I wake up to a text message of an unknown number.
14:40 Hey Shorty. It's me, Z. Did you sleep well?
14:51 OMG, how can I sense your booming energy from a text? Take a chill pill dude.
14:53 I woke up a while ago to hit the gym, babe. WTF are you talking about?
14:55 you don't sleep?
14:57 Yes, I do. Not as much as you, for sure. Weakling.
14:59 STFU I just need caffeine before THIS
15:00 Come here then. We have coffee and we could talk too.
15:02 K
It is too early for this.
"Mom, I'm going out."
"Wear your face mask and don't touch anything!" she yells back.
You're probably thinking how irresponsible my mom is. She's not. We live on the 3rd safest country on the planet. I can go out any hour and by myself.
No one is out though, everyone coming together and staying inside their homes not to spread the virus. The numbers of infections are rather low comparing to other countries in Europe, but if the government says is not safe outside for a while, we'll listen and follow the rules.
When I go out to run, I see no living soul, so there is no chance I get infected.
Yesterday I was reckless though. I will wear the mask today.
"Okay mom." I quickly dress myself and brush my teeth.
I call Z. He picks up on the second ring "What's up, M? Need a ride?"
"No, I rather walk. What are you offering? Mochaccino? Black coffee? Black tea?" I demand.
"Whatever you want, but it has to be you making it babe, 'cuz I got no skills."
"Can you stop calling me babe? It's weird." I frown.
"Oh come on... you're a babe, babe."
I puff and step outside. "Is Draven awake?"
He chuckles "No he's not. No one is. They're old and like to sleep almost until dawn."
"What? Draven is not old."
"You have no idea. He's the oldest. He is always trying to nap and lazing around."
"He should be more active then." I reply.
"No biggie. He's active as soon as he has to be." he pauses "How close are you? I think I can smell you already."
"I'm entering your street. I do not smell." I say confused.
"I'll open the gate for you." he ends the call.
As soon as I can see the gates, they open automatically for me to get through and close right after.
From the outside you have no idea the garden is this huge. They did an excellent job making the fences high to have more privacy.
The house is beautiful. Old but clearly well maintained.
White, with all the windows light brown. Black colonial slate roofing.
All the curtains are closed and I can see that all of them are red and tick.
As soon as I go up the 3 stairs to the main door, also light brow and with a lot of wood work, it opens. I step inside and the door closes behind me. The flood is white marble. I see black socks covering feet.
"Hello there, young Morgan. You can leave your face mask here."
I look up and see Z grinning and pointing to a small table by the door. Also light brown, must be a specific type of wood.
"What if you or the others have the virus?" I frown, "and I was promised high quality coffee!"
"So whinny. I like it. There is no virus here. We're immune." he smiles so much his eyes close "Come to the kitchen first. I'll show you the house later."
I put the mask in its little protective bag and on the said table.
The hall is big, I see light wooden stairs to the second floor by my left and a red couch by my right. There's marble archs everywhere. Behind them double doors, light brown wood. I count four doors. All to the front or right side to whoever enter from the main door.
The kitchen is no different. Although it seams a little outdated, except for a big stainless steel refrigerator, the other appliances are old.
They have a kitchen island though. It seats six. The high upholstered stools are red and the legs are light brown wood.
I get it. The house is all white and red. Like the owners. Hilarious. I giggle.
I try to figure out their coffee machine. It's so big that I don't even know what to do.
I google the model and figure it out pretty fast after that though.
I seat besides Z on the kitchen island and sigh "You know, even though I was facing the other way I sensed your eyes on my butt all this time." I boldly state.
He gives me a shy smile "What? No way. I was just admiring your intelligence and problem-solving skills." and he looks away.
"I'm young and inexperienced, but it's not like nobody ever lusted over me. I'm not stupid, Z." I stir my black coffee and set the spoon down. "So, tell me the truth. If Mister Asshole told me that today was not a good day to meet, why did you scam this little gathering behind his back?"
I can see Z's mind moving the cogwheels, aligning it, to make path to this line of thinking.
We spend a few minutes in silence until he speaks again.
"I know I'm not the brightest of the family, actually I'll admit that I'm the lest intelligent one. I know, but still..." he breathes out "... it hurts that I'm so obvious to a little human girl, one third my age."
I know what I heard. I know, but I don't know what to think of this.
"What's your end game here, Z?" I blink three times and gaze him.
He shivers, "I shouldn't have made you come here. How are you so smart?"
I laugh, "High IQ and I understand how the system works. Also, have amazing parents with good parenting skills." I continue "Are you going to give me a straight answer or do you want me to wake Draven up?"
"Oh my... fuck, you're worse than him. Why do I always fall for the manipulative ones?" he lets his head fall into the marble of the kitchen island.
"Oh. So, you two have a thing then. I'm surprised. He calls you brother..." I speak slowly to think about it.
"We're all brothers, and sister, to the outside world."
"So, you're not really?" I paused "How many people are in that relationship?"
He shifts in his seat. "Just me and Draven." he pauses "Sam has been alone for a while. Alex and Mal are together since day one. They're annoying."
"Where are your parents Azazel?" I finally ask the only question I was dreading.
"I think we should go to the theater room or to the game room have some fun."
I deflate but figure that I got enough out of him.
We get up and cross the hall to get to another arch.
Suddenly Z is no longer by my side. I hear a thud and turn around to see him on the floor with Draven on top of him, caging him.
"Draven." I say, my voice full of horror and surprise.
Z shifts and manage to peak above Draven's shoulder, "Don't worry Babe. He's pissed. He won't hurt me that much."
Draven is immobile, so still, and no matter how much Z shifts he holds him down effortlessly.
I place my coffee down on a nearby table and kneel next to them. "Draven." I call out, putting my hand on his shoulder and feeling his muscles shifting, hard muscles. "What's wrong? You're upset I'm here? Do you want me to leave?"
He cocks his head slightly to the side "It's not you. I must control this one."
"Are you sure you can control him?" I ask in his ear.
An inhuman growl comes from below us. I freeze and gasp.
"You're not making my job easier Morgan." he harshly says, "Go sit down on that couch unless you are implying that I have to discipline you too."
Not gonna lie, I swear that I never in my short life, had such desire to smack someone. "Fucking brat!" I reply but stood and made my way to the red couch, picked up my coffee and sit down.
I hear some whispering from the direction where they are.
Five minutes or so later they get up and sit with me.
Draven at the middle. The couch feels small now with the three of us sitting here.
I wait patiently for someone to speak. I am not happy right now, so whatever I say will sound harsh.
"I apologize for the hard and hash words I've throw you way, Morgan." Draven speaks "rest assure that I will do whatever I can to be more civil."