CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:15 A.M.
The main gate to Stephen's mansion opened quietly. Once inside, he closed it without a sound. The air was cool, heavy with the scent of pine, as he made his way up the long driveway lined with palm trees. At the garage, Stephen slid the door open, then shut it again, quiet as before. He stood still in the garage. Faint music drifted from somewhere inside the house. Someone was awake.
'But who?' he thought. He tiptoed toward the door that led to the storage room, he pushed open and scanned the shadows. No one. He crossed to the next door. The music echoed faintly now. 'Almost sounds like it's coming from the kitchen… or the living room' he thought aloud. He crept down the hallway to the staircase near the living room, he eased around the corner to take a look. Tokyo stood at the counter—busy in the kitchen. Stephen leaned back, his heart skipped slightly as he tried to avoid being seen. He exhaled slowly, then calmly reached out and made for the stairs.
She noticed him, but her gaze stayed fixed on the counter, unbothered. The absence of reaction stung more than words ever could. Stephen kept walking, "Wow… she really doesn't care… just like her mother." he uttered. By the time he reached the second floor, the house was silent again, except for the faint hum of music below. He stopped outside his bedroom door; his hand resisted on the handle. Finally, he opened it. Katherine laid motionless beneath the soft folds of a silk duvet. "Kathy…" The name escaped him more like a breath than a sound.
He moved to the bathroom, he undressed slowly. His clothes landed in a heap on the counter as he stepped into the shower. The water flushed out.
Back in the bedroom, Katherine's eyes were open—unsure. Silent tears traced down her cheeks as she held herself tightly, she tried to contain the ache the morning light exposed. She shut her eyes again and listened to the water splash… the sound disguising what silence couldn't.
DOWNTOWN SAN EL ZORRO
Sparkdrift boulevard. 7:45 am.
Jason stood on the balcony beside an infinity pool, fifty-five stories above the city. A glass in one hand and a cigar in the other, he stared out at the skyline—buildings of every shape and size cut through the pale morning haze. Behind him, the sliding door open. A woman stepped out from the penthouse. Slim, poised, with jet-black hair that shimmered in the light, a pyramid eye tattoo with a brain, triple star, fist and smile symbol inked across her neck—she carried a chilled bottle of champagne in one hand. She took a seat on a lounge chair beside him, she set the bottle on the small glass table and crossed her legs as she adjusted her sunglasses. "What're you thinking about?" she asked. "Morning, Sasha." Jason said. Sasha popped the champagne with a crisp snap "Mm-mm don't do that." she interrupted. "You can't just ignore my question."
"And you can't greet?", Jason shot back. "Ladies first." Sasha replied coolly, she poured herself some champagne. "What's there to think about?" he said, "Reminisce—that's the better word." Jason drew in a slow drag, then the smoke curl up. "Can't let go of the past?" Sasha asked. She glanced at him from the brim of the glass. "Worse." he began, "I can let go of the past… but I won't. Not after everything that's happened." He paused, exhaling softly. "It's better if I just let God take the wheel."
"Whoa…" Sasha said, she paused mid-sip. "If I must say, you had it coming… you know how dad is, he never wanted the best for Ghost— though Mom actually cared, but nonetheless they were just using him as a weapon. You protecting him would've changed nothing, especially with that Spanish chick. God, Wish I could go back home." Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and caution. Jason flung the cigar over the balcony; the ember faded into the morning light. He took a sip of bourbon. "You can't." he murmured. "We're meeting Sam in a few hours. Get ready." He marched in the penthouse; the faint reflection of the city rippled across the glass as it closed. She sat there, sun-kissed and silently sipped her drink, she was lost in thoughts that she would never admit aloud.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:50 am.
Tokyo lounged on the couch—her thumbs flew over her cellphone, while Akirá and Mila rolled and tumbled on the floor mat. The TV murmured colorful cartoons in the background, punctuated by the baby's delighted giggles. "So, innocent." she whispered.
