The year someone turns 18 they have the opportunity to be injected with a serum that will produce a soulmate mark somewhere on their body. This serum is costly and the procedure to get the injection is not covered by insurance.
A rare illness cropp...
I frown because I hate something causing him so much worry, but I am agreeable to waiting to hear about whatever has made him so stressed tomorrow. "Okay. First thing in the morning though." I reiterate his words in a way I hope stresses my desire to find out as early as possible. Perhaps what he is going to discuss with me is the reason for his discomfort I noticed while waiting at my door also.
He nods in agreement before kissing me on the cheek.
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We enter the casino and immediately I find myself overwhelmed all over again. Once again I feel like I am in an luxuriant palace and find myself afraid to touch anything. What I find most disconcerting of all is the fact that we are only in the hallway at the mouth of the entrance. All of my soulmates are excited to start playing some of the card games and disperse between the blackjack tables and the poker tables. I of course know of 5-card draw and Texas Hold 'Em but I found myself lingering at a table where people are playing something called 7-Card Stud. I only stay for a moment though because I don't know what to make of it.
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My soulmates each promised me that they wouldn't stay long, at most two or three hours, but they did all allow me the freedom to leave early if I want to. The chauffeur on standby should I choose to do so. I simply have to call him and relay my decision.
I play lady luck to my gambling soulmates, periodically changing from one table to the next so I can support each of them throughout the night. It is an hour and a half in when I am grabbing a passing hor d'oeuvre from a tray that my decision to stay a little bit longer is taken away from me. Although, I was more so considering leaving in a few minutes despite the mishap. After I grab the canapé I turn to continue onward and run right into a gentleman who I swear hadn't been in my path only a second ago. His drink pours over the skirt of my gown and I frown at the blossoming color. "I am so sorry, mademoiselle. I did not see you."
I stutter to accept his apology. "It's okay. It was an accident." But where did he get red wine from when the only drinks I have seen served have been clearer in color? They had to be either white wine, champagne, or water.
It takes me only moments to pull my cell phone from my clutch and call the chauffeur to come to the door and pick me up. I feel exceptionally silly as I climb into the back of the stretch limo, and I fully regret not telling anyone where I was going. But, I didn't want to create a scene because of the stain on my dress.
It takes me next to no time to change out of my dress and replace it with a comfortable pair of pajamas. I frown that my dress says dry clean only, and don't have a clue what to do about the stain. I call room service for some club soda and apply it regardless of the directions then put it over my shower rod in my bathroom. I am just about to text my soulmates to let them know what happened when I see a piece of paper on the desk beside my bed. I pull it closer to me and frown. "What? I didn't type this. Why does it have my name on it at the bottom?" I find myself saying out loud before I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me in an aggressive manner that I realize instantaneously means me harm. One hand covering my nose and mouth as a sickenly sweet scent infiltrates my senses and darkness begins to cloud in around the corners of my eyes.
"No, I did." I barely register the voice before the darkness starts to veil my sight. "Oppa, make sure to take that ring off her finger and leave it with the letter. It will add the perfect touch." I am able to translate before fully going under.
