The Brother of My Boyfriend: A Love for Two

Dylan arrives at his in-laws' house with his mother, where they are greeted by them and Megan, Mandy's friend. Everyone is afraid of what might have happened, constantly checking their phones in hopes of receiving a call revealing her whereabouts.

"Father-in-law, I think we've waited long enough. Let's go to the police station, I can't wait any longer," Dylan speaks with anguish.

"Dylan, we called the police before you arrived, and they informed us that we need to wait 48 hours after the disappearance to file a report. Our hands are tied," Megan says.

"How is this possible? My fiancée is missing, and I have to wait two days. She could be in danger," he protests.

"Dylan, please, try to stay calm. If it's hard for you, imagine how it is for us, the parents. It won't help to panic or despair. She will show up. The day is almost dawning, and she will walk through that door soon," she says, tears in her eyes. "Stay calm, my love. Our daughter is alright. Please don't cry," Franco tries to comfort Judith.

"I told Dylan to stay calm all the way. Jason has also disappeared. They might be together," Morgana injects her poison.

"Jason disappeared?" Megan asks, concerned.

"Yes, Megan. He went to pick up our mother from the airport, they disagreed, and he put her in a taxi. We still haven't heard anything from him," Dylan replies.

"I hope he's okay," says Megan.

"How do you know Jason?" Morgana asks.

"We were getting to know each other, nothing serious."

"My children have a typical taste in women," Morgana says.

"Look, Mrs. Morgana, I'll be polite out of respect for Dylan. He's like a son to me. I have no news of my only daughter. If you don't care about your missing son, at least respect our pain and stay quiet," Judith speaks. "Dear, I think you should take a tranquilizer and try to rest a bit," Franco suggests.

"I will wait for my daughter to wake. I want to make sure she arrives safely," Judith says.

"Alright then, let's all wait," Dylan says.

The night gradually gives way to dawn as everyone still waits for Mandy. With each passing second, the anxiety and fear that something bad may have happened consume them.

****

Jason wakes up before Mandy. The storm has already passed, and they can now go back home. Mandy wakes up and notices that Jason is not beside her. She gets up and goes outside to find Jason sitting there. "Good morning," Mandy says.

"Good morning," Jason replies, trying to avoid looking Mandy in the eyes.

Mandy senses Jason's indifference. She's left puzzled.

"Are you okay?" she asks, confused.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Because you don't seem like the same, cheerful Jason from yesterday. I don't know, maybe it's just in my head," she nervously laughs.

"We need to talk," he says seriously.

"Then let's talk. Tell me what happened," she asks.

"As you can see, the storm has passed, and we need to go back. Everyone must be frantically looking for you. Look, Mandy, we have to forget everything that happened. It was just sex, and you're my brother's fiancée. So let's continue as before - you can't stand me, and I'll be the same person you first met, the one who gets angry and goes out drinking and ends up in bed with anyone." "Wow! (tears fall)"

"There's no use crying. You knew all of this. You knew we would have to go back the next day. I just hope you don't tell Dylan anything. Treat it like the first time you went down on me, thinking it was him, and keep it to yourself. Because my brother will always be my brother, but he won't forgive you."

"Why are you being such a jerk, Jason? Seriously, tell me. Was it just a game for you to sleep with your brother's fiancée and then discard me like garbage? Because that's how you're making me feel." She wipes away the tears. "It's better if we leave. I can't stand this situation anymore. We need to coordinate what we're going to say. You can say that you helped me and I insisted you come along to apologize for our fight, but the tide rose. Don't you dare hurt Dylan with the truth, understood?" he shouts.

"Yes, I understand. Let's leave quickly and end this nightmare. And do me a huge favor - never look me in the face again, and see if you can get out of Dylan's house for good. Your coming here was the worst thing that could have happened to us."

Mandy walks away towards the boat while Jason is left alone. He puts his hands to his head, thinking about the mess he's made. He didn't want to hurt his brother and didn't want to be in the middle of their relationship. The only way he had of not ending up with Mandy was to say all those hurtful things to her. Each word he said hurt him more than it hurt her.

Jason gets on the boat. Mandy turns away from him. The journey is one of silence and sadness. With each sway of the boat on the sea, there's a tear that Mandy wipes away.

****

Jason and Mandy arrive at her house. Parking the car in front of her house, he waits for her to get out.

"Aren't you coming? Dylan must be here," she asks.

"I'm going home. I have nothing to do here. And don't forget what I told you - don't tell the truth to him. Goodbye, Mandy."

Mandy is unable to respond. The lump in her throat makes it impossible. She gets out of the car while Jason drives away. Mandy walks up to the front door of her house, fear written all over her face. She opens the door and collapses in tears when she sees everyone worried about her.

"Daughter," her mother embraces her and breaks into tears.

"My dear, look at you. What happened?" her father hugs her. "Friend, are you okay?" Megan asks.

"My love, you scared us. Where were you?" Dylan asks.

"I was with Jason," Mandy says, nervous.

"I told you these two were together. I never make a mistake when I sense something," Morgana tries to provoke everyone.

"Mom, please, can't you see the state she's in?" Dylan scolds his mother.

"Leave my daughter alone, Morgana. I won't tolerate you insulting her in my house," Judith is angry.

"I think we should give Mandy a chance to speak, please. Look at her condition. Let's stay calm," Franco says.

Dylan takes Mandy's hand, giving her the strength to explain why she was missing with his brother.

"I... I was at the university. I received a call from a bartender saying that Jason was completely drunk. Earlier, he had called me wanting to take me out for ice cream to try to be friends since we don't get along much. So the bartender found my number because it was the last call he made. I took him for coffee

because he could barely stand. And when he started feeling better, he invited me to go to a place he used to go with my dad. But the tide rose too quickly, and we got stuck. There was a storm, and I thought I was going to die," she sobs. "We had to take shelter in an old house, and this morning, as soon as we woke up, we came back."

"Take it easy, my love. You're safe now," Dylan embraces her.

"And where's Jason? I hope nothing more serious happened," Morgana speculates.

"Mom, go to the car and wait for me there. I won't tolerate you saying whatever you want to Mandy. She's my fiancée, and I trust her completely, as I do Jason," Dylan snaps.

"I'm leaving now. Don't bother, stay with your fiancée. I'll go after Jason, but mark my words, my son, one day you'll appreciate your mother," she finishes speaking and leaves.

"Friend, I'll let you recover, and I'll call you later. Goodbye, everyone. Love you, and you gave me a scare," Megan hugs Mandy and leaves.

"Thank you, my friend. I love you too," Mandy replies.