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maidflowery · 1 day ago

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Fortified Wager ♠♠♠ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 10

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 9】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐕𝐒 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 (3)

POV: Aventurine

Owing to the nature of his profession, Aventurine had crossed paths with all kinds of individuals.

From riches to rags; from good to bad.

"Mr. Aventurine, while we initially praised your proposal, after reviewing your background, we've encountered a particular issue—namely, your past...”

“—I do! I do think your idea is fascinating. Still, no offense, but... you understand why my company can’t openly support someone like you, right?”

Those who were enamored with him and wanted to use him.

“Why?! Why do you have to kill your master?! It’s already bad enough that you’re a former slave, but a murderer?! How can we be together?! Papa won’t be fine with this!!”

“You're tantalizing to the eye, and your words are meltingly sweet, like honey... But at the end of the day, they belong to a gilded pauper. Don’t overstep your bounds. How about this: Be mine, and we can discuss this project further.”

Those who feared him and wanted him gone.

“All Avgins are treacherous bastards! Don’t trust any of his words! Lies, all of them!”

“If he kills before, then he’ll kill again. It’s him or us!”

After a multitude of such encounters, he developed a knack for reading their behavioral patterns. All he had to do was recall a similar individual from the past and make a conjecture based on their likely actions and tendencies. As a result, most social interactions became a routine for him—a game of guessing cards, one might say. And his guesses were usually right; it wasn’t even a gamble.

Human were selfish in nature. They made decisions that suited their own needs, depending on how they felt at the moment. As such, they ended up saying things they didn’t mean or couldn’t support, and decisions they later regretted or went back on.

The you of that night was most likely the same.

Hence, he had fully expected you to run.

He had expected you to make a mad dash for it, perhaps stumbling and tripping a few times with your newly obtained wealth in hand, before Billy Burnett could do anything to you.

But you didn’t.

The girl who almost bolted from the building from the sheer embarrassment, vanishing at every sign of his approach, didn’t run.

“Of course I know, you piece of shit!”

Hearing a dull, snapping sound, Aventurine instinctively turned around.

You were crying.

Under the flashing, drifting colors of the venue, the transparent tear droplet shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

Surely, nothing could be more beautiful, was his initial thought as he processed the sight.

“But so what—?! So what if he killed his master?! I’d have done the same!!”

It occurred to him that you were crying for him.

Billy roared back, “Shut up!! You're just a pathetic slut serving tables!! Do you really think I can't destroy you?! That worthless slave won't protect you from me!!”

Though you shook and trembled, you stood tall, unwavering in the face of such a menacing and fearsome opponent.

“Watch your language! Aventurine is one of our most valued customers, and we do not tolerate any form of abuse or mistreatment toward him!”

You, who couldn’t hold his gaze for even a second, now stared straight at Billy. His fist could strike at any moment, yet you glared at him with eyes fierce and determined, like tempered steel.

He couldn’t look away.

“—Given that this behavior has persisted, we are left with no choice but to ask you to leave and ban you from returning!”

Even as you spoke of those lines, you sometimes tripped over your words and stuttered, trembling the whole time—yet you remained unyielding.

You could lose everything, yet you gave it all at that moment—just for him.

Was there ever someone who fought this hard for him?

His mind retraced the past, searching for any patterns, resemblances, or any individuals—all the way back to when he first met Madam Bonajade, where he had to advocate for himself, and beyond.

He could recall no one.

╔══ ≪ ♠♣♠ ≫ ══╗

Big Baddie made two huge mistakes that night.

SLAM—!

“What... did you just say...?!” Big Baddie growled, about to pop a vein as he slammed his hands against the table. “Did you just threaten to ban me for the sake of that good-for-nothing slave?!”

His first mistake was saying that to an Aventurine’s fan.

THUMP—!

In response, you brought your feet on the table, stomping on it!

“There. Is. Nothing. That. Isn’t. Good. About. Him!!!”

With your arms folded behind your back, your right hand tightly clutched the emerald and the sapphire collar pin. You’d sneakily retrieved them so you could return them to Aventurine later.

Suppressing your fear, you exhaled, and...

