Chapter 2

Scarlett’s POV

When we got off the plane and breathed the air of Las Vegas, she smiled. Everything was beautiful, and she was amazed by the buildings, colors, and streets.

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” I’ve heard that so many times on TV that I dreamed of fulfilling the prophecy.

I suppressed a smile and grabbed the suitcases. The taxi to my mom’s rented house arrived quickly. I loved this place; I could stay here forever.

The house was white with glass windows on the outside. It had a pool in front and black gates that surrounded the house. It had four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen on the ground floor, along with the game room and living room. My room was the largest, with a window that overlooked the house next door, a double bed, and a closet bigger than my room in Los Angeles.

Las Vegas was starting to seem like the perfect place to live. The only bad thing was the horrible traffic that occurred.

“Olive, we need to go out and buy food. There’s nothing in this fridge,” I complained, looking around. I closed the fridge, and she was facing away from me. She hung up the call and smiled.

“Let’s go. I would like to see more of the city.”

“I thought we would go by car,” I replied hesitantly.

“It doesn’t make sense to go by car, Scarlett. We’re here to explore, not to do the same thing we do in Los Angeles.”

I clicked my tongue and nodded.

The city was huge, and I could easily get lost there. We entered the nearest supermarket, and the white lights made my vision feel strange. The shelves were packed with food, and we took what we needed. Olive dropped some things, and I turned to help her, but it was too late. A guy was already doing it, a young man with green eyes, muscular arms, and a formal suit. Who wears clothes like that at this time?

“Excuse me,” she stammered.

I wished I could hide under a rock at this moment. The young man, whose name was unknown, lowered his head apologetically. His hair was long, blonde, and shiny.

“Don’t worry, it was my fault,” I said.

“My name is Olive,” she murmured. “And she is Scarlett, my best friend.”

For the first time, his eyes rested on me, and he smiled. He was the typical guy who could conquer anyone with his gaze. But not me, he could fool Olive with his facade of a good and innocent boy. But with me, he wouldn’t play again. He cleared his throat and nodded slowly, about to say something. However, he thought about it a little more until he decided to let it out.

“There’s a party at my brother’s casino tonight. You should come.”

“Your brother has a casino?” I spoke for the first time.

“Three. They’re quite well-known in different parts of the world. Sometimes it’s hard being his brother.”

“Don’t take offense, but I would hate to be the sister of a man who has to wipe his butt with money.”

He laughed, and my friend gave me a reproachful look. I wasn’t lying, I was being honest, and the stranger seemed to like it.

“My name is Francis.”

“Okay, Francis, see you there tonight.”

“See you,” he said, waving to leave us alone.

Olive let out the breath she was holding. She had seen in his eyes that she liked that guy. Physical attraction is the first step to good sex. And although she didn’t see it that way, it was the reality. The first thing my friend should have thought after experiencing such a cliché was that it was destiny and that their souls had to complement each other or something like that. It was foolish to say those things; love is just an excuse for people who feel alone and are bitter about life.

I grabbed the things in my hand, tied up my hair, and turned with the cart to go pay. She was still looking down the aisle where Francis had disappeared. She was a first-class romantic.

“That will be $10.8,” the employee said.

“Keep the change,” I said, handing him the money.

He nodded, and we left.

“We have to go to that party, Scarlett,” Olive said.

I smiled.

“It’s a casino, not a party.”

“It’s almost the same thing!” she squealed.

“You’re right,” I smiled. “You liked Francis, huh? He was handsome, but not overly so.”

“He’s the most attractive guy I’ve ever met.”

“Well, you seem to have forgotten about Edgar and Mike, and the others who followed.”

“They were just a whim,” she nodded convincingly. “Although I think he liked you.”

“Me?” I made a face.

“He spoke to you more than me.”

“Olive, guys are dumb. They get nervous and decide to ignore you. It’s normal. Tonight we should get all dolled up and head to that casino. What do you think?”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

I thought she wouldn’t want to go, but I was pleased to know that she was willing to go after the guy. Immediately, a sound interrupted the room. Francis had sent Olive a message on Instagram with the address and a red heart. Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled.

Maybe it’s not such a bad idea to fall in love with a man like him. I shook my head and left all the bags in the kitchen, then went to the bedroom and helped Olive with her makeup. She chose a tight-fitting dress, loose hair, and simple makeup. In contrast, I focused on a night makeup look, put on a tight-fitting blue dress, and decided to leave right away.

Music flooded my ears, people walking back and forth, and others were gambling. Everything was crazy. I asked the bartender for tequila, and my friend quickly went away when she met Francis’ gaze.

Love could be like this. I took a sip, looking around the place. Maybe I would bet with one of these men; Dad had taught me when I was little. I got up from the bar, and a guy around my age touched my arm, his smile widening when he got a better look at my face.

“Do you want to dance?”

I had two options. Go with this stranger or spend the rest of the night alone. And I preferred to go with the stranger. And although everything could turn upside down, I liked to take some risks.