Equilibrium

Chapter 25: Jackie's POV

As the elevator doors slide open, Luka grabs my hand and whispers, "Let's do this." I'm too shocked to reply, so I just let him lead me out of the elevator and into.... a food court? Not what I was expecting.

"Uhh... are we on the right floor?" Luka asks, "I was kind of expecting something different."

I glance back to the elevator and see the number on the wall: 6.

"Yup, definitely the right floor. But I wasn't expecting this either." Confused, I look around the food court for any signs of suspicious activity, but it's crowded and nothing seems to be out of place. Hmph.

"Hey, well, while we're here, want to take a quick detour and get something to eat?" Luka asks.

"Hell yeah, I'm starving!"

Luka and I wander around for a bit, looking for a good spot to eat. We decide on a burger joint called Bull's Burgers. We walk into the place and sit down at the bar. A waiter comes over to take our order. He's around our age, maybe a year older, and he's definitely cute. Curly blonde hair, brown eyes, and a gorgeous smile. He doesn't even bother looking at Luka as he pulls out his pen and taps his notebook, eyeing me.

"Could I get your order?" He smiles slyly. There is no way in Tartarus that he didn't word it like that on purpose.

"My order?" I smirk, "That's what you want?"

"Yup," he pops the p, "What can I get you Miss...?" He smiles at me expectantly.

"Elway. Jackie Elway." I grin, enjoying this banter. I hear a cough and turn my head slightly. It's Luka. He's scowling and raising an eyebrow at me as if to say, "Really? This guy?" I frown. Why does he always have to kill the mood?

"Alright well what can I get for you, Miss Elway?" My head snaps back to the cute waiter, and I'm all smiles again. Luka and I order our drinks, the waiter still refusing to even acknowledge Luka's existence with more than a nod.

"Drinks are on me." He winks at me before heading back to the kitchen and a blush creeps across my face. I turn back to Luka again and he's glaring at me, but he just sighs and then his expression is neutral again.

"So... Jackie.... What exactly is Zeus's relic? A talisman or something?"

"Yeah. Sort of. Chiron said the last time he saw it it was on a string, like it was worn as a necklace or something. It's supposedly in the shape of a bull, one of Zeus's sacred animals."

"Wait- did you say a bull?"

What's he on about now?

"Yeah? So?" Luka looks like he's about ready to make some rude, bitchy remark and I'm ready to fight him on whatever it's about but suddenly his expression goes blank. Like he's changed his mind about arguing. What even??

"Well, we're in a restaurant called Bull's Burgers. Isn't that sort of suspicious?" Oh my gods. How did I not even notice?!

"Oh my- you're right. Unless it's just a weird coincidence?" We exchange glances. It was clear neither of us really believe in coincidences. Luka abruptly stands up and starts walking towards the kitchen. I raise an eyebrow in his direction.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To find the relic."

And with that, he disappears behind the door.

Why is he always running off like this? I swear to the gods-

Cute waiter and drinks forgotten, I jump out of my seat and race to catch up with him.

When I reach the door to the kitchen, I open it cautiously and peer into the room. I see Luka hiding behind the refrigerator and he beckons me to come over to him, then holds a finger to his lips and jerks his head towards the stove. A burly, balding man, probably in his late 40s, stands over the grill, flipping burgers. His back is turned to me, so I tiptoe over to where Luka is hiding and crouch beside him.

"Did you find anything?" I whisper, peering into his sky blue eyes.

"Yup," he smirks, "I found the relic!"

"Already?!" Not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous it wasn't me who found it, but hey, at least this will be over quickly. I hope. "So... Where is it?"

"See that guy?" He gestures towards the chef, "He's wearing it. As a necklace, like you said."

Shit. How the hell are we going to get our hands on it if he's wearing it? I sigh in frustration, a little too loudly. The chef drops his spatula and whips around.

"Who's there?"

"Shit shit shit!" I whisper and Luka pokes me and mouths "shut up." I glare at him and he looks at me incredulously. Then my eyes turn to the chef, who is stalking around the kitchen, holding up the spatula like it's a weapon. It's only a matter of time before he notices us.

"Jackie, we need a plan."

"I know! I just don't know what to do yet!"

"Jackieeee he's getting closer!"

"I KNOW dumbass! Just- hang on! Idea!" I whisper, my face lighting up. "I need you to cause a distraction. Get him talking, don't let him know that I'm here. Leave the rest up to me." He leans a little closer to me so we're nose to nose and whispers, "Be careful... okay?" My breath catches in my throat and I sit up quickly in surprise. We're a little too close for comfort, and I curse myself for blushing.

"Yeah. Right. Uh- okay," I stutter. Luka shoots me a little smile.

"It's go time."