CRYSTAL AVENUE. 5:00 pm.
Stephen sat slouched in his office chair, hands spread across his face, the day pressing down on him. On the monitor, stock charts crawled in restless lines. Nearby, Akirá slept quietly in his pram. The radio murmured in the background, filling the room with borrowed voices.
'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen—my name is Darren, and welcome to the Five-Nights Channel. I'll be covering today's main headlines.
Firstly… reports confirm that famed singer Jerald Dre and his family will be laid to rest this coming weekend. Authorities have stated that one suspect has been taken into custody. But that's all the information released so far.
So stay tuned for further updates. This has been Evening Reports. I'm Darren Schumpeter, and you're listening to Five-Nights Live.'
The radio crackled softly as silence settled back into the room.
"God bless them all." Stephen said aloud.
He rose from the chair
He checked on the Akirá sleeping, then gently began pushing the pram toward the door, leaving the office behind. They made their way to the kitchen, where Mila was laughing and shouting at the television. Her energy was contagious—Stephen felt it the moment he entered.
He stopped the pram beside the kitchen island and crossed the room. Without a word, he dropped onto the couch, pulling faces, hiding and reappearing.
Mila stared at him—confused, delighted, completely locked in.
"Peek-a-boo." Stephen said.
She laughed softly.
"My little girl… you're growing so fast." he murmured, leaning in and rubbing his nose against hers.
Mila was having the time of her life, Stephen blowing raspberries against her tummy until her laughter filled the room. Then the sound of the main gate opening cut through it all.
Stephen straightened. He went to the kitchen, pulling a bottle of wine from the cupboard, setting two glasses beside it. He filled them carefully. From the refrigerator, he took out a slab of chocolate, then scattered a bouquet of flowers across the counter like confetti—an improvised gesture, imperfect but sincere.
Moments later, Katherine stepped into the mansion, exhaustion written across her face. She closed the door behind her, and her gaze lifted—landing on Stephen standing across the living room, a glass of wine in his hand.
"Evening, baby." he greeted, his voice warm with care.
"Aw—baby?" she said softly as she walked toward him.
They closed the distance between them. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he pulled her close, careful not to spill the wine still in his hand.
"I missed you." she said, a bright smile lighting her face.
"Not as much as I missed you." Stephen said, leaning in. Their lips met—soft, tender, familiar.
Katherine reached for his glass and took a sip of wine. He stared at her adoringly.
Then Akirá stirred, his tiny cries cutting through the moment. Almost immediately, Mila joined in, her own protests rising.
Katherine rested her head against Stephen's chest and let out a soft chuckle.
"Looks like it's your turn for parenting." he said.
"What?" she replied, feigning offense.
"Please—I just got home." She swirled the wine in the glass. "I need this little moment of peace."
"Valid point." he said. "Though you are going to spend that little moment with your loving husband, aren't you?" Humor and curiosity threaded his tone.
She lifted a finger and pressed it gently to his lips. "Yes." she said softly. "Now do us this favor, while your loving wife waits for you." Her tone didn't waver.
Stephen took a slow sip, then turned to his children. He gathered them both into his arms, humming a soft lullaby as he carried them up the stairs, their cries fading with each step.
Katherine remained by the kitchen counter, eyes closed. Doctor Mikaelmas's detached tone replayed in her mind. Then Antonio's words—sharp, unresolved. The thoughts looped endlessly, each one weighing against the next.
She stood there, suspended between moments, wondering which step to take… and what it would cost her once she did.
Oceanic Bay. 5:27 pm.
Shorelane Avenue.
Lucas sat alone at a small café table outside the Mug & Diner, a cup of coffee cooling between his hands as he scrolled through his phone. Inside, waiters moved mechanically precise, laughter and chatter spilling out onto the sidewalk and into the street. Beyond it all, waves rattled softly against the shore, a salty breeze drifting inland.
The sun was sinking fast, barely keeping the sky lit—washed in orange haze, the light bruised and tired. A waiter set down a saucer of cheesecake, chocolate dripping lazily along the side.
While Lucas doom scrolled in his screen, a woman watched him from across the road.
He didn't notice as she stepped off the curb. The fading sunlight caught her face mid-stride, lighting her up just enough.
Adriana.
She flicked her hair back with a casual twist of her wrist and kept walking. As she reached the restaurant, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
It rang… Once… Twice, Then the call went through.
"LJ." Adriana said.
"Ma, What's going on? where are you?" Lucas asked.
Her expression faltered. "What are you doing at the Mug & Diner?" she asked. "Don't you know how expensive that place is?"
"Ma, What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Just shut up and come meet me outside." Adriana snapped.
