Anna Kournikova

 

'I have to do something, important. I'll be out of town for a couple of days. Please, don't ask, I'll tell you everything when I get back. I'll miss you.'

One of us was bluffing. Maybe both. I have a bad feeling about this. Try not to overthink it. Next stop Chicago.

I have great memories here. My first wins, my first fights, a lot of booze, a lot of laughs. The city looks different. I'm not anxious, not a good sign. Couldn't sleep. I need the action.

My opponent looks like a hipster rat. Even if he picked his clothes randomly, the result will be less excruciating. 

'So, you are the infamous Mr. Tassoti'

'In the flesh.'

'I've never lost a game'

'There's a first time for everything.'

'Shall we?'

He was slow. Trying to lure me in a false sense of security. He was trying to wear me down, by making me think he was worst than me. I know this game, I don't like it. People who play poker like chess bore me to death.

He started to get impatient. 

'All in!'

'Let's see what you got.'

'Flush.'

'That's a winning hand.'

The moment his fingers touched the chips, I threw my cards on the table.

'In another game perhaps. Full house.'

His look was priceless. I could take a picture and laugh at it every time I felt depressed.

'You cheated! You fuckin' loser, you cheated!'

'I'm getting all misty here'

The heavies escorted him out.

'If i was you I'll be really afraid right now, you are not getting away with this!'

'If you were me, you'd be handsome and sharp dressed.'

Next game in 30 minutes. I need a smoke. 

 Bad feelings always come true. My next opponent was her. I was shocked.

'What's the matter stud, are you scared that a little girl can beat you?'

I tried to remain calm. She was good. I tried to buy some time. Why is she here? Why she's playing against me? She looked different, with an arrogant smile, being a tease for every male in the room. She looked cheap. She knew that would piss me off, get me off balance.

I had to do something. This wasn't her. There's something going on, something really bad.

'All in!'

She didn't expect that. Her armour cracked. She froze. That was the right time.

'Can we take a break?'

The croupier seemed baffled.

'It's not against the rules.'

'I suppose not. Ok, let's take a 10 minute break.

I waited for her to go to the balcony. Run up to her and grabbed her.

'What are you doing here? What is all this?'

She started crying. I hugged her.

'I'm sorry, I should'nt have come. I'm in love with you, but we can be together!'

'Why? Because of that fuckin' nephew of Rinaldi?'

'No, not exactly'

'Than tell me!'

'I can't! Please, if you have feelings for me, don't look me up. I have to go, the game is yours.'

She kissed me and run away. I was so devastated that I almost forgot to collect my winnings. I walked 20 miles that night. Called her a thousand times. What is happening? Why she was so scared? How bad is this? 

Tom was raving.

'Two birds with one stone. Well done Mr. Majestyk, you've outdone yourself this time. What's the split, the usual?'

'You can have it all.'

'What?'

'You heard me.'

'You won a fuck load of money and all I hear is a a victorian funeral ridge? You were really lucky man, she was trouble.'

'Do you need a visual aid Tom? I don't care about the money.'

'You are a terminal case, you know that?'

'Whatever, see you when I get back.'

Went back to the hotel. Drunk myself to sleep. It can't end. Not like this, not so fast. I'll get to the bottom of that, after i get to the bottom of this bottle. I'll find you. I'll save you. There are worse things than murder. You can kill someone an inch at a time. Starting with his heart.