3 Prim And Proper.

No"

His brows knotted in confusion, then it gradually registered. I stared down grudgingly at the current object of dispute. it was The sleek red jacket I'd saved for Christmas that year.

"No?"

"Yes no," I said in anger this time. The nerve of him!. The ugly fact that he'd taken my room and exchange almost all of his filthy rags with my good clothes still didn't bug him. He'd Stumbled on the sweater during one of his many searchings in my room; a habit I greatly detested since I seldomly went through his things finding it carefully folded at the hem of my pillow. it was the last gift my parents gave me and it was big at that time.

"Let's settle this amicably. like matured brothers" he grinned wickedly. Vehemently shaking my Head I replied.

"There's nothing to discuss. I wouldn't give you that sweater even if you beg till Dawn. it's my Christmas gift and my parents gave it to me"

He caught my arm, sinking his fingers into my flesh deeply. I yelped and thrust his arm away examining the bruises. they weren't that serious.

Great. first I lost my money and now this?

Could this day get any better?

"Feel the pain?" He chuckled wickedly, increasing the tempo at the sight of my tears. Pushing past him, I barged into the basement which had been my habitat since my parents died. I had made it neat like I wanted it to be but currently, it was in a tragic mess. Tiberius had turned the whole place upside down, my ancient bedside lamp was hanging by the window, my carpet was scrupled, there we're handprints on the walls and my box lay sprawled at a corner, clothes thrown here and there, littering the whole room. My beddings had been torn in several places and my books torn were all ripped into bits and pieces.

I flung my duffel bag to a corner, getting the place more livable like it was before. It was so typical of Tiberius to cause me extra pain when desperately in need of something. As for the sweater, it was already his. I saw that familiar glint in those wicked orbs when he sunk his nails into my arm. It told of trouble, and instead of waiting to find out just what it would turn out to be, I was prepared to let him have the sweater so there would be peace. Aunt Lindsey was more than ready to burn up the sweater instead of letting me wear it.

With the room back to its normal state, I proceeded to sew the torn beddings. They were old and worn out but extremely expensive and the very fact that it'd been used by my parents still left me holding on to it, instead of tossing it into the bin. With that done, I piled up the ripped up pages of my stolen paperback romance stories from Lindsey, aside from the ones she had begrudgingly given me. Well, at least I could thank Tiberius for ripping them up because I'd been looking for an excuse to go to the supermarket to get new ones. I'd go grocery shopping tomorrow from school. It was the beginning of the month and all I had to do was get the budget of what we'd need for the whole month.

With that done, I did the laundry, together with lunch. Feeling exhausted, I read a novel about warlords and magical dragons that I'd borrowed from Lisa earlier today. Lindsey spent all afternoon in her room, doing nothing but checking out the few clothes supply she could have done the whole week. Once or twice I heard her speak to someone on the phone, screaming that the turnover wasn't worth anything and accusing them of stealing her clothes. She dealt with clothes supply and sales, distribution, etc. She also had a small mall, which she left in charge of some girl she called her sister. It'd been long I went there but I could tell she was doing fairly well.

Tiberius stayed out of my way the whole afternoon, except when he came to tell me that Lindsey needed some cake. Knowing perfectly well that he was the same one I had wholeheartedly helped last night to sneak in the last bit of chocolate cake he had requested for a midnight snack, I was still willing to put things together for a fresh new cake, though it would take time.

"What's with you orphan, I've been standing here for seconds now and you haven't said a word to me. Are you daydreaming? "

I stood up weighing my options, turning them about to know which would work within a few minute's paces. He yanked my ear painfully, making me snap out of my daze.

"Did you hear me little imp? Mother has requested for some cake and wants it in an hour" sneering down at me, he spat out repulsively. "And you and I know you can't make a cake within that time-space. You'll have to suck it up and receive a beating"

"I trust I'll find a way Tiberius," I said bravely, though I had no damn idea how a miracle as such could take place in an hour. Well, I have had some environmental factors to my advantage; we had a power supply. And judging by an old recipe of mum I should be done in no time.

Throwing on an apron, I slipped my cap on and brought out my ingredients. Some butter from my last carving and steaming. Leftover brown sugar, eggs, alcohol, and chocolate. Mixing the vanilla essence together with the milk powder, I cut the chocolate pack open and spread it evenly on little sized cake pans. The rest was put into a bowl and mixed with butter and sugar. Plugging in the cake mixer, I threw in some flour together with mixed eggs and fruit. With those thoroughly mixed, I added alcohol and put it into the mixer. Twenty minutes later, I was through and Tiberius stood with his mouth hanging open when I turned the oven on and slid the tray of cake in place not after setting his leg in place so I'd trip.

The brute.