A Little Too Dark

Seventeen

Andrea didn't see Lorenzo for the next two weeks. She thought she would see him at the clinic after, but she didn't. She even waited late to see if he would come to visit Dr. Timberlake, but he didn't. Deep down Andrea felt bad for snapping at Lorenzo – he might have needed real help and maybe he didn't come back because of her, but on the other hand, she discountenance the fact that he tried to shut her mouth with money – he could have just asked her to not to let anyone know and she would have done it.

Andrea was walking down the street – finally going back home after yet another boring day at work. She sighs as she looked up at the overcast sky and clutched her coat around her. It is only falling and she already hates it, though winter is yet to come. Winters always make her feel gloomy – the only thing that excites her about winter is Christmas – which is just two and a half months away. It is the time of the year when her entire family gathers at their parent's place and spends holidays with each other. She will be meeting her siblings and she is excited about it – since everyone has been busy with their lives – she hardly ever get to see them.

By the time she reached her apartment, it was already raining and she was damped. She doesn't like rain, she hates the cold, moist and murky weather – nothing can beat sunlit, cloudless sky, crisp summery breeze. She smiled as she heard laughter coming out of the apartment – she opened the door and walked in to be welcomed by Kevin, Liana, and Farrah. She closed the behind causing all three of them to look around, "Hey, you are home," Farrah said.

Andrea looked at Kevin, "Hey Kevin, how are you?" She asked him as she sat beside Farrah on the couch. He smiled and handed Liana her doll back, "I am well – how was your day?" He asked. Andrea blew her cheeks out and leaned on the couch, "Boring as usual – there is nothing much to do. Thank God, it is the weekend," Andrea replied as she stretched her arms and legs out. Farrah chuckled and put her hand on Andrea's thigh, "How about you freshen up and we all go out for dinner?" She asked. Andy raised her eyebrow glanced at Kevin who was already smiling. Thanking that she will be disturbing their night out – Andrea shook her head, "No, I will stay in – you two should go. I will look after Liana," She volunteered. Farrah rolled her eyes, "No, I want you to come with us as well. It will be fun – come on," She insisted. Andrea looked at Kevin who as well nodded, "Yeah, I like the idea." He said. Andrea sighed and nodded her head, "Fine, I guess I can use a night out," She added.

Farrah grinned and clapped her hands together, "Great, it is settled then. Let me go and change Liana's clothes," She stood up and looked down at her jeans and blouse, "Maybe I should change as well," She added. She glanced towards her sister, "You should freshen up as well," She pointed out. She asked Liana to go to her room and she obediently walked away – Farrah followed her before bending down to Kevin and feathery kissing him on the lips. Andrea mashed her lips together as she watches her sister walking into her daughter's room. Andrea turned her head towards Kevin and simpered. Kevin chuckled and leaned back on the couch, "Don't you have to freshen up?" He asked her. Andy grinned, "Do I have somebody to impress?" She questioned back. Kevin laughed, "Do you?" He asked. Andrea rolled her eyes playfully, "I wish, but no I don't and since I am alone, single and I don't have anyone to impress therefore, I will go out in what I am wearing right now," Andrea answered him ostentatiously. Kevin laughed and Andrea joined him. She is happy to see her sister and Kevin happy together – they do complement each other. "Don't be like that," He chuckled, "Actually, if you want – I can set you up with someone," He pointed.

Farrah found Kevin, Cassandra has a boyfriend – even Taylor has a girlfriend – according to Andrea's mother. Only she was the one that didn't have anyone and to say that Andrea wasn't interested would be a lie. She narrowed her eyes and put her fist under her chin, "I am listening," She said. He licked his lips and smirked, "Lorenzo," He said, and just like that Andrea's smile turned into a frown, "What?" He questioned him – maybe she didn't hear him right or maybe she didn't let him complete. He chuckled, "I know that you two are into some sort of love and hate relationship, but doesn't opposites attract? I haven't seen or met any girl that got on his nerves as you do. No girl leaves any sort of impression on him – he doesn't even notice them, but he certainly has an opinion about – maybe not a nice one, but he noticed you and that's what he hardly ever does!" Andrea tilted her head as she heard Kevin rant.

