Game Of Love

Thank you for selecting my story.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © Rituparna Darolia.

All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a stand-alone story of a young girl who bravely faces a man who seems like a mystery to her, a man who is headstrong and arrogant, whom she hates with all her heart.

Story Summary

At twenty-two, Davion Torres was already a celebrity, hounded by the paparazzi for his good looks as well as success. Son of the late 'Casino King', Luis Torres, he already inherited as well as built quite a number of popular casinos all over the country. Women drooled at the sight of him and pursued him relentlessly which boosted his already inflated ego.

So, at a friend's wedding, when he meets the young and innocent, eighteen-year-old Sophia Blakesley who's unaware of his true identity and is oblivious to his charms, he's very interested in her.

Sofia hates the sight of Dave as he calls him. She successfully avoids him at the party and soon forgets about him. Would Dave forget her? Would he move on with his life or would he start plotting a way to get her?

What will happen when Sofia's parents are hellbent on getting her married off to their main client, some Spanish guy called Torres?

Read this interesting love story to find out how Sofia deals with what life throws at her.

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"Sure, Liam. I'll be there," Davion Torres spoke in a bored tone.

"Stop sulking, Dave. It's my wedding and you're my best man," reminded Liam Parker, his best friend. Son of billionaire hotelier, Eric Parker, Liam was Davion's only friend in the whole world. Their friendship dated back to their childhood days when Davion used to live in Las Vegas. Although Davion moved out after his father's death, their friendship remained, stronger than ever. Despite being busy with their own lives, they always found time to catch up with one another.

Now at twenty-two, Davion Torres was already a celebrity, hounded by the paparazzi for his good looks as well as success. Son of the late 'Casino King', Luis Torres, he already inherited as well as built quite a number of popular casinos all over the country. Women drooled at the sight of him and pursued him relentlessly which boosted his already inflated ego.

"You know I hate weddings! Do I need to be there? I'll just come by the next day, if that's okay with you, dude," said Davion, trying his best to dissuade him. He hated weddings and usually ran in the opposite direction at the mention of one.

"No way! I'm not marrying without you. So be there," ordered Liam and Davion groaned. He could fight with everyone but not Liam. He was the only person whom he allowed near himself. After his mother betrayed his dad, leaving him for a much older millionaire, he had lost his faith in the term relationship and love.

"I'll be there, f*ck you, man!" He swore, disconnecting the call. He could hear Liam chuckle in the background and he smiled thinking of his friend. At least someone had found his happily ever after with the girl he loved.

As for Davion himself, he was fine with his way of life. He was like a nomad who couldn't stick at one place, trotting between CA, Nevada, New York, Atlantic City, and Connecticut from time to time. Women, power, money had gone to his head and he knew that he was the biggest as*hole around. He loved being in the limelight and his notorious ways ensured that he always was.

Davion closed his eyes as he threw his phone and lay down on his bed. He had no idea how his friend Liam could be so happy with the idea of getting married and tied down to a single woman. He would feel claustrophobic being tied down that way. He hated women and his thought went to the cause of it all. His mother, Marilyn.

He was just five and his dad was a struggling Finance Manager at a small start-up company in Las Vegas. His meager salary wasn't enough to run his family's expenses but they were happy, or they thought they were. However, they soon realized that his mother wasn't happy at all. She wanted all the luxuries of the world and day by day her demands started increasing till finally after a bitter fight she left them and that was the last time Davion saw her. Later they found out that she had married a shipping magnate years older than her with whom she was having an affair behind his dad's back.

His dad was shattered and was determined to make lots of money in any way he could. His luck favored him and he won huge sums of money at multiple casinos. There was no looking back after that. He bought his first casino in Las Vegas and then eventually one after another, his business flourished as he bought more and more casinos all over the country. Although they were loaded, he heard his dad weep every night seeking solace in his bottle. It broke Davion's heart seeing him suffer so much because of someone who didn't care a f*ck for him. His dad never remarried and three years back, he died with a broken heart.

