CUBAN HIRE (CARTEL GXG)

THE UNRAVELLING THREAD

After a few days spent in a hotel, the newlyweds made their way to Olivia's apartment, ready to get back to reality. Stepping inside the apartment, Olivia chuckled awkwardly, her voice breaking the heavy silence as Ezmeralda paused at the entrance, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "It's not as big as yours," Olivia mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck, "but in my defense, I was supposed to come back alone." She moved forward, her posture stiff, watching as Ezmeralda prowled the small space with a silent, deliberate grace. It was as if she were assessing more than the décor, but the entire situation—the walls, the furniture, even Olivia herself.

Ezmeralda's fingers trailed lightly over the surface of a nearby cabinet, her movements slow, as though searching for something deeper, some invisible clue that might hint at betrayal. "It's nice," she said absently, her voice distant. "Modern." Her tone was neutral, almost disinterested, but there was a guardedness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Yeah, the style's a bit different," Olivia murmured, feeling oddly judged, as if her apartment was an extension of herself being scrutinized. She tossed her bag over the armrest of a sleek leather couch, trying to inject some normalcy into the tense atmosphere. But the air was thick with an unspoken awkwardness, like she was hosting a guest she barely knew, one who had the power to dismantle her life with a single word. It felt like a tour to a stranger, unsure if her taste would pass Ezmeralda's silent examination.

Clearing her throat, Olivia straightened her back, her hands fidgeting nervously at her sides. "So, uh... I might've forgotten to mention a tiny detail," she confessed with a strained smile, her eyes darting toward the entrance of the kitchen.

Ezmeralda's eyes flicked toward the hallway just in time to see a small, beige blur shoot out from behind a corner, accompanied by a high-pitched yapping. She flinched, recoiling slightly as the tiny Chihuahua bounded toward Olivia, barking loudly, its little legs moving faster than seemed possible. The tension in the air shifted, but it wasn't a comforting change.

"Why is it so loud?" Ezmeralda asked, her tone flat but her eyes narrowing at the overexcited creature. She stayed rooted in place, arms crossed, making no move to engage with the dog as it leaped up at Olivia, tail wagging furiously.

Olivia, trying to suppress her laughter, scooped the Chihuahua up into her arms with ease, pressing her cheek against his tiny head. "Because he's happy to see his mama after so long," she cooed, clearly delighted at the reunion. "Aren't you, Cookie?" she added, her voice soft and affectionate as she cradled the wiggling dog. His tail was wagging so hard that his whole body seemed to vibrate with joy.

Ezmeralda watched the interaction with a faint crease between her brows, her stance still rigid. "Cookie?" she repeated, incredulous, as though the very idea of naming a dog something so ridiculous was offensive.

"Yep," Olivia replied cheerfully, not missing a beat. "Cookie," she said again, a grin tugging at her lips as the dog licked her face eagerly, clearly missing her just as much. "Oh, how I missed you," she whispered to the dog, her smile growing wider, her heart easing just a little in the presence of her beloved pet.

Ezmeralda's gaze lingered on the pair, her expression unreadable. It was a strange contrast, the hardened woman standing there, stone-faced, while Olivia doted on her Chihuahua. The tension wasn't completely gone, but there was a shift, something subtle, almost fragile. For a brief second, Ezmeralda's lips twitched, as if caught between a smile and a grimace, but then she looked away, the mask returning.

"Let's hope it doesn't bark all night," she muttered, her tone dismissive, but Olivia could sense a slight thaw in her demeanor. Just slight.

"He won't," Olivia dismissed confidently, lowering Cookie to the floor. The moment his little paws touched the ground, his mood shifted. The playful energy vanished, and his ears perked up as he cautiously eyed Ezmeralda, sizing her up like an unwelcome intruder. A low, strained growl rumbled in his chest, and his tiny body tensed, prepared to defend his space.