There was a silence for a few seconds – Andrea still wasn't sure if he was joking or if he lost his mind. She narrowed her eyes and she tried to study Kevin's bewitching face. Blink – blink – blink – and she burst out laughing. She laughed when Kevin looked at her confused. She could feel her eyes tearing up. She slapped Kevin's knee, "Oh boy, Kevin, you are a funny man." She spoke tried to contain her laughter, but when she saw his bewildered expression she chuckled, "You are joking, right?" She asked him. He knitted his brows together, "Uh – well, no I wasn't." He replied.

Andrea gaped and got on her feet, "Kevin Carlo, are you crazy?!" She said loud enough for Kevin to flinch. He scratched his nape, "What's so crazy about it?" He asked. Andrea rolled her eyes skywards, "Oh wow, what's crazy? You are asking me what's crazy." She chuckled. "Let me tell you what is," She sat back on the couch. "There is no love and hate relationship between us. It is a relation of pure loathes – it is not hated, but we are getting there and it is not love," She said. She looked at him skeptically, "And opposite attracts, really Kevin? What kind of cheap novels have you been reading?" She questioned him, "And he doesn't have a nice opinion about me – well, buddy, you don't even want to know what my opinions are about him, because I clearly can't describe them without using the unholiest words in English vocabulary and let's face it, I can't use them because there is a child in this house," She was already out of breath, but she wasn't done yet – so, she continued, "And no girl ever left any sort of impression on him, that's maybe he is not into them – maybe he is GAY! And if that's the case then we girls don't have to worry about anything, because he is not our problem!" She added hotly.

Kevin was silent for few seconds after Andrea's rant – his eyes were widened, but he surely looked regaled, "Wow," He breathed out and chuckled, "You sure hate him, girl." He said amusingly. Andrea sighed and shrugged, "I told you I was getting there," She replied causing Kevin to laugh.

A couple of minutes later Farrah walked out of her room with an amused expression on her face – while Liana was still in her room. "That was something," She said. Andrea knows what she was referring to and chose to ignore her sister. Farrah knitted her eyebrows together, "Why didn't you change yet?" She asked. Andrea sighed and looked down at her clothes which seemed fine to her and shrugged, "I am okay with this – I don't need to change. Let me just freshen up – I will be out in a minute," She said as she stood on her feet and walked into her room.

The four of them went out for dinner at one of Andrea's favorite Italian restaurant. Both sisters have been here a few times and especially Andrea loves their food. It was a nice cozy place and the best part about it is that it is never too crowded. Andrea was enjoying beef lasagna when Farrah spoke, "Hey Andy, do you know each year Kevin throws a Halloween party?" She said. Andrea glanced at Kevin who nodded, "Yeah, each year I invite all my friends to my house to celebrate," He continued, "Everyone is dressed up, we dance, drink and party – this time you two will also have to come," He pointed his fork towards Andrea and Farrah. Liana, who was trying to get some spaghetti on her fork, "I want to go to a party too. Can I come as well, Kevin?" She asked him. He pressed his lips together and was going to answer, but Farrah interjected, "I don't know about that, sweetie, but we will go for trick or treat this time, I promise." She said.

Kevin knitted his eyebrows, "This time? Liana never went out for trick or treat?" He asked. Farrah shook her head with a smile, "No, actually she never has." Farrah said. "But, this time I will take her," She said as she kept her gaze on her daughter with a smile on her face. Liana's eyes twinkled, "Really, mommy?" She asked her mother and Farrah nodded. Kevin smiled, "What do you want to be on Halloween, Liana? A princess?" He asked her. She shook her head, "No, I want to be a zombie!" she said excitedly. Andrea, Farrah, and Kevin laughed.

Kevin and Farrah discussed the Halloween party and Liana's costume and Andrea already started to feel like a fourth wheel. She smiled at them. It was like watching a family having dinner while talking about random things. Andrea couldn't be happier for her sister. She knows that her sister deserves all the happiness – especially after what she had to go through as a single mother. Andrea sighed and looked down at her plate of lasagna when she heard Kevin, "Wait a minute, Rose – Enzo – what are you two doing here?" Andrea immediately lifted her to see Lorenzo with the most alluring and prepossessing lady beside him.

"Farrah – Andrea, this is my sister – Roselle." He introduced us as he hugged her and she hugged him back. "When the hell did you get back?" Kevin looked surprised as he held her by her shoulder – while Lorenzo quietly stood beside her with a ghost of a smile on his face.