“—Where do I even begin?! He has the most mesmerizing, luxurious blond hair that glimmers like spun gold in the sunlight. I mean, it’s not just blond, it’s practically ethereal! I can only imagine how soft and silky it must feel to touch! Don’t get me started on those eyes! His eyes are a stunning blend of violet and cyan, like a breathtaking sunset blending into the twilight sky. It’s like they were painted by the divine artist of history, a magical combination that captivates anyone who dares to gaze into them. Oh, those entrancing colors! It’s as if each hue tells a story all its own! One moment, they glimmer with an electric energy, bright and vibrant, and the next, they hold a mysterious depth that pulls you in! And let’s talk about his style! I mean, he carries himself with such confidence, as if he knows he’s the most stunning person in the room. He always manages to look effortlessly perfect. It’s like the universe conspired to create the ultimate dream guy, and here he is, gracing us mere mortals with his presence! When he strides into a room, his jacket flows around him like the tails of a majestic peacock, effortlessly catching the light. With each step, he exudes a sense of confidence and grace! When he reaches his destination, with a swift yet graceful flick of his wrist, he’d flap his jacket! And then, comes the moment when he tips his hat. With a charming smile playing on his lips, he tilts his head slightly forward and raises the brim of his hat just enough to reveal those stunning multicolored eyes! Honestly, it’s downright unfair how gorgeous he is! The star of the show is when he says, ‘All in!’ with that killer smile on his lips! Such wild, bold sexiness, it can paralyze a man on track! When he won, he’d never fail to treat everyone! He feeds the poor! He helps those in need! His grace and compassion extend far and wide, rivaling the ocean! What is he?! The second-coming of Messiah?! And let’s not forget about his personality! He’s kind, funny, and charismatic! He’s always thoughtful when asking a question, while being fully considerate of my feelings! Not to mention, he treated me to exquisite desserts, and even shared his drink when I choked! It’s like he’s the complete package—a dazzling appearance paired with a heart of gold! Ah, right, I also found out about his cologne recently, such a breath of fresh air it was—"

...unleashed all the vocabularies you’d learned from kindergarten to college!! Apparently, the God of Linguistics was with you tonight, as you had no trouble speaking out loud!!

The entire time, camera flashes endlessly went off around you. Some even blatantly recorded the whole thing.

“—SHUT UP—!! SHUT THE FUCK UP—!!” Big Baddie screamed, clutching his head.

Weak.

Even though you kept it to around 400 words or so! Someone who couldn’t withstand a fangirl’s rant shouldn’t be criticizing their idol in the first place!

At the same time, deep down, you wished that even a single word would reach him, though you dared not look at him. Actually, you’d understand if he left already.

Also, yes, of course you were aware of how you came across right now. Despite acting coy earlier, you just revealed to everyone that you were a rabid fan of Aventurine. And that you knew of his past. ...And that you sniffed him.

In fact, murmurs from the crowd reached your ears.

— “Uh, the fuck? That’s honestly so creepy.”

— “It’s the so-called Main Character Syndrome...”

— “Ugh, I’m dying from the cringe.”

— “Can someone take her away? Please?”

Clear liquid trickled down your cheeks as you steeled yourself.

But Aventurine endured worse than this, for his whole life...

No, these weren’t tears. These were merely the sweats of a fangirl desperately trying to defend her idol, using any means necessary. You raised your hand to wipe it, only to notice it was trembling—your legs were shaking as well.

...Whelp! Nobody said bravery is the absence of fear!

Then, you suddenly remembered a major issue!

“...Actually, I take it back. You’re no piece of shit.”

He called Aventurine “shit painted with gold,” didn’t he—?!

“You, who extort money from orphans, are even less than that!"

Hearing this, Big Baddie was stunned for a moment, but then flashed you a sinister grin.

“...Well, don’tcha just say a bunch of interesting things? Seriously, who put you up to this? Your manager is which bastard?”

Naturally, Big Baddie didn’t remember Marius. You also used a broader term for the twins so he couldn’t figure it out.

Tilting your head slightly to the side, you gave him a meaningful, taunting smile. You squeezed the gems harder as if they were prayer beads, wishing for strength.

“No one.”

“So, an outsider? Who was it?! Was it that bitch from the pub?! Need I remind her that I know which kindergarten her kid goes to?!”

