Merry Christmas a little late! I hope you all had a wonderful one! I mostly sat around and watched movies. Lord of the Rings! Great movies. So yeah, now let's move on to the story. I am so sorry that I haven't updated in forever. I have been busy. But here is a chapter for you all.

DISCLAIMER: Do you have to ask? The answer is no! I am not worthy of owning such an amazing show. If I did, you would be seeing this story on TV, which sadly wouldn't be much. ::sweats a little::

Now for the thing you have all been waiting for: Chapter 5 of Forlorn Adoration— I Love Him— Maybe.

Reminder: Vicious' smile only grew. "Think big Faye! Think big!"

………………………………………………………………………………………………

And with that, I was hired and making a pretty substantial amount of money I might add. Of course, the majority of the money I earned was because I cheated like a bitch. Hell, I was a bitch. That was what separated me from the rest of the dealers. They represented angels: kind and fair playing. Me, I represented the Devil: callous and sly. I cheated nearly every game, but as long as I came out the victor with the spoils, Vicious didn't care and nor did I. It may seem egotistical of me to swindle all these people out of their money, but in this world— you either cheated or is cheated. Being the runner up isn't good enough. You have to be the best. And I was.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Vicious began to act very strange, not to say he wasn't already, but there was something about him that struck me as unconventional of Vicious. Whenever he conversed with me, his voice had a certain ring to it that emitted some unknown emotion veiled within the deep depths of his heart. His eyes were lit up as if all darkness was shrouded by one single star in a joyous manner. If Vicious could be joyous that is. He seemed to me a different man. So different at times, in fact, I began to wonder whether he was really Vicious at all but rather his secret, opposite twin. However, either way, whether it was Vicious or an imposter, I felt myself being seduced by his unconventional manner. But seduction isn't falling in love— right?

I didn't have much time to ponder on the matter of Vicious, for work had started to thrive. A crowd adorned in money, who wasted it all on a mere hope that maybe that day would be their time, infiltrated the business. That lady luck would stretch her beautiful arms out to them and enwrap them with her intoxicating sweetness.

I watched in amusement as a flood of familiar, greedy people raced to my table in eagerness to play and win. What poor, pathetic fools! How many times did it take a person to lose, to realize they were at the bottom of the food chain? That lady luck wasn't going to shine her graces upon them and bestow them with riches beyond their wildest dreams, but rather, they would lose until every token they held slipped from their grasp.

"Shall we begin ladies and gents?" I asked as I whipped out the cards to my guests and let the game begin. One by one I defeated my opponents with ease, until 6 hours later my hand grew tired and only one opponent was left. 'Thank God, my shift is over in 1 minute." Carelessly I shuffled the cards and then divvied them out to the man before me and myself. I gave him a once over as I made a quick flash at my cards, already knowing I had won with a beautiful 20.

He was a handsome man to say the least. His eyes glowed in anticipation, and there was a unique smirk plastered upon his face. His hair, supposedly an afro, resembled more of a mop that was sloppily glued to his amazing face.

Smiling brightly, I allowed him to show his cards. 21. Time stopped as I stared gaping at his hand. 21! It wasn't possible, but it had happened. No one had ever beaten me before. No one. And here he had a 21. Whoever this man was, he had managed a win over me. He had beaten me. Me! Poker Alice, Lady Luck, and here he beat me. I guess Lady Luck wasn't on my side today. I was about to whimper lightly as I would unveil my losing hand.

"SPIKE!"

I figured that was the man's name as he turned around to face his caller, but thought it to be strange and a little to masculine, and listened as he called back in a rich voice. "Vicious!"

The two shook hands and hugged in a friendly manner and when they separated Vicious smiled. "I haven't seen you in a long time! What are you doing here in these parts?"

At that moment, when my brain registered that the man before me was Vicious, I wanted to run to him and thank him with all my being. He had managed to save me from losing, for Maria, my partner was walking over to the table.

