Sophia and Theo exited the building together, the crisp air of the late afternoon settling around them. The sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows on the street, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. Sophia walked with a graceful ease, her heels clicking softly on the pavement, while Theo stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
After a brief silence, Sophia cleared her throat. "I never got a chance to apologize for last time," she began, her tone sincere. "I was having a really bad day. The interview didn't go well, and I took it out on everyone around me… including you."
Theo turned his head, meeting her eyes, and offered a small smile. "Don't worry about it," he said, brushing it off with a casual wave. "I didn't take it personally. We've all been there."
Sophia gave him a relieved smile, clearly appreciating his understanding. "Thanks," she said softly. "It was just one of those days, but today feels… different."
Theo nodded. "Yeah, today went better for both of us, I guess."
They shared a quiet laugh before reaching the corner of the street where their paths would diverge. "Well," Sophia said, glancing down the road, "tomorrow's a big day. We should probably get some rest."
"Definitely," Theo agreed. "Good luck with everything. I'll see you around."
"You too, Theo." Sophia waved as she turned and started walking in the opposite direction.
Theo watched her go for a moment before turning on his heel, heading toward home. His mind was buzzing with thoughts about tomorrow, the new job, and how everything seemed to be moving forward, slowly but surely. But before that, there were some errands to run.
On his way home, Theo stopped at a local store to pick up some groceries. He wandered through the aisles, grabbing bread, milk, eggs, and a few other essentials, mindlessly tossing them into his basket. After paying at the register, he headed toward the door, but just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of an older man standing by the entrance.
The man, in his fifties, looked distinguished but slightly out of place in the small store. He had salt-and-pepper hair, sharp features, and was dressed in a well-fitted suit. There was something about him—something vaguely familiar—but Theo couldn't quite place it. He slowed his pace, trying to figure out where he had seen the man before.
In reality, he hadn't. The resemblance he felt came from the subtle similarities the man shared with someone else: Sophia. Though Theo didn't realize it, this was Oliver Reid—Sophia's father.
Oliver caught Theo's lingering gaze and smiled faintly. "You look like a young man with potential," Oliver said, his voice smooth and confident.
Theo blinked, taken aback. "Uh, thanks?"
The man stepped closer, his gaze sharp. "I've got a proposition for you. Something big. Something that could change your life."
Theo raised an eyebrow, already feeling a sense of unease. "I'm listening."
Oliver's smile grew as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "There's a job I'm putting together. It's going to take skill, precision, and someone with a mind as sharp as yours. It'll pay well—more than you've ever dreamed of."
Theo frowned, sensing the shift in tone. "What kind of job are we talking about?"
Oliver's eyes glinted. "A bank job. We're planning to hit one of the largest banks in the city. All we need is someone who can think on their feet and stay cool under pressure. That could be you."
Theo's mind went blank for a moment, the words hanging in the air like a bad stench. He stared at Oliver, trying to process what had just been said. Robbing a bank? Was this guy serious?
Without hesitation, Theo's face twisted in disbelief, and he shook his head. "Are you kidding me?" he muttered, incredulous. "I'm not interested in whatever crazy plan you've got going on."
Oliver's smile faded, but he didn't back down. "You should think about it. The money—"
Theo cut him off, his voice firm as he turned to leave. "Fuck that," he spat, not caring about the man's offer or his reasoning. He didn't need this kind of trouble in his life. Not now, not ever.
With that, Theo stormed out of the store, groceries in hand, not bothering to look back. He had more important things to focus on—like keeping his life on track and taking care of his sisters. The last thing he needed was to get involved with someone like Oliver Reid, no matter how tempting the offer might seem.