Revelations

A narrow path zigzagged towards an enormous mansion in the middle of a thriving subdivision in the eastern part of town.

Bushes protruding red roses lined the path, giving the place an appearance of a century old castle.

When the car finally arrived at the front doors, Szeina was hesitant to come out.

She already felt like an intruder coming to the Lorenzo's residence.

According to what Yvann proposed to her, she was to stay with them until there was news of Granola or Neyandro or Queedor.

Nothing was certain as to what really happened to them.

Yet, she didn't want to hope.

If she did and she turned out to be waiting for nothing, it would only break her once more.

Catching Yvann's gaze, Szeina knew she had little choice for this matter. Reluctantly following him and his father, she came across the front porch and ultimately joined them in walking inside the enormous mansion.

From floor to ceiling, Szeina got transfixed by the rich colors surrounding her.

The color of royalty.

In her brief scan of the surroundings, a little boy approached Szeina. He had a dimpled smile on his face upon winning her attention.

"Are you Yvann's girlfriend?"

A petite woman chased after the little boy. She immediately pulled him away.

"I'm sorry. Zoe is just not used to his brother bringing people over."

Szeina managed to smile.

"It's… alright. It was a harmless question, anyway."

"I'm glad you thought so. Welcome to our humble home, by the way. I'm Nizah."

Szeina offered a hand to Nizah and introduced herself.

"I'm Szeina,"

"I'm Zoe!" the little boy exclaimed.

"I prepared the guest room for you dear, Yvann can take you there."

Szeina turned to Yvann. He smiled at her but refused to look at Nizah in the eye.

"Come on."

Excusing herself, she followed behind Yvann.

"Dinner will be at six." Nizah called out.

Yvann hardly acknowledged it, walking briskly ahead.

When they rounded a corner leading to a grand staircase, Szeina gently grabbed Yvann's arm.

"Hey," she made him look at her.

Letting out a resigned sigh, Yvann stared at her.

"I'm sorry. For the next days after this, you'll be seeing more of who I am in this house. I---"

She didn't let him finish, wrapping her arms around him.

"I've heard enough." She said. "I'm not the only one who is hurting and silently dying. I know you are too."

Yvann found his hand slowly trembling. The reality of Szeina's words hit him in different volumes.

He couldn't even argue with her.

She was… right.

--

Tacos for dinner.

Szeina was trying to remember that memory.

Tuesday was taco day. It was a tradition.

Interestingly enough, it was also Tuesday, and they served a good amount of tacos at the dinner table of the Lorenzo's.

Blinking back the tears that brimmed in her eyes, Szeina ate a forkful of the food on her plate. She made sure to have tacos for the last bite.

She was also trying to ignore the tension heavily hanging at the dinner table. And the fact that no one was interested in dousing it.

After a few minutes of silence and the utensils clinking, Alwreck Lorenzo cleared his throat.

"Where's Sene, by the way?"

"She locked herself inside her room and said she was still full." Nizah replied, clearly bothered, but played it safe.

"I'm done." Yvann got on his feet, scooting the chair back as he did so.

"Stay. We have some things to discuss. For one, your mother's death anniversary is around the corner."

Yvann clenched his hands into fists. Szeina helplessly observed him, uncertain what to do.

"There's nothing for us to talk about, dad. Do whatever you want. Isn't that what you've always done?" Yvann glared at his father and then stormed off.

It left Szeina to silently consider her options.

"Excuse me." Alwreck Lorenzo muttered, making his exit as well.

"I'm sorry about that." Nizah looked at Szeina, her expression openly showing how apologetic she was.

"No worries. I should probably check on him."

Nizah shook her head.

"Let him be for a while, dear. It will take some time before he cools off. They both needed some alone time before they could rid themselves of the steam."

"That's unfortunate."

Szeina watched while Nizah briefly glanced at Zoe before letting out a sigh.

"Yvann still hasn't warmed up to the idea of having us around. I don't blame him. However, I'm not trying to replace his mother. I can never. But it would be nice if he and his father could make up. Alwreck hopes to repair it but doesn't know how or where to start."

Szeina hesitated.

She knew it wasn't her place. But she wanted to help.

"Please don't take this the wrong way. If Mr. Lorenzo wishes to make peace with Yvann, maybe he could start by reaching out to him in another way. Talking about his mother is like rubbing salt on the wound. Maybe the two of you could try to see things from his standpoint. Cheer for him on the things that he's passionate about. The result won't be instant, but I think it would eventually warm him up. Not only to Mr. Lorenzo, but to you as well."

Nizah smiled kindly at Szeina.

"You are wise for your age."

"As I've been told."

"Thank you. I'll be sure to shed that light on my husband."

Finishing her taco, Szeina then excused herself.

"I should probably check on him." She claimed, despite Nizah telling her to wait it out.

"Alright. But, keep in mind, he must be fuming about what happened."

Tilting her head to Nizah, Szeina smiled and left the woman to tend to Zoe, the only other person having the appetite to eat.

Walking through the hall and finding the staircase which she and Yvann climbed earlier, Szeina knew that more than anything, Yvann was needing some company right now.

Contrary to Nizah's philosophy, she could argue that this was the right moment to be a friend to Yvann and be there for him when he needed someone to remind him he's not alone.

He never was.

And he never will be.