RURO Chapter 22

Russian Roulette /̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

CHAPTER 22

 

Come to think of it, it had been a long time since Tessa had drunk alcohol simply to enjoy it.

To her, alcohol had always been a way to dull pain.

As a Sentinel who had failed to find a Guide, she had suffered through countless side effects. The only things she had to rely on were supplements and alcohol.

Because of that, she had come to avoid drinking whenever possible.

Drinking always reminded her of the times she had been in pain.

But the alcohol here felt… different. Was it because Carmen was telling funny stories? Or was it simply because of the delicious food that accompanied it?

In exchange for making her laugh, Carmen had taken a mountain of chips from her. Tessa, her vision slightly unfocused, stared at the towering pile.

“Tessa, let’s stop here. You’re too drunk to even tell the cards apart.”

“No.”

Struggling to steady her swaying body, she stubbornly straightened her posture.

“I want to keep playing.”

“You should be grateful Vicente’s here. If you came alone, you’d be in real trouble. Don’t ever step foot in a casino again—do you want to end up getting thrown out naked?”

Tessa might have been a first-time player, but she had impossibly bad luck. People always talked about beginner’s luck, but she clearly didn’t have any.

Still, Carmen was more than pleased with the money she had won. What should I buy with all this? Just thinking about it made her feel good. Tessa had been a delightful source of profit.

And despite losing so much, she still insisted on continuing.

Since it was all Vicente’s money anyway, Carmen didn’t even feel guilty.

“What’s so fun about playing when you can’t even play properly? Be honest, people must call you stubborn all the time.”

“If I stop now—”

Tessa paused mid-sentence, taking a sip of her drink and holding up a finger as if to tell Carmen to wait.

“If I stop now… I might never come back.”

“What?”

“A time when I can laugh freely…”

Is she about to start talking about something heavy? Carmen sighed internally. She was a generous person, but she hated it when people started crying while gambling.

And right now… it seemed like that exact moment.

“Alright, that’s it. You need to go home. If you start crying here, we’re screwed! I can’t even swim, you know.”

“I won’t cry. Don’t worry.”

Tessa let out a small chuckle, slumping back into her chair.

“I only cry when things are truly unbearable. And right now, it’s not that bad. So I won’t cry. Besides, you’re a stranger to me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Had she let her drink too much? Carmen hadn’t exactly planned for this, but in hindsight, maybe she should have been more careful. Still, she played along as she casually gathered up the cards.

“When was it so unbearable for you?”

“I don’t tell strangers my stories.”

“Oh, come on. After all the fun we had, you’re still treating me like a stranger? That hurts.”

“We only had fun because you don’t know anything about me. Let’s keep it that way.”

Some things were better left unknown.

Tessa thought Carmen was a good person. At the very least, she didn’t seem like the type to stab someone in the back with a hidden blade. That was enough to make her a good person in Tessa’s eyes.

That was why she didn’t want Carmen to know more about her.

It would be better if she remained nothing more than a clueless woman who had come to the casino, lost a ton of chips, and left.

After all, I won’t be staying here forever.

Someday… I’ll leave.

As Tessa slouched in her seat, the sound of familiar footsteps drew near.

Soon, someone dropped a bag filled with money onto the table.

“You bled her dry. How much more were you planning to squeeze out of her?”

“You knew what you were getting into when you brought her here.”

Vicente smirked like a satisfied cat as Carmen, gleefully counting the cash, barely spared him a glance. His gaze, however, shifted toward Tessa.

At the sound of his voice, she tried to snap to attention.

But she had drunk too much.

Getting this sloppy… and in a place like this?

You really have gotten worn down.

Vicente adjusted the lapels of his coat before speaking again.

“Well then, see you next time, Señora.”

“See you, Vicente.”

Carmen blew him a kiss—though, of course, it wasn’t meant for him but for the stack of money he had left behind.

“Tessa, get up.”

At his command, Tessa tried to stand. Gone was the loose, carefree demeanor she had just moments ago; her body stiffened instantly. But she barely managed a few steps before she swayed, her legs giving out beneath her as she collapsed onto her knees.

