Is this destiny?

"Oh, man…" Sarah sighed. She felt like slapping him, or at least pinching those handsome cheeks, but in current setting, it was not appropriate. She tugged his arm lightly. "Aiden… can you snap out of your daze?"

"What?" He was obviously confused.

Sarah gave him a stern look. "Mr. Black… You either get yourself together or this will not work out well."

Aiden paused for a second, using it to compose himself. "I apologize, Mrs. Black. It will not happen again." He flashed a dazzling smile.

"That's better." She exhaled in relief and turned back to the tables. "That one…" She slightly pointed her chin.

They moved to the table which had three men playing. One dark tanned man had one lady with a lot of gold accessories sitting next to him, and other two men were accompanied by two ladies each.

When they noticed Sarah and Aiden approaching, everyone at the table looked at two of them. Men first checked out Sarah briefly and then their eyes landed on Aiden. Ladies were focused on Aiden mostly, not able to hide their lustful thoughts. Sarah noticed that exotic-looking lady with a lot of gold jewelry next to the dark tanned man didn't ogle at Aiden; Sarah appreciated that.

"Are you here to play?" Middle Eastern man in his mid-thirties addressed Aiden.

Aiden smiled and looked at Sarah, obviously telling them that she is the one making the decision.

"We will watch a game or two first, before deciding. If you don't mind." Sarah flashed a smile which got their attention.

All three men returned their attention to the game, obviously not minding Sarah and Aiden.

Aiden observed Sarah and he could see that she was taking mental notes of men's habits while playing. He loves when she is focused on a task in front of her. He tried to be as quiet as possible, and not to disturb her while taking in the sight of her lit up expression.

Three hands later, Sarah joined the game. One waitress got her a briefcase full of chips which got everyone's attention.

"Buy-in is ten thousand. No limits." Middle Eastern man shortly explained with a smug grin before game started.

Sarah only smiled in response.

About one hour later, Middle Eastern man was sweating bullets. He went all in on a hand which was pretty good. Other two men were out, so it was only Sarah and Middle Eastern man still in the game. Sarah called and he was surprised that she didn't raise the bet.

Middle Eastern man saw the cards and glared at Sarah while she collected the pot, not able to conceal her grin.

"How about a five-minute break?!" Middle Eastern man abruptly stood up and walked away without waiting for a response. Two ladies who escorted him, followed after him with haste.

"Sure, break is not a problem." Sarah suppressed her giggles.

Man, who was sitting next to the lady with a lot of jewelry stood up and extended his hand to Sarah. There was a card between his slender fingers, she took it and heard him talk with Indian accent, "I hope we can meet for lunch tomorrow. My wife and I would love to get a chance to meet you better, Miss…"

"Mrs. Black." Sarah corrected him and introduced herself at the same time with a smile.

"And of course, come with your…", he looked at Aiden.

"My husband." Sarah looked at the card. "Thank you, Mr. Patel. We will look at our schedule and let you know if we can join you."

He laughed. "We hope you can. We are staying in a villa just outside Las Vegas. Address is on the back of the card. It would be our honor if you can join us."

"Are you leaving?" Sarah asked, even though it was obvious.

He smiled widely and his white teeth were almost blinding next to his dark complexion. "I know when to cut my losses." He extended his arm toward his wife, palm up and she took it. They both slightly nodded toward Sarah and Aiden before leaving.

"Why didn't you raise?" Aiden asked. He was referring to the last hand of the game. "You had him…" He gestured to the chair where Middle Eastern man was sitting.

Sarah smiled. "Yes, but if I did that, he would not come back for more. And I still want to play with him. I have a feeling that he has a lot to offer." Her smile turned into an evil grin.

One inconspicuous door opened in the back, and two men stepped out followed by a small army of bodyguards. Aiden's attention got drawn there.

"That is our end goal." Sarah whispered into Aiden's ear while almost resting her head on his shoulder. "If this is for VIPs, that is definitely the next level. You need to add several 'Vs' in front of the VIP in order to get into that room."

Aiden glanced at Sarah's face and he could swear that her eyes were shining at that moment.

Middle Eastern man returned to the table with his two ladies by his side. He regained his composure and smiled while watching the waitress bring him another briefcase full of chips.

Two men followed by bodyguards passed close by their table and Sarah glanced at them for a moment. Her eyes met with one of two men. He was obviously looking at her with a hint of shock, like he recognized her, and didn't expect her to be there.

Sarah realized that the man looks familiar. 'Damn it! Why can't I remember who he is?!' Sarah cursed her weak memory of names and faces. He was already out of sight, due to bodyguards blocking her view as they walked out. It was only for a second, but Sarah was almost certain that he knows her, based on how he looked at her. And he looks familiar.

She listed what she observed about him: middle-aged, probably in late forties, maybe early fifties. Definitely shorter than her, by a head, maybe? His hair was dark brown, combed to the back… but hair can be changed, cut and colored. She should not look at hair. Sarah was flipping in her mind faces of people that she knows… neighbors, acquaintances… no one matched. Sarah felt that it's important, but her brain was not cooperating.

Aiden saw her expression. "What is it?" He spoke in a quiet voice.

Sarah leaned closer and responded with a whisper, "Two men that walked by… the one on the left. I think I know him… and I think he knows me."

Aiden thought for a second. "I saw him looking this way. I thought he was bewitched by your beauty."

Sarah frowned. "Be serious. That was not a look of a person who has any romantic or lustful thoughts. He looked surprised to see me."

Middle Eastern man cleared his throat.

Sarah could see that he is low on patience.

"We can resume whenever you are ready.", He snapped.

Sarah had no choice but to let all thoughts about that mystery man dissipate and focus on the game which was starting.

The man in front of her was arrogant and loaded.. Perfect.