The Nerdy Actress

Evelyn Thomas was sitting behind the counter reading the newspaper when the casino door was pushed open, allowing a bone-chilling wind to quickly fill the room. An unlucky patron, enraged, roared towards the outside, but upon seeing that the new arrival was Norman, the patron mumbled something under his breath and pretended to continue feeling his cards, no longer daring to shout.

Norman owned a service company that mainly handled ‘security’, turning protection fees into protection services. Everything seemed legal, and no one in the Tumessa area dared to cross him.

Today was New Year’s Eve. The locals had finished their reunion dinners and, with nothing else to do, habitually came to indulge their gambling cravings. Norman also came to scratch his gambling itch. Upon entering, he fixed his gaze on the young woman behind the counter engrossed in her newspaper, smiling as he signaled his men to keep quiet. He took a few steps toward the counter, stretching his arm forward. Just as his fingers were about to touch the girl’s cheek, the newspaper in front of her rustled, blocking his hand.

Only then did Evelyn look up, unsurprised, and smile, “Liam, you’ve arrived. Shall I open a table for you?”

Inside the casino, unlike the snowy world outside, the air conditioning units maintained at twenty-nine degrees Celsius the temperature. Smoke swirled around the card tables, casting a faint peach-colored hue on Evelyn’s face. Her long black hair partially covered her collarbones, giving off a lazy and casual vibe. She wore a loose V-neck shirt, indifferent to the snowy conditions outside.

Norman felt his addiction growing stronger. He retracted his hand and, to avoid losing face in front of his men, jokingly said, “Open a table? Will you play with me?”

Evelyn chuckled softly, “Sadly, I’ve been working here for months and still haven’t learned to play French-suited cards.”

Evelyn had arrived in Tumessa at the end of summer. The casino was short-staffed and had just posted a job opening when she applied. Norman, not sitting in the private room, had Evelyn set up a table for him near the air conditioner. A television on the wall played a New Year’s comedy show. This was the best spot, and Norman was pleased. He asked Evelyn, “A young girl like you, working on New Year’s, doesn’t your family say anything? Oh, right, where are you from?”

Evelyn poured tea into the cups and served them to the four men, smiling, “Working on New Year’s means more bonuses; no one says no to money.”

Norman liked money and enjoyed hearing such words, forgetting Evelyn’s evasive answer. He then persuaded her to join his service company, offering top-notch salary and benefits. As he spoke, his phone rang inconveniently. Norman answered it angrily, but upon hearing the voice, he jumped up, nearly knocking his chair over. Not knowing who was on the other end, he rarely lowered his head so submissively, said a few words, and hurried out. Evelyn continued to smile as she poured tea for another table.

Norman stepped outside, shivering in the cold, his breath forming into clouds. This year, the city was unimaginably cold.