Since then, Davion had sworn in his head that he would never allow himself to be trampled upon by any woman. He would use them to his advantage and discard them afterward but never ever get involved. He stuck to this motto in life for the last few years and he was happy. Or was he?

A phone call disrupted his thoughts but he didn't make any attempt to accept the call. He knew who it was. There was a mega event at one of his casinos in LA where he was staying for the last two days. He wasn't keen on going knowing that the women and the press would eat him alive just like they did every time he was at these events. With a strong headache coming on, he just needed a quiet place tonight. He was contemplating getting himself a drink when his phone buzzed with a few incoming messages. Who could it be who was messaging him like crazy? Only one person had the audacity to do so. Liam Parker, his only friend, and well-wisher in the whole world.

He checked the messages that Liam had sent. There were a few pictures too of Liam with his fiancée, Lisa. Davion smiled at his friend's happy face. He had to admit that Liam looked cute with his fiancée. They suited one another. He checked all the photographs but one photograph piqued his interest so much that he couldn't look away.

It was a picture of Lisa but what caught his attention was the girl behind Lisa who was sitting and laughing candidly. Her beautiful doe-shaped gray eyes held so much innocence as she stared into the camera. Davion forgot his headache as he zoomed the picture to get a better look. He could almost feel her perfect pink lips against his as his eyes hooked upon them. A shudder of excitement went down his spine seeing her creamy skin exposed by the off-shoulder top that she wore. Her rich chocolate brown hair was swept up in a loose bun making her features stand out. She didn't look much older, maybe around eighteen, a freshly bloomed flower waiting to be plucked.

He had no idea how long he had been staring at her picture but suddenly he felt that his headache had disappeared. If this creature would be there at the wedding, he might be interested to find out a little more about her. It seemed like he would after all enjoy a little at the wedding!

The doorbell rang and he groaned knowing who it would be. Getting up and opening the door, he rolled his eyes seeing his right-hand man, Colton Glenn standing there with a smile pasted on his face. "Hey bro! You have to attend this event. What? Aren't you ready yet?" Asked Colton with disbelief. Davion rolled his eyes as Colton walked inside.

"Colt, do I really need to go?" He asked disinterestedly, picking up a can of beer. Colton nodded his head and took the beer from his hand and kept it back.

He then pushed Davion towards his bedroom to get ready. "You have to attend it, Dave. Be there for an hour or so and then you can leave if you want to," insisted Colton. Their dads were best friends and had stuck with one another all their lives. After their deaths, their sons had worked hard together to carry forward their legacy. So Colton was more like a younger brother to him, being two years younger. His mom, Katherine Glenn had supported Davion like her own son those few months after his dad's death. So, she was the only woman in the whole world whom Davion respected.

He took a quick shower and got ready and walked out of his penthouse with Colton. His limo was waiting for him to take them to his luxurious casino and hotel, The Grand Torres Hotels and Casinos, LA. In ten minutes, they arrived at their destination and were received in a gala style with reporters, paparazzi, and his staff rushing in from all sides. He was of course used to it and walked inside with a wave of his hand. A woman shrieked and caught his hand which his bodyguards tried to extricate. It didn't affect Davion in any way. He had been seeing it since he had turned sixteen on his numerous business trips with his dad.

It was his casino's yearly mega promotional event and as such, they were honored to have him attend it. Throughout the time, he met people, finalized deals, gave short speeches, checked out the games on offer, and interacted with the guests. Lots of women approached him, hinting at their eagerness to give him the time of his life but he wasn't interested. For the first time in his life, Davion felt claustrophobic and wanted to get out of it all. The headache which had disappeared seemed to be coming back and he excused himself and walked out with the reporters again chasing him till he climbed into his limousine.

It was only when he reached his penthouse did he feel normal again. He had to get away from LA tomorrow first thing in the morning. He was done with LA. Sitting at the bar of his apartment with a drink in his hand, he closed his eyes, feeling the throbbing pain in his head.

