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"I have," he admits. "But it never gets old."
We approach the bar, where bartenders are crafting visually stunning drinks with smoke drizzling out of them. The sight is mesmerizing, like watching a group of alchemists at work, transforming ordinary ingredients into something mystical.
"Would you like to order something?" Philippe asks, leaning casually against the bar. He's effortlessly cool, with an air of authority surrounding him even in this place of decadence. “I won’t let you pick anything that could harm your voice.”
"Umm... yeah, sure." I glance at the menu, unsure of what to choose from the extensive list of exotic concoctions. My finger hovers over one called 'The Enchantress,' described as a mood-altering elixir infused with the essence of rare herbs and flowers. Philippe takes note of my choice, nodding his approval.
"One Enchantress, please," I say to the bartender, who nods and immediately gets to work. His hands move with practiced precision, expertly mixing various liquids and powders into a tall, slender glass. Smoke begins to waft from the mixture, swirling around the glass like tendrils of mist.
"Here you go," he says, placing the drink before me. As I reach for it, the liquid inside changes color, shifting from a deep blue to a vibrant purple. My eyes widen in surprise and delight, feeling as if I'm holding a piece of magic in my hands.
"Wow, it's beautiful," I breathe, completely captivated by the transformation. Philippe chuckles softly, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"Your mood affects the color," he explains. "It's designed to be a reflection of your emotions, its assessment is based on body temperature."
I take a sip, the taste just as appealing as the appearance - a perfect balance of sweet and tart, the flavors dancing on my tongue. "I've never had a drink like this," I admit, feeling a little giddy from the drink and the atmosphere.
"Then you're in for quite an evening," Philippe promises with a wink, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Plenty more where that came from. But first, let's get you some food."
He orders himself a scotch neat on the rocks and gives me his arm again. I take it, but this time I feel shy. Now, I realize everyone's looking at us. It dawns on me that everyone here knows who Philippe Accardo is, and they're probably wondering who I am for him to spend the evening with me.
The intimacy of that thought sends a shiver down my spine.
With my Enchantress drink in hand, I allow Philippe to lead me deeper into the casino, his strong presence a comforting anchor amidst the whirlwind of activity around us. The tables we approach are bathed in warm, golden light and surrounded by elegantly dressed patrons who seem to be from another world entirely.
Each person here has an air of mystery and intrigue, making it impossible not to be drawn into their stories.
"Ah, our seats," Philippe says, gesturing to a small, intimate table tucked away in a corner. We make our way to it, past the wait staff attending to the other guests. Dressed in wings, feathers, and revealing attire that leaves little to the imagination, they move gracefully between tables, their beauty only enhanced by their ethereal costumes.
"Quite the sight, aren't they?" Philippe comments, a playful smile on his lips as he pulls out my chair for me. I take my seat, feeling slightly flushed under his gaze.
"Certainly not what I expected when you mentioned a casino," I reply, trying to maintain my composure. He chuckles and takes the seat across from me, his blue eyes never leaving mine.
"Expect the unexpected,cara mia," – my dear–he says softly, and I can't help but get lost in the depths of his gaze.
A waiter, adorned with delicate, iridescent wings, approaches our table, offering us a tray of hors d'oeuvres. The presentation is as exquisite as the flavors that burst in my mouth when I bite into one. A tender piece of beef wrapped in a flaky pastry drizzled with a tangy sauce that makes my taste buds sing.
"Wow, this is incredible," I say, savoring the delightful combination of textures and flavors. Philippe watches me with satisfaction, clearly pleased by my reaction.
"Each of our chefs has been listed among the top 100 of the best chefs around the world," he replies. “Here, we seek innovation and transformation on every level, including our food service.” He seems so passionate when he speaks about this.
We continue to sit in companionable silence, sipping our drinks and eating a little. When he notices me refusing more food, he stands, offering me his hand. I take it.
"Shall we try our luck at the tables?" Philippe suggests, his eyes twinkling with excitement. I nod, unable to resist the allure of the unknown that beckons from every corner of this enchanting underground casino. Together, we rise from our seats, ready to embrace whatever adventure awaits us next.
"Here, take these," Philippe says, pressing a handful of gleaming tokens into my palm. I hesitate, feeling the weight of them in my hand.
"Are you sure?" I ask, glancing down at the tokens, then back up to meet his gaze. His blue eyes are warm and inviting but also insistent. "I don't want to take your money."
"Consider it a gift," he replies with a charming smile. "Besides, it's just for fun. What's the harm?"
"Alright," I concede, knowing that resisting his generosity here would be pointless since I am more than willing to accept it when it’s for my career. "Thank you, Philippe." He responds with a nod and leads me over the bustling casino floor towards the tables.
As we approach the games, my heart races. I have never been in a casino, let alone tried my hand at a game of luck! The sights and sounds overwhelm my senses - the clattering of chips, the whir of spinning wheels, and the collective gasp of the crowd as fortunes are won or lost in an instant.
It's intoxicating, this world of risk and reward, and I find myself eager to participate.
Philippe guides me to a roulette table, and I watch nervously as the croupier sets the wheel in motion. "Pick a number," he whispers in my ear from behind, and I shiver at the warmth of his breath against my skin.
