Chapter 6

Nathaniel glanced at Rayna from the rare view mirror; she was fixing Naty into the car seat.

"Nate, you should really focus on the road," she said without looking up, but he saw her cheeky smile. He heaved while driving. He was using his phone and following the automated voice's directions. He was silent while Rayna entertained Naty.

"Have you, uh, seen your brother's wife before."

Rayna looked at him through the mirror, "Sure I have. I was at the wedding." She beamed at his irritated expression.

"Okay, I wasn't, and I was supposed to be the best man."

"And you are his best friend."

Rayna smiled at her cheekiness while she made faces at Naty, making her laugh.

"You could always buy a present, one that says- I'm sorry I didn't make it even though I am your best friend-" She made jazz hands at him through the mirror.

"You're not helping."

"I'm not trying to."

Nathaniel sighed his defeat while staring at the google map before turning. Rayna looked at him through the mirror. She didn't need to see his face to know he was nervous; she took a long breath.

"I know you feel bad, but it has been a while. Robert may tease you, but he doesn't hold a grudge, and Brenna couldn't care less."

Rayna saw him ease up while Naty giggled.

"Right, Naty," Rayna tickled Naty till she squealed in laughter.

"Well, now that I can breathe well, will you tell Robert about the letter?"

Rayna looked outside the window for some time before saying, "I don't know; to us, it's important. But the letter is vague; I don't think it'll help his investigation."

"Good point"

"What do you think?"

Nathaniel took a deep breath before replying, "Let's hear what he has to say, but I think we should find the flash first."

Rayna nodded. She continued playing with Naty, but her mind wandered. Was she doing the right thing? She glanced at Nathaniel through the mirror; their eyes met briefly before she glanced away.

Nathaniel kept glancing at her, and when their eyes met again, he looked away first.

"So, um, do you usually go to their place during the weekend."

Rayna stared out the window; her head spun in Nathaniel's direction.

"Oh uh, no. I'm usually too busy. The last time I visited them was" Rayna looked up with her finger on her chin; then she chuckled at Nathaniel's questioning look, "I think it was more than a month ago."

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "and I am the terrible one."

"I never said I was perfectly innocent. But I think attending someone's wedding scores you points."

Nathaniel sighed his defeat; the tension in the car disappeared while they made small talk. After what seemed like an eternity, Nathaniel parked the car. Robert smiled and waved while he walked from the front door. His home had a medieval look; it had a pathway to a wooden door with flowers on each side. The two-story building oddly fit the homey look. The whole house was in a scanty estate. Houses were scattered around, and each had the same vintage aura. Nathaniel opened his door and then went to open Rayna's.

"Look at you being gentlemanly- hello baby-"

"Naty," Rayna said to Robert; she handed Naty to him and then took her back when she started to cry.

"I am always a gentleman," Nathaniel called before locking the car. Robert smiled and stretched out his hand. Nathaniel shook it enthusiastically.

"It's good to see you, man," Robert replied.

"Hello all," a lady's delicate voice called from the door. On her limestone-colored skin, she wore an oversized t-shirt and equally big sweatpants, which made her slim structure swim in her outfit. Her caramel-colored hair was styled in a messy ponytail; she waved from the door.

"Hello Brenna, that's Nathaniel, and this is Naty," Rayna said in one breath as she crossed the path to the door; the two lady's exchanged pleasantries and strolled in.

"How has living with Rayna been," Robert said to Nathaniel. They ambled towards the house.

"Better than I expected, free food," Nathaniel replied. He looked up at Robert, who chuckled.

"I'm just happy to see her happy. I was going to pound you if she wasn't" Robert stared at him in mock intimidation before breaking into a warm smile.

"As expected of a chief- I haven't congratulated you properly" Nathaniel held out his hand; when Robert took it, he said, "And sorry about missing the wedding."

Robert laughed, "I cannot believe you took it seriously. No grudges here". He patted Nate's back.

"Let's go meet the girls," Robert said, and they quickened their pace…

They walked through the door. Robert stirred Nathaniel into a wide opening to their left. Nathaniel was in a parlor that screamed warm; it had a rug and big fat screen tv with two sofas adjacent to each other. Rayna and Brenna sat on one of the sofas with Naty between them. They kept on slightly pushing Naty to sit up straight while they chatted. Robert and Naty walked in and flopped on the other sofa.

"About time," Rayna huffed before gently pushing Naty to sit up straight. Brenna glanced at Robert, who caught her eye and jumped up.

