LISA'S POV
After thinking for over an hour, I still had absolutely no idea how to crack the code. I bit my lower lip and stared at the journal once again, hoping that somehow, the answer would magically appear before my eyes.
I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, grumbled in frustration and eventually flung the journal onto the floor.
Just then, it hit me!
The perfect plan!
My eyes lit up, and a mischievous smile slowly spread across my face.
I quickly walked over to my drawer and pulled out my makeup kit. I took out the powder inside, then headed towards the door and picked up the journal.
Without wasting any more time, I left my room and made my way into their bedroom.
I glanced at the two figures lying peacefully on the bed.
I need to be quick and get out of here before either of them wakes up.
I approached the drawer that required a passcode and smiled.
Taking out the powder, I sprinkled some over the keypad before gently blowing away the excess. Some areas cleared, but faint traces of fingerprints remained on four particular numbers.
"Four... six... three... five..." I whispered, carefully examining the numbers.
A smile crept across my face.
I had definitely seen those numbers in Diego's journal.
Three... six... four... five.
I stared at the keypad for a moment, then carefully entered the code, my heart pounding with anticipation.
Please work!
A clicking sound followed.
My eyes widened in surprise.
I slowly pulled the drawer open, and a huge smile spread across my face.
"I did it!" I chanted excitedly.
Inside the drawer was a set of keys.
I picked them up, smiled triumphantly and carefully closed the drawer. I then cleaned the keypad thoroughly, making sure there were no traces of the powder left behind.
Just as I finished, I heard a slight movement behind me.
I turned towards the bed and noticed that the two sleeping figures were beginning to stir.
Oh, crap!
I quickly gathered my things and quietly slipped out of the room before either of them could fully wake up.
Once I got into my room, I shut the door and slumped onto the bed, a satisfied smile playing on my lips.
I never imagined that this particular skill would ever come in handy.
I had never really wanted to learn it, but Dad had insisted. He always told me that I could never predict when I might actually need it.
Well, he was right.
And I was glad I had finally listened to him.
"I've managed to find the key. Now I can finally open that mysterious room and discover what the hell that asshole has been hiding!" I muttered excitedly.
I remained on the bed for about thirty minutes before I heard a soft creaking sound.
I looked up and saw Mum entering my room.
I immediately sat upright.
She smiled at me and gestured for me to make room for her.
Okay... this is definitely strange, I thought.
I shifted slightly, and she sat beside me. She gently patted my head, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"You did a good job today, sweetheart. I hope this is how you'll continue behaving from now on," she said.
What the hell is wrong with her?
I wondered, but quickly plastered a fake smile on my face.
"I hope so too," I replied through gritted teeth.
"Your dad and I are going out for dinner later. Is there anything you'd like me to bring back for you?" she asked.
"Oh, no, Mum. Don't worry about me. I'm perfectly fine, and I don't need anything. I just hope you both have a wonderful time."
"Are you sure, sweetheart?"
"Yes, one hundred per cent," I replied.
"Well, alright then, if you say so."
She stood up and walked out of my room.
I watched her leave, then allowed a mischievous smile to creep across my face.
Everything is going according to plan. Your dirty secrets will be exposed tonight, Diego. Mum will finally discover what kind of person you really are, and she'll leave you for good.
Feeling satisfied with myself, I got up and headed towards the kitchen.
When I got there, I found Diego searching for something. God knows what he was looking for.
"Ummm... looking for something?" I asked, trying not to sound rude.
"You little devil! What the hell did you put in those cookies you made?" he growled, sounding like a hungry lion ready to pounce on its prey.
Honestly, I had never seen this side of Diego before. He had always appeared calm, composed and collected.
Not that I was scared of him. His little growling act didn't intimidate me in the slightest. I was simply surprised to discover that he had such a side to his personality.
Time to play the frightened little girl. I don't want him getting suspicious, I thought, suppressing a smirk.
I flinched dramatically and took a few steps backwards.
"What are you talking about? What's wrong with me preparing lunch for you and Mum? How could you possibly accuse me of putting something in the cookies? I ate the remaining cookies, and nothing happened to me! I even drank the orange juice you both left behind!" I protested, putting on my best innocent expression.
"Oh, cut the nonsense! How do you explain the fact that we woke up in our bedroom?" he demanded, raising his voice.
"You went to your bedroom yourselves! You called me into the dining area, thanked me for the food and then said you were feeling sleepy. After that, you both went to bed! Do you honestly expect me to believe that I drugged the cookies and then carried both of you to your room? Wow! I must have superhuman strength! I'm only sixteen, for goodness' sake!" I yelled, sounding increasingly offended.
Although, deep down, I was thoroughly amused by the whole situation.
"What's going on here?" Mum asked as she walked into the kitchen.
Diego immediately grabbed her hand and led her out of the kitchen.
"Nothing, honey. Come on, let's go and get dressed," he said, turning around to shoot me a warning glare.
Nice to know you still have a brain, Diego. I'm glad you're both going out. At least I'll be able to carry out my plans without any interruptions.
I smiled inwardly and walked out of the kitchen.
LATER THAT EVENING
A few hours later, they finally left the house.
I waited another fifteen minutes just to make sure they were really gone and wouldn't suddenly return.
Once I was certain the coast was clear, I made my way into their bedroom.
Just as I had expected, Diego had changed the passcode.
I smiled and brought out my powder.
Time to work my magic!
What felt like an eternity was actually just thirty seconds before I finally managed to open the drawer and retrieve the key.
I stared at it, a mischievous smile spreading across my face.
Let's find out what you've been hiding, Diego.
With that thought, I headed towards the basement and stopped in front of the mysterious locked room.
I inserted the key into the lock.
Click!
The door unlocked.
I slowly pushed it open and stepped inside.
The room was completely dark. I stretched my hand towards the wall, searching for the light switch. After a few seconds, I found it and flipped it on.
The room was suddenly flooded with light.
I looked around.
It appeared to be an old room, almost like a dungeon or some kind of secret chamber.
Something about the atmosphere felt terribly unsettling, and I didn't like it one bit.
However, I had no time to admire the room's interior or investigate its strange appearance. I hadn't come here for sightseeing. I had a mission, and I needed to get it done quickly.
I began searching through some old files, flipping through one document after another.
Unfortunately, nothing seemed useful.
My frustration grew with every useless piece of paper I came across.
"Seriously? What exactly am I supposed to find in all this rubbish?" I muttered angrily.
I grabbed another document, skimmed through it and tossed it aside.
Just as I was about to give up, my eyes caught sight of a particular headline.
I paused.
Something about it immediately caught my attention.
I leaned closer and read it again.
My eyes widened slightly.
What the hell is this?
This was definitely not what I had expected to find.