chapter2215

The reminder caught in Cecilia's throat.

She had indeed said that and believed it to be true. Yet this wasn't exactly a friend. She was a stranger. He could've at least softened the blow.

"Fine. You're right," Cecilia conceded.

Calvin's grin returned. "Then let's keep playing."

He slid into the newly vacated seat, hands dancing over the controls. In minutes, he reclaimed every last token the embarrassed girl had lost.

Before Cecilia could pocket her winnings, Vivian appeared, hauling several bulging sacks overflowing with plush toys.

Children all over the arcade gasped, tugging at parents' sleeves and pointing at Vivian as though Santa had shown up in midsummer.

"That lady caught so many toys-she's amazing!"

Onlookers assumed Vivian was a claw-machine prodigy. In truth, she had simply fed the machines a small fortune.

Hearing the praise, Vivian's smile spread wide. She loosened a sack, crouched, and fanned the plushies out like treasure. "Go on—pick whichever one you like."

The kids swarmed her in squealing delight, each clutching a new soft companion against tiny chests.

Behind the counter, the owner's face shifted to the color of a storm cloud.

At this rate, today's profits were evaporating into stuffed cotton.

Vivian straightened and called out, "Sir, could you refill those claw machines? I'm nowhere near done."

"Of course, of course," the owner replied, forcing a grin that never reached his eyes. He motioned an employee to restock, trying not to picture the numbers bleeding from his ledger.

Vivian marched back to the glowing machines, determination burning brighter than the neon around her.

Madeline, meanwhile, locked horns with that single elusive plush, attacking the joystick with relentless focus.

Elsewhere, Lucille bounced from game to game, laughter trailing behind her like confetti.

Cecilia stayed beside Calvin, matching him round for round, fingers flying over buttons.

With Calvin feeding the token tray, she played as wildly as she pleased, never fretting about running dry.

Neither noticed the stranger near the doorway, phone lifted, lens fixed on them. A few quick snaps and their carefree afternoon became frozen pixels-evidence bound for someone else's agenda.

The hours they had spent laughing and competing inside the neon-lit

arcade slipped away like water through open fingers. Near the counter, the owner finally seized ar opening, motioning for a clerk to

approach and, in a practiced

whisper, announce that closing time

had come.

"Already eleven?" Cecilia gasped, glancing at the glowing numbers on the wall clock. "That flew by so fast."

She almost never had an evening solely to herself, and the discovery that it was ending so soon felt like a small, undeserved loss. If only I could stretch these minutes just a little longer.

Calvin, arms crossed yet clearly

reluctant, murmured, "It is late. We probably should head back Even

so, the lingering spark in his eyes confessed he was not quite ready to surrender the night.

Then he pointed at the gleaming mound of game tokens piled beside the register, silently reminding the clerk that they still held value waiting to be cashed in.

"Shouldn't these be exchanged before we leave?" he asked, voice low but firm.

"If you like," the clerk offered cheerily, "we can store the tokens for you. Use them next time you drop by."

A few feet away, the owner began blinking at his employee—wide, frantic winks that looked almost painful.

Misreading the signal as encouragement, the clerk smiled wider. He had no idea the owner didn't want Calvin to come again.

Calvin covered a yawn with the back of his hand. "That won't work. We were only passing through. We don't live anywhere near here."

"Our arcade is a nationwide chain," the clerk replied instantly, rehearsed enthusiasm melting into the words. "You can spend the balance in any branch you like."

Calvin's shoulders stiffened as he realized the clerk had no intention of counting out cash. He cared little for the small refund, yet despised the store's slippery maneuvering.

Unable to watch the exchange deteriorate, the owner rushed over, bowing slightly as sweat beaded on his forehead. So sorry my employee spoke out of tum. Please, come with me, and I'll handle the redemption personally."

Calvin offered a single nod, accepting the gesture without a word.

As they moved toward the exit, Cecilia noticed Madeline still rooted before a claw- crane machine, oblivious to everything except the glass box glowing before her. "Maddie, we're leaving," Cecilia called, voice echoing through the half-dark arcade. Maddie's gaze stayed locked on a lone plush toy wedged deep in the far corner of the machine, her hands tightened on the joystick as though fused to it.

"I have to win that one," she whispered, determination sharpening every syllable.