Playing for Keeps Read online

  Game MASTER

  Playing for Keeps

  David Clark

  Game Master: Playing for Keeps © 2019 by David Clark. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  David Clark

  Visit my website at www.authordavidclark.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: July 2019

  Frightening Future Publishing

  CONTENTS

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  Game Master

  What Did You Think of Game Master: Game On?

  About the Author

  Other Works

  1

  Robert made another misstep and once again showed the grace of a drunken walrus. Ever the professional, he recovered gracefully and smiled half-heartedly at his adoring crowd. With significant damage to his ego, but his job done. He and his partner departed the spotlight. Cheers emerged from the peanut gallery seated at the front table as he left the stage.

  “Bravo,” said Christopher. “I’ve never seen someone who can leap from one burning platform to another with such grace, but look so awkward dancing at his own wedding. Luckily your beautiful wife saved you there.”

  Amy took a quick and deserved bow, “Thank you, I didn’t have much to work with out there, but I did what I could.”

  Robert put on a sheepish smile and took the kidding rather well. He would never confess he was more afraid of the first dance at his wedding than any challenge Christopher put before him. He spent six weeks taking lessons in various styles. Each one started with him walking in confident he would pick it up quickly, but ended with the painful suffering of his teacher’s toes. Luckily it appeared Amy fared better than his teacher. The smile on her radiant face made it worth it.

  “Here let me show you how you do it.” Christopher held out his hand to Amy, “Madame, care to join me.”

  “Of course, kind sir.” Amy took his hand, and the two headed to the dance floor. Robert took a seat beside Michelle and wiped the beads of sweat from his brow with a napkin.

  “You weren’t really that bad out there.” She tried to hold it in, but still laughed. So did the rest of the table.

  “Damn, dude, why did you take some dance lessons?”

  “Like you could have done any better, Doug. We have all seen your victory dance,” Robert chided back.

  Jill, eyes focused on the dance floor as she said with a dreamy tone, “Neither of you stand a chance next to that.” She pointed at the dance floor where Christopher guided Amy around like Fred Astaire.

  “Damn 007.” Robert looked at Christopher’s glass at the table and asked, “Is that a martini? Shaken, not stirred?” He sat back and watched his beautiful wife have the time of her life twirling around the dance floor like a princess. Her white sequined gown catching every light and flash in the place, accentuating the magic of the moment. Why shouldn’t she get to enjoy that? This was her dream wedding, and she had never looked happier. In fact, Robert had never felt happier. Just over two years ago he met a great group of friends that changed his life forever. He made a great living doing what he truly enjoyed. It enabled him to provide the life he felt Amy enjoyed. They’d just bought a beautiful house in Del Mar Heights. The two-story Mediterranean, with the infinite edge pool behind it, was way too big for just the two of them, but they had plans for a family down the road.

  “Come on. I am not going to let them have all the fun. I have been known to cut a rug in the past.” Doug grabbed Michelle and the two friends sprinted to the floor.

  Jill looked over at Robert and asked, “Recovered yet?”

  With a pant, “I guess.”

  They headed to the floor, but before they stepped on the wood surface, she gave him one warning, “If you fall, don’t pull me down with you like you did last time.”

  Robert rolled his eyes and wondered if she was ever going to let him live that down.

  The night rolled on with dancing, jokes, and conversation among the friends. Before the party wound down completely, Christopher asked them all up to a terrace that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Amy thought the wedding venue looked like heaven on earth. The lush canopy of trees and the live fragrant flowers everywhere. A large mission-style club house behind and lights strung across every inch of the space.

  All that beauty was nothing compared to the large tiled terrace with dark green grass between each tile and a stone wall. The hues of a pink and orange sunset cast a calming and mystical light over the entire landscape. A single table sat in the middle, with a bottle of champagne iced in a silver bucket. Seven crystal glasses with golden rims encircled the bucket and a tuxedo adorned maître d stood at the ready.

  Christopher gave a single nod and asked his friends to join him at the wall. As they did, the maître d popped the cork and filled the seven glasses. He carefully arranged them on a tray before he walked over and presented each of the friends with a glass.

  Christopher stepped out in front of the gathering, “So, I have a toast to make, something more private, that I want to keep between us. I have been at this for several years now. Lots of groups have come and gone, but never have I met a group like you. Ones that I instantly knew it was not just a business arrangement, but a friendship. One built on trust, love, and mutual admiration. You have all enhanced my life, and from my view, the lives of each other.”

  He stopped and turned toward Robert and Amy, the rest of the group moved in behind Christopher, “Robert and Amy, you were the last two to join us, and I speak for all of us when I say you both fit in on day one, and without you, none of us would be the person we are today. You, your personalities, your willingness to always help one another, has pulled us closer together more than we ever believed possible. It fills my heart to say that, despite Robert’s quirky humor," a few of the group laughed and Michelle made a face at Robert over Christopher’s shoulder, “I–we–well, you made us a family.” The always confident and together Christopher appeared choked up slightly as he finished the toast, “To our family.”

