let's stay friends…

Wait, wait, wait! Let's stay friends?

I rolled my eyes because I was already sick of the ranting. Just a few minutes ago, Olivia had expressed her hope that I wouldn't hold a grudge except that she had no right to know beforehand that I had been removed from Mr. Saurii's campaign. No announcement has been made on the forum yet. Also, I didn't think anyone attending the meeting had gone straight to Olivia to tell her the good news. Adam couldn't have told her the news on such short notice unless they had planned this move before the meeting.

Ding, ding, ding! Yay! We have a winner who solved the riddle in such a short time.

With my knowledge, Adam's hands were tied on any further moves.

Emma— he began uncertainly, not caring that he was interrupting Olivia's monologue. Unfortunately, what I said at the meeting is in the company's best interest. I don't see any reason for me to change my previous opinion.

I cast a dejected glance at them both. A sly smile crossed Olivia's face. Once more, Adam's expression was emotionless.

Treacherous asshole.

Maybe it would be a good idea if you had a couple of days off? Get some distance from all this.

I didn't know what Adam was expecting, but a vacation and distance wouldn't help me swallow the betrayal by these two.

I wasn't sure whether I wanted to cry in humiliation, defeat, or rage. My blood was boiling, no question. And at the same time, I couldn't believe I had let myself be tricked like a naive teenager. This was the end of the game.

I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction.

My earliest childhood memories are mostly blank. But I vividly remembered the words my mother used to repeat to me. She used to say that it was important to meet every failure with your head held high. She didn't consider failure a failure but a learning experience.

I straightened up and lifted my chin. Maybe that's what I should do. With those words, I headed for the exit like a person on a special mission.

I made my way to my office. From the desk, I gathered my personal belongings into a bag. I didn't leave the picture of me and Lena. A little amount of it appeared as though I was packing, ready to leave. Again, maybe that's what I should do.

I headed for the exit with a bag full of trinkets on one shoulder and a purse on the other. It was only getting close to noon, so I still had a few hours left to work, but I didn't care.

Heavy footsteps were behind me before I reached the elevator. The last thing I wanted was to talk to anyone, so I sped up. I felt relieved when I pressed the silver button to summon the elevator and waited for my release.

Wait a moment. Adam's hand caught my elbow. Not wanting to make a scene, I let him lead me around the corridor's corner. I smiled at a girl from the sales department as she walked by. As soon as she was out of sight, I yanked my hand from his grip.

I grimaced at him, showing my annoyance. What are you doing? I hissed in his direction.

I saw fear in his eyes, anger, and a sense of hurt.

What did all of this mean? Was he trying to manipulate me again? What did he hope to gain?

What more do you want, Adam?

I don't want you to leave thinking I betrayed you. It's not like that, Emma.

Adam, it's really none of my business anymore. Have you been screwing her behind my back? I don't know, and I don't want to know. But when it comes to work, I want you to know that you stabbed me in the back. That's something you don't forget.

This time, Adam grimaced. I loved you, Emma. I really loved you.

Another wave of annoyance covered the other feelings. Did he really?

It wasn't love, Adam, I hissed. True love doesn't die in two weeks.

I questioned the sincerity of every moment we spent together. After I left him, I noticed new details every day that showed me the true nature of this relationship. On the surface, we seemed made for each other, but in reality, it was messy.

You have the right to feel that way. But I don't want you to take your anger out on the company or anyone in particular. That someone, in particular, was blond-haired Olivia. This time, he was the one who let himself be manipulated and didn't even realize it. Karma is a bitch and comes back uninvited.

I didn't know what else to say to him, so I let the silence make things awkward.

Are you going home?

I'll send the vacation request to HR later.

For how long?

I haven't decided yet. I need time to distance myself.

Frustrated, he began to rub his neck again. Unaware of the gesture, he nodded in agreement.

If that's all… Please ensure that Mr. Saurii's campaign doesn't get lost in the crowd of mediocrity. Do me this favor. You can also sleep well. I will not take revenge on anyone, even if I think you deserve it. You showed your strength today. You also showed your superiority. You did it just to show me my place. I wish you luck because you will need it.

