Chapter 10: Like what you see? You can look every day

Words : 1843 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Watching Fabian Farrell sit down, Kingston habitually prepared to give him a handicap of a few stones. After all, at Fabian's age, no matter how gifted he seemed, he shouldn't have been a match for him. Fabian smiled. "Kingston, you don't need to spot me. I prefer a fair game." "If I lose, you can give me a handicap in the next game." Kingston burst out laughing. "Good! That's the spirit a young man should have." Carlos Doyle scoffed. "What a show-off." "Let's see how long you can keep it up." Bella Doyle shot Carlos a glare. Then the game was on. Every move Fabian made was steady and sure. He didn't just sit back on defense, nor did he overextend. Midway through, the smile on Kingston's face slowly faded, replaced by a sober, intent focus. As the struggle intensified, he took longer and longer to read the board. After thinking it over for a while, he finally made his move. The corner of Fabian's mouth lifted. He raised his hand and placed his stone in one fluid motion. He won. Fabian won. Smack! Kingston slapped his thigh and groaned, "Ah! What a pity, what a pity!" Fabian laughed. "Good game, Kingston." Bella's eyes brimmed with shock and admiration. She hadn't expected this. Her grandfather had once been Chess Play Level Nine in Go, a national grandmaster who had few rivals across Corvaina, and yet Fabian had beaten him. She'd really hit the jackpot. He handled himself well, having fought his way through several burly men to pull her to safety. His medical skill was superb, curing both Hugo Ferguson and her grandfather when Stephen and the hospital could do nothing. And now he had revealed a high level in Go, even defeating her grandfather. Fabian was astonishing. Was there anything he couldn't do? Carlos's sneers and mockery died away. Kingston stared at Fabian, eyes wide. The kid was scary good, methodical and sharp. So young, yet skilled in so many fields. It was almost freakish, something a normal person couldn't achieve. After a brief spell of astonishment, Kingston started laughing again. It had been a long time since he'd played someone this formidable. He grinned at Fabian. "Fabian, come, let's have another game." They set the board again and both settled in, solemn and focused. Nearly two hours later, Kingston let out a booming laugh. "Haha! I'm getting old. My reactions aren't as quick as you youngsters'." "Fabian's play is exquisite. I'm the one who's outclassed. I lost." He had lost, yet he couldn't have looked happier. Fabian smiled. "Kingston, you flatter me. I just got lucky." Kingston lifted his teacup, took a sip, and spoke with deliberate care. "No." "I've played Go for decades. I wouldn't say I'm unbeatable, but I rarely meet a real match. Yet you beat me twice with ease. That isn't luck." "You have a meticulous mind, and you're decisive. You're bound to achieve great things." His words left Bella and Carlos stunned. Disbelieving, Carlos stepped closer to the board. Black and white stones coiled across the grid like two giant pythons warring for ground. Fabian's black stones struck at its vital spot. Fabian had won. Carlos glanced between his grandfather and Fabian, astonishment cresting in his chest. Just two games, and Grandpa had given him such high praise. Kingston packed up the board and smiled at Fabian. "All right, I won't keep you youngsters. Go out and have some fun. No need to sit with me." Bella's face lit up. She said goodbye to her grandfather, then tugged Fabian outside at a run. Carlos watched his sister drag Fabian away, displeasure tugging at his mouth. He drew breath to speak. Kingston said slowly, "You can judge a person's character by the way they play. Someone like Fabian will grow into a great figure." "So we must befriend him. If he opens his heart to us, the Doyle family will only grow more prominent." Carlos swallowed what he meant to say, though his eyes still flashed with disdain. "Carlos," Kingston said, "you're not a child anymore. Learn to tell right from wrong. Spend more time with Fabian." "If you can learn even a tenth of what he has, you can become our heir sooner." Carlos pouted and nodded, reluctant. Seeing his expression, Kingston shook his head and strolled toward the courtyard. Bella left the villa with Fabian and headed straight for the city center. Haltoria Plaza housed the largest mall in Haltoria, and she pulled him into a luxury boutique the moment they arrived. Fabian eyed the meticulously arranged racks of designer clothes. He turned to Bella. "I feel fine in what I'm wearing. No need to buy more." Bella met his gaze, resolute. "You have to. You're the Doyle family's benefactor. Dressed like this, people will think we have no manners-that we don't know how to treat someone who helped us." Fabian let out a helpless little laugh. "All right, then. I'm no good at picking. Whatever you choose, I'll wear." She seemed to have expected that. She turned and selected a few outfits-mostly casual suits, with some athletic wear as well. She had noticed that, though Fabian looked lean, his frame was all muscle from years of training. Casual suits would bring out his build to best effect, while sportswear would be the most comfortable for everyday wear. When she finished, Bella sat down to wait while a sales associate led Fabian to the fitting room. Less than a minute later, Fabian stepped out. Handsome. Clothes really did make the man; the moment he changed, his whole bearing shifted. Bella's eyes flew wide. She stared, struck dumb by how good he looked. Noticing her dazzled expression, Fabian sauntered over, braced a hand on the sofa behind her, and leaned close to her ear. "Like what you see? You can look every day." Bella froze, then caught herself. She pushed him away and said, cheeks burning, "Smooth talker." After she shoved him, her heart kicked into a gallop. She didn't dare meet his eyes. Once she'd paid, she hurried outside. Fabian trailed after her, smiling at how she all but fled. So sweet and pretty-just adorable. He quickened his pace and caught up. By then, Bella had caught her breath. She looked up at him. "It's noon. Let's get something to eat." Fabian nodded. He'd had a little breakfast, then spent ages playing Go with Mr. Doyle, and now he was actually pretty hungry. Bella took him to a Western-style restaurant. The Maserati had barely stopped when two staffers came forward: a valet took her keys while a host led them inside.

Chapter 10: Like what you see? You can look every day

Comments (0)