Annie deflated, then brightened once again. "So...anything special planned for today?"

"Nope. You can just send my birthday money to my account. Speaking of which, can you increase it from 10K to 20? Since I'm 18 now, I mean."

"Sure, but do you really have nothing else planned? Don't you want to celebrate in some way?"

"Actually, I do have something planned." Opening the fridge door, I reached inside and grabbed a bowl of fruit salad. "I'm going on a date."

Annie shrieked, accidentally spilling water from her glass. "Oh my god, for real? Who is she? Do I know her?"

I smirked. "Well-"

"Is she Aimee?"

"What? No! I was talking about my date with the television!"

"Oh."

I choked. "I mean-how could you-wow!"

Annie's replied, "Well, you should have said so at first!"

"You shouldn't have been so up in my business in the first place!"

"I-I'm your guardian, it's my job to be up in your business!"

"Oh, is that a fact?" I scoffed. "Fine then, since you can be all up in my business, I can be all up in yours. Why don't we speak some more about your engagement with Aiden?"

Annie's mouth dropped open, not letting out any sound as we both glared at each other.

After a bit, she looked away. "M-mind your own business!"

She threw back her chair and marched past me, avoiding my eyes.

. . .

True to my word, I spent my day playing video games and watching shows. Sometime during it, I received a message from someone I hadn't been expecting:

'Wildling'

My heart sped up as I clicked on it.

It read: Be at school before the first period on Monday. I need to talk to you.

I replied: I'm free to talk now.

After I sent the message, I realized something. Aimee sent her message only three minutes ago. Fuck, I replied too quick!

I sighed. Oh well, at least she doesn't know my usual texting patterns.

Aimee came online, then began typing.

After ages, she replied: See you on Monday.

I frowned. What do you mean?

She replied: I mean, I'm not going to tell you now.

I groaned. I see. May I know why?

Wildling: Sure. Ask me again when we meet on Monday.

Groaning once again, I dropped my phone and turned my attention back to the TV.

. . .

Sometime around 9 pm, Annie swaggered into the room, smiling. "Guess what time it is?"

I sighed. "Time for bed, apparently, since you're coming in here."

"I know you're trying to trigger me, but it's not going to work." Looking back, she called, "Pierre, get in here!"

A few seconds later, he did, wheeling in a tray. "I should be home by now," he grumbled.

"Stop complaining, it's not like I'm not paying you overtime!" Taking the cake off the tray, Annie walked to me. "Did you really think I'd let you turn 18 and not even get you a cake?"

My heart warmed as I looked down at the cake. Dark chocolate covered it, marked with icing spelling Happy birthday.

Without looking up, I held out my hand. "Knife."

Annie said, "You're not cutting anything before we sing-"

"No!" Groaning, I dropped onto the couch.

Annie smirked. "Oh, yes!"

"This really is not necessary."

"It's not unnecessary, either."

"How can something not be necessary, but not be unnecessary at the same-"

I froze when the front door slammed. One glance into Annie's eyes told me she was thinking about what I feared she was. "Annie, don't-"

Smirking, she called, "Max, get in here!"

"Ugh!"

A few seconds later, Max poked his head into the room. "What's up, Ann?"

Annie looked at him. "Please, come in! We were just about to sing Angelo 'Happy-"

I jerked my head off the couch. "No, we weren't!"

"It's his birthday?" Max walked into the room, dressed in formal clothes. Running his hands through his hair, he groaned. "Fuck, I forgot. I'm so sorry, Angelo."

I shook my head. "It's cool. In fact, I'd much prefer it if your sister had followed your-"

Aimee yelled, "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday-"

I cried, "Fuck!"

I had to endure a full-length birthday song, a few hip-hip hoorays, and a 'blow out your candles' (Annie had some in her pocket.) After that, Annie had pictures taken of us.

Max excused himself after, yawning and waving us goodnight as he walked out of the room. Annie left as well soon after that.

Sighing, I smiled to myself as I settled on the couch and began to eat cake.

. . .

As I sat polishing off the last crumbs of my slice of cake, Annie burst into the room.

I yelped, "Chill, where's the fire?"

Rushing to me, she exclaimed, "I just remembered why I was so shocked when you told me that Aimee is Machiavelli's daughter!"

"Okay. Why?"

"Well, if she really is, then she's meant to be dead."