A Wager on Love
Oh, so its officialToms gone and won again, sneered the man, shooting a sly look at Alice, who had just flitted out of the block of flats and nearly tripped over her own feet. She froze for half a second, glancing urgently around. Was that aimed at her? A flutter of something unpleasant lurched in her chestwhatever hed muttered sounded like it involved her, but in some mysterious, unflattering way.
Sorry, were you talking to me? Alice hedged, pulling her brows together. Her voice wobbled a bit, though she tried to keep her dignity afloat. This random bloke clearly knew something she didnt, and that made her skin crawl.
Oh, just thinking out loud, Charles waved a hand, all too casual. Wanted to see if Tom was telling the truth. Now I seespot on. Our tireless heartbreaker bags his fifth win in a row! He said it with the sort of irony people use when observing a pigeon pecking at its own reflection, eyeing Alice as if she were a particularly fascinating lab specimen.
I dont understand a word youre saying! Alice bit down on her lip, irritation mixing with confusion. Heartbreaker? Fifth win? What sort of nonsense? she thought, fists tightening despite her efforts to seem composed. Are you completely out of your mind? And how do you even know Tom?
Lets just say were part of the same crowd. Mates, you could say, said Charles, sounding nonchalant, but with an undertow of hidden laughter in his eyes. And yes, Im quite sane, in case youre wondering.
Stepping up from the bench, Charles stretched his back with an audible crackan hour hunched in one spot would do that to a chap. Hed just been waiting for Alice to appear, so he could confirm what hed already suspected. Yet another easily charmed soulToms favourite prey. Another girl soon to be left sobbing over someone who saw romance as a contact sport. Why do they always fall for his bloody smile? Charles mused, a stab of reluctant sympathy for Alice flickering across his features. She looked so genuinely lost, he nearly felt sorry for her.
Wait a minute! Alice stamped her foot, exasperation snapping in her voice. There was fire in her gaze nowa challenge, not confusion. You turn up, toss about some mysterious comments, rattle me, and then just plan to toddle off, humming some ridiculous tune? Not likely! Youd better spill: what is this about a fifth win, and what the devil does it have to do with me? She took a bold step forward, barring his way and fixing him with a steely glare.
Charles turned, looking her over curiously, a faint regret passing through his eyes. Should he say more, or leave her in blissful ignorance? Meddling was hardly his hobby. On the other hand, Tom could do with a dose of humilityand right soon. Charles sighed, raked a hand through his hair and made up his mind. So be it.
All right, listen up he dropped his voice, leaning in so nobody else could eavesdrop. Thing isTom had a bet going. On you, he gave a little smirk. Well? Fancy taking my word for it, or would you rather see proof? he asked, holding her gaze, the edge of a grin curled into the corner of his mouth.
Why on earth should I believe you? Weve never even met! Alice shot back with new-found grit. Her heart was a kettle set to boil: shed need to see this for herself. Her fists balled unconsciously, her breathing shallower. Was this some elaborate wind-up? A clumsy ruse to turn her against Tom? The thought made her insides twist. She wouldnt believe a word of itshe couldnt.
The Tom she knew was kind, attentive, warm-eyed and quick with a gentle laugh. He held doors, remembered her favourite tea, paid attention to what she saidso effortlessly, as if it came naturally. The glow of their first date at that snug little café flitted before her eyes; the aroma of fresh scones, the muted golden lamps, his nervous smile when shed hugged him How could anyone believe someone like that could be so callous, betting his mates he could land her affection like a prize trifle at a village fête? No, he isnt like that, she silently insisted, but the seed of doubt was planted. It grew, poisoning all her memories with a flicker of bitterness.
Thats your right, Charles shrugged carelessly. His voice was cool, a hint of challenge beneath the calm. Come on, Ill show you. Decide for yourself.
After a moments hesitation, Alice accepted his outstretched hand. Their fingers brushedawkward, brief, fraught with tension. Why was Charles doing this? What was in it for him? What did he hope to gain? She glanced down the street, searching for some portent or clue, but there was nothing but the same old pavement. Her throat felt arid, her heart thumped so violently she wondered if he could hear it. Taking a deep breath, she murmured,
Why are you helping me?
Dont want to see another daft girl make a fool of herself, Charles huffed. A strange hint of fatherly concern leaked into his tone, quite out of character. Last time, his beloved wound up in hospital and Tom didnt bat an eyelid. Had a laugh about how hard girls fall for him, he did. Charles made a face; it was clear he thought very little of this sort of behaviour.
And what about you, then? Alice shot back, tears prickling despite her bravado. If youre one of them, youve got your own share of broken hearts, havent you?
Not a saint, but Ive never played with girls feelings over a daft bet, Charles replied without offence. Frankly, I dont need anyones money, unlike Tom. He doesnt work, doesnt study Rides on the coat-tails of little victories like these.
