?Chapter 22:


    Jacob added Eileen to the lively group chat, where Huey was quick to send a message.


    “Eileen, stick with me, and I’ll protect you tonight. We’ll take them on together!”


    Casting a sidelong look at Bryan, Eileen noted everyone’s preupation with their conversations. She was about to dwell on their earlier conversation when Jacob teased, “You’ve got guts for someone so young. Let’s put your skills to the test tonight!”


    Vivian replied, “No teasing; Eileen’s boyfriend just wants to protect her in the game. He doesn’t care if he’ll lose or win.”


    Kian threw in a yful barb. “Do I hear wedding bells? I’d better start saving for a grand gift for your marriage.”


    Huey’s response was prompt. “A wedding would surely call for a celebration with all of you, but it’s up to Eileen.”


    The chatter didn’t sit well with Eileen, prompting her to discreetly mute the conversation. After thest note was sung at karaoke, Jacob, buzzing with energy, ushered Eileen toward Bryan’s suite.


    They navigated through the space—bathroom to the left, a generous living room ahead, and bedrooms to the right. However, the room felt less spacious with a full gathering convened around the coffee table.


    When the clock struck, the gaming session began. Bryan and Kian, with Vivian in tow, formed one team, while Eileen allied with Huey.


    Vivian, though not a gaming ace, definitely showed more prowess than Eileen, who quickly became the team’s underperformer, faltering in the initial practice round.


    Huey’s encouragement filtered through Jacob’s phone, which was on speaker. “Eileen, put on your headphones and jump on the voice chat. Don’t worry; I’ve got your back.”


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    That warm-up defeat sparked apetitive ze in Huey. A yer known as Ax had bested him swiftly—Huey was taken aback by the yer’s sharp gaming instincts. Determined to redeem himself in the eyes of his team and not let Eileen down, Huey silently pledged to up his game.


    As Eileen made to retrieve her headphones, Bryan intercepted her with a pair of Bluetooth earpieces. “Use these. No need to go and grab your own earphones.”


    Eileen epted the device, pairing it with her phone and slipping one earpiece in her ear to join the voice chat, Huey’s voice now a private channel in her ear. They dove into another round, with Eileen following Huey’s lead on strategy.


    Jacob, too, donned headphones, a tactical move to ensure their game n stayed within the team.


    Eileen’s character, with the enchanting ability to be a nimble deer, was designed to aid her allies. By the fourth level, she had the power to sync with her team, bing an extension of their will. Huey, wielding the strength to deal significant blows, assisted her in acquiring gear, including shields to fortify their defense.


    In this round, Huey took the lead with caution. The score was even, with both teams having imed three eliminations, ramping up the tension. In this dance, they remained shadows to each other until Vivian’s avatar strayed into their view.


    “Now’s our chance,” Huey said with excitement. “Eileen, nk from the left and scout the bush, and I’ll strike the final blow.”


    Eileen’s breath hitched, a testament to the moment’s gravity. She adhered to Huey’s n, and their trap ensnared Vivian effortlessly. Eileen heard Vivian’s call for aid. “Bryan, I need backup!”


    Vivian’s plea was cut short as her character met its demise. Huey’s victorious cry rang out, a brief burst of joy, before a new threat loomed—a stealthy adversary with a de appeared and killed Huey’s avatar in a swift, ruthless move.


    “Eileen, run now!” Huey urged, his voice urgent.


    Heeding the call, Eileen maneuvered her character to safety. Meanwhile, Vivian said to Bryan, “Give them chase. Avenge me!”


    Vanishing from the enemy’s view, Eileen followed Huey’s directive. “Stay hidden in the left brush and wait for backup.”


    Jacob’s avatar was swift to respond, but Bryan was quicker, circling the bushes before shifting his focus.


    ncing at Bryan, Eileen caught the gleam in his eyes, a sly grin ying on his face. A wave of anxiety washed over her—his knowing look suggested he was aware of her hiding spot.


    “Trust me. Stick with my lead. Our team’s got the upper hand now,” Huey said confidently.


    Huey was relentless, taking down Kian and Vivian repeatedly. Yet Bryan remained his elusive bane, always one step ahead, much to Huey’s bafflement.


    Huey’s suspicions arose as he scrutinized Bryan’s gaming ID. It felt familiar, but he couldn’t remember where he had seen it.


