You and Nolan had been talking, recently. You knew you shouldnt be thinking about him but you were. Ugh. Scratch that. Finally, everyone had left for Pizza and once you were going to your rooom on the hotel, you was Nolan still on the couch.

"Please tell Tanu I went to bed when shes back."

You said, passing him. You didnt expect his hand to come to your wirst and stop you. God, you never expected anything from this man.

"Play with me."

He said, voice smooth and low.

"I told you, I dont play-"

"Chess outside work hours, i know. But youve been playing all night long with random people."

You sighed, why was he always like this? Why did he even want to play with you so bad? Probably to finally be able to say he is better than everyone.

"Nolan, Im not playing chess with you."

He let go of your arm.

"Sit down."

"I need to go to bed--"

"Please."

You dont, because it feels like torture to say no. Because you want to stay here. With him. He started drawing something on a paper.

"What are you- no."

You said.

"Yes, this is not chess."

He said. You wanted to say no.

"Tic-tac-toe, really?"

"We could raise the stakes make it less boring, if i win i can ask you a question if you do, you can ask me one."

"Fine. But ill go in five minutes."

You said, drawing a circle on the middle. The first two were ties but then he won.

"Why did you quit chess?"

He asked, eyes on you.