"Are you sure about this?" I wanted to know, feeling a lot of doubts about what we were about to do. I don't like invading someone's personal space whom I don't know.
"Yes, it's the only way we have to confirm whether Kyle is Kayler's daughter or not."
"I don't want to get my hopes up, you know? What if she really is their daughter and I'm just wasting my time here?"
"At least you'll be sure and won't have doubts for the rest of your life." Anne drove until we reached the outskirts of the town, even a bit further than the sign that says "Welcome to Lewiston." She parked the car and pointed to a house a few meters away.
"How are we going to approach this? I mean, what will we say?"
"Don't worry, leave it to me." We both got out of the car. The cold air gave me a slight shiver. It's very cloudy and looks like it's going to rain soon. We walked towards the house and arrived at the front door. Anne rang the doorbell. It took maybe five seconds until the guy opened it. He has black hair, black eyes, and doesn't look bad at all.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, giving both of us an intense look. I think this guy is human.
"Hello, Elias. You might not remember me, I'm Anne Stevens."
"Yes, I remember. You were at my sister's graduation."
"Yes."
I didn't understand anything, so it's better if I stay quiet.
"And what brings you here?"
"I'm looking for Jossie. Is she around?"
"Jossie went to college years ago and stayed there. She doesn't live here anymore, and I don't think she'll be coming back."
"Oh, that's too bad. Did she happen to leave behind any books she used for classes? I really need some topics..."
"Wait, are you here for some class topics? That happened five years ago, Anne. I don't think Jossie left them behind."
"Would you mind checking her room? Maybe she did leave them."
"What class?" Elias asks, seeming uncomfortable with our presence.
"Biology," Anne replies.
"I'll look for them," Elias hesitates. "Come in, don't freeze."
We both enter the house. It's spacious, rustic, and cozy.
"I'll be right back," Elias goes upstairs and disappears on the second floor.
"Are you sure about what you're doing?" I whispered to Anne.
"Yes, all I need to do is find Elias' room. We'll get a toothbrush or a hairbrush to take with us."
Slowly, I began to understand what Anne wanted to do: take a sample to confirm if he is Kylie's father.
"I understand now," I whispered. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."
"One of us should go," she told me.
"I'll go. If he comes before I finish, just make up any excuse."
"Be careful."
I stealthily climbed the stairs. It's been years since I've done this spying thing, I just hope I don't get caught. Although with my luck, I doubt it... on the second floor, I had to guess which door was Elias' room. I chose the first one, carefully opened it, hoping he wouldn't be inside, and entered. It does look like a guy's room: wooden walls, a big bed in the middle, a window, posters of soccer players, closets, an electric guitar, and scattered shoes on the floor. I think it's Elias' room. I quickly searched the bathroom for a toothbrush. There was a slightly wet toothbrush, as if it had just been used. I took it and put it in the pocket of my pants. When I returned to the room, I looked for a hairbrush and found one, which I also put in my pocket. I need to have enough evidence in case one of the two fails. As I was about to turn around, I came face to face with Elias standing in the doorway of the room. He had his arms crossed and was giving me a stern look. I felt my heart race in that moment.
"It was strange to see Anne here since she and my sister never got along," he commented. "Now I find you in my room rummaging through my things. I need an explanation right now, or you'll have a lot of problems."
"I... I was looking for the bathroom," I lied, hoping he would believe me.
"Make sure to give coherent answers, please."
"I'm serious," I insisted. "I was just looking for the bathroom because I couldn't hold it anymore, and I got lost. I accidentally entered your room, I'm sorry. When I got in here, I was intrigued by your belongings, especially your guitar. It's really bad to enter without your permission, I know."
"Who are you? I feel like I've seen you somewhere, but I can't remember where."
"Maybe at the school graduation. I also graduated with your sister," I admitted.
"Maybe you're right. You have a physique that can't be ignored by anyone," he murmured, getting closer. "But I don't like people who go into my room without permission, let alone steal my things." Elias grabbed me by the waist and pulled me roughly against his body. I gasped at the sudden contact.
"What are you doing?" Elias placed his hand on my buttock and squeezed it. "Hey!" I tried to pull away, but his grip was strong and firm. Then he took the hairbrush from my pocket and showed it to me.
"Where were you going with this?" he asked, still not letting go. Elias looked from my eyes to my mouth, and it seemed like he was flirting. The guy is not bad-looking, but he's not my type.
That's what you said about Kayler, that annoying voice in my head whispered.
"I... I don't know when I put that in my pocket," I lied, knowing no one would believe me.
"We have a brush thief here," I admitted, smiling slightly. “Why don't you tell me the truth?" he became serious again. "I'm understanding, Carolina."
I frowned. "How do you know my name?"
"Because when I went to my sister's room, I checked Anne's profile and found you there. I need to know who steps into my house, it's precautionary, girl."
I rolled my eyes. "Let go of me, will you?"
"Not until you give me a coherent answer," he pulled me closer. He has a masculine scent, like forest and wood. I wonder what a young guy like him is doing living here all alone. Doesn't he have friends? Didn't he go to college? How old could he be? If I'm twenty-two, he might be around twenty-five. I thought about whether to tell him the truth or not. Maybe he's an accomplice of Piper Parker, and we'll only get into more trouble, but what other trouble could I get into? I'm not afraid of Piper, and certainly not of Kayler. Let them know that I'm seeking the truth.
"Alright, I'm here to take a sample from you, anything that I can compare with Kylie's," I admitted.
He furrowed his brow. "Kylie? Piper's daughter?"
I nodded. "Why...? Do you think that girl is mine?"
"Yes, you've been Piper's boyfriend for years, right?"
"We're not dating. Friends with benefits is another story," he corrected. "Piper would never lie to me about a pregnancy, let alone about having my child."
"I... I want to make sure if Kylie is Kayler's daughter or not."
"Kayler Brown," he let go of me at last. "I see why you're here. I've heard about Kayler's girlfriend: Carolina Lane. You want to know if Kylie is Kayler's daughter or not, right? What makes you think she's mine?"
"Kayler claims he had nothing to do with her, despite being drunk that night," I told him with a lump in my throat.
"And you believed him?"
"No, but that's why I'm here. Aren't you curious too?" I asked. "Piper may have deceived and used you to tie down Kayler and make my life miserable."
Elias hesitated for a moment. "When I found out Piper was pregnant, I thought it might be mine, I admit, but she swore to me that it was someone else's, she seemed very sure," he recalled. "Honestly, I didn't want to push further because we only saw each other a few times during that period."
"Enough times for her to get pregnant," I said.
"I don't know, maybe you're mistaken," he looked at me.
"There's only one way to find out," I said, reaching out my hand for him to give me the brush. Elias hesitated for a few seconds but eventually handed it to me. I felt relieved at that moment.
"How will you get a sample from Kylie?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that," I assured him. I walked past him to leave the room but turned back to face him. "And thank you, Elias." With that said, I left the room and went downstairs.
"Carolina!" Anne ran towards me. "We have a problem," she said, pointing to the backyard. I could see a car pulling up to the house.
"Damn it, it's Piper."
Piper got out of the car and headed straight for the house.
Now, what the hell are we going to do?