    Jacob, swept up in the thrill, had palpable enthusiasm even without a personal stake in the fray.


    The match stretched on, a dance of strategy and skill. Bryan’s choice to strike Huey rather than focus on the game’s objectives gave the team more time before they finally lost.


    Jacob let out a long sigh, casting a nk look toward Bryan and voicing his frustration to Huey. “Good, but as the founder of the game, you didn’t match my expectations. Thest time Bryan yed with us, we were demolished. Your participation only made the situation a little better.”


    Huey paused, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Wait. ‘Ax’? That’s Bryan’s main ount, right? What was his previous ID?”


    “Apex,” Jacob said. “A name that should ring a bell.”


    Before Eileen could process this revtion, Huey’s voice broke through the earpiece with a jolt of energy. “No way! He’s Apex, the legend himself? The man’s a gaming titan! And I’m supposed to beat him? This is wild! Remember how he skyrocketed this game’s poprity with his insane skills? His records still stand! I have to meet him in person!”


    Eileen’s head was pounding from Huey’s fervor. She swiftly removed the earpiece, seeking respite. Her gaze drifted to Bryan, who sat back casually, a sly smile ying on his lips.


    Eileen spotted a simr Bluetooth earpiece in his ear. It turned out he had been privy to Huey’s strategy all along!


    Jacob removed his headphones and, with a chuckle, activated the speaker. “Why not talk to your hero? He can hear you now.”


    Huey’s voice suddenly ceased, leaving the room engulfed in silence.


    “Vivian, caught off guard, said, ‘You guys logged off.''”


    Bowing her head, Eileen noticed the absence of Huey’s online presence. Then, her phone buzzed with his message.


    “My mom’s confiscated my phone. Pass a message to my hero, will you? I’ll treat him to dinner when you’re all back in Pornd!”


    Eileen’s lips curled into a soft smile at the underlying admiration in Huey’s words. She ryed to the room, “Huey had somethinge up and had to go offline.”


    Jacob exhaled deeply, a reminiscent smile on his face. “ying this game brings me back to the old days. You know, Eileen, I think your boyfriend owes Bryan a favor since Bryan is the one who made the game popr.”


    Bryan nced at Eileen and said, “Let’s not get carried away. I’m not familiar with Huey after all. But Eileen could return the favor to me for Huey.”


    To Eileen, Bryan’s words heldyers. Jacob then genuinelymended Huey’s skill, acknowledging his ability as the game’s founder.


    Vivian’s attention drifted from the game to something else, the night deepening around them. She reached for Bryan, a yawn hidden in her voice. “The hour’ste, and weariness calls. Let’s call it a night, Bryan.”


    Eileen’s gaze fell, her lips pressed into a line. She dimmed her phone’s glow, signaling her intent to depart. Yet, Bryan’s words to Vivian halted her. “Feeling worn out? Head off to bed then. It’s been ages since I’ve dived into this game. The rest of us will y another round.”


    Bryan’s focus turned to Eileen. “Are you sleepy?” he asked.


    Suddenly, Eileen became the center of attention, a flush of surprise coloring her cheeks.


    “You should head to bed as well. You’re too weak in the game; the three of us will y without you,” Bryan said, his voiceced with a subtle jab.


    His gazended on the telltale shadows beneath her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of her sleepless night and the disruption he had caused in her rest this afternoon.


    Eileen mustered a weary grin and rose. “I’ll go rest now. You guys should go to bed early. Try not to make a habit of thesete nights,” she suggested, her tone light.


    Vivian, seizing the chance, quickly said, “Eileen’s right. Bryan, aren’t you tired now? Maybe you should get some rest.”


    Eileen caught Bryan’s eyes, his look one of annoyance. Sheughed it off awkwardly and left, indifferent to their decision to y on or retire.


    A suspicion nagged at her that Bryan might be purposefully distancing himself from Vivian, but she left the thought unexplored.


    Weighed down by exhaustion, Eileen surrendered to sleep after a shower. Her wet hair, a careless oversight, left her pillow damp.


    A sharp headache punished her neglect as she stirredte, the breeze dancing through a cracked window and bathing the room in gentle light. After rubbing her forehead for a while, she reached for her phone.


    Bryan’s text awaited her:


    “I stayed upst night. I’ll be resting today. Feel free to spend your day as you wish. Wait for me tonight.”


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