Light & Dark

Chapter 5

Cara

Nerea's eyes began opening slowly. They had arrived to their destination. She felt the tiredness in her body. She stretched a bit, and took away the cloth used as a blanket. Rea looked at her right, Drew was taking his keys out.

"What time is it?" Rea said with groggy voice.

"2 A.M." He answered.

"I hope your dad isn't angry." She said. "Or awake."

"Actually, is 2:59."

"It's already 3 then." Rea said. "I am so tired. I will be asleep tomorrow all day."

"You won't."

"Yes, I will. You know how I get when I don't sleep."

"I was just trying to smooth the situation."

"Smooth? Smooth is the word you just used." Drew and Nerea got out of the black mustang. They started walking the road to the big structure. The lights of the living room were on.

"The lights are on."

"Yeah, that is a bad sign."

"Prepared to get yelled?"

"No. He can't yell at me but I will get a phone call in the morning."

"True. My dad yells at me. Twelve hours later your dad yells at you."

"That is how the paternal circuit works." A fountain with an angel in the center wasn't as magnificent as it was when it worked. Nerea loved seeing how the water fell from the vessel in the angel's hands. Its lights were off as well. Drew got to the entrance, his keys in one hand. There were two bulbs at each side of the enormous doors. The sound of one of the doors made Rea move next to Drew. She followed him inside then he closed the door. He was right, the lights were all on. Nerea walked a few steps more. She could see from the stairs, also the lights of the second floor. Her head looked at the living room, where they had been in the afternoon. The lamps were off and the long curtains spread in all the windows. Two men were standing close to the crystal table in the middle of the room. Nerea froze, the men noticed her presence.

"Nerea." Drew's father called her name.

"Hey, Lionel." She answered. "I'm sorry for my entrance. I didn't want to intrude, it's nice to see you again, Mr. Kaiser."

"There is no need for formalities, Rea. I told you to call me Steven."

"I'm sorry. I will try."

"Andrew." Lionel called.

"Dad?" Drew appeared next to Nerea. "What's wrong?"

"Before explaining yourself your arrival, Steven came to tell me something." Lionel began saying. "Something you should know." Steven and Lionel glanced at each other. Lionel pressed one of his hands in his friend's shoulder. A simple smile was created in Lionel's lips. Nerea watched his certain behavior, but then her attention went to Drew. He seemed severe, his jaw tightened.

"Drew, can you join me in the kitchen." Lionel walked away from them. Drew looked back at him. Nerea looked at him and they stared for a while. "Drew." Lionel called again.

"I'm going." He pressed gently Nerea's hand and a smile to show her comfort. A cold breeze was left by him. Nerea watched how the father and son disappear. Steven attention was in the floor.

"Nerea," He spoke making her come closer. She hugged him as he returned her action. He didn't let her go for few minutes. She looked at his eyes, red as blood. Something must had happened, she thought. He had been crying that was a statement. They sat down in the sofa closer to them.