Traffic (Complete two-hundred pages) (Moving to Kindle Vella in 30 Days! )

37

HERO

ONCE HIS SUIT WAS ON and Margarita helped fashion Jack's bowtie, Jack and Margarita took to the elevator and descended to the lobby where they received the interested looks of the desk attendants and exited out to the wind and rain.

"It's a strange summer," Margarita said as the car approached them on the sidewalk. Gabriel was driving sure enough and Juan stepped out of the back seat to let Jack into the middle between Juan and Raúl again. This time Raúl held his gun casually by his side, pointed upward against the tinted window. A message sure enough for Jack not to try anything that would upset them both.

Before Raúl and Juan could begin to whistle and drum this time, Margarita decided to play music that shook the car. Enrique Iglesias. Everyone engaged in a unanimous head rock to the beat. Everyone except Gabriel the driver. He remained stoically still as he slugged the car through morning traffic.

"Want to listen to anything in particular, Gabriel?" shouted Margarita over the music. The driver Gabriel merely shook his head. He had a permanent frown on his face. Despite the gun in Raúl's hand and the way Jack felt like a sardine between the two bodies beside him, Jack felt calmer than the last ride thanks to the music's occupation of his senses. Margarita peeped at him through the mirror as though she could read his mind. That's the point, her eyes said. We need you relaxed so you can eat your breakfast.

The car ride lasted 30 minutes. Traffic this early in the morning still was horrible. Jack could not wait for the future of more efficient transportation.

Finally they arrived at a restaurant with a green sunroof that read in old century font, 'Restaurante El Cardenal.' In truth Jack was starving.

Margarita turned off her music but looked at Gabriel and turned the station to classical. Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat played. She smiled at the driver and Gabriel's face seemed to relax. Jack could tell he was grateful.

Juan stepped out and held the door open for Jack to exit. But this time Raúl did not follow. Juan stepped back into the car and shut the door. The car drove away with Gabriel, Raúl and Juan inside.

"Glad it's just us for a change," mentioned Margarita, taking Jack's arm.

"A pleasant surprise," Jack thought. Jack noticed the sign at the front entrance read Closed. Margarita threw Jack a smile and she signaled him to take her around the building to the side entrance.

"No one's here," said Jack, raising an eyebrow.

Margarita knocked on the side entrance door and a chef wearing an apron appeared. Without saying a word he nodded to them and let them pass before he locked the door behind them. The hall was lit only by the kitchen and as they walked passed the kitchen light faded away. Jack had only the rhythm of Margarita's heels to lead him.

Just then they heard a voice in the dark. "Let me lead you to your table." Down the hall a dark orange light began to illuminate a man holding a towel on one arm and a tray in another. He led them to an opening and finally they reached the main dining room. All the surrounding tables were yet to be set and chairs were flipped on top from closing time the night before.

In the center was a young distinguished man in gold tie and three piece suit. He was drinking a glass of water appropriate for the morning and was sitting at a table set for four. The two chairs on either side of him were empty. However a very large brown coat with elegant brown leather patches at the elbows occupied the chair across from him. Upon seeing Margarita and Jack whom he immediately assumed to be her gregariously dressed husband arrive, he lit a smile and stood to his feet.