Chapter 204: Augustine’s world (Part 1)

Words : 1068 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 204: Augustine’s world (Part 1) Her heart pounded, caught between awe and apprehension. "You are scaring me, Augustine," she murmured, her voice shaking. He squeezed her hands a little tighter, his own nerves visible in the way his jaw clenched, and his chest caved. "Just promise me one thing. Don’t ever leave me. I wouldn’t survive it." A chill ran down her spine, his words striking something deep inside her. What truth could be so heavy, so dangerous, that he feared it might drive her away? Her chest rose and fell as she steadied herself. But she didn’t pull away. She looked up at him, eyes steady and clear. No matter what it was, she trusted him and the deep love they shared. She felt certain that with him by her side, she could face anything and follow him anywhere without a second thought. "I promise," she said, holding his hands firmly. "No matter what comes, my love for you won’t change. I’m not going anywhere." The moment she said it, a visible weight lifted from Augustine’s shoulders. A slow, grateful smile tugged at his lips. But he asked once more, "Are you sure you are ready?" Anne gave a confident nod. "Yes. Show me your world—I want to discover everything about it." "Then come. Let’s dive into my world." Anne no longer felt like she was stepping into a mystery. She felt like she was finally stepping into the truth. ~~~~~~~~~~ Augustine brought her to an upscale club, where the pulsing music and ambient chatter of well-dressed elites surrounded them. From the surface, it appeared like any high-end nightclub, with elegant bartenders serving top-shelf liquor and stylish men and women lounging on plush velvet sofas. But the deeper they ventured, the more the atmosphere shifted. They entered a narrow corridor that felt almost secretive. The walls were made of thick, smoked glass, dim lights embedded beneath their feet illuminating the path. It was silent here, the pulse of the club fading behind them. Anne walked quietly beside Augustine, her tension intensifying with each step she took ahead. At the corridor’s end stood a grand wooden door, carved with intricate patterns and reinforced with bronze. Two towering bouncers flanked it, their presence so imposing they seemed like statues brought to life. As they approached, both men bowed respectfully to Augustine and opened the door without a word. Augustine put his hand on her back as he guided her in. Anne’s expression froze as she stepped inside, her eyes widened at the opulent world laid out before her. Before her lay a sprawling underground casino, breathtaking in its extravagance, a stark contrast to the sleek club they’d passed through moments ago. The ceiling soared high above them, glittering with hundreds of golden lanterns suspended like stars. Every surface gleamed—polished marble beneath their feet, gold-trimmed columns along the walls, and velvet-lined furniture in rich jewel tones. The roulette wheels spun endlessly, their clatter mixing with the clink of chips and the low chatters. Poker stations were surrounded by smoke and tension, elegant guests tossing chips worth more than most people earned in a year. Private gaming booths sat elevated around the perimeter, shrouded by sheer silk curtains where high-stakes games played out behind layers of secrecy. Men in tailored tuxedos and women in glittering gowns moved elegantly, champagne glasses in hand. It was like stepping into another dimension—one that pulsed with money, power, and raw indulgence. Anne’s pulse rate increased as she took it all in—the lavishness, the wild thrill in the air, the almost dangerous charm of it. Every detail screamed exclusivity and power. This wasn’t just a casino—it was a playground for the powerful where limits blurred, and rules bent.frёeωebɳovel.com "What... is this place?" she asked, still stunned. He looked at her, eyes gleaming under the golden light. "A piece of my world," he said. "And now, yours too." They paused near a private table roped off by velvet cords, where men in sleek suits whispered across a game of blackjack, their chips stacked like towers. But no one was looking at their cards—they were watching each other. Measuring. Calculating. "This casino is only the surface," he started. "It’s a stage, a distraction. The real games happen beneath it all." Anne’s eyebrows drew together. "What do you mean?" He tilted his head toward a private balcony above. "See that suite? That’s where trade negotiations happen. Not the legal kind. Diamonds. Guns. Private security contracts. Sometimes people. This place is home to the hidden deals of the elite. Governments don’t reach here." Anne’s stomach clenched. "The games are just a distraction," he continued, his voice dropping. "While one man laughs over a poker hand, he is negotiating the smuggling of blood diamonds. While another downs his whiskey, he is finalizing a hit contract—someone halfway across the world will die before sunrise." Anne stiffened beside him, her eyes darting across the glittering chaos. What had seemed like luxury now felt like camouflage for something far more dangerous. "Not everyone here is just rich," he continued. "Some are untouchable. Government officials, arms dealers, cartel heads. They come here because the world looks the other way in places like this." She turned toward him, her voice barely above a whisper. "And you are a part of this?" "I don’t run the crimes," he said, meeting her eyes with quiet intensity. "But I know who does. I know what flows through this place. And I watch it all." He held her hands, his expression unreadable. "I’m not innocent, Anne. This world raised me. It taught me how to fight, how to win. If I didn’t choose this life back then, I wouldn’t have survived." He let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "And the real boss? Very few heard his name. But he owns this city’s veins, and I... I’m one of the few who know where they run." Anne felt a chill settle in her bones. This was just a glimpse into Augustine’s life. She had no idea what else was going to be revealed. "Are you scared?" he asked with worry lacing in her tone. "Yes," she replied honestly, her hands tightening around his. "But I am ready to dive deeper. I want to know everything about you, no matter how ugly and dangerous it is." "Then come with me. Let me show you how I started my journey."

Chapter 204: Augustine’s world (Part 1)

Comments (0)