Zach and I are sitting at the table in my living room and enjoy lunch together. It's Sunday 3pm, and we just got out of bed about two hours ago. After the apartment inspection yesterday, we got us some food and then went to the movies together. The film was some kind of fantasy movie and it was quite boring, but since we were sitting in the last row, we knew some things to do against the boredom.

"What do you think I should wear tonight?" I ask Zach in view of the casino visit we've planned for tonight.

Zach shoves another forkful of pasta into his mouth and chews for a moment before answering my question.

"I don't know. You could wear that white dress you wore last time?" he suggests with a playful smirk.

I know he loved that dress. I will never forget the way he looked at me when he saw me wearing it for the first time.

I chuckle lightly and shake my head.

"No, I don't want to wear the same one like last time," I state, picking at my food.

Zach smiles at me and tilts his head. A light frown forms on his forehead as he eyes me pensively.

"What?" I ask.

Zach blinks at me. My question must have pulled him out of some captivating thoughts.

"Huh?" He chuckles awkwardly and I see the tiniest bit of pink appearing on his cheeks. Is he really blushing?

"Is everything okay?" I look at him with a deep frown and narrowed eyes.

"Sure," Zach retorts and gives me a broad smile. He seems to have already recovered from his little moment of embarrassment.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I swallow down the last bite of my meal and place my fork on the empty plate in front of me.

"None of your business," he teases me with a cheeky grin.

I playfully pout, causing Zach to jump off his stool and hurrying over to my side of the table. He steps behind me and starts tickling me. I burst out laughing, since he touched me in a sore spot. I'm extremely ticklish. I jump to my feet and try to escape, but Zach has already gripped me by my waist and continues his tickling attack.

"Stop!" I scream breathlessly. Tears are already welling up in my eyes, and I squirm and writhe trying to break free from Zach's tight grip.

Zach's head rests on my shoulder, and his loud laughter booms in my ear. Although, my stomach already hurts from all the laughing, the rare sound of Zach's laughter is like music to my ears. It's slightly throaty and deep and rouses the butterflies in my belly.

"Please Zach, I can't take it anymore," I squeak and try hard to turn around. Zach lets me, and his fingers stop tickling me, but he still holds me close to his body. He rests his forehead against mine and looks at me with slightly parted lips. We both pant from all the laughing.

After we've caught our breath again, Zach's face becomes more serious, and he brings up his hands and places them on both my cheeks. He inhales, and it looks like he wants to say something, but then he pauses and closes his eyes. A strand of his wavy hair falls into his forehead, and I involuntarily lift my hand to push it back. Zach's eyes open again and find mine. He gives me a soft smile and a thoughtful look before gently pressing his lips against mine. It's a slow and tender kiss without any haste. Our lips melt together and build a steady rhythm. As if by itself, my hands wander up to his tousled hair and my fingers tangle into his dark strands. I'm completely out of my breath again when we hesitantly pull away.

Zach's chest rises and falls as fast as mine does, and he gives me a fond smile. His hazel eyes beam at me and look like amber in the warm light of the afternoon sun which shines through my living room windows. Something in his gaze is different today, causing my heart to leap and my cheeks to flush. That feeling kind of takes me back to the first days he stayed here when I flushed constantly in his presence.

I clear my throat and turn to stack our empty plates. I don't want him to notice my shyness.

"I'm going to have a quick shower," Zach tells me and exits the room.

~

A few hours later, Zach and I call an Uber and drive to the casino. When the car stops in front of it, Zach opens the door for me and holds his hand out to help me out.

"You made an excellent choice with that outfit, Livie. You look beautiful!" Zach eyes my appearance for a second and places a gentle kiss on my temple.

"Thank you!" I say and smile into his eyes.

I decided against a dress and chose a high-waisted, olive green pleated skirt which ends just beneath my knees and paired it with a long-sleeved black blouse with slight bell sleeves which ends right above my skirt. The black heels with a fine ankle strap complete my outfit. I must admit I'm pretty pleased with my choice and feel comfortable with my appearance.

Zach places his hand on my lower back and leads me to the entrance of the building. He glances at me from the side.

"I like it when you wear your hair like that," he states.

"I literally did nothing, but thanks," I tell him with a light laughter. I simply created a slightly irregular center part, blow dried it, and just left it like that. It's quite smooth, but not extremely straight, it still has a slight natural wave.

We walk into the casino and change our brought cash into chips. The elevator brings us to the top floor, and, like last time, we're led to our private room by a gorgeous, stylishly dressed woman.

"Look who's here!" Caleb's striking voice greets us as soon as we enter the room. He gets up from his seat at the table and approaches us with a glass filled with whiskey.

"Good evening, Caleb." I skeptically watch him grabbing my hand and brushing a kiss on my it.

Zach slightly tightens his grip around my waist and frowns at Caleb's untypically gesture.

"Caleb," he gives him a quick nod and we walk over to the table. The rest of the players are already seated. I recognize some of them from the last time, but most of the faces are new to me.

"Do you want to get a drink?" Zach asks me. I nod thankfully and watch him walking to the small bar. The sight of Zach wearing a suit is something I have to get used to, what doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. He looks incredibly handsome in it. A minute later he returns with a gin and tonic and a glass of whiskey.

"Thank you!" I say and he gives me a cheeky wink. I take a sip of my drink and enjoy the cool liquor running down my throat.

"Ready to get started?" the dealer asks in the round. I give her a warm smile. She's brunette and very pretty. I get the feeling that all the girls working here look stunning.

All the players nod and mutter their yes. We're six players tonight, one less than the last time. William, the guy who won against Zach last time is also here, and Zach has rolled his eyes in annoyance the moment he saw him.