With those words, I said goodbye to Adam. I stepped into the elevator, turned, and looked into his chocolate eyes. There was a time when I loved this place, these people, and this company. There was a time when I worshipped my boss.

If I had to describe in a few words what I was thinking about when I got back from work that day, I would say I have no idea. And that would be the steamy, naked truth. I walked home from the office like I was in a bloody trance. My eyes wandered over everything and everyone, unable to focus on any detail.

I couldn't believe I'd let myself get so close. I felt disappointed in myself and how I had lost my awareness of other people.

The point is, I felt like the last idiot. I had nothing to add.

By the time I reached my apartment in Lambeth, I had snagged a liquor store on the street corner. Armed with two bottles of wine, I didn't even know when I was going up the stairs to my seventh-floor apartment.

As soon as I closed the apartment door, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. My eyelids drooped for a moment, and I let myself disappear. Everything was behind me. As soon as I lifted my eyelids again, I knew I was fooling myself.

The keys hit the crystal bowl on the table by the door, and I kicked off my stilettos and dropped my bag.

Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in my antique chair in the living room. I'd changed out of my elegant office attire into boxers and an oversized T-shirt. I was holding my second glass of wine already. I had downed the first one in one gulp before I even left the kitchen with the bottle.

What on earth was I going to do with myself now? When work had grown so much into a person that it had become a second home, vacation was unnatural.

With each sip of red alcohol, I felt my muscles relax. The silence around me began to irritate me. I was even more shocked to learn that switching from work to relaxing could significantly impact my perspective on the world. After all, when I was working, I cherished those rare moments when I was alone in my apartment. Then, I could sleep and enjoy the city's noise outside the window. At that moment, all I felt was overwhelmed.

By the time I finished the third glass, I had picked up the phone and sent an email asking for leave to cover the whole three years that I would be working.

Surely, they could have disapproved of such a long absence with such short notice, but I was sure that wouldn't happen and Adam would take care of it.

After the fourth glass, I turned off my business phone. I wanted to call Lena and complain, but what good would that do? She was thousands of miles away and probably busy. She had been busy at work these past few months, as had I. Our contact was so rare that she didn't even know about my breakup with Adam.

The vibration of my phone woke me from my sleep. I opened my eyes and squirmed against my aching body. Sleeping in an uncomfortable sitting position wasn't my best idea—it's not the first or the last lately, anyway.

The entire apartment was shrouded in darkness. I was shocked as I peered out the window. Darkness enveloped the sleeping city. Some windows showed the yellow glow of lamps and the silver glow of televisions.

I clapped my hands three times, and the sconces in the living room lit up dully.

Stretching, I raised my arms above my head.

The buzzing didn't stop. As soon as the sound faded, it resumed a few seconds later.

I rushed to my personal phone. By now, I was convinced I was the only recourse for the person on the other end of the line.

Hello? I said under my breath without even checking who was calling.

Emma? I heard my sister's soft voice.

Lena! Hi!

I checked the time on the wall clock out of the corner of my eye. It was past two in the morning. Oh my God. I had slept for several hours in that evil chair. I pulled a sour face of displeasure and disbelief.

Hi, sis, she replied almost in a whisper.

Lena was my sister—my twin sister—so identical that even our close family had trouble telling us apart. I'm not saying we didn't take advantage of this. Yes, there were times like that.

She was always the one who liked to be the center of attention. Lena liked to lead the way, to be heard and seen by everyone, and to be heard and seen by the commotion, the company, the laughter, and the interest. I was just the opposite. If given the option, I would choose peace. I preferred to be in the shadows, even the unappreciated ones. There was something unnatural for me about being the center of people's attention.

But the funniest part was that when one of us had to play the other's role, there were no limitations. With a completely different character but the same face, we could transform into each other incredibly easily—at least that's how it used to be.

I was thinking of you. I giggled.

