Selena grabs the cup of coffee and nods as a thank you. Holding the red warm object with both hands, she takes a small sip of the comforting drink as soon as it touches her lips. Then she walks to the little winter garden where her aunt is already enjoying her herbal tea. Selena drags her orange and light blue striped slippers and when she arrives, she sits on the armchair, bending her leg and placing her foot under her. She closes her eyes and feels the sun on her face.

- So, how was last night, dear?

- Nice… - she takes another sip. - We arrived on time. Alex says that winter will be long just like last year… and March will probably be hot, an early summer… Afterwards, we went to a pub… and met Alex’s fan… Yes, auntie, he has a beautiful fan and he doesn’t want us to meet her.

- What the heck are you talking about? - Alexander slides in frowning his face

- Yes, Thais… I saw the way she looked at you… Alex got a girlfriend… Alex got a girlfriend… - she sings in a nasty tune right before the brother pinches her arm- Ouch, that hurt…

- And you’re childish… This is the payment for your song. Thais is NOT my girlfriend and auntie knows that. - He looks at his aunt who slowly closes and opens her eyes in agreement and then looks at her niece.

- She is a nice girl but already engaged, Selena. Was she alone? That’s odd.

- Thais was on duty yesterday. Dimas was there too but we were already leaving. Alexander returns to the kitchen to grab another slice of bread.

- You know him too? But you never talked about these people before…

- Sweetheart, we are a tight community and everybody knows everybody and you will meet all of them very soon. Dimas is closer to us than you think and he knows you.

- He does? - Selena turns to her brother who is leaning on the door and looks at him surprised as she remembers their the previous night talk. How does he know me? I don’t remember ever seeing or talking to him before… - She pets the cat that had just arrived from the backyard. Her hand slides from his head till the end of the long tail and picks him up on her lap. - And because it’s almost my birthday, it’s time to make a wish list… I’ll leave it on the table.

- And what about the wow factor? I already got you a present and there is no way to return it, I made it myself.

- Did your hear that, aunt Irene? - Selena opens her eyes in amazement and hands the cat to the older woman. - He already has my gift AND he made it himself… I am shocked. Should I cry or laugh? When did you make it? And where?

- Since when are we conjoined twins, sis? I’ve got a personal life, you know…

- Yeah, yeah… what is it? Is it big? Small?

- Hey… this is no guessing quiz… you’ll know in due time…

- Oh, c’mon… just tell me… teeeeeeelll meeeeeee…

Alexander walks away while Selena follows him grabbing his lumberjack shirt in the back. He suddenly stops which makes her bump him. He presses his finger on her forehead.

- Clue: it’s unique… specially made for you!

- Since when is that a clue? You know that this answer requests a thorough house search and I won’t clean after it…

- Are you blackmailing me with a messy bedroom?

- Yes, I am… - She starts to run down the corridor but after a few steps, Alexander grabs her which makes her laugh out loud. - This, my dear brother, proves that it’s inside our house AND in your bedroom… You’re so easy… Lucky you that I like surprises… but you could give me a tiny clue and I won’t bother you anymore… I am sure that I am going to love it.

- Better you do… It took me a lot of time and hard work… It’s made of wood… and that’s it… No more bugging me.

Selena raises her voice and waves her hands and arms in the air in faked despair.

- And AGAIN a clue that is NO clue at ALL… It’s the same when you associate me and my creations with crochet… It’s not going to be a bookshelf, is it? I’ve been asking you for one in years…