What the Key Revealed

Richard was in the kitchen, cooking noodles, when the doorbell rang. He jumped in surprise.

"Who is it?" he called out.

Claudia stirred, annoyed, rolling over in bed.

"Is it the delivery? That was quick."

"I'll go check."

Richard turned off the stove and, wearing only a pair of boxers, went to the door.

He peeked through the peephole—and instantly went pale, as if his soul had fled.

Outside, a crowd of a dozen or more people had gathered, chatting and laughing.

"What… what's going on?! Why are they here?!" His legs went weak, his face drained of color.

"What's wrong, Richard? Who's here?" Claudia asked, rubbing her eyes and stepping out in her robe.

"Quick! Hide!" Richard hissed, shoving her toward the bedroom. "My parents and my friends are here… and a bunch of others!"

"What?!" Claudia sat up, fully awake. "Where… where do I hide?"

"The master bedroom! Lock the door! Don't make a sound!"

He shoved her into the bedroom, too flustered even to clean up the compromising traces in the living room.

The doorbell rang again, more urgently this time.

"Richard? Open the door! Why aren't you answering?" My mother's voice carried clearly.

"Is he still sleeping in?" my mother-in-law added.

Richard's legs buckled. He braced himself against the door and turned to the bedroom, whispering fiercely, "Hurry! Get dressed! Hide!"

Inside the bedroom, chaos ensued.

Richard was drenched in sweat, unsure whether to open the door, when I stepped out of the elevator.

"Dad, Mom, why are you standing out here? Where's Richard? Why won't he open the door?"

Everyone stepped aside when they saw me.

"I don't know… he's dragging his feet," my mother-in-law complained.

I reached for the door and unlocked it with my fingerprint.

Click.

The lock disengaged.

The door opened halfway and Richard barreled into it, blocking my path.

"H-Honey? You're… back?" His voice shook despite his attempt at calm.

"I came back early to give you a surprise!" I said cheerfully, pushing the door harder.

"No… it's just… the place is such a mess! Really messy!" Richard stammered. "Give me ten minutes… no, five! I'll clean up!"

"Clean up? They're family—what's the big deal?"

My mother-in-law, impatient, joined me in pushing the door.

"Exactly, Richard! Don't tell me you're trying to hide wine and cigarettes from us?"

Richard's friends outside jeered in agreement.

One man alone couldn't stand against so many.

The door swung open.

Richard collapsed onto the floor, half-naked, wearing only boxers.

Everyone surged inside.

The living room was a disaster.

Claudia's stockings were draped across the sofa, half-eaten snacks and red wine glasses cluttered the coffee table, and tissues were scattered across the floor. The air was thick with an almost tangible scent of decadence.

"Oh my God! Was the house robbed?!" my mother-in-law exclaimed, frozen in shock.

Richard scrambled to his feet, pale, stammering explanations.

"N-no… it wasn't robbed. Yesterday… I was home alone, drinking… and… didn't have time to clean up."

"Alone? Drinking?" I scoffed, walking to the sofa and picking up a black lace piece of lingerie.

It was the one Claudia had worn yesterday.

Holding the tiny garment up in front of him, I stared at his sweat-drenched, panicked face.

"Honey… you were home alone, drinking, and… wearing this?"