Twenty minutes passed.
Katherine stepped out of the shower and began drying herself off with a towel. She walked into her walk-in closet and slipped into her night garment.
Downstairs, Stephen was still on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV as the F1 Voortrekkers Grand Prix played.
Quietly, Katherine descended the staircase. She crept up behind him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, rubbing them slowly - a quiet gesture that said more than words could.
"Someone's in the mood tonight.", Stephen stated.
"I just missed you so much.", Katherine said happily as she moved in closer to kiss Stephen,
"Since you missed me so much, how about you start making dinner.", Stephen said cunningly.
"Way to kill the vibe.", Katherine said, forcing a broken smile.
"Well you did go to the shop to buy a few groceries.", Stephen stated confidently.
A cold shiver ran down Katherine's spine the moment her hands touched Stephen's shoulders.
She could already feel the weight of unspoken questions - and began crafting excuses in her mind, rehearsing what she'd say to explain why she came home empty-handed.
"Well... huh-", she started to speak, but before she could finish, the intercom at the front gate buzzed loudly, cutting her off.
"What were you about to say?", Stephen asked.
"Nevermind, anyways who the hell could be at our house at this time?", Katherine asked.
"I don't know, but if it were Tokyo or Lucas they wouldn't have rang the intercom.", Stephen stated.
"True.", Katherine said.
"Let me see who it is… stay here, honey.", Stephen said, his tone low and heavy.
Stephen stood up from the couch and marched toward the front door. Without a word, he stepped outside.
Katherine sat down slowly, her mind racing. Anxiety crept through her chest like a tightening knot.
("What do I tell him?"), she thought, heart pounding.
Moments later, the door creaked open. Stephen stepped back inside... and right behind him was Antonio.
Katherine's eyes widened.
("Antonio?! What is he doing here?"), she panicked silently, trying to keep her expression steady as her pulse spiked.
"Hey Katherine!, look who decided to show up.", Stephen said happily.
"Hey Kathy, Long time no see.", Antonio greeted joyfully as he reached to shake her hand.
"Yeah, long time indeed.", Katherine answered cautiously.
"So what's up Nio, did something happen?", Stephen asked.
"No everything's good, I just decided to pop by and see how you guys were doing.", Antonio stated.
"Oh really?", Stephen said cunningly.
"[Chuckles]OK you got me...I actually came here to talk to you face to face about something.", Antonio responded.
"Yeah sure. What you wanna' talk about?", Stephen asked concerningly.
"Let's talk about it over a drink at Jack's?", Antonio replied with a slight smirk.
"I don't man, I don't really drink anymore.", Stephen stated hesitantly.
"Aw come on Steph, for old times sake?", Antonio said earnestly.
"Babe we still have to eat dinne-", Katherine said.
"Don't worry Kathy, I'll bring your husband back home before you even know it.", Antonio interrupted.
"Well since you came all this way, one beer wouldn't hurt.", Stephen said.
"Wait...why don't you join us for dinner?", Katherine suggested.
"I just came to talk with my best friend, so I'll kindly decline your offer Kathy.", Antonio stated confidently.
"I respect your opinion.", Stephen said respectfully.
"So...is it a yes?", Antonio asked grievously.
"Yeah why not.", Stephen agreed.
"OK cool, so I'll wait outside-", Antonio said.
"No need, I'm just going to put my jacket on, you can wait here with Katherine ill be down in a second.", Stephen stated.
Without saying a word, Stephen rushed upstairs to the bedroom to grab his jacket.
Katherine remained seated, her eyes locked onto Antonio.
Her expression shifted - sharp, cold, and furious.
Antonio met her gaze, but neither of them spoke. The silence between them said more than words ever could,
"What the fuck are you doing?", Katherine asked in a soft, sharp whisper.
"What? I'm just going to talk with him.", Antonio replied slyly, a smug look lingering on his face.
"Like hell you are!", Katherine shot back, her voice low but laced with anger. "You wanted to talk to me about him at KO - and now you're confronting him, even after I specifically told you not to.",
"Kathy... you're overreacting.", Antonio said, his tone soft and affectionate - too affectionate.
"Don't give me that bullshit!", she hissed.
"If you tell him about us, I swear to God-",
Before she could finish, Stephen came down the stairs, wearing his black marine leather jacket, dark blue jeans, and a fresh pair of black Timbs,
"OK I'm ready, let's go.", Stephen said.
"Babe, please come back home early.", Katherine pleaded.