A sweet image of a laughing and happy girl flashed through his mind. Her laugh was so infectious that unconsciously it brought a smile to his lips. Wouldn't he like to know her more?

"Las Vegas, here I come," he whispered, finishing his drink in one gulp.

Las Vegas

"Hurry, Vicky, we'll be late for the final dance practice, " yelled eighteen-year-old Sofia Blakesley at her twin Victoria. It was their best friend Lisa's wedding with the man she'd always loved, Liam Parker and they were super excited. Sofia was closest to Lisa and as such, she was her maid of honor. Victoria on the other hand was also Lisa's friend and was one of Lisa's bridesmaids. They both helped a lot with the wedding preparations and were very excited about the wedding. Their friend Lisa had gone through a lot of difficulties and they were with her every step of the way. Now that finally, she was happily settling down in her new life with Liam, her friends Sofia and Victoria were extremely happy for her.

"Yeah, ready. Wait, I forgot my lip gloss, " yelled Victoria. Their mom Ava Blakesley came into the room. She was a well-established lawyer in Las Vegas. Their dad, Gregory Blakesley also was a reputed lawyer and they co-owned a reputed law firm in Las Vegas, Blakesley's Law Firm.

"Girls, come home early. We'll be going out to dinner. One of our good clients has invited all of us to dinner to celebrate a win," said her mom.

"Mom, we get bored at your and dad's big, boring law dinners. Please make some excuse on behalf of us," said Victoria with an eye roll. They hated these formal events where they weren't allowed to say a word. Sofia too agreed.

"I'm not going, mom. We'll make our own dinner or grab some pizza. Please?" Begged Sofia.

Their mom sighed. "The client has specifically asked for you two. He wants to meet as well as treat our family members. He's a very influential and powerful man, girls. Your dad and I want you both to meet him as well as his business partner," said their mom. Victoria and Sofia eyed one another. The client seemed the creepy type. Were their parents trying to fix them up with some business tycoon and his partner?

"No, please, mom," said Victoria, grabbing Sofia's hand and pulling her along. "Okay bye! We're getting late. Can we discuss this some other time? Please?" She asked, leaving their mom frowning after them.

"God! Did you get what mom was trying to imply?" Asked Sofia as she started her car. Victoria nodded. Of course, she knew. Any blind man would realize that she had been trying to fix them up.

"Yeah, I figured it out the moment mom opened her mouth," said Victoria with an eye roll. Sofia grunted with annoyance and drove off towards Lisa's house.

"I'm just eighteen. I wanna live life first and then marry if I fall in love, say at around thirty-five," said Victoria. Sofia chuckled.

"What if you fall in love earlier?" She asked with a grin.

"Then I'll wait till I turn thirty-five to get married," said Victoria with a laugh.

"What's the big deal with being thirty-five? Why not thirty-four?" Asked Sofia. Victoria shrugged.

"No big deal. It's just that I don't wanna hurry things. I want a well-settled career first. Then I wish to realize all my dreams before settling down," said Victoria. "What about you?" She asked. Sofia shrugged. Victoria wanted to be a lawyer just like her parents and had enrolled in UNLV to major in economics. Sofia on the other hand wanted to be a fashion designer and enrolled at UNLV too to study their Fashion Certification Course.

"I haven't thought about it yet. I'm surely gonna plan out my career but if I fall in love, you know, the crazy, intense kind of love? I'd surely give it a chance," she said. Secretly she wanted to meet someone special just like her best friend Lisa had but she couldn't admit that to Victoria who was too cynical about marriage and love. Sofia was a romantic at heart unlike her twin and loved the idea of falling in love. Her rose-tinted views on love, romance, and happily ever after were only strengthened by Lisa and Liam's love story.

They reached the sprawling Parker mansion where Lisa had moved in, a few weeks back. The wedding would take place there and with Liam's whole family already present, it was the most happening and fun place to be. "I'm not returning home early tonight. Mom and dad would force us to go to that dinner with them. What about you?" Asked Victoria. Sofia nodded.

