Your Stares Are Distracting Me

Since, according to him, he’s good at the game, she has no more reasons to share her knowledge about poker.

She only reclined to her chair and crossed her arms and legs. She watched the game silently and seriously.

Poker is one of the games to which the player shouldn’t just focus on the game but also on his opponent.

He needs to read them. He needs to know what is going on inside their minds so he would be able to assume what cards they’re holding.

He can’t just put all of his money into the game without holding onto something. His decisions must not be baseless or else he’ll lose before he knows it.

Money isn’t only the gambler’s strength but also his ability to read and think and take risks throughout the game.

Poker isn’t a game of money. Poker is a game of mind. Wealth is nothing if the player doesn’t know how to defend himself and his money.

He will lose all of his money if he won’t use his mind properly and carefully. It’s always the smartest and the sharpest one who wins.

It’s not the strongest, it’s not the one who has the first upper hand.

And she knows…the guy beside her is the smartest and the sharpest among the players. She can feel it especially she’s just sitting right beside him.

He is calm and also observing his opponent’s faces, feelings, and reactions. He’s not reckless in his decision too. He thinks first…he observes first before saying

“Check.”

Cheska has never seen someone plays the game as well as Lorenzo plays it.

She’s not sure if she’s under his magic spell but Lorenzo looks really good when he’s focused. His face is serious and it’s not as dark as what she always sees.

She’s seeing again his different side. Just how many sides does he have?

“Your stares are distracting me.”

And that’s when she looked away. She thought he’s too focused on the game that he doesn’t know what’s happening outside of it.

Is she looking at him that long? She hopes not.

She can tell how everyone wants to win the game.

Who wouldn’t be? The victory will have the money—no, they will proceed to the next round since that’s what she heard.

She still hasn’t heard someone betting their money. Is that one of the reasons why this poker isn’t…like the normal poker?

So, if there is no money above the table, why do they look so desperate in winning?

Sure, no one wants to lose but…what are they fighting for, to begin with?

“They seem…losing.”

“So am I.”

She looked at him in surprise. He’s losing too? Losing isn’t what she sees on his face. He’s calm.

That’s…amazing. He’s really good at it.

He’s not letting his opponents read him. Just like what she said earlier, it’s always the sharpest and the smartest one who wins.

He might be losing now, he can still have the upper hand later on. He just needs to wait for the right timing. The right opportunity.

Fortunately, things turned out well in the end. Lorenzo won in a straight flush, four to eight, and has the highest hand.

Everyone clapped for them and congratulated his victory. She even heard someone congratulating him and telling him how his partner did a great job.

Of course, that’s sarcasm. Did she do anything to help him?

“That’s…bad,” she commented making the girl turn to her. Luckily, they’re all wearing disguises. They can’t see each other’s mocking faces. “You did something yet your help did nothing.”

There’s no way the girl isn’t raising her eyebrow now. There’s no way.

The talk didn't last for long. Lorenzo had to take her away to avoid any verbal fight.

From what he witnessed before, Cheska doesn’t know how to back down. She didn’t even let that sarcasm pass.

They went right away to his friends. She noticed Alex and the silent one—still hasn’t heard his voice—looking around as if they’re looking for someone or perhaps something?

She can’t tell.

“Have you seen him?”

“We saw three suspicious people. I have a feeling that’s them.”

“Where are they?”

“Up,” the silent one answered.

Cheska only let out a deep sigh while hearing their conversation. They might be using the same language as hers, she still can’t understand any of the words they’re speaking.

No matter how she tries to understand it, nothing happens. Why is she there again?

“Why am I really here?”

That made the boys stop walking. She knows what she’s doing there, with them. But she thinks she deserves to know more than that without her life being in danger.

Besides, wouldn’t her life be in more danger if she continues to be naive until the day ends?

“What am I exactly doing here?”

The four looked at each other. Lorenzo’s eyes remained on her. He can tell she’s getting pissed.

It’s just…all over her face. She’s so transparent that he can tell what exactly she’s feeling. She’s having her enough.

“I asked you to come with us so I could play poker.”

Her jaw dropped.

“What?”

“I won’t be able to play without a muse. As I said earlier, we are required to—”

“Then what was that question before? If I know how to fight?”

“That’s for another one,” he turned around. “but since you said you don’t know how you don’t have to do anything but to stand.”

And they started to walk away. Seconds have passed before she followed them.

She’s disappointed and she doesn’t know why. She still hasn’t done anything helpful today. She only sat there.

Was she wrong for not lending Lorenzo her knowledge in poker? Nevertheless, he still won so…

Is that really what she had to do? Just be a muse and that’s it? Nothing interesting?

She’s pissed.

They arrived in a spacious vacant room without her knowing. She was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn’t notice how they went up.

She can’t even remember if she went inside an elevator. At least she managed to follow them without her on earth. Again.

When she inspects the surrounding, guards are everywhere. Their bodies are smaller than the guards from outside—from the entrance of the casino.

But even with that, they look strong and not easy to deal with. They’re just standing there looking like a statue.

Are they even real? And what is that room?

She slightly stepped aside only to see what’s in front. She had to do that because her companions' backs are blocking her view.

“You are here…again. Aren’t you…” he paused, counting the people in front of them. “five still tired? You should have dropped the game and give chance to others. Don’t be greedy.”

Is that why all of them are after? Even the players before? This is what they want? To face those guys? What’s with them? Who are they?

Plenty of questions are flashing inside her mind rapidly. She doesn’t even know what to think first.

“I don’t need to say anything to you. I’m only here for what I am after.” Lorenzo started to remove his blazer. “Now let get this thing done.”

She stepped back when also his friends start to take off their blazers. They started to fold the sleeves up to their elbows as if they’re…preparing for something?