Teleport the Devil

Nighttime at a dimly lit bar on the rougher side of town, bass thumped through sticky floors, and the air hung thick with smoke and spilled beer. 

A girl with blonde hair sat alone at the polished counter, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. She stared absently at the rows of bottles behind the bar. 

A handsome guy navigated the crowded space, his movements smooth and deliberate. He slid onto the stool beside her, flashing a disarming smile. 

"Aren't you bored drinking alone?" the handsome guy said, resting his elbows on the bar. "Want me to accompany you? My treat." 

Gloria turned, her gaze sweeping over him—expensive shoes, sharp jawline, an air of effortless confidence. She returned the smile, though a flicker of wariness remained in her eyes. 

"Well, aren't you a smooth talker," she said, tapping a manicured nail against her glass. "Feel free, though. I never reject a free drink." 

The handsome guy, Noah, raised a finger to catch the bartender's attention. 

"Two drinks here, please," he called over the music. He leaned closer to Gloria, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "How does Dom Pérignon sound to you? Or do you have any other drink in mind?" 

Gloria laughed, a bright, surprised sound. "Don't push yourself too much," she warned, though her eyes sparkled with challenge. "Or else I might really order something really expensive." 

"I don't mind," Noah said, his smile unwavering. He turned back to the bartender. "Two of your most expensive. Champagne, if you've got it chilled." 

The bartender nodded, already reaching for a bottle glinting under the bar lights. 

"Oh, wow," Gloria breathed, watching the bartender uncork a bottle with a soft pop. "Aren't you rich?" She tilted her head, studying him. "What are you, some CEO or something?" 

Noah laughed. "Not at all. Just a guy who appreciates good company."

Not long after, the bartender served them their drinks.

"Cheers," Noah said, raising his glass.

"Cheers," Gloria echoed, clinking hers against his.

She took a slow sip, closing her eyes for a moment as the crisp, dry taste hit her tongue. "It's been a while since I drank something this good," she admitted.

"Really?" Noah said, smiling as he watched her. "I'm honored." 

"Yes," Gloria sighed, "especially after so much stuff that happened lately. Feels like I need it." 

"What happened?" Noah asked gently, keeping his tone light. "Something wrong with your job or something?" He took a casual sip. 

"Well, yes," Gloria said. "Actually, it's not exactly a job, but it's kind of... annoying." She avoided his gaze, focusing on the bubbles rising in her drink. 

"Annoying how?" Noah asked. "If you don't mind me asking," he added smoothly. 

Gloria hesitated, then downed a larger gulp of champagne. The alcohol seemed to loosen her tongue. "Well, I can't really say the specifics, but..." She waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, screw it, you bought me a drink. At least you deserve to hear a little story." 

"I'm happy to lend an ear," Noah said. "But don't feel pressured to tell me anything personal. We can just enjoy the drinks." 

Gloria sighed, shaking her head slightly. "It's fine. It didn't really matter anyway, and you seem easy to talk to." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "So, for a couple of months now, I've been part of this... organization. Volunteer thing. Supposedly for a good cause, right? Sounds noble." Her lips thinned. "But they're so rigid. Force me to follow this insane schedule." 

"What's especially annoying," she continued, her voice gaining an edge, "is I get paired up with this chick who's utterly obsessed with our leader. She follows the rules like scripture and lectures me if I'm five minutes late. Acts like she's his personal guard dog." 

She took another angry sip. "She keeps annoying me every damn day," Gloria muttered into her glass. 

"If I got paid, then fine," Gloria said, setting her glass down harder than necessary. "I could just suck it up. But it's supposed to be voluntary work, for God's sake! I don't need to report for duty every single day like I'm in the military, do I?" 

"I see," Noah nodded sympathetically. "That sure sounds like a pain." He mirrored her posture, leaning in slightly. "I know that type of girl too. Acting all goody-goody, thinking she's the only one who's right. Judging everyone else." 

"Yes! That's exactly it!" Gloria exclaimed, pointing a finger at him, her frustration finding an outlet. "That kind of girl! Always watching, always correcting!" 

Noah chuckled softly. "Last time one lectured me, she was convinced I was shoplifting just because I lingered near a display. Wouldn't let it go." 

"Did you?" Gloria asked. 

"What do you think?" Noah grinned, a flash of mischief in his own. 

Gloria laughed, the sound genuine this time. "Sorry, of course you're not," she said, waving her hand. "You just bought Dom Pérignon for a stranger." 