"Brenna, this is Nathaniel- my distant best man," Robert laughed at his joke, "Ahem- and Nathaniel, this is my lovely wife, Brenna."

"Pleasure to finally meet the best man," Brenna said before crossing over to stretch out her hand.

Nathaniel took her hand, "Likewise, a pleasure to meet the bride." He let go of her hand before turning to Robert. "I never knew you could pull it off."

"Neither did I- but here we are," Brenna said before flopping beside Naty; it made Naty jump on the chair, she giggled, and Brenna did it again. Everyone laughed.

"Okay, who wants nachos" Brenna called. Everyone threw their hand up

"Woho" They all yelled. Naty threw her arm up too. Rayna and Brenna gushed

"The men will get the nachos," Brenna said in the same happy tone.

"Woho," Rayna and Brenna chimed. Nathaniel and Robert groaned before getting up.

"Only if you have a lovely meal ready by the time we get back," Robert said as he and Nathaniel walked to the door.

"Will do; Rayna's here, so it will be edible," Brenna called; she mumbled the last part to everyone's hearing and took delight in Nathaniel's confused pause.

When the front door shut, Brenna turned to Rayna, "I have potatoes."

Rayna placed a finger on her cheek and then tilted her head. She stayed that way for some seconds before saying.

"We could make meatballs and mashed potatoes with a nice sauce?"

"Okay, what would Naty eat" Brenna cuddled Naty before glancing at Rayna.

"Her things are in a bag in my car; shall I get them" Rana replied.

"I'll get them; you work your magic in the kitchen." Brenna stretched out her hand, and Rayna handed her the keys before heading to the kitchen.

Meanwhile…

"…and the nearest store is a good thirty minutes away," Robert said. He honked his horn before driving forward. Nathaniel stared at the passing trees.

"Roberto," Nathaniel said after some time. Robert glanced at him to indicate attentiveness before facing the road.

"You said Rayna was happier, isn't she always happy?". Robert glanced at Nathaniel and was silent for some time.

"Rayna is bubbly, not happy. I guess I know the difference because I remember when she was happy and bubbly" Robert looked like he had an internal struggle, and when he glanced at Nathaniel. Nathaniel knew what the struggle might be.

Robert sucked his teeth before saying, "You know, we avoided discussing family back in college; I can't still figure out how that conversation never happened."

Nathaniel gave a dry laugh before Robert continued, "Well, after what happened with our childhood, Rayna taking in Naty or being happy seemed like a lost dream."

Robert made some swift turns before saying, "My dad was a good man, but a greedy man. The family business wasn't doing so well, my mum worked like a hawk, and he just drank and whined. That's how it looked to me. The house's mood was always tense because my mum wanted us to be kids, but she did not want my dad to get upset. Luckily, he traveled a lot, but when he was around, Rayna was asleep, and I was either at a friend's place or in a school event."

"Rayna was always asleep?" Nate stared at him now, and he didn't understand how two people that lived like that could have such bubbly personalities.

"My mum drugged her. I don't know why. I never understood why. Anyway, one day my dad came home with a big check, he bought us dinner. My mum was careful all through that night, but it was fun". Robert smiled at his memory. Not the kind of smile you expect when someone talks about his childhood, but a sad, regretful smile.

With the same expression, Robert continued, "the next few days gradually went back to 'reality,' but Rayna and I were okay, and so was mum. We were all used to it and found joy in other things. Like my mum loved to bake with Rayna and garden with me. Besides, during the day, Rayna and I went to school."

"One time, I had practice, and my mum left halfway. She didn't return on time, so I came home with a friend. His dad went in and came out screaming at his phone, then police surrounded the area. My parents were on the floor, dead. I was told that Rayna was found between them, and they took us to my grandparent's place. And uh yeah."

Robert glanced at Nathaniel; he silently stared at the road.

"Rayna didn't speak of weeks, and when she did, she put on this bubbly nature. No one wanted to ask her anything because she was happy- I wish she didn't," Robert sighed. Nathaniel placed one hand on his shoulder.

"No need to dwell in the past; I have some regrets too," Nathaniel draped his hand, "My dad had so much debt to pay; he was a drunkard and squandered a lot of my mum's money. He borrowed a crazy amount from these horrible people, and they picked up my sister for payment- I-I didn't get to her on time, and now she could be dead".

Robert almost ran into the coming vehicle.

"Sorry," Robert screamed to the man driving from his window; the man cursed him before speeding off.