"Trust me - your husband will be back before you fall asleep...
That is, if you'll even be able to sleep.", Antonio said, his voice laced with something dark and unsettling.
"Babe don't worry, I'll be alright...besides what's the worst that could happen?", Stephen said.
"Yeah, plus I'll watch over him so you don't need to worry Kathy.", Antonio said earnestly.
Stephen and Antonio walked towards the entrance door and were about to make their way out,
"Stephen.", Katherine called out.
"Yes.", Stephen replied.
"I love you.", Katherine confessed wholeheartedly.
"I love you too honey.", Stephen responded adoringly. Antonio and Stephen walked side by side, exiting the mansion and heading toward the front gate.
Katherine stood silently at the entrance door, watching them leave.
A single tear slipped down her cheek.
Without a word, she turned around and walked back into the empty house, the silence behind her louder than anything they could've said.
Meanwhile...In September park,
Tokyo was standing in front of Cain's serving table, there was a banner hanging across the side of his caravan written C.C.C.
"Michael! Check out this table—it's got all kinds of strains!", Tokyo said excitedly.
"Oh, wanna try a sample?", Cain asked generously.
"Yeah, you got sour Gelato?", Michael asked curiously.
"Huh? People still smoke that boring grade?,...here try this.", Cain said as he was holding his hand out with a jar of buds on it.
"What is it?", Tokyo asked.
"This is Premo cremo.", Cain responded complacently.
"Awesome!, but I never heard of it.", Michael stated boldly.
"HUH!?, do you live under a rock mate?", Cain asked concerningly.
"What? How a-", Michael said.
"No way, you're a cheese boy.", Cain claimed, interrupting him.
"Can I buy one bud?", Tokyo requested politely.
"Yea sure that will be 20 bucks.", Cain said.
Abigail and Kyle were at a food stall eating a burger,
"Stoners really do cook the best meals.", Abigail stated softly.
"Yeaaah... it... tashte's way bettur... after each bite.", Kyle said, chewing like he hadn't eaten all day.
"Ew gross, why would you talk with food in your mouth?", Abigail stated disgustedly.
"Yeah whatever damsel in distress.", Kyle said. Furthermore, Cain finished rolling up a joint.
"Here 'ya go, a chill pill for you and your boyfriend.", Cain said.
"Oh we're ju-", Michael said.
"Thank you.", Tokyo expressed her gratitude. Michael was astounded.
"Hey! Here y'all are, after y'all left me behind.", Marcel claimed annoyingly.
"Marcel, can I borrow a lighter?", Tokyo asked.
"Wow!, no sorry?, OK...anyways I don't have a lighter, ask Michael if he got one.", Marcel stated confidently.
"Yeah here you go Tokyo.", Michael instantly passed his lighter to Tokyo. With a flick of the lighter, Tokyo lit the joint, took a slow puff, and passed it to Marcel. He brought it to his lips and took a hit without hesitation.
"[Coughing] God Damn.", Marcel said while Gasping for air.
"[Laughing] that's some potent shit, better enjoy it.", Cain said jokingly.
"Yo MBA, are you good chief?", Michael asked.
"Yeah...it's just strong work.", Marcel replied.
"Hey guys, I was thinking how about we go see a movie?", Tokyo randomly suggested.
"Oh?, and what movie would we watch?", Michael asked curiously.
"I was thinking Sky's revelation or avoid the Destruction two...", Marcel suggested.
"What!, Avoid the destruction two is out?", Tokyo asked surprisingly.
"Yeah, haven't you heard?", Marcel said.
"I didn't even watch avoid the Destruction one yet.", Michael stated.
"How about we try someone else's opinion?", Tokyo said.
"Trying something new? That's how we grow.", Marcel added, sure of himself.
"Yeah but who?", Michael asked.
"Let's ask the guy with the horseshoe mustache.", said Marcel.
"Wait… you mean the plug that helped us out earlier?", Tokyo asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah.", Marcel agreed.
"Anyways, what is that old man's name?", Michael asked.
"I don't know, can't remember asking him.", Tokyo responded.
The three of them strolled back to Cain's domain, Marcel spotted Cain.
"Hey man, what's up?", Marcel greeted happily.
"I'm good.", Cain said.
"What's your name?", Marcel kindly asked.
"My name is Cain, what about y'all?", Cain asked.
"Oh, my name is Marcel, aka MBA, and this is Tokyo and Michael.", Marcel replied.
