The Bet (Jenlisa)

Chapter 1

[LISA]

"Monkey!", Jisoo shouted for the nth time. I laughed at her aw she was trying to call for a winning card. Well, unfortunately, she lost several times and now is her last chance.
I have 8, she got soft 17 and I only need 9 or 10 to beat or just get a push. I flipped the card and smiled triumphantly when I saw the Queen of spades.
"Oh man!!", She groaned and slumped her head on the table.
"I told you, you have to always keep the running count. You shouldn't have doubled down in that round. You'll never gonna win if you'll just gonna rely on your luck", I scolded her as I started shuffling the cards.
Jisoo is my best friend and I am teaching her how to beat the dealer in Blackjack, which is me. We've been doing this for the whole week.
I'm teaching her the Hi-Lo card counting strategy.

Basically, in Blackjack, you just have to beat the dealer, not the players. Your cards should be nearer to 21 but you'll get busted if you get higher than 21. If you get lower than the dealer, you also lose. So you have to have the cards higher than the dealer but never exceeds 21.
2-9 count as their numbers;
10 to King count as 10;
A's can be counted either 1 or 11 depending on the situation.

In counting cards, every card has a point value and you have to count all the cards that has been used in the game, from the beginning to end.

2-6 are low valued cards and you have to count them as 1;
7-9 count as 0;
10 to A are high valued cards and count as -1

You just have to sum up all the values of each card. Negative counts means there are more low valued cards remaining in the deck. That's a sort of disadvantage for the player.
Positive counts means there are more high valued cards remaining in the deck. That will help you decide how much bet you'll place and what basic strategy you will use.

Card counting allows players to bet more when the count gives an advantage as well as minimize losses during an unfavorable count.

And I always remind her not to lose the running count while doing basic strategy at the same time. Never ever let anyone distract her from her counting, and that's the thing she always fail to do.

"You gotta practice more buddy", I chuckled and she just sighed.

"You'll be hanging around the casino again later?", She asked, leaning her back and putting her both hands at the back of her head.

"As usual", I smiled a bit and stretched my body after I organized the cards back to the table.
"Another round?", I asked.
She groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Let's take a break first. Really, I wouldn't even do this if it weren't for the girls", she said while lifting her hands up.

"The girls in the casino?", I asked, sounding curious, tho I already knew about it.
"Yeah, dude. Those girls are so mesmerized by you. Damn, you're the famous Lisa Manoban, the professional and most attractive dealer in M Hotel and Casino.

I scoffed and eventually cringed at how she describes me. Well, there's a truth in that. I don't even know why girls always come running after me. Like, what's so fun about me? I'm so mysterious and not a single girl could make me spill who I am. That's how classified my profile is and the workers in Casino can't spill that information as well. Let's just say, I have a privilege there. I am a very important person.

"Trust me, you don't want to be in my situation", I just raised my brows twice and pressed my lips on a thin line.
"Pfft.. you kidding right? Nah.. I always envy you. Imagine many the girls would come at the casino just to see you. Hell, they don't even know how to play", she shrugged her shoulders and lift her hands up.

"It's good for the business. Haha. I'm an asset", I winked at her and she just laughed.

"And so you have to teach me how to get those girls. Even if I hate gambling, it will be a turn off I would lose in that card game", she said.

"Very well then, another round", I smirked at her.
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[JENNIE]

"Somi, what's my next appointment?", I spoke after I pressed the intercom.
"Ma'am you have a business meeting with Mr. Yang at 3pm and dinner with Mr. Kim Hanbin at 8pm", my secretary said.
I silently groaned when I remember the dinner I have to attend this evening. I don't even want to go there but my father insists that I should meet the son of our business partner.

Funny, how we're not even related yet we're both Kims. I wish we're related so that my father won't push me to date that guy. I have so much pressure at work and I was expecting that my family could atleast lessen my burden yet here they are, pushing me to someone I don't even like. What a life!

Being a young CEO is not easy. I was imagining myself travelling and pursuing the things that I love to do before. But my father had already decided for my future. Isn't it unfair? It's funny how people would always think that rich people always have a choice but sadly, that's a total lie. I don't have a choice but to inherit the company that my father built because unfortunately, I am his only daughter. Sucked to be the only child.

My phone suddenly rang and I sighed in relief when I saw the caller ID.
"Let me guess", she spoke before I could even say hello.
"What?", I asked.
She snorted and spoke, "Well, I know you dont want to attend that dinner"
I raised my brows in surprise. How did she know that?
"Woah! Are you a fortune teller or a psychic? coz I don't remember that my best friend is some kind of clairvoyant", I smirked.

"You forgot that your secretary is my sister's girl. Duh!", She exclaimed and I just laughed.

"Of course I know that!", I said.

"Jennie, you need my help", it's not even a question.

"Would you help me, my cute little chipmunk?", I tried to make my voice sound cuter and she just groaned.

"Ugh! You don't need to compliment me like that. Of course I'll help you.", She said confidently.

I looked at my watch and it's time for me to go since I have a meeting with Mr. Yang.

"Alright, tell me your plan later, I just have a meeting to attend. I'll call you after", I stood up and went to the door.

"Okay, take it easy, bye.", she ended the call and I smiled silently. My best friend is really an angel. She's always there to rescue me. By the way, her name is Roseanne Park. But I call her Rosie or sometimes RosiePosie.

Unlike me, she always had a choice in what to do in her life. She's a food critique and even tho she eats a lot, it never fail to amaze me how she could maintain her victoria secret body. It's still a mystery for me.
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"So what's your plan?", I asked Rosie who is sitting across my desk. She came here to my office and I was expecting a clear plan from her.
"Let's go to casino", she said.

"What? That's your plan?", I furrowed my brows and shook my head.
"Before you complain, let me explain", she held up her hand to shut me up.
I gestured her to continue.

"So I need to go there tonight for my job, I have to try the food there, they said the food and the drinks in casino are heavenly", she clapped her hands together excitedly and I just made a face.

"No. Coz firstly, playing in casino is not good. You can never win, it's gambling. You'll just make the casino richer", I explained to her and held up my index finger.

"Second, I don't even know how to play those card games, I might just get bored and lose my money while waiting for you", I shrugged my shoulders.

"Look, I don't have a clear plan, and this is the only way to save your ass coz apparently, what else would you reason out for not attending that dinner? At least you have a reason if you come with me because Jennie Kim, you are an introvert and you just prefer to just stay inside your room", she said without a pause.

"Wow, really? Wow", I was astounded but I already expected this from her, and she's right, partly.
I sighed and think for a bit.
"Jennie, you're a multi-millionaire, a night in a casino won't hurt your wealth. Seriously!", She said interrupting my thoughts.

"Okay! Okay! You win!", I said, not wanting further argument with her coz she's my only saviour.

"Alright! Now, dress appropriately", she said. I rolled my eyes and just agreed with her.