Even though he had just been turned down by the woman he had been looking for since that night, Cameron returned to his guests as the party continued and entertained them with meaningful conversations.
As it becomes late in the evening, he leaves it up to his personnel to put things in order and end the party as necessary. He then secretly proceeded to a far more private area of his mansion.
In contrast to the area for the guests' white and gold decor, the walls in the secluded hallways were adorned in black and silver where only a few men and women were wandering through the barren hallways and having limited conversations.
A card room, a roulette room, and an auction room were the three special rooms that were close to one another. All were concealed in the mansion's quietest area, with six security manning the only entryway.
First, Cameron went to the roulette area where he observed the players—mostly the lucky ones—enjoying themselves. He was told by one of the croupiers that Johnny had won $2,100 in the first three games with just a $60 bet.
Cameron goes to the auction room after his visit to the roulette room, where there is a live auction. Finally, he made his way to the poker room to watch Johnny play.
Without even knowing that Johnny was the son of casino proprietors, Cameron found his gambling skills to be astounding.
From a skill perspective, Johnny is extremely good in Math. He knows what his odds are and what percentage he has to win the game. He's like a walking calculator.
He also knows how to read people, looking at somebody, seeing their mannerisms, and also getting inside their heads.
Keeping a straight face while silently watching the other players he was up against, Johnny was calmly seated in front of the poker table when Cameron checked in with him.
He received a pat on the right shoulder from Cameron, who then muttered, "How much?"
Before responding, Johnny tilted his head slightly to look where Cameron was. "$2,500."
He then checks his card, which shows an eight of spades and an eight of hearts. Three cards were dealt: a ten of spades, a king and queen of hearts.
One of the players called in a thousand dollars, and Johnny joined him. A seven of clover was revealed after that.
"Check."
The six of diamonds was dealt as the final card.
A nine of clovers and three hearts were disclosed by one player, while seven diamonds and nine spades were revealed by the other.
Everyone in the room erupted in cheers as soon as Johnny revealed his card and was declared the $6,500 prize winner.
Cameron was so overjoyed and ecstatic that he even gave Johnny a proud hug and a pat on the back.
"I knew it! You are a genius; a master."
"Thank you, sir." Johnny smiled at him.
"Take everything you have won."
Johnny was taken aback from what he heard. "I'm sorry, but why?"
He frequently gambled to win big money for Cameron, and he usually only gave Johnny a good tip for his diligence.
"Consider it a present from me. Johnny, you are a devoted person. And you're the best gambler I've ever hired," Cameron said.
Before leaving Johnny to greet other visitors, Cameron gave him one last pat on the back.
The fact that Johnny now has the money to support him and his younger sister in covering their living expenses made him happy. His hardwork has finally paid off.
Johnny had the decision to call his sister, who was already at home at that point, as he left the poker room.
"Hello, brother?"
"Hey. Are you already sleeping?"
"I was just about to go to bed, why?"
"I wanted to tell you that I won the jackpot tonight," Johnny replied. "$6,500 in total."
"What? Are you serious?" He can hear his sister's voice, which is filled with joy and tears.
"Yes. Don't worry too much about the rest of the loans and unpaid bills, I will handle it."
On the other end of the line, his sister was sobbing uncontrollably the entire time.
"I'm so proud of you, brother. I know it's hard for you to act as a parent for both of us, and yet you're still doing it…"
"As long as we're together, we'll stay strong. I love you so much," he replied, on the verge of tears himself.
"I love you too. Please go home safely."
"I will."
Johnny intended to say goodbye to Eva at the party before leaving the mansion to go home, but instead he ran across Daniel, who was also leaving the party hall.
As soon as they came to a stop in front of one another, they exchanged glances. The encounter between them was a little uneasy.
"Hey," Johnny greeted Daniel, although making an odd attempt to turn his head away from him.
"Hi." Daniel gave him a curious look before attempting to speak once more. "Are you heading home now?"
Johnny glanced at him again. "Yeah. You?"
"Hospital shift."
"I don't see Barron with you now," Johnny wondered.
"Yeah. We minded our own businesses in this party," Daniel muttered as he reached inside his pockets.
Johnny nodded as a response with a small lip pout, trying to avoid looking him in the eyes. No matter how you look at it, he is incredibly uncomfortable while meeting him after the earlier confrontation.
Daniel saw how hesitant Johnny was around him and made the first move by giving him a pat on the back.
"I can give you a ride home before going to work," Daniel offered him. "What do you say?"
"Well, I have a service ride…"
Johnny was considering the ride he took to the party earlier, but who cares about that when you get to catch up with one of your best friends?
"Okay," Johnny added as Daniel laughed because of his friend's confusing reactions. Following that, the two left the mansion and headed to Daniel's car.
Back at the house bar, a drunk Edward was in the midst of recounting a story from his past life to a sober Alex and a somehow inebriated Mara.
"You know what, tonight must be the night we are all destined to finally see each other again," Edward said. "Just like what was written from that letter."
"What letter?" Alex inquired with curiosity.
"Alphabet letters?" Deadpan, Mara questioned Edward. Following that, they both began making fun of one another.
"That is a good joke, my friend!" Edward exclaimed.
Alex couldn't help but sigh as he watched the two drunkards laughing and enjoying their pathetic, bad jokes in front of the bar counter.
Not until Edward's laughter turned into tears as he said, "I'm the worst person in the world."
"Hey, why are you saying that?" Mara made an effort to console him while Alex remained to observe them.
"That night, I should have prevented Eva from leaving. But, I did the worst and I couldn't forgive myself for destroying our friendship," Edward started sobbing. "I don't know if Alex will forgive me."
Alex suddenly grabbed and held his hand before persuading Edward to tell him the rest of the story he had been holding back. And his best friend came clean about everything, mostly with the said letter.
[Flashback] It was a genuine and heartfelt written letter addressed to her friends, with an ending saying, "...someday we'll meet again."
Eva carefully and quietly carried her luggage outside by exiting the backdoor which is next to the kitchen, in preparation to run away from home.
Just as she was going to close the door, she caught sight of Edward, who suddenly grabbed her arm and her eyes widened at him.
"Where are you going?"
His face and, in a whisper, his voice both clearly expressed confusion just before his attention shifted to the luggage that Eva was gripping onto.
Without words, Eva forcefully removed her hands from Edward's grasp, and they stared right into each other's eyes.
It was enough for him to understand what was going on before asking her, "Why would you think of doing this?"
Her eyes begin to well up with tears as she gently shakes her head whilst keeping her lips pursed as if to say no.
"Stop making the distance between us grow wider, Eva. We all made a promise to look over you so that you won't be lonely, but what are you doing?"
She was sobbing uncontrollably as she stared at Edward. She disliked what she was about to do, but there was no other way.
"I-I-I…" she sobbed. "I now have the courage to run off anywhere... to escape the dark skies where I cannot see anything anymore, and that's what I'm doing."
It was clear from hearing her pause between each word that she had been keeping everything inside since the loss of her parents.
"You have no idea, Edward, how much I wanted to give my breath for my dying parents," she continued. "Every time I stay still and close my eyes, I can see it clearly. It should have been me—"
Eva was rendered still when Edward grabbed her hand once more and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Reach out your hand to me. It doesn't matter if it was only filled with wounds," he begged her. "And if this is the only way to help you move on with life, I will come with you."
"No. I don't want you to leave them." She immediately broke their hug and looked at his face.
Edward was serious with his pursuit and said, "Even if you're the only one to leave, we won't ever be complete. So, let me come with you." [End of Flashback]