"So what now?"
With a disappointed expression on her face, Veda asked her friend who was sitting across her at the table. "As we discussed, the only option we got is to get closer to Lucius Ford and gain his protection" Aria stated. Sipping the coffee as her friend furrowed her brows.
"I for real do not require a man's shielding. How weak it is to ask for shield from a man while I can on my own clearly" Under her breath, Veda grumbled. Showing off her self-sufficient side as Marianne walked out of kitchen with some snacks on the plate in her hand.
"No. That Edward Gable is a fool. He is a psychopath who could break into the house right now, capture you, lock you up, burn your skin, cut off your body parts and torture you till the death" Pointing out the possibilities, Aria sounded like the one threatening her friend.
Causing Marianne to frown in displeasement. But she did not say anything and walked away from the table. Sitting on the couch to watch some drama in living room since she wanted the two young women to have a private discussion. "I can defend myself" Veda declared.
Refusing to drop her independent side. It made Aria let out a sigh of exhaustion. "I know you can. But my mother can't. Also I may only know to throw some fists and strangle someone unlike you who can murder people with bare hands" She stated in a serious tone.
Finally hushing down Veda.
Right. She could not think for herself only. At the moment, she had dragged her friend and Marianne into this whole mess without realizing. She had to consider for them as well. "Then how do we find Lucius Ford? You claimed no one has seen him"
In the end, Veda gave in hopelessly. Bringing a smile up onto Aria'a face. "Don't worry. I spent two thousand dollars just to assure if Lucius Ford actually pays visit to 'Gem' casino" Proudly, Aria announced with a grin tugged at her lips. Shocking Veda wholly so that her eyes widened.
"Fuck did you just say?!" The young woman's voice rose. Surprising Marianne who was in the living room. "Lower your fucking tone! My mom will kill me once she finds out I wasted that much!" Through gritted teeth, Aria alerted her friend. "Why the fuck did you pay for it?!"
Veda queried in irritation. But lowering her voice since she did not want to cause any problems between the mother and daughter. A sheepish beam flashed across Aria's face. "Well, I am willing to do anything for you even if I have to lose some amount of money"
She declared. Completely disappointing the young woman. "You are a fucking fool. How much do you want back?" Veda asked. Ready to pay up for the information. However, it irritated Aria. "Do you think I am a broke ass bitch? It is not that much if I can gain news"
She stated.
Revealing she could use as much as needed if the information was waiting ahead. A sigh escaped between Veda's lips as exhaustion. "Let's go to there tonight. I want to end this shit already. I would be glad if that Lucius Ford agrees to murder that Edward Gable even"
Under her breath, the young woman expressed the desire to kill the man. "I haven't said Lucius Ford actually goes there or not. How are you sure of it?" In awareness, Aria asked in curiosity. Furrowing her brows slightly as her friend smiled as if she already read through the mind.
"Aria Scarlet is not the type to explain patiently and would even brag how much she spent if it did not please her. So you obviously got the information you required only. He goes there once a month, right?" Veda's right brow rose. Arm crossing while tilting her head a bit.
The response from the young woman made Aria let out a satisfied chuckle. Her friend truly knew her really well more than others. "You hit the right spot! Turns out the owner of the 'Gem' casino is one of mafia leaders who asked for help from Lucius Ford once before"
Aria detailed the news she bought. "And as for the price, the owner let Lucius Ford visits the casino for free once a month? Is it what you are trying to say?" Guessing the next words, the young woman raised her right brow. Earning a nod back from her friend as affirmation.
"Then let's get going"
Grabbing her phone from the table, Veda stood up from the seat. Followed by her friend who had a grin up on her face. "Oh by the way.." Out of the blue, Aria voiced before heading into the room. They two ceased from entering their rooms. "What's wrong?" Veda frowned.
Turning around to look at her friend. Their rooms were located across each other in the house. "About the incident last night, Carlos Dahl handled everything. He shut the witnesses' mouth with cash and made it seem like the worker fell. There's nothing to worry about it"
Aria informed. It was the moment a smile flashed across the young woman's face. Causing her friend to narrow her eyes in suspicion. "I am certain you can see how bad he is falling for you so that he protected you without even knowing the truth behind the incident last night"
She stated. Rolling her eyes in annoyance in view of the fact that she had not yet forgiven the man for what he did. A chuckle escaped between Veda's lips. "It is sorrowful that I am not interested in relationships yet" She shrugged. Making her friend giggled this time.
"Lowkey feel bad for him, not gonna lie" Under her breath, Aria admitted. Shaking her head slightly in pity. "Enough with feeling bad for him. Send the amount back he spent on zipping witnesses mouth. I don't want to owe him" Before stepping into the room, Veda reminded.
"Got it!"
And so the two best friends headed out to 'Gem' casino that night after making sure Marianne was safe and sound alone by herself in the house. "Wait, how do we know if once a month is today or not?" All of sudden, realization hit the young woman who was already in the car.
Her brows wrinkled in disbelief. However, a smile tugged at Aria's lips. Hushing down the young woman. So once a month was today. Based on that gratified beam across her friend's face, Veda could know they were not a step late at all. Her friend truly was fast.
"I did not give away my money for nothing. Of course, I asked the day he would appear based on conjecture" Along with a wink, Aria shrugged. Feeling proud of herself openly. It made Veda chuckle in amusement. "Did you also get that leaked photo of Lucius Ford then?"
She added up a question. It was the moment silence covered the car. "Don't be ashamed to confess. I know it is hard to get that" Guessing the atmosphere, Veda patted her friend's shoulder. "Well, true though. But I still managed to know he plays there with someone's else identity"
Not lowering the pride, Aria continued to show off how much information she gained. "And?" Tilting her head, Veda revealed the curiosity obvious enough for her friend to chuckle in amusement. "Liam. He goes around with that name in the 'Gem' casino"
Aria informed at last.
"I will just make up a plan to discover him through the crowd" Veda mumbled to herself. Knowing damn well the location she was heading to would be filled up with rich people. She needed a scheme to get through them. How should she do though? There were many plots.
But the real question was which could attract his attention the most? "Don't stress out yourself, Veda. I am going to be by your side and help you through out the night" Noticing the silence from her friend, Aria encouraged from the side. It brought a smile onto Veda's face.
"Mhmm" Spending a few minutes on the road, the two best friends reached to the place finally. They promptly parked the car and went into casino with VIP cards. It turned out Aria even asked for help about the cards from informer. She did not pay for nothing in fact.
"You really do know how to spend money" With a spark of admiration, Veda praised her friend. Causing Aria to clear her throat with a grin. She restrained the urge to bring up much more on how she was capable of everything almost. "Because I am Aria Scarlet"
She proudly boasted. Filling the atmosphere around with laughter from the young woman. "Don't forget the plan though" Veda alerted. "I know. You just focus on your main goal for tonight" Returning the same energy, Aria retorted with a serious expression.
"Got it, Ma'am" Veda responded. That night, Aria wore a long strapped grey colored dress with white fur scarf. Meanwhile, Veda chose to wear a sky blue colored tube short glittery dress with long gloves. They tried their best to appear as gamblers from rich households.
And the plot started.