The Perfect Family

8. Don't look back.

The Reed family is throwing an annual holiday party inviting everyone including their friends in the higher up places, to give thanks for all their hard work they've done for them.

It was Tesni and Samuel's idea, while the kids could care less, wanting to stay in their rooms the whole night.

Orson was getting help from Nero with his suit while Maci and Lainey got dressed in a fitting dress that fit the party's color scheme.

"It's been a long time since we had one of these," Lainey says, grabbing a drink off the tray as it comes by. "Don't get tipsy. Mom will have a fit." Lainey sighs, holding the glass cup to her chest, "Mac by the end of the night, I'll be in bed sleeping it off." Bringing the glass to her lips she sees Kade walk in, taken by surprise since she didn't invite him. "Why is Kade here?" Lainey puts her glass down.

Tesni walks by holding onto her daughters shoulders, "I invited him by mail," Then walks off greeting more guests as they arrive.

"Excelente. Deséame suerte Mac."

Maci rolls her eyes going off to find Orson by the large rectangle table where the food is being catered on.

"Don't you want to skip this and go have some actual fun?"

Orson looks around then nods, "But won't Nero and Lainey get pissed?"

Maci shakes her head, "No, something tells me both will be pretty occupied tonight," Maci shows Orson Lainey with Kade and Nero with their dad.

"Then let's go." Orson grabs a few finger foods, stuffing it into his jacket and a sparkling water.

Maci sneaks herself and her brother out the house going to Cora's on a whim.

"What the actual hell?" Cora says seeing Orson.

"We got bored and your house was close enough for our escape."

Cora looks at Orson, "Your Maci's brother?"

Orson nods while sitting on the edge of the windowsill as Maci sits with Cora on her bedroom floor.

"Mac he's actually kind of gorg-" Maci smacks Cora's arm glaring, wanting her to zip her lips.

"None of that your brother is this or that. We just needed time away from the exhausting meet and greets."

Cora nods, zipping her lips offering them Swedish fish, Orson takes a few while Maci finds Cora's vinyl putting a record on.

"Billie Eilish?" Cora asks Maci.

Maci shushes Cora, having Orson stand putting his food down.

"Just let go little brother," She starts singing the lyrics having Orson join in almost screaming it out having Cora laugh in the background joining in after.

"I DON'T RELATE TO YOU! NO!" They all scream, smiling, letting go of the shitty few days they've been having.

"JUST FUCKING LEAVE ME ALONEEE!" Cora sings out having them all jump on her bed then falling back on her bed laughing.

"Your friend is actually cool Mac," Orson says smiling, happy that she brought him there."

Maci tussles her brother's hair, "See, you don't always have to be stuck to mom's hip or Lainey's or Nero's, you have me too Oreo."

Orson nods, "Thanks Mac."

Having to use the bathroom, Maci leaves Cora alone with Orson.

"You're nineteen right?"

Orson looks around to see who she was asking then points at himself.

"Yes, you. You're in college right?"

"Yeah I'm in Civil Engineering."

Cora nods really starting to dig Orson's vibe forgetting Maci was his sister.

Meanwhile, back at Reed's residence Lainey is trying to have Kade leave.

"You shouldn't be here," Lainey says, holding Kade's hand as she brings him to the foyer entryway.

Kade looks at the way she's dressed, entranced, looking at her eyes but licking his bottom lip with captivation.

"Are you listening?" Lainey grabs his chin.

"Want my honest answer?" Kade asks her while looking into her dark brown eyes.

Lainey lets go, sighing, "I don't need you involved in any of this Kade."

As the lights dimmed to commence the annual Reed dance that's taking place in the ballroom area of the house, Kade loses control kissing Lainey, dabbling in waters he shouldn't be, at least not right now.

Lainey feels like she's losing her mind as she kisses back, Kade grabs her hips pulling her closer to him.

What Kade didn't know is that at that moment Lainey had a hold on him that no one, no one can break creating a sense of danger.

Tesni looks for Nero, Maci, Orson and Lainey but gets stopped by Samuel who is furious.

"Maci and Orson aren't here and Nero is being a pain in the ass about the investor I invited."

Tesni searches for Lainey amongst the dancing bodies in their ballroom.

"Ley? Where did she go?"

Samuel searches now too but doesn't see her anywhere.

Lainey takes Kade to one of the guests rooms, making it feel like a lioness taking her prey to their doom.

When they both lay down, it becomes this supernatural way, their bodies intertwine, almost like a resurrection as they achieve the ultimate form of ecstasy.

Coming down from the high off each other, they look to one another as if lightning struck them both.

"This was a mistake," Lainey says knowing she just crossed the line already having feelings emerge, when all she wanted was to keep things non complicated...now she feels entirely intoxicated off of Kade.

"Forget it ever happened then," Kade says, making her turn to face him.

"Fuck," Lainey says before she can respond to what Kade said as the door knob jiggles with force entry and her putting her clothes back on.

Tesni opens it seeing Kade standing adjusting his jeans while Lainey is adjusting her dress.

"¿Qué es esto?"

Lainey takes her mom's hand redirecting her attention to the fact Maci and Orson aren't around.

"They must've gone to Cora's, that's the only place they can go." Lainey says finding Nero with their dad by the drinks.

Nero sighs, "I'll go and get them."

Samuel shakes his head, "Have Lainey go, Orson won't feel as ganged up on if she goes."

Tesni looks to Lainey, "Are you grounded enough to go," Samuel and Nero look at Tesni as she says that wondering why that was even a question towards Lainey.

"Si mamá."

Nero looks to Lainey confused of the short angst his mom and her have while speaking to one another.

"Ley," Nero asks, wanting to know what was up but she just shakes her head leaving.

Nero goes to look back to see his sister leave but Tesni just says,

"Don't look back. Worry about everything else. I got her."

Continuing the night, Tesni pulls her husband to the side asking him a favor while kissing his cheek with manipulation and not purity.