Vicious mentioned that their next stop would be Guanajuato, a colourful city filled with history, art, and life. As they drove along the winding roads, he explained bits of the city's past how its cobbled streets were once walked by silver miners, and how the painted houses on the hillsides made it one of the most vibrant cities in Mexico. The sound of street music and laughter echoed from a distance as they approached.
Thalia leaned against the window, her eyes wide with awe. "Oh, I wish I had a camera... or even a phone," she sighed. "I'd have captured this whole moment. What a shame."
Vicious didn't say anything for a moment. His gaze was on the road, calm and thoughtful. Then he said softly, "Seeing it with your own eyes is already enough… but yes, capturing it would be better."
When they stopped, Thalia stepped out to admire the colourful architecture, unaware that Vicious had quietly walked away. Down the street, a few vendors were calling out to tourists, selling handmade souvenirs and cameras. He walked over, picked out two cameras, and returned.
As soon as Thalia saw him, she gasped. "How did you...? I just said I wanted one and now you're holding two! How did you get them?"
He smiled faintly. "I happened to see some people nearby selling cameras for tourists."
Thalia beamed. "Thank you!" She immediately began snapping photos the painted balconies, the narrow alleys, the musicians playing under the sun.
Vicious watched her quietly, amused by her excitement. "Do you study photography?" he asked at one point. "You take surprisingly good pictures."
She laughed lightly. "There's nothing special about photography. It's just about seeing what you want, aiming, and getting the perfect shot."
While she was busy capturing the beauty of the place, Vicious subtly turned the camera on her, taking photos of her expressions, her laughter, the way her hair glowed under the sunlight.
"This place is amazing," she said dreamily.
He nodded. "The next stop will be Teotihuacán home to the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon," he explained, his tone now more formal, as though turning into a guide. "It's an ancient Mesoamerican city one of the largest ever built, and it still holds secrets of the civilization that vanished centuries ago."
Her eyes widened. "Wow… I can't wait to see it! And thank you again for the camera, really."
They took a cab together. Thalia sat by the window, snapping photos of the bustling streets and open skies. When they finally arrived, the sight took her breath away the towering pyramids, vast plazas, and distant hills bathed in golden light.
"I'll be your tour guide today," Vicious said with a playful tone. He explained every detail how the Avenue of the Dead connected the pyramids, how the people once performed rituals at sunrise, and how the structure aligned perfectly with the stars.
Thalia was full of questions, her curiosity endless. She asked about the carvings, the ancient beliefs, and the purpose of the temples. Vicious answered patiently, sometimes adding little-known facts that made her even more fascinated.
After a long walk through the site, Vicious finally said, "I think that's enough for today. Shall we begin to go?"
She nodded, still looking around, reluctant to leave. As they walked back through the busy street, Thalia continued photographing everything from the souvenir stalls to children playing with handmade toys.
They soon stopped by an exquisite restaurant.
"May we go in?" Vicious asked.
Thalia looked at herself and hesitated. "No, no, no, I can't go in dressed like this! I mean, you may go in you're always dressed formally, fit for this kind of place. But look at me."
He chuckled. "It's no problem. No matter how you dress, you always look beautiful."
She blinked. "Is that irony, exaggeration, or sarcasm? You're complimenting me? Did I just hear that right? Wait a minute… are you trying to mock me?"
He laughed softly. "No, come on. We're friends now, remember? No bad blood. No hate between us."
Thalia smiled faintly. "You're serious, huh?"
"Yes," he said, gently holding the door open. "Besides, it's part of the tour. I can't show you our country's beauty and skip its food. No one's going to look at you come on."
She rolled her eyes but gave in with a grin. "Alright… let's go in."