My Family's Secret Website

POV - (Phoebe)

(These two... they’re acting weird.)

When the three of them last talked about Sоhen, only the youngest girl in the family suggested more active measures regarding the young man, but she was mostly met with negative reactions. However, now... something has really changed.

Even her brother’s behavior in front of everyone had become more... daring.

What he did that day in the kitchen was still remembered and even felt to this day.

Her brother personally approached his younger sister and did something she did not expect.

Changing into more revealing clothes was a good decision, and Sohen, looking at her, struggled to control his lustful desires... at least that’s how she saw it.

It was a bit unexpected that the two older women would repeat her behavior, but that was even better in the long run to seduce him faster.

(Did they really succeed... unbelievable, if that’s really the case.)

Her plan began to work, but not quite as she wanted.

(I’m the only one who didn’t get any pleasure... It’s so unfair. Right, Sohen?)

While she was thinking about the next steps towards her main goal, her hands were busy sewing her next costume, and in front of her was a person she knew, whom she now calls... a problem.

This person was a beautiful girl, and she was now holding a graphics tablet, designing their joint "project."

(You... I feel like there’s something wrong with you too... Maria)

- (Maria). "Huh? What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me so strangely?"

(How did she notice? Her eyes are focused on the screen, and when she’s in that state of concentration, she doesn’t notice anything around her... Hmm...)

- (Me). "What? Sorry, I was just thinking about how I’m going to make a new pattern for the suit, so I was staring at you without realizing it. Don’t... mind it."

- (Maria). "Really? Well, okay then."

In her usual manner, without looking away, Maria continued to do her business.

They have known each other for about thirteen years, since they first met at school.

Phoebe and Maria were classmates.

They both found common ground, as they were quite aloof from everyone else, and this trait, as well as their complex personalities and similarities, gave them a unique boost to become good friends in the future.

Over the years, the girls got to know each other very well.

They may have kept some secrets, but for the most part, both girls were open with each other.

Maria and Phoebe were beauties who had an endless number of admirers, but they were not interested in them and even hated men in general. However, each of them had a person in whom they were at least somewhat interested.

...

A conversation at school during recess, about ten years ago.

Little Phoebe and Maria are sitting at their desks in class.

- (Me). "My mom brought a boy home and said that from now on he’s my brother... How disgusting."

- (Maria). "Really? You don’t like him?"

Maria’s tone was more subdued than usual today, and Phoebe knew something was wrong with her, but before asking, she wanted to tell her story.

- (Me). "He seems like a terrible person to me, like all men in general. This guy is skinny, like he hasn’t eaten in a long time, too friendly, which seems fake to me, and my mom cares about him so much that it just makes me sick. She is so often around him and spoils him that it seems like he is her own child. Even my grandmother behaves strangely and spends all her free time hugging him with a strange expression on her face. My ’brother’ really annoys me."

- (Maria). "Really? ... Ugh... I think you’re just jealous."

(Maria... is really in a bad mood)

- (Me). "That’s not it! It’s just... It’s just... I think they’re too kind to someone who doesn’t deserve it."

- (Maria). "Maybe you’re right..."

Maria looked down and did nothing else.

- (Me). "Are you okay? You’ve been looking depressed and unhappy lately. Problems with your father again or something else?"

Maria continued to look down until she lay down on the desk, and then continued.

- (Maria). "Yes, but... that’s not the only reason. I... still miss... that boy who used to live next door..."

- (Me). "Your neighbor’s son? Was he that important to you? He disappeared about six months ago, and you’re still crying over him? I don’t understand that because I... haven’t had that kind of experience, and I still think men are bad."

- (Maria). "He wasn’t like everyone else, and... if you had met him and gotten to know him better, everything would have been different.

(Maria... you’re wrong, they’re all the same...)

- (Maria). "Maybe... give him a chance or just wait until he shows his true colors.

- (Me). "Wow! You sound so mature, but I’m not going to give him a chance, and I’ll prove to everyone else in the house that he’s... worthless."

Who could have thought then that Maria would actually be right, and that I would now be repeating after my mother and grandmother in order to make my brother like me more than anyone else.

...

(Now, remembering our past conversations... Maria, your neighbor was Sohen, right? Do you... still feel those emotions you had as a child? Maybe it’s better to ask her about it?)

Phoebe stopped working for a moment and finally decided...

- (Me). "Maria, I want to ask you something."

- (Maria). "Hmm? What exactly?"

- (Me). "The boy from the past was Sohen, right? ... After almost ten years of being reunited with him, do you... still like him?"

- (Maria). "..."

The beauty with the graphics tablet paused for a few seconds, holding the stylus in the air, but then continued working.

- (Maria). "Do I like him? I liked the old Sohen, but I don’t know anything about the current one. Why are you asking?"

- (Me). "I’m just curious. I thought that maybe your old feelings would come back and you would be... interested in him again."

- (Maria). "The past is in the past. I’m a different person now and I’m only moving forward, into the future. Don’t worry. Your brother will remain yours, and for me he’s just an old-new neighbor."

- (Me). "Sohen is indeed my brother... at least now, and I’m glad that you see him only as your neighbor, haha."

(How deceitful you are, Maria! I’ve known you forever, and I can see through your lies a mile away. Did you see him only as a neighbor? Then why... why does the toy he gave you many years ago decorate your bed?...)

Phoebe looked toward the bed and noticed the cute teddy bear toy that Sohen had given her more than ten years ago, which she had described as... a precious memory.

(It seems I have a new rival... perhaps even an enemy, but... Don’t worry, my dear Sohen, and wait... wait for the day when your heart and soul will belong ONLY TO ME...)

Both neighbors continued to go about their business, unaware of the significant changes that were about to happen to them.