Buzzz. "Yes? How can I help you?" Emily's wind chime voice rang through the speaker box.
"Good evening, Miss Emily I presume?" Cyra's English accent echoed. "I'm Clara's friend. My name is Cyra, I'm in her coding class. She asked me to come by to see you, she has a message for you."
The other side was quite for a few moments. "Come in." The box made a clicking noise and the black gate creaked opened at a snail's pace. The wheels of Cyra's car crunched on the drive way as he drove in slowly. Cyra took a breath, not knowing what to expect.
When he got to the front of the house, Emily was waiting for him at the door. She was wearing a bright pink and green wrap, tied around her hips over a fushia bikini. "You're Clara's boy toy right? Come inside! I was just about to get in the pool, do you swim?" She asked cheerfully.
Cyra followed her up the white marble steps. "I don't think leather makes for very good swimwear." He put his jacket collar between his forefinger and thumb and smiled.
"Fair enough." Emily smiled. "So you do exist in daylight. I was starting to think Clara made you up—like some tragic hot boy from a vampire movie."
Cyra half smiled. "Only sparkle under pressure, promise. You must be Emily."
"Guilty. And you must be Cyra — the guy who makes Clara forget how to form full sentences.
Cyra raised an eyebrow. "Hmm..That bad, huh?"
Emily's smiled widened "Um, that good! And don't let it go to your head— but that girl has the hots for you."
"This head comes preloaded with ego. Can't do much about that." Cyra shrugged with a half smile.
"I've seen worse. You're actually not as… annoying as I expected."
"Wow. High praise. Should I sit down?"
"Relax, I'm just happy Clara is happy. So what brings you to my humble abroad or whatever you call it. And where is my bestie bae? Misses I-can't-text-back". Emily sat gracefully on a very large ottoman, across from where Cyra sat on the couch. Her long tan legs crossed elegantly.
"That's why I'm here actually. Don't be alarmed, but Clara got into a car accident the other day. Don't worry, she's ok but she did get rather banged up and her phone was lost in the wreckage." Cyra explained gently as to not upset her.
"Oh my god is she hurt real bad? Is she at the hospital!? Can I see her?" Emily uncrossed her legs and was now sitting at the edge of her seat.
"I have an excellent doctor that I called right away and he checked her out. She has a broken rib so she's advised to rest for a few days. Would you like to stop by in a few days?"
Emily wasn't smiling anymore. "I want to see her now—", she demanded, "— I don't know you or anything about you and I can't just take your word. My friend is hurt and I will see her even if I have to drag your half unconscious body to led the way."
"Clara didn't mention how scary Emily was. Good thing Natalia didn't come after all, this would have ended ugly."
Cyra sighed. "I understand. She's your friend-"
"She's my family."
"Ok, she's family. I assure you she is safe and the best place she could possibly be is at my estate with a trusted medical professional and my even more trusted Natalia."
"Who's Natalia, a maid or something?"
Cyra almost choked laughing. "No. Natalia is like my family. Like a bossy big sister, except younger, smaller and angrier. Maybe closer to a chihuahua? No, piranha. Definitely piranha. But anyway, she loves Clara. And she doesn't love easily. She's safe with her."
"Ok I guess. But I think it's super sus that you don't want me to see her." Emily crossed her arms.
"I see what you mean. Here, let's call her, shall we? Maybe that will help you rest assure." Cyra offered.
"How can we call her if her phone is lost?"
"I can call Natalia's phone. She's with Clara." Cyra explained.
"Oh duh!" Emily laughed "Ok, yes! Please call
Natalie."
Natalia" Cyra corrected
"Whatever" she waved her hand.
Cyra pulled out his phone and pressed one number. "Hello Natalia. Can you put Clara on the phone please? … Hello my Darling. Yes everything is ok. I'm with Emily right now, she is very concerned about your health and she would like to speak with you. Of course." He held out the phone to Emily. She took it and walked out the room.
Cyra sighed and relaxed in the chair. The conversation was giving him a headache and he rubbed his temples. He immediately thought of Clara and stopped in his tracks. He needed this to be over quickly before Clara's pain started up again. He stood impatiently.
He didn't see which way Emily went so he wandered around aimlessly, getting irritated with each failed attempt.
"I have to calm myself. If this girl sees me frantically flailing about she will for certain demand that she accompany me and no matter what, she can NOT see Clara in her current condition or I will definitely be put me in the slammer."
The door that Cyra had opened led outside to a breathtaking pool. The sunset sparkled and danced on top of the water, playfully inviting anyone who passes by for a swim. He paused. He hadn't thought about jail in a long time but at this moment it was heavy on his mind.
"If I go to prison Clara could die."
A sillhuette of a tall, slender person with long legs walked across the other side of the pool. The sunlight made it hard to see but Cyra knew he had found Emily.
Emily had now graduated from phone call to FaceTiming and was chatting about.
Cyra felt bad for Clara. She probably just wanted to rest not get talked-to-death by this chatty thing.
"Ok, I'll come by in a few days! Love you Clair Bear!"
Emily came over to where Cyra was perched on the side of a cabana. Her shoulders were lowered and she was smiling.
"All is well I presume?" Cyra asked coolly. He was standing with a hand in his pocket, leaning on his shoulder.
"That accident really did a number on her didn't it? Good thing you were there. I guess I owe you an apology. I know I can be annoyingly protective over Clara. But honestly, I'd do anything for her. In fact — I was ready to grill you. Still might. But Clara says you've been good to her. And that girl doesn't say things like that lightly."
Cyra softened a bit. He hadn't realized he had been standing so tense. He took a breath before speaking.
"She's… different. I don't know how else to explain it. She doesn't pretend. Drives me a little crazy."
Emily took a seat on one of the day beds in the cabana and outreached her hand to a lounge chair for Cyra. He sat on the edge facing Emily.
"She drives everyone a little crazy. But the good kind. She deserves someone real. Someone who's not gonna run when it gets messy." Emily smiled.
Cyra leanedforward slightly. "I'm not running. Not from her."
Emily watched Cyra for a moment before speaking. "Good. 'Cause she doesn't bring her guard down for just anyone. I told her to give you a shot and that's not something I say often."
"I don't plan on wasting it." Cyra replied coolly.
"Alright then. You passed the vibe check. Kinda. Still jury's out." Emily teased.
"Dear Emily, I am nothing but the vibe."
"No kidding. No wonder Clara sees something in you. That means I'll try to see it too. For her." Emily smiled warmly.
"That means a lot to me."
"Don't get mushy on me, leather jacket. One of us has a reputation to maintain." Emily joked.
Cyra chuckled. "Right. Wouldn't want to ruin your street cred."
"Exactly!" She laughed. " But real talk? I'm glad we talked. Clara's got walls, and if you're serious about her, she's gonna need people who aren't scared to climb 'em."
Cyra's gaze met the serbert colored sky for a moment, then met her eyes."You're a lot sharper than you let on."
"Don't tell anyone. It'll ruin my brand."
Cyra laughed in his throat. "Your secret's safe with me —" he stood and stretched slightly.
"— I better get back to her. She's stubborn, as you know. She won't rest until she knows I made it back".
"Tell her I love her and I'll go visit her soon!" Emily escorted Cyra out to his relief. He was not wanting to get lost in her labyrinth again.
"Thanks, Emily. For looking out for her. And… for giving me a chance."
Emily opened the front door with a satisfied smile. "Just don't make me regret it."
He gave her a small nod and continued walking. Emily watched him walk out to the almost-darkness, a line of gold on the horizon was all that was left of the sunset. Relief washing over her.