The Casino Billionaire

Chapter 20

This casino is amazing. We walk the red carpet inside to neon lights dancing above slot machines, blackjack tables topped with blue velvet, set in a quiet area that has low lighting, impressive artwork, and dealers dressed in white button-down shirts, bow ties, and vests waiting for people to join. The roulette tables are over in another area with low hanging lamps that highlight the wheel. The walls are painted a deep rose color. They are lined with different artwork from artists known in the area. Jason nudges me, looking to him to see a huge smile on his face.

"Close your mouth love." He leans down and whispers in my ear.

Covering my mouth, giggling a bit, "This place is wonderful. Who designs these casinos for you? The two I have seen are just, fabulous."

"I do. Well, Rex gives his input. Like, it was his idea to buy all the artwork from local artists." He points out the art over by the stairs. It is very primitive. "Those were done by the fourth graders from the school in this neighborhood. We bought the school tablets for their artwork." This man is unbelievable! Stopping him in his tracks, I grab his face and kiss him gently. "What was that for?"

"Being you. Just being you." I smile and wipe the bit of lipstick from his lip with my thumb.

Jason climbs up on the stairs with a microphone commanding everyone's attention. He thanks them all for joining us on this joyous occasion. I look around to see that the place is packed with people dressed in their Sunday best. Jason talks a bit about why he placed the casino in this location and what he expects from the neighborhood and the people who plan to visit both the casino and the neighborhood. He wants everyone to be safe, win money, and live happily. Before he ends his speech he lets everyone know that when they sign up for the casinos' membership card that is good at all of Jason's casinos across the United States, they will get one hundred dollars in playing money on him. Everyone clapped, Shawna's eyes lit up, and I sighed. This is not the night I wanted to babysit her.

Rex leans over to me, "No worries, I've got her. Enjoy your night with Jason." 

Giving Rex a side hug, "Thank you, Rex. I appreciate it."

We spend the rest of the night drinking champagne, playing slots, blackjack, roulette, keno, and some other games I have never heard of. Sadly, I lost all of my free money and some of my own. I tried to hide the fact that I was spending my own money from Jason. Pretty sure he did not see. Luck was just not on my side. The champagne tastes funny so I switched to water after the first glass. Something about alcohol just doesn't sit right with me lately.

"Are you alright?" Jason asks finding me sitting on one of the cushy couches near the entrance.

"Oh, yeah, just a bit tired." Smiling as I look up to him. 

"We can go whenever you please." He sits down pulling me into his arms.

"No, this is your night. We aren't going anywhere. I just needed a little breather. Give me a few and I will be fine." Snuggling into his body soaking up his scent.

Jason reaches into his pocket and does something. Not a minute later Rex walks up. "Everything alright?"

"I think we are going to head out for the night. Would you close up for me?" Jason is so polite.

"No. Really, Jason, I am fine. We can stay. Doesn't this place stay open twenty-four hours?" Why would Rex close up?

"Not yet. This was just a soft opening. We officially open next weekend. We wanted to let the staff and neighborhood get a taste of what is to come." Jason kisses the top of my head after he explains,

"Oh, so when is closing?" It can't be too much longer. It is already past ten. I can hold out a bit longer.

"Midnight. At eleven-thirty we will start closing down the bar and some of the games that do not have many patrons. Then an announcement will be made that the casino is closing, last bets need to be made. Lights will begin to go off and people will be escorted to their cars." Rex explains the whole concept to me.

"I see. Where is Shawna?" She should be with him.

"She had a bit too much champagne. She's passed out up in the office." Rex chuckles. "You should be proud. She did not even spend the hundred Jason gave to everyone for free. I could see the temptation in her eyes. She fought it well." Rex's chest puffs out with pride.

"That's wonderful. I knew she could do it. Why don't I just go up there with her until you close and we can all go back to the hotel together?" That seems like a better idea than leaving it all to Rex.

"If you would like love. Come, I will take you up." Jason stands, takes my hand, and leads me up the stairs to the office.

He opens the door for me to step inside first. It is magnificent. The desk is large, Mahagonny, and has an abstract shape to it. There is a big plush captain's chair at the helm. Two oversized chairs sit on the opposite side. Looking over to the other side of the room I see Shawna curled up on the cushy couch snoring as usual. There is a loveseat across from the couch, they are separated by a glass coffee table. There is a bathroom like the one in the city by my hometown over in the right corner. The walls are painted a deep blue. There are lamps to keep a soft lighting if needed. Florescent lights line the ceiling for when there needs to serious business is done.

Climbing onto the loveseat, Jason appears with a blanket. Resting my head against the armrest, he covers me, kisses my forehead and tells me it won't be long until he returns to me. The butterflies flutter at the thought of what may happen once we get back to that hotel room tonight. This man has made me fall so hard so fast and there is nothing I want to happen to make this go wrong. What if it does though? I am so good at screwing up a good thing. He deserves so much better than me. He needs a woman with class, manners, beauty, and money. All of the things that I so do not have. Why did I have to walk into his office? Why didn't I just go to the State police and file a complaint against his casino? Oh no, Jennifer, you had to take matters into your own hands and fall in love with a man that can never be truly yours. Smart girl. Tears roll down my cheek as I watch the neon lights dance through the glass wall across from me that looks out over the casino from the office.