Theresia excitedly pulled out a stack of UNO cards from the drawer of the living room table. "Okay, let's play this! The last person to lose has to cook lunch," she said while skillfully shuffling the cards.
James immediately sat cross-legged on the floor confidently. "I'm sure I won't lose," he said casually.
Viona joined him, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't get too cocky, or you might end up getting hit with a draw-four continuously," she teased.
Steve took a seat in front of them, sitting calmly with a slight smile. "I haven't played UNO in a long time," he said, picking up several cards dealt by Theresia.
"You still can't use that as an excuse if you lose," Theresia chuckled.
The game began. At first, everyone played casually, discarding cards without much strategy. But as soon as James started getting close to winning, everything turned more competitive.
"UNO!" James shouted with a victorious smile when he had only one card left.
Theresia quickly dropped a reverse card. "Oh no, you won't win that easily," she said with a laugh.
Steve casually placed a +4 card down. "Sorry, but it looks like you need to draw four cards first," he said to James.
James gaped. "Seriously?! Wow, Steve is getting sneaky now!"
Meanwhile, Viona was just smiling with satisfaction. She still had several cards in her hand, but at least James wouldn't win easily.
The game went on fiercely, with several direction changes and penalty cards dealt ruthlessly. Finally, Theresia managed to get rid of all her cards first.
"YES! I win!" she exclaimed joyfully, raising her hands into the air.
James let out a long sigh. "It's okay, I didn't lose first," he said, relieved.
Steve smiled contentedly as he managed to discard his last card. "Finally," he murmured.
Now there were only two players left: Viona and James. They stared at each other with pressure-filled expressions, while Theresia and Steve watched enthusiastically.
"Who's going to cook lunch?" Theresia teased.
James excitedly placed his last card down. "UNO—and I win!" he shouted.
Viona looked at her cards resignedly. "Oh my god... I lost," she said with a sigh.
Theresia laughed triumphantly. "Congratulations, Viona! You're cooking lunch today," she said while patting her shoulder.
But before Viona could complain, Steve leaned back against the sofa and said casually, "I'll help."
Viona turned to him, slightly surprised. "Really?" she asked.
Steve nodded. "Why not? After all, I like to cook."
James, who initially felt guilty for making Viona lose, smiled with relief. "Wow, so we get a personal chef here," he teased.
Viona was still looking at Steve with an unreadable expression. Deep down, she didn't mind being alone in the kitchen with Steve. For some reason, every time it was just the two of them, there was a different feeling—something she couldn't express in words.
Theresia clapped her hands. "Okay, you two are cooking! We'll just wait for the delicious food!"
With that, Viona and Steve headed to the kitchen, ready to prepare lunch while sharing a moment that only they understood the meaning of.
Viona and Steve sat on the living room floor, looking at the cards still left in their hands.
"Seriously? We lost again?" Viona complained, pretending to sigh in disappointment.
Steve put on a fake sad face, looking at his cards in disbelief. "This must be a conspiracy," he said jokingly.
Across from them, James and Theresia cheered joyfully.
"YES! We won again!" James raised his hands in the air with a victorious expression. "Wow, I really am the UNO god!"
Theresia laughed too, patting her boyfriend's shoulder. "We make a great team!" she said enthusiastically.
Viona gave Steve a sideways glance with implied meaning, then returned to a gloomy expression. "Well, I guess... we're cooking again," she said, pretending to concede.
Steve nodded dramatically. "Fate really isn't on our side," he said as he stood, patting his knees as if very disappointed.
Yet, in their hearts, there was a feeling that was hard to explain—a hidden joy. The opportunity to be alone in the kitchen together felt like a gift, not a punishment.
James and Theresia were oblivious to what was on their minds. James just laughed contentedly while teasing them, "It's just your fate; you two really make a great kitchen team!"
Theresia nodded quickly. "Exactly! You guys really are solid when it comes to cooking. So please make something delicious!"
Viona and Steve pretended to complain as they walked toward the kitchen.
