CHAPTER 5
Las Vegas, 1950

     After Violet took the empty seat in front of the side table, her chestnut-coloured eyes didn't leave the chessboard — although Benny's orbs scanning from time to time over her focused expression were tempting her to glance up and stare back into his.

     When they had started to play, the timing between each of their moves was inexistent. Every move was fast and well-calculated. At first, Violet had doubts about whether to accept or decline his suggestion. She had thought that her overwhelming fear of being watched while losing would make her feel absentminded. That she'd vanish like a coward again.

     But the vast desire to show him off was enough for Violet to start and finish the game.

     Speed chess was something Violet didn't think of as a demanding way of playing, but at the same time, she believed it was out of her element. When she would get some free time without her father telling her to avoid her so to speak opponents, Violet was happy to enjoy some speed chess games with the kids around her age. But aside from that, Benny was clearly more excelling than most of the players around the world.

     The room was silent as Violet and Benny stood facing each other, two pawns in their own game of chess. The pieces were arranged in a tricky pattern, each move influencing the outcome of the game, but more importantly, both of their lives.

     Violet had been playing for hours, her mind sharp and her hand steady, despite her physical exhaustion. However, the end was near, and with it, her only chance to win the game. She paused, her hand hovering above the board, her heart racing as she contemplated her next move.

          "Wait," Violet whispered to herself, though everyone was able to hear her words perfectly. She pulled her hand forward, above the chessboard, so Benny wouldn't move anything. The man's brow furrowed, his gaze trained on her hand, but he made no move to counter hers.

     It was obvious that he was breathlessly anticipating her loss. The look on his face when she touched the pawn let him know there was no chance left for Violet to move the rook instead and win the game. Benny gently grabbed her wrist and slowly pushed her arm aside.

          "Well, that's what rules are made for," he told her. Violet flickered her eyes back up when Benny touched her, but managed to ignore other emotions that had filled up her stomach.

     She nervously chewed the inside of her mouth, as if to fight back rising anxieties. Her heart raced and her mind swirled, torn between her desire to succeed and a fear of failure. "I am one move away."

          "Except you touched the pawn."

     Violet grabbed the table's edge with her hand, drawing Benny's attention to her. "Not if Rook mates on E8 and drags the Queen over to the square where Knight can capture Rook on F6, leaving me up a Queen for a Knight," Violet almost lashed out at him.

     Benny's eyes blazed as they shot to her hand, hardening like steel. "Nice smart talk. But you touched the pawn," his voice was low and menacing, dripping with a chill that seemed to seep into every corner of the room.

          "I'm not giving up on this." Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Violet could feel the weight of them on her hands.

          "You touched the pawn, you move the pawn."

     The young woman let go off the table and sighed loudly. After she'd come back to her senses, she started to rub the back of her neck as Benny replaced the pieces and everyone started to applause. She wasn't ashamed, she just felt angry about it. She knew that if he wasn't going to do her like that, Violet could have been the winner. Indeed, she touched the pawn but she wasn't planning to move it. It was just her feeling comfortable enough to play with the pieces while reflecting on her next move.

     Everyone around started to chew over about their speed chess game. It lasted only a few minutes, but there was a lot to think out to get to the bottom of this unexpected ending. Violet didn't move from her stool and held her head with her hand. A few friends of Benny, including the French woman, started to drag him away from the couch in order to speak with him.

          "What you did there...," Townes began his head in disbelief.

          "Was stupid. I know," the woman immediately hung her head in shame.

     The man shook his head and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You should have seen yourself." He slowly removed his hand and flopped onto the couch with a sigh of admiration and gestured for Violet to join him, a smile plastered across his features.

      Violet frowned and whirled around, her eyes nervously searching his. Her dark brown eyes shot down at him. There was a moment's pause as she stared at Townes, then she started laughing too. Her words intermingled with his laugh, carefree. "Shit, was I that bad?" she asked, a hint of fear creeping into her voice, before she sat down beside the man.

          "No!" Townes sighed deeply and brushed his hair to the side of his head with his hand. His eyes held hers; they were full of some hidden emotion, peering out from under his brows. She took a deep breath and looked away.

