Fast forward to destination.

We arrive at the city limit of Las Vegas and I already spot the familiar landmarks along the Strip. We drive along the Strip until we get to an unfamiliar structure. I see what looks like parallel columns resembling Greek or Roman ruins. We drive under the artistic archway, and park along the curb, which is connected to the cobblestone walkway leading up the door of the building. The driver tells me that this place is a casino and a hotel.

We park and get out. A valet runs to the car and the driver tosses the keys to him. I grab my things and follow the now walking driver to the gold rimmed doors. We enter and then I immediately see the exquisite site before me. First, I see the name of the casino, named Caligula's, just under the ceiling. Its flashing sign would easily distract a tourist. The room we enter is the lobby. I immediately admire the walls, floor, and ceiling. Its surface is of marble and limestone. A desk is seen in the center of the circular room. We approach the the desk and the girl working behind it recognizes the driver.

"Toni Vienna? Is that you?" she says in a over-friendly shout. "Where have you been, you old dog?"

"Just a little business out-of-state. Mr. Forelli's influence does not remain here my dear," he tells the clerk. I notice that the clerk isn't that much older than me, probably two years older or around that age. "Is he here by any chance?"

"Yes, he his. Just go on up," she says, passing a brass key to him.

"Thanks, Claire."

I follow Toni and as I pass the clerk, she smiles weirdly at me. I follow Toni to the left where ten, gold-plated elevators are bunched up together. Only one is different from the others. While nine elevators have floors G through 12 lighting up, one has three. The three floor the elevators can be taken to is B, G, and 13. And one can't enter without a designated key. Toni inserts the key into the keyhole and turns it. The doors open and I follow Toni into the elevator. He pushes the 13 button and the doors close.

As the elevator start to ascend, Toni starts talking to me again. "Mr. Forelli is a great man, but he rarely has any visitors your age. He is really friendly nonetheless and I don't think he would mind putting you in a really good room. I think you'll like him."

After a minute to climb up the long shaft to the 13th floor, a bell dings and the 13 number light up above the doors. The doors open and I see a short hallway furnished with stained wood moldings and an expensive looking and feeling wallpaper. Double doors are at the end of the hallway and two shaded bodyguards are standing at either side. I also notice a live-feed camera in the high corner of the ceiling. We approach the two guards and they both stop us. One goes to Toni and the other towards me. They use metal detectors and scan our bodies. Since I have extra baggage, the guards give me ill treatment. They look through my purse, my backpack, and my bag. I allow them to do it without hesitating because I too are unknown of what lies inside them. Toni then assures me, "Don't mind it. Basic procedure."

One guard motions us to enter and I grab my belongings and follow Toni. As we enter a large room, which I assume to be a living room, three men descend some stairs at the far end of the room. Two seems to be like the bodyguards outside and one is distinctive. He is shorter than the other two and looks to be much more older and wiser. He shouts and hugs Toni is a common Italiano greeting.

"Toni, nice work in California! Here's what I promised ya! You have my word," he says to Toni. The man turns his head and looks behind Toni and sees me standing. "And who might you be?"

I rushly approach and offer my hand to him. I say, "Hi, I'm Charlene. Charlene Ocampo." I feel like my voice is beginning to sound like a senior girl in high-school who wants to be the president of a leadership club.

The man respectfully kisses my hand and I respond with a smile. "Charlene, that's a beautiful name. Toni, I didn't know you had a interest in young babies."

"She was stranded and I offered her a ride, Boss," Toni replied.

"Offering like a true gentlemen," he comments Toni. He then turns to me and says, "Now are you staying or visiting?"

I look at my bags and say, "I guess I'm staying." I chuckle nervously.

"No worries my dear. Turns out I have many rooms in my house but I can't find anything who is willing to stay and live here," he assures me. He then turns back around to Toni and tells him, "You can go now Toni." He turns back around to me, offers me his hand and says, "Now, shall we."

I wrap my arm around his arm offered arm and his guides me to a different staircase, which is closer to the door. The staircase isn't long and we are already at the top. He guides me to the left and then to the end of the marble-walled hallway. He lead me into the room at the end of the hallway and I become overwhelmed by the estimated wealth of the room. The room is big and fit for a princess. A queen sized bed with bed post and a transparent curtain is seen to the left and a long window shows the view of the Strip from the height of the hotel.

I turn my head towards the man, Mr. Forelli, and he smiles as he sees my surprised look on my face. I mouth a "Really?" and he nods. Like a daughter to a father, I hug and kiss him on the cheek. He seems to be overjoyed by seeing the joy in me spring to life. He then leaves the room and closes the door and I immediate drop my bags and leap onto the bed. I then leap off the bed and open the curtains. The view of the Strip is a picture being printed into a fond memory at the moment. Then I hear the door opening.