Chapter 40. 30 million dollars

I looked keenly and behold, it was Angelo, — my ex-boyfriend. “Damn! Not him” I yelled deep down. He was the last person I wanted to see at the moment. It seemed like he didn't even recognize me. Or perhaps he was so engrossed in the game that he didn't notice that I was in the room, seated not too far from him. I could even hear them speak despite the classic music playing.

Just catching a glimpse of him gave me a mixture of feelings like I was still attracted to him. “Yeah, even though when we were together I wasn't the best girlfriend. I do admit that I hated the fact that he was always so broke but despite that, we love each other and we always stood by each other. We promised to build a happy world on our own for our kids. Hmmm, sadly he had to disappear. You can never trust a man and I just hate him for that!” I scowled deep within myself.

He was one of the reasons I didn't end my life a few years ago and I chose to continue life. Yes, I had a tough past. Having to stop school wasn't that easy for me and all. I had dreams. Angelo played a big role in my life. I wasn't patient with him but he was always around to console me. His disappearance was something hard for me to swallow, — we had plans. Yet, it was only then I realized how much he mattered to me. How much he was important to me. I wouldn't have ever fallen into Besty’s trick if he was around.

Well, looking at him elegantly seated around that table placing bets worth thousands of dollars, I guessed he was doing fine. Perhaps his dreams came through and things had worked as planned for him because that wasn't the case for me. Regardless, I was happy to see the man he became.

Unfortunately, for me, I was a slave, a trophy in a golden prison. I felt so pathetic.

Suddenly, Xavier stood up and I breathed in relief. Omg, I couldn't wait to leave that place. I couldn't stand Angelo’s presence because he made me feel like a whore, — a very cheap whore, any time he saw me around Xavier. “Finally!” I said as I stood up to follow him out. My words halted him as he turned to me with a slight confession “Finally? Why?” Xavier glared at me. It's like the cool feel that I was envious and he wasn't ready to make things easy for me.

“Yes! Finally, we are going back home!” I smirked. “Oh, no, we ain't… because we are going over there to play with those, men. You see that man over there” he pointed at the table on which Angelo was and my heart started pounding and summering in fear and guilt. I don't know why, but I damn felt guilty.

“No, don't look at him, I don't mean him... I mean the old my seated by him, he’s an old friend of the family and I can't leave this place without having a small game with him at his table, — Regardless of who is seated by him…” he arced towards me pulling his words right into my ears like he was slurring at me. “No, Gladimir, I don't think it's a good idea, we should leave, now!” I said nervously.

“Are you crazy? Don't call me that here. I'm Xavier Fords for all these people and for you is; baby, or honey… and we’re going to that table period!” with that said he continued and moved ahead of me. When we arrived at the table, he greets the old man as he sat down, asking the man if he was ready to play again.

While my glance coincidentally met that of Angelo. I was nervous and I didn't know how to react if I was too small or frown. He glared at me emotionlessly and that was weird. He seemed evasive as he quickly flung his stare away. The Angelo I know will start with me for hours nonstop, regardless of who was watching him.

Or perhaps, Gladimir wasn't lying to me when he said that he had to pay Angelo for his silence. Hmmm… To think I thought this dude still loved me. But there he was, shamelessly playing with the money he choose over me…

As soon as we arrived, everyone could sense how tense the environment became. Everyone's eyes were on Xavier Ford. I dee, he looked fierce and intimidating. His eyes were solely glued to Angelo. The old man said “Yes”. Then Xavier went ahead “Are you ready?" Xavier asked Angelo with an electric glance at each other “Yes I am and how much are you staking?" Angelo confidently.

Everyone’s we're now on Xavier and Angelo. The whole thing became about them. I was just scared that at some point all the tension between them might be transformed into something else and I didn't want to be the cause of any drama. Like it wasn't confusing enough, seeing them together I came to realise that I cared for both of them.

Weird right? I know. I was freaked out well! You all have no idea.

"Thirty million dollars" Xavier replied and my eyes widened in shock. “Just for a game?” I whispered deep within me. Fuck! That money could give a whole new life. “Hmmm, Gladimir, you are a wicked man. You have been keeping me captive for weeks and yet, I haven't gotten even one-tenth of that” I frowned. I was mad at him.

Yes, I knew it was his hard-earned money and that he could use it as wished still that didn't stop me from being so mad at him, — that was greed. With all the money he had, what was stopping him from giving me a few million dollars after fucking me at his mansion, for the time being? He took my Virginity for crying out loud! So was worth 30 million dollars.

“Deal!” Angelo accepted his offer and I nearly collapsed in shock. What the fuck was going… how on earth did he get so much money? I screamed deep within me. “I think these men are kidding me. So both of my men had 30, 30 million dollars each to play with. I felt insulted.

It’s like some dudes claim to love you then they happen to have a drug that can save your life but instead of thinking about giving it to you, or finding a way to give it to you, — they instead take that drug and play with it like you don't exist. But once the fucken drug gets missing, stolen or seized they run back to you like nothing happened to preach how much they love you and care for you.

And the funniest is that they expect you to believe their crap.

How will you feel? Sincerely speaking, how will you feel if this happens to you?…

**Reader, Don't you dare speak this chapter by answering**

To think I thought they did love me in their kind of special way. But I think when you love someone, you care for them effortlessly and you always want the best for them and you try to give them what's best for them. I'm my case what was best for me were money and freedom.

Regardless, I wasn't comfortable with everything going on, but who cared? The game had started already and they were placing huge bets.

I arced towards Xavier and I whispered into his ears, “I will be right back, in a few seconds” I said as I stood up and left for the ladies’ restroom. I wanted to take a fresh breath far away from the tension between them. I guessed, they were having fun playing with their money.

“But how come Angelo has so much money?” this question kept on roaming my mind.