Page 57 of Plaything

Niko looked between my other professors, “We’ve got to win, for Cat!” He gave a quick nod.

I giggled, placing my hands on my knees and shaking my head. For Cat, I thought my agreement. Only, I was betting on him being dressed in cute pastels.

Niko served the ball again, and our back-row hitter almost missed it, but she saved it, hitting it to Tristan. Of course, as he had been the entire game, Tristan set the ball to me, high, and a foot off the net. I took a breath before I jumped up and smacked the ball straight down, right on the other side of the net.

I felt like the world turned into slow motion as all the professors dove for the ball simultaneously. But the game was over. The ball hit the floor, and we won.

I won.

It took a few seconds to register that the long, never-ending game finally came to an end. The crowd was going absolutely berserk, running onto the court and cheering with our team. Tristian and our back row lifted me onto their shoulders, which I truly wasn’t a fan of, but I’d tolerate it for the celebration.

This was one of those rare moments that only happened a few times in life, and I was just happy to be here. I joyfully giggled along with everyone else as they played another song with heavy bass.

After a few minutes, they put me down, and I walked through the crowd to brag to my professors. I caught a glimpse of Wyatt and Aiden shaking hands with another Professorand the judge, just catching up. I walked over and grinned, “Good game,” I said casually. However, I really wanted to brag and tell them about my outfit plans for Cat and how excited I was about the hot water. I had no idea what my plans were for Dominic; I didn’t quite think that through. But I’d figure it out later; for now, I was going to bask in the victory.

Wyatt smiled, “It was. It’d be a real shame if anyone was betting on our team,” he gave me a playful look.

“It really would be,” I widened my eyes. “And a perfect day for anyone betting on my team,” I added smugly.

A firm hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. “Well, I’m certainly always rooting for your team.” His voice was like a dark shadow that quickly covered my entire being. My smile and chipper mood quickly faded, and I cast my eyes downwards. For a moment, I was frozen, in complete shock and dread, not able to accept that he was here.

I turned my head, blinking up at him. He had a five-o’clock shadow, his dyed brown hair slicked back, and a suit that probably cost more than everyone’s attire here combined. I got my height from him, and he stood taller in more ways than height than most others in the room. He had his signature pleasant yet smug smile on his face, but all I could see were his cruel eyes. “What are you doing here?” I breathed out.

Charles looked around at everyone, especially the board officials, who were quickly approaching after seeing that he was in attendance. “I heard you were playing, Odette,” he smiled. “You know I wouldn’t miss my only daughter’s game, especially when it supports such an honorable charity,” he squeezed my shoulder.

I looked away. I guess that was why this was the first game he’d ever been to...

My eyes flickered up, and I realized how many school officials quickly surrounded us. With his hand on my shoulder, I shrunk as far away from my father as I could. I wanted to go home. He shouldn’t be here.

Aiden caught my eye quickly as he looked between Charles and me with his usual calculating eyes. My other two professors now stood next to him and Wyatt. All four looked irked except Niko, whose eyes were locked on Charles’ hand on my shoulder; he was smirking. It wasn’t a happy or funny smirk. He looked severely pissed off.

“Charles Whitlock!” One of the board members walked up and shook his free hand, which wasn’t holding me captive. “We didn’t know you were coming; we would have warned the bouncers,” he joked, his laugh forced and loud.

Kiss ass.

Charles chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s game for the world,” he repeated, probably because no one heard him say it the first time. “And good luck keeping me away, Sam. I’m resilient,” he joked back.

My arms crossed over my stomach, my body practically folding in on itself.

“How long are you in town for? Let us buy you and Odette dinner tonight to celebrate their victory,” Sam offered, a huge artificial grin on his lips.

I widened my eyes. “I-I have homework and an online test due tonight,” I quickly lied. I didn’t want to spend another second around him, let alone an entire evening.

Charles glanced down at me quickly, and I looked away. “I just came for the game. Rain check,” he chuckled. “Before you walked up, Odette was having an interesting conversation with your professors here,” he gestured to Wyatt.

My face paled, almost as pale as all the board members.

Aiden didn’t waste a second before he stepped forward, “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Aiden Anderson, Dean of Psychology Studies,” he introduced himself, much to my horror.

I stared at Aiden, hoping he’d stop. He was crossing a massive boundary, and I didn’t even have a way of telling him. I didn’t want him to know Charles, and I didn’t want Charles to know him. I didn’t care how interested he was in analyzing our relationship; he should have asked me. This was selfish of him.

My father shook his hand, “Charles Whitlock,” he introduced himself halfheartedly as if Aiden wasn’t important enough for him to speak to. It was very like my father, only giving his time to people who elevated him and his social status.

“What was interesting about their conversation?” Aiden asked with a challenge in his tone.

Charles grinned, looking at the board again, paying specific mind to a school news reporter holding a camera. “They were discussing how one would benefit if they waged that the students’ team would emerge victorious,” he explained. “It just so happens that I bet on the students’ team winning myself,” he said, standing straighter. “I bet that if my talented daughter’s team won, I’d donate ten times the profit earned from tonight’s game,” he announced loudly.

The board members looked at each other with greedy grins as they covered their mouths, acting like this was the best news they’d ever gotten. Everyone around clapped for my father and his generous donation.

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