Chapter 100: Chapter 100

THE WHITE...

I don't knock on the door, I just turn and push the handle. The Bellagio is famous for representing elite scum, and this room represents that taxation well. There are black leather couches on either side, a bar to the right, and a bottle of tequila on every square foot.

I find Benjamin sitting on one of the sofas. First his eyes fall on me casually, then they stare at me. He is part of this little group that would dance on my grave.

- Where are the good manners? – he asks, puffing out the smoke from his cigarette – I think old LeBlanc will remember that I don't change my face to kill a bastard.

Nothing like old friends.

- We can skip the threat part. I know them all.

I close the door behind me and step forward. I sit down on the sofa across from him. The contrast between us is interesting. His excessive alcohol consumption, the clothes that make him look like he's just been in prison, the numerous tattoos and the cigarette. I'm very surprised Benjamin didn't already die in a street fight.

- When I was told that you were accompanied tonight, I couldn't believe it. I thought her heart was impenetrable – he scoffs – But they also said she had a nice ass.

I smile. My mood is unwavering today.

- She has - I agree. And how it's going – And I could talk about this for hours, but I'm in a hurry.

- You want a favor – he deduces, then laughs – Like old times.

I look at the bottle of tequila on the table. It's far from a good drink, but at least it wasn't bought from a local bar. It has an origin.

- You have changed – I observe – It's better.

- Yes – Benjamin puts his elbows on his knees, leaning forward – But I'm far from being a new killer like you. Shooting fancy weapons and hiding behind curtains is your game, right?

- Are you dragging me, Bugsy? – I'm using his old code name – If you can't work anymore, you can tell me.

He smiled, tilting his head back as he huffed. It hurts me a lot to expose a Prada suit to the smell of tobacco.

- You strike a blow at my family, then you come back as if nothing had happened asking me a favor – murmurs Benjamin – Damn! Teases me...

He calls it a scam, I call it a job. I never had friends, I had allies. As long as our relationship was decent, I was loyal. But when someone else offered a higher price for my services, I couldn't say no. This is how I earn my living.

- Valentino Campbell – I say, and that name alone is able to draw Benjamin's full attention to me – He's the man who disturbed my peace. I could take care of him, but now I have another priority.

- What would that be? - He raises an eyebrow leaving the cigarette in the ashtray on the table.

- Someone with a nice ass.

Benjamin smiles. This time it's almost a sincere smile. If I weren't the last person he wants to see in the world, that would be a completely sincere smile.

- All right – he concedes – I know what it's like to be enchanted by a nice fucking ass too – Benjamin gets up holding out his arms – I'll find you Valentino Campbell.

It's so easy to be me.

- Great – I get up too. And if I wasn't me, there might be a handshake - You know where to find me when you want to call the favor.

- You bet.

I walk to the bedroom entrance. I'd rather call than owe favors, though, if it guarantees Angelic and I will have peace, and I can only occupy my mind with that red dress for the next few days, I'll take it. I arrive at the door, and at this moment, Benjamin speaks again:

- See you soon, LeBlanc. You still have to bet on a good old fashioned race – his voice is followed by a laugh – I know you don't like competition as much as I do, but you're missing a fucking adrenaline.

Personally, I prefer to die. But in any case, wink.

It's not the last time we see each other.

I exit the room, striding toward the elevator. The beautiful ass on the first floor has been alone too long. I step into the elevator and press the panel. When the doors close, I straighten the suit even though I'm sure it's perfect.

The doors open again on the first floor, and it only takes a second for my eyes to scan the room. I find my piece of boredom sitting on the bar stool, a bottle of water in front of her. My peace lasts only a minute, because on Angelic's shoulder is a male hand.

I approach, ignoring every look that turns to me. Some because I wronged them. Others because I damaged their marriages. But, overall, because I never made a point of being a good person.

I reach for Angelic and the unscrupulous little hand on his shoulder. I stop in front of them, and the warm smile that was on the lips of my creature fades little by little. The man, on the other hand, smiles wider when he sees me.

- The White ! – he said, making me frown – How long has it been since we last saw each other?

Have we ever seen each other for the first time?

- I know you? I ask.

- Oh... - Angelic starts to explain, but I raise a finger. I want to hear what this gentleman has to say about the situation.

- Probably yes. I'm Vittelo – he said, as if his name should mean shit to me – Oh, forgive my rudeness. It's Angelique.

Two things. First, I'm aware that Angelic's panties have been in my pocket for ten minutes, not on his body. Second, I hoped that I wouldn't have to deal with jealousy after changing continents. But apparently the vultures are everywhere.

- I say. She is my wife.

