The City of Ionia

"My dopamine receptors are frying!"

"Tim, you're throwing business words I don't understand."

"Hey, Roger, please pick up a textbook from time to time."

The casino was packed with heavy security, and waiters in fancy attire walked around with trays of drinks. Table games were filled with people who threw their money on a number. Slot machines flickered with attractive lights, drawing people's attention to the screen. The place pulsed with a chaotic blend of flashing neon, clinking chips, and the low murmur of anticipation.

"It smells like booze and sweaty people," I said while looking around in my casual clothing. Most people wore button–ups or dresses, and here I was, wearing a sweatshirt.

"Yeah, it is hot here, which is strange since outside is the complete opposite." Owen adjusted his collar. He and Cameron were the only ones in the group wearing business casual clothing. The other two dressed like me.

"What are we hitting first? Table games, obviously. Going to slots is asking to have your money stolen. Round of roulette?"

"Don't know about that," Cameron said. "It's easier to rig table games."

"No roulette. It's fifty–fifty."

"You'd be surprised."

Before we arrived, Owen mentioned that Cameron was a little bit of a gambling addict. She didn't play often, but when she did, she went big. Who could blame her? She had money to lose since her father had left everything to her.

"Who cares? Roger, let's go to the table games. Jill, wanna come?"

I had three choices. Either I went around alone, which would be terrible since I didn't know what I was doing. I go with Cameron and Owen, where I would be an outlier. Or, I go with Roger and Tim, where they would most likely embarrass me indirectly.

"Fine."

I'd never pick the first two options in a million years.

We split off into our designated sections. We each had 200 ions, which Cameron gave us each to gamble with.

"Blackjack!" Roger shouted.

"Black—wha!"

He grabbed our hands and dragged us to a half–empty table. A man and woman sat towards the right, loaded with chips. Seeing this, Roger threw all 200 of his ions onto one hand.

"I'm all in!"

"Ah! Idiot! You're going all in?!"

"Tim. The casino is simple. You don't show fear. You must have the courage to conquer your inner demons and let loose!"

That had nothing to do with anything.

Tim reached into his pocket and placed 40 ions. "I'm not throwing it all on one hand like a bimbo. Hey, Jill, you playing?"

"Ah—ya. Let me…" I grabbed my ions and debated on placing the same amount as Tim

or lower. "Uhhhh—forty as well. So how do I play this?"

"Gambling without knowing the rules? A true gambler. You have my respect."

"That doesn't help!"

The dealer passed out two cards for each person, including himself. His hand motions were so smooth that I barely noticed him grabbing the cards.

"Dealer has 17," he said.

"Let's see what we're working with," Roger said. "I got 15. Tim, you got 19, so you stay. Jill with 13… you have to hit."

"None of that made sense to me."

Roger explained the rules. We must get our cards' total value as close to 21 as possible without going over. Number cards are worth their number, face cards are worth 10, and aces can be 1 or 11. You play against the dealer, not other players. You can hit or stand. Whoever's total is closer to 21 without busting wins.

"So a numbers game? Alright, hit me. Oh, a 6. I got close. Should I hit again?"

"No, no, stay."

Everyone went. The other man and Roger totaled over 21, so they lost. It was Tim and I, along with the other women who were still alive.

The dealer flipped over the card and showed an 8.

"Over! You guys won!"

"Wait, actually?!"

"Hey, this is actually really fun. It got my heart pumping."

The chips came my way. Winning was a surreal feeling. I wanted to go again, but this time, with more at risk.

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"Jill, keep it steady."

"Hey, Jill, I'll go all in if you do."

An angel and a devil rested on each shoulder.

I responded with some hesitation. "Really? Uh—let's do it!"

"Jill, no!"

Tim and I piled all our chips and went all in.

"Hey Jill, let's see what happens!" Tim's leg rapidly bounced in anticipation.

***

"Hey Jill, should we ask Cameron for more money?"

"Let's not feed into temptation."

We stood by the designated rendezvous location. We ended up losing everything on that one hand of Blackjack. Roger insulted us and then went off to play roulette. Since then, Tim and I have stood in this one area, doing nothing.

To pass the time, Tim continued his studies. He went on a passionate rant about economics and used words that I had never heard before. He also expressed his interest in the psychology behind human behavior in business. That's something above me, so I nodded and pretended I was interested. He went on and on about that subject. Thankfully, I was saved by the others.

"Roger, Owen." I waved to get their attention.

"Were you waiting for long?"

"No, just got here." Not sure why I lied.

Cameron showed her holographic slip. "2800 ions on slots!" Her smile was as wide as ever.