"Neither am I, " she told her twin. Parking their car they went in to have a good time with their best friend.

After a whole day of work, Davion and Colton returned to Davion's penthouse in Las Vegas. The last two weeks had been very harrowing for them. After leaving LA, they had to rush to Reno, Nevada where Colton's mom lived. She had fallen down the stairs and had fractured her ankle. They arranged for an attendant to look after her and after ensuring that she was well, they had rushed to Las Vegas. However, things didn't go as planned for Davion. Instead of having a good time here, he had to deal with a lawsuit slapped against his Casino, the Royal Torres Casino, and Hotels Las Vegas. It all started when a few of its patrons were injured in a drunken brawl a few days back. Under the circumstances, Davion had consulted his friend Liam asking him about the best law firms in Vegas.

Liam Parker had forwarded Sofia's parents' numbers since they were quite reputed and specialized in this sort of a thing. He also had informed him that the Blakesleys was actually Lisa's best friend's parents. Davion had contacted them after doing a background check and soon realized that they were the parents of the hot young girl who hadn't left his mind since the day he'd seen a picture of her.

After a win against the offenders when the Blakesleys successfully proved that the injuries caused weren't due to the Casino's negligence, Davion insisted on treating the Blakesleys. However, since he was eager to meet their daughter, he extended the invitation to the whole family.

"Why do you need to meet their family, bro?" Asked Colton, sprawling on his sofa although his own apartment was just opposite to Davion's.

"It's just a formality. No specific reason," shrugged Davion, avoiding his gaze. Colton's interest was piqued. From his long-term association with Davion, he knew very well that Davion never ever believed in these formalities. They had been involved in many such lawsuits before but they never ever offered such treats. And treating their lawyer's family members had never happened in all his twenty years of life.

"Bro, you can't fool me. Spill already else I would have to find out my own way," threatened Colton, meaning every word he said. Davion's eyes widened with dread. He knew what Colton's way was. He would ransack his entire apartment, his laptop, his papers, his mobile till he found his answers.

"Noo, don't. I'll tell you," said Davion with a groan and Colton grinned, waiting eagerly to listen to the secret reason. Davion shook up his brain thinking of a logical explanation. He would rather die than admit that the picture of the young girl had compelled him to do what he did.

"I'm waiting, bro," reminded Colton, gaping at him.

Davion sighed, unable to find any probable reason. "What the f*ck! I'm not answerable to you for my actions. Do what you want. I'll change the password to my phone and laptop," said Davion, glaring at him. Colton grinned.

"I'll hack it," he said with his eyes dancing with mischief. "Tell me please, bro," begged Colton, changing his style. Davion shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"We've never met the Blakesleys so how do you know who all are invited to the dinner tonight?" Asked Colton, curiously. He was dying of curiosity yet Davion wasn't giving him straight answers to his questions.

"I don't. I just want a long-term relationship with them. They're really good at their work. It's as simple as that," shrugged Davion. That was the only probable reason that he could come up with. Colton eyed him suspiciously.

"Are you sure that's the only reason?" He asked with disbelief.

"Of course! What other reason could there be? Now go to your place and let me get ready," said Davion. Colton looked disappointed but didn't argue any further. He trudged towards the door and walked into his own apartment. He wasn't at all interested in the Blakesleys and their boring family members. But he couldn't disappoint Davion whom he looked up to. So, he got ready reluctantly and walked over to Davion's apartment where he spent most of his time.

"Bro, why are you so decked up? Are you trying to hook up with someone tonight?" Asked Colton, looking confusedly at Davion's expensive designer suit, gelled hair. Davion usually was a casual kind of guy and didn't even feel the need to really dress up much. Whatever he wore made a fashion statement and the younger generation copied his style blindly.

"Are you out of your mind? We're just going out to dinner," shrugged Davion. "Who do you think I'll hook up with?" He rolled his eyes at him.

"Ava Blakesley maybe," shrugged Colton.

"Why should I go for the mother when I want the daughter!" Said a pissed-off Davion. Really Colton was the limit!