A Day Earlier…

The Grand Oak Hotel took a step back in time- to the age of disco lights, sleek hair and ballroom dancing. Atali wanted to relive her youth as she turned sixty-five.

The place had to feel like the old days, back when forensic scientists couldn’t lift her fingerprints from a glass, and she could leave her “surprises” behind without consequence. Back then, she’d been more of a loan shark than a businesswoman. It paid well, but her knuckles were always itching.

Crystal chandeliers threw light across the gold-and-burgundy walls, dancing to the low hum of the saxophone and piano. Velvet-draped chairs, tables dressed like royalty, the air thick with the scent of fine dining and flavours that would linger on the tongue long after the last toast.

Guests matched the mood. Not extravagant, just hints of the past here and there: a feather tucked into hair, a glimmer at the collar. Atali wasn’t only celebrating sixty-five years of kicking life in the teeth. She was marking forty-five years of holding her ground in business, keeping an empire upright while others fell.

In the kitchen, plates left the pans faster than they could be stacked. In the bar corner, champagne glasses lined up neatly on trays. No one noticed the moment a white powder slipped into the third glass, disappearing into the golden fizz. The tray was lifted, and the party carried on.

“Where’s Clark? The Baron of Encegas is about to give the toast and people still don’t have champagne,” Rose whispered to Olivia.

“I saw him head to the kitchen a minute ago. I’m sure it’s handled,” Olivia said. Rose worked herself up over small things, though anyone who knew her understood why. She wasn’t born a perfectionist; she just liked impressing the woman who raised her.

“You’ve done an excellent job. It’s your grandmother’s day, Rose. Enjoy it,” Lisa chimed in from across the table.

Rose’s table held only a few -her aunt Lisa, Olivia, and two guests: Osiris Brawn and Lola Ztelskey. Rose had refused a seat at the grand table with its collection of corrupt politicians, drug lords, and schemers.

“I’m heading to the kitchen,” she said, getting up. But the main doors swung open.

“They’re here,” Olivia said.

“See? Everything’s under control,” Lisa grinned. Rose let herself be convinced, at least for now.

After the toast, her nerves eased. She watched Atali with quiet pride, relieved the hard part was over. She even started to enjoy herself - until a wave of heaviness rolled through her stomach. At first, she blamed stress, but then her eyes grew heavy.

“May I have this dance?” Osiris asked. She took his hand, hoping movement might wake her up.

“I hear you’re expanding one of your hotels,” he said.

“Yes. Near my father’s hometown.”

“Sounds promising. Free next weekend?”

“Osiris, we’ve talked about this. I’m not interested in dating someone in your line of work.”

“Ouch,” he said, leaning in. “But I’m not giving up.”

She smiled faintly. Rose enjoyed the attention sometimes. But as he spun her, dizziness set in, followed by a dull headache.

“Easy! You alright?” he asked, catching her.

“It’s nothing. I’m just worn out,” she said, feeling eyes on her.

“Want me to take you to your room?”

“That’s kind, but Olivia’s here,” she said. He let it go, and returned her to Olivia’s care.

“I’m not feeling well. Let’s wind down a bit,” Rose told her.

“And Atali?”

“If she had her way, she’d introduce me to everyone. My head’s pounding. Let’s slip out quietly.”

**********

Amongst the guests, at another table, Ivan was already thinking about leaving. He wanted to check out The Rose Casino, on another floor of the hotel. Still, he had to show his face to Atali Sinclare first.

“Sixty-five? You don’t look a day over thirty,” he said when he finally reached her.

“Ah, the lone wolf’s son! Has your father risen from the grave?” she said, eyes narrowing in a smile.

“Nope, he’s still gone.” Ivan matched her energy.

“I miss that man. But flattery gets you nowhere with me,” she said.

“Then I’m glad I’m telling the truth.”

“Where’s my little sunshine…” she scanned the crowd for Rose, then looked back.

"I hope you'll grant me more than a minute for a fruitful conversation," Ivan said.

"That will have to wait until tomorrow, Maestro. You can show me your worth then, and I'll decide if you're a fitting successor to Damien," Atali declared, raising her glass smoothly before departing.

Ivan watched as Atali disappeared in the crowd. "Let's go to the casino," he instructed his men, leaving the party behind.

He wasn't entirely alone. Eliza, the daughter of a Mafia in Redbrook and an old fling of Ivan's, included him in a card game. "Why aren't you at the party?" he asked her.

"The same reason you're here... I got bored," Eliza replied.

Ivan found himself drawn to her vivid red lips. He used to be enticed by her, but those feelings had long faded. Now, they only crossed paths for business.

A petite escort with silky black hair sat by him, sliding her hands around his, encouraging his bets. She pinched him when she disagreed with his stakes and hugged him tighter when she felt confident in his choices. Ivan spent hours playing, winning more often than losing.

"You're my lucky charm," Ivan said to the escort. As he played poker, he was served two shots of whiskey on ice. "I didn't order these," Ivan noted.

"It's on the house," the escort said. Ivan didn't think much of it and took a sip.

After a while, the cards seemed to shift before his eyes, and his vision blurred. He unbuttoned his collar, feeling warm.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" Ivan asked the escort.

"Crystal," the lady responded, bashfully.

"I like that. You've certainly made the game interesting. Can I reward you?" Ivan said, making his intentions clear as he stared down the lady's cleavage.

"Sure, but I can't leave just yet. If you give me your room number, I will join you in thirty minutes."

Ivan shared the details and eventually decided to end the night's game. "Leaving already? The games have barely started," Eliza pointed out.

"Call it a gambler's luck. It's better to leave after making a few bucks than to lose it all to greed," Ivan explained. He said his farewells to an old friend and exited the casino.

Ivan took the elevator, loosening his cuffs and checking the time. "Fifteen more minutes," he muttered, feeling eager. His clothing felt stifling and warm.

By the time he reached his floor, Ivan was panting from the heat coursing through his body. He wasn't entirely drunk, but he felt disoriented…and oddly, aroused.

As he walked down the hallway, he heard the sound of approaching high heels. Soon, a woman in a tight-fitting dress came into view.

"You're right on time," Ivan said, his breath shallow as the woman struggled forward, touching the walls as if they helped her see.

However, she walked past him as if he were invisible. "Whoa, where are you going?" Ivan grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him. "I'm right here," he said as she crashed into his chest.

"What?" Rose looked at him, confused, dazed.

"Your reward. I'll give it to you in my room," Ivan stated.

"Your room?" Rose caught a pleasant scent in the air, aside from whiskey and cigarette. "If the reward is mine, why can't I have it now?"

Ivan pressed her to the wall, his hand wrapping around her neck. "God, I didn't know you were this adventurous. You seemed innocent a while back." He inhaled her scent. "I'll make it three rewards. One here... and two in the king-sized bed." He slid his hand beneath her skirt. "By the time I'm done, you won't be able to walk straight. I promise," he said before kissing her.