Too Broke For Afterlife

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I remember my last trip to a casino quite well. It was my best friend's 21st birthday and she took all the monetary gifts with her to score big.

That was the only time I had ever used a fake ID because my own birthday wasn't due until later that year and let me tell you, I was scared to death. 

The ID was made by a friend of a friend of a friend so naturally it didn't look very convincing. I might as well have shown him my dad's keycard, that one would have worked just as well as the cheap plastic and blurry text reading the name 'Mary Goround'. 

To this day I'm convinced that the security guard letting me through must have been either drunk or persuaded by my ass. But that is not a mystery I need clearance on.

Something like this definitely wouldn't have happened at the Ruby Dome. The soft lights, piano music and velvety red carpet are accompanied by men in tailored suits and ladies in shimmering evening gowns. I could bet that nobody here is walking around with less than a grand in their pockets. Except for me.

I did not plan on actually gambling. At first I didn't even want to come. But the curiosity of who is behind the invitation and why they chose this place made me cave in. 

Plus, if the message actually came from NeYonCity and the deal falls through because I didn't turn up, I could probably pack my things and find a new job. 

"Can I help you, Ma'am?" A waiter has approached me, probably because I have been walking around like a lost puppy. Everything about him is clean and neat but his smile is as natural as half the boobs I have been seeing thus far.

I can practically smell the implants.

"I'm looking for the roulette tables."

"Ms. Green?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "How do you-"

"Please, follow me." 

He turns his blinding smile away and leads me through the casino, past the slot machines and poker groups.

I wish I would have told Judy about where I'm going because all of this feels like a set up assassination. This guy will lead me into a backroom where some mafia boss with a pelt coat will let his buff henchman shoot me and an accomplice will throw me into a stolen delivery van to dispose of my dead body as quickly as possible.

Or maybe the person who invited me simply wanted some privacy to go over business details.

I take a deep breath and decide to believe the latter. 

Tonight, I will not be facing death. 

We end our trip in front of a heavy ruby red curtain. The waiter pushes it to the side a bit and smiles at me again. 

"Thank you." I try to keep my composure but I must be looking so confused right now.

Behind the curtain is another room, this one being dimly lit and far less crowded than the main part of the casino. The scent of fresh lotus fills my nose and my eyes wander over the chandeliers and tapestries. The room seems to be glowing in gold and I allow myself to relax a bit.

Maybe this is about the takeover afterall. Young startups tend to not follow traditional rules and use the surprise factor for growth. 

But still, breaking into my office and leaving a shady message is just a tad bit too much for me. 

I straighten my back and relax my shoulders before I start strolling through the gambling mecca. And then I see what I've been looking for and my heart stops.

Against the roulette table leans a tall, lean, 30-something-year-old woman. Her shoulder-long red hair is curled messily and her husky eyes are staring right in my direction.

The dress she is wearing is short, tight and black and revealing most of her long, feminine legs.

I would be lying if I said that she isn't absolutely beautiful. 

Her red lips curl into a smile as I walk over and she extends her arm. "Natasha. Pleased to meet you."

I shake her hand and keep my smile despite this very informal introduction. 

"Isa-"

"...bella. It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm glad you got my message and followed the invitation."

Suddenly, she takes my hand up to her mouth and plants a kiss on it. I quickly pull it back, unable to stop myself from blushing.

Let's hope the already warm lighting will conceal my embarrassment.

"Would you please enlighten me on the reason behind your invitation? Are you a representative of NeYonCity? I'm afraid I must have missed your face on the website."

Natasha chuckles. "I prefer to work in the background. But why don't we get comfortable first? Would you like something to drink?"

Without waiting for my answer she waves over a waiter.

"Two martinis." He nods. "With pleasure, ma'am."

Turning back to me, she winks. "I'm feeling lucky tonight. What about you? Should we enjoy a game of roulette?"

What the hell is going on?

"I wouldn't know how to play."

"It's simple."

She motions me to sit down on the other empty stool. 

Only now I notice the croupier standing next to the wheel. 

"$50 minimum inside and outside bets." He puts a stack of green chips in front of me and red in front of Natasha.

"Let's start with that then. $10 per chip." She smiles at me. "What would you like to bet on?"

"What are the options?" 

She points at the layout. "You can bet on a number, a set of numbers or a color. The slimmer the winning chances, the higher the payout."

I nod to show that I have understood and take a second to study the layout.

Then I place five chips onto the field reading 'Black'.

"50:50. I see." My component grins and places her chips onto 'Red'. 

Then the croupier starts spinning the wheel and lets the small silver ball fall onto it.

I watch as the ball runs and bounces over the different numbers but then my eyes automatically pull over to Natasha. 

And she is looking right back at me, her luscious lips curled to an astute smile.

She winks. I blush.

The wheel slows down and so does the ball. 

'Black. Black. Black' is what I'm thinking, hoping my prayers will perform some magnetic magic trick.

Finally, the ball stops and falls onto its final field.

"Five. Red."

Dammit.

The croupier takes our chips off the layout and hands Natasha the ones she won. She looks satisfied. Of course.

"Another round? Let's raise the bet. How does $100 sound to you?"

"Shouldn't we talk some business first?"

She rolls her eyes cockily. "How about this. If you win, you may ask me a question. If I win, I will ask you something."

I furrow my brows. What kind of business meeting is this? 

But I am also intrigued. There is just something about this woman that makes me so curious. Almost like the first time I saw Judy. I need to know more.

"Deal."

I place five of my chips onto the 0 and the other five onto '3rd 12' which I assume encompasses all numbers from 25 to 36.

Natasha puts her chips down onto the field reading 'Uneven'.

The wheel spins, the ball bounces. 

I have to win this time, I really didn't bring enough money to do this all night. Afterall, I've already lost 50 dollars. 

And I really don't like losing money.

"32. Red."

My eyes widen. "Wait, that's mine!"

"Good job." Natasha laughs. "You can ask me a question now."

Okay Isa, think hard. One question. It has to be the right one.

I can't screw this up.

"What was the reason behind your invitation? I doubt that you just wanted to play Roulette with me."

"You will find out later." She winks again.

"That's it?" "Yes."

"Well, that wasn't helpful at all." 

The croupier is done fixing the chips.

"Another round," Natasha asks.

I ignore her offer. "What question did you have for me?"

"Oh…" 

Natasha leans forward a bit. 

She grabs my hand and I immediately tense up. 

"Well, I was just wondering...do you know that girl that has been watching us?"

I turn around to where she is pointing.

My eyes widen, I almost fall off my stool.

F*ck.