Mikael

Your relationship with Rico started out like a fairy tale. He was caring, attentive, showered you with compliments, and was always there.

But everything changed with the arrival of his childhood friend. As soon as she arrived in town, all his attention switched to her. He began to devote all his time to her.

One evening, when life was going on as usual, the unexpected sound of a key took you by surprise. You left the room and froze.

Mikael, Rico's older brother, stood at the threshold. You'd never met him. Rico always found excuses to avoid meeting him. Mikael gave you an appraising look.

"Where's Rico?" His voice was firm, as if he expected his brother to appear immediately.

"He recently went out for a walk with a friend." You looked at him, feeling slightly frightened by his gaze.

Mikael raised an eyebrow, his face growing even gloomier. “And left his girlfriend alone?”

You didn't know what to answer. Mikael shook his head and, before leaving, said, "Tell him I stopped by." You nodded at his words, and the door closed.

A week has passed. Today you and Rico are supposed to meet at your parents'. They invited him to dinner so they could get to know each other better.

You were sitting with your parents, discussing the latest news. Rico was already 20 minutes late. Your calls and messages were going unanswered.

The unexpected knock at the door made you exhale. You approached the door, but it wasn't Rico who was there, but his brother. Your parents stood behind, looking sternly at the door. Mikael entered, approached your mother, and handed her a bouquet of flowers, apologizing for being late.

He shook your father's hand, handing him a bottle of cognac, which immediately made your father beam. Mikael approached you, handed you a bouquet, hugged you, pressing his temple to yours, and quietly whispered:

"My brother won't be here. I found him drunk in bed with his 'girlfriend.'" He kissed you on the cheek. You froze, not believing your ears. You held back tears in front of your parents. Mikael, noticing your sad look, laid his head on your shoulder. "I didn't want to upset you because of that idiot."