The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 34

Kas

"Would you like another drink"? Kas asks the dejected man sitting, looking into his glass.The man looks up and Kas suddenly feels fearful. He is looking at this man after many yearsand is still a little afraid. Its Zander. Kas clenches his hands by his sides. Zander still looksvery fit and strong and Kas looks at the hands which have beaten him up many times. "Nothanks", Zander replies as his eyes skim across the bar. "I just wanted some company". Kasreplies, "My boyfriend dumped me recently and I am feeling a little low." Zander looks athim curiously, "You don't look gay". Kas laughs feeling a little more confident "And how doesone look gay"? Zander shrugs, "Feel free to join me". Both men sit in silence as they share adrink. Zander is searchingly looking around and Kas realizes he is looking out for Kevin.Zander completely misses the little pill that Kas drops into his glass. Ten minutes later,Zander is completely knocked out cold on the table. Neil comes up to Kas. "There was noneed for you to do this. I could have done this. Why are you exposing yourself like this"? Kasjust hands over Zander's phone to Neil. "Our man is ready right? Hack the phone. Anypictures or videos that we can use. Get them. I want it done in fifteen minutes"" Neil nodsand takes the phone. An hour later, Kas watches from one of the side private booths asJackson comes looking for Zander. He helps the groggy Zander up, collects his phone andputs it in his jacket and the two leave the bar.

Kas

"Don't look at them". Chess is fussing over Dor as they go through the vivid and very adultimages and videos copied from Zander's phone and Kas smiles at the friendly banterbetween them. Having them around him feels like home and at the end of the day, he getsto go back to his Ma. Life seems better than it has been in a long time. Neil is looking at theimages with exaggerated lust and wiggling his eyebrows. They all burst out laughing. A goodlaugh is so underrated, he thinks. It's available with everyone but few can really use it. Thereis a buffet feast on Zander's phone. Pictures and videos with Kevin with which Eli can huffand puff Zander's big house down and bring him to the pigsty where he belongs. Dor gets upas she checks her messages. "I've got to go. Drake is looking for me." Kas asks Neil to dropDor home and he and Chess are left in the room. After a brief silence, Chess says" Boss,when all of this is over, help me get Dor away from that old man Drake." Kas looks at himintently "Why"? He watches as Chess folds and unfolds his hands agitatedly "I want to marryher. I've loved her for years". Kas nods his head and replies firmly "If that's what Dor wants.I will allow you to make one proposal to her when the time comes. If she refuses, you willnot get another chance, ever. Do you agree?". Chess looks taken aback at the underlyingthreat in his voice but he nods. Kas replies "Remember this. If she says no, you don't everapproach her again. You don't want me for an enemy, Chess". Giving a shaky laugh, Chessanswers "You reminded me of that kid Kas. This is exactly what he would have told me, if hewas here right now". Kas grins "Do you think that's why Dor likes me so much? Because Iremind her of Kas"? Chess scowls at him "You too get one chance only if you want topropose to her". The friendly rivals sip on their coffee and skimming through the picturescalmly invade Zander's privacy again.

Kas

Alice Bernard's face remains impassive as she looks at the glossy prints on the table. Herfather, like Kevin's father are all pawns which Ryan Bernard uses to manipulate them intodoing what he wants. Kevin's job was to keep Zander happy and Alice to keep the socialfamily image intact. He needs to figure out Jackson's deal. She looks up enquiringly "If youare trying to break the big Bernard secret to me, I am afraid its years too late." Kas looks ather curiously. She is a beautiful young woman with bright intelligent eyes. He leans back, hisarms folded "Did you not notice that Kevin is not around anymore"? She looks surprised.He continues "Would you also like not be around anymore near the Bernards"? She looks athim pointedly "Mr. Gray, you have to explain things to me. Why are you so interested in theBernard family? What's it to you? And why do you want to help me, that's just assuming youthink I want to leave"? 

He gets up and gives her his practiced brief narrative of how Ryan Bernard left him to die on the road and how he wants revenge. She nods "That is so him. Even his family is dispensable to him. He doesn't seem to care even about Zander. The only time I saw him really concerned was for some ill woman who was kept in the house. He is still looking for her frantically." He knows she is talking about his Ma. That's Bernard's saving grace, he thinks. He did actually take care of his Ma well. "So, Alice, will you help me? She nods and listens intently as Kas explains to her what he intends to do. As she is leaving, he casually adds "The child. Who is the father? She looks shocked at the blunt question. She hesitates and then replies "She's adopted". Kas smiles ruefully. What a simple yet obvious explanation.