153. PINE STREET.
Jack's Liquor. 11:29 PM.
The parking lot was half-empty, bathed in the sickly orange glow of streetlamps. Katherine's car rolled to a stop near the edge of the curb; her fingers still trembled 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. Her gut twisted, every instinct screamed she shouldn't be here. Then, a figure hid by the entrance… his hands in his pockets, a cigarette lit between his fingers. She stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance, though her thoughts were loud.
When she reached the dark, gloomy glow of the Jack's Liquor sign. The figure emerged from the shadows, his steps matched hers. Antonio's face appeared, just barely illuminated. Katherine slowed her pace—then stopped completely. He closed the gap and locked eyes with her.
"Took you longer than I thought." Antonio said smoothly. "I didn't come to see you." Katherine replied, "I'm here for my husband." Antonio let the silence hang for a moment; smoke curled from the corner of his mouth. "Your husband?" he said—almost amused, "I don't think so."
"Where is he?" she demanded.
"I don't know—yet." he responded, anger flashed in her eyes. "The fuck do you mean, you don't know 'yet'?" Katherine snapped. "Come with me." Antonio said.
She rolled her eyes vigorously "No, I want to see Stephen." Katherine replied.
Antonio did not wait for her, as he headed for the door. "Then I suggest you come with me." he said. Katherine hesitated; she folded her arms tightly 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, "I don't see any pool table here."
Antonio said nothing. He reached into his jacket, pulled out his phone, then he unlocked it. The glow lit his face as he turned to show Katherine. Her eyes widened, it turned 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 slid down her cheeks as she held Antonio's phone, her eyes fixated on the photo of Stephen and Adriana. "Oh God…" she murmured, her voice broke. As Katherine sobbed, Antonio signaled to Amanda. She counted bills from the register, behind the counter. Katherine cupped her face while Antonio took a slow sip of his whiskey. Melodic jazz drifted softly through the air as the bar's tone shifted; dark neon lights filtered across the room; it tinted everything in a quiet melancholy. Moments later, Amanda appeared before Katherine, she set down a glass of wine.
She slid the glass toward her "Here darling, to take the edge off." Amanda murmured. Katherine lifted her head and took a slow gulp of her wine. "Where did it all go wrong?" she asked softly. "Why is this happening?" she added. "Many questions." Antonio uttered quietly, "minimal answers."
"What do I do?" Katherine choked on her words. "We confront him." Antonio said. "What! Antonio you're not helping." Katherine replied. Amanda leaned against the counter "Wait, honey." she murmured, "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 trembled. "That's for you to find out." Amanda responded.
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 met 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 mumbled. "It's a good idea. Half of his assets could be yours." Amanda said. "Which court should we go to?" Katherine replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"How about Delph's Magistrate Court?" a low, unfamiliar voice said, as the man settled into the seat beside Antonio. Amanda's eyes flicked up, widened slightly. A cream Scottish hat hid most of his face, while a black polar jacket draped heavily over his frame.
"Whiskey. Neat." he said—he threw 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. "Well, if it ain't Big Anton." he chuckled darkly. "So, this is where you've been hiding."
"Max, listen— just give me more ti—" Antonio began. "Time waits for no man." Max chipped in. "Three months gone, and you haven't said a thing."
"Look, man. Work had me tied up. Just give me more time." Antonio said, he kept his voice calm. Max let out a dark laugh, his eyes glinted with disdain. "You're a fucking leech, sucking on the people that feed you." he said. "Come on, man. Let's settle this like gentlemen." Antonio said. "I'll have it sorted by the end of the week."
"Stop with your tricks." Max growled. "Look man, a close friend of mine here is going to 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. "How do you know about Stephen?" he paused. "I know the type of man you are Antonio." Max said with a dark faint smile. "So what? you've got nothing to back up that claim?" Antonio replied. Max reached into his black polar jacket; his hands fumbled for a moment before he pulled out a Polaroid. He slid it across the table to Antonio.
