A Bet on Love
12th March
I stepped outside my flat in Manchester, only to be caught off-guard by the sound of a mans mocking voice drifting across the communal pathway. Oh, so it seems Bens already won, then, he sneered, casting a pointed glance in my direction. I froze for a moment, unsure whether I was truly the target of that comment. My chest tightened with uneasethe words made it sound as though he knew something about me that I didnt yet know about myself.
Excuse me? Are you talking to me? I managed, my voice wavering despite my efforts to keep calm. My cheeks warmed. I felt vulnerable, exposedas if I were walking into the middle of a joke at my expense.
Just thinking out loud, love, the man shrugged. Had to check if Ben was telling the truth. And now, I clearly seehe was being perfectly honest. Thats a fifth win in a row for our indefatigable heartbreaker. The man said it with a wry smile, half squinting, as though searching my face for a reactionlike observing a strange phenomenon.
I dont understand, I replied, biting down on my lip, embarrassment and irritation mingling inside me. Heartbreaker? A fifth win? What rubbish is this? My fists clenched as I tried to keep control. Are you serious? And just how do you know Ben?
Weve got mates in common, the man replied coolly. I suppose youd call us friends. And yes, dont worry, I havent lost my mind. There was something insincere in his tone, a hint of derision sparkling in his eyes.
With a sigh, he stood up from the bench, stretching his back with a loud pop. It looked as though hed been waiting for quite some time, lingering just to catch this encounter. I could see he pitied me, in a quiet wayanother girl swept up by Bens charm, soon to be left with nothing but bitter tears and cold realisations. Why are we all so quick to believe in his sweet words, I wondered. The mans gaze was not unkind, and for a moment, I sensed he was almost sorry for me.
Hold on! I called out, stamping my foot in frustration. My voice rang with raw indignation, and I quelled the urge to run. You drop a few cryptic remarks, whip up my emotions, and then youre just going to wander off whistling? No chance. Explain yourselfwhat on earth is this fifth win, and what does any of it have to do with me? I stepped into his path, meeting his eyes unwaveringly.
He looked me over, a flash of regret crossing his facecaught between telling the truth and keeping out of it. He ran a hand through his hair, hesitated, and finally seemed to make up his mind. Alright, listen carefully, he muttered, stepping closer and lowering his voice, Ben placed a bet about you, thats all it is. He half-smiled as if daring me to believe him. Will you take my word for it? Or will you find out for yourself? He watched me, lips curled in a faint, knowing smirk.
Why ought I trust you? Youre a stranger, I retorted, feeling a growing steeliness inside. I needed to see this with my own eyes, to understand the whole truth without any more interference. My hands trembled. Was this an elaborate trick, an attempt to cause trouble between Ben and me? The thought gnawed at me; I didnt want to believe the worst, not when the Ben I knew seemed the embodiment of kindness and sincerity.
He noticed my hesitation. You dont have to, he shrugged. His indifference was almost infuriating. Come along, see for yourself.
There was another pause as my thoughts spun wildlywhat was he risking by showing me this? What did he want? A sign, a clue, anything would have helped. In the end, I swallowed my nerves, nodded, and quietly asked, Why do you want to help me?
The manwhose name I now remembered was Williamcrowded his hands into his coat pockets. I cant stand watching another naïve girl walk off a cliff, thats all. The last time Ben did this, the girl ended up in hospital. Didnt even bother Benhe only laughed and said it proved how hard women fall for him. The lines of disgust were plain on Williams face.
If youre in his lot, then you must have your own collection of broken hearts, too, I challenged, voice wavering as I clung to dignity. I refused to cry in front of him.
Im not a saint, he replied, unbothered. But I dont play with feelings for a laugh. Certainly dont need someone elses money, unlike Ben. He doesnt work, doesnt studylives off these wins.
And if he loses? My hands had gone ice-cold.
Hell lose his flat in the city centre. Three-bedroom, right on Deansgate. Quite the prizeso congrats, turns out youre worth a pretty penny, William replied, the corners of his mouth tightening. And for the record, he won that place off a bet too. He owns nothing outright. There was no gloating in his voicejust a weary certainty. I know its hard to accept. But it matters more to know now, doesnt it? Instead of when its too late.
Sohes never lost before? My hope wavered, searching for a shred of doubta joke, a misunderstanding, a mistake in this narrative that might still rescue Bens image.
Only once, William replied stonily. And thats because her dad was a police chief. Ben crumbled under real pressure. Soare you coming with me? My cars just outside; its a short walk.
Why your car? I blurted, a flicker of anxiety making me want to bolt. This isnt a trap, is it?
William smiled, almost indulgent. Ive got my laptop there. Remote camera set up in Bens flat. We can watch whats happening in real timelucky its my place hosting tonight, isnt it?
The desire for answers outweighed my fear, and after a brief hesitation, I followed William. My hands still shook. I tried to hide it.
Inside his car, I squeezed into the passenger seat, breath caught in my throat. William opened the laptop, and the screen flickered to lifeclear as day, Ben was there, laughing with friends, arm slung casually round a girl who leant into him as if she belonged. That smilemy favourite smilestretched across his lips, but now I could see nothing but deceit. I watched, every word from that room like a blow, as the conversation turned to bets and victories. Someone clapped Ben on the shoulder; another jeered, and the laughter rose until it no longer sounded human.
One of the blokes slouched on the sofa, called out mockingly, Wheres your Alice, mate? What if she doesnt show up? Smirks all round.
