Game Of Love

Book 1: Game Of Love : Prologue

"Sure, Liam. I'll be there," Davion Torres spoke in a bored tone.

"Stop sulking, Dave. It's my wedding and you're my best man," reminded Liam Parker, his best friend. Son of billionaire hotelier, Eric Parker, Liam was Davion's only friend in the entire world. Their friendship dated back to their childhood days when Davion used to live in Las Vegas. Although Davion moved out after his father's death, their friendship remained stronger than ever. Despite being busy with their own lives, they always found time to catch up with one another.

Now at twenty-two, Davion Torres was already a celebrity, hounded by the paparazzi for his good looks and success. Son of the late 'Casino King', Luis Torres, he already inherited as well as built many popular casinos all over the country. Women drooled at the sight of him and pursued him relentlessly, which boosted his already inflated ego.

"You know I hate weddings! Do I need to be there? I'll just come by the next day, if that's okay with you, dude," said Davion, trying his best to dissuade him. He hated weddings and usually ran in the opposite direction at the mention of one.

"No way! I'm not marrying without you. So be there," ordered Liam and Davion groaned. He could fight with everyone, but not Liam. He was the only person whom he allowed near himself. After his mother betrayed his dad, leaving him for a much older millionaire, he lost faith in relationships and love.

"I'll be there, f*ck you, man!" He swore, disconnecting the call. He could hear Liam chuckle in the background and smile, thinking of his friend. At least someone had found his happily ever after with the girl he loved.

As for Davion himself, he was fine with his way of life. He was like a nomad who couldn't stick to one place, trotting between CA, Nevada, New York, Atlantic City, and Connecticut from time to time. Women, power, and money had gone to his head, and he knew he was the biggest asshole around. He loved being in the limelight, and his notorious ways ensured that he always was.

Davion closed his eyes as he threw his phone and lay down on his bed. He didn't know how his friend Liam could be so happy getting married and being tied down to a single woman. Davion would feel claustrophobic being tied down that way. He hated women and his thought went to the cause of it all. His mother, Marilyn.

He was just five and his dad was a struggling Finance Manager at a small start-up company in Las Vegas. His meager salary wasn't enough to run his family's expenses, but they were happy, or they thought they were. However, they soon realized that his mother wasn't happy at all. She wanted all the luxuries of the world and day by day her demands started increasing. Finally, after a bitter fight, she left them and that was the last time Davion saw her. Later, they found out that she had married a shipping magnate years older than her with whom she was having an affair behind his dad's back.

His dad was shattered and was determined to make lots of money in any way he could. His luck favored him and he won enormous sums of money at multiple casinos. There was no looking back after that. He bought his first casino in Las Vegas and then eventually one after another. His business flourished as he bought more and more casinos all over the country. Although they were loaded, he heard his dad weep every night, seeking solace in his bottle. It broke Davion's heart seeing him suffer so much because of someone who didn't care a f*ck for him. His dad never remarried and three years back, he died with a broken heart.

Since then, Davion had sworn in his head that he would never allow himself to be trampled upon by any woman. He would use them to his advantage and discard them afterward, but never, ever get involved. He stuck to this motto in life for the last few years and he was happy. Or was he?

A phone call disrupted his thoughts, but he didn't accept the call. He knew who it was. There was a mega event at one of his casinos in LA, where he was staying for the last two days. He wasn't keen on going, knowing that the women and the press would eat him alive just like they did every time he was at these events. With a strong headache coming on, he just needed a quiet place tonight. He was contemplating getting himself a drink when his phone buzzed with a few incoming messages. Who could it be who was messaging him like crazy? Only one person had the audacity to do so. Liam Parker, his only friend, and well-wisher in the entire world.

He checked the messages that Liam had sent. There were a few pictures too of Liam with his fiancée, Lisa. Davion smiled at his friend's radiant face. He had to admit that Liam looked cute with his fiancée. They suited one another. He checked all the photographs, but one photograph piqued his interest so much that he couldn't look away.

It was a picture of Lisa, but what caught his attention was the girl behind Lisa, who was sitting and laughing candidly. Her beautiful doe-shaped grey eyes held so much innocence as she stared into the camera. Davion forgot his headache as he zoomed the picture to get a better look. He could almost feel her perfect pink lips against his as his eyes hooked upon them. A shudder of excitement went down his spine seeing her creamy skin exposed by the off-shoulder top she wore. Her rich chocolate-brown hair was swept up in a loose bun, making her features stand out. She looked around eighteen, a freshly bloomed flower waiting to be plucked.

He had no idea how long he had been staring at her picture, but suddenly he felt that his headache had disappeared. If this creature would be there at the wedding, he might be interested in finding out a little more about her. It seemed like he would, after all, enjoy a little at the wedding!

The doorbell rang, and he groaned, knowing who it would be. Getting up and opening the door, he rolled his eyes seeing his right-hand man, Colton Glenn, standing there with a smile pasted on his face. "Hey, bro! You have to attend this event. What? Aren't you ready yet?" asked Colton with disbelief. Davion rolled his eyes as Colton walked inside.

"Colt, do I really need to go?" he asked disinterestedly, picking up a can of beer. Colton nodded his head and took the beer from his hand and kept it back.

He then pushed Davion towards his bedroom to get ready. "You have to attend it, Dave. Be there for an hour and then you can leave if you want to," insisted Colton. Their dads were best friends and had stuck with one another all their lives. After their deaths, their sons worked hard together to carry forward their legacy. So Colton was more like a younger brother to him, being two years younger. His mom, Katherine Glenn, had supported Davion like her own son those few months after his dad's death. So, she was the only woman in the entire world whom Davion respected.

He took a quick shower and got ready, and walked out of his penthouse with Colton. His limo was waiting for him to take them to his luxurious casino and hotel, The Grand Torres Hotels and Casinos, LA. In ten minutes, they arrived at their destination and were received in a gala style with reporters, paparazzi, and his staff rushing in from all sides. He was, of course, used to it and walked inside with a wave of his hand. A woman shrieked and caught his hand, which his bodyguards tried to extricate. It didn't affect Davion in any way. He had been seeing it since he had turned sixteen on his numerous business trips with his dad.

It was his casino's yearly mega-promotional event, and they were honored to have him attend it. Throughout the time, he met people, finalized deals, gave brief speeches, checked out the games on offer, and interacted with the guests. Lots of women approached him, hinting at their eagerness to give him the time of his life, but he wasn't interested. For the first time in his life, Davion felt claustrophobic and wanted to get out of it all. The headache which had disappeared returned. He excused himself and walked out with the reporters again, chasing him until he climbed into his limousine.

It was only when he reached his penthouse did he feel normal again. Davion had to get away from LA tomorrow first thing in the morning. He was done with LA. Sitting at the bar of his apartment with a drink in his hand; he closed his eyes, feeling the throbbing pain in his head.

A sweet image of a laughing and happy girl flashed through his mind. Her laugh was so infectious that unconsciously it brought a smile to his lips. Wouldn't he like to know her more?

"Las Vegas, here I come," he whispered, finishing his drink in one gulp.