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Clover groans at the loss. "Good one. Shuffle them again, Dealer." Benjamin immediately moves to reshuffle the deck to prepare dealing out some new cards. With this downtime, you decide to push your luck a bit with your next topic.
"...Fuck, man, when's the last time you checked on her?"
"Hm? You're going to have a bit more specific, lass. Casey? Marla? I've talked to them not even two days ago. Mora? It's been a while but I'm sure that lass is-"
[UNSTABLE] FUCK IT! I'VE BEEN SILENT LONG ENOUGH! LET'S TELL THIS FUCKER OFF!
>-MEDICATED!
Ashley taps you on the shoulder. "Nicole, you're getting that weird look in your eye again."
"Kana." You say with a tiny bit too much force, ignoring Ashley. "When is the last time you talked to her? Do you know how much a fucking mess she's been lately. I'll tell you, a MASSIVE one!"
Clover flinches a bit at the sudden tone change but when he finally digests what you're saying, it takes him a moment to respond. "I didn't want to bother her, you know?" Huh, his accent's gone. "I know she's busy and, well, she hasn't approached me in a while. So I thought she wanted some space."
Benjamin begins to deal out the cards while Clover continues to talk. You and Clover place your hands facedown, not bothering to look at them for now.
"Well, do you know why she's a mess? Your business isn't exactly doing so hot." A bitter chuckle escapes you. "She's been doing everything in her power to keep this place running yet you haven't even CHECKED on her?"
"Of course I wanted to check on her! That's half the reason I even started this place! So my friends can have a job! Do you know how hard it is to get a decent job these days?"
Adam and Ashley immediately respond with a bitter, cynical understanding oozing in their words. "Absolutely."
"See? And ya know, lemme correct you there," His accent suddenly returns. "It's actually been doing real well! All of them fancy papers keep saying we're rising through the roofs in sales! Sure, she seems mighty anxious for some reason, but it's just work stress, right?" <<span class="mu-b">"...Right? She would tell me otherwise, right?"</span>>
You decide to not push any further for now despite those four damnable voices beginning to whisper in the back of your head again. "Whatever lets you sleep at night."
"Blind bet of $150!" You toss over most of the pot you won from the last match. Clover tosses down a $50 and a $100. He flips over three of the community cards to reveal an Ace of Spades, a Queen of Spades, and a Two of Hearts. You check your hand. A Three of Spades and a Three of Clubs. Fuck.
You look at Clover. The only thing you can make out of his expression is worry but a glimpse into your mind tells you it's not because of his hands. <<span class="mu-b">"I doubt she has a pair that can beat this!"</span>> Shit, that's not good. Before you have time to say or do anything, he flashes a smile.
"Raise. I'm betting $400." He slaps down yet another $50 and two $100 bills.
