Supreme God of the Domus elite
1072 Words
Unexpectedly, the boy leaned to one side just when he had to make his bet and unloaded everything he had been drinking. Because of nervousness? Because he had reached his limit? No idea, but those behind him turned away with a cry of disgust.
The boy stood upright, his lips still wet from the disgusting fluid. He showed awareness of what he had done, looked both ways as if afraid of being reprimanded by someone, and then collapsed on the floor over his puddle of disgusting vomit.
Everyone fell silent.
Stares alternated between the vomit and the slumped body.
And then they burst into laughter, whistles, jeers, and clinks of glasses and bottles.
“David is out! “Lucian chuckled, too amused, and relaxed in his chair. His voice was energetic and confident, the kind that would never waver, perfectly suited to the image of security he gave. Does anyone want to take his place or shall we close with three?
He threw the question, in a general way, to all those who were watching the game. Lucian waited with an obnoxious but triumphant smile on his face. The spectators asked themselves the big question, "Who will dare to take the place of the puke boy?". It was a good chance because the table was littered with greenbacks and large bills that replaced the chips. The last bet was up to a thousand dollars, and the three previous players had decided to fold.
But it was also a huge risk because now only Lucian, Viktor, and another guy, who was too nervous to talk and was even sweating, were left.
People looked at each other's faces.
They waited for a brave one.
And that brave one was me.
Why was that?
Well, can I blame it on alcohol? For now, let's just say I had the ridiculous, unrealistic feeling that I was powerful, defiant, capable of doing anything, even forgetting my priorities, riding my intelligence and plans. A dangerous feeling that, of course, caused stupidity on my part:
“Me," I offered, volunteering in the best Jenifer Lawrence Hunger Games style.
Everyone turned their heads in my direction when they heard me. Even Valery, who aimed at me with a noticeably dramatic expression of astonishment, stamped on his face that highlighted his big black-lined eyes. For a second I regretted it. For an instant, I told myself that it was a lousy, stupid idea, but I heard a chuckle coming from somewhere as if someone doubted I was serious, and that gave me the courage not to take it back.
Although there was no turning back now.
People cleared a path in front of me for me to sit down at the table, so I moved forward at a measured pace, stepped over the unconscious man named David, and, sat down in his chair, which fortunately hadn't gotten vomit on it.
There was a heavy silence as I settled in, a silence of bewilderment, doubt, and intrigue. I felt the weight of those stares on me. Otsana, Valery, Dash, prepare Lex, and Lucian and Viktor watch me with their predatory eyes. Viktor had a deep honey color and Lucian was a light blue that determined a lot of curiosity. I even clearly imagined what they were thinking:
"Who is this girl, how dare she, is she crazy?".
Maybe she was crazy.
However, I stood firm and upright in my place.
Lucian stared at my shirt for a second as if it was something too ordinary.
“Do you have a thousand dollars? “he asked me, relaxed but amused. His right corner was half raised with smugness, as after that quickly he knew I was inferior.
“No," I admitted.
There were whispers.
“And how do you plan to bet? “he asked with a frown.
Well, I didn't know, but I kept my mouth shut because sometimes silence can be a strategy.
Lucian let out a quiet laugh at the lack of response.
“I'll make it easy for you because you've already proven yourself so brave by sitting down," he said as if it were an act of charity. You can bet a favor, and everyone knows I don't like to do favors. If you win, I'll owe you, which is a big thing. If you lose, on the other hand...
He gave me an irritating smile that screamed he was pretty sure everything would go his way. I wished I could wipe it off his face, and possibly I could, since I had taken a risk partly because I ace up my sleeve, and he had no idea about that..., no idea.......l right," I agreed, pretending I didn't mind the risk at all. I'll bet the favor.
Oh, I was going to f**k Lucian as I had never been f****d before, because Trump would thong dance for Obama before I'd do anything he wanted.
“New hand," Lucian ordered.
It was done the way he wanted it done, even though it was the final round, and, in any other serious game, no changes or silly bets would have been accepted.
As the cards were handed to me, I felt my palms sweating. Yes, I was nervous, and it was ridiculous. I have played many, many times before. My mother taught me. I had won the best bets in high school, but the point was, that it wasn't high school. Here I was in front of that self-proclaimed asshole as Supreme God of the Domus elite, and the fear of not winning, as I had been sure I would a few seconds before, began to rise, because if I lost he would make a fool of me.
I could not indulge him. By my first and last names, I couldn't.
Viktor, Lucian, the other guy, and I looked at our cards. I just glanced at them and hid them. I didn't make any gestures. I remained serious, impossible to read.
“Wow... “Lucian muttered, studying the cards.
From the victorious gleam in his eyes, I assumed he had a good hand. That was confirmed a moment later when he did what I feared: he leaned forward and doubled the bet. Now the rest of us have to match the amount. What was it, two thousand?
The silence of the people around us became thick and observant.
“I go," said Viktor without hesitation, doubling the bet as well.
- Writer
