Playing The Game - Book Four in The WSU Series

- Chapter Twenty-Four -

"Please, for the love of God— tell me it isn't true."

I pause waiting for Angela to explain, "what isn't true?" I ask carefully as I shoot Kian a look to tell him to stay quiet, "you and Kian fucking Bliss," she curses, I haven't checked the press recently— so fuck knows what stories have been written this time.

"What about me and him?" I hear her sigh on the other end, probably fed up with me avoiding giving her a clear answer. "You're engaged?" Just as the words leave her mouth my bedroom door swings open, "you're fucking engaged?" Liv practically yells. "Angela," I speak into the phone, "I'll call you back." Before she could argue I hang up, it was too early for this shit. "Don't smirk," Ele points a finger at Kian whose lying next to me while I'm sitting with my back against the headboard.

"You're engaged? And didn't tell us?" Em asks, it appears all three of them are out of breath as their chests are heaving, "about that—" I don't get a chance to explain before Kian buts in, "we wanted to wait, to tell everyone." It's like everyone knows because my phone starts ringing with Roma's number, "for fucks sake," I mutter before answering the phone call. "Roma Carter," I practically sing, "you're engaged and didn't tell me?" Jesus Christ, the repetition is getting on my nerves. "In my defence, why would I tell you?" I ask as I make eye contact with the girls, Ele shakes her head, and Liv rolls her eyes as Em leans her chin on Livs shoulder.

"Because we're friends," he says, "hold on— I'm putting you on speaker." Not a second later Hayden's voice fills the line, "I swear to god, Bliss better be with you."

"He is," I confirm while I also put my phone on speaker, "say hi," I taunt. "Liz!" Em snaps, "you're engaged, and we weren't there?"

"We've gone over this," Kian mutters beside me, it's clear he's bored of the conversation. "Bliss I swear— you didn't even want a girlfriend this time last year," Hayden says through the phone, "well, plans change." Quite literally, if you would have told me I'd marry Kian Bliss because of a deal between our fathers, I would have laughed in your face. "I can't believe this," Alex finally speaks over the phone, "what's not to believe?" Kian asks before sitting up beside me. "We're engaged, it was just between us two," he says and I have to hold back a laugh.

Elizabeth Bliss.

It still doesn't sound real— nor does the ring on my finger feel real. I've always wanted to be free from my name. But I'd never be free of him— from Kian.

"I always knew something was going on between you two," Ele says, and damn she's right. She knew the moment I asked her to call him.