Jack Met Cherry

The phone buzzed on the glass-topped table, breaking the silence in the room. Jack glanced at the screen. Cherry. He reached for the phone as Sofia, perched languidly on the sofa, brought her cigarette to her lips, inhaling with practiced ease. The faint scent of tobacco mingled with her perfume.

Jack pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

"Jack," Cherry's smooth, sultry voice came through. "We need to talk. Meet me."

"Where?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

"A café. It's on the outskirts, away from the city noise," Cherry replied. The sound of faint chatter and clinking glasses came from her end. She gave him the address.

Jack nodded, as though she could see him. "I'll be there."

The call ended. Sliding the phone back into his pocket, Jack stood, grabbing his coat.

"Heading somewhere?" Sofia asked lazily, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. She didn't look at him but seemed to watch him in her peripheral vision.