愛 | 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐄 ✦ 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐌

CHAPTER EIGHT

"Where are you going?" Your mother asked you who was doing her skincare routine in the living room and saw you leaving.

A coat covered your figure as it was cold outside, you grabbed a small bag and stuff important things in it.

You've applied to be a barista in a cafe to earn extra money for your daily use, you can't just be dependent on your mother always.

"I see you finally have a job, good!" The older woman laughed and lazily laid down on the couch.

You rolled your eyes and grabbed an extra key before you said goodbye to your mom.

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You were working along with Jace, while you were taking orders and serving their coffees, Jace on the other hand was washing the dishes.

'Teens addicted to gambling are resorting to suicide in the struggle to repay their debts 70% of addicted adults started gambling before they turned 20.'

The news was heard from someone's phone assuming they were watching the news.

It definitely caught your interest, especially because there were some students in school were already gambling as well.

You spotted Jiho along with Duke together drinking their ordered coffees. Jiho was seen in troubled as he was handing some few cash to someone.

"See you tomorrow Jiho. I'll pay you when I win." The guy who asked Jiho for money said as he left from the Café.

As you were finished taking people's orders, you saw Jace who seemed listening to both Jiho and Duke while he scraped the plates clean with the sponge.

"Jace." A co-worker named John approach Jace who had a suspicious closed eye smile and scratched the back of his head.

"Spot me some cash- I'll pay you back when I win." He said now trying to convince Jace to tolerate his request.

Jace looked irritated when he realized not only students had became addicted to the game, but also one of his co-worker.

"No way." He quickly rejected him without any withdrawals.

Now he was teasing him, making sure that he looked innocent and hoping that he'll get him to his side but he still didn't liked his idea.

"How about you F/N?" Now both of their attention shifted to you.

"Sorry, I can't." You smiled and bowed down trying to look graceful, also dismissed him but not in a rude way. You shook your head not wanting to give him atleast a penny.

"F*ck no, I ain't wasting money for that. My dad already left me because of gambling and you think I'll make that same mistake?" You said in your mind.

"Awh man~ come on you guys! I know all tricks for winning..." He said but you noticed his tone getting lower and turned your head to see where he was staring at.

The two boys from earlier just exited from the Café and the male who had glasses along with his expensive attire, also known as Jiho immediately caught his attention.

You knew what he was about to do, "Hey don't even try asking them for money."

You told him firmly but it didn't made him change his mind as he chased towards the youngster.

Both of you and Jace sighed seeing the male disappeared from your sight as he ran towards to the young male.

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Taking a night stroll was quite calming at least, admiring the breeze that kissed your cheek.

You suddenly craved for some instant noodles and you wanted some snacks to eat while you watch some movies later. Seeing a convenience store at touch, you entered and grabbed a few packs of noodles and bags of chips.

"F/N?" Zoe noticed you as she smiled at you and waved her hand as a friendly greeting.

It was not only Zoe who's there, Daniel was there of course as the cashier while Jiho and Duke was present also.

Zoe had you introduced to Duke and introduced him back to you. You knew who he was especially after their breathtaking performance him and Daniel performed back at the festival.

"Have you guys heard about the news?" Duke started the conversation that was about the illegal gambling that's happening lately, especially among teenagers.

"You mean the betting?" You spoke as Duke nodded while Daniel looked confused.

"Betting? What's that?" Daniel questioned as he leaned over the counter while scanning the items you bought.

"It's illegal gambling, do something to stop Jiho. He just keeps going around getting robbed." Duke mentioned while Jiho reacted rather surprised by how Duke explained it to the others.

"No way! It's a loan-he's paying up today!" Jiho argued while he was covered in sweat.

Zoe seemed to know what Duke was talking about, the illegal game that includes gambling is well-known so it's not much of a surprised that Zoe also knows about it.

She rested her arm a top of Daniel's head while Daniel's face had a mixture of flustered and bothered.

Jiho kept on defending John as he hoped for him to actually pay up while the others sighed.

"Oh it's you."

You turned around upon hearing a familiar voice, only to discover that it was John, the man that was been mentioned earlier.

He arrived expecting to meet Jiho, but his astonishment grew as he discovered a gathering of individuals, yourself included.

Seeing both of you and Zoe, his eyes couldn't stop staring at the two of you that he had to look around except for the two of you.

While in Zoe's perspective, he was just a piece of trash - a weirdo to be exact.

"Here." He handed out something that made Jiho's eyes widened.

"Your loan."

"A-a hundred?!" Jiho exclaimed in joy as his mind began to get poisoned without him knowing.

"But- i only gave you 50 before!" Jiho was obviously confused but there was a hint of curiosity under his tone.

The male who stood tall and grinned confidently. He wanted to look cool to gain Jiho's trust and hopefully, all of you as well. But that wouldn't happen.

"Interest. I won a bit, $500." He continued to grin when he noticed everyone else's face looked shocked while you scowl.

He then further explained how his friend is a site manager and how he got inside information. That inside information is an informative that you get before the game starts.

"It's easy money anyway, how about you guys try?"

After a few demonstration to Jiho, John seemed to be in a victorious manner as he was able to get Jiho interested in the game.

He was currently holding tons of cash that he had won in 25 minutes, even you and the others couldn't believe that the rumors are true that it was easy money.

"Well then, I'll be taking my leave here!" John was satisfied as Jiho couldn't believe his eyes that he was holding that much amount of money he got.

Almost everyone glared at John who had left before turning to Jiho. Daniel was concerned for Jiho as he noticed how hooked he was in this gambling game.

All of you talked with each other. You didn't felt Jiho's gaze at you as you were busy talking and having fun with others.

He felt a bit jealous, the fact you weren't always following behind Daniel in school, everyone seem to treat you like a goddess.

While him, always following behind Daniel but always get covered by Daniel's shadow causing him to be left out.

He started to despite you for that.