The Two Families

Chapter Thirteen

"This seat taken?" A voice asked.

I opened my eyes, turning around to see Laura standing there, smiling down at me. Her brown hair was blowing in the wind, grey eyes sparkling in the moonlight. She changed into a beige sweatshirt. I nodded at the empty spot next to me, allowing her to sit there. Laura sat there, in silence, not uttering a single word. 

I looked at her, confused, "you're not going to say anything?"

She giggled, "sometimes just having someone there for you is more than enough unless you want to talk."

I took a deep breath in, looking at the garden in front of me, sprinklers going off; water droplets catching the twinkle of the stars. We just sat there in silence; however, that silence spoke a thousand words. Through the silence, I felt comforted. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. Laura moved closer, slipping her arm under mine and placed her head on my shoulder. I sat there, stunned. I swallowed the lump in my throat, biting the inside of my cheek. I smiled ever so slightly, placing my head on hers. We sat there, not exchanging words, just experiencing the moment together. 

In the distance, I saw headlights turning into the Manor, driving towards us. I held my hand to shield my eyes from the blinding light in front of me. Laura had sat up straight, but she hadn't moved her arm from mine. A man emerged from the car, holding a cellphone in his hand. 

"I have intel on Takahaski's whereabouts," he said to Laura, and just like that our moment came to an end. We went back into the house, sitting with the Marino siblings, listening to the strange man.

"Deigo, what do you have?" Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My men got intel on Hideo Takahashi. He is attending a poker game in two days at his families casino," Deigo informed. Luka nodded at the man, who nodded back, taking his leave.

"Shit," Sofia cursed, "they won't let me in."

"I'll go," Laura suggested.

"No!" Sofia growled, "you're injured. We can't risk it."

Laura flinched, "It doesn't even hurt, plus I've had worse injuries. Come on, Sof; we need to end Takahashi once and for all, and this is a risk I am willing to take."

"Yeah, but it isn't a risk I am willing to let you take," Sofia countered.

Silence fell onto the group; it wasn't the type of silence that made you feel good; it was the gut-wrenching silence, the awkward silence, the one where you wish someone would say something. Was there something going on between Sofia and Laura?

"I-I'll go with Laura," I spoke up, breaking the silence, immediately regretting it because of Luka's piercing eyes.

"No," Luka said.

"But-" I started.

"No," He repeated.

"No Luka, she has a point," Marcus spoke, "Hideo doesn't know Aarina, so she could go in with Laura, and they wouldn't suspect a thing, you know with Laura being Bi and all."

Laura grinned at me, raising her eyebrows, "you're my girl."

I rolled my eyes are her, turning to Luka, who was thinking deeply, "fair, but not anyone can enter the casino."

"Oh, no need to worry about that," Laura dismissed.

"What do you mean?" Luka asked.

"I may have done a thing with the manager of the casino," Laura smirked evilly.

"Oh," Luka laughed, "you're evil."

"What did you do?" Sofia chuckled.

"Nothing major," Laura explained, "I just knowingly put him in a situation where his wife would be in danger, and he would have to owe me one to save her."

Adrenaline floods my system. I think my heart will explode, and my eyes are wide with fear. My body is screaming to run. These people are cold-hearted murders. I swallow, trying to calm myself down. The siblings laughed, patting Laura on her back as if she did the most extraordinary thing on the planet. No, I told Luka I would work for him in both fields, which I will do.

"Aarina, are you okay with going with Laura?" Luka asked.

"Yes, I am. I am good at poker as well," I replied.

Laura nudged Sofia with her shoulder, "you have competition."

Sofia snapped towards me, "play a game with me, and let's see if you can do this."

Marcus got out the poker cards, and we made our way to the table. I placed two red chips in the middle, and so did Sofia, that was out Ante or our buy-in bet. Marcus dealt the cards, passing two cards to both of us. Laura and Luka were watching intensely, even though nothing had even happened. I took the cards, lifting the edges ever so slightly to see the cards. It was a queen of spades and a seven of diamonds. I looked up at Sofia, who was staring at me, eyes showing no emotion. 

"Raise," I declared, placing a blue-chip on the counter. Sofia did then same, placing a black chip next to mine.

Marcus then took out three cards, placing them upside down. One by one he turned the cards around, revealing them. I eyed each card, eyes fixing on the queen of spades placed in the middle. 

"Raise," Sofia said, throwing three more black chips in the centre. I added two more blue ones.

Marcus added one more card, turning it around.

"Check," Sofia and I simultaneously said. Luka and Laura were practically on the table at this point, watching in anticipation. Marcus finally turned the final card over, showing it to the two of us. I felt the right side of my lips go up when I saw the last card. 

"Raise," I announced proudly, pushing all my chips forward. Laura was bouncing in excitement, while Luka was oo-ing very loudly. Sofia shushed them loudly, making Laura stop jumping and pout while Luka sat down obediently, lips pursed into a thin line.

"Raise," Sofia decided, placing three black chips to the pile. 

"Ah, you win some, you lose some," I said, smirking as I though down my cards, "two pair."

Luka gasped, and Laura jumped off her chair, "Is this really happening? is Aarina going to beat Sofia?!"

"Yes, unfortunately, this is one of the games you lose," Sofia replied, throwing down her cards, revealing a king and queen of diamonds, "flush."

Laura groaned loudly, slumping back in her chair, "goodness, when will she lose?"

Everyone got up, going back to the couch. Sofia turned to me, "hey, not bad. You'll do well at the game."