"Just do me a favor, Hazel: don't have anyone watch self-checkout," Thalia said into her radio. Her eyes moved to the side to examine Reyna. Her manager was intently scanning the cameras. They had fallen into a comfortable silence in the last hour. Thalia was even able to look at her phone without feeling the eyes of Reyna about to vaporize her.
"Are you sure?" Hazel asked after a moment. There was a confused look on her face. Thalia smirked.
"I am super sure," Thalia promised. "Trust me. I have been watching her since she came in."
Thalia had watched the woman grab enough outfits to allow her to skip laundry for a month. Then, she made her way towards the electronics section and just started piling stuff into her cart. From there, they went off to a small corner of the store, and Thalia felt her temper reach an all time high.
Thalia could handle adults trying to steal. Hell, she could handle teenagers being idiots and trying to do the same. What she could not handle was watching an adult grab a box of expensive earbuds and show her daughter how to take off and manipulate the security tag.
Reyna noticed too but remained silent. Thalia stewed in her anger and debated taking up smoking again. Instead, she excused herself long enough to refill her soda, buy some gum, scream a little bit on the inside, and curse the woman who was ruining her day. When she made it back to her office, the woman was still showing her daughter how to steal.
"At least she's teaching her a life skill," Reyna commented honestly. Thalia turned her head and stared at Reyna. She couldn't tell if that was a joke or not. Her manager continued watching the cameras, not so much as cracking a smile or chuckling. She gave no indication whether it was a joke or not.
"Yeah. Great life skill," Thalia muttered sarcastically. "Teach them how to be criminals while they're young!"
Thalia didn't mean to raise her voice so loud. Reyna glanced at her and still had that unreadable guise. Thalia averted her eyes and grabbed another stick of gum. She spat out the old gum and popped in the new one.
Thalia watched the woman make her way towards the front. Her daughter followed behind, skipping along. Reyna finally shrugged, "It's mother-daughter time at least."
"Would you rather your mother taught you how to steal?" Thalia asked rhetorically. She barely bit back her next comment: instead of hitting you?
Reyna didn't answer. Her gaze stayed focused on the cameras. Thalia watched the woman continue on to one of the self-checkout registers. Hazel had pulled away the cashier watching over it, and they were now on a register checking other customers out. Hazel had an eye out for any lights, but she stayed clear of the self-checkout machines.
"She put electronics in her purse as well," Reyna stated. She grabbed her radio. "Silena?"
"What can I do for you, Reyna?" Silena responded as her voice buzzed over the radio. Thalia focused on the cameras. She watched the woman start to scan. Thalia leaned in closer and realized that the woman had grabbed the handheld scanner and was repeatedly scanning the first four, cheapest shirts. Was she for real?
"Go to channel two," Reyna answered. Thalia knew the woman wouldn't scan anything at the bottom of the rack, including the goodies in her purse. Reyna clicked in on her radio.
"I'm on channel two."
"There's a stack of boxes by the men's underwear. Bring them up to Thalia's office, but cut through the back office."
"Understood."
Thalia stood out of her seat as the woman started to pay. She walked out of her office and to the floor in three long strides. Thalia walked towards the edge of the cafe and leaned on a table. Her gaze focused on the woman; but instead of trying to leave, the idiot made for the bathroom.
Reyna brushed past Thalia as she approached the carts. She quietly started to push loose ones back into a row. Thalia glanced down at her phone, but her eyes kept flickering vigilantly up towards the bathroom. After a few minutes, the woman walked back out with her daughter.
Thalia held her breath as the woman led her daughter towards the front door. They never did come up with a name for her... Damn. Thalia pushed herself off of the table and made to follow the woman towards the exit. As the woman stepped past the metal detectors, they went off.
"Hey," Thalia greeted as she stepped up to the woman and blocked her path. "I'm going to need to see your receipt."
The woman looked like she was going to run, and started to slightly inch forward. A hand grabbed the cart before she could, and Thalia grabbed the other side of the cart. The woman stared at both of them. Out of the corner of her eye, Thalia saw the little girl staring up at them.