Big Baddie glowered frenziedly at you, like a feral beast ready to pounce.

“...”

Instead of answering, you gave him a knowing smile, secretly maintaining your breathing.

“I know! It’s that old coot who lives under the bridge! I should’ve broken her other leg as well!”

“...”

Your trembling hand wrapped around the gems so tight, you could feel their girdles digging into your palm.

“It’s the fisherman—”

Big Baddie’s guesses—or more like, victims—went on and on.

The single mother whose child’s beloved stuffed toy was torn apart in front of them. The widower whose late wife’s ashes were scattered in the street. The woman whose dog was poisoned. The farmer whose field was burned overnight.

You were quiet the whole time, listening not just to Big Baddie, but also to your surroundings.

After your latest antics, more and more people gathered to see what was happening. Some, as mentioned earlier, even took photos and recorded everything.

Sure enough, they had something to say about the situation.

— “Wait, is this for real? If so, isn’t that guy just deplorable...?”

— “Didn’t he drink truth serum or something like that? I saw it in the show advertisement...”

— “That waiter said he punched her manager...”

— “I know this guy! He’s Billy Burnett! He drowns people in debt with his sky-high interest rates! When someone can’t pay, he beats them to pulp!”

— “I know the farmer whose field was burned personally!”

— “I saw the news about that local fisherman!”

— “Eek! Why is such a dangerous guy roaming around freely?!”

— “Why isn’t he arrested yet?!”

— ...

Right? That’s the normal reaction, right?!

The world hasn’t gone completely insane, after all!

You wanted to believe everyone’s heart was the same. Well, except for those who dined on the exclusive floor during Judith’s incident—if their skin were cut, no blood would come out.

But honestly, it was most likely due to the fact that you were in the main dance venue instead of the exclusive floor.

Your smirk deepened.

While maintaining a provocative grin, you asked him, “Aren't you basically admitting to your crime? Aren't you afraid someone will report you to the police?”

“The police?! Pfft, ahaha!” Big Baddie scoffed at you as if he’d heard the stupidest shit ever. “Do you see me getting arrested!? They work for me! I’m the law! I’m absolute!”

All traces of expression vanished from your face.

You couldn’t believe it.

You couldn’t believe he’d take the bait.

True enough, someone convinced they could do no wrong often ended up creating their own weakness. Such was Big Baddie’s second and also biggest mistake.

Judith’s incident must’ve been easy to cover up in the first place, as few guests dined on the exclusive floor. Moreover, they appeared to be closely associated with the CEO.

But in the main dance venue, people from all over the world, from different classes and backgrounds, gathered just to watch the lucky gambler set more records in his winning streak. The game was guaranteed free of foul play, thanks to truth serum and other measures. And unlike in the exclusive floor, cameras and recordings were allowed.

At this sacred table reserved for Aventurine, Big Baddie confessed everything as if he were in purgatory. He seemed nonchalant—proud even—boasting about his crimes as if they were meritorious deeds. He even admitted to having the police wrapped around his little finger, all while the cameras rolled and the audience watched.

Try to escape this!

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

The plan for tonight was simple:

Approach Big Baddie → Get punched (almost) → Return the wallet and phone → Run (do not actually run)

Anyone with eyes could see that it ended in a massive failure.

Moreover, there was a certain clause in the NDA you’d signed:

‘—Failure to adhere to the plan, engage in suspicious activities, or undertake actions that may damage the reputation of Primavera will result in severe consequences, including, at a minimum, permanent exclusion, and potentially legal action.’

It perfectly described what you did tonight, so a permanent ban was pretty much guaranteed at this point.

Above all, you really, really shouldn’t have punched Big Baddie.

In fact, your initial plan was to fake getting punched in front of a crowd, creating a classic "male Karen vs. retail worker" scene that would surely go viral the next day.

And yet, you ended up punching him instead.

Regardless of what was said or done, the person who threw the first punch would always be seen as the culprit, as it was a decisive act that set tone for the situation.

You were going down either way—there was no changing this fact.

The weekly free fine dining and Lazuli Bells. The casual banter and occasional venting sessions with the friendly bartender, Teo. The one-sided fangirling moments with the shy Celine. The bickering with Marius. And above all, watching Aventurine’s spectacular match—

—All of it would end after tonight.

