Chapter 143

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A/N:  So, I have to admit to not knowing something when I set up this particular event in the story.  I did not know that for South Korean citizens it is a illegal to gamble in other countries.  A reader, Chignagula, pointed it out in a comment yesterday.  The only reason I went this route is because quite frankly I didn't know anything about Monte Carlo outside of the casino.  So, we are going to simply pretend that this law doesn't exist for the sake of the story.  After all, I also intentionally don't bring up the military and such, because in my head the serum could/would alleviate a lot of military conflicts.  I do apologize at the fuzziness regarding that rearrangement of plot though.



I don't really know how it happens. I traditionally don't need an alarm, and I am usually just rising after the sun peeks over the horizon. This morning is a vastly different story. Somehow I don't wake up until 9:30 in the morning, and that's only because my phone is going off on my bedside table. I only briefly glance at the time and the caller ID before answering. "Love? Are you okay?" Jimin asks, sounding exceptionally worried.

"Well, chalk this up to a unique experience because somehow you managed to wake up before me." I find myself laughing at the absurdness of the situation. In what universe are we in now that Jimin woke me up rather than vice versa?



He chuckles. "Well, I'm glad that's the only reason you didn't respond to the texts. We've all been up for about an hour now. I only just got out of the shower myself."

I try not to think about my soulmate on the other end of the phone. Water dripping from his hair down his body and only a towel wrapped around his waist, but obviously I didn't succeed. I clear my throat before I finally respond. "Well, thank you for the surprising wake up call. I'll text everyone to let them know I am up now and get ready. I'm guessing I probably messed up our schedule for the day sleeping so long though."

I can almost visualize Jimin's shrug. "So, what if you did? We have an entire week to explore, and between you and me outside of the casino I am not sure there is much I am really interested in doing."

I'm personally not even that interested in the casino although initially it struck me as interesting due to the popularity of it. I think it has something to do with the restaurant last night. It made me kind of uncomfortable sitting in such an ostentatious setting. I don't verbalize those thoughts though. I don't want any of them to think I am ungrateful, because that is most definitely not the situation at all. After we get off the phone with each other I type up my plan and tell them that I will meet them in the lobby in about thirty minutes.

I tuck my hair in a shower cap before I go take my shower. If my hair gets even remotely wet there is no way I can take a quick shower; I'll have to wash my hair if that happens which will turn the quick ten minute shower I planned into at least a half hour long one. The only reason I'm not overly concerned about washing my hair right is because of the spa treatment that is scheduled to start after lunch time.

Once I am out of the shower I notice it is only a degree warmer than yesterday so once again I wear my denim daisy jacket paired with my pink silky ruffled sleeved top and my jean shorts. I doubt we will be walking too much today which is why I end up deciding to wear my Vans with the outfit.


Because it is now after 10am we all decide not to go all out for breakfast. Instead we stop by a café and each pick out a pastry and a drink to take along with us as we stroll through the streets. Namjoon explains the lack of plans for the day. "I don't really have a clear destination in mind today honestly. I didn't find anything terribly interesting outside of an oceanic museum, and I don't want to get caught up in perusing the exhibits and lose track of time."

"Sorry." I apologize.

He shakes his head. "We are on vacation. You have every right to sleep in."

Hye Rin, Youngmi, and Korain must be our guards for the casino trip tonight since it's Sang Hee, Minjae, and Juwon that are strolling along with us now. Despite not having a clear destination in mind, or anything specific that we really want to do we find ourselves all enjoying the beautiful eclectic architecture. The mix of French and Italian styles somehow mixes together almost seamlessly to form an overall interesting visual. If I were able to paint or draw there would definitely be a lot of subjects I would want to get on paper here.

Before we know it almost two hours have passed and we need to search for a restaurant to eat lunch at before it gets too late. Unfortunately it takes us a while to find an appropriate establishment. Many places are overly extravagant or don't even open until supper time. Luckily we happen across a bistro that serves a little bit of everything, and doesn't scream opulent cuisine according to the menu they have listed outside.