- Oh – he whispers, fading slowly as he removes his hand from her shoulder – I didn't know – his cheerful expression from two seconds ago becomes embarrassed, and a bit desperate – Happy birthday.

Vitelo begins to move away from us. I nod. I'm in a good mood today, but if I wake up one morning wanting to strangle someone, I'll remember your face.

- Must be great to be you - Angelic comments.

- Let's go – I give him my hand – You're going to attend the first auction of your life.

- Because? - she asks, however, accepts my hand to rise.

- Because the master ordered it.

I place a hand on the base of Angelic's spine, guiding her to our table in the auction room. Just because they hate me doesn't mean they won't reserve my table in front of the stage. They still love my money.

I pull out a chair for Angelique, and she sits down, adjusting the slit of her dress so as not to reveal more than is ethical. I am sitting next to you.

The host delivers the opening jokes and Angelic hangs on to every word. It almost surprises me. Of course, she'll love the auction. She knows how to appreciate good competition.

The first object announced is a Renaissance painting, to open the night's auction. There is a plaque on the table, so the guests can elegantly battle each other to prove who is the richest.

- Is there a cause for this auction? – asks Angelique.

Yeah. Make arches richer.

"Probably not," I reply.

"A good cause," she scoffs.

The painting, although ugly, is sold at auction for an exorbitant sum. However, everyone knows that it's not about the articles. It's about the dispute. The guests applaud the buyer, then the master of ceremonies announces the next item; a Mendis Coconut Brandy, a coconut brandy aged in wooden barrels.

- Do you want to bid? – Angelic asks me, but his eyes are fixed on the stage.

- I do not want.

The auction is going as it should. Bids are high, but most of these people make their money illegally, so they don't mind spending lavishly. Valuables are sold, and with each turn I get more bored.

When the last article is announced, I finally start to see the end of the night. The man on stage announces a pair of pearl earrings.

- We started bidding with eighty thousand dollars.

Angela looks at me. She knows those pearls are worth much less. I shrug my shoulders. That's how it works here.

- Eighty thousand dollars from table five. Have we got ninety thousand? – encourages the master of ceremonies, after having received the first offer.

There are a few buzzes in the room, however, what catches my attention is the direction Angelic is looking at. His blue eyes are fixed on table five. In fact, they're shooting table five. And I'm not too surprised to look in that direction and find Jasmine with her nameplate up.

I sit back in the chair. The next few minutes will be epic.

- My dears, we have a dispute, with ninety thousand dollars on table ten – said the master of ceremonies, excited by the direction of the proposals.

Table... ten?

It's our fucking table.

My eyes shift to Angelic, and to the surprise of a total of zero people, the name tag is up on his right hand. My reaction is slow in coming. I don't know if I should be annoyed by their childishness, admired by their competitive spirit or intrigued.

- One hundred and fifty thousand dollars – the female voice comes from across the room, from table five, loud and clear.

- One hundred and fifty thousand dollars! Do we have a higher offer?

A brief moment of silence fills the room as people wait for the next auction. And now that they know it's two women bidding, expectations are high. The emcee is almost ready to close the proposals, however, I see the plate go up once more, and if it weren't for my girlfriend, I'd be disappointed.

- Two hundred thousand dollars - his voice seems calm and measured, intoned in the right tone.

All eyes are on Angelic. From the waiter serving the sparkling wine to people who aren't even interested in the auction. I can see the blush on his cheeks where it is visible under the mask, and the way his chest rises and falls demonstrates his nervousness. But beyond that, she is determined. Just like me, she does not accept losing.

- Three hundred thousand dollars - offers Jasmine, with a tone of voice that indicates that this is not her last proposal.

I know Angelic entered the auction just to piss off Jasmine. She is much prettier in diamonds than in pearls. And Jasmine took the gamble, because putting money into frivolous things is what she calls a Monday.

- Three hundred and fifty – Angelic raises the nameplate once more.

- Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars on table ten! – murmurs the man on stage, euphoric – This night is promising.

- Five hundred thousand dollars – shouts Jasmine, barely giving the ceremonialist time to finish her sentence.

Angelique purses her lips. For my part, I drink a sip of water to hide my smile. I know that feeling. The heart beats against the throat, as adrenaline rushes through the veins. The mind floats, because competing to lose is not an option. Angelic takes a second to think, and the emcee begins to approach the microphone, ready to wrap up the last act of the evening.

I can't see it, but I'm sure a smug smile is on Jasmine's lips. She's not as interested in earrings as she is in angelic hell.

Donneli sinks into the chair. For a brief second, I'm disappointed to realize she's given up on winning. However, I will not comment. If she wins, it will only be because she wants to.

