Is this destiny?

That evening, Sarah and Aiden got access to the back room.

Sarah wore a tight fitting long red gown which had a high slit on the side of her right thigh. Aiden was dashing in a black suit with red details… of course, their clothes were matching.

The room was spacious, and only one table was lit up. It had five players, and one chair was free. That one was reserved for Sarah, or Mrs. Black how they addressed her.

Sarah approached the table and observed five players. All men. Two middle-aged and other three were older gentlemen. They were already playing, and only threw a quick glance at her before focusing back on the game.

Sarah hoped that the mystery man from last night will be here, so that she gets another chance to look at him. But she was disappointed that he was not present. She didn't have much time to dwell on it because she was here to play and to get a revenge against all these casinos which banned her last time.

Before Sarah took a seat, a waitress approached her asking about the amount of chips that she wants. She also asked if Aiden will be seated with her, or at the back.

"My husband will be by my side." Sarah subconsciously tightened her grip on Aiden's arm. She didn't want him to leave her side. Sarah is excited about this game, but she needs him close. She knows that he is the only one whom she can trust, and with him watching for any danger, she can focus on the game. They are not visible, but Sarah is aware that all around them, in the dark, there is a large number of bodyguards observing them closely.

The waitress swiftly brought one more chair to the table.

Only then Sarah took a seat.

When the hand ended, and one older gentleman collected his winnings, men took turn to introduce themselves to Sarah. They observed that she is playing, so they didn't pay much attention to Aiden. They only cared about the game and who is participating.

Older man who collected the winning, started introduction. "You can call me Jarred."

Sarah nodded. "And you can call me Mrs. Black."

He laughed. "Little girl, if a man of my age gives you his first name, shouldn't you respond in a same manner?"

Sarah smiled and looked him in the eyes without showing any submissiveness. "Maybe if you call me Mrs. Black, you will not think of me as a little girl." As she spoke, she was unhurriedly arranging a big pile of golden chips in front of her.

Jarred was stunned for a second and then he burst into laugh and loudly patted his thigh. "I like you! That's the spirit! Now let's see how you play." He seemed sincere and looked at her as grandfather would look at his granddaughter.

Sarah's first impression of that loud old man was positive as well.

The other men also introduced themselves.

Middle-aged man named Akmal was glaring at Sarah. He didn't seem pleased that she joined.

Other middle-aged man introduced himself as Shing. He didn't seem to like Sarah much either, especially when Sarah responded to his introduction with a smug: "Let's see if you can be victorious tonight."

"You speak Chinese?" Shing was surprised for a second, but then he realized that she taunted him and went back to stern expression without waiting for Sarah to answer.

Other two older gentlemen didn't seem to care much about Sarah. If there is another player or not, they were fine, as long as their game is not interrupted.

First few hands Sarah was playing conservatively, taking her time to observe other players.

Aiden was observing as well, but he was more focused on surroundings and the game overall. He didn't understand why Sarah wanted to come here so eagerly. He asked her previously what is so special about this game, but she only smiled mysteriously with 'you will see' comment. Now that he gets a chance to observe, it does not look like much. Maybe the bets are bigger, but in a no-limit game, that depends on players and their budget. The longer Sarah played, the more Aiden confirmed his assumptions… this is nothing special.

After few hands of warm-up, Sarah started her winning. But she was careful… dropping once or twice was mixed in between her winnings. Aiden guessed that she does not want to attract attention to herself. Slow and steady.

Exactly at midnight, there was a sound of a gong. One young lady in a tan dress was illuminated in a stage to the right of Sarah. She greeted them with a smile. "It is midnight, and our special game begins… Just to remind everyone of rules. Every half an hour, house will add a special item for the winner of the next hand. Out of non-winners, person with weakest hand will need to leave the table, leaving all remaining chips to the house, as well as any house items awarded previously."

Lady paused and Aiden looked at Sarah with panic. 'If you lose, they take all your chips, and you need to leave? What kind of a game is this?' He glanced at a small mountain of golden chips in front of Sarah and could not hide his discomfort. There was a lot of money! 'Wait a minute… this is a game of all or nothing! If they kick out one player every half an hour taking away all the winnings, that means that only one the last standing player leaves with money and awards while others go home empty handed?!!'

Sarah could sense Aiden's legs fidgeting next to hers. She moved her leg to touch his and gave him a reassuring look accompanied by a wicked smile.

Then he realized… this is why she came here! His focus went back to the lady in tan dress. She was about to say what the house-special-item is. Aiden was not able to suppress his chuckle when he thought how that sounds like a dish in a restaurant.

The lady in a tan dress was talking, "…and as house prize for the first round, our humble offering is a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, base price is 3 million US dollars, but we assure you that this beauty has all the options which makes it…"

Aiden didn't hear more than that. He focused on a large image of the ridiculously amazing car projected on the screen behind the lady. Aiden had to remind himself to keep his mouth closed.

By the time he looked back at the table, they were playing next hand. This hand will decide who gets that silver convertible beauty and who gets out!

Aiden felt like standing up and giving Sarah a shoulder massage, to make sure her blood flow to the brain is not obstructed. She needs to be in her best shape. He really-really wants that car... at least one ride. But… can he just stand up and start rubbing her shoulders?

Aiden had a hard time controlling his nerves and then he looked at Sarah… She was completely focused on the game, unphased by the inviting prize shown on the big screen.

Thought flashed through his mind, 'What if she loses? Forget about the car… All that money will be gone!' In next moment he felt like slapping himself. 'This is not the time to doubt Sarah. She can do it!'

While Aiden had a roller-coaster of emotions, Sarah was focused on the game. It was intense. No one was willing to drop out because that means they are out of race for that prize, and up for being kicked out from the game as well as loosing all the money in front of them!

Sarah didn't disappoint. After a showdown between her and Jarred, she won.

Aiden thought of leaping from excitement, but this was not the place to act carelessly. He noticed the bodyguards around… and then he remembered the rules. If Sarah loses one of the next cut-outs, she will lose that car as well. The only way to keep it is to win until the end!

One older gentleman on her left had to leave table as well as all the chips he had in his possession at that time....