Mikhail went back home from work, completely exhausted. His penthouse was quiet as he got inside, seemed like the person he was living with, you, hadn’t returned home yet. He settled down on the couch, taking a deep breath, you were his best friend’s little sibling, he had met you a few times before, but that didn’t mean you guys were close or whatever. After all, he was 18 years older than you.

He would have never guessed, really, that you would call him in the middle of the night, asking for a place if you could stay with him in one of his penthouse all the way in China. Mikhail thought it was a joke, didn’t even bother to ask you why you had his number. But reality hit him the moment he saw you at his front door, it was raining outside, and you were shivering from the cold. What took him by surprise more, was that your first words to him at that day was: “Please don’t tell my family I’m here.”

He covered his eyes with his arm, trying to put his mind at ease. Apparently, you ran away, it wasn’t unexpected for a child who came from a loaded family to have all the money to travel from there to China. Mikhail knew your family was a mess, neglectful parents and siblings, even his best friend, your brother, Robert, wasn’t any better when it came to this family.

Mikhail heard the front door opened, he glanced at the direction the sound came from, catching a glimpse of you coming back. Yes, you were homeschooling.

It was snowing outside.

“Where did you go?” He asked, sitting up from the couch.