The Game He Plays

Samantha Hernandez Rosello was pacing her hotel room. She looked at the five suitcases and then opened the big closet of the Suite, thinking if she will transfer her things or she will just pull something to wear straight from the cases. Her phone rings and she knew who the caller is before even looking at the caller ID. Flicking a switch on to raise the curtain, the hotel room brightened as the sunlight bathed the glass paned windows. Answering her phone, she closed her eyes and heard that all too familiar voice.

["Are you all settled? I'm on the lobby. I'll see you in a few minutes."] Sammy has just arrived from a twelve-hour flight from her hometown Madrid, Spain to Los Angeles California to escape her duties and responsibilities. Only her best friend Cassandra Montgomery knows where she is. True to her word, few minutes after, she heard a buzz. When she opened the door, her best friend hugged her tight.

"Cassie, you didn't have to go all the way here for me. I know you and Lance are both busy. . ." Cassie just pouted at her and gently pushed her aside.

"Shut up and let me in. By the way, we have VIP tickets to the NBA game today. I know you're a fan so might as well tag along while you are still warming up here in LA. Don't worry about us, we freed our weekend to be with you. Liam is with Gran so you you'll just see him before you leave Cali."

"As much as I love to watch a basketball game, you know I'm on a tight schedule here. I came here with a purpose and I have to do it as soon as possible." Cassie rolled her eyes at her.

"I know. Can't you see, I am helping you?" Arching her eyebrow, she was not convinced. She sighed before hearing out her friend's next words.

"Sammy, explain to me how are you supposed to accomplish your mission if you will just stay here and mope? You have to get out and meet people. Bring your best smile out and dig out your cheery personality, if you have and show them to the whole world!" She even spread her arms wide to emphasize her point.

"I have to do this on my own." She knew her best friend will always run to her aid whenever she needs her but this time, she needs to solve her predicament by herself.

"I know you do and I will let you. Promise! Cross my heart." She looked tense all of a sudden.

"You're not telling me everything. Who else will be at this game?" She hates it each time Cassie plays the matchmaker. It did not go well for her each time she tried.

"Ahm. . .no one really. Well, his client gave him tickets and we are supposed to eat dinner with him after the game. It was at his invitation that we are actually here." She sheepishly smiled.

"And here I thought you came to LA to meet me." Sammy laughed at her friend's expression of outrage.

"Of course I did! It was really coincidence that this weekend was also Lance's appointment with his client. So, tell me, what's your plan and how do you really feel about coming here?" Her expression turned serious and they both walked to the couch to sit down.

"You know this is the last straw right? I have been fighting for my freedom for quite a long time because of their overprotectiveness. That's why I was always a rebel. They said they can't tolerate my recklessness anymore, but I've changed and you they know that. I have been smoothly managing their empire for two years only to find out that I have been doing it so that I could experience how to rule before they marry me off?" Sammy kept her tears at bay. She doesn't want to cry over something she still has control of.

"I have been there and I know how you feel. I feel like this is dejavu. But you still have time, your parents love you and still wanted you to be happy. They gave you time, it's really long if you think about it. Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm just saying that you're still lucky your parents gave you six months to decide if you will proceed with their plans for you. You're still lucky but they're not, considering that you ran away, filed LOA then just flew out of the country without telling them where you are."

She hoped she could agree but she felt the opposite. She felt strangled by all the attention that she's getting back home. In Spain, she's the most eligible bachelorette as the sole heir of her parent's business. All her life she tried to escape that path, always not conforming to what was expected of her. She doesn't want to be looked at as a trophy because of her status in life. Her past relationships had been like that, always because of who she was. She is now on her last plight to freedom.

"Sammy, I know you changed a lot. You're more ugly, fat and boring now but I still love you." Sammy slapped her friend's arm playfully and their laughter echoed the room. She can always count on Cassie to make her smile whenever she feels bad or sad.

"Definitely not! I just act more mature now, since the. . ." They both became quiet. They tried to forget the horrific past that they shared when Cassie's obsessed suitor kidnapped both of them, but that was another story.

"I know and I'm proud of you for turning your life around from your wicked ways. . . to more wicked ways. . ." This earned another round of laughter from them both.

"I really missed you Cassie. I'm glad you have a great and happy life now and I hope soon enough I'll have mine too." She sighed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you will in time. But right now, you need to prepare for the game later. I'll stay here while you shower and rest. Lance has a meeting this morning. We'll meet him for lunch at a restaurant near here before going to the Staples Center."

"As if I have a choice about all this."

"Of course you do, but I know what's best for you since I am your best friend. I get to bully you and order you around while you're here. That's my human right as Sammy's BFF." She rolled her eyes at Cassie while the latter stick her tongue out to tease her more.

