153. PINE STREET.
Jack's Liquor. 11:29 PM.
The parking lot was half-empty, bathed in the sickly orange glow of flickering street lamps. Katherine's car rolled to a stop near the edge of the curb, her fingers still trembling against the steering wheel.
She checked her phone again—no new messages. Just Antonio's last text.
Inside the bar, laughter bled through the walls, but to her it all sounded distant, muffled… wrong. Her gut twisted. Every instinct screamed she shouldn't be here.
Then, a figure appeared by the entrance—hands in his pockets, a cigarette glowing between his fingers.
She stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance, her pace slow and silent, though her thoughts were loud.
When she reached the dark, gloomy glow of Jack's Liquor sign, the figure emerged from the shadows, his steps matching hers.
Antonio's face appeared, just barely illuminated. Katherine slowed her pace—then stopped completely, waiting for him.
He closed the gap, locking eyes with her.
"Took you longer than I thought.", Antonio said smoothly.
"I didn't come to see you.", Katherine replied, her tone firm. "I'm here for my husband.",
Antonio let the silence hang for a moment, smoke curling from the corner of his mouth.
"Your husband?", he said, almost amused. "I don't think so.",
"Where is he?", Katherine demanded, her voice breaking at the edges.
"I don't know—yet.", Antonio responded, calm but unreadable.
"What The fuck do you mean, you don't know 'yet'?", Katherine snapped, anger flashing in her eyes.
"Come with me.", Antonio said, calm but moving already.
"No I want to see Stephen.", Katherine replied, rolling her eyes.
"Then I suggest you come with me.", Antonio said, not waiting for her as he headed for the door.
Katherine hesitated, arms folded tight as she studied Antonio's back. But after a moment, she followed. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and low chatter. Antonio headed for the bar counter, and she took the seat beside him.
"So, where is he?", Katherine asked, her tone edged with impatience.
Antonio said nothing. He reached into his jacket, pulled out his phone, and unlocked it. The glow lit his face as he turned the screen toward Katherine.
Katherine's eyes widened, turning glassy. "Oh my God.", she breathed, barely audible.
"I should've told you before you came here, but I didn't want to risk you getting hurt.", Antonio said.
Katherine was speechless. Tears welled and slipped down her cheeks as she held Antonio's phone, eyes fixed on the photo of Stephen and Adriana. "Oh God…", she murmured, her voice breaking.
As Katherine sobbed, Antonio signaled to Amanda. She stood behind the counter, counting bills from the register. Katherine covered her face with both hands while Antonio took a slow sip of his whiskey. Melodic jazz drifted softly through the air as the bar's tone shifted; dark neon light filtered across the room, tinting everything in quiet melancholy. Moments later, Amanda appeared before Katherine, setting down a glass of wine.
"Here darling, to take the edge off.", Amanda murmured, sliding the glass toward her.
Katherine lifted her head. "Where did it all go wrong?", she asked softly. "Why is this happening?", she added, taking a slow gulp of her wine.
"Many questions.", Antonio said quietly, "minimal answers.",
"What do I do?", Katherine asked softly, her voice beginning to choke.
"We confront him.", Antonio said.
"What! Antonio, you're not helping.", Katherine replied softly.
"Wait, honey.", Amanda murmured, leaning on the counter. "He's right. You should face him — say what you need to say. It'll hurt, but afterward, you'll breathe easier. Trust me.",
"What do I even say?", Katherine asked, her tone trembling between fear and doubt.
"That's for you to find out.", Amanda responded, eyes lowering to the counter.
Katherine stared at Antonio's cellphone, her eyes fixed on the picture for a long, tense moment. Finally, she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"So…where do you think he went with her?", Katherine asked, her eyes meeting Antonio's.
"No idea.", Antonio replied quietly. "We shouldn't go to him now."
"Then what should we do?", Katherine asked.
"You should apply for the divorce papers.", Antonio murmured, his voice steady.
"It's a good idea. Half of his assets could be yours.", Amanda said, confident and calm.
"Which court should we go to?", Katherine replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"How about Delph's Magistrate Court?", a low, familiar voice said as the man settled into the seat beside Antonio. Amanda's eyes flicked up, widening slightly. A cream Scottish hat hid most of his face, while a black polar jacket draped heavily over his frame.
"Whiskey. Neat.", he said—sliding the money across the counter. "Keep the change.",
"Nice to see you too…Max.", Amanda greeted, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Been a while, AJ.", Max said, his tone casual but measured. He glanced at Antonio next. "Big Anton.", he chuckled darkly. "So this is where you've been hiding.",
"Max, just give me more ti—", Antonio began.
