It was dark in the house. A woman wearing gray slacks and a puffy pink blouse, was sitting on a king-sized bed, her back against the headboard. Chest length blonde hair framed her beautiful face which was illuminated by the laptop she was typing into.
A chime from her phone drew her attention.
{Cara can we clean your pool and hot tub next week instead? Jerry is sick.}
{No problem, any day before Friday is fine}, was her response.
It had been a while since Cara had used the pool or hot tub, but she didn't feel like either tonight. She folded the laptop shut and rubbed her forehead. After sitting for a minute with her hand holding her chin thoughtfully, she frowned. It had been a week since she and her daughter Courtney had confronted her step-son Marlon. She was trying to move on. But the notification on her phone had brought back memories from last year, the day when it all started. She closed her eyes.
***
Cara blended a little foundation onto her face, evening out her skin tone. As Cara applied blush to her cheeks, a tall beautiful young woman walked into her bedroom.
The woman had waist-length platinum blonde hair with straight bangs. She had a nose-ring and wore cat-eye mascara around her pale blue eyes. A mid-thigh length dress that matched her eye color was tight around her thin body with buttons down the front closure.
"Sophia's here, so I'm going now," she said.
"Give me a kiss honey," Cara replied.
The young woman kissed the air as her cheek almost touched Cara's. Then she left through the same door she entered.
"Wait, Ashley."
Her head popped back in.
"What Mom?"
"Do you need any money? Or protection? I think I have condoms in the closet."
"I have some," she said, and then she was gone.
"Ok, stay safe!"
About happy an hour later, Cara saw lights from the driveway of a car approaching the house. After checking herself in the mirror again, she went to the main hallway. A man was sitting at the leather sofa in the living room, sipping white wine and looking into his phone. He was very handsome, middle-aged, with gray temples and dark caramel colored skin. He wore black slacks and a pressed peach colored shirt.
"You ready?" Mateus asked, with his strong Brazilian accent.
"Yes," Cara said. She adjusted the hem of the off the shoulder dress she wore. It hugged her figure and reached just below her knees. The color was the same as her husband's shirt.
When the doorbell rang, Cara and her husband walked side by side to the entrance. She walked carefully considering her footwear. With five inch pumps, she was the same height as Mateus.
Through the glass wall and door they could see an attractive man and woman outside of the home, lit by recessed lights that lined the rim of the roof. The tall young man had a muscular build. His skin was the color of caramel and his thick black hair was styled in a short fohawk. He had light brown eyes and a square chin with a soulpatch beneath his thick lower lip. His relation to Mateus was obvious in his face. He wore a blue polo that was tight around his muscular arms and chest.
The woman looked to be a similar age. She was of olive complexion, average height, and raven-black hair. The white short sleeve blouse she wore completely covered her chest, and her black skirt showed nothing above the knee, but the fit of each were tight enough that they revealed her voluptuous figure. She had an hourglass shape and a beautiful face. Her long dark eyelashes cast shadows over dark brown eyes. As Cara took in their appearance, Mateus opened the door.
"Welcome," he smiled, pushing the glass portal open.
***
Cara bit her lip gently, her eyes still shut tight as she went through the evening in her mind. Although it had happened almost a year ago, she remembered the details like it was yesterday. She lay flat against her bed, her head against a pillow.
***
"Please, come in," Mateus said.
"Thank you," the young woman said as she entered. The handsome young man followed after her.
"Hello I'm Cara," Cara smiled.
"Marlon," he said.
She immediately opened her arms and wrapped them around him. Her breasts pressed tightly against his torso.
"You're so handsome," she laughed softly as they parted. He smiled slightly.
"I am Mateus," Cara's husband said, his arms open. He embraced the young woman and kissed her cheek.
"I'm Elaheh," she said with a smile.
Then Cara introduced herself and hugged Elaheh. Cara could smell a pleasant aroma on the brunette's clothing.
When Mateus went to hug Marlon, the young man held up his hand to stop him. He then turned it for a handshake.
"Alright," Mateus said with a wan smile. They shook hands and then separated.
"It's so good to finally meet you," Cara said.
"You too," Elaheh replied.
"You smell amazing what is that?"
"Oh thank you, it's a new perfume."
"How was the drive?" Mateus asked.
"It was good," Marlon said.
"Your house is so beautiful," Elaheh said. Her demeanor was cheerful, while her step-son was very reserved.
"Thank you," Mateus replied. "The previous owners called it the Crystal Palace, because of the glass walls that make up the entire structure."
"It's amazing."
"Are you hungry?" asked Cara.
"Definitely," Marlon said emphatically.
"Do you like wine?" she asked. The couple nodded in agreement. "We have some wine in the kitchen, I'll go get the bottle and a few glasses."
"I'll help you with that my darling."
Cara and her husband left the two of them standing at the entryway. They walked down the hall and into the extensive kitchen. Resting on the white marble counter were three plates of food: a tri-tip roast, roasted green beans, and a Greek-style salad. Next to the food were several expensive bottles of white wine.
Cara picked up a bottle and her husband picked up the glasses. She looked at Mateus, who she knew was nervous despite his calm exterior.
"Everything will be great," she said. "Let's just go slow."
"Yes," he said, taking a breath. They began walking back.
"How about we eat on the patio?" Cara suggested.
"Great idea, it's a nice evening," Mateus agreed. They arrived at the foyer with the wine.
"Here we are," Mateus said.
The low rumble of a car engine could be heard from outside. Everyone looked out the glass wall to see an SUV pulling up the driveway. Cara heard footsteps from behind. A young woman walked from the hall of bedrooms to the foyer area. Her honey-blonde hair was pulled back with a hair band. Round lenses in a thin metallic frame covered her bright green eyes. She had a similar facial structure to her mother and sisters, if a bit younger looking, but wore no makeup and had a bit of acne on her face. She dressed very conservatively with a pleated skirt that reached her ankles and a boxy pullover hoodie. She had a white backpack over her shoulder.
"You leaving now sweetie?" Cara asked when she saw her other daughter.
"Yes," she said softly, hugging a couple textbooks against her chest. They kissed cheeks.
"Before you go, why don't you meet Elaheh and Marlon.
"Hello," Elaheh said, holding her hand out. The two shook.
"Caitlyn is my youngest child," Cara said.
"Good to meet you," Marlon said with a smile, also shaking the teenager's hand.
"You too," she replied, her face getting slightly red as she walked past everyone and to the door.
"See you tomorrow sweetie," Cara said.
"Bye."
The door closed and Mateus went off to the right where there was another door. He opened it wide with one hand while holding the glasses with the other.
"This way to the patio if you don't mind," he said. "Let's eat outside."
"Sure," Elaheh said, going first.
It took a few minutes but Cara and Mateus transferred all the food, utensils, and plates.
"Please dig in," Cara said.
