26 Can'st Judge a Book by its Cover

"Rose, time to wake up," the earlybird said, shaking her sleepy roommate by the arm. "You need to get ready or we'll be late."

The birthday girl yawned before sliding off her bed like a slug, wiping the floors with her tank top and shorts. "Am I twenty-one already?"

"Happy 21st Birthday Rose," Lyra's sweet voice called as the birthday girl sauntered out of the room, eyes barely open, but still produced a sunshine smile.

"Thanks Ly!" she replied with her eyes still closed. She maintained that same state as she went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, changed her clothes, and ate brekky.

Lyra looked upon her sleep-deprived roomie before offering a pitiful sigh. "You sure you don't want to just sleep in?"

"Positive!" Rose exclaimed, though she didn't even make the effort to open her eyes while walking out the door. She was saving up all the eye power she could get because today was going to be a long day for everyone.

Outside, the sun was still getting ready to rise, but Kurtis wasn't. He was already parked right in front of the flower shop with his arms crossed and leaning on his car.

"Happy 21st to my favorite cousin," he said, tossing a tiny manila envelope to Rose before opening the door for them to get in.

Rose fell asleep only a minute after getting into the car and cozying herself up in the back, preferring the leg room of two seats. She was out like a baby, but no one cared to wake her. After all, the drive to the helicopter was still some hours away.

"She go clubbing again yesterday?" Kurtis asked Lyra who was sitting on the passenger seat next to him.

"Yeah," she answered. "Antoine wanted to check out the clubs down here and I think she brought him to three different ones."

Kurtis rolled his eyes. "Party animals."

Lyra let out a harmonious laugh. "Says the former party king."

Her brother-in-law then began giving her a long lecture about the difference between his going out and Rose's insane partying. In his defense, he was garnering partners and potential sponsors for his racing career. You don't just rise in the ranks without a little extra footwork here and there.

"So you're saying you'd rather not attend if you didn't have to?"

"No, not exactly," Kurtis replied. "I'm just saying I attend for more than the usual reasons I get credit for."

"Uh-huh…" the sister-in-law says doubtingly.

"Oh come on!" the driver said. "What do you take me for?"

"This century's ultimate playboy," the passenger answer mercilessly. "You have an entire magazine article dedicated to you for just that."

"Don't ever trust publicity Lyra," the older guy suddenly went into lecture mode again. "It can ruin you."

For some reason, whenever Kurtis bestowed some kind of advice for her, it felt like there is a story behind it. But this time, she knew better than to ask.

If anything, Lyra felt she was doing a pretty good job maintaining friendly relations with her in-law. Originally she wanted to avoid moments like these when they would be left alone, but since it was Rose's birthday, she made it an exception.

Kurtis didn't seem to bear any ill-will and seemed to have forgotten the previous incidents all together. Lyra also acted as if nothing happened. There was a mutual, but silent consensus and that was how things kind of always worked out between them.

"Angela's not coming?" the twin asked, striking down any chances of silence creeping in.

The husband clicked his tongue. "She went there ahead of me and is already at the spa. You and Rose are welcome to join her later on."

Silence was waiting eagerly to jump on, but Kurtis made his efforts.

"Antoine can't make it?"

"He partied too hard with Rose yesterday," Lyra revealed with a snort. "Got a call from the hotel staff saying he went skinny dipping in the pool before being escorted back to his room yesterday."

"I guess we can't judge a book by its cover," Kurtis commented, not batting an eyelash while keeping his eyes on the road.

Lyra crossing her arms and lifted an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?" The girl sounded slightly offended.

"Nothing," the driver answered nonchalantly.

"What, you don't like him?"

Kurtis shook his head. "No not at all. He just seems more like those…hm…shy on the outside but actually wild inside…" He made some extra hand gestures to think of the word. "Lover boys?"

And then there was a sudden chill and silence engulfed them. That was when brother-in-law got the hint that he may have stepped on the wrong foot.