April 24.

  It ril 1994, almost two months before the start of the World Cup tour. Axel was thrilled to pce signifit bets on the Brazilian team, which ultimately emerged as the world champion. Fortunately, there was a brief break, reserved for Sundays, after 20 days of tinuous work. Billy set off down the highway in a rented car towards Las Vegas, specifically to one of the promi os he knew well due to his millioatus, allowing him to make some daris.

  On the passenger seat to his right, Mi Avital could be seen, enjoying the breeze head-on as they drove through the desert.

  -I love feeling the breeze, - Mi said as her bck curls danced in the wind.

  Billy smiled and stepped on the accelerator. Mi ughed at the speed as the car reached 120 kilometers per hour. Billy, calming down, began to reduce the speed to 80 kilometers per hour, realizing they were getting close to Las Vegas—50 miles, just as the sign they had zoomed past indicated.

  -I didn't think you'd like the city that never sleeps, - Mi dreamily remarked about the idea of visiting Las Vegas.

  -Everyone has their surprises, but you're right. I'm not a big fan, and I just want to rex a bit, eat something different from the hotel buffet, and soak in the bustling life of Las Vegas, - Billy said.

  -Sounds great. Although I'm not muto gambling, it would be iing to visit the roulette - Mi suggested.

  -Don't worry; we hang out at a bar or by the pool. I'll cover a day at the hotel. You go to the spa; they have a practical massage room and hot stoherapy—quite fortable, from what I've heard, - Billy said.

  Mi fshed her white teeth. - This is just what I need, a good massage to work out these knots, - she said, stretg her arms. Despite wearing a light sweater due to the heat, the short nee revealed the charming beginning of her chest.

  Billy turned his attention back to the road, fog oories he had to tinue writing and illustrating—like the history notebook of Jeanne D'Arc, a game that would be released on the Rpg games ptform, and the tral stories of the Fate series, which would feature an game, this time reting the story of Artoria Pendragon aruggle in the British Isles with its vilges, showg mreat heroes.

  -Well, I think you'll enjoy the massage period as much as I will, - Billy said.

  They arrived at the entrance of Las Vegas at 10:12 pm and at the hotel at 10:48. Carefully, they got out of the car. A young man in a red suit came to collect the car and the keys, handing him a paper with a number indig the car and arrival.

  -Good evening, I would like to pay for a day at the hotel, - Billy said.

  The rooms director paused at Billy. For some reason, he didn't speak, even provoking an awkward silence. Would he reize him? Did he know that Billy would e here very often?*******************************************************

  -Of course. Would you like a day of real enjoyment? For ara 40, you enjoy the spa a areas," said the director.

  -We'll take it, - said Billy.

  -Will you be using an avaible room? - asked the man.

  -No, without a room. We want to take advantage of the hotel's private restaurant, the bar area, a zones, - said Billy.

  -Very well, sir, - said the man.

  - I pay with a card? - asked Billy, showing the bck card, Ameri Express.

  The man's eyes lit up, and he nodded. Before him stood the rich kid who had arrived at the hotel. This was a real gem, a true milliohis card had just officially hit the market, but it had been cirg among the elites for three years to test its usage.

  -All right, sir. Sihat's the case, would you like me to make a preferential reservation at the hotel? - the man offered more aodating service.

  -Of course, -- said Billy, giving a slight go Mi. -- Make it for 3:00 pm, a private table for tlease, arrange a basic spa treatment for the young dy, - Billy requested.

  -Of course, sir. It's an honor that you've chosen The Mirage. We are a new hotel, but we love weling such esteemed guests, - said the man.

  Mi was surprised. -- What was that about esteemed guests? -- she asked.

  -Isn't it obvious? - replied Billy calmly.

  -It's not, - responded Mi.

  -As an ordinary man be seen hand in hand with such a fgrantly beautiful woman, you are a jewel that mesmerizes even the unfortunate. Now I feel a bit nervous as I see that slowly your beauty will cause some inveniences, - said Billy, delivering a loose smile, pletely avoiding the topic that the hotel manager likely discovered the money Billy keeps in his wallet.

  -You always know what to say in these moments, - said Mi, struck by Billy's words.

  -Well, you have a Spa appoi. I've arranged some things for the afternoon, but I'll e to pick you up at noon, - said Billy, leading Mi through the intricate hallways of The Mirage, a luxury hotel that held the expressed opulence of a pce.

  -I'll see you at 12, - said Mi.

  I'll e for you; just make sure to rex. We have a long day ahead, - said Billy.

  -Okay, -said Mi as she ehe Spa louhe receptionist at the entrance had already hihat they had a big shot in their midst.

