My Sister Stole My Killer Boyfriend

On the plane, James's friends were intensely curious about me and asked me a barrage of questions. We chatted about everything under the sun.

Suddenly, Ralph let out a scream. Poppy snapped at him irritably. "What are you doing?"

Ralph looked terrified. "There's thunder and lightning! What if it hits us? I don't want to die!"

One of James's friends laughed. "Relax, man. If the weather was really that bad, the plane wouldn't have taken off in the first place. Planes have lightning protection systems. You'll be fine, don't worry."

Poppy looked mortified. "This is so humiliating!"

Ralph, completely oblivious, just laughed it off. "Hey, it’s my first time flying. Cut me some slack."

A little while later, a flight attendant came by with the meal cart. Ralph perked up with interest. "Excuse me, how much for one of these meals?"

"Sir, meals are complimentary on this flight."

Ralph brightened and grabbed meals for all of us before asking, "Can I get two more? I eat a lot, and one serving won't be enough."

The flight attendant remained patient. "I'm sorry, sir. If there are extras after everyone's been served, I'll bring some over."

After she left, Ralph turned to Poppy enthusiastically. "That flight attendant was really nice. I'll ask her to bring you a blanket in a bit. I saw they have drinks too. They're probably free! Want one?"

Poppy's expression darkened. "Enough, Ralph. Can you stop acting as if you've never been anywhere before? Are you starving or something? Why do you need so many meals?"

Even someone as easygoing as Ralph understood that Poppy was embarrassed by his behavior. He deflated, and the atmosphere between them turned awkward.

James's friends jumped in to smooth things over and changed the subject. "Elisa, when we land in Capdo, James has a surprise for you!"

I knew what it was. James was planning to propose.

Sure enough, on the hot air balloon we got on shortly after landing, James got down on one knee. His eyes were full of tenderness. "Elisa, marry me."

James's friends cheered around us. Looking into his eyes, I almost believed I had found real happiness. However, Poppy suddenly rushed forward, shoved past me, and snatched the ring from James's hand before I could react.

James's expression darkened. He stared at Poppy coldly. "What are you doing?"

Poppy called Ralph over. "Ralph, you took that jewelry class in college, right? Is this diamond real?"

Ralph took the ring and examined it closely. "Wow, look at how clear this is! The clarity, the color… This is top tier! James, this ring must have cost a fortune, right?"

James did not respond, but his friends spoke up.

"Elisa, James went through a lot of trouble to get this ring at auction."

"Come on, you know James wouldn't give anyone a fake."

Ralph picked up on their sarcasm and quickly tried to defuse the situation. "No, no, we're not saying it's fake. Poppy just wanted me to see a real diamond up close. Don't take it the wrong way."

Poppy yanked the ring out of Ralph's hand and scrutinized it closely with wide eyes.

James's voice turned icy. "What? You still think it's fake?"

Poppy seemed to snap out of it. She reluctantly tossed the ring into my hand. "Lucky you."

I gave James an apologetic smile. "My sister is young and immature. Don't take it personally."

James smiled warmly at me, took the ring from my hand, and knelt down again. "Let me propose one more time. Elisa, I love you. Will you marry me?"

I nodded sweetly and let James slip the ring onto my finger.