𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄 || 𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗆𝖺

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘.

QUIET MUMBLES WERE HEARD FROM OTHER GUESTS NEXT TO AND BEHIND YOU.

Too busy caught up in what others were saying, that you had barely acknowledged the scene unfolding in front of you. A malicious one.

The atmosphere surrounding the medium-sized table spread with cards and stacks of green money felt as though it was weighing down on your shoulders—chest even. Not knowing much on what was happening grew you bamboozled as the minutes struck by leisurely.

Two men, perhaps around the same age, dressed in similar attire. Their hungry-eyes locked onto one another. The one you were closest to had a more determined look plastering his features, while the other across from that man had a more relaxed look. Almost amused. Watching the other man struggle with twitching hands and every so often breaking eye contact to look down at the few cards between his fingers. Appearing more and more nervous yet still held that brave face.

'Are they gambling?' You wondered curiously. You eyed the money on the table, then back at the two.

A more dainty voice next to you mumbled impatiently about the nervous man to make a move already, and then a stricter voice from behind you mumbled about leaving to play another game. You felt almost bad, yet coming to the conclusion that this was just how the casino ran, not knowing much about the whole business anyways.

Suddenly, almost missing it, the man filled of nervousness took a card from his deck and slid it over to the other man. After doing so, his upper body leaned forward to seemingly reach to take something from the other man.

The large stack of money.

"So that's how it is played..." Whispering lowly to yourself as you watched him take his winning share of the money, confidence noticeably washing over him.

But then—he was stopped.