Chapter 4: The Card Game
Charlie Cooper found himself in a gambling joint, surrounded by a group of friends. They were all dressed in a manner that revealed their financial status.
"You're about to make a fatal mistake with your next move," said a man with a deep voice, who stood out from the rest due to his size. He had a scar just below his left eye, and there were many stories circulating about it. Most people believed he got it during a fight with the city's biggest gangster, where he left the gangster with broken legs but only received a scar in return. Some speculated that the scar was the result of the intense fight against the gang. While his legal name was Silver Jones, everyone knew him as The Bull. Eventually, his legal name was forgotten, and he was known only as Bull among his friends.
"I'm down to my last card, Bull. Watch out, the game is about to end," replied another man, who appeared smaller compared to the rest. Santiago Votego, though small in stature, was considered the smartest among them. He was the brains of the group and often brought in the most money during their games. His triangular jawline and impeccable mustache gave him a wise and dashing look.
"It seems like I'm going to lose another game," finally spoke Charlie, who had been silent throughout the game. He was at the point where he could option out of the game, but he remained due to his pride. He had two choices: either forfeit the game, take his money, and leave, which would only make his friends angry, or continue the game, accept defeat, and lose his money.
The second option seemed appealing to him since it kept his pride intact, and he didn't mind losing a few dollars. However, the recent losses at his club made him realize that he was foolish not to accept the lady who offered five million dollars to spend the night with a top card. His pride would have been hurt, but he would have gained five million dollars in return.
He thought to himself that Dexter always appeared wiser in such matters. Dexter had taken the money meant for him, and worse, he had no clue who the lady was.
"Game over," Santiago declared as he drew his last card and collected all the money to his side.
"Nice game, guys," he said, about to leave but was stopped by the last player, Drake Johnson.
"You've forgotten the rules so quickly. No one leaves the table until everyone decides to end the game," Drake said, not wanting to accept defeat so soon.
"You always say this every time we play, and yet you lose every game. Even if we continue playing, one of us will win, but you will lose," Bull said, wanting to end the game.
"Let's play again. If Drake wants to continue, no problem. But as the other rule states, an additional amount must be added before we start the game," Santiago suggested, counting out ten dollars and placing it on the table.
"Here we go again. You guys can continue; I'm done," Bull said, walking away.
"I guess you're out of money, Bull," Charles mocked, placing ten dollars on the table.
"I have no shame in that, Charlie. At least, I accepted the fact that I had no more money to play. Someone like you would rather play until he's bankrupt than swallow his pride," Bull replied and walked away.
"Listen to me, Bull! I admit that I have pride but I'll never go bankrupt, you hear me! Not now or ever!" Charles yelled.
"Charlie, cool down. Don't take what he said to heart. And why didn't you invite Dexter? He would have made the game more interesting," Santiago said, trying to calm Charlie.
"I did invite him, but as usual, he turned it down. He prefers locking himself in a room with his laptop rather than socializing with friends like us. You know how much of a workaholic he is, but sometimes he can be crazy," Charlie replied, making the first move in the game as it began.
"Yeah, about that. Tracy, the receptionist, told me that a lady came offering five million, and Dexter took the lady along with the money. Is it true?" Drake asked.
"It's true, unfortunately. The workaholic snatched my money away. She was apparently looking for the top card of the guild, but I lost interest in her and turned down her offer. I was expecting the receptionist to introduce her to someone else, but Dexter came and took my place," Charlie explained.
"He only chooses the best, and I guess the lady you rejected must have been someone extraordinary to attract him," Santiago said, drawing another card.
"She was, and unfortunately, I had deleted her picture out of ignorance. I didn't even take a look at her face, so I have no idea how to find her. Dexter refuses to tell me anything, but I'm sure he knows something about her," Charlie replied.
"Too bad. Better luck next time. By the way, I'm about to win the game," Drake announced, winning the game and taking all the money, leaving his friends in disbelief. It was the first time he had won the game.
"You cheated, Drake! I don't know how, but you definitely cheated," Santiago yelled in disbelief.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. Whether you believe it or not, I won the game, and all the money is now mine," Drake said, leaving with the money.
Jessica entered Diego's office and looked around. She sat on a chair and started searching through the drawer for something. However, her search was interrupted when the door opened. Quickly, she swayed the chair to the opposite side, hiding herself from view.
"Oh, sir, I was here in the morning. Do you really want another round?" Bianca's voice was heard entering the room.
"Such a beautiful soul like you can't be resisted for long," Diego's voice trailed in as he placed his hand on her slender waist, attempting to kiss her. He closed the door behind him, oblivious to someone's presence in his office.
Jessica silently listened to their voices, shocked to discover that Diego was having an affair with another woman.
"Come closer. The fragrance of your body entices me, and all I want is to have a taste of you," he said, moving her to the table and passionately kissing her.
At that point, Jessica couldn't bear to listen any further. She turned the chair to face the other side. Suddenly, Diego noticed Jessica's presence and stepped away from Bianca. Bianca, also confused and shocked, realized who was standing before them. She remembered seeing a picture of Diego's wife in a magazine. Realizing the situation, she gestured to leave the two alone and quietly closed the door, not wanting to interfere.