"It looks like we'll be the house chefs from now on," Viona murmured softly.
Steve chuckled. "That's fine... as long as my cooking partner is you."
Viona almost choked on those words but pretended to remain casual.
"Let's see who cooks better this time," she said while washing her hands at the sink, stealing glances at Steve, who was already starting to gather ingredients in the kitchen.
No matter how many times they lost, if the outcome was like this—they didn't mind at all.
James clapped his hands energetically. "Alright, since you've gotten the 'punishment' of cooking, we'll be in charge of buying snacks!" he said with a victorious face.
Theresia nodded in agreement, resting her head on James's shoulder. "Yeah, we might as well go on a date at the cafe first. So, cook with love, okay?" she teased with a mischievous smile directed at Viona.
Viona huffed slightly, pretending to be annoyed. "This isn't fair; why do we have to work while you guys have fun?"
Steve added, "Yeah, it's like we lost, but you two are the ones getting the prize."
James laughed heartily. "Well, this is part of our genius plan."
Theresia pulled on James's hand, getting ready to leave. "Alright then, we're off. Keep an eye on the house!" she said while waving before they finally left Viona and Steve in the kitchen.
Once the door closed, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
Viona and Steve exchanged glances for a moment and then smiled faintly.
"Finally, it's just us again," Steve murmured as he rolled up his sleeves, preparing to cook.
Viona nodded, turning on the stove. "Yeah... it feels really familiar, doesn't it?" she said, recalling the night in her house when they first cooked together.
Steve only smiled without saying anything, but in his heart, he realized that this togetherness always felt different—warm and irreplaceable.
In the car, James started the engine and glanced at Theresia before beginning to drive.
"Are you sure it's okay to leave those two alone?" he asked while turning the steering wheel out of the driveway.
Theresia laughed softly, resting her head against the window. "Why do you ask?"
James shrugged. "I don't know, just curious. They seem to be losing together too much lately."
Theresia looked at him with a teasing smile. "Well, they've been close since high school. Whether they lose or not, they're definitely comfortable with each other. Besides, if anything happens, it's not our business."
Inside the car, James played soft music as he drove casually. Theresia comfortably sat beside him, playing with her phone for a moment before turning to James with a mischievous smile.
"Did you realize that Viona and Steve always lose together?" she said while raising an eyebrow.
James chuckled softly. "Of course I noticed. I actually suspect they're doing it on purpose. How come they've been the only ones losing?"
Theresia nodded in agreement. "But it's fun; they always have a reason to be alone together."
James narrowed his eyes playfully. "You seem to be supporting them more than their own partners."
Theresia laughed. "Well, I just want to see them happy. Besides, I think relationships aren't about status but about the most honest feelings."
James nodded slowly. "I agree. After all, if they're happier together, who are we to stop them?"
Theresia smiled gently. "Yes. I've known Viona for a long time, and I know she's not someone who falls in love easily. But if she can be this relaxed with Steve, then there's something deeper between them than just familiarity."
James thought for a moment before adding, "And Steve... he seems to have his own way of protecting Viona, even if he never admits it."
Theresia laughed. "Just look at how he insisted on not going with Sharone and ended up drinking instead."
James laughed harder. "Oh my god, that was so obvious! He was jealous, but still pretending to be cool."
Theresia nodded in satisfaction. "That's why I said I don't care about their status right now. I just want them to find their happiness."
James smiled and extended his hand, gently holding Theresia's hand. "You really are wise about things like this."
Theresia chuckled softly, rubbing the back of James's hand with her thumb. "I just support what I feel is right."
James clapped his hands lightly. "Okay, now let's focus on the main objective. Cafe first or shopping straight away?"
Theresia pretended to think hard. "Hmm... Cafe first, then shopping. Otherwise, we'll end up with our eyes being bigger than our stomachs and buy too many snacks."
James shook his head while laughing. "Deal. Let's go, princess."
They drove off to the cafe, while at home, Viona and Steve remained immersed in their own world.