"Anyway," Noah said, steering back gently, "if that organization is such a pain, why don't you just quit? I mean, you said they didn't pay you, yet you're forced to work for them. That sounds like a bad place to be. Exploitative, even." 

"Ah, I can't," Gloria said quickly, her smile fading. "I mean... Uh, it's complicated." She seemed to retreat inward. "I'm sorry, I guess I failed to explain how things worked. It's... not that simple." 

"I see, no worries," Noah said smoothly, he took a slow sip. "I guess there's something binding you to that organization, then. Something beyond the volunteer work." 

"Yes," Gloria admitted quietly. "Pretty much. For my... safety." The word felt heavy. 

"Safety?" Noah asked, his brow furrowing slightly with concern. 

Gloria shook her head, forcing a brighter tone. "It's nothing. Forget I said that." She finished her champagne. 

They fell into a brief, comfortable silence, the bar's noise filling the space. Noah noticed Gloria's glass was empty. 

"Want a refill?" Noah offered, already signaling the bartender. 

"Can I?" Gloria asked, a hint of her earlier spark returning. 

"Of course," Noah replied easily. "Order whatever you want. My tab's open." 

"Aren't you nice?" Gloria mumbled. She looked at Noah, her gaze more assessing now. "Too nice even." 

"Come on," Noah laughed, a light, dismissive sound. "Don't say it like that. You sound like I have a hidden intention." 

"Oh, sorry!" Gloria said quickly, flushing slightly. "That's not what I meant! I just... don't usually meet guys who buy top-shelf champagne without... you know." 

"It's just a couple of drinks," Noah said, taking a relaxed sip of his own. "Don't make a big deal out of it. Enjoy." 

"Right, of course," Gloria said, laughing awkwardly. "Seriously though," she pressed, curiosity getting the better of her, "you sure you're not a CEO or something?" 

This time Noah was the one who laughed heartily. "I wish," he said, leaning back. "But there's no way. I'm way too young for those kinds of positions." 

"True," Gloria said, though she still eyed him with a trace of lingering doubt. 

"So," she said, leaning closer, "what do you do then? A famous model or something? With your looks, I wouldn't be surprised." 

"Not really," Noah said, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. "Hm... I can tell you," he said slowly, meeting her eyes, "but I doubt that you'll believe me." 

"Now you're making me even more curious! Come on, tell me! What's the big secret?" 

"Well," Noah started, "you heard about me being accused of shoplifting before..." 

Gloria's hopeful expression instantly fell. "Oh," she said, drawing back slightly, disappointment clear. "So... You're stealing? Like, professionally?" Her voice held a mix of shock and morbid fascination.

"It's not that simple," Noah said, holding up a hand, his expression turning serious, almost intense. "To tell you the truth..." He leaned in so close she could feel his breath. "...I actually have a superpower." 

Gloria blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. *What?* Her mind scrambled. Superpower? 

"Hard to believe, huh?" Noah said. "But that's the truth. I actually have the power of Teleportation. Instant travel." 

"Teleportation? What...?" Gloria's mind reeled. She stared at him, searching his face for any sign of a joke.

 Is he messing with me? Or... could it be possible?

"I used that power," Noah continued, "to break into a bank vault. No alarms, no cameras catching me enter or leave."

Gloria gulped, her knuckles white where she gripped her glass. The noisy bar seemed to fade away. 

"Are... are you serious?" she said, her voice barely audible. 

At first, Noah maintained the intense stare... then a slow, wide grin spread across his face, and he started laughing – a rich, genuine sound of pure amusement. 

"You should look at your face!" he managed between chuckles. "Priceless! You *really* believed it!" 

Gloria was stunned, frozen for a second. Her cheeks flushed crimson. "Wha—you're joking?"

"Obviously!" Noah said, still laughing. "There's no such thing as superpowers, right? Come on, Gloria! I can't believe you took my stupid story so seriously!" 

Gloria puffed out her cheeks, swatting his arm playfully, though her face was still bright red. "That's not funny!" she protested, trying to sound stern but failing. "Your lies are hurting my poor maiden heart! I was actually impressed for a second!" 

"Sorry, sorry!" Noah said, holding up his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, how's this for an apology?" He pulled out a sleek, black business card and a pen. He scribbled a number on the back and slid it across the bar towards her. "Here's my number. If you feel like you want to have a drink with me again – just call me. Maybe I'll even stick to the truth next time." 

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