<span style="font-family:Spectral">A splitting headache greeted Mai as light shined in between her thick curtains. Morning time. She raised an arm to block the sun and sat up. What happened last night? Her memories were hazy. "I must've had too much to drink," she muttered, although the notion of getting drunk was a foreign concept. She was still in her leather jacket and jeans from last night; usually, she would take a shower and sleep naked. The dirt and dry blood that'd collected on her clothing served as a reminder that her venture had been unpleasant. <br/>
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Chills ran down her spine. Whatever crime she'd committed, surely she'd get thrown in jail soon enough. It was unsettling. Mai walked over to her full body mirror and shrugged off her jacket and tank top. She wiped away the dirt and sweat on her forehead and neck. It was hot in her bed last night. "Your air conditioning fucked up again and you Mai, you look like shit." Her eyes had purple bags underneath and the one thing Mai couldn't do right now was smile. Everything was off and it made her nervous.<br/>
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Given that no police or FBI had come to knock on her door yet, she went through the simple routine of taking advil and getting cleaned up for the day. A slim fitting t shirt and cargo capris helped set up her outfit for the day. Mai didn't think much of last night's incident. If it was frightening to see blood on her, it was more frightening to recall last night in vivid detail. She turned on the stove and placed a small pot and pan down. Fish, rice, and pickled vegetables for breakfast. <br/>
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The phone dinged later on, around 11:15 am- her first text of the day. <br/>
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The text message was a group one, composed of unfamiliar numbers, and the name of a location that Tyler Wells wanted her to visit. "What a familiar name," She poured herself a glass of milk and swallowed, contemplating if she could even trust these people. It was her fault for getting herself into this situation; she'd done it by choice. She felt selfish for wanting her son back when she knew she couldn't take care of him properly, but this was the only way she could gain leverage to get him out of the system and take him far away from that sick bastard.  <br/>
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"Remember Mai, you're not doing this for yourself. You're doing this for your son."<br/>
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She chucked on a hoodie and headed out to the speak easy down fourth. Thankfully, the speak easy was only walking distance from her townhouse apartment. When Mai arrived, she stopped in front of the rustic style door and took a moment to calculate possible scenarios that could happen once she stepped inside. There was no turning back now. She wanted this job, almost as much as she wanted her job as a mechanic, and if this was what the job entailed, so be it. <br/>
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The inside of the establishment came across as a surprise to Mai. It was well-furnished and the wooden architecture helped create a homey feel. Behind the bar, a variety of liquor and beer lined the wall. She took a spot at one of the empty booths and glanced at the menu propped up in a stand. The speak easy had a moderate level of voice activity; some patrons were boisterous while other spoke at normal volume. Mai shifted her body in unease and crossed one leg over the other. <br/>
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Observations didn't do much to pass the time. An attractive man with a sturdy build and long, well-kept hair walked into the bar and ordered a spirit, as well as a glass of water with no ice. He sat down on the barstool, legs wide open and charm oozing from his aura. Mai swallowed hard and allowed her eyes the pleasure of traveling down the length of his body. Blood rushed to her cheek and she averted her gaze to the vintage photography on the wall to the side of her booth.<br/>
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When Mai stole one last glance, presumably at the worst time, his eyes met hers. A genuine smile graced the corners of her lips and she immediately turned away. There was something strange and unsettling about this feeling. She wasn't usually this expressive around other people. Mai ran a hand through her hair out of habit, startled when the stranger approached her table. He was clean cut, shaven, and had definitely been to the gym quite a bit. Mai felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment.<br/>
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"Hello. Is there something I can do for you?" Her tone was neutral, though the unwavering feeling of attraction was still there.<br/>
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He smiled, "Hello, my name is Ben. It's nice to meet you. I noticed you were sitting here alone, would you like some company?" <br/>
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Mai blinked at the offer. Shit, what time was it again? It took her a moment to piece it all together. A light chuckle escaped her lips as she considered how absurd this man was to think she needed company. If Ben thought she was interested in taking him home, he was wrong. Mai hadn't come to the speak easy to flirt with a handsome stranger. She was here on business, nothing else. Hopefully, he'd understand her next cues and the fire would diminish between them.<br/>
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"I'm fine, no thank you. I'm just waiting for some," She contemplated what she should call the people she was meeting up with. They were complete strangers, but she didn't want this guy harping on her. "Friends. I'm here on business, not interested. Please go."<br/>
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Ben placed his hand on the table and leaned a little towards Mai. His charm was starting to wear off and that stupid smile was starting to aggravate her. "Could I at least interest in buying you a drink?" <br/>
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He certainly wasn't the kind of guy to give up, Mai noted. He tried hard to gain her affection apparently, perhaps too hard to the point where it was disgusting and her previous attempts at getting rid of him meant nothing. <br/>
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Mai rolled her eyes and scooted away from him, "Well, aren't you just the gentleman, offering to buy me a drink after I told you I wasn't interested. Listen pal, when a woman says no, she really means no. Find another girl to flirt with and leave me alone."</span>