As the door shut behind them, Diego asked, "What are you doing in my office, and how long have you been there?"
"Not long, really, but long enough to know what a cheap man you are. First, you cheated on me with Becky, and now with your personal assistant. How many other women are you having affairs with?" Jessica confronted him.
"As far as I know, you shouldn't have a problem with it.
You needed some space, and I gave it to you. Now, do me a favor and leave my office," Diego retorted.
"I was about to leave already, but before that, I need you to sign this," Jessica said, bringing out some documents and handing them to him.
Diego appeared shocked as he stared at the documents. "This must be a joke. Since when do you tell jokes, Jessy?" he said, throwing the papers on the table.
"First of all, I prefer to be called Miss Otiego or Jessica. You think you're smart, can't you figure out what those papers are and realize I'm not joking? Just sign them so that I can go," she replied.
He remained silent for a while, wondering what had led her to make such a decision. Eventually, he signed the papers and handed them back to her. "You can now leave," he said.
She picked up the papers and walked towards the door. "See you in court, Mr. Maurice."
Dexter was in a board meeting with some investors. "You see, Mr. Will, if you work with us, any revenue generated will be shared equally," Dexter explained.
"But considering that the project to be worked on is mine, and I will be providing most of the resources, I believe I deserve a seventy percent share," Mr. Will countered.
"That wouldn't be fair," Dexter replied.
"What's not fair, Mr. Tylan? I will be doing most of the work, so I deserve a larger share of the profit. Either you accept or drop the contract," Mr. Will insisted.
"I guess we have a deal then," Dexter agreed, shaking hands with the investors before leaving the meeting. His charming appearance caught the attention of many of his employees as he walked by, dressed in a custom-made suit that accentuated his well-defined abs.
"Excuse me, sir, please wait," Jenna John, his secretary, dressed in a tight-fitted blue suit, walked towards him.
"Is there any problem, Miss John?" Dexter asked, as his secretary stopped him from leaving.
"No problem, sir. I just wanted to inform you that the meeting with Singh's company is scheduled to take place next week in Milan," Jenna said, walking beside Dexter.
"Okay, then. While I'm away, you handle everything here. Postpone my other meetings until next month," Dexter instructed, finally putting on his black shades and walking away.
Jenna lost herself in admiration for Dexter, secretly wishing to get closer to him. Like many other female staff members, she had a crush on him, but he had never paid much attention to her despite working together for years.
"What's wrong, baby? You haven't said anything since you came," Becky asked, concerned about Diego's sudden change of mood.
"I'm just thinking about something," Diego replied, avoiding her gaze.
"What exactly are you thinking about? You've been ignoring me lately," Becky pressed.
"I've been thinking about Jessica. She has been on my mind since that day she came to my office," Diego confessed.
"What did she say or do that makes you think about her? I should be the only one on your mind," Becky said, her excitement evident.
"She came to my office with divorce papers and demanded that I sign them. Unfortunately, she found out about our affair," Diego explained.
"That's great! Have you signed them?" Becky exclaimed, excitedly.
"Yes, I have, but now I regret it. I shouldn't have agreed to her demands so quickly," Diego admitted.
"And why is that? Divorce her, and you won't have to worry about her anymore. Don't tell me you actually love her," Becky questioned.
"Not at all. I only love you
and no one else," Diego assured her, pecking her on the cheek.
"It's just that divorcing her right now would result in a financial loss for me. Technically, she's the one who earns the most money and owns our house. If we divorce, I would lose fifty percent shares in her business and would also have to pay alimony, which I can't afford," he confessed.
"It's not too late yet. Although you've already signed the divorce papers, you can still refuse to pay alimony. I'll call my lawyer tomorrow and explain what needs to be done," Becky suggested.
"Thanks, babe. I love you so much," Diego said, kissing her.
"I love you too, but in the future, please tell me before signing any documents or making decisions," Becky requested.
"As you say," Diego agreed, attempting to kiss her passionately.
"Stop first. I still need to ask you something," she gently pushed him away.
"What else do you want to know?" Diego inquired.
"What's the nature of your relationship with your personal assistant? Lately, I've noticed how you both look at each other, and she frequently comes to your office. I still don't understand why you hired her when she wasn't qualified. Why make her your assistant? A cleaner's job would have been sufficient," Becky expressed her concerns.
"I simply had pity on her. She needed a job badly to take care of her sick mother, and I gave her one. I already have a cleaner, and there were no other suitable positions available," Diego explained.
"You're such a kind person, but please be careful around her," Becky warned.
"Don't worry too much; I'll do as you say. Now, come closer; let me enjoy your fragrance," Diego tried to pull her closer, but she resisted.
"Maybe another day, darling. I have to leave for an important task. Lately, I haven't had time for my restaurant. Let me check on it today," she replied, grabbing her bag from the chair and leaving.
"All women tend to be the same. Always working, forgetting that females aren't meant to work from the beginning," Diego muttered in anger as he left the room.
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