Shaken, Not Stirred

The dim lighting and lively chatter of The Guild provided a welcome distraction from the tension that had been building at Sean's place. Maya had suggested they grab drinks, and Sean had agreed, albeit with a hint of reluctance. As they settled into their favorite corner booth, Maya couldn't help but tease him about his bartending skills. "Hey, Sean, I didn't know you were moonlighting as a mixologist," Maya said, watching as he expertly crafted cocktails for the thirsty patrons. Sean shot her a dry look, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm a man of many talents, Maya." Maya chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "I'm sure you are. But seriously, Sean, you're really good at this. Maybe you should quit your day job and become a full-time bartender." Sean raised an eyebrow, his hands moving deftly as he mixed a drink. "I think I'll stick to my day job, thanks. But hey, it's nice to have a fan in the audience." As the night wore on, Maya continued to tease Sean, playfully asking him to make her a series of ridiculous cocktails. Sean, used to her antics, laughed and obliged, shaking and stirring with a flourish. The patrons of The Guild seemed to be enjoying the show, and soon, a small crowd had gathered around their booth, cheering and chanting Sean's name. Just as Maya was about to ask Sean to make her another drink, Jake appeared at their table, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, guys, what's all the commotion about?" he asked, eyeing the crowd that had gathered. Maya grinned, nudging Sean with her elbow. "Just Sean's impressive bartending skills on display." Jake chuckled, taking a seat next to Maya. "Yeah, Sean's always been a bit of a show-off. But seriously, have you guys heard from Alex lately?" Maya's expression turned serious, and Sean's eyes narrowed. "No, we haven't," Sean said, his voice low. "But I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she shows up again." The conversation was interrupted by a loud crash from behind the bar, and Sean's eyes flicked towards the sound. Maya followed his gaze, her heart sinking as she spotted a figure standing at the end of the bar, her eyes fixed intently on Sean. "Well, well, well," the woman said, her voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. Sean, I see you're still slinging drinks and...women." Maya's eyes met Sean's, and she could see the tension building in his shoulders. She knew that this was far from over.