Chapter 2

Startled, I woke up and it took me a moment to get a sense of where I was. Slowly I stretched my arms, and I was slightly disappointed I was the only person in bed. Cindy was gone. She must have woken up earlier and decided it was better not to be caught by our parents. I did miss her warm body.

I sighed deeply, trying to get my fogged-up mind to function a little better. It was Christmas Day, and I was looking forward to opening the huge pile of presents under the tree. I decided to step into some clothes and hopefully the rest of the family was downstairs already.

I was the first to be in the kitchen, which I actually didn’t mind. It wasn’t the first time I made coffee for the rest. As I was pouring the coffee into the flask, warm hands slid over the small of my back. As soon as those dainty hands reached my stomach, they pulled my back against a slender body.

I knew it was Cindy and said, “Morning sis.”

She rested her chin on my shoulder. “Hmm, I smell freshly brewed coffee.”

“Get some mugs, will you?” I asked as I started to warm up the milk.

“We should have some Christmas mugs somewhere. Do you know where they are?”

I smiled as I remembered the hideous mugs mum got a few years ago. “Try the top left shelf, right at the back.”

Only then I saw she was still wearing her flimsy shorts and completely washed-out T-shirt. It was her favorite sleep ware, and it had seen better days. She had climbed on a chair to reach the back of the top shelf, which gave me the opportunity to enjoy a marvelous view of her sweet behind.

“Found them!” she said enthusiastically but then asked with a sweet voice, while holding two bright red mugs in her hands, “Can you give me a hand?”

I moved over to her and reached for the crazy looking mugs. It was an interesting sight, seeing her practically climbing into the cupboard. All the muscles in her legs rippled under her smooth skin and the T-shirt barely covered her breasts. I was mesmerized by what I saw until I heard a loud sizzling noise.

“Fuck!” I shouted when I saw the boiling milk spillover the top of the small saucepan, “The milk!”

I rushed back to the stove and moved the milky disaster away from its heat source. I instantly yanked the kitchen hood fan to full power to get rid of the foul-smelling stench.

Cindy giggled nervously because she was still standing on the chair, holding the last two mugs. “I’m sorry,” she said meekly, “I guess you were a little distracted by me.”

After I put the last mugs on the surface, I helped her off the chair. Our bodies were touching, and it took quite some willpower not to linger into it. “I think there’s still enough milk to make our coffees,” I said while I moved away from her.

She nodded. “Let’s rinse the mugs. There must be a year worth’s of dust in them.”

“Cindy!” My mum’s voice sounded from the stairs, “for heaven’s sake, will you get dressed? It’s Christmas Day! Get yourself into something decent, you definitely can’t roam around the house in those completely worn-out PJs.”

“But Casper is making me some coffee,” she said with a pouting face, “and I’m cleaning the Christmas mugs.”

“I see,” she said as she walked into the kitchen, eying the mess I made. I saw the frown appearing on my mum’s face. “I was helping Cindy to get the mugs down and I’d forgotten the milk,” I explained meekly.

“Oh Casper! How many times have I told you to stay on top of it when you’re heating milk?” she asked me admonishingly.

“I know,” I replied meekly, “I guess I got a little distracted.”

Mum stared at Cindy who was rinsing the last mug. I had to admit my sister looked ravishing; the ultra-short shorts revealed much of her butt’s firm globes and the thin T-shirt was practically see through. Slowly, she shook her head but then said to me, “I assume you’re going to clean up the mess?”

Satisfied, I sat next to a huge pile of wrapping paper, and I was pleased with the gifts I’d gotten. It was awesome that Cindy and I both had gotten a new laptop because we were planning to continue our studies at the university.

“I have one more gift for you,” said Cindy as she handed me a small package. I stared at her for a long time because I had the feeling, she was hiding something from me.

“Come on, Casper,” suddenly my dad spoke up, “we all want to know what your sister bought for you.”

I knew there was something going on between my parents and Cindy. I looked at the small package again, wondering why it was so important. “Is this kind of a joke?” I asked, “why all the fuss?”

“It’s not often Cindy has bought something extra for you,” my mum remarked, trying to act offhanded.

Now I was convinced all three were involved and that the gift was going to be a prank. I could sense their eager anticipation and that was why I chose to unwrap the present as slowly as possible. Carefully, I picked at the tape’s edge, trying not to tear the paper. Luckily for the three spectators the tape came off easily and I could unwrap the present.

I laughed when I saw the silly set of mini pom-poms, which could be hung from a rearview mirror. “Very funny,” I conceded, “now I only need a car.”

“Read the label,” Cindy said softly.

I had assumed it was the manufact’s label but as soon as I studied the small piece of shiny carton I recognized Cindy’s immaculate handwriting, which consisted of two words; “Check garage.”

My heart was thumping in my mouth when I stared at my parents, who both were smiling warmly.

As I felt Cindy grabbing my hand, she said, “Come bro, move your lazy ass.”

I couldn’t believe what was happening. “No way.” I gushed, “you guys didn’t buy another car.”

