Nothing made Atem angrier than cheaters and thieves.

People who are like Rose ruined gambler's reputation.

They are scums who tainted the spirit of gambling.

I refuse to let her get away with this crime! Who knew how many gamblers she scammed with her cunning nature?

So she thinks it's a game huh? Well, she picked the wrong person to mess with.

I'll expose this fraud to the crowd and get my winnings and pendant back! and make sure she will never step back here. Or any casinos.

Atem smiled. She made a mistake leaving the card behind. Because he just knows the person he can talk to.

He washed himself up in the bathroom before checking his room one last time for anything the mysterious woman left behind. Oddly enough, aside from his winnings, the rest of his money and credit cards on his wallet is intact.

If she seduced him for the money, then why she stole only the winnings and his pendant?

Well he can understand if she doesn't steal the car. Having a car wouldn't be useful for her if she can't drive.

This is very unusual…

"Well I'm not going to complain. At least I got money for food." Still, even if it puzzled him, Atem won't take this for granted.

A shrill meowing pierced his ears.

Damn that cat.

Why couldn't the woman took the cat with her?

The cat is the least of his problems. Right now, he had to stop by his usual place to get lunch.

Obnoxious honks greeted him as he walked pass the streets of New York. Unlike nighttime, the day provided very little entertainment. The sound of daily chatter over mundane things as people travel to work is rather dull compared to the sensational & colorful lights splashed all over the city at night. The lively music sang through the streets as the restless souls express themselves with no limits. Sleep is trivial in the middle of the night. Danger lurks in every corner and can take one's life in a blink in the eye. But isn't what life is about? Taking risks as though it's the last day of one's life?

Nightlife is where Atem felt alive. Lights. Glitz. The dazzling atmosphere of casino tables filled with sin. No matter how many times Atem visit Cat's Eyes, he never grew tired of the lively music and the mysterious people lurking in the bars.

If only life always offer these kind of thrills to Atem, perhaps he wouldn't experience boredom. To him, daytime is filled with monotonous routine and idle chatter.

People interact each other for the sake of getting through their day. It's easy to find someone who share the same passion of gambling, but it's even rarer to find someone who he can trust. Money is a valuable resource and he cannot let his guard down if he wishes to defend his own pride and status. Strangers become acquaintances, and acquaintances eventually faded before his eyes as the years goes on. Still, even as a loner, he have a couple of close friends that assist him in sticky situations.

"The usual but add two more shots in my espresso, Joey."

"Damn Atem. Had a rough night?"

"Yeah, got my winnings and the pendant stolen," Atem bitterly replied as he took the cup and sip the coffee.

"Hey Joey, do you know someone named Rose?"

"Hmmm... sorry man. I don't know the person by that name. I heard of her from somewhere, but I can't recall where. Maybe ask Tracy, he knows everyone and the hangouts around the city. He's in the basement."

Atem gave a small nod to Joey before heading into the hallway where the underground entrance is located.

The air was filled with the buzzing noises of mindless chatter and bottles clinking. A man in his mid 30's nonchalantly sat at the bar. As usual, he had a cigar in his mouth and a newspaper in his hand. The dimming lights in the bar emphasized his strong presence. Everyone knew his reputation as "The gatekeeper to the nightlife". No one has dared to mess with him unless they have a death wish. He nodded at Atem's presence.

Atem nodded him back.

"Tracy."

"Atem." He gave Atem a respectful smile before asking, "So what brings you here Atem? Need me to find out a gambler?"

"Yes. Do you know someone named Rose?"

"Rose huh? Tracy smirked at Atem before teasing him. "Well looks like you are have conned by Rose Queen."

"I didn't come here to hear you mock me." Atem frowned before saying, "So tell me, how long did she arrive in New York?"

"She's a newbie. Just arrived here about 6 months or so. Word on the street is, she's used to be a big shot dancer before becoming a gambler."

"Hmph. Knew that she couldn't be a newbie. She's got grace and confidence for someone who claimed to be new around here."

"No matter if she's new or not, there's some unfinished business that I want to deal with her."

"Paying back for conning you?"

"I guess you can say that."

"Knowing you Atem, there's another reason why you want revenge. Perhaps you're settling this for your pride as a gambler?"

"It was not the matter of my pride as a gambler." Atem sipped his coffee, pausing briefly. "She disgraced gamblers everywhere. Her dishonesty made people associated gamblers as disreputable hustlers. "

Well, first of all, Rose is not her real name. She is known as Rose because of her dancing skills and her beauty."

Atem slammed his hands on the table.

"Son of the bitch!"

"Alright Ryo, here is the $50,000. Are you now satisfied?"

In the dark, a woman with a red dress stood stiffly at the man with the suit as he approached the woman. He took no notice of her hostile posture as he gets closer with a cigar in his left hand.

"Thank you Anzu." Ryo smiled as he took the check from her. "Now that everything is settled, you don't have to worry about your friend."

"Will Mai be okay? She looked apprehensive and paused for a brief moment before saying, "You didn't hurt her at all, right?"

"Rest assure that she is still alive. I didn't promise anything related to her safety."

"You said that you keep your promise. You told me that you let me see her once I pay her debt!" Her face expressed in horror and anger as she curled her right hand into her fist. "You bastard!"

