I'm fine.

"W-wait don't go." Matthew's teeth chattered as he dragged Andrew's shirt. "It's too dangerous." He whispered.

"I must. He needs me." Andrew shook his head, "Anyways take care of things down here. Get everyone inorder and help Mr. Joseph." Andrew ordered before making his way up the stairs.

******

******

As Andrew made his way up the stairs, he knew deep down that there was no cause for alarm. He reassured himself.

Andrew had nothing but adoration for his boss. It was through working with Ethan that he got a decent exposure to the lifestyle of the rich. All expensed paid vacations, exotic sceneries, luxurious properties, diverse topographies and ethnicities; Andrew had knowledge of all this through Ethan. Infact, his college programm was being fully funded by his boss. Ethan always treated Andrew like a little brother. Sometimes, with the way they acted around each other; the line between strictly employer-employee relations and casual family members got blurred.

Ethan knew everything about Andrew. On the flip side however, Andrew only knew Ethan on a superficial level -- he desired to know more. But Ethan, he was just too good at pushing people away. That was all he ever did.

*KNOCK* "Sir it's me, Andrew. Please open up." *KNOCK* "Sir please if you don't open up I'll have to come inside." He appealed once more. No response. Andrew sighed, he began to unlock the door with the spare key Ethan had entrusted into his care. He was the only person apart from Ethan who had access to his room and private study. Andrew knew he had nothing to fear from his boss, however, he just could not understand the motive behind everyone apprehensiveness. It was wise to be on guard.

"I'm coming in." Andrew announced as he pushed against the wooden double door. "Sir!" Andrew immediately rushed inside the room. "Are you alright Sir?" He enquired as he gently held his boss's arm in an attempt to raise him. "What happened?" Andrew's voice cracked. Concern and regret plastered on his face.

"What took you so long?" Ethan slurred.

******

******

'YOU GOT LUCKY TODAY YOU OLD GEEZER!!'

I screamed internally. I was in a fit. Everyone around me suddenly felt like a nuisance. I turned around, pushing my way through the maids that had gathered in the kitchen. I fisted my hands as I made my way upstairs. I locked the door behind me.

Alone in my room, i felt strange, like i had done something wrong. But that didn't matter. All my body craved at that point was more alcohol. I indulged myself. I had a secret compartment behind a large portrait which hung on the wall adjacent to my bathroom. From behind the portrait, i pulled out a chilled bottle of liquor. Without thinking twice, i gulped it down. Halfway through however, my body felt like a mess. Suddenly i felt nauseous.

The floor and ceiling above me spun in unison, it was hard to keep track of anything with the way my environment moved around on its own. My feet felt nimble and i struggled to keep myself up. I started gagging involuntary and before long, i found myself on the floor of my bathroom -- holding onto my toilet seat, puking my guts out.

After i somehow regained hold of myself, i found out my legs had given up. Without being left with any other option, i dragged my body across the bathroom floor until I entered my room and stopped at my bedpost. I gave up. There i laid, alone like i always had been. I was about to fall asleep when I heard a familiar voice.

"Sir!" It was Andrew.

"Are you alright Sir?" He cared about me. The thought of that made me feel warm for some reason, like the coldness that surrounded me had suddenly dispersed.

"What happened?"He asked once more. What actually happened to me? I tried to recollect but everything was fogged up. The harder i tried to remember, the greater my headache. I groaned inwardly.

"What took you so long?" After asking that, i slept off.

******

******

Andrew was able to get his boss cleaned up before, with the help of Matthew, they tucked him in bed. It took about an extra hour before things finally settled down in Ethan's mansion. Thankfully, Joseph recuperated just fine. He was extremely grateful to Andrew for his proper handling of damage control while he was resting from his confrontation with Ethan. After seeing to it that everything was in order, Andrew left.

It was passed one thirty as Andrew walked down the street to the place where he left his sister. "Thank you." He thanked the stand owner who had graciously covered his sister with a thick blanket as she was fast asleep on a bench the stand owner had provided her with.

