CHAPTER 419: CHAPTER 419 COUPLE GAMES (2)

Karl hurried after her, still pouting. "But Wife, it’s fate! Look at us—we’re sitting together, eating together, laughing together—"

"—and now leaving together," Ruby cut in, not slowing down.

Karl groaned, but the sparkle in his eyes refused to fade. "One day, wife, you’ll regret not letting me win free gifts."

Ruby shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips as she kept walking.

Ruby had already turned toward the door, but Karl didn’t let her leave. With a mischievous grin, he caught her wrist. "Wife, come on! Don’t ruin this chance for us!"

Ruby arched a brow at the word but didn’t correct him. Instead, she gave him a long sigh. "You’re impossible."

Karl tugged her toward the crowd. "Impossible—but lucky! Tonight, we win!"

They joined the cluster of couples near the stage. The announcer, a cheerful ghost in a blue robe, clapped his hands together and boomed into the microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s Couples’ Challenge! To honor our hotel owner’s anniversary, we’ll be playing a few lighthearted games for our lovely guests! And the winners will receive this—"

He gestured dramatically to a glittering gold box placed on a pedestal. "—a mystery gift box! Who knows what treasure lies within? Could be chocolates, could be a diamond necklace... or maybe even matching robes!"

The crowd laughed. Couples exchanged eager whispers, some elbowing each other in excitement.

Karl’s eyes practically glowed. "Wife, robes or diamonds, I don’t care. It’s ours."

Ruby gave him a flat look. "For all you know, it’s a fruit basket."

"Then it’ll be the tastiest fruit we’ve ever had," Karl said proudly, puffing out his chest.

The host raised his microphone again. "Now, before we begin, let’s hear from our brave participants! Couples, please tell us your names!"

One by one, pairs introduced themselves. "Maria and Ben!" one woman called. "Sophia and Daniel!" shouted another. A few couples waved dramatically, some even hugging for show.

Then it was Ruby and Karl’s turn.

"And..." the host leaned forward expectantly.

Karl grinned and wrapped an arm around Ruby. "Karl and My wife, Ruby!"

The audience clapped and whistled at his enthusiasm. Ruby pinched his side, muttering under her breath, "You’re enjoying this too much."

Karl whispered back, "Shh, wife, the crowd loves us."

The first game began—the Trust Walk. One partner blindfolded, the other guiding them through a zig-zag of chairs, cones, and flower vases.

"Blindfold the wife!" Karl shouted eagerly.

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "No. Blindfold him."

The crowd chuckled, and the host grinned. "Alright then, let’s blindfold the husband."

Karl blinked. "Wait—what?!"

Before he could argue, Ruby had already tied the blindfold tightly over his eyes. "There. Now, don’t whine."

The whistle blew, and Ruby began guiding him. "Step left. Careful, not too big. Now right—Karl, right, not left!"

Karl stumbled straight into a chair. "Wife! You said left!"

"I said right!" Ruby snapped.

The crowd laughed as Karl bumped into a cone and nearly knocked over a vase. Ruby dragged him by the arm like a mother with a stubborn child. "Keep your feet straight. No, straight! That’s diagonal!"

By the time they reached the finish line, Karl was sweating and Ruby was sighing.

The host chuckled into the mic. "A little bumpy, but they made it through! Let’s give them a hand for surviving the obstacle course!"

The audience clapped. Karl yanked off the blindfold and grinned proudly, despite the mess. "See? My wife carried me through danger! True love!"

Ruby pinched the bridge of her nose but couldn’t hide the faint curve of her lips.

The next challenge was announced: the Balloon Balance. A balloon was handed to them, and the couples had to hold it between their foreheads while moving to music for one minute.

Karl pressed the balloon against Ruby’s forehead with a smirk. "Wife, this is destiny. We’ll win."

Ruby folded her arms. "If you pop it, you’re walking back to the room alone."

The music began—something upbeat and silly. Couples shuffled, swayed, and stumbled. One balloon popped instantly, making the audience roar with laughter. Another couple tripped, crashing into a table.

Ruby and Karl started steady, but then Karl decided to "dance." He swayed exaggeratedly side to side, leaned too close, and whispered, "Careful, wife, you might fall for me."

Ruby shoved him lightly. "Focus!"

The balloon wobbled dangerously. Karl panicked and pressed his forehead too hard, squishing it. "Wife! It’s alive!"

Ruby groaned. "It’s just a balloon."

Somehow, by sheer stubbornness, they managed to keep it intact until the buzzer rang.

The host raised his arm. "And against all odds—Karl and Ruby made it through!"

Karl threw his hands up in victory. "See? I told you! My wife and I are unstoppable!"

The crowd laughed and cheered.

Finally, the host lifted the golden box and handed it to Ruby. "Congratulations! Tonight’s winners are Karl and Ruby. Here is your mystery prize."

Karl grabbed it from Ruby and hugged it like a sacred treasure. "Wife, destiny has blessed us!"

Ruby shook her head. "You’re celebrating like it’s gold bars. Open it already."

The crowd leaned in as Karl slowly lifted the lid. Inside was a stack of carefully wrapped goodies—two spa vouchers, a pair of silk robes, and a little envelope marked Secret Gift.

The audience clapped, and the host announced, "Our mystery gift includes a spa day for two, luxury robes, and one special surprise revealed at check-out!"

Karl’s jaw dropped. "Wife. We’ve won robes. We’re practically royalty now."

Ruby sighed, but there was amusement glinting in her eyes. "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Karl grinned, slipping one arm around her. "No, no. We’re a royal couple. Long live the king and queen."

Ruby laughed despite herself, the sound swallowed by the applause around them.

Ruby blinked in surprise.. She knew the stitching, the delicate embroidered logo on the sleeve, the exact cut of the fabric. Her lips parted. Wait a second...

"These are..." she muttered under her breath, recognizing them instantly. "...from my own brand."

But before she could say anything more, Karl was holding one up to his chest like a child showing off a superhero cape. "Wife! Look at this! It’s perfect! Soft, shiny, and luxurious—just like us!"

To be continued... 🪄