"Are you sure this is simpler, I mean all this that I am planning to do, looking for my one true love here than just hiring a pretend boyfriend to introduce to my parents?"

"Are you positively sure that you could pull a stunt like that off? Pretending to like a person even though you don't?"

"Yeah. You're right. I'm too honest and transparent with my feelings. Just one look at me and they'll know that I'm faking it."

"Of course I'm always right! You're also too picky and too strong-willed and too loud and too bossy but I'm sure you can find someone to date permanently here. Someone who will not treat you as a prize, someone who will treat you best because of your personality and not because of your name."

"Really now? Sometimes I wonder if you're sarcastic by nature or you've learned all that from me." She smiled at her friend's priceless shocked expression.

"Of course I learned it all from you! Shoo. . . . go now, I'll wait here." Cassie pushed her gently to go stand up from the couch. Halfway to the shower, Sammy shouted out a favor.

"Would you mind putting everything in the racks while you're waiting? Just so you won't get bored." She laughed when she heard Cassie's groan.

Moving to LA for a month and booking several flights to other countries and cities around the globe until her six month deadline may seem like a crass decision, but for her, it's the only option to achieve her goal. Six months to find her one true love or face the consequence of losing her freedom to choose forever.

Sammy was tired and jet lagged from her travel but she could not sleep. She kept on tossing and turning in bed. She worries about her parents. Though she gave them a lengthy letter telling them that she loves them and values them and an assurance that she will be back in six months time, she felt quite bad to have disappointed them once again. Her mom tried to call but she blocked her calls. She just sent a text message that she arrived safe on her new home.

She took her phone and re-reads her mother's reply We will wait for you. Keep safe. We love you and we understand but you also have to understand that we only want what's best for you and our company. Sammy sighed. Some things are better left unsaid.

"Sammy? It's almost lunch time." She smiled at Cassie who really took her time arranging the contents of her big suitcases on the Hotel Suite's closets.

"Are you done with my things?" Her friend nodded her head. She looked tired and laid down beside her.

"Si, senora." Yes ma'am.

"Gracias mi amiga, Muy buen trabajo!" Thank you my friend, Very good job! "I'll just change then we'll go out to meet Lance." Her best friend's eyes brightened up with the mention of her husband. This was something that always makes Sammy smile, knowing that Cassie is happy with her life and is very much in love with her husband.

"Go. . . I'll just rest for a while. . . Sammy? How come you brought lots of jeans and shirts? You seldom wear those when we were in Spain. Where are your designer dresses? I saw one luggage filled with them but where are the rest? Usually you have tons when you travel. Your gowns are also pretty few if you ask me. The bags and shoes are meager too considering that you seem to want to wear a different brand each time you go out and you wanted to have everything to match your outfit. When I saw you only have five luggage, I noticed you packed light but I figured maybe you'll be going out shopping. Are we going out shopping?"

"No. That's just about everything that I should use in the six months that I'm away. I want to change the way I dress while I'm here. I want to be more relaxed. I want to be interesting but uninteresting enough to be treated seriously. I vowed not to go shopping. I want to be off the radar and society pages. That's why I shouldn't really be seen with a celebrity like you. Please promise me we'll be low profile while I'm here." Her friend snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Lance can arrange that for us, don't worry. Me a celebrity your ass! You're the celebrity, all the society magazines in Spain has your face on its covers. Me, I'm just wife to a producer and a measly singer and composer. Ouch!" Sammy hit Cassie with a pillow.

"Stop downplaying your popularity and just cover for me. I don't want people to know who I really am. That's one of the reasons why I chose to go here, away from our life in Madrid."

"Fine. Go and wear whatever you want, be whomever you wish. Just hurry up because I'm hungry!" Sammy stood up and dressed up for their lunch and NBA game. She chose a royal blue tapered cut jeans and white cropped and fitted sleeveless shirt that exposed her slim waist, perfectly toned abs and arms. She wore a red cardigan over it and a pair of white loafers on her feet. She didn't wear make up like she used to. She just put a dab of powder on her face and lip balm on her lips. No contour, no baking, no mascara, just simple and natural. After blow-drying her long hair, she twisted it in a bun. She wanted the ends of her hair to curl naturally when she removed the hairclip later.

"Come on Bessie, I'm ready." Cassie fell asleep and when she saw Sammy, she smiled like a loon.

"You don't look uninteresting to me! You look gorgeous! I didn't know you can look as plain and normal as that! Okay, okay. Let's go." She hurriedly said when Sammy was about to hit her again with a pillow.

