The library is a cozy, book-lined sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling shelves that seem to stretch up to the ceiling.
The walls are painted a warm, honey-brown color, and the floors are covered with a soft, plush carpet that muffles your footsteps. The room is filled with the musty scent of old books, and the air is thick with the silence of a sacred space.
The overall atmosphere of Tina's house is one of opulence, luxury, and refinement, a true reflection of her family's wealth and status.
"Wow! Is this a bookstore?" Mike exclaimed, awestruck. "There are so many books here!"
Rachael chuckled. "This is her family's library. You'll find what you need here."
"Do you hear that?" Mike whispered as Rachael browsed the shelves.
"Hear what?" Rachael replied.
"Your name. Someone's calling you."
Rachael's eyes sparkled with caution. "Are you joking with me?"
"Of course not. Not in this situation."
"Let me go and check."
She approached the door, then turned back to Mike. "You're now on your own. Take whatever you want and leave. If you get caught, I don't know you."
"You'll deny me?"
"Of course, I'll even swear on mom's name that I've never met you before."
"Whatever, just go."
"I'm serious, I'll really—"
"Shut up and go!" Mike grumbled, and he continued scanning the books on the shelf beside him.
Rachael rolled her eyes. "That's your problem, just don't get caught!" She insisted, before slipping out of the room. In the hallway, she collided with Tina and her three friends.
"Rachael! I've been searching for you, I need your assistance with..." Tina trailed, curiosity etched on her face. "Why... were you in the library?"
Rachael stuttered, "I-I was looking for the toilet… got lost… your house is huge!"
Tina's eyes narrowed. "The restroom is downstairs, Rachael. What were you really doing here?"
Rachael's cheeks flushed as she struggled to maintain her deception. She wanted to speak but what would she say?
"Whoa! You fell for it," Tina laughed and pointed down the hallway, "The restroom is down there, last room on the right."
Rachael smiled and hurried off, sighing in relief.
"Join me downstairs when you're done," Tina called out to her. Rachael nodded and disappeared into the restroom.
Tina locked the study's door and joined her friends downstairs where the party was in full swing.
Once Mike confirmed the coast was clear, he emerged from his hiding spot and began scouring the nearby shelf.
He discovered "Deities of Aralie" and "War on Griffins," sparking his interest.
A book on the top shelf caught his eye. Mike stretched, carefully retrieving it. However, the shelf creaked, threatening to collapse. Mike swiftly supported it, but the weight was too much.
The shelf gave way, and Mike let go, allowing the books to fall. He swiftly fetched the books he'd gathered and stuffed them into his backpack.
A minute passed, and the door creaked open. "What's going on?" asked a voice from outside.
"Come see for yourself!" Tina's voice came.
Three girls entered, gasping in surprise. "How did all these books end up on the floor?" Lola asked.
"It's baffling," Janet said. "Not even a big dog could cause this mess."
The group exchanged puzzled glances, obviously unaware of Mike's presence.
Meanwhile, Mike's heart pounded, his presence threatening to be discovered.
"Could someone please tell me what these books are about?" Lola inquired, scanning the room filled with countless volumes.
"This collection comprises legends and myths," Tina explained. "My father's fathers spent their entire lives gathering them. My father consistently cautioned me and my younger sisters to avoid entering this room."
"Why didn't he secure the room with a lock then?" Cara asked.
Tina shrugged. "He repeatedly misplaced the keys, leaving him no choice but to force entry each time."
"Oh," the girls nodded in understanding.
"That's why my father warned us against entering, let alone bringing… outsiders," Tina emphasized.
"Yet, here you are with three friends in tow," Lola playfully teased.
"Let's swiftly gather these books and depart immediately!" Tina hissed.
The group began packing, while Mike, in fear, squeezed behind the shelf at the back of the fallen one, holding his breath, and hoping the girls wouldn't discover him.
After a while, the girls completed arranging the books and prepared to leave. Tina spotted a book on the floor, inches away from Mike's hiding spot.