"We just need to see your receipt," Reyna said, her hand tightly gripped the cart. The woman shoved past Thalia and ran out of the building. Thalia stared at where the woman had run off to. Then, she looked at the little girl that had been left behind.
Thalia stared down at the little girl. Reyna did as well. Anger coursed strongly through Thalia. Who the hell left their kid behind? Before Thalia could fully get over her shock, the woman appeared back in front of her.
"I forgot this," the woman said as she grabbed her purse.
"And your kid," Reyna shot back dryly. "Not to mention the stolen store merchandise in your purse and cart."
"I haven't done anything," the woman hissed as she jerked her purse out of the cart. She glared at Reyna, sizing her up; which was probably the stupidest thing anyone could do.
"You have," Reyna stated. "We have you on video, and the merchandise in your purse will match the boxes you threw to the side."
"Lady, you are screwed. Let's not make a scene in front of your kid," Thalia warned. The woman glared at them and then slammed past Reyna, but she put enough force into it to slam Reyna into the wall. Thalia felt her temper flare. "Hey lady! The cops are already on the way. Would you like them to make a scene and arrest you outside by your car, or just come to my office and wait there?"
"Mommy?" the little girl asked. She looked up at them confused. Thalia glanced down at the kid and then looked at Reyna. Her manager was boring a hole into the woman with her eyes. "What's going on?"
"Nothing, sweetie. We are leaving," the woman said. Thalia saw a uniformed officer stepped into the door near them.
"Hey, Officer Kahale! Best buddy! This is the shoplifter we called you for. I'll get you a copy of the video. There's also a bunch of unpaid electronics in her purse and under all the clothes she didn't buy. Can we see that receipt yet?"
The paled look on the woman's face was enough to make Thalia smirk. Maybe, she was feeling a little vindictive after watching the woman teach her daughter how to steal and then leaving her own kid behind after trying to flee. Who the hell did that? Not to mention shoving Reyna. Thalia slowly lost her smirk as she watched Officer Kahale check the woman's receipt.
This was going to be a lot of paperwork.
Thalia leaned against the wall outside of Lupa's office. She had already told Lupa what had happened, but Lupa wanted to speak to Reyna in private, especially since Reyna had been shoved. Thalia wasn't sure if they were going to get in trouble, and she really hoped not.
"How's it going?" Percy asked as he stopped by Thalia. He was holding onto a couple of papers. "Someone said the woman almost tried to fight the two of you."
"She just shoved Reyna. That's all," Thalia clarified with a wave of her hand. "I feel bad for the kid, though. Her mom was going to leave her behind."
"Damn," Percy commented. They heard the door open, and Reyna stepped out with Lupa. Both of them were laughing and had smiles on their faces. Thalia was confused by the jovial pair of women.
"You did good today," Lupa complimented as she looked at Thalia.
"I'm just doing my job," Thalia shrugged off. "I am pretty great."
"Meh. You're okay," Percy corrected. Thalia turned and glared at him.
"Percy, do you mind taking your break a little late today?" Reyna asked. She rubbed the back of her neck. "I promised Thalia I would buy her lunch."
"And, I have an appointment with our district manager," Lupa informed them. She nodded to the three of them before she walked away.
"If that's not okay," Reyna began. Percy waved his hand as if shooing the topic away.
"It's fine, I can wait. You two have fun together," Percy said. He turned towards Thalia and winked at her. Oh, Thalia was going to kill him. Percy lightly cackled and walked away.
Reyna looked at Thalia and smiled, "Come on. I'll drive."
"Yeah. Totally," Thalia answered. The two of them strode down the hallway. They had spent a few hours talking to Officer Kahale, doing all of the paperwork, sorting out the merchandise, saving what they could, and waiting for Lupa to come in so they could tell her what happened.
