CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:15 A.M.
The main gate opened quietly. Stephen made his way up the long driveway. At the garage, he slid the door open, then shut it quietly as before. He tiptoed toward the storage room, pushed open the door, and crossed to the next door. He crept down the hallway to the staircase, and he eased around the corner to take a look. To his surprise, Tokyo stood at the counter in the kitchen. Stephen leaned back quickly. He exhaled slowly, then dashed for the stairs. She noticed him, but her gaze stayed unbothered. The absence of reaction stung him more than words ever could, but he kept walking, "Wow… she really doesn't care… just like her Kathy." he uttered. Finally, Stephen reached his bedroom. Katherine lay motionless beneath the soft folds of a silk duvet. "Kathy…" he whispered. He went into the bathroom, undressed, and he stepped into the shower. The water flushed out.
Back in the bedroom, Katherine's eyes were open all along. Silent tears traced down her cheeks as she held herself tightly, she tried to contain the ache the morning light exposed.
DOWNTOWN SAN EL ZORRO
Sparkdrift Boulevard. 7:45 am.
Jason stood on the balcony, fifty-five stories above the city. He stared out at the skyline as he sipped on whiskey. Behind him, a woman stepped out from the penthouse. Slim, with black hair that shimmered in the light, a pyramid eye tattoo with a brain, five stars, fist, and smiley face inked across her neck. She sat on a lounge chair beside him. "What're you thinking about in that empty head of yours?" she asked. "Morning, Sasha." Jason said. "Mm-mm, don't do that." she interrupted. "You can't just ignore my question."
"And you can't greet?" he answered. "Ladies first." Sasha poured herself some champagne. "What's there to think about? No. Reminisce—that's the better word." he said. "Can't let go of the past?" she glanced at him from the brim of the glass. "Worse. I can let go of the past… but I won't. Not after everything that's happened." He paused, "It's better if I just let God take the wheel." he proclaimed. "Whoa." she paused. "If I must say, you had it coming… You know how Dad is —he never wanted the best for Ghost. Mom actually cared, but they were using him as a weapon. You protecting him would've changed nothing, especially with that Spanish chick. God, wish I could go to the horizon." she stated. Jason took a sip of bourbon. "You can't. We're meeting Sam in a few hours. Get ready." He marched into the penthouse. She sat there, sun-kissed.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:50 am.
Tokyo lounged on the couch, while Akirá and Mila rolled and tumbled on the floor mat. "So, innocent, if only y'all knew what life has in store for y'all." she whispered. Upstairs, Stephen stepped out from the shower and went through his morning ritual in the mirror. Katherine sat at the edge of the bed. He walked out of the bathroom, an unspoken acknowledgment passed between them before he went into the walk-in closet. He dressed into his formal suit. Back in the bedroom, he found Katherine still seated at the edge of the bed, "Good morning, honey." he murmured. "Morning." she said quietly. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"Nothing… Actually… where did you and Antonio go last night?" She rose. "Jack's. Why?" he replied. "Never mind… maybe I'm overreacting." she murmured. "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 lied. "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. Her eyes were stuck on her phone as she spoke. "Dad, it's eight o'clock. We're gonna be late for Sunday service." she announced. "Okay, Toke." Stephen slid his belt on. "We'd better get ready for church before Tokyo completely dissects us." he muttered. "Okay." Katherine snickered… she sprang from the bed and went into the bathroom. Stephen went downstairs, where he prepared breakfast for the family.
Forty minutes later, the aroma of cooked food filled the house. Katherine appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Stephen admired her beauty. "You look gorgeous, baby." he reeled her in. Katherine let out a soft giggle. "Is this the same Stephen I remember? What did you do to my husband?" She reached up and cupped his jaw tenderly. "Well… how about you find out?" he said as he kissed her neck. Katherine held him close against her chest. "Ew… okay, lovebirds, break it up. Church isn't going to wait for your morning romance." Tokyo stated. "Alright, no worries, Tokyo. Breakfast can wait." he declared. Katherine slung the diaper bag over her shoulder, while Tokyo sauntered to the car. Stephen locked the door. Tokyo secured Akira and Mila in their seats. They got in the car, Stephen reversed the cab out of the garage, and drove off.
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. Suddenly, the door burst open. Dylan charged in, full of energy. "Yo, TJ… come on, man! Leaving me behind like that?" he complained. "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. "So… did you manage to get their numbers or nah?" Dré asked. "Yeah… but that's the problem. What if they just said no?" Dylan groaned. "What if they rejected you? Bro, you got their numbers—what are you even mad about?" Trevino argued. "I'm mad that my homie was supposed to be the wings on my shoulder, the eyes behind my back!" Dylan shouted. "Chill, man. Even if they said no, there's literally a million other fish in the sea, amigo." Dré concluded. "Whatever… What's up, LJ?" Dylan greeted. "Don't even bother, he's still trying to remember all the angles from last night." Dré joked. Trevino laughed. "Ahhh… so somebody's balls finally dropped, huh?" Dylan teased. "Hey, at least I got laid." Lucas said. Trevino nearly died of laughter. "Yo, we got a real Casanova here!" he said. "Yeah… unlike Dylan over here, whining about some girl's digits. Lucas actually put it down!" Dré said. "Pfft… whatever." Dylan tossed himself onto Dré's bed. Lucas and Dylan scrolled on their phones. Then a knock echoed on Dré's door. "Aye… you gonna answer that?" Dylan nudged Lucas. "Why don't you grab it?" he scoffed. "Because getting up sounds like a hassle." he replied. Eventually, the knock grew louder, "Okay, one of you guys has to answer this." Dré said. "Fine." Lucas dragged himself all the way to the door—only to freeze. Ashley, she looked effortlessly perfect in a simple skirt. "Hey." he greeted. "Hey." she said. "How're you feeling?" Lucas asked. "Amazing… mostly. But a little hurt too. Somebody just got up and left without telling me, you know?" she pouted.
"Sorry… it was late and I—" Ashley silenced him with her finger. "Shh. It's okay." she whispered. Meanwhile, Dylan peeked from the doorway. Ashley leaned in, their lips locked in a kiss that carried warmth and intensity. A chorus of playful 'oohs' rose from a group of girls in the corridor.
Their lips parted, and she pulled a pen from her pocket. "Here." she gave him. "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. "I know… but I wanted to." She shrugged. "I should get going. My parents are waiting outside."
"Your parents… You didn't tell them about me, did you?" he asked. Ashley giggled. "Of course, I told them—how else do you think I got here? But don't worry. We'll catch up later… then you'll get to meet them." she confessed. "Wait… what?" Lucas stammered. Ashley kissed him once more. "We'll talk later, alright?" she said. Ashley strolled down the corridor. Dylan popped up next to him. "Ashley Jenkins, huh?" he teased. "Shut up." Lucas rolled his eyes. They went inside, "Yeah, shawty trippin', homie." Trevino claimed. "What?" Lucas was perplexed. "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 with laughter. "Yes, sir… I win, you owe me fifty bucks!" Trevino cheered as he cleared the game.Dré groaned in defeat. Lucas flopped onto the beanbag, and he stared at the ceiling. 'Her parents?'he mused silently.