"Time waits for no man.", Max said, cutting him off. "Three months gone, and you haven't said a thing.",
"Look, man. Work had me tied up. Just give me more time.", Antonio said, keeping his voice calm.
Max let out a dark laugh. "You're a fucking leech, sucking on the people that feed you.", he said, eyes glinting with disdain.
"Come on, man. Let's settle this like gentlemen.", Antonio said, his voice steady. "I'll have it sorted by the end of the week.",
"Stop with your tricks.", Max growled, eyes narrowing.
"Look man, a close friend of mine here is going through something.", Antonio said, "I'm just trying to help her resolve some issues with her husband—then I'll sort you out, I promise.",
"you want her to get a divorce, so you can enjoy Stephen's money.", Max accused.
"What are—", Antonio began, pausing. "How do you know Stephen?", he asked, eyes narrowing.
"I know the type of man you are Antonio.", Max said darkly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"So, you've got nothing to back up that claim?", Antonio replied, his tone light but sharp.
Max reached into his black polar jacket, his hands fumbling for a moment before he pulled out a Polaroid. He slid it across the table toward Antonio.
Antonio's eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. To his shock, it was a picture of him and Katherine kissing in her car at the KO parking lot.
"How'd you get this?", Antonio asked, his voice tight with disbelief.
"My eyes and ears are all over San El Zorro.", Max said, voice low and steady.
"But… how?", Katherine asked, her voice trembling with shock.
"You're a whore, chasing after the guy's money.", Max exposed. "I don't care what you planning to do, but I know Stephen, and I won't let you do him wrong.",
"You're lying. How can we be sure this isn't some deepfake?", Antonio asked, eyes narrowing.
"And how do we know yours isn't?", Max shot back, eyes narrowing.
"Fair point.", Amanda murmured, nodding slightly.
"I want my share by Friday, and if not… guess Stephen will find out the truth.", Max said, sliding the picture toward them.
Max rose from his seat. "Thanks for the drink, AJ.", he added with a smirk.
"No problem.", Amanda replied.
As Max exited the bar, Antonio drew a cigarette, lighting it slowly. He inhaled, letting the smoke mingle with the lingering tension.
"So, what now?", Amanda said, breaking the silence.
"Kathy, go home.", Antonio said, not looking up as he exhaled a stream of smoke.
"But…", Katherine began, her voice trembling as she looked at Antonio.
"Change of plans.", Antonio said, cutting her off. "I'll talk to you in the morning.",
"Look, I didn't come here for nothing!", Katherine snapped. "My hus—Stephen is still out there with that bitch, and you expect me to just go home?",
"Yes.", Antonio said.
"So you're actually going to listen to that asshole?", Katherine asked, disbelief flooding her voice.
"That asshole just put some heavy evidence on us.", Antonio said calmly. "Max is dangerous — the kind of man you don't cross. So listen when I say go home. We'll talk in the morning.",
"Sweetie.", Amanda said with a sigh, "believe me, I want to back you up. But it's best if you head home—for now.",
"Fine — but you better call me in the morning.", Katherine said as she got up from her seat. "I hope you know what you're doing, Toni.", she added.
"Well.", Antonio said, exhaling a plume of smoke, "we'll have to wait and see.",
"Thanks for the drink, Amanda.", Katherine murmured, her eyes lingering on the bar for a moment.
"No problem, sweetie.", Amanda replied.
Katherine left the bar, her steps purposeful as she approached her car. She got in, started the engine, and drove off into the night.
"How much did you knock off him?", Amanda asked curiously, leaning on the counter.
"I have no idea what you're talking about.", Antonio said, a small smirk on his lips.
"I wasn't born yesterday. You can fool her, but not me.", Amanda said, leaning forward. "So… how much?",
Antonio sighed lightly. "One hundred keys.", he said, as if it were nothing.
"Holy shit.", Amanda slurred.
"Yeah, and I have to pay it back by Friday.", Antonio said, exhaling a soft laugh. "What am I supposed to do?",
"Leave that question for tomorrow morning… for now, we relax.", Amanda said, stepping back and ringing the bell behind the counter. The bar's TVs flickered on, flashing Midnight Specials. She slammed her hands down on the counter, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
"Let's just drink, and let the problems sort themselves out.", Amanda stated, a confident smile on her face.