  The group clinked their glasses together and each took a drink. Christopher placed his glass down on the stone-capped rail of the wall and pulled an envelope out his coat pocket. “Now, we all chipped in to get you something. It is not much, but we couldn’t let our friends have just any honeymoon, so Jill took the liberty of canceling your trip to Cabo and we got you one better.”

  He handed the envelope toward the happy couple. Robert put up a modest objection, “Guys, that is really too much. We can’t accept.”

  Bob said, “Yeah, we knew you would say that. Why do you think we had Jill call your travel agent and pretend to be Amy? Plus, how do you know it is too much? You haven’t opened it yet. It could be coupons to the burger joint up the road.”

  Amy took the envelope and opened it, “Oh my,” is all she said as she opened it and read what was inside.

  “You need to read the tickets closer, Amy. Your departure time is nearing.”

  Amy glanced at the two plane tickets in the envelope, “Oh my god, we leave in about two ho
urs. We haven’t packed or anything.”

  Doug walked forward and said, “Good thing we thought all that out for you guys. There is a Jaguar E-Type parked in the drive outside the clubhouse. Your suitcases are in the back, all packed and ready.” He handed a set of keys to Robert.

  “Now go, before I grab those tickets and take your place,” Michelle said with a smirk.

  “Wait, how did you get in our house?” asked Robert.

  Doug threw his arm around Christopher and said, “Do you think we really need a key?”

  Robert looked at Amy. Both stood in disbelief. Jill walked up and took Amy by the hand, saying, “Come on, girl” and pulled her toward the clubhouse.

  Robert waited a few minutes before he followed. “Thank you, everyone. There is no way I can ever tell you how much we appreciate it. Wow. Really, thanks guys.” He exchanged hugs with each of them and then ran after Amy.

  2

  Robert and Amy landed at Charles de Gaulle after a fourteen-hour flight. Despite flying first class, being able to use the wi-fi to watch the latest episode of Game Master, sleeping in their own sleeping berths, they were both happy to step off the plane. The crowd of people moving around the terminal at just after four in the morning surprised them. Everyone moved briskly toward their destination, whether that was one of the twelve departure gates in this terminal, or the checkpoint for new arrivals. It appeared to be organized chaos and was unlike anything either of them had ever experienced.

  They made their way through the terminal and the customs counter. The fact that Amy paid attention during French class in high school comforted Robert. He was in the same class, but all he remembered from it was her. She helped guide them through the process. Providing both sets of papers and all answers to the agent, while Robert looked confused by each question.

  Amy explained he didn’t speak French and the customs agent laughed and apologized, “I am so sorry. She answered so elegantly for you, but I need you to answer for yourself. What brings you to Paris, Mr. Deluiz?”

  “We are on our honeymoon.”

  “Oh, congratulations. Welcome to the city of love. I hope you enjoy your stay. How long will that stay be?”

  Robert answered, “Two weeks.”

  “Oh, good. The same answers she just gave.” The agent quickly stamped both passports and efficiently moved them along with a polite, but quick, “Au revoir.”

  They turned to head to the luggage pickup, but bumped into the next person in line. In the impact, Robert dropped his passport. Robert bent down to pick it up, but the gentleman stopped him. “Oh, I am so sorry. Let me get that for you. It was my fault.” The English gentleman in a tweed suit and a fedora bent down and retrieved Robert’s passport. As he handed it back to Robert, he apologized again. “I really am sorry. I was looking at my phone and didn’t see where I was going,” he said as he held up his phone to emphasize his point.

  Robert accepted his passport back and said, “Oh, thank you. It was my fault, too. I should have seen you.”

  “Ah, you are from America. Well, I won’t keep you, enjoy your stay.” The man then hurried up to the customs counter and presented his passport.

  Amy helped Robert read the signs and lead them to the luggage pickup. They were just in time, too. The sign above the belt showed their flight number. They watched closely as the parade of duffle bags and suitcases proceeded by. Robert spotted their bags coming down the line and expertly timed his grab to pick both up in a single move. Amy provided a small ovation at this feat.

  On their way to the rental car desk, they walked past a sign held by a broad-shouldered man in a dark suit. The words on the sign didn’t grab them at first, but Robert backed up and looked again. He called for Amy, who joined him. She looked at the sign and a huge smile emerged on her face.

  Hand in hand, they walked up to the man and Robert introduced them. “Hi, there, we are the Deluizes.”

  The man quickly folded up the sign that had Mr. and Mrs. Deluiz printed on it and extended his hand to Robert. In a sophisticated French accent, “Good Morning, Sir and Madame. Christopher sent me with his regards. I am Guy, allow me to help you with your bags.”