"Hey Jill, we may have made a mistake."

The temptation to grab some money and try slots rose, but I couldn't let it get the better of me.

Owen pointed fingers and cracked up in laughter once Roger described how Tim and I lost our money. To be fair, I felt like another round and I would be able to make it back.

"No beginner's luck this time," Cameron said with her arm around Owen.

I sighed. Thankfully, it wasn't my money, so technically I didn't lose anything, which was a win in my books.

"Excuse me." A broad man, taller than most slot machines, stood behind me, wearing an all black outfit and dark-tinted glasses. "Will this group please follow me?"

"What's wrong?" Cameron asked.

"You are being migrated to the VIP section."

"VIP?" Cameron's jaw nearly dropped. "What for? We didn't win that much money."

"A certain member of your party has connections to the owner of this place. He invited this group to join."

A certain member? Was he referring to me? Did Ruben own the casino? Was he even here?

There were a lot of questions I had on my mind, but asking them would be pointless. I simply had to wait and see.

A pair of double doors marked the entrance, guarded by two men in clean black suits, each wearing an earpiece and dark-tinted glass. They didn't smile or anything. Only a slow glance that weighed a little on your shoulders. On the left, a small plaque, perfectly polished, read 'Private' in clean font. Once the doors opened, it left behind the regular casino. The low lighting was mixed with polished gold embedded in the walls. Transparent table games hovered above the floor. Robotic attendants glided across the velvet carpet, serving drinks and small snacks.

"Ok, who knows a super-rich guy?" Owen said in complete awe.

I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't going to say anything about Ruben.

"Jill," the broad man said. "Fernando is waiting for you at the bar. Your party may tag along."

I wasn't sure how he got my name or how he knew I was Jill, but I went along with it.

"Ooooohhhhh, who's Fernando?" Roger said.

The rest of the boys followed with their own teasing remarks. I shook them off and went to the bar, which was at the opposite side of the section. The boys and Cameron followed, whispering their ridiculous theories for me to hear. It was almost like they wanted me to hear.

Fernando wore his typical, wide–brimmed hat that covered his eyes, and blue pants with a red–checkered collard shirt.

"Howdy, Jill and friends. Didn't take you as a gambler, Jill."

"First time," I replied.

"Hey, Jill, how do you know that guy?"

I didn't know what to say. Mentioning anything about joining a group and participating in raids was out of the question. Luckily, Fernando did the talking.

"She's a friend of mine. Met her at a cafe."

"Cafe? Jill, you should really cut down on sweets. Your blood pressure isn't going to like you?"

Tim said words that were beyond my understanding. "Blood pressure? Like, how fast your blood presses through your veins?"

"What? Nevermind. Forget I mentioned one of the most basic health terminologies."

Tim became a show-off ever since he picked up a book. I missed the times when he struggled to read.

"Heh, she may not be educated, but she's an interesting fellow. Here…" Fernando reached into his pocket and pulled out multiple golden metal cards, one for each of us. "Why don't y'all go gamble with these. Has 1000 ions each. Feel free to use it however."

With wide eyes, everyone accepted.

"No way. 1000 ions? Are you sure?" Roger asked in total awe.

"Of course. I own the place, do as you wish."

Well, that was something I didn't expect. "You own the place?" I asked.

Fernando went on to say that he and someone else, secretly referring to Ruben, have equal chances in the casino. I knew Ruben was powerful with owning bars and alcohol, but owning the only casino in Ionia had to make him unimaginable amounts of money.

The boys split off with their golden cards and went straight to the slots. Fernando told me to sit and grab a drink. I accepted the seat, but refused the drink.

"You alright?" He asked while swirling a wide glass.

"Ya. I think so."

"Alice told me the state she found you in. Rough, but glad you're okay. Take it easy, though."

I silently nodded.

"Anyways," he said before taking a quick sip, "How were the gadgets?"

"The body shield saved my life. If I didn't have that, then we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Heh, that's one way to put it. Just so you know, Jill. Don't kill yourself working for Ruben."

"Meaning?"

"Ruben may have you do a certain task and put your life on the line. You are allowed to reject those tasks, though he won't like it and may threaten you. Just know that he won't actually do anything."

"That's… reassuring?"

I didn't know where this was going. However, the guy I fought and killed popped into my head. He previously worked for Ruben and tried to leave, and it ended up costing his family or something. Could Fernando be trying to comfort me in a way? Perhaps I should ensure that nothing happens to me? But why? What did he get out of that? There were plenty of questions swirling in my head, but one caught my attention.

What's the reason behind Sydney's hate for Ruben?