The first few games go by without any big winnings or losses. We're about to play the sixth game when things start to get heated. The cards are dealt, and everyone takes a look at their given hands. I've got a heart ten and a spade eight. Usually, I would fold, but as I'm the big blind and no one raises, of course I check. Four players are still in the game. Zach, William, a guy I don't know who's sitting next to Zach, and myself, and as the big blind is five hundred, there are two thousand dollars in the pot right now.

The dealer places the first three cards on the table. A club nine and jack and a heart three. I'm close to a straight, but I give nothing away and keep my poker face. William bets two hundred and fifty dollars, the guy next to him, who I learned is named Jacob, calls, as well as Zach and I do.

Caleb who already folded at the beginning of the game, chuckles deeply and leans back in his chair.

"I'm enjoying this," he remarks and takes a sip of his whiskey, grinning smugly at me. I ignore him and concentrate on the game.

The dealer places the fourth card on the table. A spade six which doesn't really help me getting a straight. I need a seven or a queen to achieve this. William bets another two hundred and fifty dollars, and again, we all call. My heart is racing, but still, I keep a cool face. I glance to Zach who returns my look but doesn't give anything away as well.

The last card placed on the table is a club queen. On the inside, I jump with happiness, since it's the card I wished for. I look at William who checked this time. Jacob thinks for a moment and then bets another two hundred and fifty dollars. My eyes wander to Zach who taps his fingers on the table, and then looks up. My eyebrows shoot up as he raises the bet to six hundred dollars. I call and wait for William to decide whether to call or fold.

"Damn it!" he eventually huffs and throws his cards in the middle of the table.

Jacob eyes Zach for a moment with narrowed eyes and then calls as well.

Now comes the part I love the most about playing poker. The moment everyone reveals their cards and checks if he's the one with the best hand. It gives this certain kind of excitement and thrill and never gets boring.

Jacob's cursing is the first reaction. I quickly check Zach's and my cards, and my eyes widen. Zach's got a flush, and thus has beaten me. He wins the whole pot of five-thousand and eight-hundred dollars.

"Sorry, baby," he whispers that only I can hear him. I smile at him and shake my head.

"It's a game. You got lucky and I'm happy for you," I retort and take a sip of my drink.

William leans forward and gives Zach a snide grin.

"Seems like you practiced with your little sexy gem here, huh?" he scoffs and points at me.

Zach rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to retort something, but Caleb gets there first, and laughs throatily.

"Didn't mummy ever teach you how to be a good loser, Will?" he mocks.

I'm honestly surprised he's taking Zach's side. Since I first met him after the thing with Terrence, he acted like a completely different man than the one who kidnapped me. Zach shoots me a bewildered look to. I bet he's as confused about it as I am.

„Oh, shut the fuck up, Caleb," William counters, and downs the rest of his whiskey.

We play a few more games and I manage to win back all my losses from the previous game, and when we decide to call it a day, I even leave with slightly more money than I came here with.

I'm standing in front of the huge panorama window and admire the view over the city as Zach steps behind me.

"Wanna leave?" he asks me and places a gentle kiss on my shoulder.

"Yea," I reply and turn around giving him a soft smile.

We walk towards the door, but Caleb steps into the door frame and blocks our way.

"Are you already leaving?" he asks with an emotionless face.

"Yes, we do, Caleb!" Zach replies in a harsh tone. "Why does that even bother you?"

"Join me for a quick drink?" Caleb ignores Zach's question and expectantly raises his eyebrows.

Zach snorts in annoyance and opens his mouth to decline Caleb's offer.

"Sure," I answer before Zach gets a chance to talk.

He looks at me with a frown, but then shrugs. "Okay."

We walk over to the bar and Caleb motions us to sit down on one of the two beige leather couches.

"Well, how's Jack, Olivia?" Caleb asks after handing one drink to each of us. Although, I don't like whiskey I decide to just take it without complaining. I look up to him and frown.

"Jack?" I ask. Why is he asking me about Jack? Why does he even know him?

"Yea, he's your boss, right?"

Who is this and what has this person done to the old, spiteful, disgusting Caleb?

"Uh, yea. I don't know. Fine, I guess," I answer and shrug uneasily.

Caleb simply nods and then looks away into the distance.

I shoot Zach a questioning glance. He just shrugs and looks at least as confused as I feel right now. I take a sip of my whiskey and try not to wrinkle my nose as the disgusting, and burning liquor runs down my throat. Zach watches me with amusement clear in his face.

"Why did you even take it in the first place?" he asks lowly.

I shrug and shake my head with a chuckle.

"Is he acting different lately?" Caleb's agog voice lets me look up at him in surprise.

"If anything, he's even more moody than usual and he's more absent lately," I tell him with a frown and tilt my head. "Why do you ask so much about my boss?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm just curious. I know him from a long time ago, and I was wondering what he's been up to lately," Caleb grunts and downs the rest of his drink. He puts the empty glass on the bar and then turns around.

"See you, I guess," he mutters and walks away.

With bewildered faces, Zach and I watch him leaving the room.

"What was that about?" I ask and put my nearly untouched drink away.

"I have absolutely no idea!" Zach retorts, and then gets up. "Come on. Let's go!"

I take his hand and we make our way to the elevator.

After we changed our chips back into cash, we walk towards the exit. The doorman holds the door open for us, and we're just about to walk outside when a deep and raspy voice calls after us.

"Zach!"

Zach stops in his tracks and closes his eyes for a second. His whole body is tensed as he turns around to face the man who just called his name.

*****

Who do you think just called after Zach?🤔

Please comment your thoughts and vote. ✨

Katie❤️