"Cool, came back to try something else?", Cain asked generously.
"No, we just need your opinion on something.", Tokyo responded.
"Nice, what is it?", Cain asked.
"We wanna know which movie we should go watch?", Tokyo politely asked.
"Hmm...beyond the pacific.", Cain suggested.
"What is it about?", Michael asked curiously.
"Well you can get an idea what it's about from the title of the movie.", Cain responded with a shrug.
"Let me guess, it's about great whites?", Marcel argued sarcastically.
"Not entirely though, more action-thriller like.", Cain claimed.
"And how's that any different from literally every other shark movie?", Michael asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because this isn't just your ordinary shark movie, this one is beyond your imagination.", Cain said.
"Oh?, how so?", Marcel asked curiously.
"Watch it stoned enough and boom—masterpiece. But y'all? Y'all might need to hit two joints just to catch up.", Cain said casually.
"Wait, so you want us to be faded out of our mind, while watching a shark movie?", Marcel asked.
"Imagine the trip.", Michael said casually.
"I think it's a pretty cool idea.", Tokyo said.
"Here's three sticks for the road.", Cain said as he handed the joints to Marcel.
"How much?", Marcel asked.
"No it's on the house.", Cain responded graciously.
"Thank you so much.", Tokyo humbly thanked Cain.
"Don't sweat it.", Cain responded gracefully. Michael, Tokyo and Marcel then began their journey to kyalami Theaters.
Section 18, northeast of San El Zorro - the suburban district where the community never sleeps.
The streets buzzed with life. Interesting characters roamed the pavements, and fast food chains lit up the corners with neon signs and the smell of grease.
It was 7:00 pm.
A mysterious figure sat quietly at a bus stop bench, wearing a brown marine leather jacket. He was tall, broad, and his appearance resembled that of a muscular Western Caucasian. Calm and composed, he sat with visual patience, scanning his surroundings.
Across the road, he caught the unwavering gaze of a short Mexican Latina. She held his eyes with confident intensity.
Without hesitation, she stepped onto the road and walked straight toward him.
When she arrived, she stopped in front of him - a confident smile stretched across her face.
"Hey stranger.", she greeted with a arousing tone.
"Hey there.", he responded with a shrug.
"Wow are you going to be any more dry?", she asked disappointingly.
"What do you mean?", he asked.
"Stop acting like you don't remember me Jason.", she replied with an Olympic-level eye-roll.
"[Scuffs] Yeah, I missed you to Adriana.", Jason said wholeheartedly.
"[Giggle] So how's it been?", Adriana asked.
"life has been vicious ever since I retired, and you?...How've you been keeping up?", Jason asked curiously.
"[Ugh] You know, a lady has got to keep her priorities straight.", Adriana replied sassily.
"Oh? Are a lady's priorities a logical dream worth chasing... or just obsessive pleasures in disguise?", Jason asked with a curious smirk.
"See...This is why you don't have a wife Jason, you're always worried about things that don't concern you.", Adriana fired back with a heated expression on her face.
"Ouch.", Jason said.
"Anyways, speaking about having a wife, how's your brother?", Adriana asked curiously.
"Who?...Sam?", Jason asked.
"No-not that successful asshole. The other one, that got married to the Harrington's daughter a while back.", Adriana stated.
"Oh, you mean Stephen?", Jason asked.
"Yeah, the best gunman in your family.", Adriana replied cunningly.
"[Chuckles] Yeah in his dreams. I'm on my way to Crystal Avenue.", Jason said.
"They don't stay in Drop-line coast anymore?", Adriana asked curiously.
"I heard from a old friend out in Crystal Avenue, that they moved there about a year ago.", Jason said.
He caught sight of the City Lift bus making a slow left turn at the intersection, roughly a hundred meters down the road, just right of the bus stop.
"Looks like my lift is here.", Jason said.
"Okay then… I guess we'll talk another time?", Adriana said softly, her eyes lingering.
"Yeah, I guess.", Jason replied with a shrug.
"So dry.", Adriana stated undertone.
"What happened?", Jason asked.
"Oh nothing, tell Stephen I said hey.", Adriana replied swiftly.
"Will do, bye Adriana.", Jason bid farewell.
"Bye, Jason.", Adriana replied softly as he walked toward the bus. He stepped inside, tapped his card for the operator, and found a seat near the window. The engine rumbled to life, carrying him toward his little brother's house—unaware that this ride would change far more than just his destination.