The Ties that Binds Us

Chapter 22 "The Mysterious Man"

Sam and I looked at each other for about five seconds. I looked down on my hand and I was pretty sure that I would win it all tonight. Royal flush. Well I’d be damned. Papa turned his gaze towards Sam who looked nervous. He fidgeted with his hand, massaged his forehead and contemplated long and hard on what he should do.

“Come on, Sam. Move already.” I placed my cards on the dark wood coffee table beside my phone because I knew Luke would be calling me anytime. I took a sip of my red wine and leaned back on the couch. “Goodness Sam, come on.”

“Keep your hair on Syd. Give me a sec.” He looked down on the revealed cards on the table, gazed back to the cards in his hand and made a move. “I raise the bet to two hundred fifty dollars.” We all turned our heads towards him and I heard Alex murmured a curse under his breath.

“Your turn querida.” My papa turned his attention towards me and flashed me a grin.

“Raise. Three hundred dollars.” I put my poker chips worth three hundred dollars in the center of the table. Sam looked at me impassively but I knew he was a bit nervous. He nodded his head and he chuckled a little. Adam called the bet and put three hundred dollars worth of chips in the middle.

“Fine.” Sam also called it and put a set of his chips in the middle.

“Are you sure?” I raised my eyebrow at him to taunt him. “Okay.” It was time to reveal the cards. Papa put down the last card to be drawn for the turn and told us to show our cards.

“Show of cards!” Sam put down his cards first, Adam followed and I put down mine last. Before I did, I stared at my brother who was impatiently waiting for my card.

“Put it down Syd.” I gave him a sly smile and put down my hand that revealed a royal flush.

“Mother of— What the fuck Syd!” Sam covered his face in dismay and unwillingly pushed the chips towards my side of the table.

“Thanks.” Alex shook his head in disbelief. Apparently, I won three straight games.

“You must be cheating!” my brother accused me.

“What? No! Check my pockets.” Sam finally surrendered and decided to quit.

“I’m not playing another round of this game. There’s a conspiracy going on!” I laughed at his outburst. My brother was always a sore loser ever since we were kids. He’d get angry and throw a fit every time I beat him in a game.

“Come on, Sam. Don’t be like that.” I snickered throughout the sentence as I tried to contain my laughter.

“Whatever!” All of us, including Adam and Alex laughed once more at my brother’s tantrum. When the laughter died down, Adam started to cook dinner.

“Take care of yourself querida. Okay? No more of that stunt you pulled yesterday. Do you understand?” My papa said to while he pulled me into an embrace.

“Yes papa.” I walked beside Sam who was waving towards my abuela and papa.

The airport was crowded even though it was so early in the morning. Fortunately, there were only a few photographers waiting for us at the airport so it wasn’t a problem getting in. Alex checked in our luggage and went back to the VIP lounge.

“Hi.” It was Luke on the other side.

“Hi. We’re already in the lounge.”

“Good. I can’t wait to see you. I moved your things back to your apartment by the way.” He sighed. I knew he wasn’t comfortable about me moving in once more in my apartment.