Reyna led Thalia outside and towards her car. Thalia stayed close to her and looked down at her phone. She was texting her group chat of other asset protectors in the area. As they made it to the car, Reyna unlocked it for both of them to get in.
"Nice car," Thalia complimented. She put on her seatbelt as Reyna glanced at her.
"Thanks. I like your motorcycle," Reyna returned one of her own. Thalia felt her cheeks redden, but Reyna didn't seem to notice as she put on her seatbelt and started the car.
"Do you mind if we make a detour after getting the food? It will take like five minutes," Thalia promised. Reyna looked around and pulled her car out of the parking space. She drove towards the stoplight.
"That's fine," Reyna accepted. Thalia nodded and relaxed back in her seat. She stared down at her phone, scrolling through her social media pages. They were getting food from Thalia's favorite southern place. She didn't think Reyna would go for it, but Reyna had quickly accepted.
"I hope we got Percy something he likes," Reyna commented as she watched the road. Thalia had been surprised when Reyna outright told her she was also going to buy Percy lunch. It seemed like Reyna actually liked Percy.
"I know Percy like the back of my hand. He loves their mac and cheese. I love it too," Thalia commented, moving her eyes to the side. Quiet music was playing. Not loud enough to disturb Thalia if she didn't like it; but loud enough that Reyna could hear it.
The drive was in comfortable silence. Reyna looked like she was focused on the road but also lost in thought. Thalia was just trying to relax. The ten minute drive to the restaurant was in silence. When they got there, Reyna pulled into the parking space for pick up and rolled down her window.
Thalia glanced up and saw a restaurant worker walk towards them. She looked back at her phone and zoned out, looking for memes to send to Percy to keep him entertained during his break. She also hadn't flooded the group chat of her friends with hilarious pictures yet.
"Did you hear me?" Reyna asked. Thalia's attention snapped up, and she quickly looked at her boss. Reyna just looked on as her co-worker was tripping over herself. "Are you doing okay? You're quiet."
"I'm just tired," Thalia admitted. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night. And that crazy lady didn't help at all."
"I know a lot about not being able to sleep well," Reyna began. Before she could continue, Thalia heard a vibration. The radio turned off, and Thalia saw the screen where the radio was changing from whatever station it had been on to show an incoming call. "Sorry. I have to take this. My sister won't let me hear the end of it if I don't."
"No problem," Thalia promised. "Do you want me to step out?"
"No," Reyna replied. She pressed the answer button. "Hey, Hylla."
"Little sister," a voice greeted. Thalia listened quietly to the womanly voice. Hylla sounded a little like Reyna, but her accent stood out more.
"I have a guest. Please don't embarrass me," Reyna pleaded unenthusiastically.
"Oh, a guest. Do tell?" Hylla practically purred. Thalia saw Reyna's face turn red. "Is it the new assistant manager?"
"The asset protector actually," Thalia replied. She hoped that she wasn't overstepping her bounds by answering, but Reyna looked grateful. "Thalia. I think we've seen each other in passing."
"The cute one that rides the motorcycle? Reyna talks about you all the time," Hylla cooed. Thalia's eyes widened, and she was beyond grateful that she was wearing sunglasses. Reyna's eyes were wide as well, and her face was redder than before.
"I'm going to hang up on you," Reyna finally threatened. Hylla laughed.
"No, you won't. Seriously though, you never told me what time your surgery was," Hylla pouted. Thalia looked at Reyna in surprise.
"Eight in the morning. The tenth of next month. Are you sure you can take me?" Reyna asked.
"It's damn early, but I'll do it just for you," Hylla ensured with a dramatic sigh. "I'm taking the first four days off to help. Kinzie will take the next three."
"Thanks," Reyna mumbled. The tips of her ears turned red, and she looked uncomfortable. "And, um, mother stopped by. Wanted to know if you want dinner."
"Maldita perra," Hylla growled. Reyna winced. "Don't tell me you're going to dinner with her."
"I don't have a choice," Reyna muttered. "I'm getting dragged to her charity event."