Oh, shell come, Ben replied blithely, his confidence unshaken. She cant get enoughglowed with excitement when she heard she might meet the lads. Even thought I was ready to meet her parentsshe actually invited me for Sunday roast! He laughed, delighted with himself, with how easy it all was.
All that after a month? the girl beside him asked, arching an eyebrow. You always pick the easy marks. Unfair, really!
I am charming and irresistible. Arent I, Chloe? he teased. She giggled, tucking herself beneath his arm, and the room broke into laughter.
I cant wait to see her sobbingtoo funny! Chloe quipped, and the others joined in, giddy with the cruelty of it all.
Numb, I closed the laptop. My vision blurred; my chest was a knot of pain and shock. But I forced myself to sit up, brush away any trace of tears, and smilea cold, steely smile for William. Inside was only icy determination. Will you send me the footage of his face when he realises hes lost? I want to see it, I said evenly, masking my trembling. Today I didnt feel like a naive, lovesick girlI felt ruthless.
Youre going there now, arent you? I continued, putting my mask firmly in place. Ring him for me, put it on speaker.
What will you say? William asked, cautious. I could see he hadnt expected this chill, this lack of tears.
Dont worry, I said, smile as sharp as glass. Ill tell him Ive changed my mind. His pushiness put me off. And maybe Ill add something to make him feel as wretched as I do now.
William nodded, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. Youll get your video, then.
* * *
Ben, unable to hide his agitation, checked his phone for the hundredth time. It was past the agreed time, and everyone was glancing at him, grinning like cats around cream. Tomanother mateprodded, Ring her and see where your sweethearts gone. Put it on speaker, make sure youre not already out of luck.
Ben took a steadying breath and called me. The phone rang forever, each ring a blow. Finally, I answered, my tone icy as the moon.
Alice, where are you? Were all waiting for you, Ben said, forcing a cheerful note that didnt quite mask his nerves. Lads cant wait to meet you. Do hurry upwere lost without you here!
Ive changed my mind, Ben, I replied, voice measured and cold. No trace of vulnerability left, just hollow detachment. Youve been far too pushy. Ive realised I dont like it. I dont think we have a future.
He froze, stricken, the familiar confidence gone. Silence stretched. Whatwhat are you saying? Lets meet and talk, yeah? Are you upset about something? Just give me a chance to explain… We can work this out.
No need to explain. Goodbye, Ben. I ended the call.
The flat filled with laughter as the call dropped. Looks like youve lost, Tom declared, slapping Bens back, delighting in his humiliation. The others began to clap and count sarcastically. Chloe slid away from him on the sofa, curled her lip and shot Ben a scathing look.
Ben tried to shrug it offIts just a misunderstanding. Shell change her mind, wait and see… Ill call her againsort it out.
I doubt it, Williams voice cut in from the other side of the room. He stayed in the background, cold but certain. You know the deala flat in the centre, signed over to me in three days, or else. Those are the terms, Ben.
Ben paled, his hands fisting so tightly his nails dug in. The blood pounded in his headhe was losing the flat hed won last time in a gamble. How had it come to this?
You set this up! he spat, turning on William. It was youyou told her everything just to win!
William merely raised an eyebrow, impassive. No idea what youre on about. Never even spoken to your Alice. Rules are rulesyou accepted the bet.
Ben stared at the faces around himsome mocking, some indifferent. His mind spun, realising at last hed become trapped in his own game.
You were near her today! he accused. His frustration was almost childish, desperate.
If I saw her, it was by chance, William replied, unruffled. Perhaps she put two and two together on her own. Or maybe someone else tipped her off. Not my problem. What matters is the bet stands, and youve lost.
The rest of the group started to gather their things, laughter still echoing. Chloe stalked out on Williams arm, tossing Ben a final look: Lets go, Will. No point hanging around with a loser.
Ben stood alone. The walls seemed to close in, the laughter ringing in his ears. He ran a hand over his face, trying to collect himself. How did it come to this? I heard him mutter.
Hed always got what he wanted, always spun things his wayand now, outplayed. Worse, he realised, he didnt even know whod unmasked him.
William, pausing in the doorway, glanced back one last time. And Bendo yourself a favour. Try living honestly for once.
* * *
The next day, news of Bens downfall swept through Manchester. It started with an anonymous post on a buzzing local Facebook groupdetailed, meticulous, listing his victories, first names, dates, and snippets of callous boasts secretly recorded. The post was shared hundreds of times. Comments poured insome outraged, some gleeful, some incredulous.
Ben watched, panicking. His phone lit up with messagesmocking, shocked, incredulous. His carefully constructed cheeky charmer image toppled in a single afternoon. Memes appeared: Ben photoshopped in a paper crown, irreverent captions making the roundsThe Citys King of HeartsNow Flatless. Girls chimed in with stories of Ben suddenly cutting off contact, blocking numbers, vanishing after days of sweeping declarations.
Someone released a recording of Ben, full of bravado, crowing about his latest conquesthis words, loud and unmistakable. The clip rippled across social media, sparking more memes, audio impressions, group chat carnage.
Ben scrambled to delete what he could, to reason with moderatorsbut the genie was out of the bottle. His name, now Googles top hit alongside the scandal, was impossible to hide.
A final, anonymous text popped up: Well, Ben? How does it feel to have everyone know the truth? Maybe give up on bets and try living for something real.
His fingers trembled. His chest ached with humiliation, panic, and a raw, unfamiliar regret. All those smiles, the blithe flirts, the smooth liesnow they shamed him. For the first time, Ben was forced to understand the real price of his winsand it was far dearer than anything money, or Manchester flats, could ever cost.
