Poker Night
The sounds of slot machines going off, people cheering and celebrating from the signs of winning, as I kept my cards close to my chest—the red poker table had enough chips to win a potluck of items.
“Full house,” I spoke as my guards smiled behind me, keeping the angry players far from me. The losing players groaned and gave me the worst types of death stares, the ones that were nothing but jealousy. One of my guards lowered down, whispering in my ear.
“My lord, this young woman wants to take your drink order. What shall I tell her?” The guard stood back up, waiting for my response. I looked over to a young woman with blonde hair, bright icy blue eyes, and a stunning woman, but not something I would risk going after.
“Tell the lady a glass of whisky on rocks or some sake,” I spoke as the dealer passed out more cards, and my guards interacted with me. My guards told me I never said anything publicly but never tried to hide my voice. It’s been heard over this land for ages now. Even when my father ruled before me, I was plastered on newspapers and sometimes even wanted posters. I kept my eyes down, looking at my deck before tossing them on the table.
“I fold. I’ll take my winnings and leave,” I grumbled, looking at the small amount of money I’d gambled away as a young lady came up to the table but not joining any of the gentlemen, she sat down across from me, her short red hair pushed behind her ears. She wasn't one of the girls you usually see at these events; she wasn’t even dressed suited for one. She was dressed in short shorts and a tank top with her stomach showing out. But all the men turned to look at her like she was some odd animal that just joined a poker game.
“Dealer have an open spot?” The lady spoke, but for some reason, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was beautiful, but something about her screamed power as one of the men stood up.
“I’m not losing my berries to her. I quit.” The man gathered his poker chips, removing him from the table as the woman said across from me.
“Y/N, you still in?” The dealer asked me, and I just nodded my head. Something about her made me want to keep playing for now. I looked up from my cards, catching her gaze. It made my skin crawl, and my heart beat race just by the look in her eyes.
“One wrong move and your berries are mine~” Her voice was even more alluring than the rest of her as my guards stepped forward, and I put my hand out to stop them. She was playing, after all.
“I’m only playing his round princess. Don’t get too big of a head there.” I kept my tone low and calm, trying not to break the poker face, but she glared at me like my words offended her name.
“I’m not a princess; I’m a thief and the navigator of the straw hat Pirates! I’m the smartest amongst my crew,” she said, glaring at me as a small smile spread.
Did she say straight? That crew has been wanted for months now.
“Your name wouldn't be Nami? Would it?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the cards handed to me. Lucky me, it's already a Full house.
“It would, and you?” Nami asked, looking at me with her cold eyes like amber dancing on a fire.
“It’s not important.”
“It’s rude to ask for someone's name without giving your own.” She rested her elbows on the table as I let out a sigh. She got you there, Y/N.
“Y/N,” I didn’t say much after that. As cards were drawn, I looked down at my cards, shrugging my shoulders. I didn’t need this money, so I might as well go big or go home, which doesn’t sound like a bad idea right now.
“All in,” I spoke as Nami pushed the rest of her chips into the pile with mine.
“All it.” Nami and I locked eyes as her smile faded. Something about the look on my face made her have to look away as if I was some pirate she faced in the past. The rest of the men at the table folded even though they knew they couldn’t win. Why is this girl so hell-stricken on beating me? I am nothing special, just a man playing poker, and yet something about me makes Nami want to challenge everything I’ve ever existed.
“Full House,” I tossed down the cards, looking up at her; she was shocked. Each curve in her face turned into distaste and hate towards me.
“What! No, I- you had to cheat.” Nami shot up from her chair, slamming her hands down on the tables as my guards reached for their swords. I once again had to stop them.
“That’s enough, men. She’s not a threat,” I spoke, my tone getting low, full of anger both towards my guards and this brat of a full-grown woman.
“I didn’t cheat. The game is nothing but chance.” I let my eyes follow down her body as I gathered the rest of my winnings.
“No, you must keep playing; I can’t lose to someone like you!” She slammed herself back down to her chair.
“No, I’ve been here long enough.” I glared at Nami, getting up from my chair and putting on my dark blowcoat over my white turtle neck. The only thing that made me seem out of place was that I wasn’t like the fat cats that came here. My pecks barely poked out from my sweater as I flattened it. I waited for my guards to finish taking my winnings up to the counter, leaving me alone at the table, which I didn’t mind. I can take care of myself even in a dangerous situation.
