vegas

April 24.

It was April 1994, almost two months before the start of the World Cup tournament. Axel was thrilled to place significant bets on the Brazilian team, which ultimately emerged as the world champion. Fortunately, there was a brief break, reserved for Sundays, after 20 days of continuous work. Billy set off down the highway in a rented car towards Las Vegas, specifically to one of the prominent casinos he knew well due to his millionaire status, allowing him to make some daring bets.

On the passenger seat to his right, Mila Avital could be seen, enjoying the breeze head-on as they drove through the desert.

-I love feeling the breeze, - Mila said as her black curls danced in the wind.

Billy smiled and stepped on the accelerator. Mila laughed at the speed as the car reached 120 kilometers per hour. Billy, calming down, began to reduce the speed to 80 kilometers per hour, realizing they were getting close to Las Vegas—50 miles, just as the sign they had zoomed past indicated.

-I didn't think you'd like the city that never sleeps, - Mila dreamily remarked about the idea of visiting Las Vegas.

-Everyone has their surprises, but you're right. I'm not a big fan, and I just want to relax a bit, eat something different from the hotel buffet, and soak in the bustling life of Las Vegas, - Billy said.

-Sounds great. Although I'm not much into gambling, it would be interesting to visit the roulette - Mila suggested.

-Don't worry; we can hang out at a bar or by the pool. I'll cover a day at the hotel. You can go to the spa; they have a practical massage room and hot stone therapy—quite comfortable, from what I've heard, - Billy said.

Mila flashed her white teeth. - This is just what I need, a good massage to work out these knots, - she said, stretching her arms. Despite wearing a light sweater due to the heat, the short neckline revealed the charming beginning of her chest.

Billy turned his attention back to the road, focusing on the stories he had to continue writing and illustrating—like the history notebook of Jeanne D'Arc, a game that would be released on the Rpg games platform, and the central stories of the Fate series, which would feature another Rpg game, this time recounting the story of Artoria Pendragon and her struggle in the British Isles with its villages, showcasing more great heroes.

-Well, I think you'll enjoy the massage period as much as I will, - Billy said.

They arrived at the entrance of Las Vegas at 10:12 pm and at the hotel at 10:48. Carefully, they got out of the car. A young man in a red suit came to collect the car and the keys, handing him a paper with a number indicating the car and arrival.

-Good evening, I would like to pay for a day at the hotel, - Billy said.

The rooms director paused at Billy. For some reason, he didn't speak, even provoking an awkward silence. Would he recognize him? Did he know that Billy would come here very often?*******************************************************

-Of course. Would you like a day of real enjoyment? For an extra $40, you can enjoy the spa and wet areas," said the director.

-We'll take it, - said Billy.

-Will you be using an available room? - asked the man.

-No, without a room. We want to take advantage of the hotel's private restaurant, the bar area, and wet zones, - said Billy.

-Very well, sir, - said the man.

-Can I pay with a card? - asked Billy, showing the black card, American Express.

The man's eyes lit up, and he nodded. Before him stood the rich kid who had arrived at the hotel. This was a real gem, a true millionaire. This card had just officially hit the market, but it had been circulating among the elites for three years to test its usage.

-All right, sir. Since that's the case, would you like me to make a preferential reservation at the hotel? - the man offered more accommodating service.

-Of course, -- said Billy, giving a slight glance to Mila. -- Make it for 3:00 pm, a private table for two. And please, arrange a basic spa treatment for the young lady, - Billy requested.

-Of course, sir. It's an honor that you've chosen The Mirage. We are a new hotel, but we love welcoming such esteemed guests, - said the man.

Mila was surprised. -- What was that about esteemed guests? -- she asked.

-Isn't it obvious? - replied Billy calmly.

-It's not, - responded Mila.

-As an ordinary man can be seen hand in hand with such a flagrantly beautiful woman, you are a crown jewel that mesmerizes even the unfortunate. Now I feel a bit nervous as I see that slowly your beauty will cause some inconveniences, - said Billy, delivering a loose smile, completely avoiding the topic that the hotel manager likely discovered the money Billy keeps in his wallet.

-You always know what to say in these moments, - said Mila, struck by Billy's words.

-Well, you have a Spa appointment. I've arranged some things for the afternoon, but I'll come to pick you up at noon, - said Billy, leading Mila through the intricate hallways of The Mirage, a luxury hotel that held the expressed opulence of a place.

-I'll see you at 12, - said Mila.

I'll come for you; just make sure to relax. We have a long day ahead, - said Billy.

-Okay, -said Mila as she entered the Spa lounge. The receptionist at the entrance had already hinted that they had a big shot in their midst.