"I guess you're right.", Antonio admitted, exhaling slowly.
Midnight strikes. Climactic points intrude. What's next for this disoriented family?
Amber Valley. 12:00 am.
Tommy's Jol.
The city glimmered under restless lights. Business towers framed the blocks like silent sentinels. A handful of taverns stayed open, their music bleeding into the streets. While strangers moved through the night with quiet intent.
Inside a taxi, Stephen and Adriana sat comfortably next to each other, the glow of passing signs reflecting in their eyes—headed to Tommy's Jol.
"I miss this.", Adriana murmured, watching the city glide by through the window.
"What?", Stephen asked, glancing at her.
"The love we had.", Adriana said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You shouldn't be saying things like that.", Stephen said.
"Why?—because you're married?", Adriana asked cunningly.
"No— I mean, yes, but… hell, I don't know.", Stephen admitted, voice low.
Adriana leaned in, her head resting on his chest. "I know.", she said quietly. Then she looked up, her fingers brushing his jaw. "Talk to me.",
"What is there to talk about?", Stephen muttered, his gaze fixed on the city lights outside.
"Ever since we reunited, I've been happy… but something's wrong. You're not the same.", Adriana murmured, her eyes searching his.
The cab slowed until it came to a complete stop. "Yo… this is your stop.", the driver said, glancing back at them through the rearview mirror.
"Thank you.", they said in unison, a quiet note of connection between them.
"Yeah… come on, I've got to clock out. If you hurry up, you'll be doing me a favor.", the driver replied, eyes on the road.
"No problem… huh?", Stephen said, shrugging slightly.
"Ethan.", the driver answered.
"Thanks again Ethan—for the ride.", Stephen said, helping Adriana out as they both stepped onto the curb.
The cab pulled away, tail lights fading. Adriana and Stephen stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the glow of Tommy's Jol.
"This feels so nostalgic.", Adriana said, voice tinged with longing.
"Yeah, sure does.", Stephen replied.
"Let's not wait any longer. Come.", Adriana said, entwining her fingers with Stephen's and pulling him along.
"Whoa, slow down.", Stephen said, a small smile on his lips.
The door swung open, and a quiet hush greeted them. Tommy's Jol felt more like a retro diner than a tavern. A few tables were scattered across the floor, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, bathing the room in soft light. The jukebox flashed with vibrant colors, as a mellow saxophone solo weaved through the space. Only a handful of patrons occupied the tables, their conversations low and subdued.
"Hmm… quieter than it used to be.", Adriana said softly, her eyes tracing the empty corners.
"Well, that's because this is what Tommy wants to show the sky birds.", Stephen said, eyes scanning the room.
"Sky bird?", Adriana asked, tilting her head.
"It's complicated to explain, but simply put—it's decoration for the party pooper or something like that… a friend from Africa told me.", Stephen said, shrugging lightly.
Adriana chuckled softly. "Party pooper? Really… what are you, twelve?", she teased.
"Says the one who dressed up like one.", Stephen said with a grin.
She gasped, feigning offense. "Rude! And I thought you'd changed your attitude.", she said, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"I did change.", Stephen said softly, "but some habits never die—especially around you.",
"Pfft--Whatever.", Adriana muttered, crossing her arms. "So, what now?",
"We head to the backstage.", Stephen said, glancing toward the far end of the room.
"Backstage?", Adriana asked, raising a brow in curiosity.
"Like I told you, this floor's for show—the real fun starts in there.", Stephen said, gesturing toward the Staff Only door.
Adriana giggled. "Stop playing.", she teased, shaking her head.
"What?", Stephen chuckled, feigning innocence.
"This stuff only happens in the movies.", Adriana said.
"Then I guess we're starring in it.", Stephen said with a grin.
They strolled toward the Staff Only door and pushed it open, and a dim, amber glow spilled into their faces. The backstage was a labyrinth of curtains, stacked crates, and scattered instruments. Faint echoes of a saxophone still lingered from the main floor, mixing with the muted hum of distant conversations. Shadows danced along the walls as stray beams of light cut through the darkness.
Adriana stepped carefully beside him, her hand brushing against his as she took in the scene. "It's… different.", she murmured, a mix of awe and curiosity in her voice.
Stephen's grin flashed, and his eyes gleamed. "Welcome to the real show.", he said softly, his voice barely above the rustle of the curtains.
The air was thick with anticipation, charged with possibility, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. And somewhere in that shadowed maze, secrets waited—ready to rise like whispers in the night.