FRIENDS?

They were sitting in a very spacious room which looked like a living room. The decor was black, white and grey mainly, with a little bit of gold here and there. The walls were black and the mantle was made of gold colour with black linings giving it the look of golden bricks. The flooring was of hard wood and the carpets were black and grey. The sofas were black with white ang grey cushions. It looked like the brothers had a thing for abstract art. The room overall gave the impression of a mordern living room which was not quite how the other rooms in the mansion were. Even though the black colour is assigned with darkness and gloominess it didn't quite give those vibes. Maybe because it seemed balance in an odd sense.

Ian and Adina were sitting on the couch while Aiden was standing, looking out the large windows in the room which provided the most beautiful view of the stretched fields and gardens surrounding the mansion.

Ian said softly, but his voice was loud enough provided the silence in the room,"Now, as you can guess, we'll have to change the arrangements. "

Adina asked,"Can you not get any other maid?"

"No, we can't let our identity disclose to any random being. Only those whom we trust knows who we truly are."

"Oh.. okay. I get it. So, what now?"

"You'll stay constantly with one of us."

"W-WHAT!?" She asked, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"You heard me. Don't worry we won't eat you alive."

"I hope not...." she whispered very slowly so that no one could hear her.

"Mostly it'll be me whom you'll stay with but sometimes... you know..."

"I understand",she sighed. Glancing once at Aiden she said,"I'll be on my best behaviour."

"That's more like it." Ian smiled rubbing her head and ruffling her hair in the process.

As soon as he realised what he did, he panicked and stood up leaving a bewildered and flustered Adina. "Th-that's all. See you in the library. I'll be there." He left before anyone could say anything.

During the whole conversation Aiden was silently staring outside the window, just listening and didn't say a single word. Adina stoop up, looked at him and said,"I'll get going then. See you around." She started walking towards the door when Aiden said something at last.

" That you sure will but you must remember what you said. I don't want anything to happen which you'll regret before grandma comes back."

"Neither do I ", she retorted.

He smirked then said,"Stay out of trouble then."

"You are the only one who brings me trouble. So that means I'll have to stay away from you. Great! good for me. Now, if you'll excuse me.."

"Stay away from my brother too."

"Excuse me? What did you just say? Pardon?"

"You heard me. Stay away from him."

"You..he-" she took a deep breath then continued," he's my friend. You can't order me what to do and what not to do. So keep your advice to yourself."

"He's my brother first and I care about him a lot. So you better listen",saying that he left.

Grumbling and cursing, Adina made her way to the library where Ian told her to come. She opened the door to the library and Ian said,"What took you so long?"

She smiled and replied,"Nothing, I was just having a little chat with your brother."

"Oh! Nothing to worry about, right?"

"Of course. Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for you. You are my friend after all?" She said the last sentence more like a question.

He nodded and smiled. Adina noticed that he smiled more around her today than normal. She felt happy to know that she made him smile,"You know Ian, you have a very charming smile. I hope you smile more often and I'm glad you are not angry at me anymore."

"Well, thank you and even I'm glad that you haven't given me a reason to be angry and believe me when I say, that's a relief."

Adina chuckled saying,"Then I won't ever give you a reason to be angry again. Shall we start over? FRIENDS?" She asked, extending her right hand for a shake.

Ian looked at her extended hand and then at her face. He smiled and shook her hand,"Friends."