Dumb Beauty & Genius

67.

" How did it go ?" asked Anna smiling.
Shane glances at Anna.

" Success." said Shane making Anna's smile even wider.
Shane walks towards his usual seat.

Shane sits down.
" It was a choice so the guard can earn an apple." said Shane, " only when we take two apples with different colors, a red one and a golden one, the guard has 66% chance to earn an apple by calling Apple one or Apple two, except pass."

Anna smiles.
" Then it's my turn next." said Anna.

***

Round 8

Anna wanders around the room.
The door automatically opens.

High heels walk through the line.
Anna widens her eyes.

Belle sits down.
Anna sits down nervously.

' Relax ! Relax !' thought Anna.
Belle frowns, " Please, help me."

Anna asks, " eh ?"
" I will do anything you ask me to do. Let's work together, okay ?" said Belle.

Anna smiles.
Belle smiles.

" Of course." said Anna.
Belle touches Anna's hand.

" I'm in."

Anna smiles, " Belle.."
Belle nods.

Belle points at the bag.
" Actually I brought two golden apples."

Anna looks at Belle.
" Yeah. Till now, your group has been taking two red apples since the first round." Anna raises her head, " it's not a good idea to keep doing the same thing."

" Pass." declared Anna after pressing the button.
" Thank you.." said Belle smiling.

" ...for your stupidity !"

Anna raises her eyebrows, " huh ?"
Belle opens her bag.

It reveals two red apples.
" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

Belle presses the button.
" Hahaha.. what a moron." laughed Belle.

The voice is heard through the rooms due to the button being pressed.

***

Shane glances at Anna.
" Will you steal ?" offered Shane.

Anna shakes her head, " I don't feel like it."
Quinn stands up, " then I'll steal."

Quinn walks away.

...

Anna walks to Shane.
Shane raises his head.

" Shane.." mumbled Anna lowering her head.
" What ?" asked Shane coldly.

" Do you think Belle will cooperate with us ?" asked Anna, " I want her to win too.."

" Don't daydream in plain morning." answered Shane, " I guarantee she won't even follow our orders."

" Belle will." stated Anna, " ..should I go to talk to her one more time ?"
Anna turns away, " Ah.. that's right. I should go.."

Shane pulls her arm, " didn't you hear what I said ? You idiot."
Anna turns to Shane, " this doesn't concern you." quoted Anna, " I can help anyone I want to."

Anna takes a deep breath.
Anna closes her eyes and blurts out..

" You said, right, we are just friends."

Shane weakens his grip on her arm.
" I know. But you are part of our team." replied Shane, " you shouldn't bring our team down."

Anna glances at Shane.
" I can't let others suffer so that I can win." said Anna.

Shane furrows his brows.
" But I can't let you suffer so that they can win."