The roulette wheel spun in front of him, the colors of the chips glowing under the bright lights of the casino, but Aiden knew that the real game was about to begin. He had to be careful, maintain his composure, and above all, understand that this woman, seemingly casual in her posture, possessed a mind as sharp as his own.
"So," Aiden said, breaking the silence between them. His voice was soft, but filled with confidence. "What's your game, miss?"
She turned her head slightly to look at him, her smile widening almost imperceptibly. Her blue eyes sparkled under the golden light of the lamps above. "I'd say it's more a matter of strategy than luck, but you seem to know that already, don't you?"
He smiled back, watching the way she watched the roulette wheel spin. She was testing him, playing with him already, and he knew he couldn't let her trust get the better of him, even though he knew he was good. It was time to start playing his own game.
"I've never been a fan of relying on luck alone," Aiden replied, his fingers fiddling with the chips on the table. "But I do like a good challenge. So, what do we have here?"
"Roulette," she said, her chips already in place, ready to place her bet. "But who says we can't add an extra layer?"
Aiden watched her, sensing she was about to play something out of the ordinary. She wasn't just betting on the colors, the numbers. He could tell by the way her eyes sparkled that she was planning something more complex, deeper.
"I like the idea of an extra layer," Aiden replied with a calculating smile. "You're in charge, but know that I also like to create my own risks."
She didn't say anything else. She just spun the wheel again and placed her bet. Aiden's chip was slowly placed on the number 23, a number of great symbolic value to him, representing luck, risk, and the ability to take a chance at the right moment.
As the wheel spun, he felt the woman's eyes watching him. He could tell she was trying to understand his patterns, trying to figure out how he played, what he planned to do next.
The wheel stopped, and the number 23 appeared. He had won. But Aiden was not fooled by his initial victory.
The blonde woman looked at him with a smile that was widening, but it was not a smile of defeat. She was enjoying the challenge. It only made things more interesting.
"Well played," she said, placing her chips back in the center of the table. "But that was just one round. Let's see what else you have."
Aiden felt his adrenaline rise. He needed to read the woman in front of him, read her intentions, and anticipate her moves.
He made a bigger bet this time, placing all his chips on a single number. The woman watched him silently, her gaze fixed but expressionless. She was watching, waiting, as if searching for any flaw in his behavior.
"If you think you can win with a single number, let's see how this plays out," she said, placing her own bet.
The wheel spun, and once again, the tension rose. The lights in the casino flickered as the players around them watched the situation unfold. Neither seemed willing to give in, and their strategy was becoming increasingly clear.
The wheel stopped, and the number was not what Aiden had expected. He had lost. But unlike what many might have done, he showed no frustration.
"Interesting," Aiden said with a casual smile. "You have a way of making it look easy, but I can see you're just starting to show your true colors."
The blonde woman simply tilted her head, maintaining her posture. "It's not about how it looks. It's about what's behind the actions."
Those words made Aiden pause for a moment. He had played with many people before, but this woman was not like the others. She was playing with perception, with psychology. She wanted to see how he would react, how he would adapt to her pressure.
"You're good at what you do," Aiden said, more to himself than to her.
She smiled slightly, a smile that held more challenge than pleasure. "What about you? Are you just starting to understand?"
The next round began. He needed more than just his own calculations. He needed to start playing the woman on a deeper level. Something told him she was more interested in testing him psychologically than in actually winning.
He bet a high number this time, watching her reaction. She bet the same, but oddly enough, picked a completely different number. He was about to make his move, but then an idea flashed through his mind.
"You like to play the risk, don't you?" he asked, as the wheel spun again. "But the risk isn't just for the gambler. Sometimes the risk is in how you fool others into thinking you're taking a risk."
The woman looked at him with a puzzled expression. "And you think you can fool me?"
The wheel stopped, and the number wasn't what he expected. But he wasn't fazed. He knew he'd made the right move. He had bet on number 23 again, but the way he had spoken to her had made her hesitate. He didn't need to win every time, but he knew how to create a reaction in her. It was a psychological victory.
She said nothing. She just adjusted her chips and continued to play.
The roulette wheel spun again, the ball bouncing from side to side as the chips danced across the table. Aiden, arms crossed and an enigmatic smile, watched the woman in front of him.
