Brayden was at his parents' house, sitting outside on the sofa by the fire, lost in his own world at night.

He was alone, and her mother kept circling around, clearly concerned about him.

After a few minutes, she decided to approach him and ask what was wrong with him.

She brought marshmallows, sticks, biscuits, and a box of Nutella. She placed the Nutella box on the table, along with the crackers.

She then opened the marshmallow bag, grabbed a couple, applied them to the sticks, and handed one to him.

“I know what that is?“

“What? Mom, I told you I was fine already!?"

"No, you are not. I know when someone is heartbroken,” she replied

“What are you? Cardialogist?“ He asked Sacarstically “ And even them wouldn't be able to tell that so how did you know when that happened to someone, I thought you dated only dad?“

GRACE smile.

“Who told you that? No sweety I haven't dated only your dad; I have had some other experiences, but your dad was the only one who captured my heart and understood the concept of love and he was also extremely attractive which I could not deny!“

“Oh, come on.“ He grumbled.

“Okay, now who broke my baby heart?“ She proceeds by going straight to the point.

"It was nothing serious, Mom," he said, dropping his head.

“But for you it seems it was!“ Answered GRACE when she saw in what state he was.

BRAYDEN straightened himself and turned one last time to face his mother, shouting.

"Mom, I refuse to talk about that because it will continue to hurt me!"

She placed one hand on top of his and told him, "Hey, I completely understand. I will be there for you when you are ready."

Then she rose from the couch.

"Go rest, you look tired; I am going to stay here a little while," suggested Brayden.

"Okay, do not stay outside too long,"

“Promise, love you!“ Exclaimed Brayden

“I love you too baby!!“ Responded the mother. Then she left, giving him some space.

After a few moments, his grandfather approached him.

“Hey buddy,”

"Hi, Grandpa. What are you doing outside?"

“Keep you a little company, I was staring at you, I know when you are not okay!“ He also asserted.

BRAYDEN thought to himself, So suddenly everyone is a psychological pro now?

Then raised his voice.

“Seriously, I thought you were watching soccer? how can you know when I'm not okay?

BEN smiles

"You do not know when I watch soccer or do not want to go for a walk with your mother."

BRAYDEN let out a smirk for the first time in a while.

“ I knew it!“

“She makes me walk to much and I hate that, so I was just pretending. Beside this match wasn't even important it wasn't Cristiano Ronaldo.“

“So, are you just a CR7 fan or real Madrid?“ Demanded Brayden

"You know, I am still a big fan of Real Madrid, but I also like CR7; he is my goat, so I have to follow him wherever he goes!" Ben, the grandfather, explained.

"Talk about a dedicated supporter!!" He mumbled

“Alright, let's change the subject. What do you mean by saying you know when I'm not okay? "You have no idea I am the only child."

"You are kidding me, right? You have no idea when I am messing with you or your mother; I know you are the only child, and I know you better than you know yourself. I was like your father, and I am not old enough to forget it now!" Affirmed Ben

“Hahaha, I knew you were like my own father,” Brayden began laughing but quickly came to an alt, "But I think you stopped watching over me a long time ago."

'Not going to happen; I will always be there for you, even if you do not believe I am...Anyway, you are not going to tell me what is going on, but I am aware..." He proceeded "You know, my father, grandfather, grandfather's father, and generations before them used to play a variety of games when something like that happened to them. It stayed as a tradition for this family!“

Brayden appears puzzled.

BEN continues,

“And guess what? They always finished with what they always wanted, the desired outcome, which is to have the only person they truly love. The only story they wanted and that was impossible to wrote.“

“So, they always play the only and same game or…”

"No, remember I mentioned so many different types of games. But I have not explained how they do it; the answer is that everyone creates their own game that may provide them with that satisfying result. So you aswell can create your own because you appear to need it?!" Affirmed Ben, the old man.

“What about you? Have you ever created one?" Questioned Brayden.

"No, I did not want to because I have always wondered why they have to play to be with the person they love. Are we cursed? And I tried to change that. And I think it's worked or not who knows? No one will ever know.“ He said, "I ended up with someone I love; we had your mother, and even though she died so young from cancer, we had a happy life, and she was older as well, so perhaps it is because I did not have the needs."

"She was eight years older than you, was not she?"

"Yeah, I suppose your mother told you that!" Comfirmed Ben, As BRAYDEN continues.

"Yeah, I remember when I was little, she kept telling me that every time I asked her how my grandmother used to look?"

"Just as she should!! So what I wanted to tell you is that you can do that if it makes you happy, and if you don't, you can always do what you believe is best for you. Fuck it if we are truly cursed; And I don't want you waste your time try to looking for answer either, it's Just every family has a tradition that they always want to be part of!!“ Ben stated.

"I understand; do you happen to have any examples or copies of those games?"

“Yes, in the room which was forbidden to enter in the basement of our old house there are plenty of books!“ Affirmed Ben, his grandpa.

See, another lie. My childhood is based on a mountain of lies. I used to be scared of that room and never wanted to get near it. I always keep my distance from it because I used to believe the scary stories they told about them. Of course, it turned out to be all lies. We are a wealthy family after all. Even this might be built on a lie, who knows?

At least someone is clearvoyan enought to expect that.

He said to himself, then went out loud.

“So, I can read them there's nothing wrong in them? because when I was little you guys kept telling me creepy stories about that room.“

Ben started laughing “Hahaha you children are so naive. Still remember those stories, don't you?“

“Duh! Because they were meant to be believed in, weren't they? I am terrified by the way!“ He whispered

“No, don't worry. It's because they have a lot of images that children cannot see or whoever who weren't part of the family. Now they are yours I give you the keys you can choose to keep protecting them or destroyed them you do whatever you want with them. Only if you know you can stand behind what's coming next, here the keys you the next guardian.“

"Thank you, but I have another question before I leave...does my mom knows about that tradition?“

GRACE came out of her cachoterie and revealed herself.

“Of course, I know. I also played, but it was my grandfather's; I did not make one."

“I thought you were sleeping?“ Demanded Brayden

“Sorry not sorry! I was but I couldn't stop listening when he started explaining why he did not want to create one.“ She Affirmed.

"She found that book in one of my drawers, and I caught her reading it. Fortunately, it did not contain images, only writings, and I finished by explaining everything to her!" Comfirmed Ben.

"I knew that conversation would come up one day; it was very exciting!!" Stated GRACE.

“I thought you and dad...“

“That game didn't bring us together. I think… I'm not sure?! one day we were mad at each other but not divorced at least we were thinking about it, the following day we chose to play and that was it!“ She explained.

"Okay, got it...now excuse me, I need to go. I need to think about it which means I have work to do!“ Comfirmed Brayden

Grace cheered “Go babe make sure you have fun,”

BRAYDEN to Grace

“I promise!“

BRAYDEN then stopped on his way out and turned to Ben.

“Gp..“

“Huh,”

“Thanks for explaining me everything and also thanks for continuing watching over me. I guarantee I will not stop either!!"

“It's all good buddy, we're family!!“ He responded.

“You mean, a weird rich family!!“ Said BRAYDEN

“Rich families are always weird. They always have a secrets!“ Exclaimed Grace.

And everyone burst into laughter.

“Love my weird and secretive family!!“ Declared Brayden.

“Love you too babe!“

“Love you too buddy, now go”

Then Brayden fled, leaving the Mantion.