We haven't talked for a long time. I wanted to see how you're doing. It had been so long since we had talked. I didn't know where to start. I quickly told her how I had broken up with Adam, how hard I had worked on my last project, and how it all started to fall apart today.

At the end of my story, instead of words of encouragement, there was silence on the other side.

Lena? I asked, thinking we had been cut off during the conversation.

Yes, I'm here.

My sister's voice was soft and somehow muffled. Something inside me squeezed, and it wasn't the alcohol I had drunk. It was a feeling that something wasn't right with her, that something was very wrong. She listened to me, but her mind was elsewhere.

What's going on?

You know Em, maybe it's for the best. You should fly here to me.

What?

You have three months' vacation now. You'll go crazy at home.

I have to look for a new job, I said.

You don't have to do it now. You have the time, the perfect experience, and the spark that every company in London wants to buy. And you know it. Finding a new job will take you less than a week.

And should I just leave everything like this?

You should, she said with hope in her voice. Besides, I could really use my best sister right now.

Once again, the alarm went off in my gut that something was not quite right.

First of all, I'm your only sister.

And by that, I mean the best in the world. You were always the better half of the two of us.

I took a deep breath. Lena had never said that I was better at anything, and she never had any reason to feel less than me. Why should she? She was perfect, beautiful, intelligent, and open. But maybe there were feelings of insecurity bubbling beneath that surface layer of plain confidence.

And secondly, I sense that something is going on in your life. What are you not telling me? A small sigh from her side told me I was right.

Em, I will explain everything to you. I need your help, but I'll tell you after you land in New York. It will be safest that way.

Safest? I asked, confused. Lena, are you in serious trouble? I let out another heavy sigh.

Trust me, sis. Everything will be fine. Just come to me.

Could I have just dropped everything and gone? Of course, I could. Nothing was keeping me here right now. Not the job, not the boyfriend, nothing.

Lena was my sister. If she needed my help, I couldn't refuse. It was just the two of us, without any other family. Our parents died in a car accident when we were eleven. And it was all my fault.

My mind went back to that terrible afternoon. Winter surprised everyone. It had been snowing all morning, and it was slippery…

Em! I heard suddenly. I shook my head and closed my eyes for a moment. The cross I carried and will carry for the rest of my days was heavy.

If you need me, I'm here, Lena. I'll come. I'll help you. I'll do anything for you, I stated.

Thank you, sis. Thank you.

That night, I couldn't sleep again. I tossed and turned in bed, then greeted the sunrise on the balcony with a cup of coffee in my hand. I couldn't stop thinking about Lena, the situation with Adam, and my parents.

2

Emma

The flight from London to New York was almost nine hours long. I felt the urge to jump off at least ten times during that time. I began to suspect that my luck and I had gone completely off the rails lately.

On the plane behind me was a mother with a child. The child was about nine years old and an incarnation of Lucifer himself. He tirelessly kicked my seat for four hours. His mother fell asleep shortly after take-off. She drank a couple of glasses of liquor and then drifted off into her own world.

In the seat next to me, an older man snored with the passion of a bear. When his aria finally stopped after five hours, he dedicated the rest of the flight to a completely different, passionate activity. His small, greedy eyes kept wandering to the area of my cleavage.

What the hell is wrong with these people?

With undisguised relief, I welcomed American soil beneath my feet. I felt like falling to my knees to kiss the ground. I was so thankful that this nightmarish flight was over. Hallelujah!

I had arranged with Lena to pick me up at the airport. Before the flight, I sent her a message that I would leave on time. But as I walked through the hall and switched my phone from airplane to normal mode, I received a text message.

I'm sorry, but I can't pick you up when you arrive. You know my address. I'll leave the keys to the apartment with Mr. Moore in the lobby. I'll explain everything later. Hugs, sis.

Well, and coming back to this luck, I was almost sure that I should report him missing.

I was so happy to see Lena when I got off the plane. I had missed her a lot. I only realized this when I stopped in my tracks as a woman working in a corporation. I stopped, and there was really no one next to me. Not a