Upstairs, the house held its breath. Stephen stepped out from the shower, towel snug around his waist, and went through his morning ritual in the mirror. Katherine sat at the edge of the bed; her eyes fixed on herself in the dresser mirror. Once he stepped out the bathroom, Stephen's glance lingered for a moment, an unspoken acknowledgment passed between them, before he retreated into the walk-in closet to dress. He slipped into his formal suit; the rich aroma of cologne tinged in the air. Back in the bedroom, he found Katherine still seated at the edge of the bed, her gaze distant, he straightened his tie "Good morning, honey." he murmured. "Morning." she replied quietly. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"Nothing." she said at first. "Actually… where did you and Antonio go last night?", she rose and her gaze fixed on him. "Jack's." he replied. "Why?" His voice was calm. "Never mind… maybe I'm overreacting." she murmured. Stephen leaned back slightly. "If you want the truth—long story short, I woke up in a tiny bedroom apartment this morning with a brutal headache, I had one too many to drink and the last thing I remember— I was playing snooker, then I woke up in some motel." he admitted.
"Oh." she replied softly. "That's why I didn't come back home last night. I didn't want to risk driving under the influence." he continued. Suddenly Tokyo stormed into the bedroom, she chewed bubble gum. Her eyes flicked down at her phone as she spoke. "Dad, it's eight o'clock. We're gonna be late for Sunday service." she announced. "Okay, darling." Stephen murmured. Without a word, Tokyo spun on her heel and left the faint pop of bubble gum behind her. Stephen slid his belt on "We'd better get ready for church before Tokyo completely dissects us." he muttered. "Okay." Katherine replied… she sprang from the bed and went into the bathroom. Stephen left the bedroom and marched downstairs. He descended to the living room, then entered the kitchen—where he began to prepare breakfast for the family.
Fifteen minutes later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house. Katherine appeared at the bottom of the stairs; she looked more stunning than ever. Stephen paused, he admired her beauty. He walked up to her and pulled her close. "You look gorgeous, baby." he said. Katherine let out a soft giggle. "Is this the same Stephen I remember?" she teased. "What did you do to my husband?" She reached up and cupped his jaw tenderly. "Well… how about you find out?" he murmured, then pressed a trail of kisses to her neck. Katherine burst into playful laughter, she held him close against her chest. "Eww… okay, lovebirds, break it up." Tokyo declared. "Church isn't going to wait for your morning romance."
Stephen pickedAkira and Mila into his arms with a gentle smile. "Alright, no worries, Tokyo. Breakfast can wait." he said. Katherine slung the diaper bag over her shoulder, while Tokyo sauntered to the car. The mansion receded behind them as they left, Stephen clicked the lock on the front door with a soft click. Tokyo secured Akira and Mila in their seats. Stephen guided the cab out of the garage, down the sunlit driveway. The front gate opened and they drove off, toward morning prayers, reflection, and the chance to make things right with the All-Father.
EL ZORRO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Colossus St. 8:05 am.
Lucas slumped into a beanbag in Dré's dorm room. Dré and Trevino were deep into a heated console game; their thumbs thrashed the controllers. Suddenly, the door burst open—Dylan charged in, full of energy. "Yo, TJ… come on, man! Leaving me behind like that?" Dylan said. "What, dude? You were trying to hit up those snow bunnies, weren't you?" Trevino teased. "And? Bro, you were my wing man!" Dylan exclaimed, he paced a little. "So… did you manage to get their numbers or nah?" Dré asked. "Yeah… but that's the problem." Dylan groaned. "What if they just said no?"
"What if they rejected you?" Trevino repeated his eyebrows raised. "Bro, you got their numbers—what are you even mad about?"
"I'm mad that my homie was supposed to be the wings on my should, the eyes behind my head!" Dylan shouted. "Chill, man." Dré said. "Even if they said no, there are literally a million other fish in the sea, amigo."
