The choices we made

Chapter 8.

*Erik

"...it's time for our lesson "I said entering the living room.

Sensing her hand tightening on my arm, I looked at her.

Her gaze was fixed on the burning fireplace. I saw her breathing quicken and fear lurked in her eyes.

"Calm down Christine, I promised to help you overcome your fear of fire, remember? "I gently grabbed Christine's chin so she would look at me.

Christine's frightened eyes looked at me, and I began to wonder if I had done the right thing planning our lesson that day. Maybe it's too soon for her? Maybe she needs more time?

"If you don't feel up to it, we can postpone this lesson for another day "I added immediately

Christine thought for a moment.

" I want to try " she finally whispered in an uncertain tone, and I let out my held breath.

-"Alright. If at any point you feel like this is too much for you, just tell me and we'll end the lesson. There's a bucket of water right next to the fireplace, I can put out the fire at any time. - I pointed to the aforementioned bucket

Christine nodded slightly.

"Our first lesson will be to ignore the flames. I'd like you to forget that the fireplace is lit "I said

Christine's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"I've prepared chess for us if you'd like to play. We can also read. The choice is yours"

" Can we play chess?"

"Of course "I led Christine to the chess table. I helped Christine sit down on a chair and then took a seat opposite her.

"Christine?" I watched worriedly as her terrified eyes stared at the fire in the fireplace.

Maybe we should end the lesson today?

Christine blinked rapidly a few times, shook her head and moved her gaze to me.

I shuddered, remembering that she was looking at me without a mask. I shifted in my chair, turning my head so that the woman sitting opposite me could see the side of my face that was as free of the deformity as possible.

"Shall we start?" she asked in a tense voice, playing with her hands that rested on her thighs

"Which ones do you want to play?"

She shrugged.

"I doesn't matter to me"

It turned out that Christine played with white pieces and I played with black ones.

We played a few games when suddenly Christine straightened up in her chair and looked at me suspiciously.

"I was never good at chess..." she confessed "...and now I win time and time again" she looked at me, narrowing her eyes slightly "...You let me win, don't you?"

She surprised me so much that she saw through me so quickly that I didn't know how to react.

" I...well I.."she interrupted my pathetic stream of words

"Please, let's play fair, otherwise it makes no sense. I would like to be able to enjoy a real victory"

"As you wish"I nodded

I won.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Christine had no chance against me.

watched in fascination as she squinted her eyes and bit her lip, contemplating her next move. Every now and then, sounds of shock and indignation escaped her lips as I got rid of her pawns.