Chances

Axel

Gemma didn't come back.

Her one hour turned into two and three into four and before I knew it, it was half past 9pm.

The clouds outside were as thick and grey and ever.
I could feel the rumble of the thunder under my feet.
It was going to pour.

And Gemma was still out there.

I made my way back to town and got on a bus back to goldteeth.

The whole ride was uneasy and felt unusually long.
I kept fighting the urge to ask the driver if we were there yet.

And just to my luck, I was brought out of my thoughts by the bus jerking forward.

"God damn it," I heard the driver hiss under his breath.

After a few turns of the key, he stood up in frustration, mumbling some words in Spanish to the young conductor.

I managed to pick up a bit.

"El motor es abajo. Te dije que lo revisaras Mateo!"

The engine was down and it looked like the conductor, Mateo, was gonna get it.

But I didn't have time to sit through the feud to find out.

I got off the bus, managing to escape the driver's pleas for me to wait a few more minutes.

I didn't have a few more minutes.

After walking for a bit, I realized I was approaching the apartment building we visited that morning.

"Excuse me?"

I turned to look at the entrance of the apartment buildings which I had just bypassed.

"Ah, hi Gabriel."

I shook the man's hand, worrying that mine was a bit sweaty all the while.

"Where's Miss Ash?"

"I'm uh...on my way to pick her up. She went to see a friend."

"Oh okay. And...by any chance, are the two of you?..."

"Oh. Uh...no? Not really? Yeah...no."

The answer tasted bitter as it came out of my mouth.

He gave a hearty chuckle. "I see. Well, you better hurry up then, don't wanna get stuck in the rain no?"

"No. Not at all."

"I won't keep you waiting. Have a lovely night and send my regards."

"I sure will."

And right before I could turn away.

"You're one lucky man Axel May. Hearts like hers a rare. Keep it safe."

He meant every word and I knew it.

It was all true and I wasn't sure if that was the best or worst part.

I smiled.

"I will."

I made a quick one for goldteeth area and just as I suspected, the area was filling up.

The neon sign that read Goldteeth nightclub shone like some sort navigating system for all the rich men that were pulling up by the entrance to signal that they had reached their destination.

So many ladies by the entrance received the men with pearly white smiles and the men? They ate it all up.

Wallets were already sticking out of their pockets. Each one fuller than the next.