The following Sunday was the day of my first Society meeting. When evening came and the time to head out to it grew closer, I took my time to get ready, then admired my reflection.

"Angelo, are you ready?"

"One moment!" I ran my comb through my gelled hair, smoothing down my usual curly locks. Once I finished, I put down the comb and winked at my reflection. Yessir, you're gonna stun those rich fuckers at the Society dinner!

I spritzed on perfume, then headed out of my room.

Max and Annie were already seated in the living room when I got down the stairs.

Clapping my hands together, I grinned. "Alright, I'm here, so let's go!. I'll be in the-"

"Halt!"

I frowned as Annie stood up and marched over to me. "What?"

"Do you really expect to go like this?"

Figures that's what she's riled up about.

I had on a hoodie and pair of skinny jeans, which were a far cry from the black dinner dress she wore and the suit that Max had on.

I groaned. "Yes. I see nothing wrong with that."

"Well, I do!"

I shrugged. "Unfortunate. Max, you coming?"

"Oh no you don't! You are not following us like that because guess what?" Annie smirked as she jabbed a finger at me. "The only way you're getting into that party is if we allow you. I'm not going to let you embarrass me by showing up like you just dropped by from some college party!"

"What? You can't do that! Max, tell her!"

Max didn't even turn away from the TV as he replied, "Sorry, Angelo, but the majority of the party attendees are snobs."

"Thank you, Max! It's good to know you can be on my side every once in a while!"

I narrowed my eyes at him." Yeah, thanks."

Catching my glare, he laughed. "If it makes you feel better, you should know that it doesn't matter if we get there a bit late. Thanks to my dear sister's prep time, we have a reputation for showing up fashionably-"

Annie hissed at him, "Max!"

"Hey, I didn't want to choose favorites in your quaffle!"

"You had to mention my prep time, even though I started an hour early today so that I set a good example by being punctual?"

"Is it really a good example if you were doing it just so that Angelo would have one less thing to use against you..."

I sighed softly. I should go change now. After all, as long as Max preoccupies Annie, there's less of a chance she would go fashion police on me.

. . .

When I got to my closet, I picked out a plain black blazer, white shirt, and black bow-tie. After I had changed, I wrinkled my nose at my reflection. Grimacing, I undid the top button of my shirt then loosened my tie.

Annie strode into my room, freezing once she saw me.

I sighed. "I know, I know. I look like an interesting, black version of Prince Charming."

"You look great!" Smiling, she walked over and began to straighten out my shirt. "I can hardly believe my eyes!"

My face warmed. "Thanks for the backhanded compliment. Really makes my night."

Backing away from me, she winked. "No problem! See what happens when you take my advice!"

"Whatever. Let's just get going."

. . .

When we got into the living room, Max's whistled as he looked at me. "Damn, you look sharp!"

Once again, my cheeks warmed. "Thanks," I mumbled.

"No problem. Don't forget this, by the way." Max tossed me my wallet.

Nodding, I caught it.

Annie sighed. "If only you invited a date-"

I rose an eyebrow at her. "You already got me in a suit, so don't push your luck!"

Max chuckled. "Actually, she was referring to me."

"No, I was talking to Angelo." Annie rolled her eyes at him. "I'm already resigned to the fact that you've set yourself against that rule."

I smirked. "Good, then you should have no problem accepting the fact that I'm doing the same as well!"

She muttered, "We'll see about that."

Oh no.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Annie, we better not be picking Aimee up."

"What? Of course not-"

Ding dong!

Turning away, I marched to the front door.

"Angelo, wait!"

Ignoring Annie's cries, I flung it open. "Annie made a mistake while inviting you..."

Aiden furrowed his brow, tugging at the cream jacket he had on. "So...I'm not meant to be here?"

"N-no, I thought you were someone-wait, what I said applies to you as well!"

"But-"

I slammed the door in his face.

Annie shoved me out of the way, then re-opened the door. "Sorry, Aiden, Angelo's a little...excited this evening."

Walking up behind Aiden, Aimee said, "You don't need to explain, Annie, we're all used to his attitude by now."

