CUBAN HIRE (CARTEL GXG)

SPARRING EMOTIONS

The night still lingered as Olivia stirred from sleep, the coldness beside her pulling her from the comfort of her dreams. She blinked groggily, her hand patting the empty side of the bed where Ezmeralda usually slept. Frowning, she sat up, scanning the room, only to find Cookie's small bed at the foot of theirs equally vacant. Her heart skipped a beat, a sudden wave of panic washing over her. Where could they be? The eerie quiet of the apartment only fueled her anxiety, pushing her to quickly slip out of bed.

Her bare feet padded softly across the floor as she made her way to the living room. The shadows cast by the early morning light stretched long and thin, the apartment unusually still. Then, through the glass doors leading to the balcony, she spotted Ezmeralda's silhouette. Relief flooded Olivia, the tension in her shoulders easing as she realized they hadn't disappeared.

With a quiet chuckle at her overreaction, she turned slightly, only to see something warm and soft against Ezmeralda's feet. There lay Cookie, curled up like a fluffy guardian, his little body warming her toes. "What's going on here?" Olivia teased as she approached the balcony, her grin spreading wide across her face. She stepped out, her voice light as she tried to surprise them. But before she could fully savor the moment, Ezmeralda jolted in her seat.

"Puta madre! Don't sneak up on someone with a gun" Ezmeralda snapped softly, though her tone held more amusement than anger as she glanced over her shoulder. A cigarette dangled from her lips, her other hand cradling a cup of coffee.

"Sorry, didn't mean to spook you," Olivia laughed softly, her eyes darting to the groggy Cookie, who lazily trotted toward her, still half-asleep.

Ezmeralda shook her head, grumbling under her breath. "I'm jumpy nowadays," she muttered, her gaze drifting back to the cityscape as the sky lightened with the first signs of dawn.

Olivia stretched and yawned, blinking at the early morning sun peeking over the horizon. "Why are you up so early?" she asked, her voice still hushed with sleep.

"I'm always up early. I like the quiet," Ezmeralda murmured, her eyes distant as she took a slow drag of her cigarette. "It's the only time I get to think."

"Can I join you?" Olivia asked softly, her voice hesitant, her posture uncertain as she stood at the edge of the balcony, waiting for Ezmeralda's response.

Ezmeralda glanced up, slightly surprised by the request, her brow lifting. "Of course," she said, her tone carrying a note of curiosity. She pulled the chair beside her, giving it a gentle tap to invite Olivia to sit.

"Thanks," Olivia whispered, easing herself into the chair. The crisp morning air brushed against her skin, raising goosebumps as the world outside began to wake up.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the distant hum of early morning traffic, birds chirping as they called the city to rise. It was a peaceful silence, heavy but without tension. No unspoken accusations, no lingering resentment—just the quiet, shared between them like a fragile truce.

Olivia shifted slightly, her eyes drawn to the cigarette in Ezmeralda's hand, the soft tendrils of smoke twisting into the air. She hesitated for a beat before speaking. "Could I...?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she motioned toward the cigarette. The smell mixed with coffee tugged at something deep within her, a familiar temptation.

Ezmeralda furrowed her brows, caught off guard. "You want a cigarette?" she asked, her tone tinged with surprise.

"Not a whole one," Olivia clarified with a sheepish smile. "Just a pull. I couldn't handle the nicotine rush this early."

Ezmeralda blinked, studying Olivia for a moment, her expression unreadable. This wasn't the Olivia she was used to—the fiery, cautious woman. Something about her seemed more... at ease. Without a word, Ezmeralda passed the half-smoked cigarette to her, still watching, curious about this unexpected shift.