          "You had this intense look of determination as you stood your ground, and it was clear he felt completely overwhelmed by your presence. I wish I could have recorded it."

     Violet raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Did I?"

     Townes nodded hastily, grinned widely at that one question, and laughed. "He was trying so hard to hide it, but it was obvious he was afraid. God Violet, I really should have recorded it."

     Violet's beam dispelled once Townes' words sunk in. Was this really happening? Was Benny Watts, the US Champion, afraid of her? Or was Townes trying to make her feel better, considering her past? It was a tiny chance he would do that, just because he cared, but Violet still hoped it was her courage that intimidated Benny.

          "Wanna go for another round, champion?"

✩

     Hours had passed in a blink of an eye, and neither Benny nor Violet noticed as the time went by. It was close to midnight, and most of the people in his room had started to leave before they could even notice, including Townes and Cleo. After she asked Benny to go for another round, they didn't stop playing. Both of them lost and won against each other, without leaving any time for questions between matches. They got upset about their losses and played match after match until Benny noticed what time it was and that they were all alone in his room.

          "Again," Violet said. Her tone was a tad bit bitter, and it made him feel tired.

          "No."

     Violet sat there, stunned by his response, trying to figure out what to say next.     She noticed his posture, hands on hips, back slightly arched, feet spread apart their usual distance for balance. His body language showed defeat. She wondered how long this had been going on, still having chess matches but being incapable of beating each other's score. That wasn't like them at all. They always came at each other's throats while playing, shrieking at the top of their lungs at every point that their games were overturned or criticism given.

     But this time, it felt nice.

     Violet finally caught sight of Benny's face in the light of the patio lamp. "But I want another round."

     He yawned and stood up from his chair. "That's what you said ten rounds ago after I beat you," he replied as he walked over to the coffee pot. "It's late." His voice sounded hollow in the silence of the room.

     The air felt thick with tension as silence descended between the duo. She watched him pour coffee into a cup, the sound of it the only thing that brought her back to reality.

          "Why did you tell the press that you want to humiliate me again?" she asked icily, her voice barely above a whisper.

     Benny's gaze shifted towards her before looking back at his coffee. "When did I say that?" He asked, leaning back on the couch and lacing his fingers together behind his head.

          "Don't play dumb," Violet scoffed, her entire body radiating anger and frustration. "That's why I came here in the first place. To speak with you about it," she challenged, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

          "What can we possibly talk about it?"

          "Oh," she scoffed. "So you know."

          "Have you watched it all? Like, the whole interview?" Benny slowly stood up from his chair, his eyebrows furrowed and his face contorted in anger. He stepped closer to her, an unspoken challenge building between them.

     Violet gulped before crossing her arms firmly against her chest. "Does it matter?" she whispered, not meeting his gaze. "You still said it."

     A smirk crossed Benny's face before he walked back to the couch and emptied his cup by pouring the rest of the coffee in his mouth. "So you haven't watched it all," he replied.

     Violet was taken aback by Benny's collected yet jovial reaction, however she couldn't just shrug off her temper. He made everyone think he was a guiltless, brilliant, attractive young man while in truth his presence sent Violet into a state of dread: an inflated ego, full of pride and spewing sarcasm.

          "Just watch it all and put the pieces together, all right? I can give you a cassette to watch if you want," Benny walked several steps towards the cloakroom, extending his hand for her coat.

     Violet passed by the table, nearly knocking some books and cushions down as she seized his arm. She stood in Benny's face, nearly shaking with indignation as she pulled him close to her. "Don't give me a fucking puzzle, I want the truth," she demanded harshly, unafraid of the consequences.

      Benny stared at her when she tightened her grip. He hadn't expected Violet to be so bold after their encounter in the lift. Benny took a close look at her face given their bodies were so near. She had dark circles under her eyes, and he noticed some red spots on her jawline, probably from removed lipstick. He stayed in this position for a few moments before determining whether to send her away or argue over the issue.

          "You play really well." He handed Violet her things.

          "Fuck off."