"What?" Robert replied, "That's… I don't know what to say,"

Nathaniel laughed at Roberts's aghast expression, "Well, everyone has something they regret hu- I just wish I was there. But I wasn't, and someone taught me there is always a bright side- I mean, I can make it right now, avenge her, I guess."

Robert tapped Nate's shoulder before glancing quickly at him, "You're a good guy Nate. Now let's lighten the mood of this car a bit". Robert smacked his hand on the wheel. Then he said.

"Do you remember Angie"

"Yeah, the girl with a pixie cut?"

"She's having her seventh child."

"How does that even happen?"

Robert laughed, and Nathaniel joined in; they chatted till they bought the nachos and headed home…

"We're home," Robert called from the door; he and Nathaniel walked through the door with bags of groceries. Before they left the store, Brenna sent Robert a list of things to get, so by the time they arrived home, the car's trunk was filled with foodstuff.

"Hi," Brenna replied; her head was the only thing visible from the sofa; she turned to entertain Naty by hoisting her up in the air. Naty giggled while they carried the bags to the kitchen.

"Whoa," Robert breathed, the different scents in the kitchen mixed into one tantalizing aroma. Rayna zipped from one pint in the kitchen to the other.

"Hi, I'm just finishing lunch; just place the bags any where." Rayna continued zipping around without sparing them another glance.

Nathaniel stared around the kitchen; it was a square kitchen. The walls were lined with counters, and the only free spaces had a fridge, a freezer, and a stove. Robert walked over to a door at the end of the kitchen, so he followed. The door looked like a typical storage, except it was bigger than a regular storage because the laundry was fused into it, so clothes were hanging at the end of the room, far from the foodstuff.

"Just drop the bags here; we'll sort them later," Robert said before dropping them and stepping out of the room. Nathaniel did the same thing.

"What are you making," Nathaniel said while he leaned over something shimmering on the stove.

Rayna walked over to him, "I'm making mashed potatoes, meat, balls, and sauce."

Then she opened up the pot and stirred it, "I'm almost done with the meatballs, but I need to fry them; this is the sauce."

Nathaniel cautiously leaned to see a brown sauce bobbling in the pot.

"Want a taste?" Rayna said before handing him a tablespoon. He nodded, and to Nathaniel's horror, Rayna dipped her hand into the pot and gave him the spoon. Nathaniel blew for a good minute before tasting it.

"Wow," He looked from the pot to her before saying "wow" again. Rayna laughed and closed it. She crossed to the part of the kitchen, and Nathaniel looked into the other pot on the stove; through the smoke, he saw what he assumed to be potato boiling.

"Do you need help with that" Nathaniel said as he pointed at the bowl of seasoned meat beside her.

"I thought you were helping Robert," Rayna said without looking up.

"I'm fine," Robert called from the door, "The car's empty."

Rayna turned around and then beckoned Nathaniel over. They started molding the meat into balls. They worked in silence, making eye contact and glancing away the minute it happened. It was an awkward situation.

"Um, you are good at this," Nathaniel said; he watched her nervously.

"Mhm, my mum would say make 'em round as a tennis ball if you can- eyes eat first," Rayna smiled at him.

"You're not doing too bad for a guy that doesn't cook"

"Realy? I thought they looked more like saucers" Nathaniel picked up one he did and inspected it. They both laughed, "And I cook."

"Oh?" Rayna jeered; she rolled one before she added, "And what are your specialty, water- hard-boiled?"

"Ha-ha, very funny," he said with a laugh; it was funny. "When we get back, I will prove my skills."

Rayna laughed as she fried. Once she brought out the last batch, Nathaniel heaved.

"Finally, it's done" Nathaniel dramatically swung his head backward before picking up the sauce bowl on the counter.

Rayna picked up the other bowl filled with mashed potatoes and reached for the meatballs.

"I've got it," Nate said while he swiped the meatballs. Rayna shook her head and smiled; she could not place her finger on it, but something about him had changed- not that she was complaining. She watched him while he walked into the parlor before following suit.

"Finally," Robert said as they walked in and placed the bowls on the table. Robert passed plates from the cupboard to everyone, and they started eating. Rayna fed Naty some of the mashed potatoes who loved it so much that she kept stretching for more.

"This is amazing, Rayna," Brenna said while she served herself another helping of mashed potatoes.

"I just worked with the ingredients. I could send you the recipe," Rayna responded before taking another meatball.

Robert leaned for another scoop of sauce, "No need, she won't cook it." Brenna shot him a mock nasty look and broke into giggles, and everyone joined in.

