CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:15 A.M.
The main gate to Stephen's mansion opened quietly as he pulled it back. Once inside, he closed it with deliberate care, making no sound at all. The air was cool, heavy with the scent of pine, as he made his way up the long driveway lined with towering trees.
At the garage, Stephen slid the door open — then shut it again, quiet as before. He stood still in the dim space, his chest rising and falling with quiet restraint.
Faint music drifted from somewhere inside the house. Someone was awake.
("But who?") he thought, pausing to listen.
He tiptoed toward the door leading into the storage room, pushed it open, and scanned the shadows. No one. Then slipping through, he crossed to the next door, emerging into the hallway.
The music echoed faintly now—muted but constant.
("Almost sounds like it's coming from the kitchen… or the living room"), he thought aloud, voice barely above a whisper.
He crept down the hallway toward the staircase near the living room, easing around the corner to take a look.
Tokyo stood at the counter, busy in the kitchen. Stephen leaned back, heart skipping slightly as he tried to avoid being seen. He exhaled slowly, then stepped out and made for the stairs.
She noticed him — or maybe she didn't. Her gaze stayed fixed on the counter, unbothered, uninviting. The absence of reaction stung more than words ever could.
Stephen kept walking, "Wow… she really doesn't care.", muttering under his breath.
By the time he reached the second floor, his pace had slowed. The house was silent again, except for the faint hum of music below. He stopped outside his bedroom door, hand resting on the handle—staring at nothing, yet feeling everything.
He opened it.
Katherine lay motionless beneath the soft folds of a silky duvet, her face turned toward the faint morning light.
"Katherine…"
The name escaped him more like a breath than a sound.
He moved to the bathroom, undressing slowly. His clothes landed in a heap on the counter as he stepped into the shower.
The water began to run—soft at first, then steady.
Back in the bedroom, Katherine's eyes flickered open — slow, unsure, as though waking hurt more than sleeping. Silent tears traced down her cheeks as she held herself tightly—trying to contain the ache the morning light exposed. She shut her eyes again, listening to the water fall — 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 cigarette in the other, he stared out at the sprawling skyline—buildings of every shape and size cutting through the pale morning haze.
Behind him, the sliding door whispered open.
A woman stepped out from the penthouse, sunlight spilling across her as she walked. Slim, poised, with jet-black hair that shimmered in the light, she carried a chilled bottle of champagne in one hand.
She took a seat on a lounge chair beside him, setting the bottle on the small glass table. Crossing her legs, she adjusted her sunglasses and tilted her head slightly.
"What're you thinking about?", she asked, voice soft but curious.
"Morning, Sasha.", Jason said, not taking his eyes off the skyline.
"Mm-mm, don't do that.", Sasha interrupted, popping the champagne open with a crisp snap. "You can't just ignore my question."
"And you can't greet?", Jason shot back, flicking ash over the balcony.
"Ladies first.", Sasha replied coolly, pouring herself a glass of champagne, the bubbles rising like laughter between them.
"What's there to think about?", he said, voice low and distant. "Reminisce—that's the better word.", Jason drew in a slow drag, then let the smoke curl upward into the pale light.
"Can't let go of the past?", Sasha asked, glancing at him over the rim of her glass.
"Worse.", he began, his tone gravely.
"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, pausing mid-sip. "If I may ask—what happened?", Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and caution.
Jason flung the cigarette over the balcony, the ember fading into the morning light. He took a sip of bourbon, grounding himself.
"You can't.", he murmured. "We're meeting Sam in a few hours. Get ready."
He turned and marched in the penthouse—through the sliding door, the faint reflection of the city rippling across the glass as it closed.
She sat there—sun-kissed and silent—sipping slowly, her eyes unfocused on the city below, lost in thoughts she'd never admit aloud.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 7:50 am.
Tokyo lounged on the couch, thumbs flying 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 babies delighted giggles.
"So innocent.", she whispered, watching their tiny hands and bright eyes.
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—deodorant, lotion, small motions that grounded him.
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 passing between them, before he retreated into the walk-in closet to dress.
He slipped into his formal suit, the rich aroma of cologne lingering in the air. Eventually returning to the bedroom, he found Katherine still seated at the edge of the bed, her gaze distant.
"Good morning, honey.", he murmured, straightening his tie, his voice carrying quiet warmth over the tense stillness.
"Morning.", she said quietly, barely lifting her gaze toward him.
"What's the matter?", he asked, stepping closer, eyes scanning her face for a hint of what weighed on her.
"Nothing.", she said at first, then leaned slightly forward. "Actually… where did you and Antonio go last night?", she asked, her gaze fixed on him.
"Jack's.", he replied, eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Why?", His voice was calm, but curiosity lingered beneath the surface.
"Never mind… maybe I'm overreacting.", she murmured, staring down at her hands.
Stephen leaned back slightly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"If you want the truth—long story short, I woke up in a tiny bedroom apartment this morning with a brutal headache.", he admitted, shaking his head slightly.
"Oh.", she replied softly.
"That's why I didn't come back home last night.", he continued, his tone casual but edged with honesty.
Suddenly Tokyo stormed into the bedroom, chewing bubble gum and effortlessly commanding attention in a striking dress. 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, a teasing edge in her tone.
"Okay, darling.", Stephen murmured, straightening his tie.
Without a word, Tokyo spun on her heel and left, leaving a trail of energy—and the faint pop of bubble gum—behind her.
"We'd better get ready for church before Tokyo completely dissects me.", Stephen muttered, sliding his belt into place.