“Why the hell are you laughing?!”

Seeing that you just stood there, grinning like a fool, Big Baddie lashed out.

“Because I’m happy.”

“What’s there to be happy about?! You’re fucking dead meat after this!”

“Oh, wouldn’t you want to know?”

In fact, no one would ever know.

If the first one counted, then tonight would be your second meeting with Aventurine.

A disgraceful first meeting, and an even more disastrous second one.

However, unlike that night, you didn’t just stand by while people badmouthed him.

Hence, if you could somehow go back and relive this night, you'd do it all over again.

“Shut it, mouthy bitch! Just admit you’re scared!”

“...Scared?”

Your smile twitched.

“Of a guy bragging about his crimes like they're some kind of heroic deeds?”

Perhaps—no, you were afraid of Big Baddie. But after seeing his most recent behavior?

“I’m embarrassed for you!!”

Your palm held the warm, faceted gems you needed to return later.

But first, to create an opportunity to flee amidst the chaos.

Your face, hidden beneath the butterfly mask, twisted as every muscle contorted to form one word: disgust.

You drew a deep breath, silently bracing yourself.

"—If I were you, I’d die from sheer fucking shame!”

There, more than seven words.

“YOU—!!”

Then, Big Baddie’s fist flew toward your face.

Now, count to three and duck...!!

You didn’t even get to count.

“Huh?”

In the next moment, your vision spun upward as a strong tug yanked at your right arm. Without warning, you were falling, seized by gravity. You reflexively closed your eyes.

CRASH!! SHATTER!!

A loud bang, followed by the sharp shatter of glass, boomed in your ears. People were screaming. At the same time, your back landed against something soft and velvety—the premium leather couch of Primavera.

What just...?

Cautiously, you pried your eyes open, then they flew wide.

He was all that you could see.

A pair of violet-cyan eyes, inches from your face, pierced you as their owner towered over you, his hands on either side of your body.

However, no trace of his usual nonchalance or cheerful demeanor remained, to the point where you almost suspected he was a completely different person. He was expressionless, completely devoid of emotions. Only his multicolored eyes, which bore into you, seemed to hold a subtle, lingering hint of something.

Yet, he was undoubtedly your idol, Aventurine.

Did he... help me?

The you reflected within his eyes showed a confused expression.

Once the shock faded, you realized you couldn’t move. He had positioned himself between your legs, pinning you underneath him. Yet, it wasn’t painful or suffocating, as he was careful not to crush you. Still, having to stay in this position, legs hooked around his waist, constantly reminded of his presence...

You reflexively twisted yourself, and your weak, vain struggle was met with a derisive chuckle.

“Someone’s clearly been working hard to earn those gems.”

As he spoke, his violet-cyan eyes flicked to your hand clutching the emerald and collar pin. Only then did you notice his hand firmly pressing against your wrist.

A roguish grin tugged at his lips, not reaching his eyes, yet still undeniably alluring. His shirt was open for some reason, revealing his toned, lean chest. His tousled blond hair was even more ruffled than before. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from such a wildly tantalizing figure.

“Just a reminder,” he went on, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he stared at you. “No amount of wealth can reverse death.”

These words held every bit of the laid-back man’s seriousness.

Yet, you didn’t pay them any heed—you couldn’t.

Because you saw what was going on behind his back.

“Die...”

Having missed his first punch, Big Baddie was more enraged than ever. He tore the table, which was nailed to the floor, ready to hurl it at both of you!

No...!

This all started with your plan. Aventurine was just an innocent bystander who got caught up in it!

“Aventurine—! Watch out—!”

You pulled him, not knowing where the strength came from. In the next moment, the position was reversed, with Aventurine beneath you. Even he was surprised, his eyes widening. You shielded him, desperate to protect every inch of him.

“BOTH YOU AND THAT WORTHLESS SLAVE CAN DIE TOGETHER—!!”

Please, just not Aventurine...!

Such was your heartfelt prayer as you clenched your teeth, bracing for the impact.

Instead of bone-wrecking pain, you felt an arm wrap around your back, pulling you into a tight, protective embrace.

Then, you heard him speak, right beside your ear.

“Fortified Wager.”

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　１１】