"Well, the meatballs are easy enough. Just mold meet", Rayna said as she picked up a meet ball and cut a tiny part out for Naty.

"I can assure you," Nathaniel said while he picked up a lopsided meatball, "It's easier than it looks."

Robert picked up a similar meatball and inspected it, "I knew these were your… design."

Everyone chuckled and made small talk till the food was finished. Then they (apart from Rayna, because she was holding Naty) took all their plates away ("here let me get that," said Nathaniel. Rayna handed him the plate and played with Naty).

As soon as everyone sat down, Robert put on the tv and turned to the others. Everyone paused and stared at him. His expression was serious.

"So, concerning the deaths in this city," Robert started, everyone turned to him with their full attention (everyone apart from Naty), "I've been trying to get the pattern because-"

"-There is always a pattern," Rayna and Robert said. Robert smiled at her before squaring his jaw.

"The only thing similar about them is that they are all nobodies. No families, no friends," Robert ticked these facts with his fingers before continuing, "but, apart from the guy you were involved with, Nathaniel, each person has the same features of some criminals the police have been tracking."

Robert looked around; each person seemed to be lost in thought. Rayna and Nathaniel exchanged glances.

"Nathaniel and I think that these people are affiliated to an organization," Rayna said; she glanced at Nathaniel, who nodded his content, so she heaved before locking her gaze on her brother, his face just as serious as his and even more deadly.

"This information cannot be given police," Robert nodded, so Rayna continued, "Naty's mother, Amara left us a letter. It said she got information from an organization and hid it. I think this organization is looking for it."

Everyone was silent and deep in thought. The parlor was quiet except for Naty's squeals and giggles.

"Okay, so we are dealing with what, a mafia?" Brenna said. She looked at Rayna, who gave her a slow nod of approval, "damn," She murmured.

"And you have no clue about where this valuable information is- if it exists," Robert said.

"No, but we may be able to find it, if not," Nathaniel replied; he looked around and knew that everyone understood what would happen.

"Now we have a lead," Brenna said as she looked around, "Nathaniel and Rayna should follow their lead while Robert and I will continue our investigation."

Everyone nodded, and Brenna heaved, "so should I say, case closed or meeting adjourned."

"More like till next time," Robert replied, and everyone chuckled. Then Naty started whining, and Rayna got up to pet her.

"Shall we watch a movie," Robert announced while flipping through channels.

Brenna sprung up, "Sure, I'll get the nachos."

"I'll help," Nathaniel said before following Brenna into the kitchen. When the two were out of sight, Rayna eyed Robert.

"What," he said

"I don't know what you told Nathaniel, but he's different- not that I'm complaining."

Robert held out his hands, "I did nothing, unless you count having an intimate conversation with your friend as a crime."

Robert chuckled while Rayna opened her mouth, closed it again, and then huffed. She knew going after the topic was pintles, so she played with Naty instead.

"Hey Nate can you grab the pack of Nachos form the storage," Brenna was saying. She called "thank you" when he nodded.

Nathaniel emerged from the room with a packet of Nachos. Brenna poured some mix into a bowl.

"You know, you and Rayna have this peculiar aura," started Brenna.

"You read auras?" Nathaniel replied. He brought the Nachos closer to her.

"Yes, I sense them. I can sense similarities in auras… what some call chemistry between people," she looked at Nathaniel, who gave her a raised brow before leaning on the counter beside her.

"Why is ours peculiar?"

"Because you guys have an unsteady aura because it is growing, but it is also definite," Brenna tilted her head to look at him. Her eyes became misty before she said, "And it's beautiful."

Brenna walked out of the kitchen and left him speechless. Nate snapped out of it in time to grab the Nachos and hurry after Brenna.

Robert looked at them as they entered; he smiled at Brenna, who grinned at him, "well shall we start the movie?"

Nathaniel sat beside Rayna before locking eyes with Brenna; he immediately looked away, making her giggle. Rayna glanced at both of them with a raised brow, and Brenna shrugged. When Rayna and Nathaniel looked away, Brenna winked at Robert, who winked back.

"Shall we start?" Rayan said. They all nodded, and the movie began. Once the movie ended, Rayna, Naty, and Nathaniel headed home after long goodbyes and promised to visit often.

("You have to visit soon," Brenna chimed. "Of course," Rayna and Nathaniel chorused before heading to the car. "And don't forget to investigate," Robert called. "Of course,").