Chapter 7 My Sister's Flirty Friend

• The morning sun was rising higher, its soft rays slipping through the balcony window as Sis Elin and I sat down for breakfast. The small table on the balcony was filled with the aroma of fried rice and sunny-side-up eggs she’d ordered earlier—simple but appetizing enough. I held my spoon, trying to focus on the food in front of me, but my mind was still reeling from the events at the gym earlier.
• “Sis, if you open the stall later, can I help out?” I said suddenly, hoping to steer my thoughts to something safer. Helping at the stall felt like a way to repay her kindness without getting too close.
• Sis Elin turned to me, a small smile gracing her beautiful face, her eyes sparkling in the morning light. “I don’t think I’ll open the stall today. How about you take me to the salon instead? I need some pampering,” she said casually, sipping warm tea from a white cup in her hand.
• I nodded slowly, unable to refuse. After all, she’d been too good to me—giving me a place to stay, food, and even an unexpected warmth. “Alright, Sis,” I replied briefly, then focused back on the fried rice on my plate, trying to ignore the lingering awkwardness.
• After breakfast, I waited in the living room while Sis Elin got ready. Soon, she emerged from her room, and I nearly choked on air when I saw her. She wore an oversized gray sweater that hung loosely off her shoulder, paired with tight shorts that showed off her smooth legs. The outfit was casual, but somehow it made her look younger, more captivating—like a high school graduate, not a woman in her thirties with a husband on a cruise ship. Her hair was tied up messily, a few strands falling softly against her cheek, and her smile made me feel like she wasn’t the Sis Elin I met at the stall yesterday, but someone entirely new.
• I stood beside her, and despite my youth, my tall, slightly muscular frame made us look oddly matched, like a couple rather than siblings. The thought heated my face, and I quickly looked away.
• “Can you drive?” she asked suddenly, her voice light as she toyed with the keys to a sleek maroon sports car in her hand.
• I paused, recalling my high school days. I was an active kid—always joining charity events, community service, or village activities. In my spare time, I’d learned to drive a neighbor’s old pickup truck, hauling wood or rice to help out. It wasn’t a fancy car, but I was decent enough. Sis Elin’s car was automatic, which I figured would be even easier.
• “I can, Sis,” I answered confidently, though a slight tremor in my voice betrayed my nerves since this was my first time driving something this sleek.
• Sis Elin grinned widely, then tossed the keys to me. I caught them with slightly trembling hands and walked to the garage. The maroon sports car gleamed under the sunlight, its elegant lines and soft engine hum captivating as I started it. I sat in the driver’s seat, feeling the cool leather of the seat beneath me, while Sis Elin slid into the passenger seat beside me. She sat casually, legs crossed, her sweater slipping slightly to reveal her white shoulder.
• I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the road ahead. Throughout the drive, I could feel her gaze, her sharp eyes never leaving my face. It made me nervous, my hands sweating slightly on the steering wheel, though I tried to stay calm. The city streets were still quiet in the morning, with only the occasional motorbike or slow pedestrian crossing.
• “What’s up, Sis?” I finally asked, unable to bear the oppressive silence.
• Sis Elin smiled faintly, her head tilting to the side. “Nothing, I’m just happy. This is the first time I’ve gone out with someone driving me. Usually, even when my husband comes home, we never go out together. He prefers staying home, resting, since he’s only here for a day before heading back to the ship,” she said, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of melancholy.
• I glanced at her briefly, seeing her eyes fixed on the road as if lost in memories. I understood her feelings—months of loneliness, then only a day with her husband before he left again. No wonder she was so lively around me, like a kid who’d finally found a playmate. Maybe she just needed someone to fill that void, and I happened to be here.
• “Oh, I see, Sis,” I mumbled softly, unsure what else to say.
• We arrived at a large salon in the city center, a two-story building with glass walls reflecting the sunlight. Sis Elin led me inside, her steps light ahead of me. On the first floor, I saw several women in treatment chairs—some getting haircuts; others manicure—the atmosphere buzzing with soft chatter and the smell of hairspray. But Sis Elin didn’t stop there. She gently pulled my hand, guiding me up a spiral staircase in the corner. I frowned, confused. Why upstairs? Wasn’t the ground floor enough?
• On the second floor, I was taken aback. The room was far quieter, with only two treatment chairs, a glass table, and a large mirror beside them. Small ceiling lights cast a soft glow, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air, far more exclusive than downstairs. I realized this must be the VIP section, reserved for special clients.
• A salon attendant, a slim woman with short hair and a black apron, greeted us, her smile widening when she saw Sis Elin. “New boy toy, El?” she asked, eyeing me up and down, her tone teasing.
• Sis Elin let out a small laugh, lightly tapping the attendant’s arm. “What are you talking about, Siska? Since when do I have a boy toy? This is Riko, my little brother,” she said quickly, her voice casual but with a defensive edge.
• Siska cleared her throat, her eyes still on me with a mischievous smile. “Some little brother—looks like he grew up big,” she muttered, chuckling to herself.
• “Enough, you’re too nosy,” Sis Elin retorted, sitting in one of the treatment chairs, crossing her legs gracefully.
• She turned to me, her smile soft. “Riko, if you get bored waiting here, you can wait outside, okay?”
• I hesitated, unsure what she wanted. “Where do you want me to wait, Sis?” I asked cautiously, worried she might be uncomfortable with me in the room.
• “Here’s fine,” Siska interjected quickly before Sis Elin could answer, her eyes gleaming as she looked at me.
• Sis Elin shot Siska a sharp glance, her eyebrow slightly raised. “What, El? He’s your brother, so he’s fair game for me, right?” Siska teased further, nudging Sis Elin’s arm.
• “No way,” Sis Elin cut in firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. She looked at me again, her expression softening. “Just wait outside, Riko. Siska will tease you if you stay here.”
• I nodded stiffly, feeling a mix of relief and confusion from the exchange. “Alright, Sis,” I said briefly, then turned toward the stairs. As I walked out, I could still hear Siska’s soft laughter and Sis Elin’s quiet muttering, likely scolding her.
• I went down to the first floor, settling on a small sofa near the entrance, staring at the street outside through the large glass window. My mind spun again. Sis Elin was kind, but there was something about the way she protected me from Siska that felt… more than sisterly. I shook my head slightly, trying to focus on the growing noise of the city coming to life outside.