Aimee stuttered, "W-wait, what? Brother?"

I smirked. "Yes, brothers. Though not by blood, obviously."

"Oh. Wait, you said that just to be dramatic, didn't you?"

I mockingly gasped. "'Just to be dramatic?' Never! I was trying to help you understand the bond that Dylan and I-"

She cut me off. "Hmm, you know what? How about you spare me a load of bull and just get on with your story?"

I fell silent.

After a few moments, Aimee narrowed her eyes. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Get on with your story!"

"Oh, that. Okay."

There was another stretch of silence between us.

Massaging her temples, Aimee growled, "Are you trying to get me mad?"

"No, I'm waiting for my apology. You know, the one you owe me for calling my story a load of bull.'"

"Wh-For goodness' sake, grow up!"

"I'll get right on that, though I don't see how it increases your chances of getting an answer from me. Now, until you're ready to give me what I want, I'm going to play video games."

Aimee groaned. "Fine, I'm sorry!"

I smirked.

She added, "Not because I'm admitting defeat! I just want to be mature, which is clearly something you can't relate to!"

"Hey," I winked at her, "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

She huffed. "Whatever. Continue your story."

Still smirking, I nodded. "Dylan and I were very tight when we were younger. Like, really tight. I don't think there was anyone else that knew us like we knew each other. Hanging out with him was really fun." I snickered as an image of teenage Annie screaming at the top of her lungs flashed in my mind's eye. "The pranks we used to pull were legendary."

"Wow," Aimee breathed. "If you both were so close, then what drove you apart?"

The bright collections of memories that had begun swirling around my mind darkened. "Oh, you know how it goes. You enter middle school, find new popular friends, and dump your old ones."

Aimee grinned. "Wow, wasn't that a bit harsh of you to do?"

I glared at her. "Please, don't insult me by claiming I would do something like that."

Aimee flushed. "Sorry. Guess I sort of assumed you always carried around that label of popular, rich, jackass all your life."

Does she even know how to give a proper apology?

Still, I replied, "Contrary to your opinion, I wasn't always-"

"A popular rich jackass?"

I rolled my eyes. "I was going to say me."

Despite myself, I smiled. "Anyways, in elementary school, I didn't notice any social divisions within Bloomsby. I was that kid who had an unfortunate amount of fat and a mind far beyond his years-"

"-so, even then, you acted like someone's grandfather."

"I'm sorry, would you like to take over the story, Miss Jacques, Queen of the caves?"

Grinning, she shook her head. "No, no, please, don't let me stop-Queen of the caves?"

I feigned an innocent look. "Isn't that were you trolls live? If it isn't, I'm sorry for triggering you."

"Oh, I get it," She rolled her eyes. "Haha, now can you go on with the story, Mr. Smith, Queen of clap backs?"

"No-queen?"

She batted her eyelashes at me. "Oh, is that wrong? If it is, sorry for triggering you!"

I scowled. "Dylan became a dick, so here we are today. Now, moving on, how about you we talk about that little stunt you pulled on Friday?"

The smug look fell off her face, and she crossed her arms. "If you're about to tell me what I did was wrong-"

I scoffed. "Wow, I'm insulted you'll assume such. I'm just wondering why you didn't tell me what you were planning."

She relaxed. "Oh, okay. Honestly, I hadn't thought of the plan until that afternoon. In fact, things didn't even go as planned. I planned to make Serena's statement."

"If that's the case, then why did you attack her? Not that I'm complaining, by the way."

"Because that bitch has been coming for me since I arrived at Bloomsby, that's why," Aimee huffed. "Anyways, let's not focus on Dylan the dickhead or Serena the Sadist anymore. We still have a play to-"

Screaming cut through the air, interrupting her.

Wincing, Aimee cried, "What the fuck is that?"

"Oh, looks like I've got a call." Reaching into my pocket, I brought out my phone.

"That's your ringtone?"

"I know, right? You wish you had a mind like mine!"

"Actually-"

I placed a finger on my lips as I swiped my thumb across my screen, placing the phone near my ear. "Hello-"

Annie cut me off. "Angelo! You're home now, right?"

I sighed. "Good afternoon to you as well, Ann."

"What? Oh yeah, same, but are you home?"

Puzzled at the excited tone of her voice, I replied, "Yes, but-"

"Great! I'll see you in about ten minutes! I have a surprise for you!"

My blood ran cold.

I shouted, "Wait, what are you talking about?"

She hung up.

Gritting my teeth together, I shoved my phone into my pocket, then said to Aimee, "Hold that thought, we need to leave."

She frowned. "What? Why?"

Taking great strides, I walked over to the spot where my backpack sat on the floor. "Annie has a surprise. Trust me when I say that we do not want to be here when she reveals it."

"Speak for yourself, I don't think it'd be that bad."

I was about to correct her, then paused. She probably wouldn't mind it. Crazy likes to flock together, after all.

So instead, I took a different approach. "Well, good for you. But I'm not waiting here to find out, so I guess you better prepare to rehearse the play with Annie when she arrives."

Turning around, I headed to the front door.

