Tijuana was on the quieter side of the city, tucked between a souvenir shop and a strip club that never seemed to close. Soft music drifted from hidden speakers overhead, blending with the murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of glass.
The hour was late enough for the crowd to thin, though Tijuana had always attracted the sort of people who felt more alive after midnight.
At a corner table near the window, two men sat across from one another, a half-finished bottle of red wine between them.
The man with the serious face chuckled sarcastically at his friend's words. He had thick transparent glasses and jet black hair, which curled at the ends. His brown eyes sparkled with annoyance as he unenthusiastically poured himself another glass of wine.
His friend, however, was a completely different story. Grey-blue eyes reflected the amber glow of the hanging lights above, drawing attention even when he wasn't trying. Brown hair fell carelessly across his forehead, and when a faint smirk tugged at his lips, a pair of dimples appeared, which had a boyish charm. A pale scar showed up on his knuckles as his hand drowsily reached for the second bottle.
Handsome in his own rugged way.
The pair attracted more than a few curious glances from the other occupants of the bar, though neither man appeared particularly interested in the attention.
"It's called a self-fulfilling prophecy, Theo. It means that you treat people expecting them to hurt you, and then they end up hurting you. "
"That's just a load of bullshit."
"I swear, talking to you feels like talking to a five-year-old. No matter what you say, they're gonna end up doing that shit anyway."
"And you still keep trying ".
"Yeah, and I don't even know why. I could be with Dora right now. Instead, I'm in some shady place with an idiot who won't even listen to me. "
" I am sorry ", Theodore said, not sounding sorry at all," But I thought we were just two buddies going out to drink."
" Fine then ", Joshua angrily poured himself another glass. "How are things with you ?"
"Fucked up, like always Theodore's eyes suddenly brightened, then dimmed.
"What ?! ", Joshua asked, seriously.
"Nothing".
"You know you can't hide things from me."
"I found out who stole all that money ."
"Theo, you killed a man over that mess yesterday. I would hope you know."
"It was Vixen."
Joshua choked on his wine, the red splattering on his white shirt. He looked up to see Theodore laughing at him.
"Are you fucking serious ?"
"Yeah."
"But why would she need the money? Isn't she with...."
"I was surprised too. But maybe Lucas does not take as much care of his girlfriend as we think he does ."
"Shhhh...shhhh... don't say his name ", Joshua looked around nervously, but everything appeared normal.
A malicious glint appeared in the corner of Theodore's eyes.
"NO! ", Joshua said, his voice high-pitched," We are not going after her! That money's already gone !"
"Relax, I'm not going to stalk her or anything. I just want my money back ."
"You have more money than you'll spend in three lifetimes."
"That's not the point. "
"Exactly. "
"Lu... he's gonna murder us", Joshua warned angrily, "You know how possessive he is about her."
"It's not like I'm going to sleep with her", Theodore said, his voice soothing, "Besides, it's not like Lynx is a force to be reckoned with."
"Yeah, but not in front of the fucking mafia king ?! "
Joshua stared at him for several seconds.
"You don't even hear yourself, do you?"
Theodore rolled his eyes.
"Here we go."
"No. Listen to what you're saying. You found out who took the money less than a day ago, and you're already after it like some crazy obsession."
He stood up.
"Joshua-
"Call me when you're over this madness."
Then he walked away.
Theodore watched him disappear through the front door before leaning back in his chair.
For a moment, he considered going after him.
The thought lasted three seconds.
Whatever it was, it could wait until tomorrow.
His attention went back to the bottle of wine, which still had a quarter or something left in it.
"Heyy...can I sit here for a moment ?"
Theodore looked up, surprised. It was a woman, perhaps, in her mid-twenties, her red hair tossing elegantly over her shoulders. But what caught his attention wasn't her beauty. It was her attire.
Who wears a fucking hoodie to a bar?
The woman sat down heavily without waiting for an answer. For one brief moment, her eyes seemed to scan him, as if he were the one in the ridiculous outfit, before landing on a sexier object.
Red wine.
Almost like a high school sweetheart.
Who was this idiot?
The waiter was coming towards them with two large bottles of wine. Shayna redirected her gaze to the adult man, who suddenly became very flustered.
Who's the idiot now, huh?
"Should I get a new glass for you, ma'am? "the waiter asked politely, noticing Theodore's change in companions.
" The bottle's good enough ", Shayna smirked, as if daring Theodore to say anything.
The waitress gave the couple an incredulous stare before setting the wine bottles on the table and walking off.
"Relax, I'm not actually gonna take any ", Shayna smiled, "Though I won't refuse if you offer. "
"I would, but it'll probably be a little too much for you. "
"Oh yeah ", Shayna eagerly unscrewed the wine bottle with the opener.
And took a long drink out of the bottle.
"Hey...hey", Theodore laughed, though enjoying himself, " You're gonna have to pay me for that."
" You can't buy a pretty girl a drink? "
"I don't see any ".
"Yeah? "Shayna chuckled softly," What about those red heels right there? "
Theodore looked back, momentarily in the direction Shayna was pointing.
"She's taken. "Theodore said, shaking his head.
" Ok, then ", Shayna slurred, her eyes unfocused , " What about the bartender ? He's hot ."
" I'm straight ", Theodore repeated,
sighing, " Unfortunately ."
"What about the one that just walked in ? If you're not asking her, I will ".
Theodore smiled, looking back again before turning back to Shayna.
" Nah, she looks too much like my mom ."
" Your mom's not pretty? "
"She's dead."
"Oh, shit. Sorry ."
"Don't worry, I hate her ."
"Me too?! Shayna high-fived her companion.
"Cuz she didn't buy you an iPhone or something? "
Shayna's thoughts spiraled for a moment before returning to normal.
If only she could tell.
" Oh shit, it's worse than that? "Theodore suddenly realised.
"Don't worry, we haven't talked in a long time. "
"Does everybody have shitty parents these days ?"
"Nah, quite less actually. Imagine if there were more people with shitty parents. It would be so nice. You wouldn't have to explain a lot of shit ".
"You could be a great...."
"Nah, don't say that shit. I don't want any of that mess around me. There's enough of that already ."
"Yeah ?! ", Theodore said, his voice slurring as he finished his bottle, "Same."
"How did you end up here, though ?"
Shayna looked up for the first time, as if the temporary illusion of normalcy just broke into a thousand pieces.
"I got stood up on a date ."
"Really? Tell me that motherfucker's name, and I'll deal with him."
"Nah, don't worry. I don't like him that much, anyway."
"And he brought you here, of all places? "Theodore rumbled," You should leave that piece of shit ."
"I was the one who suggested the place", Shayna said, watching Theodore's face change, " I like the wine here."
"Oops, sorry ", Theodore replied, trying to play it safe," I should have thought that when I saw you in the hoodie. "
Shayna looked at her clothes.
What's wrong with my hoodie?
Her eyes fell on Theodore, who was wearing a polished blue shirt and black jeans.
Not very bar-like, either.
Her phone suddenly started ringing in her hoodie pocket, making Shayna's whole demeanor change in an instant.
Fuck, was he there already?