Maria and me had become great friends. She was the bright one when it came to school, and I was bright when it came to gambling. The redhead took my spot and stared at my hand and glared at me. I only shook my head and chuckled.

"It's just the luck of the game Maria." I cooed, laughing as I was about to make my grand exit, but was stopped by Vicious' hand. He drew near to me, his mouth only an inch from my ear. "Faye, wait! I want you to meet my friend here. Faye Valentine this is Spike Spiegel— Spike - Faye."

Spike's smirk from earlier reappeared, as he took my hand and lightly kissed it. "Tis' my pleasure Faye Valentine." He then looked back at Vicious. "I came out to get a job and just happened to find one here at the casino. But what about you! I didn't expect to see you here, at the Red Dragon Casino."

"I own the place."

"Really! Nice! I just got a job for security here. Not only that, they want me as a dancer in this cabaret next month."

"Ha-ha, you?"

"Yeah, crazy huh?"

"For once I agree with you on something!"

They both laughed jovially.

I just stood there, watching these men chatter. But I felt uncomfortable at Spike's gaze. He constantly would stare at me for a mere moment, as if he were judging me for his own perverse reasons. Normally it didn't bother me. My body was the very definition of perfect if I might say so myself. But for some reason, his stare made me feel ugly, as if I were only a rat in his eyes. And I didn't like the feeling at all.

To my gratitude though, he stopped staring at me and instead inquired me about my dancing skills. "Do you dance?"

His question shocked me. Could I dance? Was that supposed to be an insult? Of course I could dance! Not to brag, but I was fluent in the art of dancing. You don't go clubbin' every night to suck at dancing. "Yeah, I can dance."

"How well?"

"My movement is fluid like water."

His smirk only grew in size. "I'll take that as a yes. The reason I ask is The Red Dragon Casino is putting on a cabaret."

"So I heard."

"And you would be perfect for the part. How would you like to do a dance with me during the Saturday night show next month on the 19th?"

At that moment, Vicious cut in. "She is busy that day!"

A mixture of anger and shock filled my face. Since when did he have the right to say what I can and can't do? He might have been my boss, but he didn't control my nightlife.

I didn't work at night, so he had no right. (AN: OMG! I am rhyming! 0.0 Sorry about that, back to story.) "I would love to!"

I watched as Vicious scowled and disappeared into the large crowd beginning to fill the building. I was thankful I was off work.

Spike smirked again, his eyes sparkling more then ever before that night. "Alright, Miss Valentine. I will see you on the 19th."

"Okay then."

"I better be going." Before he was about to leave he pulled out a pen and a piece of paper from his breast pocket. "Faye, may I have your phone number?"

Oh no buddy, I wasn't that easy. "How about you tell me what I need to know now?"

"Err. . . How about this instead? Tomorrow you come with me to practice at 8 pm and I will tell you then?"

"Alright then, I will meet you then. Where is the practice?"

"Callisto's Palace, at the back entrance. Just tell the guards you're there for the Downtown Lights cabaret practice." Spike handed me a card with the directions to the building then left. "I must be going."

I gaped at the card. Upon it was a picture of the building. It was a mansion. 'This must be some play.' Grabbing my coat, I was prepared to leave, when I felt someone cover my mouth and then blindfold me as they dragged me out of the crowd to a small room where I heard the door slam shut. I wanted to scream as I felt my body being rammed into a wall and a body crush mine, their lips devouring mine in wanting and hands trail down my sides to stop at my hips.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Oh I am so evil! Who could the person be who attacked Faye? Only the Author knows. Bwahahaha. Isn't being the author great? Well if you haven't guessed that was the end of chapter 5. Hope you all liked it even though I personally thought this chapter sucked really bad. More to come eventually. Please oh please R&R. They fuel my ability to write whether you believe it or not. Oh and before I forget thank you to all my reviewers. Sorry I haven't been using many songs lately. These last few chapters I can't seem to find a good song for.