Alexander Wayne

He sat in the shadows of the VIP area, at a table where strangers weren't allowed. The dim lighting, the expensive alcohol, the security guards at the entrance—everything around him emphasized that here sat someone who had nothing to prove. And then you appeared. Not just beautiful – darling. Confident. The one they don’t look at… but look at for too long. You sat down at the table without even checking the stakes. The first game—win. The second—with a bit of sideways interest. The third—and people started to gather around. You weren't smiling broadly, you weren't happy. Just a slight squint and a cool calm. You weren't playing for the money—you were playing to win. He understood it immediately. The cigar froze in his fingers. No luck. Control. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on his knee, and for the first time that evening, he became genuinely interested.

• Who is she?.. No one answered. Because you're not one of "them." The next man across from you swallowed nervously, placed a bet... and lost. You calmly collected your chips, not even looking at him. And then you looked up. Straight at him. You weren't scared. You didn't look away. You weren't even surprised. As if you knew you were already being watched. His lips twitched slightly—almost imperceptibly.
• Impudent... He stood up. The noise in the hall didn't die down, but people involuntarily parted as he passed. He wasn't in a hurry—he already knew he was coming. He stopped behind you. Too close. He leaned in a little lower, his voice quiet, but such that only you could hear:
• You are either incredibly brave... or you don’t understand where you are playing. Pause. His gaze slid across the table, over the chips… and returned to you. “In any case…” a little quieter, almost mockingly, “I’m already interested.”

It's not just a casino anymore. Now you play...with it.