Job

Her eyes slowly scanned the seas of strangers. She sat at the edge of the stool, one foot perched on the rung, one bouncing softly. It was slower than usual today. A few small groups here and there, a few couples on dates. It was only a Thursday after all, not many decide to go out to a bar this late. She shook her head softly as her eyes went back to the drink in front of her. Small drops had formed down the side as the glass condensed, the color of the liquid within seemed to swirl at the water mixed. “I shouldn’t have come” she thought to herself. It was nearly 10pm, he was supposed to be there at 9- she arrived by 8:45pm. Her motto in life was 15 minutes is on time, on time is late, and late is... well... you get the point. And the point was: He was late.

The bartender met her gaze and asked if she was alright. “If you consider that I’m one drink in, and still waiting, ‘okay’ then sure.” she scoffed. He chuckled, and set another glass in front of her, “it’s on the house.” She smiled, a small half one. She sifted legs, her black dress slipping up slightly, heels clicking against the metal bar. She was surprisingly still for such a long wait, almost too still it seemed. Nevertheless, she sat and waited, picking at the egde of her dress. Normally, she would opt for a pair of well fitted pants or a nice skirt. Today, however, she had donned a very sleek, form fitting burgundy dress. The straps fell off her shoulders, and scrunched up ever so slightly at her chest. The neckline was a soft cut sweetheart that highlighted, well, assets. She paired her dress with a pair of black heels that sparkled ever so subtlety. Add on a look with a sharp smokey eye, perfectly curled ringlet hair and she was one no one could look away from. And that night she was certainly turning heads.

One head however was an hour and 13 minutes late she noted as she checked her phone. “This is getting ridiculous, I have better ways to spend my time,” she murmured to herself.

“Well excuse me, I would have come up sooner but I was staring a little too long it seems.” a voice said from behind her. She whipped around and her eyes met his gaze. He smirked and slide onto the stool next to her. She turned away and tapped her glass on the table. “Oh, come on now, you can forgive me for the lateness, you know how it can be.” he pleaded slightly.

“You know how I am- you sir would be fired by now if it were up to me.” she chided.

“Fair point I suppose, but it’s not up to you now, is it?” he said with a smirk.

“If it weren’t for you specifically- it in fact would be up to me.” she shot back.

“Well maybe that’s why I’m late! I have to keep you all to myself.” she rolled her eyes at his comment.

“Can we please get on with it already.” she said through tight lips. He chuckled before turn to face the bar, “whiskey sour please.” the bartender nodded and he turned back to her. She was over with his shenanigans at this rate, it was never ending, she should have expected nothing less.

“Look sweet-”

“Don’t.”- she said shortly. He huffed “Okay, look, all I know is they asked for us specifically. There are no other details other than we have to be in Cozumel by tomorrow afternoon.”

She whipped around to face him “you’re telling me I have to be in MEXICO by TOMORROW!? And you were THIS late in telling me!?” her anger was building already at this point. He gave her puppy dog eyes; she already knew his answer.

“Please tell me you at least already have flight information and what not.” He held up an envelope and shook it slightly “Don’t you know it.” he grinned. “Well at least you’re good for something” she thought. She sighed, and asked the bartender for two straight shots of tequila. He placed them in front of them. “Well, we may as well cheer before we go.” They raised their shot, clinked, tapped and downed it. It was tradition for them after all. She stood up fixing the edge of the dress that had ridden up slightly. As she did so, she caught a man watching from afar smirking slightly. She shot a quick smile back as she slowly straightened up. She started walking toward the door, a slightly hip sway as she did.

“You do love the attention, don’t you?” he whispered into her ear as he caught up to her.

“Gotta leave them wondering what they could have.” she coolly replied.

He flagged the valet from the corner as they stepped out, within a few minutes a sleek black Tesla pulled around. It could be seen as a benefit of their partnership, however by now she was never impressed by his new toys. He was an avid car collector so they payouts from work helped to fuel this obsession of his. They rode in silence, the streetlights flashing her face every now and then. She contemplated if she really wanted to follow through on this with so little knowledge. Most times they flew to Europe for work, but Mexico was a new rodeo for her.

The bright red numbers read 3:15am as they flashed in front of her eyes. She hadn’t truly slept; she did spend till midnight packing and preparing to leave. He was due to pick her up at 3:45am, she had 30 minutes to get herself together. She rose and walked slowly to her little Keurig by the bed. Thankfully a fresh cup of hot coffee stood ready for her to prep.

“Let’s get this over with,” she sighed softly.

By the time they arrived in Cozumel it was 1:25pm. Given that it was still early afternoon they arrived relatively on time. The flight wasn’t too bad, thankfully he booked the most direct flight possible and had a ride waiting as they got off. It was a small private company he bought tickets through so the car was waiting for them on the tarmac, for which she was thankful as it was hotter than hell out. She got in and fanned herself slightly as he slipped in next to her. And off they went, to where? Well, she was about to find out.

They pulled up to a rather plain looking condo along the beach. She stepped out, squinting in the sun. This wasn’t what she was used to. Usually it was some ungodly “modern” office or home that had all those straight edges and big windows.

“This better be good,” she whispered to him as they walked in.”

“They paid for our plane and car. It is... I hope...” he replied.

They stepped into a small foyer, what appeared to be a butler greeted them in linen shorts and a white button down. “This way.” he said quickly as be disappeared around a corner. They followed close behind as he led them into an office space facing the water. It was simple, nothing too outrageous or fancy. A simple desk sat in the middle, a few book cases filled to the brim, some art. But what caught her eye was the chair facing away from them, and the slight wisps of hair blowing.

“Thank you both for coming. I hope your flight went well.” a very soft, accented voice spoke. The chair turned to reveal a beautiful woman with short brown and blonde hair, chestnut brown skin and very well-defined features. Her blue eyes scanned them both before speaking again.

“I realize I may not be what you were expecting, not many do. However, a woman has to make her place in life. I have made mine. Simple yet powerful.” she watched for their reactions.

He shifted slightly, “We expect anything, as long as we get paid in the end.” She froze a little, he always leads with the money.

“Thank you for having us, the flight was lovely and Cozumel is beautiful.” she spoke, never missing a beat.

“I’m glad. However, you may find little time to enjoy. I have all the details ready for you.” the lady in the chair said.

“Yes, let’s get to it. We don’t want to waste time.” she replied, he nodded in agreement.

“I like where your head is. And now I want you to bring me the head of the President of Mexico.”