She was determined to walk on her own, even if it wasn't far. Her physical therapy had helped improve her movements, and although she still had some weakness, her progress was undeniable.
She knew the doctors or nurses would insist on accompanying her if they found out, so she waited until it was approaching lunch. With everyone busy or resting, she slipped out quietly, savoring the first steps of freedom she had felt in weeks.
She started by strolling around the VIP ward, her curiosity leading her to explore. Her main goal, however, was to check on Four and see how much progress he had made in his physical therapy.
As she approached his room, she noticed the male nurses stationed outside, as usual. They glanced at her but didn't stop her. To her surprise, they simply allowed her to go in without questioning her presence.
Nnenna hesitated briefly, unsure if she was overstepping, but her curiosity won out. She gently pushed open the door, unsure of what to expect inside.
Once inside, the sound of a fist pounding against the wall echoed through the room. Nnenna paused, startled by the intensity of the noise.
Her eyes landed on Four, who stood by the wall, his jaw clenched and his hand balled into a fist, clearly agitated. He didn't notice her right away, too consumed by his own frustration.
She watched him quietly for a few moments, debating whether to interrupt. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but steady.
"Hello. It's been a while. What's up?"
Her voice cut through the tense atmosphere, making Four turn sharply. For a moment, his expression flashed with anger, likely at the fact that she had been allowed into his room without his consent. But just as quickly, he looked away, his features hardening into his usual cold demeanor.
"What are you doing here?" Four's tone was sharp, his icy glare fixed on her.
Nnenna smiled lightly, unfazed by his hostility. "I came to see you. It's been weeks, and I thought I should come and say hi." She gestured to him and added, "It looks like your physical therapy is going well. You're standing without wobbling."
Four's frown deepened. "It's not going well," he snapped, clearly displeased by her observation.
She ignored the anger in his voice and pressed on. "If you don't mind… can we play a game of chess?" she asked, her tone calm but curious.
For a moment, he looked as though he was about to order her out of the room. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed, but then he surprised her. He hesitated, then sighed, waving a hand toward the chair by the chessboard.
"Sit down," he said curtly, as though the words themselves were an effort.
Four walked over to the table without a word, his movements deliberate and sharp. Nnenna followed quietly, sensing the weight of his lingering frustration.
She sat across from him as he set up the board with practiced precision, each piece placed with almost military precision.
The game began with Nnenna opting for a simple opening, moving her pawn to e4. Four countered instantly, pushing his pawn to e5 without hesitation. His silence hung over the room like a storm cloud, and she felt the intensity of his focus.
Nnenna tried to establish control in the center, moving her knight to f3, but Four's response was quick and calculated, mirroring her move with his own knight to c6. It was clear he wasn't playing casually, every move was deliberate, almost aggressive.
As the game progressed, she attempted to castle early, seeking safety for her king. Four, however, was relentless. His bishop slid to b4, pinning her knight to her king.
"You're good," she murmured, trying to break the tension.
He didn't respond. Instead, he moved his queen into play, taking control of the center with a threatening presence on d5.
Nnenna did her best to hold her ground, advancing her pawns and developing her pieces, but Four's strategy was ruthless.
He baited her into a false sense of security with a seemingly unprotected pawn. When she took the bait, he launched an attack, his knight forking her rook and queen.
"Ah, that was clever," she said with a nervous laugh, trying to lighten the mood, but her words barely registered.
The game spiraled quickly after that. Four's moves were precise, each one pushing her into an increasingly tight corner. His rooks swept across the board, dominating the open files. His queen was like a predator, hunting her pieces down mercilessly.
In a final blow, his knight delivered a check, forcing her king to the edge of the board. Within three moves, he executed a textbook mate, trapping her king with his rook and queen.
"Checkmate," he said flatly, his voice devoid of any triumph.