Jk and I both smile when we see that arancini is offered on the menu. We were both quite fond of the rice cheese mixture when we stumbled across them at a food cart in Sicily. So we place a couple of orders of them as an appetizer of sorts, even though they are listed as 'snacks' on the menu. For our entrees all of us, except for Jimin and Yoongi, order the braised beef ravioli. Jimin orders a club sandwich, and Yoongi orders the Veal Milanese. Because I see that crème brûlee is on the dessert menu I once again insist we all get dessert once we are done with our entrées. My soulmates all get either ice cream or sorbet though because they are quite stuffed from the succulent meal.

Afterward we head back to the hotel. I still have about an hour before the full spa treatment they lined up for me starts so I kiss them all goodbye before I head off to take a shower. Afterward I dress myself in the terry cloth robe that we were each given as gifts from the crew of the ship. I'm sure it was something that they do for all their passengers, but it made me feel special nonetheless to have something from the sweet people I spent so much time with over the course of our trip.

I peruse over the itinerary. All of the scheduled treatment will be taking place in my hotel suite, so I don't have to go elsewhere in the hotel. I can't help but be thankful for that honestly. The entire hotel is overly extravagant and makes me somewhat uncomfortable if I were to be completely honest. First will be an hour long massage. Apparently they expect me to be a bit drowsy after that because I have a half an hour window before the full body mask and facial. Then a nail technician will come to my room to give me a manicure and pedicure another hour after that. Once my nails are dry then the hair stylist and makeup artist will come to my room to finish up my spa experience. To say I will be heavily pampered seems to somewhat be a distortion of the truth simply because I feel like it is above and beyond that, but I know that things like this will probably be scheduled periodically for me in the future by my sweet and caring soulmates. Although I do have to wonder which one specifically set this up. At a guess I would say probably Tae, Jimin, or Hobi but it honestly could be any of them. Actually they probably all weighed in on the decision, with the three ones I initially considered constantly adding one more item to the list.

The massage is divine. The female masseuse definitely knew what she was doing. The full body mask was weird. I was basically layered with some natural mask and wrapped in cellophane for thirty minutes. The facial wasn't abnormal. I've had one before so I knew what to expect in that regard. When it comes to my nails I am pretty simplistic and don't tend to go for full nail art. My gown is royal blue, but I insist on keeping my nails more natural in color. So I'm given a french manicure, and my toes are painted the same nude tone as the majority portion of my fingernails are. The ring finger on each of my hands has a swooping lace like pattern on it, making them an impressive work of art I wouldn't traditionally get for myself. The makeup and hair stylist and I don't completely see eye to eye. I actually threaten kicking them out of my room and doing my own hair and makeup before they finally relent to my more natural looking suggestions.

My soulmates send up a light snack via room service so I don't get overly hungry while we are at the casino. There will be hor d'oeuvres served amidst the guests to sample, but we aren't planning on having a full meal until after our casino visit has ended.

Finally, it is time to put on my gown. I had aired it out in the bathroom while I took a shower, so I could steam any wrinkles it might have incurred since I had initially packed it. It is royal blue and the color suits my skintone and makes the blue in my blue-green eyes stand out. The skirt is long and flowing in veils of fabric, with a couple thin transparent layers that fall over the final layer of satin. The bodice is ornamental with trailing lines of rhinestones all over it. The bottom of the ornamental design almost shapes itself like a belt. The neckline is of course halter in style so I can have additional support since I can only wear a strapless backless bra due to the basic lack of back to the dress. It does have a sort of criss cross pattern in the back, but I wasn't able to find a bra with straps that copied the same criss cross pattern in my size. Jiwoo really outdid herself with this gown. I think to myself before pulling out the rhinestone studded silver dress sandals I purchased to go with the gown and slip them on my feet. I slip the rhinestone dangle earrings I purchased that Skai had suggested to me. They aren't his design, which according to him was the only flaw with the earrings.



"Now, I guess I wait until one of my soulmates comes to my door." Actually they will probably all end up at my door to escort me over to the casino.

Only a few minutes later I am answering the knock on my door. Jk stands front and center with my other soulmates surrounding him in two lines. They all look so handsome in their tuxes. Jimin and Tae chose a double breasted jacket and both decided to forgo wearing a tie. Namjoon also forgoing a tie but wearing his jacket completely open, making it hard to determine if he is wearing a double breasted jacket or if the buttons start at the stomach like the rest of my soulmate's jackets who are all wearing bowties.



Jk's eyes widen quite comically before he takes my hand in his and kisses the back of it. "Sweetheart, you look amazing!"