Lucas took a deep breath. "Ma, relax." he said. "Okay? We're just here to talk—not buy the whole menu." He sighed.
"Besides, you don't have to worry. I'll cover the snacks… or whatever you want."
"Fine."
The restaurant hummed. She found Lucas, let the chair scrape echo, then stopped.
"Aw… my baby boy doesn't even see me." she said, her smile thin, bitter. "Tell me… is that phone worth more than your own mother?"
Lucas sat, staring into her eyes, saying nothing.
He finally scoffed. "I missed you too… Ma."
A smile tore across her face. She moved fast, arms wrapping around him. "My baby boy." she breathed, holding him like she might never let go.
"Ma… you're embarrassing me," he whispered,holding her loosely, pretending not to care about the eyes on them.
Letting go, she arched an eyebrow. "Ouch… is that how you feel about your mother?" she teased.
Lucas shrugged, a sly confidence in his tone. "Come on, Ma… you know I didn't mean that."
Fake tears in her eyes, she wailed, "Ah! I'm an embarrassment to my baby boy!"
He buried his face in his hand. "Okay, Ma… now you're embarrassing us for real."
She burst out laughing… "Relax, eres como una niña—"
"¿Qué?" Lucas interrupted.
Their laughter lingered in the air as they settled. A waiter appeared, crisp and polite.
"Good evening. What would you like to order?"
"A cocktail for me," she said.
The waiter looked at Lucas. "And you, sir?"
Lucas lingered on the menu, "Let me get uh… half dozen donuts." he responded. "With hot chocolate, please?" he added.
With their orders sent off, Adriana leaned slightly forward.
"So… how've you been? How's the family?" she asked, voice soft but probing
Lucas nibbled on the bread, eyes distant. "Uh… they're alright, I suppose. I haven't been since last summer."
She sighed, leaning back slightly. "You'd make a lousy big brother." she said, "if you don't check on your little sister." she teased.
Lucas leaned back slightly. "Don't worry about them. Tokyo… she's loud, smart. She can handle herself."
Concern softened her gaze. "Aw… my poor Tokyo." she said, eyes shining.
Lucas eyes were steady. "Now that everything's serious, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"What is it?" She asked.
He hesitated, words catching. "It's… uh… about… uh…"
Her gaze fixed on him. "It's about… what?"
He clicked his tongue, a shadow crossing his face. "There's a girl I like—and I want this to last."
"I could tell you to give her attention, gifts." she said, shaking her head. "But really… just understand her, and love her for herself."
"Whoa." he muttered. The waiter appeared, setting plates and drinks before them, the conversation paused by the small clatter.
She thanked the waiter. her gaze softened "LJ… a relationship isn't just fun. It's sacred. Some ladies these days… they're in it for gifts, not love."
Lucas' gaze sharpened. "I can't decide if I'm impressed by your philosophy… or your sobriety."
Their laughter cut through the restaurant's hum.
Her eyes softened, a hint of mischief there. "I'll tell you everything you need to know." she said.
Lucas' eyes softened. "Thanks for coming, Ma." he murmured.
City lights ignited the night, cars slicing through the darkness. Side by side, mother and son found their rhythm once more.
352. Sinister road. 5:51 pm.
Planet Skate Park.
Tokyo and her crew lounged on a park bench, posted up across from the skate pit and its battered obstacles. Palm trees loomed overhead, their shadows stretching long as the lazy sunset barely held on to the light. Skaters carved through concrete, teens drifted in loose clusters, and somewhere nearby a DJ worked the crowd, his bass thumping through the park like a restless heartbeat.
Michael yawned. "I'm dead ass tired." he muttered. "My eyelids won't listen to me."
Marcel didn't look up. "You're just high." he said.
Tokyo scoffed, twirling a lock of hair. "Y'all need to grow up. For real." she said.
Marcel snorted. "Whatever, Queen. You seen your eyes right now?" He gestured at his own.
She smirked. "Brighter than your tomorrow." Tokyo replied.
Their laughter dissolved into the music. The DJ's beat crawled through the railings, vibrating the ground like a warning.
Tokyo pushed herself up, stretching slow. "Guess I've gotta go." she said.
Michael's eyes narrowed. "Why do you always have to pull stunts like this?" he asked.
Her gaze held his. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… whenever the day's at its peak, you just decide to dip randomly." Michael said, shaking his head.
Tokyo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "That's because I can." she said, striding away.
Marcel's eyes followed her. "This girl… she's on another level, bro." he said.
Michael's gaze followed her, lingering. "Yeah… she's something else." he said.
Tokyo stepped out of the skate park, jumped into a taxi, and the car pulled away, tail lights fading into the dusk.