"Okay.", Katherine replied, springing from the bed and disappearing into the bathroom in a blur.
Stephen left the bedroom and marched down the hallway toward the staircase. He descended to the living room, then moved into the kitchen, where he began preparing breakfast for the family.
Fifteen minutes later, the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the house. Katherine appeared at the bottom of the stairs, looking more stunning than ever. Stephen paused, taking a moment to admire her beauty. He walked up to her and pulled her close.
"You look gorgeous, baby.", he said, leaning in to kiss her gently.
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, pressing a trail of kisses to her neck.
Katherine burst into playful laughter, holding him close against her chest, the morning light spilling over them and the scent of breakfast mingling in the air.
"Ew… okay, lovebirds, break it up.", Tokyo declared, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Church isn't going to wait for your morning romance."
"Alright, no worries, Tokyo. Breakfast can wait.", Stephen said, lifting Akira and Mila into his arms with a gentle smile.
Katherine slung the diaper bag over her shoulder, keeping pace, while Tokyo sauntered to the car, phone in hand, completely unfazed. 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, double-checking the straps. Stephen guided the cab out of the garage, down the sunlit driveway. The front gate opened with a soft creak, and they drove off, the hum of the engine carrying them toward church—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, staring at the ceiling with an envious smile. Dré and Trevino were deep into a heated console game, thumbs flying over the controllers.
Suddenly, the door burst open—Dylan charged in, full of energy and ready to disrupt the calm.
"Yo, TJ… come on, man! Leaving me behind like that?", Dylan said, shrugging and pacing a little.
"What, dude? You were trying to hit up those snow bunnies, weren't you?", Trevino teased, not looking away from the screen as his fingers flew over the controller.
"And? Bro, you were my wing man!", Dylan exclaimed, pacing a little.
"So… did you manage to get their numbers or nah?", Dré asked, glancing over with a playful smirk.
"Yeah… but that's the problem.", Dylan groaned. "What if they just said no?"
"What if they rejected you?", Trevino repeated, eyebrows raised. "Bro, you got their numbers—what are you even mad about?"
"I'm mad—my homie was supposed to look out for me!", Dylan shouted, pacing the small room.
"Chill, man.", Dré said, furiously tapping the controller. "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, thumbs flying over the controller.
Trevino snickered.
"Ahhh… so somebody's balls finally dropped, huh?", Dylan teased, a devilish smirk tugging at his lips.
"Hey at least i got laid.", Lucas said, leaning back in the beanbag with a cunning smirk.
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, laughing. "Meanwhile, Lucas actually came through!"
"Pfft… whatever.", Dylan said, tossing himself onto Dré's bed, limbs sprawling as if giving up on the argument entirely.
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the rhythmic beeps and clicks of the console. Lucas and Dylan scrolled mindlessly through their phones, the room heavy with stillness.
Suddenly a knock echoed on Dré's door—gentle at first, then more insistent, almost pleading.
"Aye… you gonna answer that?", Dylan muttered, nudging Lucas with his shoulder and staring at the door.
Lucas clicked his tongue, giving Dylan a pointed look.
"Why don't you grab it, then?", he shot back, voice sharp.
"Because getting up sounds like too much effort.", Dylan replied, flopping dramatically onto the mattress.
Suddenly, the knock grew louder, pounding on the door like the police were outside.
"Okay, one of you guys has to answer this.", Dré said, raising his voice over the sudden commotion.
"Fine.", Lucas groaned, dragging himself off the beanbag. He strolled over and opened the door—only to freeze.
Ashley was there, looking effortlessly perfect in a simple skirt and tank top. Lucas couldn't help but blink in surprise.
"Hey.", Lucas said, voice casual but his eyes lingering a moment longer than usual.
"Hey.", she said, her eyes lighting up as she met Lucas's gaze.
"How are you feeling?", Lucas asked, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.
"I'm amazing… mostly. But a little sad too.", Ashley said, folding her arms with a mock pout. "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, leaning in, her eyes locking with his. "It's okay."
Ashley pulled Lucas in, their faces inches apart, lost in the heat of the moment.
Meanwhile, Dylan pressed his eye to the doorway, trying to act casual while spying on his friends' little drama.
Ashley leaned in fully, their lips locking in a kiss that carried warmth, intensity, and unspoken promises.
A chorus of playful "oohs" rose from a group of onlooking girls in the corridor, their teasing voices 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, chuckling lightly.
"You didn't have to come all the way here just for a pen, you know.", he said, shaking his head with a playful grin.
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 he 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, her tone softening.
"Don't worry. We'll catch up later… then you'll get to meet my parents."
"Wait… what?", Lucas stammered.
Ashley pressed her lips to his once more, a gentle yet decisive kiss.
"We'll talk later, alright?", she said, pulling away and striding down the corridor, her Afro framing her movement like a halo of confidence.
Dylan popped up next to Lucas, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Ashley Jenkins, huh?", he said, nudging Lucas playfully.
Lucas rolled his eyes, cheeks warming slightly. "Shut up.", he replied, striding back into the dorm, trying to act nonchalant.
Trevino barely glanced up from the game.
"Yeah, shawty trippin', homie."
"What?", Lucas turned to him, perplexed.
Trevino threw his hands up, leaning back from the monitor."Wait… she's introducing you to her parents after just one night?!", he exclaimed, disbelief dripping from every word.
"Yeah—that's how you know my boy hit right.", Dré joked, nudging Lucas. 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, groaning in defeat. Lucas flopped onto the beanbag, staring 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.