Aiden leaned forward slightly, his voice soft but full of confidence. "I happen to be Aiden... Aiden Baskerville," he said, watching her reaction.
The blonde woman who until then had seemed focused on the roulette wheel, looked up at him. Her blue eyes sparkled for a second, as if she were weighing the weight of the name. It was clear that she knew who he was. The surname "Baskerville" was not unknown to many, especially in the circle of influential and powerful people.
"Ah," she said, her voice now softer, "I'm Ashley Astley... nice to meet you, Mr. Baskerville."
Aiden wasn't easily impressed, but there was something about the name that caught his attention. Astley. A household name, with roots in high-end business and a lineage of exceptional players in the world of casinos and gambling. It explained a lot about her skill.
"Nice to meet you, Ashley," Aiden replied, his smile growing slightly wider. "I guess that makes the competition even more interesting, don't you think?"
Ashley tilted her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "I'd say so. The name Baskerville isn't exactly unknown, but as any experienced gambler knows, the game isn't decided by names, it's decided by the hands you play."
Aiden chuckled softly. "No doubt. But as you probably know, there's more to a gambler's mind than just the chips on the table."
Ashley glanced back at the roulette wheel, her gaze now more calculating. She made a moderate bet this time, unlike the bold moves she had made before. Aiden watched her move, his mind spinning as he tried to figure out the strategy behind her action. He was starting to understand her way of playing, but there were still many layers to unravel.
"You seem to be good at reading people," Aiden commented, placing his bet as well. "That's something I've learned to do over time."
Ashley smiled, a barely noticeable smile, and looked at him for a brief moment. "I'd say I'm good at observing, that's all. Reading people is an art, and like any art, it requires patience."
The roulette wheel spun, and both of their chips began to glow as the colors shimmered under the light. The roulette ball spun slower and slower, and the anticipation in the air grew.
"So, Ashley," Aiden said, relaxing a little as he watched the roulette wheel, "how do you feel when luck isn't on your side?"
She looked at him with a wider smile, now completely at ease despite the tension in the air. "Luck isn't about feeling good or bad, Aiden. It's unpredictable. What matters is knowing when to keep going and when to stop."
The wheel stopped spinning, and the number drawn wasn't the one Aiden or Ashley had bet on. However, they both remained calm.
"Interesting," Aiden commented with a smile. "With each spin, you teach me more about how to read the game."
Ashley didn't answer right away, but her gaze softened, as if she'd found something interesting in Aiden as well. "I'd say you're a much more experienced player than you let on. However, even the most experienced can get distracted."
She made a bigger bet this time, placing a good amount of chips on one number. Aiden watched closely. He knew Ashley was trying to test him, forcing him to play more aggressively.
"Well, if it's a test you want, let's see how I do under pressure," Aiden said, increasing his own bet. He was adapting to her style, starting to get the hang of the game.
The wheel spun again, and the silence at the table was absolute, except for the sound of the ball hitting the wheel. The tension grew as the ball spun slower and slower, about to drop. Aiden could feel Ashley's concentration beside him, her mind working on rapid calculations.
When the ball finally stopped, the number drawn was one that neither of them had bet on. But unlike other players, who might have been frustrated or disappointed, the two just exchanged knowing looks. It was part of the game. A simple deviation. Nothing that would knock them down.
"Well, it seems the winds are not in our favor today," Aiden said, smiling carelessly.
Ashley laughed softly, adjusting her posture. "Luck is just playing with us. But there is something to learn from every defeat."
"Absolutely," Aiden replied. "It's the next round that defines everything."
And that was how the mood at the table began to change. Aiden and Ashley's game was no longer just about bets and numbers.
"So," Aiden said, leaning a little closer to the table, "what do you think of a more interesting challenge? Let's put the roulette aside for a moment."
Ashley looked at him curiously, but without losing her composure. "Challenge? I'm listening."
"Poker," Aiden suggested with a teasing smile. "The game of those who really know each other. What do you think?"
Ashley studied him for a moment, as if pondering the proposal. Finally, she responded with a more enigmatic smile. "You don't want a simple game, do you? It sounds like you want something more... challenging."
"You know me well, Ashley," Aiden replied, his eyes shining. "But in the end, every game has a winner. The only question is who it will be."
They exchanged a knowing look.