Romans & histoires The Gambler

“Matagal na ‘to. I was gambling when a man threw a baby in front of me and said, ‘Raise him. Spoil him. Destroy his future.’ He told me he's the daughter of his enemy, and he wanted him to become useless. Just like me.” He looked at the ground. Humihikbi. “He paid me monthly. I taught him how to gamble. I tried to let him seduce other women." Napatigil siya. Nanginginig. “I didn’t mean any harm. I just... wanted him to take the exam and earn us some money,” sambit niya sa desperado, halos wala nang dignidad. Malamig pa rin ang boses ni Marga.

“You better have money to burn.” Liam smirked, placing chips. “Don’t worry. I’m good at this game.” Celine, watching from the bar, whispered to Maria: “Kung makalusot tayo dito, swear bibili ako ng sarili kong casino someday.” Maria chuckled bitterly. “Kung mabuhay pa tayo.” As the game went on, halatang hindi lang pera ang nilalaro. Specter studied every move. Tila alam niyang hindi sila simpleng gamblers.

May inilabas siya mula sa bulsa niya—makapal na sobre. Napatunghay ako sa kaniya. "What's this? Where does your money come from? Nagsugal ka na naman ba?" "No, I already stopped gambling. This is hard-earned cash. I was hired by a famous company as a company driver months ago and they pay so well." Kumunot ang noo ko. "Sigurado ka bang hindi ito galing sa masama?" "I am sure. Hindi ko ibibigay sa 'yo kung galing ito sa masama o sa sugal. I realized I don't want to feed my children with money earned from gambling so I found a decent job, also to pay you."

At higit sa lahat, kaliwa’t kanan ang utang ng kumpanya. Hindi ko maintindihan noong una. Dahil kilala ko si Samuel bilang mahusay na humawak ng pera. Pero habang lumalalim ang imbestigasyon, doon lumabas ang maruming katotohanan. Nalulong siya sa sugal. High-stakes gambling. Private casinos. Underground betting circles. At ang pinakamalala… Ang impluwensiya ni Isabel Matsunaka.