Chapter Thirty-seven

Bella did not know whom to fear more because from what she observed, a great amount of rivalry existed between the trio and in equal measure, they were dangerous. She was the rabbit in the midst of a lion, tigress and cheetah. They would bargain who would be taking the rabbit dinner home and the thought alone made her shudder. Why did she choose this place in the first instance, the air was tensed up. All other gamers seemed to fear the trio but then, Jay still stood out more dangerous with the slithering snake of a woman, Vanessa. "How about we play a game to lighten the mood guys ", Pablo said suddenly and he took his seat next to Bella, and thus she was there in their middle like a trapped animal. Vanessa in front trying to seduce her, Pablo by her right smirking and the roaring lion of a man, Jay on her left breathing out of control and one could practically see the fumes about him. Bella felt visibly small among them and no one dared speak as the three were the big guns already. Jay asked her to pick a number, he brought back her curiosity, "What number ", she asked him and just before he could explain, "Any number sweetheart, odd or even ", Vanessa was saying and Jay frown grew deeper. "Um.. Six then I guess ", Bella said fearfully, "Six it is ", Jay said and rolled, it was a win and he suddenly kissed her cheeks and she grew hot blushing. Her hands involuntarily touched the place and he gave her a smile. While they played and rolled, he kept explaining the game to her and from time to time, he would ask her for what he called, 'his lucky number '. Bella was beginning to understand the game gradually and soon she was getting enthusiastic about it. By the end of the game, Jay had won seven rounds, Vanessa two and Pablo one. He definitely was the king and would have kept playing had one of the bodyguard not come and whispered into his ears something that got his invincible antenna up. "It is urgent, come Bella. Excuse me gentlemen and lady ", he said leading her away from the table. He took her to a hall and getting to a table, helped pull out her chair and she sat. "Wait here for me, I have urgent matters to take care of Bella. Do not go anywhere and you need anything, call the waitress ", he said to her like he was instructing some child. He clicked his tongue and a waitress brought her some champagne, with a peck on her cheeks, he was gone. Bella saw him leave with that hateful man, what was his name again, Alfredo. She hated his guts and she knew he hated her too. The feeling was mutual. 

Bella was drinking in her surroundings, the place was majorly dark with occasional light from the blue and red bulbs and the disco light to illuminate the place. This was the VIP lounge and there was a almost naked dancer performing. She did not enjoy watching this and felt obviously disgusted," Bored my darling? ", a lady rasped so close to her ears that it sent cold shivers down her spine, Vanessa. The slithering snake came over and sat close to her, too close for a straight and guy one might say. "I'm fine ", Bella said a little bit too hurriedly and took another gulp from her glass, she had not intended but she gulped the whole content a little too hurriedly and was met with a fit of coughing. Vanessa quickly patted her back with one hand and the other poured more champagne from the bottle to the glass for Bella and she gave it to her. "Easy darling, here drink more carefully ", she said and Bella took the glass, sipping carefully this time, there was tears in her eyes already and she did not want to embarrass herself further. "Are you scared of me? ", Vanessa said and before Bella could deny the obvious, she continued, "Shhhhhh, you shouldn't be. I'm all clean and simply like you. How old are you ?", She asked Bella, "19 but I'll be 20 in few months ", Bella said trying to prove so mature, "So young, so beautiful ", Vanessa replied and her hands travelled down Bella's back making her get this weird feeling, "What's your deal with that stray? ", she asked referring to Jay and Bella began wondering exactly what her relationship with him was. She became uncomfortable, "Um.. Ma'am.. ", she said standing up a little too quickly, "Vanessa baby ", the lady said seductively, "Miss Vanessa, I'd love to use the loo", she did not mind that she had left too quickly but hurriedly left the area. 

Vanessa chuckled as she picked up the champagne and sipped, "Run little lamb, run. Someday you'll be running to me ", she whispered and chuckled.