"WHAT?!!!" I was surprised. "Let me see that," I said and took the letter from Jacob's hands. Jacob was telling the truth. Jeu was challenging Jacob to a duel and I am the prize. "The nerve of that man! How dare he think that I am a… a … I am not an object that someone should own!"

Jacob crossed his arms, "How did you two meet? I thought you were with Neville."

I nodded my head, "Yes I was with him at first. But, he was busy with kitchen wares so I asked if I could go by myself."

"So, how did you two meet?" he asked again. His eyes were very much displeased.

"We bumped into each other," I answered simply.

Jacob looked at me unconvinced, "Jeu would not be this determined if you just 'bumped' into each other. Something might have happened after the 'bump'."

I sighed. Why do I suddenly feel like I'm in an interrogation chamber? "Well, if you must know, he did follow me out and walked me back."

Jacob gritted his teeth. "I knew it. Why did you do that?" he asked.

"Did what?"

"Why did you let him walk you?"

"I did not!"

"Well, you just said he walked you back!" Jacob raised his voice a bit.

My brows met. "Are you angry?"

"Of course I am! Now, answer my question. Why did you let him?"

"As I have said, I did not. Well, not at first..." I tried to explain.

Jacob scoffed.

I raised my brow, "Would you listen first?"

He looked back at me with his displeased eyes again. "Very well…"

"I nearly fell because of the door opening but he caught me…"

"HE TOUCHED YOU!!!" he exclaimed.

"Would you rather have it that I fell on my face?" I raised my voice a bit as well.

"Of course not!" he replied and hissed. Still, he managed to control himself. "Then?"

"Then, he introduced himself to me. I was not interested so I walked away. He followed me. I tried to leave him. But, he kept up with me. There!"

"From now on, you are not leaving Labyrinth without an escort," Jacob decided.

I crossed my arms. "And why not? I am very much capable of protecting myself. What for that I learned how to fire a gun and sword fight if not for moments like these?"

Jacob scoffed. "You will concede to me this time, Darling!" he warned.

"It is MY life. I won't concede."

"Darling, why are you so damn stubborn?"

I shook my head, "I am NOT stubborn. Why are you so unreasonable?"

Jacob pointed at himself. "Me? Unreasonable? So you would have me fight in a duel with men at all times?!"

"NO! Why would you do that?"

He stepped forward towards me so naturally I backed away but he kept moving forward as he spoke, "Why are you so unaware that men easily desire you?! And have I not made it clear enough yet that I will fight for you?"

My back made contact with a wall at the end of Jacob's sentence. He stopped stepping forward but looked at me so intensely. I did not know what to say, AGAIN! This man is the only one that could do that to me! How he is able to silence me is beyond me! I turned away.

"Concede," he said again quietly.

I let out a deep sigh. "Fine! I submit," I muttered. I turned back to him and added, "But that does not mean, you won."

Jacob sneered at me. "This is NOT about who won, Darling. This is about YOUR safety. Besides, if you haven't noticed just yet, I have been letting you win ever since," Jacob said and left.

I watched him as he walked away. What does he mean by letting me win ever since?

*****

The next morning, Jeu came to Labyrinth with half of his crew. Meanwhile, my crewmates were already informed by Jacob so they were in position and prepared to retaliate just in case we cannot reach a compromise.

"We are at Shenz, Jeu. You know violence is prohibited here," Jacob began.

Jeu smirked, "Who said we will be violent?"

Jacob narrowed his eyes, "You did send me a challenge."

Jeu nodded, "Ah! But there are so many ways we can duel without violence."

"What do you have in mind?" Jacob asked.

Jeu beamed, "A chess game. Do you play?"

"Very well," Jacob nodded.

Jeu's crew set up a table with seats and set up the chess board in the middle. I rolled my eyes. I know that Jacob was trying to protect me but agreeing to play a game of chess against Jeu with me as a prize does not make me happy.

"Don't I have any say on this?" I sassed. The two captains looked at me. I looked at Jeu, "First of all, how dare you? I am not an object nor a reward to be won over."

Jeu smiled at me so pleasantly, "Angel, if you had agreed to eat dinner with me, this would have not happened. This is the only way that I could think of to make you agree to spend time with me."

Jacob looked at me upset. "He calls you Angel? He asked you to dinner? What other things have you not told me about?" he said quietly so I could only be the one to hear it.

