"Welcome!" Rachael greeted as Mike got home. "Have you guys settled?"
Mike sighed, shook his head, and sat next to her on the couch. He dug his hand inside the tub she was holding and brought out a handful of popcorn.
"We are blessed with a two-week suspension." Mike remarked, grating the popcorn in his mouth.
"You're also spending the rest of the month at home with me," Rachael said with a smile.
"But… Why are you eating my popcorn?"
"Just because… It's delicious by the way. Cut out sugar! Rachael!"
"Mind your business, busy bones!"
Just then, the door creaked and opened, and Stefan came inside, zipping up.
He looked up, flinching at the sight of Rachael.
"Who…"
"I'm Rachael. I'm Mike's younger sister."
"What!? You're Rachael? The last time I saw you were..." he gestured, trying to envision how short she was the last time they met.
"Stop with your silly exaggeration, idiot. You're only two years older than her." Mike cut in.
"Those two years can never be bought, silly!" Stefan retorted.
"Been a while," Rachael said and waved.
"Yeah…it's…really been a while," Stefan stammered, still surprised.
With her back propped up on the couch, Rachael continued watching the movie showing on the TV.
She suddenly turned to Mike. "By the way, I don't like the book I took last night, I'd probably come to your room to get the one you just finished," she said.
"No problem!" Mike replied and stood up, "Let's go to my room," he said to Stefan and headed upstairs.
Stefan followed, stealing glances at Rachael.
Stefan's eyes widened in awe as he stepped into Mike's room. "Wow, I had no idea you have such a stunning sister!" he exclaimed.
"Close the door before your words get you into even more trouble," Mike swiftly cautioned and threw himself onto his bed.
Stefan couldn't contain his admiration. "She's absolutely breathtaking!" he said as he slammed the door shut.
"Yes, people often react that way, it's a common occurrence," Mike nonchalantly replied.
Stefan's words trailed off as he marveled at Mike's sister's transformation. "Incredible... she was just a little girl, and now..."
His gaze met Mike's stern expression, and Stefan's speech faltered.
Mike rose from the bed, his raised eyebrow and shaking head serving as a warning. "Tread carefully, Stefan. You're heading for trouble. My sister's not someone to trifle with – she's hazardous to your well-being."
"So save yourself and don't fall for my sister."
Stefan began to protest, "I didn't say I—"
"Good, just drop it," Mike interrupted.
"Whatever!" Stefan hissed and rolled his eyes, sitting on the chair beside Mike's bed.
His curiosity shifted to the mysterious box on Mike's closet. "What's that?"
Mike shrugged. "Just an old box."
Stefan stood up and approached the box, intrigued. "What's inside?" he inquired, inspecting it.
"Wish I knew. It's secured with some sort of antiquated lock," Mike admitted.
"Want me to smash it open?" Stefan proposed and Mike erupted into laughter, clearly amused by Stefan's suggestion.
Stefan's curiosity was piqued. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Is the box too hard to break open?" he inquired, eyeing the mysterious container.
Mike's expression turned serious. "Just make sure you secure life insurance before attempting to break it. You'll need it, trust me."
"Why?"
"Because my sister is going to send you to a peaceful eternal rest. Don't worry, I'll be sure to mourn at your funeral, what are friends for?" Mike replied, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Stefan looked perplexed. "Is that meant to have any significance?" he asked incoherently.
"Never mind. Just remember to steer clear of her. The prettier, the deadlier," Mike advised.
Stefan's eyes widened in shock. "Are you intentionally trying to tarnish her reputation?"
Mike's gaze locked onto Stefan's, his sigh heavy with concern. "You're misunderstanding this entirely. This isn't good."
Stefan pressed for clarification. "Why do you want me to distrust your sister so intensely?"
Mike's expression turned grave. "You don't understand me. Why do you think she's staying home?"
Stefan's curiosity deepened. "Why?"
"Hers was three weeks," Mike revealed.
Stefan's eyes widened further. "Suspension? What happened?"
Mike's voice dropped to a serious tone. "She threatened to throw a classmate off the junior year three-story building," he replied. "It was a threat in reality, but even threats have their limits."
Stefan's face fell, his voice barely above a whisper. "Dammit..."