And if he loses? Alices voice trembled and a cold hollowness settled in her chest, the ground under her feet vanishing.
Hell lose the flat hes living in. Three-bed, centre of Manchester, no less. Congratulationsturns out youre quite the high stakes! Charless smile was ice cold. Alices complexion drained of colour, her knuckles blanching. And that flat? He won that too, just so you know. Nothing in his life is really his, Charles finished matter-of-factly, no malice in it, only truth. He leaned closer, his voice gentler. I know its hard to take in now, but better you hear the truth at once than later, when it hurts even more.
So hes never lost? Alice clung desperately to the hope that this was a misunderstanding. Yet everything suddenly seemed suspicious: the rushed courtship, his persistence, his friends strange hints that shed always tried to ignore. She forced herself to appear calm, though sweat slicked her palms and her veins pounded in her ears.
Only once, in my memory, Charles said blandly. But that was because the girls dad was an ex-Detective Chief Inspector. Our Tommy bottled it at the first sign of trouble. Charless disdain was barely masked. Coming then? My cars just through here.
Why do we need your car? Alice eyed him warilywas this all some elaborate trap? She took a cautious step back, then scolded herself for paranoia. She kept a white-knuckled grip on her bag, heart fluttering. She wanted to trust Charles, but fear crouched close behind.
Theres a laptop in the car, Charles replied with patronising ease, as if he could read her mind. He even softened his voice, as though dealing with a skittish deer. Got a little remote viewing app running. We can watch whats happening in the flat right now. Good thing it all ended up at my place, eh?
Alice hesitated, but curiosity (and perhaps a pinch of masochism) got the better of her. She nodded and followed Charles to his car, her hands still shaking. Trying for nonchalance, she slid onto the passenger seat and tried not to look as anxious as she felt.
Settling in, Alice watched the laptops screen with bated breath. The view was sharp: there was Tom, laughing with his mates, one arm tossed carelessly around a girl whose name Alice didnt know. His face beamed with that same beguiling smile Alice once cherished, but now seemed cold and false. The conversation shifted to the very wager Charles had mentionedsomeone slapped Tom on the back, someone else snorted with laughter. Each word that spilled from the speakers stung like a slap. Alice felt her entire being turn to ice, a ball of pain settling under her ribs. She barely registered her own attempt to breathe, the world shrinking to a pinpoint of betrayed trust.
So wheres your Alice then, eh? Gone off? Got cold feet? sneered one of the louts, lounging with his feet up. He winked at the others, drawing a scattering of chuckles.
Shell turn upshes besotted. Reckons meeting my mates means were getting serious or something. Even invited me to meet her folks for Sunday roast, can you believe! Thought that was the next big step, bless her. Tom chortled, patting the other girls shoulder, looking self-satisfied.
After only a month? scoffed the newest conquest, pulling a mock-surprised face. Why do you always get the easy ones? Just isnt fair.
What can I say, Ive got charm. Cant fault a bloke for being popular. Right, Chloe? Tom jiggled his knee, and the girl beside him snorted and leaned in closer.
Absolutely. Cant wait to see her sulky face when she realises. Bet itll be a proper sceneoh, itll be priceless Chloes giggle set off another round of laughter.
Alice closed the laptop gently. The world dulled, pain so sharp she could hardly breathe. Vision blurring, she sat up straight, drew a long, slow breath, and shot Charles a chilly, deliberate grin. It wobbled at the edges, but it was a grinno tears, not now.
Send me a copy of that, would you? Especially the bit where he realises hes lost, she said, voice level though her hands were trembling with shaking anger underneath. Hell hath no fury, and all thatAlice felt a new steel in her spine, a cold resolve humming where heartbreak had been. Youre heading over there, arent you? Make sure he calls me. Speakerphone, please.
What are you planning to say? Id rather not be implicated, Charles replied warily. He looked Alice over with something strangely like respect. Shed expected her to cry, but shed gone all ice and knives instead.
Oh, dont fret. Alices smile was all frost, her eyes glittering. Just that Ive changed my mind. That hes far too pushy, and its put me right off. And maybe a little something extra so he gets a taste of what its like. Humiliation, defeat, the full set.
Fair play. Youll get your copy soon, Charles replied with a twisted half-smile.
***
Tom, meanwhile, checked his phone for the umpteenth time. She was late. Pacing the living room, he fiddled with his hair, shot nervous looks at the clock, and tried not to notice Chloe watching with thinly-veiled amusement.
Go on, ring her. See where your girlfriends wandered off to, Charles piped up. Put her on speaker. Might be youve lost already.
Tom dialed, anxiety prickling at his scalp. The phone rang, and rang. Every second felt like a punishment. Finally, Alice answered, her voice cool and distant:
Hello?
