Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Axel narrowed his eyes. "You're not here specifically for me, are you?"
Amber ran her finger in slow, circular motions along his firm chest. "You should believe that we were able to meet previously
because of fate, mister."
Axel raised his brow. "I see. It was fated indeed."
"Thank you for helping me the last time."
Amber wrapped his black necktie around her hand. Her soft skin was brushing against his body.
With a longing gaze, she looked at him and said, "I have been hoping to see you again. I was hoping to repay you."
Axel's eyes turned dim.
His searching eyes made her feel nervous. Yet, she tried her best to control herself.
He had eagle eyes. They were like lie detectors. Strangely enough, he actually felt that her words sounded genuine at that
moment.
"Tell me, then. How were you thinking of repaying me, hmm?" Axel broke into a sly smile as he moved his lips closer to her.
Amber's heart thundered in her chest. A light shade of pink colored her cheeks as she blushed shyly. "That is up to you.
Tonight... I will go with whatever you say."
Amber was gobsmacked in the next second. It was the last thing she had expected. To her surprise, the compensation that Axel
mentioned was a game of Jenga!

"We'll remove one block each in turns. Whoever loses has to down three shots as a penalty. Are you up for the challenge, Ms.
Altman?"
With one hand supporting his chin, Axel gently placed the last block of wood on the top of the block tower.
At the same time, the bartender had brought three bottles of the best xo cognac to them.
Amber stared blankly at Axel. With the appearance of a game segment, her original plan had undoubtedly been messed up.
"Oh, I forgot that spirits are not good for women's health. Let's make it three shots for me but one for you."
Axel's eyes were as attractive and deep as the ocean. "Are you up for the challenge, Ms. Altman?"
"Let's do it."
Amber took a deep breath. She stretched her fingers as she said, "I won't go back on my words."
The game began.
Ever since he was young, Axel was quick-witted. Out of all the children in the Taylor family, he was the one who was the most
skilled at all sorts of games. And the game that he often played with Alyssa as a kid was Jenga.
While serving at the Secret Intelligence Service overseas, he used to sit in the corner alone whenever he was free or bored. He
would find comfort in playing Alyssa's favorite games when they were young. It was also his way of thinking of her.
Amber lost in the first few rounds. In the blink of an eye, she had downed four shots of cognac.

The bitter alcohol flowed down her throat, giving her a burning sensation all the way to her heart. It was like her insides had been
ignited by a fireball.
Beads of sweat began to form on Amber's forehead. She felt as if her stomach was twisting in pain.
All these years, she had been helping Jameson to seize power and carve a name for himself in his career. She had sacrificed
her everything for him. All she had left now was her worthless life.
All year round, she used her charms to ingratiate herself and give sexual favors. She even had multiple experiences of ending up
in the hospital due to alcohol intoxication after escorting others.
She might look like a glamorous woman externally, but in reality, she was deeply damaged.
"You've lost again. Ms. Altman," Axel declared. He waved his glass, which had been empty all along, at her. He had a sassy look
in his beautiful eyes.
Amber clenched her teeth through her pain and filled her glass with alcohol.
Just as she was about to lift her glass, Axel leaned in her direction. He covered the top of her glass with his hand and said,
"Forget it if you can't drink anymore. It's just a game. I'll take this one for you."
"There's no need. A bet is a bet. I'm not such a bad sport."
To his surprise, Amber didn't consider his offer at all. She pulled her glass away from him, threw her head back, and drank every
single drop from her glass.
Axel's pupils constricted, and the corner of his lips curled up slightly.
Amber's persistent look reminded him very much of Alyssa.
In the next three rounds, Axel lost to her on purpose.
Once recognized for his legendary capacity to hold alcohol, he now found his vision blurring. He seemed a bit tipsy, likely
attributed to his current sour mood.
"Yay! I've won! I've won again!" Amber raised both her hands excitedly. Her red face was filled with a simple and youthful joy.

Axel fixed his eyes on Amber, who was in front of him. He felt like his entire world had become silent.
In the blurriness, it was as if he was looking at a young Alyssa who had just won a game against him after much effort and then
running around the house in her triumph. She remained unaware that he was the one responsible for throwing the game.
Alyssa...
If only she could stay forever young...
If only time could freeze during the most uncomplicated and carefree moments of her life...
If only she could remain under the protective wing of her brothers indefinitely... Then, things wouldn't have ended up like how it
was now. She wouldn't have experienced the viciousness of human nature and suffered through the pain of love.