'She should have just gone home.' Andrew thought with a sigh as he lifted his sleeping sister unto his back. He paid the stand owner for the two bowls of chicken noodle soup which his sister consumed while he was away. Andrew also gave the stand owner a little extra for taking good care of his sister -- even though he never asked him to. It was difficult, but Andrew carried his sister for about a stretch of the street before he found a taxi that took them home.

"What tha?" Annie yawned and stretched as she woke up. "What's that smell." Though her eyes were still heavy, her nose was extremely active as she sniffed to locate the source of the appealing aroma.

"Good morning." Andrew emerged from the kitchen -- an apron round his waist and a coffee mug in his hand. "This is for you." He dropped the coffee mug on the table Infront of the couch his sister laid on.

"What am I doing here? Why didn't you just carry me to my room?" Annie lifted her upper body off the couch. She folded her legs as she picked up the coffee mug. "Thanks." She sipped.

"You're welcome." Andrew smiled as he sat on a chair opposite to his sister. "Did you have a good nap?" He asked sarcastically.

"Don't start." Annie warned with a glare.

"I mean..." Andrew shrugged. "If you were just going to sleep off, you could have just come home."

"How was i supposed to know you'd be gone for almost two hours!"

"How was i! Supposed to know I'd have to handle damage control at my boss's mansion?!"

"Damage control?" Annie paused, she dropped the coffee mug on the table then began to examine her brother's facial expression. "What do you mean?" She stated slowly.

"N-nothing." Andrew stuttered. He cursed inwardly. Why did he have to reveal that. Now he had to start this with Annie all over again.

"Andrew talk to me. Now."

"We-Well, my boss got a little-".

"Drunk? Again?" Annie inquired, disgust evident in her tone.

"Pft, well yea. I mean it's not a big deal." Andrew waved it off. He knew all to well were his sister was headed. This wasn't the first time they've had this conversation.

"Oh my goodness. Andrew!" Annie got up. A crease formed on her forehead as she paced back and forth. "Andrew I've told you this before. QUIT YOUR JOB! That man isn't good for you. He isn't a good influence-."

"My boss is a good man!" Andrew defended. He got up and raised his voice as well. He had to drive home his point. "He's just a little misguided."

"Misguided? You call THAT! Misguided?Andrew the man is a freaking alcoholic. All he does is get drunk and mess up, leaving you to handle his shit-".

"That's my job Annie." Andrew cut in again.

"Job? You call that a job? Your 'boss' is violent and rude and so full of himself -."

"He has problems Annie, just like the rest of us."

"Wow!" Annie couldn't believe it. Why was her brother defending this man so much?! Since he started working for his boss, it has been one from one problem to another. Andrew had to work so much harder just to keep up with his brute of a boss. Her brother was changing. The Andrew she knew would have never opposed her this way. 'Why?' 'WHY?!'

"It's because of her is isn't it?" Annie asked. Tears filling in eyes.

"Because of who?" A deeper crease had formed on Andrew's forehead. He was sick of his sister always treating him like a kid. Like he couldn't take care of himself.

"Maria." Annie's voice cracked. "You're defending him because of Maria. You don't love your boss, you need an excuse to keep seeing his wife!" She yelled.

"Don't you DARE go there!"

Annie slowly shook her head." I can't believe it. Y-you're not even trying to deny it-."

"What do you WANT me to say?!" Andrew yelled, tears streaming down his face. "Do you want me to say yes? Hm? Do you want me to admit that i foolishly fell for my boss's wife? Or do you want me to lie to you! And tell you that my favourite part of work isn't when she comes to visit." Andrew fell to the floor. He dragged his hair as he wailed. "I can't help it. I can't help it if I love her Annie." He looked up to his sister who stood above him. "YOU of all people should UNDERSTAND that!!" He spat.

"Don't. you. daRE." Annie warned through her gritted teeth. Her chest completely soaked in tears. A pain arose in her heart -- jabbing it till it bled. She bit her lips and fisted her hands. Annie raised her head. She stared at the ceiling to prevent more tears from flowing down her red cheeks. Holding in the pain, Annie paid one last look to her brother before heading up the stairs in silence.

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*DING* The toaster chimed. Breakfast was ready.