"Idiota!" Hylla snapped. She went on a long rant in Spanish that had Thalia completely lost after the fifth puta. Reyna seemed to sink further into her car seat, and she gave Thalia an apologetic look. Mid rant, Hylla sucked in a long breath. "You have a guest in your car."
"Yeah," Reyna said. Her face was completely red.
"It's okay. My mother was a maldi...malda-"
"Maldita perra," Hylla corrected. "I like this one."
"Please stop teaching her bad habits," Reyna groaned. She rolled her window down as a waitress brought them food. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Hylla chimed in. Reyna shook her head and handed Thalia the bag of food. "Hey Reyna, are the new ones working better?"
"A little," Reyna answered. She glanced at Thalia and then quickly looked behind them to back out. "They said it should get better, after shoulder surgery."
"I'm not too happy about dogs in my house, but I'll allow it," Hylla muttered.
"You love them," Reyna teased. "I'm about to drive, so I'm going to hang up. Love you."
"I love you too," Hylla replied back. "And nice talking to you, Thalia."
"You too," Thalia responded. Reyna hung up and finished pulling out of the parking space. "Your sister sounds pretty cool."
"She is," Reyna agreed. She focused on the road. "Sorry you had to hear that rant. My sister doesn't like our mother."
"Case of older sibling syndrome? I get it," Thalia said with a small shrug. She opened her box and grabbed a fry. Reyna gave her a reprimanding look. "It's just one!"
"And only one. Only Nico gets to eat in my car," Reyna stated. Thalia huffed, but she closed the lid of her container. Reyna smirked. "It's not really older sister syndrome. My mother doesn't... approve of Hylla's choices."
"College or lack of? Or something more personal?" Thalia prodded, hoping she wasn't pushing too much. Reyna had always been private; but then again, Thalia never asked her too much. She was scared of pushing her away.
"Personal," Reyna answered bitterly. Her shoulders deflated, and she sighed softly. "My mother was all set to take us in. Then, she learned my sister was into girls. There was this whole screaming match; it was bad. My mother told Hylla to break up with her girlfriend or not be allowed into the house."
"I'm sorry," Thalia said. "What did Hylla do?"
"She told my mother that she wasn't going to live in her house. That she would take custody of me. My mother told Hylla to never come back unless she dropped the whore, and Hylla punched her in the face. There was no way for their relationship to come back after that."
"Shit," Reyna uttered with a small chuckle. "I'm sorry, that's really heavy. I don't think I've told that to anyone besides Nico."
"It's okay," Thalia promised. She smiled brightly. "I'm just glad that you trust me enough to tell me. I'm honored, really."
"It's really easy to talk to you," Reyna admitted. She smiled back and focused on the road.
"Before we get back to our store, can we stop by The Pantheon first?" Thalia asked. Reyna nodded. "And, can I ask you something? Shoulder surgery?"
"Yeah," Reyna said with a grimace. "I need a shoulder replacement."
"You're not even that old," Thalia began.
Reyna chuckled, "Percy said that is for old people and said I don't look that old."
"He has so much seaweed in that head of his," Thalia commented. She rolled her eyes. "But, why?"
Reyna didn't answer, resigning to just stare out the window. Thalia quickly continued, "If you're not comfortable sharing, I get it. Can I ask how long you'll be out for?"
"A month, hopefully," Reyna answered. There was a grateful look on her face. "Lupa might force me to stay away longer, but I think I can convince her to let me come back a little earlier if I stay in my office."
"You won't do that," Thalia called out. Reyna smirked and remained quiet. The rest of their ride passed in comfortable silence, and Thalia felt great. She was starting to learn more about Reyna, and she could feel that they were getting closer. Thalia just needed someone to try and steal every day.
Thalia looked out the window. Once they got to her old store, she would go to Nectar and Ambrosia, buy a dozen brownies, and then three of those divine hot chocolates. Thalia would get to eat lunch with Reyna, and hopefully, she would get to learn a little more about her crush.