.PART ONE.
"Mike, don't be shy." Emily held my hands tight and led me in. I can't really describe it: door frames fitted with jaspers, futuristic and shiny. It was pretty much the house of the future.
"Mike! Mike!" Emily shook me out of my dreams.
"You realize we have just started the tour. I gotta show you everything." Smiling, she gave me those baby eyes.
"Just wondering… you don't even look rich, but planned though. Why hide it from guys at school? They could stop teasing you," I asked.
She snuggled under my arms with a compliment.
"You never told me you had one of those." Looking straight at me, she asked.
"This—pish—I got it by accident." I strained to change the topic and hesitated.
"Like your cover-up. Want me to believe this came by coincidence—the tattoo?" Gently stroking the tattoo, she complimented.
But deep inside, I too barely know how it came about. Dad says, "It's a birthmark," but why should it be shaped like half a heart?
"Angel boy, real food is ready," Bunny alerted us.
"Not pizza," he joked.
"Just a second." Emily shouted out. Her arms still locked in mine, she led me to a room—pretty sure it's the bedroom—with a 52-inch TV, trophies, family portraits. I think R is their family symbol.
"Why are we—" Curious, I murmured.
"Speak less, see more." She removed her shoes and untied her knotted hair.
"Come closer," she invited me.
"Emily… is this necessary?" Confused by her actions, I forced myself closer.
"You're shy, aren't you!" She teased.
"Then take off your shoes—brother." Serious, she dared.
"Come sit on the bed next and please unbutton your T-shirt?" Gazing directly into my eyes, I couldn't fight it.
"For the record, I'm…" Stammering, I exclaimed.
"You asked for it."
She smiled, giving a calm gesture as she headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Disturbed, I asked.
"Just making sure it's locked." She responded in a more relaxed tone than expected. I think this is where some fall.
I just hope what I'm thinking of is not about to happen. This can't be real. What will Dad do to me when she finds out? I can't even hide a tiny flaw from him.
Smiling at me, she handed over an ice-cold glass of water.
"It's winter, you know that… right?" Concerned, I commented.
"I do. Things are soon turning hotter. Hope you can keep up with the tension." Undressing her jacket, she revealed a blouse and dared me to give her my left arm.
"Looks like you work out." Massaging my arms, she appreciated.
"Emily… are we not sinning?" My voice cracked as I studied our actions, believing I'm cooked.
"We are all sinners—Angel." Laughing, she dared me to look into her eyes.
"Look at this—you're not the only one with the fancy tattoo." She revealed the same scar I had, but with a twist—hers bore the initials of the cross.
"How? When?" Distorted and lost, I froze in sync with the thrill. Finally, I understood why she brought cold water. It really goes well with the condition.
"Do you need more?" Laughing at me, she handed over her glass of water.
"That means…" Stammering and covered in sweat, I stared at her eyes. They looked just like mine. Is that why she was calling me brother all along? I couldn't get the hint. I thought she was just trying to be polite, but…
"Missed you too." Hanging on me, I felt restored—a bond never experienced. Like she was right there—Mom.
"How much do you know?" Still overwhelmed, I looked in her eyes one more time.
"I just had to confirm my theory. Remember that night we last met? I intentionally stayed back to play the violin to lure you in. Many times I tried to get closer to you, and anytime I did, you were either too busy for me or overtaken by—you know. That night… we hugged. I took a bit of your hair sample and tested for your DNA. Turns out it is what it is. Blood is thicker than water."
"Wait… so out of the blue, you started stalking me and boom… found out I was your brother." Confused, I questioned, and this time without a glitch at her.
"Not quite. At first, I thought I was just an adopted child without a belonging. I tried searching through almost all family roots in the state, but I still found nothing. Until this one day in middle school, I could be teased by the girls and some boys for resembling a boy. That boy was still new at school, sluggish though wise.
It all began from this one day. I actually wrote this day down in my diary—the day I was kicked into detention for coming late for the science lesson. But somehow that day, I met you in there—despite you being a usual customer. I tried waving 'hi,' but you just didn't reply. It was true the girls lied about almost everything, but not your eyes. Then you tapped on me when I had long forgotten about you. You woke me up to play chess, and I just made you win. You called me weak and untalented, but I just liked the way you smile. A prayer answered at last. I opted for the church in the late afternoon to at least show my gratitude to God for the sign. Raising my head from prayer, I saw you seated right beside me praying. I thought you never had anything to be grateful for until a man came out from the shadows in a long black robe and a Bible to his left and shouted out:
'Son… discipline.' Then I saw you rise up in panic, but still your eyes couldn't depart from mine. And that day the man in black held your hands was the last time I heard from you this year till now. That day when I went back home, I couldn't sleep. I always had dreams of you, but not sweet ones."
"Oh yeah, I get you now… you were the girl who always wore specs and the silver Mickey Mouse earpiece—the Bible verse crammer."
"Bingo—first time you actually earned a win." Her voice cracked with tear marks started all over her face.
I couldn't hold my guard anymore. Tears like rivers covered my face.
