Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

6

Nick:

They probably should take the fight outside, not in the cramped musty restroom. My eyes exchange between the two of them and then to the other two men who are holding the bloody lips man.

The beaten man winks at me, "I'm really sorry about this, beautiful, but I suggest you have to wait for your turn to use the restroom." He sighs and glance at the angry man in front of him. "This may take time. Don't you agree, Kai?" He says, mocking them.

What? The fight is three versus one, does not seem fair. I take my phone out when they are not paying attention.

"He's right, just leave-"

Clack. Clack. Clack.

The flash blind their eyes and even me. All of them stop, back away and their attention finds me.

"Now I get your attention, listen closely, boys. I don't care if you try to blow some esteem but you better take it outside. You're ruining someone else's business and I hate that. Even so, I hate bullies. Are you even man? Come on man, just do it one on one, be fair." I lean on the door frame.

They hiss at me and the other guy chuckles. When they try to come at me, I dail my phone and it's ringing loud as I put it on speaker.

"Hey, Ni-" it's my mum, Kara.

"Good evening, detective." I immediately cut her off. "What would you say if I like to report a crime?"

"Yes ma'am, may I ask what specifically?" She knows what to answer and plays along with me.

I smirk when they are exchanging worry looks. "It's hard to say, I don't think I can list it on." I utterly slow, bait their fears.

Kara clear her throat, "Well, it's better if you come to the police station ma'am. If you have any proof, it's better. We can files the report immediately."

Hearing that, they disperse panicking while cursing, pass through me. I try to hide the laugh until they disappear.

"Nick?" I hear Kara calls me on speaker.

"Thanks detective."

"Anytime, ma'am." She answers, chuckles at the other line before ending our calls.

A laugh fill the space and I turn to the man. "That's clever. Thanks, beautiful." He grunts and wipes blood on his lips.

"Are you alright, man?"

He scoffs until it form another chuckle. "Been worse, I can take this." He approaches closer. "Thank you for your help..."

"Nick." I say my name when he tilts up his head to ask me.

He nods, "Thank you, Nick. I really hope that we could meet under different circumstances, but...nice to meet you. I'm Rio." He introduces himself, puts out his hand and I shake his hand. "Could be worse, nice to meet you, Rio." I reply.

We walk side by side, I realise him limping to one side. "You sure no broken bones? Maybe we should get you to the hospital?"

Rio laugh, "No worries, Nick. I still can take the hit if they are still at it. I was going to hit them back when you came."

I give him a sarcastic look, "Definitely should visit the hospital." I tease and he laughs at it.

Before we know it, we sit at the bar. "Let me buy you drinks."

Jaime welcome me with a smile. "I still got the drinks from my darts bid, right?" My brows lift and Jaime nods. "See, you need to get in line to buy me drinks, Rio." I say it as a joke.