Not long after, Aimee followed me. "Where are we even going?"

Opening the door, I stepped outside. "I don't know, the mall? The park? I'll figure it out on our way."

She said, "Or, I can choose our destination. I have a babysitting job scheduled for six pm, but I guess I can arrive there early. I'll just have to send out notification while we wait for our uber."

Pausing in my movements, I looked back and raised an eyebrow at her. "Uber? I don't remember telling you Tony got fired."

She looked up from her phone and furrowed her brow. "Tony?"

"My head of security and personal driver."

"Oh. In that case, let Tony rest. I'm sure he's stressed enough as it is."

"I shouldn't let him do what he's being paid for? Are you serious? I can't leave without security!"

Aimee frowned. "Why not?"

I gritted my teeth. Do you understand the weight of my family name?

After a few moments, Aimee smirked. "Aww, does wittle Angelo need someone to hold his hand?"

"Shut up," I growled. "Forget I said anything."

I'll be fine...there isn't much of a chance of anything bad happening. Besides, I can defend myself...I'll be fine.

Aimee frowned. "Fine. But if you call Tony, I'm not leaving."

Clenching my fists, I glared at her. Why are you being so stubborn?

She met my gaze head-on.

"Fine," I spat. "But if Ann arrives before your uber does, it'll be on your head!"

. . .

The uber arrived before Annie did. I bustled Aimee into it as soon as it stopped moving, despite her protests about wanting to grab a quick snack.

When we began heading down the road, my shoulders relaxed. Sighing, I asked Aimee, "So, where is the house, anyway?"

She glared at me. "Oh, so now you want to talk?"

Grinning, I nudged her. "Aww, don't be so grumpy! I know you're hungry, but take this as a learning experience. At least now you know the importance of listening to me."

"There's a difference between my situation now and yours when you ate! Unlike you, I didn't eat lunch!"

"And that's my fault because..."

"Ugh, never mind!"

My grin widened as Aimee folded her arms and faced the window, away from me. "Good. Now, about that question I was asking earlier-"

"Faircrew!"

I let out a little grunt of appreciation. Faircrew? That's one of the priciest neighborhoods in Bloomsby if I'm not mistaken.

Aimee faced me. "Anyway, since we're asking questions, I probably should ask you about this rumor I've been hearing involving you and some girl named Cassie..."

Ah.

I asked casually, "Oh, what about it?"

"Well...I heard she was already in a relationship..."

"Yeah, that's about right."

Aimee's eyes widened. "Wait, you're just admitting it?"

I shrugged.

"Wow. Suddenly, the nickname you've been given makes so much sense."

I grinned. "What is it?"

"The Anaconda."

"The Anaconda," I repeated. "Angelo the Anaconda. I like it."

Rolling her eyes, Aimee looked at her phone. "Of course, you would."

"Don't get me wrong, I get that it's meant to say that I'm untrustworthy-"

She looked back at me. "Wait, is that what you think they mean?"

"What else could it mean?"

"That you have a big dick."

My jaw dropped.

After a moment, I stammered, "Wh-what?"

Aimee rolled her eyes. "Some people think that your dick size is the reason why you were able to seduce Cassie and me."

Well, damn!

Aimee sighed. "What? Is it really that hard to comprehend?"

Shaking my head, I smirked. "No, but it's good to know that my big boy seduced you."

"Wh-" Her eyes widened. "N-no, I obviously don't mean that you seduced me!"

"Really?"

"Y-yes! I was just repeating what other people said!"

"You sure you haven't taken a few peeks-"

"Screw you! That's the end of any conversation we're going to have, till we're reading Shakespeare!"

"Aww, come on, you don't have to-"

She pulled out wireless earbuds from her pockets and placed them in her ears. The faint sound of beats floated in the air shortly after.

. . .

When we arrived at Faircrew, Aimee had to give the security code before they let us through the security gate. Five minutes after that, we arrived at our destination.

It wasn't so huge compared to some of the other mansions, but it was beautiful. Multicolored stones were set in its walls, sparkling in the sunlight.

Stepping out of the uber, I whistled. "This place is beautiful."

Following after me, Aimee said, "Yeah, the first time I saw it, I was amazed as well."

"I hope they're paying you-"

A deep male voice interrupted me. "Welcome back, Aimee."

It had come from a man standing in front of the gate. He was muscular, but not burly, and had a light spray of dark hair spread across his chin. He looked like he was from somewhere in East Asia.

I nodded at him. "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon to you too." His dark eyes narrowed as they scrutinized me for a short while. "Could I have a word, please?"

Aimee cleared her throat. "Uh, it-it's alright. I invited him, Mr. Frey."

Mr. Frey's lips curled slightly downwards as he looked at her. "Your father wouldn't be too happy with that."

Wait, what?

"I know, but...I-I trust him. Please don't say anything, this is a one-time thing, I swear."

I frowned. "Father? Aimee, what is he talking about?"

Mr. Frey's frown deepened. "He doesn't even know?"

Aimee laughed nervously. "What? Of course, he does! Tell him, Angelo, haven't I already told you that my father is Mr. Machiavelli?"