“Go on,” said my father, “don’t make your sister wait any longer.”

I jiggled the miniature pom-poms and joked, “Let’s see if we have a mirror where we can hang this.”

I followed my sister through the narrow hallway that led to the large garage. It was funny realizing I hadn’t been there for ages because most of the time mum’s car was on the drive, ready to use. Cindy switched on the lights and my jaw dropped to the floor when I saw the shiny red car.

“Wow,” I whispered in awe.

“Yup,” Cindy replied offhandedly. “A Toyota Corolla, Sports edition from 2016. You are one lucky bastard.”

Slowly I walked around the sexy looking wheels, and I was amazed by the immaculate condition it was in. Not a scratch or single spot of rust was spoiling the beautiful glistening car.

Cindy pushed the button to open the garage door and purred, “Come on. Let’s have a spin.”

I grinned when I stepped to the driver’s side and inhaled the distinctive smell of leather. I was pleasantly surprised noticing the leather seats. The interior was spotless, as if the car had never been used.

“Where the hell did they get it from?” I muttered.

“You know how mum has a knack finding the most amazing deals,” responded my sister, “Why don’t you start the engine, bro?”

Almost automatically, I reached for the key and turned it. The initial roar of the motor felt powerful, which caused Cindy to whoop loudly. With a happy smirk plastered on my face, I slowly backed the car out of the garage. My parents were standing outside, and I rolled down the window. “This is amazing! Thank you!”

“Your mother managed to haggle the prize down to an acceptable amount, which I was willing to pay for it,” my dad said proudly. “Take it for a ride, son.”

I nodded. “I’ll go around a few blocks.”

“Drive carefully,” my mother said admonishingly, “you don’t know the car yet.”

“He has me as passenger,” commented Cindy dryly, “I’ll start to scream if he dares go too fast.”

We all laughed. I revved the engine a little, announcing I wanted to leave. My dad tapped on the roof and said, “Have fun you two. Be home around five. John and Rosa will join us for a drink.”

I steered the car up to the narrow road that would take us to the mountain’s small vista. It was one of my favorite places if I wanted to be alone. But this time I drove up there to wait for dusk to fall. It was always a wonderful view to see the Christmas lights.

The car was perfect, and its performance was incredible. I even managed to get Cindy to squeal happily several times, especially when I let the car accelerate away from a traffic light. I was happy, knowing it would be the perfect means of transport for the coming years.

I killed the engine and was pleased we were the only ones there.

“Wow,” murmured Cindy, “this is really odd.”

“It’s Christmas Day. Only twerps like us would come here now.”

She giggled. “That’s not the reason why I said it.”

“What’s that?”

“Well,” she purred. “Normally I would come here with a date.”

I chuckled nervously. “I usually come here to overthink stuff.”

“Aw,” she replied with compassion etched on her face. “You’ve never brought a girl here?”

I sighed. “You bloody well know I’m disastrous with women.”

“But you’re so cute,” she said with a knowing smile, “and I think many girls wouldn’t mind having you as a lover.”

Groaning, I stepped out of the car. I really hated this! It made me feel very uncomfortable. With a deep sigh I sat down on the hood of the car, enjoying its warmth. I stared down and I noticed a few houses where the lights were switched on already. The winter sky was getting dark, and I knew we had to leave soon.

Cindy sat next to me. She stared at the many houses below us. Suddenly she spoke up with a tremor in her voice, “I’m supposed to be with Jack right now.”

I huffed. “Actually, I’m happy you’re here with me. He is a real asshole.”

She pulled me closer and sniffed once. Alarmed, I turned towards her, realizing she was crying. “Hey,” I said softly, “what’s the matter?”

Nervously she wrapped her hand around her wrist. “I ... it got a little out of control and he ... erm didn’t listen to me anymore.”

“Out of control?” I grumbled. “Is that why he has been expelled from school?”

Her eyes got bigger, and she gasped, “Is that what you’ve heard?”

I nodded. “Yeah, someone saw his mother at the principal’s office.”

Cindy’s chuckle sounded bitter while she slowly shook her head.

“What happened, sis?” I whispered while I pulled her in a gentle hug.

“We were lying on his bed, making out,” she started to say, her voice sounding flat.

“I knew he wanted more, as always. I had seen the condom packages on his bedside table and suddenly, he’d forcefully grabbed my wrist. Before I could make a sound, he’d tied my wrist to the bed frame. I told him to stop but he just laughed and pulled another piece of rope from under the pillow.”

“Shit,” I managed to mutter, totally stunned by her story.

“Before I knew it, both my arms were tied to the bed frame. I screamed for help; in the hope someone would hear me. It was awful when he pushed a pair of undies in my mouth. He must have prepared it all because he instantly stuck a piece of gaffer tape over my mouth. He bragged about the fact the nickers in my mouth were from his last victory and that I would be his next. I panicked and was constantly kicking with my legs in the hope he couldn’t tie them down, but somehow, he managed to loop my ankle in the rope.”