— Simon Riley

The room was filled with laughter and jokes about your "imaginary boyfriend." No one believed he was real, let alone a soldier. "Sure, the 'soldier' showed up just for you," a cousin mocked. You glared at him, and then, the doorbell rang, plunging the room into silence.

With a triumphant smile, you opened the door. There stood Ghost: tall, imposing, wearing a dark coat and holding a gift under his arm. His gaze swept over everyone before he spoke, his deep voice breaking the silence:

—Merry Christmas.

Whispers started instantly. Your mother whispered in disbelief: "Is that him?". Your cousin stood there slack-jawed.

—Family, this is Simon — you said calmly, enjoying the looks of astonishment.

One of your uncles, nervously, dared to ask: —So... you're her boyfriend?

Ghost looked at him and nodded. —Yes, sir.

You took him by the arm, holding back a laugh. As you led him inside the house, Ghost whispered in your ear: —Did they really doubt my existence that much?