- More bids? – asks the man on stage looking directly at our table – I'll give you one. I give you two. I give you...

- A million dollars - the female voice sentences, and, damn it, it comes from table ten.

I created a little monster.

The buzz around the room begins to grow. It will be the highest bid of the evening, and certainly in the history of this auction.

I look at table five, seeing Jasmine holding the nameplate without lifting it. Her lips are compressed into a thin line, and she shakes her head at the host.

- I'll give you one. I give you two. I'll give you three – he said – Sold to the lady in red at table ten, for the paltry million dollars – applause erupts throughout the casino – We have a record holder among us.

Angelic sighs, smiling to herself as she gets all the applause and catcalls she deserves. I want to applaud him, especially for having achieved the feat of killing the boredom that was killing us.

She is sensational.

"I didn't think you liked pearls," I said.

- I love pearls – she feigns innocence.

Angelique is the creature to blame for my constant headache. However, now my smile is entirely your responsibility.

- You know you have to sign a check at the end of the auction, right? - incite.

She turns completely towards me, blinking slowly.

- And even? – Angelic pretends to be surprised – How sad. I think I'm gonna have to sleep with someone to get paid.

You play very, very low. Devil.

Using my peripheral vision, I notice when plumes of lilac enter my field of vision. Angelic and I turn to face Jasmine, who is now maskless.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you - Angelic nod, a bit smug.

Jasmine turns to me. The warm smile he aims at Angelic dies on his lips. Now, yes, I can expect a scandal.

- You used me – she squints – Again.

I could deny it on the pretext that I didn't want to. But I had. Even the best of men must be a jerk when it's their only option.

Jasmine walks away from our table. Even though I was once again strengthening ties with the Arcade family, I never intended to get closer to Jasmine. She's beautiful, but she's also the type to demand an engagement ring if she gets laid more than twice.

- What did she mean? Angelica asks.

- I needed a favor, and I may have made a promise that I had no intention of keeping – I am sincere in my answer.

- What kind of promise? – she leans towards me – Something like ending the night in her bed?

I take a deep breath, then drink a glass of water. The truth is a really hard thing to deal with, and I don't want to lie. Therefore, I choose silence.

"Amazing," she whispers, and in the next second she's on her feet.

- Angelique - I call, in vain, because she walks without a certain direction, just passing through people and away from me.

Shit.

I didn't think a woman was born capable of making me chase after her, literally. But the universe is a sarcastic bastard. I get up and look for Angelique in the hallway, until I find the blond hair, followed by the red dress, in front of the garden doors.

I follow her because, being angelic, I doubt she could just get some fresh air and get back to the table. I push through the dark glass doors, finding the Bellagio's inner garden. I look around the plants and flowers until I find Angelique sitting on a wooden bench, removing the mask from her face.

- Angelique - I call as I approach.

- I don't want to bother you – she snaps – If you want to go back inside and finish your flirtation, I can wait outside.

- My what? – I frown – I can't believe you're going to make me do this.

- Do what?

- Explain to me.

To one man, I am faithful beyond measure. She has no reason to be upset.

I stop in front of her. Angelic looks up at my face, waiting for an explanation. And even though she looks down on me, she always seems to be on top.

- Jasmine and I were close a few years ago.

- Next? – she disdains – Did you eat it?

I raise an eyebrow, even though my mask doesn't allow Angelic to see. But I can't help it, I'm surprised.

- I think that expression is very rude.

- I'll show you what a rude expression is.

- Well... - I'm clearing my throat, because I guess I lost concentration - I had a disagreement with his family, and I had to leave. Now, let's say it's convenient to resume relationships with them – professional relationships – I may have been referring to some kind of flirting, but that's my game. I lied.

- Like you're lying now.

Angela gets up. Our height difference seems to be compensated by his annoyance.

- I'm not - I assure you. His expression remains unchanged. I know that feeling, and it took me a while to admit it was jealousy. However, damn it. If she's mine, I have the right to feel. I take your hand and press it to my chest, to my heart - I swear by all that I am and have.

I'm honest.

Angelique stays with her hand on my chest, and I start to feel the warmth of her palm. We look at each other as my heartbeat is felt by her. The pupils dilate and the blue irises become just a thin ring in his eyes.

- Can you smile again, please? I don't know how to handle your jealousy.

Angelique withdraws her hand from me, irritated again. I try not to smile.

- Jealousy? – she looks at me, now like a hurricane – If I was jealous, I would blow up her building. Oh no. Expect. It would be you.

She picks up the mask from the wooden bench and goes back to the casino. I stare at her, amazed at how much this piece of human being can derail my career.

If she could even imagine who I was before I met her...

"Bingo," I mumble to myself.