Billy recognized some massage therapists and informed them about Mila. He gave each of them twenty dollars as a tip for their care and bid farewell, heading to the lobby. Although he wasn't allowed to enter the casino, his bets were of a different kind. He walked, as he had done many times before, to a beautiful, grand door and entered calmly. The casino changed, and a more exclusive betting center unfolded before Billy's eyes. Everyone there was ready to serve the interests of the wealthy.

-Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you? - said the man behind a glass betting counter.

-Good morning, sir. I would like to place a sports bet, - said Billy.

The cashier approached the camera to check the young man's details but found nothing noteworthy.

-You can search for Lux Comics; I have an account – Billy Carson under the guardian's name, Thomas Carson, - said Billy.

In the blink of an eye, the man saw the details and the maximum allowed bet. Billy handed him a booklet with the forms already filled out by Anne, allowing a bet of $300,000. Both Anne and Thomas Carson acted as guardians and representatives of the Lux Animation company.

-An open bet, correct, sir? - said the young man.

-Yes, open for four weeks, - said Billy calmly.

-What are the results of the sports bet? - asked the man.

-Brazil and Italy in the World Cup final, - replied Billy.

-Very well. Can you indicate how long the bet will remain open? - asked the cashier.

-For three weeks, - said Billy.

-Of course. - The cashier opened the bet, shaking his head. These bets were played against other users of the house and were placed once. However, according to the closed circuit, these bets could be taken by many or few people.

-With a clause? - asked the cashier.

-Please, if the bet exceeds two digits on the first day, just keep it for a week, - said Billy. The bets were private, and the casino took a 5% commission on the winnings.

The cashier handed over a large, yellow-printed paper with all the details of the bet, signed by both the cashier and Billy. - Do you want to make a bet against the house? - asked the young man.

-How are you paying? - inquired Billy.

-Well, as you must know, sports betting is prohibited now, and betting houses organize pools where people come together for private outcomes, and the winner takes the pot, - explained the man.

-Okay, give me a stake for Brazil to win against Italy in the final, - said Billy.

-Very well, the entry fee is $500, - said the man.

-Sure, I'll pay with credit, - said Billy, handing over the card.

The man received it and recorded the information, which Billy received and carefully stowed in his wallet. It was something that would bring him many profits in the coming days. The bet would grow as much as the bettors were willing to wager, depending on the conditions of the bet. Many people would be eager to place some bets.

-Thank you for everything, - said Billy. With still half an hour to spare, he decided to visit the tables and have a light meal. Glancing at his watch, he walked through the hotel's elegant lobby with the characteristic air of confidence instilled by his father and grandfather, who always demanded holding one's head high from childhood, and of course, a lifetime of experiences. On his way to the spa, he mentally reviewed the day's schedule. The dim lights and soft music created a relaxing atmosphere in the luxury hotel.

Upon reaching the spa, he was granted entry by presenting a hotel card that provided access to the wet areas. He found a serene and welcoming environment, with walls adorned with Zen details, and the scent of essential oils wafting through the air. He headed to the reception, where the friendly receptionist informed him that Mila was already in one of the relaxation areas.

Billy walked there with a determined step. Turning a corner, he saw Mila, who was enjoying a moment of peace on one of the loungers. He approached with a smile on his face.

-Hello, Mila. How are you? Is your relaxation time meeting expectations? - greeted Billy.

-It's magnificent, -- said Mila, enjoying a massage on her back. -- Have you finished your chores? --

-Yes, I think I'll take a half-hour massage, - said Billy, noticing the relaxed expression on Mila's face.

-Well, it'll give me time for a facial mask. My skin is worn out from the sun, - said Mila.

Billy nodded and walked to a wet area. - Excuse me, is there a massage available? - he asked.

-Of course, we have three therapists available, - said the attendant.

-I'd like to schedule one for my companion; she's having a massage in room four, - said Billy. The woman nodded, and he headed to a locker room, where he found keys in the lockers. He stored his belongings, took the key, and was given a towel and a garment similar to a hospital gown. He lay down next to Mila's massage table, enjoying the care of the massage. Drawing for constant hours had caused slight discomfort in his back and neck.

Minutes passed in a state of relaxation until his time was up. Billy took a hot bath, emerged, and saw Mila, smiling in the hallway. The massage had taken years off her fatigue, and she looked again like a young woman comfortable with her age.

-I think it would be nice to go to the bar and unwind a bit, - said Billy, to which Mila nodded.

Mila could only strut, emphasizing her chest, reflecting the most primitive form of flirtation.

...