"You call me Darling. AND obviously, I refused. That's why we're in this dilemma, aren't we?" I answered his questions in an equal tone of voice.

Jacob shook his head so I continued to speak to Jeu, "And what if I refuse? I am entitled to my free will after all."

Jeu smirked, "Hm. You wouldn't really think I would issue a challenge only to be refused, would you?"

Jacob interrupted, "What do you mean?"

Jeu's eyes hinted mischief. "Northeastern. I heard she's after you. You did wound their captain, last time I checked," he smiled at Jacob tauntingly.

"You wouldn't dare," Jacob seethed, understanding Jeu's threats.

Jeu flashed his charming smile, "Don't push me."

I crossed my arms. "Even if you win, I still refuse to be part of your crew. I'd rather die."

Jeu was taken aback for a moment by my declaration. Then, he made a great comeback, "You do know if Northeastern catches you, it would be death. I heard their captain is merciless and equally unforgiving. Would you risk the lives of your crewmates, Angel?"

I rolled my eyes again. Of course I won't risk their lives. We barely got out of the Gulf of Sirens!

"Oh stop calling me that! Fine, if you win, I'll spend a day with you but that's it! Do not force me to join your crew, that's very ungentlemanly, not to mention unattractive of you," I retorted.

Jeu chuckled then laughed at my response. "Fair enough, Angel. Fair enough."

Jacob frowned. "Excuse us," he said. He held my elbow and pulled me gently until we were out of earshot. "What are you doing?"

"I see that. But in case you didn't notice, you agreed to spend time with him for a whole day," he argued.

"So? It's not like he is going to win," I scowled.

Jacob gritted his teeth, "He's a strategist and he's well known for that."

I crossed my arms, "So are you. Don't tell me you're going to lose and let him have his way?"

Jacob rubbed his temples, "You are so aggravating sometimes."

I smiled at him sweetly, "SO. ARE. YOU.."

Jacob shook his head and went back to face Jeu. "Rules?"

"Touch-move," Jeu responded.

"Let's get this over with."

With that, the chess game began. At first, they were evenly matched. In the first four moves, Jeu tested Jacob's caliber. But Jacob anticipated his moves and retaliated. Game pieces were being killed here and there. I know how to play chess but not that well. I would watch my Father play so I know the moves but I am not as competitive as other players are. I do not analyze my moves, either. So, when I play, I always lose.

But watching Jeu and Jacob play was a whole lot different from the other plays I've seen before. Yes, they started aggressively but as the time went by, they became silent… more... analytical… more calculative. Their silence was even more intimidating than when they were aggressive. Watching them play reminded me of a war game. They were trying to predict each other's moves. Calculating three or even five moves ahead.

Then, Jeu cleared his throat. "Angel, would you mind if I ask for a glass of water? I am parched," he asked and smiled at me ever so sweetly.

I raised my brows in response. They were in the middle of a game. How does he manage to be so composed when the battle is heating up? He cleared his throat again, "Please?"

I frowned at him but obeyed. I went to the kitchen and went back with a glass of water. "Here," I said. I was about to place it in front of him but Jeu met me halfway so our hands brushed for just a moment. It was just for a moment! But, I saw Jacob quickly clenched his jaw and looked at us.

"You have such soft hands, Angel," Jeu told me in a flirtatious tone.

I raised my brows and before I could say a word, Jeu already turned back his attention to Jacob who was becoming more and more irritated as he watched Jeu interact with me.

Jeu smirked. "You touched the queen, mate," Jeu told him.

Jacob furrowed his brows and looked back at his hand. His hand was on the queen and he did move it a bit. He scoffed. I quickly looked at the gameboard and noticed that wherever Jacob places the queen, Jeu will be able to capture it.

Jeu chuckled as he observed Jacob's reaction. Then, he turned back to me, "Thank you, Angel…" he said meaningfully. I glared at him in response. He smiled at me innocently and added, "... for the water." He then looked at Jacob and taunted, "After you move your queen, the game will end in five moves."

Jacob looked at the board. He clenched his fist. Because of the rules, he has no other choice but to move the queen. Jeu did not waste any time and captured it. After that, even though Jacob tried his best to move his pieces cleverly. Jeu overpowered him in five moves… just like he claimed.

"Checkmate," Jeu declared in the end and smiled at Jacob. Then, he looked at me, "How about it Angel? Shall we go?"

I turned to Jacob. If looks could kill, Jeu would be long dead.