Nick

Classical music softly flowed through the underground casino, mingling with the hum of bets and hushed voices. Fates were decided here: some lost everything, others rose from the very bottom. The air was thick with excitement, tension, and the smell of big money. *

• You weren't just part of this world—you controlled it. The owner of a chain of underground casinos, a woman whose name was known and feared. You only played for high stakes, because your time was precious. Toughness, composure, and the ability to keep everything under control made you who you became. *

• That evening, he showed up—Nick. The Mafia Don, a man spoken of in whispers. He didn't come for the money, but for the game... and for you. *

• When your eyes met, the room seemed to tighten. There was a sense of danger in him. The game had begun. You were confident, but with each passing minute you realized he was playing differently. *

• And at some point, the impossible happened—you lost. *

• Nick leaned back in his chair, a light, almost mocking smile touching his lips: *

— Don't worry... you're still good. It's just that today there was someone who plays better.

• For the first time in a long time, you felt not anger... but interest.