"I kept my promise Anzu. However if your friend doesn't cooperate with us, it's not our responsibility if she gets injured for not obeying my orders in the first place."

He smirked at her. "Don't forget that so long your friend is on debt, you will continue to work for us. So if I were you, I'll keep fiery tongue in check."

Anzu stared bitterly at Ryo without a word.

"Very well then, if you have nothing else to say you are free to go. You are free from duty unless something comes up." Ryo blew the smoke from his cigar before turning towards the door and close the door.

Anzu's fierce eyes turned worried as her mouth quivered.

"Damn it." She muttered to herself as she closed her eyes. "This isn't fair! Why must that arrogant gambler stole my friend's pendant?" Her voice echoed to the room as the portraits of previous leaders stared at her with indifference.

She just wished that this wouldn't happen this way. She never want to swindle people through seduction. Her hands were shaking as she reflected from last night's event.

Just do what I tell you and no one will get hurt.

Ryo's mouth curled up into an uncanny grin as he waved a picture of Mai, taunting her.

What will happen to them if I don't follow his orders?

Why do I have doubts on this plan? It's not like I never done this before.

Alright, just keep your cool, Anzu. Just keep your wits and emotions in check. Bring his guard down and take her friend's pendent back.

Of course, Atem stole her friend's pendant which justified her to steal. But to steal his money that he earned in his own hands?

Anzu couldn't wrap her mind around. Why would Atem should get his earnings robbed even though he has nothing to do with her friend's debt? I can't understand Ryo's reason at all.

Guess it's a dog eat dog world after all to Ryo.

And I don't blame him.

After how that man "forget" how he stole her friend's pendant without expressing any regret, why should I pity him?

Looking back, she had no trouble lifting that wallet and took that check.

Now what? No matter how much she helped Ryo and his members, it seems as though her actions are fruitless of getting her and her friends escape from this hellhole.

"I… I just can't think about this anymore."

I want to dance away the worries, the danger, and the fear away. Getting lost into the adrenaline from the beat of the music, this is where my heart is at.

But how can I be free with no music and a place that I can call it home?

Her heart yearns for a place where her soul feels connected. A place where it clicked to her naturally. She dreams a place where at twilight, dazzling lights shined everywhere it gives her energy yet at the same time, the lights soothe her.

She thought she can find it in New York. She was wrong.

Her dreams shattered before her eyes. Gone were her passport, her reputation, and her place at Juilliard. She danced for passion. Now, she danced for survival. She cannot ignore the broken glasses or the leering eyes from men as she danced in front of them. Her pride still shines within her, but sadly they do not see her worth other than as their entertainment of the night.

Even though she is not exactly happy with working Ryo's seedy operation, if it helps keeping the food in the tables, she'll do it. Considering that the circumstances aren't favorable for her, she is not looking forward for tonight's dancing.

Running to the rooftop where no one can find her, Anzu whipped out her cigarette and smoked. The nicotine soothed her breathing as she lost herself in the swirls of smoke. Normally, stars greeted her whenever she comes up after her job, but there was none present. Only the loud noises from New York greeted her. Grey mist clouded her mind as her worries and thoughts disappeared into thin air. Her eyes aimed wanderlessly as she reached out to the remnants of her hopes and dreams.

"So Tracy," Atem said. "Where does Anzu normally hang out? I highly doubt that she will be back to Cat's Eyes."

"Word on the street is she regularly hangs out at The Hearts. Either that or the joint called Palmers. I hope that you got a plan. Both of these places are notorious for criminal activities and they're not a fan of anymore who's not a regular. You better make sure you know how to blend yourself with that spiky tri-color hair or else the regulars will be hostile."

Atem smirked. "Well I take it as a fun challenge. Gives me a chance to be creative of my scheming. It's rather boring gambling at the same place. As for the hair, nothing like a hat would cover that up. Hmm… but I need to know the dress code to avoid detection. Tracy do you know where I can get a suit?"

Tracy's face became solemn before whispering to him, "Atem, I have to warn you. Word on the street is that these people might be responsible for the drug distribution and bribing the officials. I know that you are not the type who would storm and draw attention, but you better think twice if it's worth the $50,000 and the pendent."

Atem was rather alarmed by Tracy's words. He rarely uses this tone. This is not something that Atem should take lightly.

"Looks like I should take some precautions if I want to reclaim my possessions."

"I'm guessing that you're not backing out then. Well I know you for a long time so I trust you that you won't blow my cover if I give you the resources." Tracy handed Atem the map. "This is where you can find an outfit and the places where you can stay should you run into the trouble."

"I'm sorry Atem, but this is all I can do for you. I don't know the people in these areas aside from their reputation."

"No problem at all Tracy. I know a few people in the area that can help me. It pays to be a gambler and having connection."

"Alright, take care Atem." Tracy nodded at Atem. "And watch your back. You never know when your past actions will come back and bite your ass in the worst times."

Atem responded to Tracy's farewell and headed back upstairs.

Well then, looks like I have to make a few stops before nightfall.

If Anzu thinks that she can beat me and get away with this, then two can play that game.


Next chapter: Atem prepares for the night as Anzu's backstory is revealed. Meanwhile, an epic card game showdown will happen along with other things due to some misunderstanding.

Hopefully you know who is Rose by now. ;)

I have to focus on finishing up 2 things I own, so it will be a couple of months before I upload the next chapter.