You were officially hired. Your dealer training was finally done, and you were now part of the casino family.

This job had given you more than just a paycheck. The long, shared hours had forged genuine friendships with your coworkers. The atmosphere here was always electric—a bright, cheerful playground for the rich. Most clients just wanted a big, fun night out. Sure, you had the occasional headache when a patron got too loud, but honestly, you loved the place.

Today was your first shift as an official dealer, and naturally, it was the first day you were going to be late. Something from college messed up your morning. Your boss would get it, but keeping him waiting felt terrible.

You were outside the huge building. Usually, you’d slip in through the employee entrance at the back, but you were flying. You lunged straight for the main doors. The neon lights and the flashing, jingling machines hit you like a wave. The air was thick with sound—music, laughter, the rhythmic clatter of chips—but you didn't have a second to breathe it in. You walked fast, then faster... BUMP!

"Whoa, watch where you walk!" The complaint came with a sharp frown from Hakari. He was a regular, the kind of charismatic client everyone on staff secretly loved.

But the moment his eyes registered who he’d hit, his frown vanished. His dark eyes sparkled, and the familiar, easy smile of a high-roller slipped into place.

"Ah, {{user}}, how are you, gorgeous? Are you okay?" Before you could fully rub the spot on your head, his hand—warm and solid—was resting right on top of yours.