Spades

Chapter 1

Spades. a trick-taking card game played by 4 people. It can be played as either a group or solo game. The object is to take the number of book that were bid before play of the hand began.

This game has existed for over 80 years, played over a million times, by more people than can be counted.

And out of every person who has ever played. Out of everyone who has ever existed. There hasn't ever been a person anywhere in the world...

That's better than ME.

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"That's game. Madame Kailani is the winner" the dealer announced.

Sighes echoed across the board. It was hard to acknowledge the sounds and looks of frustration when you see them almost daily. I had been going to casino since before I was legal allowed to. Everyday I would slide into a chair and join a group who needed an even number, or wait for some egotistic sexist guy to come to me, asking for a game after hearing about "the undefeated champion of Card games". Or Black Spade as the the regulars and staff call me.

I always hated that name.

"Another easy victory in your pocket, huh?" The dealer, also known as Charles, teased. He was one of the younger staff, a new addition to the casino. He seemed to admire my talent. I looked up at the table, everyone had already gone. I assumed I was daydreaming for a little too long.

"Wouldn't call it easy." I responded, taking a sip from my cocktail. "Really? But you didn't look like you were having trouble." He tilted his head. "Yeah, well I wasn't, but... you know that one guy was pretty close."

He laughed, cleaning the board of with a tablecloth. "Oh please, don't be humble. Compared to you, he seemed to be struggling with collecting his bids." I hum and take another sip. "I'll be going-"

"-to the bar? Don't drink to much", he interrupts me. I smile, standing up from the table. Seems the staff here know me too well. "Just put my winnings in my account." There's a sound of understanding behind me and I leave to get a drink.

The casino was crowded today, maybe because it was a weekend. I passed by the regular liquor bar, moving towards the back of the building. The security moved out of the way to let me through -and I step through the VIP door without hesitation.

With a sigh, I pull a chair out. "Tired already?" The bartender says with a grin. "Fuck off, Amir. Get me one... no two cups of-" he let out a dramatic sigh. "Yeah yeah I know. You get the same thing whenever you want to drink your problems away."

Amir, my bestfriend. Forever. Nothing would change that. I've known him since elementary school. We were basically family. Some people thought we were blood related. We might as well been.

"So, how is Black Spade feeling after winning... let me guess... 5 games in a row?" He teased placing the drink in front of me. "Tired." I replied. He laughed, pushing his elbow down on the counter.

"I clock out in thirty. Wanna randevu with me out to midlight?" I shook my head. Midlight was a club on the other side of the casino. Amir would go there, just to get a quicky with some unfortunate girl or guy. "Is that All you ever do? Sleep around?" I remarked. He smiled. "Is gambling all you ever do?"

Silence.

"You ate the little one" I replied, now holding in my laughter. It seemed like he always knew how to make me smile. "You know I don't do that anymore, Amir." Again he let out a dramatic sigh. "Come on Kailani! You used to pull everyone. Every guy wanted your number. Just this once?" He begged.

I thought about it, but I wasn't into one night stands anymore. However, they do say dopamine relieves stress.

"...maybe just this onc-"

"Excuse me?" A smoky, Asian accent cuts me off. It wasn't an unfamiliar scene. Like I mentioned, there were a handful of times where a man came up to me, preparing to boost his ego just to lose to me in a card game.

But this one was different.

Amir must of felt it too because his expression changed to the one he gets when he see's someone he plans to spend the night with.

I looked to the side of me, my throat instantly feeling clogged.

Because the man beside me was ten times sexier than his voice.

"Would you like to play Spades with me?"