Kings and Queens

HUIT

Chapter Eight
All Is Fair In Love And War
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Emilia Taylor walked into school determined to get some answers, but if she was going to play this game she was going to play it her way. She wasn't going to give in so easily, not yet anyway.

She walked towards her locker and when she opened it she noticed a small Tiffany blue box perched on the top shelf of her locker. She grabbed what was obviously a Tiffany and Co. jewelry box and as she does a small note fell to the floor. She promptly picked it up, hugging her skirt tightly as to not show her underwear.

She opened the note and read the following.

Emilia Taylor,

Please accept the following present as a token of my appreciation. I would like to apologize for the events of yesterday and would like you to meet me at the cafeteria during lunch period.

- Jeremiah Sutton,
Your opponent and fellow player.

Emilia tossed the note back into her locker, she thought that this was a full invasion of privacy, but what could she do about it. She promptly opened the box to find two white gold diamond encrusted earrings. They were indeed beautiful but Emilia was not pleased to know that Jeremiah decided that if she didn't go willingly she could just buy her. Which was utterly preposterous not to mention pathetic.

She tossed the box into her bag and carried on with her day as she would normally do. Instead of opting to go to the library she decided to meet Jeremiah at the cafeteria, she wanted to return the earrings.

Augustus caught up to her right as lunchtime rolled around. "Hey Emilia." He calmly spoke offering her a crooked smile. "Will you be meeting us for lunch today?"

Emilia sighed twirling her long blonde hair between her fingers, "I'm afraid I will."

With that they both walked into the cafeteria silently. It was mostly on Emilia's end, she didn't want to attempt to make some more small talk.

Emilia sat down ignoring the obvious glares from girls and curious stares from other onlookers. The rest of the group followed suit Jeremiah sitting in front of Emilia just as they did last time they talked.

"Here." Emilia dug into her bag and pulled out the Tiffany blue box and flung it towards Jeremiah. "I don't want it."

Jeremiah seemed confused but wiped the expression off his face as soon as he realized he let his guard down and instead let out a smug smile. "Playing hard to get aren't we."

"No." Emilia shrugged, her green eyes skimming the crowd in the cafeteria filled with chatter, eyes no longer on them. "If I wanted to I would buy them myself."

Sebastian let out a small chuckle, "well she got you there."

Jeremiah shot a glare at him insinuating he shut up. Finally his hazel eyes landed on Emilia. "So this will not change your mind?" Right on cue three people came into the cafeteria carrying large bouquets adorned with a different arrays of flowers. Mostly pink and red carnations could be spotted along with some roses along with other flowers.

"No Jeremiah that will not change my mind, but I do appreciate that you remember my favorite type of flower." Emilia picked up her bag and got up in a graceful manner. "Please stop buying me gifts, I do not want them."

Emilia walked out of the cafeteria her golden blonde golden hair cascading down her back. Jeremiah could not help but look at her in awe, most girls would usually have caved by now. But then again, those girls didn't know what they were getting into, and Jeremiah had a feeling that she did.

Emilia sat at the cafe she so famously loved. She was scheming up a plan. She needed to make Jeremiah let down his guard. She needed him to think that her agreeing to play the game was all part of his plan. She needed a subtle way in and Sebastian was the way to get it.

After all he was his right hand man.

So that's what she did, throughout the week slowly but surely she started accepting the gifts Jeremiah would send her. From the bouquets, to the jewelry, to the garments of clothing, to the very last pair of designer shoes. She would accept it all.

After a couple of weeks she would start laughing at his jokes. As humorless or lame as they were she would still laugh. At the same time, she would invite Sebastian for lunch dates.

Her plan was to start casual, then somehow if it all went according to plan she would manage to earn his trust. Start to make him choose her over Jeremiah.

After a month of this little charade, she sat down at her favorite little cafe. She had Sebastian sat by her side as Augustus went over the contract and Jeremiah took a sip of his coffee. Tristan was currently ordering something for himself.

"Here are the rules." Augustus started, "you cannot date other people."

"You cannot fuck other people." Jeremiah continued arms crossed as he stared directly at Emilia.

"And that's basically it." Sebastian began, "there will be consequences if either of these rules are broken, for either parties."

"All you have to do is play fair." Jeremiah let out an exasperated sigh. He was clearly done with the conversation, he just needed a signature and he could go home and get some rest.

Emilia furrowed her perfectly plucked brows, "and what is playing fair?"

"You'll find out." Jeremiah took one last sip of his coffee before standing up and motioning the rest to do the same.

"Just sign here." Augustus gestured the dotted line as he handed Emilia a black pen with a silver trim. She signed as she looked at Jeremiah, she was baffled.

"And remember, all is fair in love and war." With a quick wink he and the rest of the group left the cafe leaving Emilia alone with her thoughts.

Although someone had other intentions in mind, because there stood Kaiya Ayoki right in front of her. And she was not coming to play.