My eyes widened, then I glared at Annie. "I thought you said she wasn't coming!"

Annie steepled her fingers together. "Actually, I said we weren't going to pick her up, and we didn't!"

"You know that's not what I meant!"

Aimee folded her arms. "Wow. If I didn't know better, I'd think I wasn't wanted here."

I scoffed, "Believe me- what are you wearing?"

She had on a dark suit that closely resembled Max's.

She groaned. "There's no winning with you, is there? When I wore a dress to a formal dinner, you complained that I was adhering too much to society's expectations. Now that I decided to come in a suit, surprise surprise, you still have a problem with it!"

"I-" Well, she does have a point.

After a moment, I shrugged. "I don't have a problem with it. I was complaining because I know Annie is going to."

Annie shook her head. "Actually, I'm not going to. There's no specific dress code, after all."

Eyes widening, I glared at her once again. "And you made me change!"

"Of course I did, it's common sense that you should at least wear something formal! Besides, Aimee is your plus one, so there'll be less scrutiny aimed at her."

Max said, "Sorry to cut this conversation short, but we should go. There's no point in beating our own lateness record."

Aimee grabbed my hand with hers, yanking me forward. "Yes, let's get going!"

My wallet fell out of my trouser pocket, and its contents spilled out on the ground. My eyes widened as they landed on a particular object that I hadn't placed in there.

There was an awkward, then Aimee asked, "Romeo, why do you have a condom in your wallet?"

My face warmed. "Y-your guess is as good as mine!"

Grinning sheepishly, Max cleared his throat. "I placed it there. Annie told me that you were bringing a date...so, just in case-"

I spluttered, "Just in case of what? N-never mind, let's start going before it gets too late!" Without waiting for a response, I marched out of the door.

. . .

The venue, which was the city hall, was swarming with cops.

We had to hunt for a space to park in, and the eyes of a few foreign security guards followed us as we did. Our guards escorted us out of the car and up the steps of the big Greek-inspired building.

As we walked into the building, Aiden let out a breath. "Damn, there sure are a lot of security guarding the mayor's birthday party!"

"Are you den-"

Smiling tightly, Annie shot me a warning look. "Of course, the mayor has a lot of important friends who will be attending tonight."

I nodded slightly. So, even our dates aren't supposed to know the truth.

A long clothed table had replaced the rows of benches that usually sat in the city hall. A smaller table sat atop the stage in the front of the room. At the smaller table was where the Society leaders, the heads of the five families, sat.

"Come on," Max place his hand around my shoulder. "Now's a good a time as any to introduce you to my mother."

Annie frowned. "Now? Does he have to meet her?"

"Of course. We both know our mother will ask to meet him anyways."

"Fine." Annie sighed. "Aiden, Aimee, excuse us for a moment. Angelo, come with us."

A few people greeted Annie and Max as we walked by. Some attempted to talk to me, but I gave them short distant answers. The Asian woman we were approaching held my focus. So this is Annie and Max's mum. Mrs. Hanako.

Mrs. Hanako didn't have imposing physical attributes. She was a short woman with dark hair, glasses, a pale complexion, deep-set slitted eyes, and thin lips. Yet, there was an aura about her that radiated power.

Max smiled at her. "Good evening, mother."

She looked at him, away from the glass of champagne she held in her right hand. "Good evening, son." Her eyes narrowed when she saw Annie. "I take it you're the reason you both arrived late again?"

Annie bristled. "It's nice to see you again, mother."

Mrs. Hanako's eyes remained on Annie's for a while before she turned her attention to me.

I nodded. "Good evening, Mrs. Hanako."

"I'll prefer you to call me Madam, actually."

So much for first impressions.

"Of course. My apologies, Madam Hanako."

She glanced at Max. "I take it that this is the Smith boy? I understand why you've been hiding your cousin from me now. The manner he speaks is quite...interesting."

I smiled tightly. "Thank you. But, and please forgive me for saying this, there's a difference between a ward and a cousin."

Annoyance flashed in her eyes. "First of all, boy, I wasn't addressing you. Secondly, as much as I wish it isn't so, you do share blood with my children."