  He didn’t wait for them to agree, he grabbed their bags and started toward the door. Robert and Amy followed him to the black Mercedes that waited for them outside. He sat the bags next to the back fender and quickly opened the back door for them. Once Robert and Amy were secured inside, he proceeded to load their luggage in the trunk. As they sat there, Robert saw the English gentleman they ran into at the customs desk. He must have seen Robert, too; he tipped his fedora.

  He entered the driver’s seat and said, “Welcome to Paris. Now sit back and enjoy. I am here to take care of anything you need while you are here.”

  The pair rode through Paris, taking in the early morning sights. The city lights were magnificent, even at this time of morning. As they approached the Seine River, Amy spied the spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral. She almost cried as she pointed it out to Robert through the back window.

  Twenty minutes later, Guy guided the car through a residential area of very posh homes. He pulled into a gated driveway and through a grove of trees. When they emerged through the trees, a French Provencal Estate appeared in front of them. It was three stories, with a turret on the left side. Well-kept bushes and ivy covered the front.

  Robert asked, “Guy, where are we?”

  “You are at Chateau du Defi. Mr. Christopher’s winter home.”

  Robert pulled out the envelope and checked the paperwork. He could have sworn they had reservations at a hotel of some sort. In his review, he found the page with the reservations on it. He pulled it out and read it again and then let it fall into his lap. They had faked him out. The format looked like a standard itinerary, but for check-in it said, check-in by 5:30 am at Chateau du Deli.

  While Robert looked over the paperwork, the meaning of the name went off like a bell in Amy’s head. “Robert, did you hear the name?”

  “I know, this is not a hotel. It is Christopher’s home.”

  She punched her clueless husband in the arm, “No, silly, Chateau du Defi, Chateau of the Challenge.”

  All Robert said when that landed on him was, “Huh.”

  The car pulled to a stop in front of the door. Guy promptly opened their door, “Go ahead inside while I grab your bags.”

  Without hesitation, both hurried inside. The curiosity of what was inside got the better of them. The main entry was as impressive as any five-star hotel either of them had seen on television or the internet. The walls were paneled in a dark wood. Carved wood molding created square frames along the walls where pieces of artwork, each illuminated by a single spot of light, projected down from the ceiling. White and black marble floors led up to a grand staircase that wound up to both the second and third floors. A large crystal and gold chandelier hung from the ceiling. Amy wandered around, looking up, to take it all in.

  Guy walked in behind them, “If you will follow me, I will show you to the master suite.” He started up the stairs with their luggage strapped to him. At the top of the stairs, on the second floor, he walked straight ahead toward a large double door. Using both hands, he threw both doors open. Amy walked through, and for the second time in the last twenty-four hours, she felt like a princess. The room was huge, with furniture on one side centered around a fireplace. On the other side of the room was a large bed, covered in roses. A wine bottle and two goblets sat on the nightstand. Robert went to check the note hanging off the wine bottle and Amy continued to explore the room. The note on the bottle said, “Enjoy Paris–Christopher”.

  There was a scream from the other room, followed by, “Robert, get in here.” Robert took off around the bed and through the door the scream came from. As he entered the door he yelled, “What?” What he saw answered that question before Amy had a chance. The master bathroom was the size of their first apartment. It was covered from floor to ceiling in white marble. Every fixture, from the drain in t
he sink to the handle on the toilet, were a sparkling gold. He was as speechless as Amy was.

  Guy stuck his head inside the door, “Sir, Madame, will you be needing anything else? I am sure you trip was rather tiring. Would you like some rest, or shall I prepare a breakfast before we head into town?”

  Robert started to say, “Well we slept on the plane, but breakfast sounds—”, but Amy elbowed him and looked toward the flower-covered bed. Robert continued, “On second thought. It was a long day and a long flight. We will lie down for a few hours.”

  “Of course, sir. When you wake, I will be downstairs and will prepare whatever you desire. Just come down the stairs and go left, that will take you into the dining room.” Guy left and closed the double doors behind him.

  Amy, embarrassed, “You don’t think he knows what I meant?”

  “I don’t really care,” said Robert and he took her by the hand and led her to the bed.

  3

  Robert awoke to find Amy standing in front of a wall of glass doors in the master suite. These were doors he had not noticed when they’d arrived last night, probably because of how dark it still was outside. Now a blazing sun glared in across the balcony that was just beyond the doors. Further out from the ledge of the balcony, a manicured courtyard defined the landscape for as far as his eyes could see, but the beauty of the setting was nothing compared to the view of his wife standing there, highlighted by the sun in her white robe.

  He walked up and wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “Good Morning.” She snuggled back into his arms.

  “I was wondering when you were going to wake up.”

  “I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

  Amy replied, amid a schoolgirl giggle, “Or I made you that way.”

  He spun her around and gave her a kiss. “So, what would my queen like to do today?”

  “Oh god, I don’t know. Look at the beauty of this place. I could explore it for days. Christopher didn’t mention all this.”