Antonio's eyes bulged as if he had seen a ghost. To his shock, it was a picture of him and Katherine having sex in her car at KO parking lot. "How'd you get this?" Antonio asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "My eyes and ears are all over San El Zorro." Max said. "But… how?" Katherine asked, her voice trembled with shock. "You're a whore, chasing after the guy's money." Max exposed. "I don't care what you plan, but I know Stephen, and I won't let you do him wrong like that."
"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. Amanda nodded slightly "Fair point." she murmured.
Max slid the picture in the centre of the counter "I want my share by Friday, and if not… guess Stephen will find out the truth." he said. Max rose from his seat. "Thanks for the drink, AJ." he added with a smirk. "No problem." Amanda replied. As Max left the bar, Antonio drew a cigarette, he lit it slowly— inhaled and the smoke mingled with the tension. "So, what now?" Amanda said. "Kathy, go home." Antonio said. "But…" Katherine began, her voice trembled as she looked at Antonio. "Change of plans." Antonio said. "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 flooded 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. Antonio exhaled a plume of smoke "Well." he said, "we'll have to wait and see."
"Thanks for the drink, Amanda." Katherine murmured. "No problem, sweetie." Amanda replied. Katherine left the bar, her steps purposeful as she approached her car. She got in and drove off into the night. Amanda leaned in "So, how much did you knock off him?" she asked curiously. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Antonio said. "I wasn't born yesterday. You can fool her, but not me." Amanda said. "So… how much?" Antonio sighed. "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, he exhaled a soft laugh. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Leave that question for tomorrow morning… for now, we relax." Amanda said, as she stepped back and rang the bell behind the counter. The bar's TVs flicked on, it flashed 'Midnight Specials'. She slammed her hands down on the counter, she drew 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. 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 flowed 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 reflected in their eyes—headed to Tommy's Jol. "I miss this." Adriana murmured, as she watched the city glide by through the window. "What?" Stephen asked. "The thrill we once 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 rested on his chest. "I know." she said quietly. Then she looked up, her fingers brushed his jaw. "Talk to me."
"What is there to talk about?" Stephen muttered, his gaze fixed on the city outside. "Ever since we reunited, I've been happy… but something's wrong. You're not the same… Ghost?" Adriana murmured, her eyes searched his.
The cab slowed until it came to a complete stop. "Yo… this is your stop." the driver said, he glanced back at them through the rearview mirror. "Thank you." they said in unison.
"Yeah… come on, I've got to clock out. If you hurry up, you'll be doing me a favor.", the driver replied. "No problem… huh?" Stephen said. "Ethan." the driver answered. "Thanks again Ethan—for the ride." Stephen said, he helped Adriana out as he opened the door for her.
The cab pulled away, taillights faded. Adriana and Stephen stood shoulder to shoulder and faced the glow of Tommy's Jol. "This feels so nostalgic." Adriana said. "Yeah, sure does." Stephen replied. "Let's not wait. Come." Adriana said, entwined her fingers with Stephen's and pulled 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 room, lanterns hung from the ceiling, bathed 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 traced the empty corners. "Well, that's because this is what Tommy wants to show the sky birds, remember?" Stephen said. Adriana tilted her head "Sky bird?" she asked.
"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. 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 and feigned offense with a mischievous smile on her lips. "Rude! And I thought you'd changed your attitude." she said.
"I did change." Stephen said softly, "but some habits never die—especially around you."
"Pfft—Whatever." Adriana muttered, she crossed her arms. "So, what now?" Stephen nodded toward the far end of the room. "We head to the backstage." Stephen said. "Backstage?" Adriana asked. "Like I told you, this floors for show—the real fun starts in there." Stephen said. Adriana giggled. "Stop playing." she teased. "What?" Stephen chuckled. "This stuff only happens in the movies." Adriana said. "Well, grab some popcorn then, I guess we're starring in it." Stephen said with a grin. They strolled toward the Staff Only door and pushed open, 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; it mixed 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 brushed against his as she took in the scene. "It's… different." she murmured. 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 possibilities, 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.