“Why me?” a young woman moaned as she ran at top speed from the convenience store.

Not bad for a woman in flats. She ducked into an alley and hid behind a trashcan as several burly men dashed past her. Talk about bad timing. One convenience store is robbed by more than three people, and the proprietors suspect anyone within a ten-foot radius.

She peered from behind the trashcan. Seeing that the coast was clear, she headed in the opposite direction of the store.

The street was a crowded area. Many merchants had set up tents, in hope to sell items to make a profit. Unfortunately, money was the only way to survive in this country of Southeast Asia. At least…it helped a lot when it came to providing for one’s self. It was humid in this country, so the pale blue sleeveless blouse and black skirt she wore made it comfortable to maneuver in. She pushed her long black hair back, away from her face, as she moved through the crowd that began to teem on the streets.

After walking about a mile, she came across a hotel called ‘The Jewel’, a popular hotel among tourists. It had decent accommodations. It was a step up from the place where she was staying, but it still had that rustic quality to it. Its stone walls with cream paint and brown doors gave it a bit of a drab look, but inside, it carried the possibilities of wealth.

She entered the hotel, recalling the Oriental rugs strewn across the floor. Her dark eyes surveyed the scenery, spotting a long corridor towards the back of the reception area. Glad to see that the front desk staff was occupied, she made her way to the corridor in the back and entered through the last door. Closing the door behind her, her eyes narrowed to focus on the room of lights, haze, and card tables.

An Asian man leaning back in his chair at a blackjack table smiled at her. A fat Cuban cigar was clamped between his teeth, and he motioned for her to come closer.

“Meliza, how are you?” he said in his distinct accent.

She smiled in response. “Fine, Thao. Business is doing well, I see.” She had been at the casino several times. “Thanks for the gifts, by the way…”

“You’re welcome.”

Thao was the casino manager, and he made sure people were paying the money they owed and keeping the dealers safe from trouble. He had also been interested in her when she first arrived a little over a month ago. To get her attention, he had been mailing several items a week to her hotel. Not that she wasn’t flattered…but she was plain uninterested. He was a nice guy, though.

Meliza yanked the cigar from his teeth. “This stuff kills…”

Thao snatched the cigar back. “Careful. This cost me a bit…I think in American currency, this cigar is worth fifteen dollars…”

“In America, a person can buy several meals with that amount of money,” she pointed out.

Thao merely grinned before placing it back in his mouth. “You’re the only gambler I know who hates smoking. Smoking anything.”

“I’m sure there are others out there,” Meliza said, her eyes surveying the room.

She spotted a svelte brunette at a blackjack table ten feet away. The woman tried to give the impression that she didn’t care about her game, but Meliza’s trained eye could tell that she seemed nervous. She wouldn’t be surprised if other gamblers could tell also.

“Who’s that one?” Meliza asked, tilting her head in the direction of the woman.

Thao glanced over at the table. “A tourist. She’s been here three times already and has lost quite a bit of money.”

“Good for you, bad for her?” she queried, arching a brow.

Thao shook his head. “You’d like to think I’m taking her money…but no…the other gamblers are. Which doesn’t help me at all…”

“Oh really?” Meliza smiled slightly. “Wait here…I might be able to get you some money…”

“Meliza? What are you doing?” he asked as she began to walk to the table.

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Just watch…”

“I’m sorry, my dear. Looks like you lose again.”

The woman with no luck glanced at the balding, pot-bellied man who had been leering at her.

“I don’t take IOUs, but I might be interested in something else…” he hinted.

Yuck, she thought. Not in this lifetime…

“Mind if I join in?” came a voice.

The two turned to see an Asian woman with long black hair and a pale gold complexion. She wore an easygoing smile on her face.

“Sure. The more the merrier,” the older man said. “I always love playing with beautiful woman…”

Geez, Meliza thought. How transparent is this guy?

“I don’t have much anymore…” the other woman said.

“Like I said…I could take other forms of payment…” the older man said.

Lech…“I’ll spot you,” Meliza declared. She tossed ten thousand USD in chips onto the table.

“Are you sure you’re willing to spend that much?” the man asked.

Meliza nodded. The dealer accepted all bets as Meliza sat in the stool where the novice once was.

“One more thing…” she added softly. “If I win, you never come back to this casino.”

“And if I win?” he asked, eyes narrowing.

Meliza glanced at the novice, who was peering over her shoulder. “You can have both of us.”

“What?!” the novice screeched.

Meliza turned around, her delicate brows drawing together. “Trust me on this, and sit over there.” She pointed to an unoccupied stool at the far end of the table.

The novice huffed and stomped over.

“Excellent,” the man said, licking his lips after eyeing Meliza’s slender figure and long legs. The Asian woman looked to be no older than twenty-five. She possessed an elegance and natural beauty that radiated from her. He was certainly glad he decided to gamble that day.

“And roll up your sleeves,” Meliza said casually as the dealer began to pass out cards.

“I’m sorry?” he blinked.

“Roll up your sleeves,” Meliza repeated. “Would you like me to say it in a simpler language?”

The man narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like your tone.”

She heard a definite click under the table. Some people never learn. They can’t stand losing so they have to put violence into it…She met the novice’s gaze and signaled with her eyes to run. The other woman nodded slowly.

“Is there a problem here?” Thao spoke up from behind the man.

“Not at all,” the snake responded. “I’m just enjoying my game of-”

He was interrupted by several pale blue explosions in his face. Gunfire soon followed. After several curses and more cussing, the explosions stopped, and he looked up. The Asian and the brunette were gone, running out the door.

Meliza turned her head to see the casino manager get shot in the back by a stray bullet.

“Thao!” Meliza cried out.

The other woman gasped in horror and grabbed Meliza’s arm. “Let’s go! We can’t stop!”

Meliza turned away and began to run even faster. The two women stopped their frantic running two blocks away to catch their breath.

Meliza took a deep breath, leaning against the wall, staring at the ground sadly. Thao didn’t deserve that. He had always been nice and pleasant to her, even if she did tend to win a little more money than most of the gamblers did. He didn’t mind because she was a professional, unlike the perverted old man back there. They did whatever they could to win some money.

“I’m sorry about your friend,” the novice spoke up.

Meliza nodded slowly before turning to walk away.

“Hey, wait. You never told me your name. I’m Tina.” She offered her hand.

“Meliza,” the Asian replied as she accepted the outstretched hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You’ve got a lot to learn about cards, lady,” Meliza informed quietly. “And dealing with snakes like that…”

“So you don’t mind if I tag along with you and learn?” Tina said eagerly.

Meliza’s eyes widened. “Um…Well…”

“I haven’t seen a female gambler once since I started there. You did great with that guy back there. What’d you use on him?”

“It’s something I was born with…I use it only in special cases like that,” Meliza declared.

“Great job. So? Do you mind if I hang around you? Learn a couple things?”

“Sure.”

“Great!” Tina took her hand and shook it with enthusiasm. “Looks like my luck is about to change!”

What have I gotten myself into? The Asian woman asked herself.