When they reached the elegant and classy Italian restaurant, Lance already ordered their food and was waiting with a friend. Sammy squealed in delight when she saw who Lance's companion is.

"Marco! Oh my gosh, you didn't tell me you'll be here!" They hugged and he pinched her nose like he used to.

"I didn't know you'd be here! What a surprise! I am on my way back to Italy after lunch. Lance forgot to tell me you guys will be here, I could have changed my plans if I have known." He assisted her with her seat as Lance did with his wife.

"Awww. . .that's fine. Maybe next time. I'll just try to squeeze in a few days in Italy before my vacation ends." Sammy did not miss Lance and Cassie's excited expression. They are still rooting for them to end up together. Marco is Lance's best friend. He and Sammy became close after he rescued her and Cassie from their kidnapper a few years back. They tried to date once but they figured they're better off as friends. They have been treating each other like siblings from then on.

"Guys, let's eat." They took on their hearty meal with smiles and laughter. Friendly discussion and banter with her good friends lifted up her feelings. She felt better just being with them. They said their goodbyes to Marco and then went to Staples Center to watch the game.

They were at Premiere Seats. It was complete with a restaurant set up with purple lighting and seat cushion. Though she preferred the lower bleachers, she liked the privacy of their seat. She was feeling sleepy because of her jetlag. The feel of the soft seats on her back made her want to take a nap. Lance and Cassie are engrossed in their own love bubble so she busied herself with the information booklet she saw at the table, a guide to the City and the Staples Center, including the roster of players for Los Angeles. She graduated in Stanford University in California so she knows a lot about the State and it's places. She's also a big fan of basketball. Looking at the roster of players for Los Angeles Lakers, she recognized a few names from her alma mater. She was about to toss the booklet when a name and photo caught her attention.

Robert Barron, Point Guard, Harvard University. She wondered why a Harvard University graduate would want to pursue a basketball career and in Los Angeles which is miles away from his home turf?

"Sammy, can we leave you here for a while? We just have to go to the. . . I mean, I just have to go to the bathroom." She knew her friends well. They always use their free time pleasuring each other even if they have been married for a few years. She just nodded. She was used to them being gone for thirty or more minutes whenever they were out. She could use that time to take a nap. The game already started. Though she love the game and often cheered her heart out for her favorite team, because of her jetlag, she was not interested in watching grown perspiring men chase each other for a ball and shoot some hoops. She just wanted to sleep.

When she woke up, the game was almost over. At fourth quarter, the heat is up between LA Lakers and Clippers with only four minutes game time left. She was instantly thrilled with the way the point guard drove the ball to the basket and scored a shot. The player from the other team caught the ball but the PG was quick and agile to steal and brought in play. The ball soared through the air and into his teammate who is in a better position to do a fast break down the court and score a layup. This sealed their team's victory, scoring 110 vs. Clipper's 99.

"Wow. He's really good." She heard Cassie comment.

"Who? The shooter?" Her throat felt parched so she took a swig of the Evian she had on her bag. She always brings water with her wherever she goes. Force of habit to always hydrate herself.

"No, the team captain, Number 11. You should have seen him play! You would have gushed with his assists and the number of points he scored. He's really good!" Lance glared jealously at his wife and she smiled sheepishly. He took her hand and kissed it.

"Please stop with the PDA, I just woke up and not in the mood for sugary sweetness." She looked at the court and at the large screen that focused the one wearing the numbered jersey Cassie was talking about. It was he, the point guard. Robert Barron. She would have enjoyed staring at his good looking and smiling face as he patted the backs of his team mates and shook hands with his coach, but one of the cheerleaders approached him and gave him an open mouthed kiss. Seeing him hug the girl in return made Sammy cringe. That man is definitely not her type.

Cassie insisted that they change their clothes before going to dinner, to give a good impression to her husband's client, but Sammy did not agree. It was just dinner and she doesn't want to conform to her friend's definition of a business dinner which means wearing a cocktail gown just to eat a Rib eye steak and Greek salad with feta cheese. In the end, being the grown ups that they were, they resorted to rock-paper-scissors to determine who will prevail. Sammy won. They went straight to the hotel where she was staying.

Incidentally, the dinner meeting will be on the first class restaurant of the hotel.

"Honey, don't be surprised who our client is tonight. Please just act normal. He'll be a few minutes late by the way."

"Who is this client? You haven't even told me what this deal is about." Lance sighed and just looked at the menu, trying to ignore his wife.

"Lance, if you don't tell her who it is, then you shouldn't have brought it up. You know she gets all wired up whenever you give a hint. . .Cassie! Stop kicking my shin!"