Alice! Where are you? Everyones waiting! Tom blurted out, attempting a breezy tone that came out far too rehearsed. The boys are dying to meet you! Come on, dont keep us hanging.
You know what, TomIve changed my mind. Alices voice was chilly, shorn of all fondness. It made Toms stomach drop. Youve been far too persistent. I dont like it. Doesnt feel right. Honestly, I just dont see a future here.
Tom stopped breathing. His heart pounded and he glanced, panicked, at his mates, who watched with gleeful anticipation. He edged aside, desperate to shield himself from their scrutiny.
Whatwhat are you on about? Look, lets meet, lets talk! I can explain. Maybe youve got the wrong end of the stick? Give me a chance
Theres nothing to explain, Tom. Alices voice dropped colder, etiquette abandoned. I get it, believe me. Goodbye, Tom.
The line went dead, Toms phone heavier than a brick in his hand. He stared at it in disbelief, chest tight, mouth dry. All around him came a slow, growing snigger.
Bad luck, old chaplooks like youve struck out! sneered one mate, clapping him on the back so hard Tom nearly face-planted the floor. Whod have thought?
Laughter erupted, a chorus of mock applause and catcallsOne, two, threeyoure out! Chloe gave Tom a look of pure distaste, shifted away from him, and decided the room was suddenly far more interesting without him in it.
Alright, lads, calm down, Tom tried, but his voice trembled and his smile was a grimace. Its a misunderstanding. Shell come roundyoull see. Ill ring her, explain, and
I wouldnt bet on it, Charles said quietly, approaching with a chill indifference. Terms of the betthose were your rules, werent they? The flats forfeit. Three days to sign it over, or well, you know.
Toms skin drained of colour. He clenched his fists so tightly his fingers dug crescent-moons into his palms. The central Manchester flat his lucky win in last months wager, now forfeit to Charles. How could everything fall apart so quickly?
Youyou set this up! Tom exploded, rounding on Charles, struggling not to grab him by the shirt. You told her! You rigged the whole thing!
Charles just lifted an eyebrow, unmoved, hands in pockets. No idea what youre talking about. Ive never spoken to your Alice. Interferings not really my thing. Just reminding you of the termsyou called this tune, not me.
Tom faltered, confusion warring with outrage. Hadnt Charles just been with her? How could this be happening? Who else couldve tipped her off?
But you were with her, today Tom began, pitifully.
Perhaps I saw her in passing, Charles shrugged, but we didnt chat. Maybe she woke up to you on her ownor someone else helped her see the light. Thats above my pay grade. Bottom line, mate: you lost.
As the others geared up to leave, laughter ricocheting off the walls, Chloe linked arms with Charles and declared, Lets be off, then, Charles. No point in sticking around with Mr. Loser. She flounced away, flashing Tom a look of pure rebuke.
Tom was left standing in the suddenly cavernous flat, the weight of his defeat squeezing him tighter than a dry cleaners suit. How did it come to this? he wondered, the shock bouncing through his head. Hed always managed to smooth-talk his way out of tight corners. Not today.
Charles paused at the door. Best get on with that paperwork, Tom. And maybe try living honestly for a change?
***
By the next day, the internet had exploded. It started with a quietly savage post in Manchesters biggest community groupanonymous, sure, but so detailed it was clearly written by someone in the know. Addressing Tom F. and his streak of conquests, it recorded dates, names (well, initials), and gleefully cynical quotes nicked from Toms own mouth. Hundreds of comments eruptedsome full of outrage, some pure schadenfreude. Screenshots rocketed around WhatsApp groups, and soon, everyone in Toms orbit knew.
Within hours, Toms name was trending in every local group chat, with forwarded messages, memes (like Tom in a paper crown, Manchesters King of Broken HeartsNow Homeless!), and even a few audio clips of him boasting, voice all confidence, about another easy win. They spread like wildfire.
Women piped up with their own tales. He vanished after a week, said one. He was all roses and poems, then ghosted me, said another. Someone else poked the hornets nest with a recordingTom mid-lad banter, laughing about how easy it is. The internet was soon quoting and parodying him left, right and centre.
Panicking, Tom messaged every admin he could find, begging them to delete the posts. Too latethe wind was well and truly out of his sails. Even Google spat out the infamous post as the first result for his name, labelled Hot Topic.
And thenhis phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:
Well, Tom? How does it feel, the world knowing the real you? Maybe now you can try living without bets and dares?
Tom gripped the phone, his whole insides shrinking to a shameful little core. All those years spent polishing the image of the charming lad, gone in a single day. The smiles, the banter, what hed once thought of as innocent funit was all gone, turned to dust. And the worst thing? He knew hed brought it on himself. For the first time, he truly understood the price of his games.