  Billy reized some massage therapists and informed them about Mi. He gave each of them twenty dolrs as a tip for their care and bid farewell, heading to the lobby. Although he wasn't allowed to ehe o, his bets were of a different kind. He walked, as he had done many times before, to a beautiful, grand door aered calmly. The o ged, and a more exclusive bettier unfolded before Billy's eyes. Everyohere was ready to serve the is of the wealthy.

  -Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you? - said the man behind a gss betting ter.

  -Good m, sir. I would like to pce a sports bet, - said Billy.

  The cashier approached the camera to check the young man's details but found nothing hy.

  -You search for Lux ics; I have an at – Billy Carson uhe guardian's homas Carson, - said Billy.

  In the blink of ahe man saw the details and the maximum allowed bet. Billy handed him a booklet with the forms already filled out by Anne, allowing a bet of 300,000. Both Anne and Thomas Carson acted as guardians and representatives of the Lux Animation pany.

  -An ope, correct, sir? - said the young man.

  -Yes, open for four weeks, - said Billy calmly.

  -What are the results of the sports bet? - asked the man.

  -Brazil and Italy in the World Cup final, - replied Billy.

  -Very well. you indicate how long the bet will remain open? - asked the cashier.

  -For three weeks, - said Billy.

  -Of course. - The cashier opehe bet, shaking his head. These bets were pyed against other users of the house and were pced once. However, acc to the closed circuit, these bets could be taken by many or few people.

  -With a cuse? - asked the cashier.

  -Please, if the bet exceeds two digits on the first day, just keep it for a week, - said Billy. The bets were private, and the o took a 5% ission on the winnings.

  The cashier handed over a rge, yellow-printed paper with all the details of the bet, signed by both the cashier and Billy. - Do you want to make a bet against the house? - asked the young man.

  -How are you paying? - inquired Billy.

  -Well, as you must know, sports betting is prohibited now, aing houses anize pools where people e together for private outes, and the wiakes the pot, - expihe man.

  -Okay, give me a stake for Brazil to win against Italy in the final, - said Billy.

  -Very well, the entry fee is 500, - said the man.

  -Sure, I'll pay with credit, - said Billy, handing over the card.

  The man received it and recorded the information, which Billy received and carefully stowed in his wallet. It was something that would bring him many profits in the ing days. The bet would grow as much as the bettors were willing to wager, depending on the ditions of the bet. Many people would be eager to pe bets.

  -Thank you for everything, - said Billy. With still half an hour to spare, he decided to visit the tables and have a light meal. Gng at his watch, he walked through the hotel's elegant lobby with the characteristic air of fidenstilled by his father and grandfather, who always demanded holding one's head high from childhood, and of course, a lifetime of experiences. On his way to the spa, he mentally reviewed the day's schedule. The dim lights and soft music created a rexing atmosphere in the luxury hotel.

  Upon reag the spa, he was granted entry by presenting a hotel card that provided access to the wet areas. He found a serene and weling enviro, with walls adorned with Zeails, and the st of essential oils wafting through the air. He headed to the reception, where the friendly receptionist informed him that Mi was already in one of the rexation areas.

  Billy walked there with a determiep. Turning a er, he saw Mi, who was enjoying a moment of pea one of the loungers. He approached with a smile on his face.

  -Hello, Mi. How are you? Is your rexation time meeting expectations? - greeted Billy.

  -It's magnifit, -- said Mi, enjoying a massage on her back. -- Have you finished your chores? --

  -Yes, I think I'll take a half-hour massage, - said Billy, notig the rexed expression on Mi's face.

  -Well, it'll give me time for a facial mask. My skin is worn out from the sun, - said Mi.

  Billy nodded and walked to a wet area. - Excuse me, is there a massage avaible? - he asked.

  -Of course, we have three therapists avaible, - said the attendant.

  -I'd like to schedule one for my panion; she's having a massage in room four, - said Billy. The woman nodded, and he headed to a locker room, where he found keys in the lockers. He stored his belongings, took the key, and was given a towel and a garment simir to a hospital gown. He y dowo Mi's massage table, enjoying the care of the massage. Drawing for stant hours had caused slight disfort in his bad neck.

  Minutes passed in a state of rexation until his time . Billy took a hot bath, emerged, and saw Mi, smiling in the hallway. The massage had taken years off her fatigue, and she looked again like a young woman fortable with her age.

  -I think it would be o go to the bar and unwind a bit, - said Billy, to which Mi nodded.

  Mi could only strut, emphasizing her chest, refleg the most primitive form of flirtation.

  ...