The Everlasting Effect 💖

Chapter One: Arawn

Hey Sunflowers!

I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to read my novel. Your support means the world to me!

A huge shoutout to @meha-k for creating such stunning covers. You absolutely need to check out her work!

Unfortunately, due to my schedule and the loss of some previous chapters, updates may be slower than usual. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and promise to do my best to keep you updated.

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Gambling was calming, energized, and repetitive motion. The sounds of various slot machines' bells, whistles, and their lever quarters jingling and rattling with every pull of the trigger. The sounds of cards whirring, roulette wheels spinning. Neon and strobing lights attract crowds at tables, watching high rollers roam around, playing ten stacks of cash like it's nothing at all, with snobbish attitudes and bad temperament not far behind.

I'm not far behind them in that regard, though.

I silently berate and think to myself. Can't forget the person crying in the corner, venting their frustration, and hoping for a distraction, either. Various people wander around, some never leaving, trying to release their frustration, and hoping for that one percent chance to win.

As the night progressed, people huddled around gaming tables, whatever they may be. Lovely serving staff, taking orders, and giving charismatic responses to lure their 'prey' to spend more. I stand at my station behind the curved desk, a new game about to start. As a blackjack dealer, it's my job to coax my customers to play a few rounds, get new potential customers, and make sure they follow the rules. Basically steal their money the legal way.

I'm setting the table; when I feel someone staring at me, I turn around and notice a woman sipping on her cocktail, a few feet away from me. She was slim with black hair, green eyes, and attire adorned to be prim and proper, although sexy, and immediately I can tell that she was from a wealthy background. I give her a charming smile that none of the ladies can resist. Faking a smile has become more manageable with the job, and over time, it becomes second nature that pleases clients and lures women.

What can I say? I give the ladies what they want and if what they want is me, then who am I to deny them such a simple request?

She walks over to my table, swaying her hips as she walks toward me and making it visibly known that she's after more than just a good game. Her blood-red painted lips curled into a seductive smirk, and she conveyed she wants to capture me as her prey.

"Would you like to try your lucky streak at the Blackjack table, ma'am? "I ask her, never losing the charming smile and making my voice low and husky with interest, my eyes never leaving her physique and giving her the impression that I'm interested too. That always gets them to stay.

"That depends if you are on the winning list if I do." Her manicured fingers picked up and traced an outline of a card. She leans over the table and her cleavage in my full view. Playing along with my client's ideals.

"I guess you would have to win first and find out," I say with a smirk back.

"Aw, don't be like that." She says, purring and moving her fingers along my arm, her ring glinting in the light. I shrug away from her. I won't lie; she's an alluring woman, and her charms make her an inviting woman, but I don't go for a married woman. I may flirt with them, but I will never go further than that.