"Whatever… What's up LJ?" Dylan greeted. "Don't even bother, he's still trying to remember all the angles from last night." Dré said. Trevino snickered. "Ahhh… so somebody's balls finally dropped, huh?" Dylan teased, a devilish smirk tugged at his lips. "Hey at least I got laid.", Lucas said. Trevino burst out laughing. "Yo, we got a real Casanova in the house!" he said, then immediately went back to smashing buttons on the controller.
"Yeah… unlike Dylan over here, whining about a girl's digits." Dré said. "Meanwhile, Lucas actually came through!"
"Pfft… whatever." Dylan said, he tossed himself onto Dré's bed. Silence settled over the room, broken only by the rhythmic beeps and clicks of the console. Lucas and Dylan scrolled through their phones. Suddenly a knock echoed on Dré's door—gentle at first, then more insistent. "Aye… you gonna answer that?" Dylan muttered, he nudged Lucas with his shoulder. Lucas clicked his tongue "Why don't you grab it, then?" he shot back. "Because getting up sounds like too much effort." Dylan replied. Suddenly, the knock grew louder, "Okay, one of you guys has to answer this." Dré said. "Fine." Lucas groaned, he dragged himself off the beanbag, then strolled to open the door—only to freeze. Ashley was there; she looked effortlessly perfect in a simple skirt and tank top. Lucas could not help but blink in surprise.
"Hey." Lucas said.
"Hey." she said, her eyes lit up as she met Lucas's gaze. "How are you feeling?" Lucas asked, his gaze swept over her from head to toe. Ashley folded her arms with a mock pout "I'm amazing… mostly. But a little hurt too." she said. "Somebody just up and left without telling me, you know?" Lucas hesitated. "Sorry… it was late and I—" Ashley silenced him with a finger to his lips. "Shh." she murmured. "It's okay." Ashley pulled Lucas in, their faces inches apart.
Meanwhile, Dylan pressed his eye to the doorway, as he spied on his friends' little drama. Ashley leaned in, their lips locked in a kiss that carried warmth, intensity. A chorus of playful 'oohs' rose from a group of onlooking girls in the corridor, their voices teased only amplifying the glow of the moment.
Their lips parted, and Ashley fished a pen from her pocket. She held it out toward Lucas, a small smile on her face. "Here." she said softly. "You forgot this." Lucas took the pen from her "You didn't have to come all the way here just for a pen, you know." he said. Ashley shrugged slightly, her smile gentle. "I know… but I wanted to." She glanced toward the door. "I should get going. My parents are waiting outside." Lucas's brow furrowed as they spoke.
"Your parents… you didn't tell them about me, did you?" His voice carried a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Ashley laughed lightly. "Of course, I told them—how else do you think I got here?" She stepped a little closer "Don't worry. We'll catch up later… then you'll get to meet my parents."
"Wait… what?" Lucas stammered. Ashley trapped her lips to his once more, a gentle yet decisive kiss. "We'll talk later, alright?" she said. Ashley walked away and strolled down the corridor; her Afro framed her movement like a halo of confidence. Dylan popped up next to Lucas, his eyes gleamed with mischief. "Ashley Jenkins, huh?" he said, he playfully nudged Lucas.
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Shut up." he replied, back into the dorm. Trevino barely glanced up from the game. "Yeah, shawty trippin', homie."
"What?" Lucas turned to him, perplexed. Trevino threw his hands up. "Wait… she's introducing you to her parents after just one night?!" he exclaimed. "Yeah—that's how you know my boy hit right." Dré joked. Everyone burst out laughing. Trevino leapt up with a triumphant yell. "Yes sir… I win!" Dré dropped back in his chair, hands on his head, he groaned in defeat. Lucas flopped onto the beanbag, he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. 'Reminiscing… manifesting…'he mused silently. As tides turn and waves form, after all the challenges, we keep reaching for a brighter day.