“Vicente! You’re just going to stand there? Help the girl up!”

Carmen scolded him, but Vicente merely observed, watching as Tessa struggled to keep herself from falling completely.

Laughter erupted from the men around them, who had no idea what was going on.

“I said, get up.”

He ordered again. Tessa, her face flushed red, reached out toward the table, but her body refused to cooperate.

Vicente caught her hand, pulling her up until their eyes met.

“Even if you weren’t here as an attendant—who told you to drink so carelessly?”

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the woman who had been laughing so freely just moments ago.

She was always like this. The moment she stood in front of Vicente, she shrank back like a frightened little animal.

Is it because of this game we’re playing with the intelligence agency?

Her behavior needled at Vicente in a way he couldn’t quite describe. He no longer considered Tessa just another subordinate. There was no reason for her to cower like some pathetic dog anymore.

Of course, he did enjoy seeing her on the verge of tears, begging for mercy—but this kind of fear wasn’t what he wanted.

I’ve treated her kindly because she’s a valuable card, but… is that not enough?

“How far do I have to go for you?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop saying that damn word.”

At this rate, we’ll be here all day.

With that thought, Vicente scooped Tessa up into his arms.

Whistles and cheers erupted from the onlookers. Tessa, caught off guard, froze completely, not even daring to breathe.

“Come again!”

Carmen’s cheerful voice was the last thing they heard before they exited the VIP room.

It didn’t take long to leave the casino entirely.

Outside, their driver was waiting. His eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of Tessa in Vicente’s arms—but only for a brief moment.

“To the hotel.”

“Yes, sir.”

Vicente placed Tessa in the seat beside him. Neither of them spoke for the entire ride.

Tessa, however, felt like the shock and fear alone were sobering her up.

I made Vicente carry me. I should be beaten to death.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of a familiar hotel. Tessa forced herself not to think about why Vicente had brought her here instead of home.

“Do I need to carry you again?”

His tone was teasing. That was the last thing she wanted. No matter what, she had to walk on her own two feet.

“I can walk.”

“Then do it. You’re old enough, aren’t you?”

Tessa focused all her energy on taking her first step.

Fortunately, she found it much easier to walk now than when they’d first left the casino. Maybe the sheer humiliation of being carried out like that had worked as a kind of shock therapy.

Vicente led the way inside the hotel, with Tessa trailing behind.

The moment they stepped into the elevator, she already knew where he was taking her.

“Why…?”

“Why am I not taking you home?”

The lattice-patterned doors slid shut, and the elevator began to rise.

As the dazzling cityscape fell away beneath them, Vicente studied her. She was standing stiff as a board, trembling slightly as she forced herself to remain upright.

Amused, he continued.

“You really thought I’d leave you alone after you got yourself into that mess?”

Why do you even care?

Tessa bit her tongue, swallowing the words before they could leave her lips. She genuinely wanted to know.

What reason could Vicente possibly have for not abandoning her?

His unexplained kindness unsettled her. Vicente was not a man known for kindness.

Everything he did had a purpose.

“Tell me.”

Maybe it was the lingering alcohol giving her courage, but Tessa turned to him and demanded,

“What is your reason for this?”

“Do you hate it when I show you kindness?”

“You’re not the type to do anything without a reason.”

“There’s no such thing as a reasonless act in this world.”

He let out a short laugh.

“You’re so desperate to find an answer, so I’ll be honest.”

His fingers curled around her tie, pulling her closer.

“I’m seducing you.”

Her breath caught.

“I want to see how long you can resist before taking the bait.”

“…By bait, you mean your kindness?”

“No. You got it wrong.”

Vicente pulled her tie even tighter. Their lips barely brushed, hovering on the edge of contact.

And in that moment, she remembered.

Who this man truly was to her.

“I’m waiting for the moment you lose control.”

His voice was low, a whisper against her lips.

“So don’t hold back. You already know—I taste good.”