Guests

City of Angels

Surprisingly, we had dinner. Athena ordered totopos and pozole blanco. The first one was fantastic, and so was the second, but I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that I had to drink gallons of soda to calm down the fire that ignited in my mouth from the spiciness. I don't handle it well. I already avoided as much jalapeño as I could in the totopos, but with the pozole... I break into a sweat just thinking about it.

"You really need to significantly reduce the use of spice in your meals. I don't understand how you don't have a hole in your stomach," I say, gesturing dramatically.

"I won't respond to that provocation. I might lose concentration and end up crashing into a tree, right on your side," she replies.

"Damn! It's the first time you've threatened to kill me! Our relationship is going smoothly," I mock. She gives me her best killer look. "Maybe Mina should go from being an inspector to a criminal."

"And why can't the inspector be the culprit of the crimes she investigates?"

"It's quite complex to make everything plausible, well woven, and gripping at the same time, buuuuut, it's a great idea."

"I guess I'll appear in the acknowledgments, right?"

"And in the dedication."

"Seriously? Would you dedicate it to me?"

"How could I not? You're my muse, my goddess, and my girlfriend. More than enough reasons for The Goddess of Death to be dedicated to you."

The road we're driving on leads into a forested area where the most modern and exclusive houses are scattered left and right. Businessmen, athletes, singers, artists, and entertainment industry workers probably have their homes in this area.

It's only now that I realize Athena has enough money to have one or two houses in the area. I immediately push that thought aside. Everything she has, she has earned through hard work. Moreover, if I could step into the professional literary world with some success, I would also resolve my financial constraints. Not that I would reach her level—selling books alone is practically impossible—but my financial situation wouldn't be solely based on a monthly salary of barely two thousand euros. And it seems I've caught their attention.

Since my appearance on Johnson's show, I've received more messages on my social media than I can read. I'm sure I'll find everything from literary agents to publishing houses offering their services. Although I'm very interested in seeing what they offer, I won't waste a minute reading them while I'm with Athena. I want to keep talking, laughing, and soaking up her presence. There will be a day when we'll be separated by a vast ocean, and I don't want to regret not having hugged or kissed her when I could.

"Do you know that I've explored similar landscapes in GTA?" I say, earning a puzzled look.

"How?"

"Well, Grand Theft Auto V, Los Santos..."

"I know what game it is. I've never played it. I'm not much into those types of games. I prefer survival or racing ones."

"Los Santos is a version of Los Angeles in the game, and it covers a very similar area to reach the observatory."

"Really?" she asks, disappointed. "Did a damn game ruin the surprise for me?"

"Oh... Are we going to the Griffith Observatory?"

"Yes," she replies apathetically.

"This is fantastic! I love astronomy!" I exclaim, filled with excitement. Yes, I know the site will be closed to the public, but I've seen that place so many times in movies, photos, and the game that I'm surprised and thrilled at the same time.