"I crave you as if I've already had you before, that scares and excites me all at once"
« In which Adriana Narvaez, a mother
of two, finds herself falling deep
into the world of crime after an
innocent robbery turns into a money-laundering bus...
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"Mrs. Navarez--"
"Ms.Navarez. 'Mrs' is used to address a married woman. I am a 'Ms.', not a 'Mrs'."
Adriana met the student's eyes, noticing his hesitant nature after her brief lecture. All he wanted was to retake the test, due to his luck, he managed to catch her at the wrong time. She hadn't meant to go on the tangent, they were just meant to be talking about retest opportunities, but she was fried and all she wanted to do was go home.
"Listen, if you want to retake the test, come in during lunch tomorrow. You can eat in the classroom."
The student only nodded, an appreciative grin spreading across his features before turning on his heel and walking away. Letting out a huff, she went back to grading the satisfactory papers, wishing she was at home sipping wine and rewatching 'Shameless' like she used to do on her Saturdays.
$$$
"M'sorry babes," Adriana grumbled after receiving Ruby's unfortunate news. Adriana was glad she could remember her waitressing days fondly, glad that she had mostly good ones than bad ones. She had to thank the brewing baby in her stomach for that, it came in handy with the tips.
"So unfair. What did Stan say?"
"I can't tell Stan. Not when we're this deep underwater."
Adriana only shook her head, gazing at her children on the bouncy house through the window. "I just--you know, I gotta get something else going first."
"Well, good news is there are plenty of other extremely depressing and unpleasant jobs out there. Right?" Adriana let out a groan at Annie's words, sending her a pointed glare. Her arms fell to her side as she met Beth's gaze, shaking her head.
"What? I'm just-- I'm just saying, you know. You want fun, you rob a grocery store."
"Oh shut the hell up, Annie." Adriana hissed, her hand striking her on the shoulder.
"Ouch, hey! I'm just saying. You don't work minimum wage."
$$$$
"Happy birthday dear Kenny, Happy birthday to you"
Adriana watched fondly as her daughter clung to Kenny's arm, cheering obnoxiously in his ear. Adriana had to give him props. He handled little Ana's overflowing excitement well. If it was her, she would've probably snapped at the little girl.
"Don't forget to make a wish."
"I wish that daddy could live at home again."
Adriana could hear the light padding footsteps over the awkward silence, noticing a figure walking inside the Boland home from the corner of her eye. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him walking through the door leading to the backyard, her eyes narrowed in disapproval.
She mumbled a quiet 'excuse me, her eyes meeting Beth's before following Rio into the home.
"What are you doing here? What do you want?." Adriana watched as he studied the Boland family pictures, shutting the double doors behind her. "The door was open."
"It's a birthday party, with children and parents. Of course-- Is that a gun? Why'd you bring a gun?" She noticed the subtle way he lifted his shirt to show off the weapon, his eyes still glued to the photos. Peeking through the curtains anxiously, she could see Beth beginning to approach, her frown deepening.
"Don't ruin this day for them." She pleaded, taking the picture frame from his grasp. "That her husband?" He inquired, finally meeting her eyes. Adriana's breath halted in her chest at his intense gaze, still finding herself captivated by the way his eyes would darken when they landed on her.
"What's he do?"
"He sells cars."
Rio only nodded, his eyes peering down at the photo between her fingers. Her gaze fell to his lips as pursed lips twitched into a smirk. "Is he any good?" Adriana reared her head back in disbelief and confusion, setting the photo down with a huff.
"Sure, Rio."
"You couldn't find a husband like him. Live that June Cleaver life?" Adriana let out a scoff at the light irony, brushing her hair behind her ear to calm her nerves. "Trust me, he isn't all that great."
"Yeah, he don't look trustworthy to me."
Adriana's eyes fell on the door as Beth walked through, cautiously shutting the door behind her. Joining Beth by her side, Adriana leaned in to whisper into her ear only to be interrupted by the intruder.
"Your husband?" Rio lifted the photo, motioning to Dean in the photo, a single brow raised. She could only nod, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. He hummed in slight amusement, probably judging her choice of a husband.
"You got a-- unique taste."
"What do you want?" Rio lifted his gaze from the photo, his eyes falling on the two women with a slight smirk. "What do you want?" Beth repeated, her voice growing desperate with anticipation.
Rio began to stalk towards the two ladies, his smirk unwavering. "I came to pick up my boy."
"That's hilarious. He's not here. And by the way, when he left, he held me at gunpoint and then stole my car. So I'm gonna need payment for that too."
Adriana couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Beth's request, her arm outstretched in front of the girl to stop her from making any more ridiculous requests.
"Oh, I'm sorry, what payment?"
"Excuse me."
"Yeah, you get paid when you do a job. Did--did you do a job?" Adriana narrowed her eyes at Rio, but she couldn't find any flaw in his logic. Trying was not enough in this world. You either get it done or don't. Whether you live or not is basically like a game of Russian roulette. You're always on high alert.
"He left."
"Then that's on you."
"Hey, take it easy. This is her first time," Adriana warned Rio with a pointed glare, her arms folded across her chest.
"Oh, baby, what you think this is, little league?" Rio's shoulders shook with a chuckle, his gaze landing directly on her. Adriana wanted so bad to challenge his words but kept her mouth shut. Not only because of the gun stuffed in his pant but also because she knew he was right.
"And you get a trophy just for playing?"
"We tried."
"I don't give a damn if you try. You gotta win, bitch."