Mike's expression turned solemn. "Rachael has a volatile temper, like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. When it does, she transforms into a force to be reckoned with – even more intense than Christina. I fear for your safety, Stefan."
Stefan's eyes widened in alarm. Mike continued, "She's unaware of her own fury, so please, don't remind her. It's better left unspoken."
Stefan was disappointed, his voice laced with sadness. "Oh my goodness, I think it's wiser to leave my feelings unrequited."
Mike pulled Stefan into a reassuring hug. "Don't worry, I've got your back." He patted Stefan's back gently and raised the corner of his lip into a sardonic grin.
Unbeknownst to Stefan, Rachael's school suspension stemmed from a fierce altercation with a classmate, where she wielded a broken chair, inflicting minor injuries. Not really going as far as to practically toss someone from the building.
While Rachael's temper was formidable, Mike's account was an exaggeration. His motive was clear: preventing potential conflict by keeping Stefan and Rachael apart.
What if they clashed after starting a relationship?
Whose side would he take?
His best friend? Or his sister?
Though his methods were unorthodox, his intention was to protect Stefan and his sister from potential heartbreak.
In addition to eliminating future disagreement and heartaches, one issue has been resolved thanks to his exaggeration.
*****
Stefan departed as evening descended, leaving Mike alone after an afternoon of Xbox gaming.
Mike grabbed the second book on his bedside shelf, diving into its contents despite the initial boredom.
His rapid reading pace devoured page after page, seeking a thrilling twist.
As he turned the pages, a hard object caught his attention, concealed between the next three pages.
A golden key lay hidden.
Mike's eyes widened, his breath caught in surprise.
He held the key aloft, inspecting its intricate design.
"Your parents are back!" Rachael's contralto voice broke the silence.
Mike's thoughts flickered. What did she mean? Weren't they her parents too?
Rachael's quirks often left him perplexed.
"Okay! I'm coming!" Mike called out.
He abandoned the mysterious key, rushing downstairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith work in one of the state's largest companies. Mr Smith was a Marketing director while Mrs Smith, a General manager.
Mike finally descended the stairs and was surprised to find everyone in the dining room, seated.
"Welcome, Mom, Dad!" he greeted. "When did you arrive?"
"About five minutes ago. Come join us," Mr. Smith replied.
Mike's eyes narrowed. "How did dinner get prepared so quickly?"
Mrs. Smith smiled warmly at Rachael. "I have Rachael to thank for relieving me of dinner stress."
Mike's gaze shifted to Rachael, incredulous. "Why? Just...why?"
"Did you threaten her or something, Mom?" he teased.
Mrs. Smith chuckled. "Of course not!" she replied innocently.
Mike turned to Rachael, serious. "Are you sick? You never cook voluntarily."
Rachael savored her pasta, unfazed. "Seems you're not hungry, judging by your nonsense."
Mike grinned, joining the meal.
As they ate, Mike pondered Rachael's unusual culinary endeavor.
Mr. Smith began, "So, Mike, take your two-week suspension as time to recuperate and learn how to avoid your problematic girlf—"
His words faltered as Mrs. Smith discreetly nudged his leg under the table, probably to stop him from getting on Mike's nerves.
Mike's eyes met his father's, sensing the unspoken warning.
"What he meant was… Don't cause trouble during your holiday or…whatever it's called, okay?" Mrs. Smith said, seeking Mike's assurance.
"Yes, mom!" Mike replied, nodding. He turned to Rachael, who fixed him with an intense stare.
"What? Why are you staring at me?" he asked.
Rachael's voice dripped with sarcasm. "She doesn't know the kind of son she has. You'll definitely cause trouble, maybe even bigger."
Mike's whisper held a warning. "Shut up if you don't have a death wish!"
His gaze lingered on Rachael.
Rachael shrugged. "I reserve my comment. I'll just eat my pasta in peace."
Their parents remained indifferent to the exchange.
After dinner, Mike retreated to his room and collapsed onto his bed.
Minutes passed before he recalled the earlier mystery.
He sprang up.
The book.
The golden key.
Mike retrieved both.
He inspected it again for a minute and his eyes widened in realization.
The box!