“Please stay. I have to prove myself to you. I’m smart; I could beat you in anything!” Nami half begged and demanded as I watched her shift and move in her seat as if the idea of being beaten by me drove her crazy. Part of me was enjoying every minute of it.
“I don’t understand why you must prove yourself to a stranger?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips, waiting as my coat barely covered my shoulders. Looking down at her, she seemed so tiny next to me; it was her height or how large I was.
“Sorry, doll face, I just know when to leave after I’ve won,” I spoke as my guards returned, holding suitcases full of unneeded cash—great more shit under my belt.
“90% of people back out before a big win,” She hissed, looking at me as if trying to control my mind to sit.
“I’ve already won big.” I glanced at the guards, slowly moving me to the exit. I could hear the woman slam chips down and storm like a class 4 hurricane in my casino. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before being a man of power that I was. Nothing fazed me. There was always one person who was pissed that I had more, even if I didn’t want to be cursed with it. I walked out, feeling my nice black tinted dress shoes hit the concrete as I made my way to a long black car that stretched in front of the casino. Even more, guards approached me as I got into the limo vehicle. I could feel eyes on me even as we started to drive off, but it wasn’t a glare I would ever want to fear. I glanced up from the limo window back into the casino, seeing Nami stare at me as if I had just made her wanted list.
***
It was days before I ever felt alive again. For some reason, talking to the woman was like talking to a goddess of fire. She was beautiful yet insane as if she knew what she wanted and how to get it, and the idea of her couldn’t turn me on more. I let my mind wander as I sat on the red velvet throne. The texture felt like heaven, even in this hell of a palace. I was staring out the glass-colored window painted to look like my father. That son of a bitch, even in death, he’s still a cocky bastard. From the color of his icy blue eyes that reflected nothing but pain and death, he caused my family just for me to be forced to take the throne; I’ve never wanted this. I wanted to live like an average person to enjoy life for every risk I’ve been tossed my way, but I’m here because I had to keep my father's bloodline going, even if I hated all the female suitors that walked through those doors. I backed down from the window to the doors as I was being served tea and coffee, which I declined with just a wave of my hand as the sound of screaming and fear filled the throne room, as a group of guards dragged in my worst nightmare.
“Your Highness.” The guard kept the girl on her knees and kept Nami's head down from looking at me, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I knew she couldn’t see my face. The only question I had was why she was here in the first place.
“My lord, we caught this girl trying to scale the walls,” The head guard spoke as the others had their swords pointed inches away from the woman's body. I let my eye twitch working with these idiots, and they just treat this woman like she’s an inmate for a high-class prison.
“I see,” I spoke, glaring down at the guards.
“Uncuff her”
“But my lord-”
“NOW.” I hated raising my voice, but it was the only way these idiots would ever listen to me. They are so stupid that it makes me want to behead all of them and start fresh with a new army. I watched as the guards uncuffed her, letting her hand as she looked me in the eyes. I could see the fear turn to shock, then anger all at once, as if she was disappointed that I didn’t stop this sooner.
“You.” She glared at me, and I couldn’t help but allow the smirk to spread across my face.
“Me?” I asked, looking down at her.
“I didn’t know you were the king of this iland? How does someone so young become king, let alone rule it well?” Her voice was nothing but disbelief, which I should have been offended, but I couldn’t help but laugh at her for being so bold.
“Well, welcome to my empire; why were you trying to scale my walls?” I asked, trying not to take what she said to heart.
“Sir, please, she tried to break in. Your father wouldn't have wanted you to be so merciful,” The head guard spoke out, and I glared at him, scaring him as if I ripped the words out of his throat and fed them to him.
“I wasn’t asking you, nor do I care what my father thinks is right or wrong. You are dismissed.” I kept my tone calm so as not to scare Nami off as the guards exited.
“I will handle the maiden myself. She is not a threat to the kingdom.” I acted like I was going to do something like imprison her, but I couldn’t bring myself to do something like that. She was beautiful and so scared, standing below me. Something about that made me crave her about how she looked and how frightened she acted. It’s like some fucked up fairy tales or the real ones they hide from children even though the lesions never changed.