"Shut up Sammy! Babe, if you don't tell me. . . then I won't eat dinner."

"Real classy and mature best friend! Can you guys wait up for me, I'll just go up to my room and charge my phone." She shook her head when all she received was a pout from Cassie.

"Hurry up so you won't miss your Greek salad and steak!" She smiled. Her friend knew just what to order for her.

"I'll be right back." Sammy needs her phone charged so she could use it before going to sleep. She did not bring her laptop with her. She also doesn't want to talk to some old guy. She's simply tired and grumpy and wants to have a good night sleep after dinner.

From the restaurant, she has to take a flight of stairs with wooden balusters and red-carpeted floor to go up the lobby where the elevator is located. Deep in thought, she missed a step and almost fell. With her quick reflexes, she was able to balance herself and grab hold to the baluster on her right.

"Are you okay, Miss?" A voice from her left asked.

"Yeah. Fine." When she spoke, she was still fixing her top that hiked a little higher and might have displayed more than her waist, abs and navel piercing. Completely ignoring the guy who witnessed her almost fall, she headed up to the lobby and went straight to her room to charge her phone like she intended to do. When she got back at their table, she was right. An old man was seated beside Lance and discussing something while Cassie was silently eating some toast dipped in olive oil.

"I thought you'll just be quick?"

"Yeah. I had to change my shoes, I almost tripped because of it. Where's our food? I'm famished! Are they almost done?" She looked at Lance and his companion.

"Wait, I'll introduce you. . . Mr. Fallon, this is my best friend Sammy Rosello, Sammy, this is Mr. Fallon, one of our generous benefactors on one of our charitable institutions. It's a surprise to have met him here of all places." They shook hands and said a few polite words.

"Oh. I thought your client has arrived." She was feeling irritated that the guy they will be meeting is almost 30 minutes late.

"He's already here! He just had to go to the bathroom." Hearing the excited voice of her friend, she wondered who that client is. The server arrived with their food and Mr. Fallon bid his farewell.

"Great! The food is here. I guess I just arrived on time." She thought his voice was familiar. Sammy was about to look at the owner of the familiar voice when he turned his back and rudely walked away from them.

"Now, can we eat?" Her irritation was a notch higher because of her hunger.

"Sammy, that call might be important. Let's just wait a little longer." Cassie knew how grumpy her friend could be when tired, hungry and sleepy, which is exactly how Sammy is at the moment.

"Sorry, I just had to take that call. Buen provecho!" Enjoy your meal. The guy sat beside her. She was too pissed off to even give him a glance and her friends knew better than to mention it to her. They ate in silence for a while before the client moved his chair closer and whispered to her. She could smell his aftershave and cologne with the way he was leaning into her. Now she felt more irritated as the scent is distracting her from her sumptuous food.

"Are you really sure you're okay, Miss? Because I think you're not. You look a little cranky." Now she knew where she heard the voice. It was the guy at the staircase. Fighting her stubbornness of not looking at the person she dislike at that moment, she moved her chair farther before turning at her right where the man was seated. She was about to give a smart retort to shut the person up but she was caught off guard by who she saw.

"Care for some introductions now, Lance?" The man said and Sammy tried to control her shock. She didn't even realize her mouth was agape as she stared at her friends' client.

"Oh, right. Sorry! Sammy, this is Robert Barron, from the game earlier he might be familiar to you. Rob, this is Sammy, our good friend." She collected herself, feeling all eyes at her, she offered her hand for a handshake, which Rob took. It was weird how his hands felt smooth and soft even though he's holding a rough basketball most of the time.

"Nice to meet you." He was all smiles at her. She nodded and tried to smile but it didn't even reached her eyes. She still doesn't like him.

"Vamos a seguir comiendo." Let's continue eating. And so they did.

"So, Rob, you speak Spanish?" Cassie asked the question Sammy was thinking about earlier.

"Si, porque mis abuelos son espanoles." Yes, because my grandparents are Spanish. He sounds fluent but not native enough.

"That's great! All of us here are Spanish speakers. Que interesante!" It's interesting! Cassie was looking at her husband and they were smiling at each other. She rolled her eyes at their PDA. She was simply not in the mood for anything positive. She needs a sugar boost.

"Yeah. I think so too. Very interesting indeed." Sammy thought Rob glanced at her when he answered. But maybe that was just her imagination. She kept on ignoring him and avoided looking at him. She concentrated on slicing the steak evenly before putting each sliced pieces on her mouth. It tastes like heaven! With her hunger and the succulent meat, she couldn't control herself from closing her eyes as she savor her food.

After dinner, she and Cassie had desert and she ordered chocolate cake, her favorite.

