Nash got so surprised that he gave a start. The girls turned to look at him with questions. He awkwardly waved his hand to tell them there was nothing to worry about. Then, he dragged William away in the other direction.
"What is it now? You're so troublesome." William creased the lips.
"Spill it all out now. Since when did you all hang out together? Why did I never know she played the game with you two?"
"Well, you never asked."
William scratched his cheek.
"I don't see how this is a big deal. Everyone is in the game. Well, everyone, but you, you're in a cave. Anyway, we're at the same party. We farm together frequently. Sometimes we hunt the bosses..."
"Farm? What farm? Can you not speak nerd?"
William let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"Briefly, we're in the same team. We stick together all the time. We help each other get EXP to level up, something like that."
"Really?!"
How fabulous it was to be together all night. Why did he never think of this before? This could be a chance to spend time with Orn, couldn't it? Wait, no. It was the chance that she could see him embarrassing himself, and the game would be his grave.
Realizing that he sucked at games made him sigh, thinking that he had better given up on the idea of pursuing her in the game since it seemed too difficult, especially when his playing skills were even weaker than a kindergarten kid's.
While Nash was having a moment with himself in outer space, William saw his mouth gasping up and down like a goldfish. Then he knew what this goldfish was thinking. And there was no way that he would let this opportunity go. A cunning smirk showed up on the half-American's face.
"Yeah, really. And I have to tell you something, Orn is very hot in the game."
"What?" Nash blinked for a second.
"Well, we can dress however we like in the game, right? And her outfit is so sexy. When combined with her cute look, many guys get so attracted to her.
"For real?!!"
Nash yelled and made the girls flinch again. They looked at him with questions as William covered his mouth and waved to brush them off like they weren't being weird at all.
"Listen carefully, Na" He whispered in Nash's ear. "This is just my guess, but don't you notice that Orn doesn't really date any guys who flirt with her? So, I think that maybe she already has a boyfriend in the game.
"No way. Who actually dates in an online game?"
"Damn." William shook his head in frustration. "You really are a caveman. We're in the digital age. What I'm trying to say is her boyfriend could be from another city or another country, and they meet up and hang out in the Pride every night."
"W... well, it's just your guess."
William smiled widely because he knew this gullible person started to agree with him.
"I really don't want to imagine it. This game is so well designed. You can actually feel the physical touch, like kissing or holding hands. You can't go further than that, though. But to be honest, just thinking about how she would have a good time with her boyfriend in the game... gives me goosebumps."
Nash paused in shock.
"No, it can't be. She's not dating anyone."
"Well," William grinned. "She might not be, ...yet. But it's possible. She's even hotter in the game than she is in real life. There may be no one she likes at university, but there may be someone she likes in the game."
"No. Not gonna happen."
"Yes. Believe me. I'm telling you this because you're my best friend."
"Nooooooo!" After he screeched(?) out, Nash ran away, disappearing from William's sight as the girls flinched for the third time before they saw someone run off like a lunatic and vanish amid the satisfied laughter of William the Scoundrel, who had just successfully, thoroughly fooled his friend.
"What is wrong with him?" Luna said, looking confused.
"Don't worry about him. You will understand soon enough. Well, why didn't I think of doing this sooner? I'm such a genius."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Yeah, well, you'll know, soon enough, no longer than tomorrow."
Hearing that, the girls gave each other a concerned look while the scoundrel continued to laugh so loudly, his laughter echoing through the building as if he could never be more satisfied.
*
"Hey Dad, It's me"
Nash just ran from his major's building straight to his car in the parking lot. He drew his phone out and dial the numbers. He shouted when the other picked up.
"Hey, kiddo, What's up? Is there gonna be a storm in town, tonight? It's so strange that you call me first."
A lively voice answered as Nash stopped in front of his black Civic Honda car.
"No nagging now, please Dad. May I ask you a favor?" He said, impatiently.
"I heew it! What can I do for ya? Oh, you decided to move into my house, and needed help with your stuff? Alright. I'll send someone to your condo right away."
"If I actually move there, mom will kill me." Nash creased his lips. "Besides, it's not like me and your girlfriend get along so well."
"So, is it about money, then? I told you just the money from your mom wouldn't be enough. I can transfer some for you now. Give me your bank account number.
"Nah, I don't need your money. Mom always told me not to ask you for more money, or she'll drag me back to Chiang Mai."
"Then what is it? Oh, no, did you get someone pregnant? Okay, I can talk to them. I understand an attractive guy can be swarmed by girls, and I'm not gonna judge you or anything."
"No! I didn't!! Stop guessing, Dad!!" His patience was pushed off its limit as he screeched again, sending the security guard jumping from his nap, looking left and right in confusion. Nash waved at him as a gesture of apology for unintentionally waking him up.
"Okay, are you ok? Is it urgent? You sound nervous, kiddo."
So nervous that it made the father a bit nervous, too.
"Do you still have those Pride game consoles left?"
"Game consoles?" He repeated it in a high tone. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I need it to play the game. Do you have it or not?"
After he finished, the other side of the phone went silent. He was quiet for so long that Nash had to pull his phone away from his ear to check that they were still connected, and the call didn't drop.
"DID YOU MEAN IT, SON?!"
"Darn, lucky, I didn't put the phone on my ear, or I'd become deaf with this thundering shout."
Nash complained with a sour face. He was not surprised by his dad's weird behavior, but still needed a moment to adjust his mind, then he said,
"So, you have the console? With that memory stick thing??"
"Yes, I do. I have everything ready for you to play! So, you find my game interesting now, huh?"
"Well…" Nash rolled his eyes. "Yeah. You can say that. Most of my friends are really into the game, so I want to join them, too."
He said that and smiled knowingly to himself because he wasn't planning to tell his dad that he actually wanted to join in the game just to snoop around the girl he is flirting with (or intending to... but dare not, to be precise) and to keep those flirting pests away from her, too!
"I'm so proud of you. I'm going to cry."
"Dad, don't be extra," Nash said, deadpanned. "And could you send them to my place, please? I don't want to drive all the way to your office. Too far."
"Sure, no problem. I can even have my driver deliver them to you today."
"Yes, I do need them by today, Dad. Sooner, the better."
"Darn, my gamer spirit has just awakened in you or what? But I'm so glad. I thought you would grow up to be too much like Lady Wimon, you know, self-centered and not fun."
Nash sighed again, tired of his dad's nonsense rambling.
"So, please send them by today. If your driver arrives just give it to the receptionist in the lobby, on the first floor. I have something to do for Mom. I'm not sure what time I'll be back."
"Alright. Done. Don't forget to come by my office sometime, okay?"
"Okay. Later dad."
He pressed the end call button and whistled in relief. It was convenient that his dad had the console and was ready to ship it to him by today. So, he didn't have to wait too long. He could log in to the game and see if William was right about his beloved Warunya today.