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Emma's face instantly beamed with a massive, bright smile.
All her panic vanished. She quickly answered the phone and held it to her ear.
"Hi," Emma said quietly, her voice full of affection.
"Cara mia!" Michael's deep, cheerful voice came through the speaker. "Can you please open the main door for me?"
"You're here?!" Emma squealed.
She jumped up from her chair so fast and with so much enthusiasm that the chair tipped over and hit the floor with a loud *CLACK!*
The entire room went dead silent.
Her dad jumped, almost spilling his drink. Her mom grabbed her chest in shock.
Sarah and Erica stopped talking mid-sentence, staring at her with wide eyes.
Lily and Chloe froze in the middle of the room.
Everyone was thinking the exact same thing: "What on earth is wrong with her? Did someone yell fire?"
Ignoring all the confused stares, Emma sprinted to the main door like she was running a race. She threw the door open.
There stood Michael, wearing a sharp winter coat, his hands completely full of colorful gift bags.
"Come in! Come in!" Emma said excitedly, grabbing his arm.
Michael stepped into the living room.
As soon as his shoes touched the floor, Emma's entire family-her dad, her mom, Sarah, the younger sisters, and Erica-instantly stood straight up from their seats.
They stood at attention like the King of England had just walked into the room.
Michael froze.
He actually flinched back a little bit, overwhelmed by seven people staring at him in dead silence.
The silence dragged on for a very awkward five seconds.
Finally, Erica raised her hand awkwardly. "Hi, Michael."
Michael blinked. "Um... hi, Erica."
Emma immediately stepped in to break the tension.
She closed the front door, walked right up to Michael, and swiftly took all the heavy gift bags out of his hands, placing them neatly in the corner of the room.
Then, she reached up, gently grabbed the collar of his winter coat, and helped him slide it off his shoulders. She hung it carefully on the wooden coat hanger by the door.
She turned back to him, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward a cozy two-person couch.
She gently pushed his shoulders so he sat down comfortably.
"Do you want a cup of hot coffee, Michael?" Emma asked, looking down at him with an absolutely angelic, beautiful smile.
"Yes, please. That sounds wonderful," Michael smiled back happily, looking completely relaxed now that he was sitting next to her.
Everyone else in the room was still standing, staring at the two of them.
Her parents and Erica were looking at Emma and Michael with wide, soft eyes that clearly said: "Oh my goodness, love is in the air."
"I will be right back!" Emma chirped, practically skipping into the kitchen.
As soon as Emma left, Michael realized everyone was still staring at him.
He quickly stood up from the couch, smoothing his shirt. He walked over to Emma's parents.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Myers," Michael said politely, holding his hand out. "I am Michael. It is a true honor to finally meet you both."
"The honor is ours, Michael!" her dad said, shaking his hand vigorously. "Emma talks about you non-stop!"
Her mom smiled warmly. "Welcome to our home, dear. We are so happy you are here."
Then, the two younger sisters, Lily and Chloe, slowly walked up to him. They looked up at him with completely exasperated, shocked expressions.
"You are actually real," little Lily whispered, her eyes huge.
"Emma was not joking," Chloe added, shaking her head. "We thought she made you up."
Michael looked surprised for a second, and then he let out a loud, genuine chuckle. "Hello, girls. Yes, I am real. I promise."
Erica walked over next. "I would introduce myself properly to the you, but I don't think you need an introduction here, Michael," she joked, smiling. "I think there is rarely anyone in the world who would not know your face by now."
"Well, I am just Emma's boyfriend today," Michael smiled humbly.
Just then, Emma walked back into the room holding a steaming mug of coffee. "Here you go! Sit down, sit down," she ordered playfully, handing him the mug and making him sit back on the couch.
During all of these introductions, Emma's older sister, Sarah, had not moved.
She was staring hard at Michael's face. She was squinting, her brain working on overdrive, thinking, "I have seen him somewhere in person. Where have I seen him?"
Emma's mom noticed Sarah staring blankly. "Sarah, don't be rude! Come say hello to Michael!"
Sarah snapped out of her thoughts. She walked forward slowly. "Hello, Michael. I am Sarah, Emma's older sister."
Michael looked up at Sarah.
He took a sip of his coffee.
A very slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.
"Hello, Sarah," Michael said smoothly. "It is very nice to meet you a second time."
Everyone in the room, except Emma, looked completely surprised.
"Second time?" her mom asked silently.
Then, Michael turned his head and looked at the two younger sisters, Lily and Chloe. "And it is very nice to meet you two a second time as well."
The kids gasped.
Sarah's jaw dropped.
Emma, who was sitting next to Michael, started snickering loudly into her hand.
She couldn't hold it in anymore. She stood up and proudly announced to the entire confused room.
"Everyone!" Emma said, laughing brightly. "This is the guy! He is the one whose laptop Sarah poured four entire cups of coffee on at the cafe!"
The room erupted.
"NO WAY!" her dad yelled, slapping his forehead.
"OH MY GOD!" Sarah screamed in absolute horror, covering her face with both hands as her face turned bright purple. "THAT WAS YOU?! I RUINED YOUR LAPTOP?!"
"You owe me a new laptop, Sarah," Michael joked.