"I know how to make chocolate ganache." He whispered to her as she ran her fork at the chocolate icing.

"Good for you." Her response earned a laugh from him. She just looked at him with raised eyebrows and resumed eating her desert. She was rewarded with peace and quiet when Rob and Lance started discussing about their project. She tuned out their voice to enjoy her sugar supply for the day. She reminded herself to burn all of the calories the next day if she wants to stay fit and toned.

"Are you feeling better now? You are too grumpy earlier. It's a good thing, Rob thinks you're cute." Cassie sounded thrilled as she whispered at her ear.

"Nothing beats a good meal and chocolate cake in cheering up good old me."

"I know something that could beat those. . .you really should have se. . ." She covered her best friend's mouth before she could say the word.

"Cassandra!" She half whispered half shouted at her friend who was trying to remove her hand as she giggled. When she finally let go, they left the table to go to the powder room.

"He was looking at you the entire time during dinner. You should have seen his face. It was hilarious!" She ignored her seemingly drunk friend. Cassie looked flushed with all the champagne she drank. Sammy doesn't like to drink. She's a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. If she's honest and grumpy when she's hungry, she strange and says the worst things when she's drunk.

"I think you've had too much to drink. Are you and Lance going home tonight or you want to stay at my room? There are two rooms inside my Suite." She knew her friends have a house in LA. They were asking her to stay there but she declined. She needed to prove her independence, and seeking shelter from her friends is out of the question.

"We'll go home. I think. Come. . .Let's go back. I miss my hubby." She just rolled her eyes at her friend and they walked back to their table. The two men were just drinking scotch and were done talking about their business. She thought it was a good time to say goodbye.

"Lance, I have to head back. Thank you for dinner. Better take Cassie home once you're done. You know how she is."

"Okay. We're just finishing this up. Rob still has his training early tomorrow. Wait, you said you're staying here too right? That's why you asked to have the meeting here?" She saw Rob almost spilled his drink before he answered Lance's question.

"Yeah. But maybe I'll just book another room." Sammy just nodded at him as he looked at her.

"Good night you guys. See you again soon Cassie!" She hugged her best friend, which was now leaning at her husband's shoulder. Sammy walked up to the lobby, being extra careful not to trip.

"Hey Sammy! Wait up!" Being the kind human being that she is, she stopped and waited for Rob.

"Hi again. . .whew! We should stop seeing each other here." It was a lame attempt on his part at conversation, seeing that the exact spot they were in was the area where she almost fell from earlier.

"Yeah. Maybe we should stop talking too. I have to go. Goodnight."

"Woah! Did I do something wrong to piss you off? If I did, I'm regretfully sorry." He looked sincere but she knew his type. The ones who will say the right things to get into bed with their next victim.

"Nope. Nothing. Just tired. So please excuse me." She started to leave but he took hold of her arm that was not a good thing. She hated being touched by anyone. She was about to twist his arm when he let go.

"Sorry. I was just. . .well, can I have your number?" She turned and looked at him. He looked flushed. Maybe he had too much to drink too just like Cassie.

"I don't have a cellphone. See? I really don't." She emptied her pockets and showed him her bare hands.

"Ah. . .how long are you staying here? Can I invite you to our next game this Saturday?"

"I won't stay long. I'll try if I'm not busy." She's not good at lying and he might have noticed that because he took something from his pockets and gave it to her.

"That's great. . . I'll walk you up to your room if it's okay?" He's too persistent and she hates it.

"I don't think your girlfriend would like that." She saw a woman dressed in a revealing black cocktail dress walk towards them. It was the same one she saw at the game. The one he exchanged saliva with.

"I don't have a girlfriend. . .Oh shit. . ." That's when he noticed the woman approaching. She took that opportunity to escape. Seeing that he would be busy for the night.

When she reached her room, she noticed she was still holding the envelope that Rob gave her. She looked inside and saw his calling card with two tickets to the Saturday game. The card has a message on it. I had a great night! Call me. See you at the game!

What is she to him? A fan? A groupie? Some teen that wants to watch his games and cheer for him? Then what? Sleep with him afterwards? No! Definitely not! She threw the envelope inside the bathroom's trash bin. Fuming with renewed irritation, she took a bath to cool herself. When she passed by the bin and saw the envelope still protruding in its lid, she took it and angrily tore it into tiny pieces. She felt a lot better but still cannot avoid thinking about the guy who made her blood boil. He had the nerve to give her something as cheap as that? Perhaps it was one of the envelopes he gives out each time he would hook up with someone. It was too inappropriate and vulgar of him!

Robert Barron just earned himself the top spot on her most hated men list.