"He's right, Honey." Yoongi adds, showing an almost shy version of his gummy smile. "You look phenomenal." I immediately realize that the shyness is stemming from the compliments he is giving me in front of the others so I offer him a brief, warm encouraging smile.

"Simply gorgeous, Love." Jimin leans over and kisses me on my cheek.

"Angel, that dress is beautiful, but it is even more gorgeous with you in it." Tae adds.

Before Hobi, Jin, and Namjoon can add their own colorful anecdotes I interrupt. "While I appreciate all the praise, we will be standing here all night if you continue to act like this."

"She's right. But for what it's worth, Baby, you do that dress justice." I'm surprised that despite his astounding praise he seems slightly uncomfortable. I guess it could be the suit, but he did forgo a tie so it can't be that bad. Although, I've seen plenty of pictures of him wearing suits, so something about my own logic doesn't sit right with me.

Hye Rin, Youngmi, Korain, Sang Hee, and Minjae all wait for us at the elevator. We have to take multiple trips down to the lobby, but the first group waits for those of us in the second group to arrive before leaving out the doors. I know that the casino is only a block from here, which is why I am surprised to find a stretch limo waiting for us. There are also two black SUVs at the front and back which our security each disperse to get into. "This was wholly unnecessary."

"We had to arrive in style, Petal." He smirks my direction. "By the way, you should wear that shade of blue more often. I love the color against your skin." Which I translate to mean that I will end up with a slew of clothing in the same shade at sometime in the near future before I thank him for his praise.

Namjoon sits to my left, and I can't help but notice how tense he is. "Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Not exactly, but I am not about to let it ruin our night. I'll let you know about it in the morning. I promise."

I frown because I hate something causing him so much worry, but I am agreeable to waiting to hear about whatever has made him so stressed tomorrow. "Okay. First thing in the morning though." I reiterate his words in a way I hope stresses my desire to find out as early as possible. Perhaps what he is going to discuss with me is the reason for his discomfort I noticed while waiting at my door also.

He nods in agreement before kissing me on the cheek.



We enter the casino and immediately I find myself overwhelmed all over again. Once again I feel like I am in an luxuriant palace and find myself afraid to touch anything. What I find most disconcerting of all is the fact that we are only in the hallway at the mouth of the entrance. All of my soulmates are excited to start playing some of the card games and disperse between the blackjack tables and the poker tables. I of course know of 5-card draw and Texas Hold 'Em but I found myself lingering at a table where people are playing something called 7-Card Stud. I only stay for a moment though because I don't know what to make of it.



My soulmates each promised me that they wouldn't stay long, at most two or three hours, but they did all allow me the freedom to leave early if I want to. The chauffeur on standby should I choose to do so. I simply have to call him and relay my decision.

I play lady luck to my gambling soulmates, periodically changing from one table to the next so I can support each of them throughout the night. It is an hour and a half in when I am grabbing a passing hor d'oeuvre from a tray that my decision to stay a little bit longer is taken away from me. Although, I was more so considering leaving in a few minutes despite the mishap. After I grab the canapé I turn to continue onward and run right into a gentleman who I swear hadn't been in my path only a second ago. His drink pours over the skirt of my gown and I frown at the blossoming color. "I am so sorry, mademoiselle. I did not see you."

I stutter to accept his apology. "It's okay. It was an accident." But where did he get red wine from when the only drinks I have seen served have been clearer in color? They had to be either white wine, champagne, or water.

It takes me only moments to pull my cell phone from my clutch and call the chauffeur to come to the door and pick me up. I feel exceptionally silly as I climb into the back of the stretch limo, and I fully regret not telling anyone where I was going. But, I didn't want to create a scene because of the stain on my dress.

It takes me next to no time to change out of my dress and replace it with a comfortable pair of pajamas. I frown that my dress says dry clean only, and don't have a clue what to do about the stain. I call room service for some club soda and apply it regardless of the directions then put it over my shower rod in my bathroom. I am just about to text my soulmates to let them know what happened when I see a piece of paper on the desk beside my bed. I pull it closer to me and frown. "What? I didn't type this. Why does it have my name on it at the bottom?" I find myself saying out loud before I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me in an aggressive manner that I realize instantaneously means me harm. One hand covering my nose and mouth as a sickenly sweet scent infiltrates my senses and darkness begins to

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