"Are you crying?" Emily teased.
"It is what it is!" I phrased her words.
"I just can't hide it anymore."
"Wait a second—did you just call me for a reunion or the armor?" I joked.
"My bad… I forgot—the armor. But I'm actually now started on it and way beyond your expectations." She seemed sad and blamed herself. People like her have a free passport to heaven.
"Emily, how many times did I tell you—no closing doors when boys are over?" A deep strange voice tore through the calm air.
In my perspective, I think we might just be cooked.
"Quit looking at me and dress up." Emily panicked.
...
PART TWO
Towering over us on opening the door was Emily's brother with a body like that of Greek sculptures.
"So—this is the boy you over-spoke about. Never knew you had it in you, sis." He chuckled with sinister eyes.
"It's not like we were doing something weird—mind that. We were just doing homework." Emily defended as she guarded me behind his arms.
"Have never seen you showing that much love since Axel died." Her brother adjusted his shades to have a clear stare at me.
"Is Rufus a friend?" Showing sympathy, I broke the thin ice.
"Sort of—more like a bulldog." His smile protruded from here to there.
"Things do happen in life… not so?" Encouraging Emily, I patted her on the back.
"To sum it all up—'sweet.' This better be the last time I see your footstep in her room, or else you will know what happened to Axel." Smiling with strict tough eyes and tightened jawlines.
"Quit it, Craig. Do you know how you sound right now? You dare touch him and I expose your video to Dad. Hope he will be very impressed finding out that his son is a… dealer." Emily looking straight into Craig's eye provoked him into a much humbler version of boy. They sure do respect their Dad.
"Dad has arrived and he told me to tell you dipsh*ts to come out for supper—he has business plans." Craig informed as we parted ways.
"Are we not supposed to be going for supper?" Emily showed concern for Craig.
"I have some deals to take care of—but in case the wool-headed brat touches you, tell me. I won't hesitate to take him for a nap." Craig left the house through the back door.
On reaching the dining hall, it was a whole different world: golden champagne cups and expensive wine everywhere. There were tons of people dressed in fancy outfits, and then comes me with cheap trousers I got from eBay at ten dollars.
"Who are all these…" I whispered in Emily's ears.
"A mixture of friends and families—today is family dinner." She whispered back in my ears, entangling my arms.
"Is this necessary?" I inquired.
"It just feels good." Locking eyes with mine, we walked up to the dinner table, triggering all eyes on us… especially this boy quite older than me. He stared at me though we were playing chess on checkmate.
"Daughter, looks like you're having a good time." A woman I presume to be her mom gently spoke out.
"I saved your sit next to Joash." The woman whispered one more time. The crowd, serious and determined, stared directly into Lily's eye.
"I'm good where I am." Lily responded, clinging tight to me.
"She just had a bad day. For the mean time, feel free while at our custody, Ms. Johnson." A man holding a walking stick accompanied by bodyguards in tacidos marched to the dinner table.
On his arrival, everyone stood up like it was a tradition. And me, lost to the agenda, remained sitting till Emily whispered into my ears, "Mike…" stepping on my feet.
Disorganized, I jolted up to blend into the crowd.
Silence soaked the whole room for nearly two whole minutes, followed by some kind of an anthem—it was in French, so I barely understood a thing.
"As the Rodricks, we have gathered in this place to give thanks to those who brought us this far, not forgetting the achievement we have made as the Rodricks and Johnsons for the last five hundred years—a thick bond of not only blood but ties. Cheers to the progress made and the journeys we have accomplished for centuries. For Rodricks and Johnsons."
"For Rodricks and Johnsons." The crowd backed up.
After everything that had happened so far, one thing I understood—I literally don't fit here. I can't properly use a table knife.
"Having problem with the chicken?" Craig teased from an angle of pity.
"Craig… what's rule number 5?" Emily's dad broke the silence.
Craig, uneasy and scared, said, "I'm sorry, Dad."
"So you're the Mike Emily has been over-commenting on." Eyes tough, he looked direct into my eye.
While on my right, the boy—Joash—never really settled after hearing my name. It's like he kind of heard of that name. I would read the confirmation in his eyes.
"You look to be a coward—you just can't stand my stare." Cutting his chicken breast, his gaze couldn't depart.
"What sport do you do?" he asked, determined and focused.
"That's a… I don't really have a sport I do. Maybe basketball, but I'm a bench guy almost in every match." Stammering, I accidentally spilled juice on my shirt.
Emily, ashamed by my action and cold responses, wiped off the spilled juice from my shirt—sparking even more tension between Joash and Ms. Johnson.
"Is everything okay?" A woman with a surprising gentle and calm voice yet tough-looking caused order in the room.
"Mom… can Mike stay over for the night?" Emily's suggestion struck the entire room in shock.
"We have tons of rooms—perhaps even Joash can stay over for the night." Emily's dad replied in a much adjusted, unexpected tone.
"I will like to know much about this Michael kid."
"Michael, welcome to Rodricks—meet Mr. Rodrick Stark." Tidying up his cutlery, he gave me a sharp smile.