As she approached and bent to pick it up, Cara suddenly exclaimed, "What kind of ancient box is this?"
Tina's attention shifted to Cara, making her snatch up the book without looking at it. She hastily returned to her friends.
"Put the box down immediately!" Tina instructed, her voice firm and commanding. She quickly retrieved it from Cara's grasp and carefully returned it to its rightful place on the shelf.
"It's time for us to leave, now!"
"Come on, Tina, we're your friends. We mean no harm," Janet attempted to diffuse the tension, reminding Tina in a soothing voice.
In response to Janet's calming words, the girls swiftly departed the room, and Mike let out a deep sigh of relief as the anxiety that had gripped him began to dissipate.
As he struggled to regain circulation in his legs, which had fallen asleep due to his prolonged stationary position, Mike stood up and vigorously shook them to restore blood flow. His gaze then fell upon the box that Tina had taken from Cara earlier, and he found himself inexplicably drawn to it.
"What practical purpose could this old box possibly serve?" he thought to himself. "It lacks aesthetic appeal and doesn't appear to have any functional value. I really don't need it."
Despite his reservations, Mike's curiosity eventually got the better of him, and he decided to take the box without further hesitation.
He swiftly slipped it into his backpack, his actions driven by an overwhelming desire to uncover its secrets.
Mike then turned his attention to the door, but his courage began to wane. He knew exiting through the door would necessitate explaining the books and the box's presence in his backpack to Tina or other partygoers.
Unwilling to face potential scrutiny, he opted for discretion and decided to exit through the window instead.
It's a two-storey building, and lucky him he was a good climber. He carefully opened the window and climbed down toward the ground below.
Meanwhile, Christina was also invited, she arrived at the party accompanied by her friend Hannah. They made a stylish entrance in Christina's sleek black Jeep.
As they stepped out of the Jeep, Hannah's gaze snagged on a suspicious movement on the wall of Tina's house.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" she asked.
Christina's initial response was enthusiastic. "Oh yeah! Tina's house looks stunning!"
Hannah frowned. "No, not the house! That!" she said.
Christina followed her gaze and spotted a figure climbing down the wall. "Oh, that! I see it now. Who on earth is that?" she wondered aloud.
Follow me," she instructed Hannah, determined to confront the mysterious climber.
As they approached the left side of the house, Christina shouted, "Hey, you there! What are you doing?"
"What does it seem like I'm doing?" Mike retorted, recognizing Christina's voice but choosing to remain anonymous. He swiftly pulled his anorak's hood over his face and jumped down from the wall, ensuring he was beyond the safety limit.
Upon landing safely, he swiftly departed without another word. Christina stared after him, perplexed. "Who the hell is that dumbass?" she grumbled.
"Let's focus on the party. We don't want to miss out." Hannah intervened, and with that, the two friends headed towards the party, leaving the mysterious figure behind.
Rachael, seated in the living room, turned her head at the sound of Christina's voice. She stood up and walked toward the entrance, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Christina, who was engaged in conversation with Hannah.
However, her phone rang, catching Christina's attention. It was Mike calling to confirm their successful mission.
"Hey Rachy!" Hannah greeted warmly, followed by Christina's "Hi!"
Rachael's brief response, "Hi," accompanied by a wave, betrayed her unease. The atmosphere was strained, primarily due to Rachael's discomfort around Christina.
"I heard about your suspension. Your brother will likely join you soon," Christina remarked with sarcasm, her smile accentuating the jab.
Rachael's indignation simmered. "Father-fucking bitch!" she muttered under her breath and turned to leave.
"Whoa, I'm a virgin, and I don't sleep with fathers," Christina retorted confidently, her smile unwavering.
"You might remain a virgin for a long time, since no sane guy would want to approach someone like you," Rachael shot back. With that, she swiftly departed, leaving Christina visibly embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Mike revelled in his triumph as he headed home. Little did he know, his adventure was only just beginning.