Some quality time together.

"That chicken noodle soup was really good, where did you learn to cook like that?" Annie asked. We were on our way home. After Andrew invited me to the dinner party, we all sat then talked for a while. After i checked out from work, Andrew took us out and treated us to some genuine hotdogs and burgers from a restaurant not to far from the place I worked in. He was so nice. It was eleven fifteen on the clock and we were walking down to my apartment on H avenue.

"My mom. Before she left she taught me how to cook certain things." I shrugged. I kept my hands stuffed in my jacket's pockets as a cold wind blew through us. Winter was just around the corner.

"You guys really didn't have to escort me all the way here." I stated as we approached my building. Though i said that, i was extremely grateful they did come with me. I had never come home this late. On my weekend shifts which ended by twelve, i just slept over in the staff room of the Shaky Cakie. Of course I always brought all the supplies i needed -- i kept them in my bag.

"It's no biggie, we enjoyed ourselves, didn't we?" Annie turned to get brother for confirmation.

"Mm-hm." He affirmed.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come inside? It's cold and i have some hot cocoa?" I asked. It was the best i could offer them so far for helping all this way.

"Nah. Thanks for the offer but we need to get home. Right?"

"Mm-hm."

They were so cute together!

"Anyways see ya." Annie and Andrew waved as i passed through the front door of my building. I waved back at them with a polite smile until they were no longer in view.

******

******

"That was nice." Annie stated as she and her brother walked down the street. It was late at night, but the streets were as busy as ever. The region they resided in was renowned for it's bussling night life. Annie and her brother lived over two streets away from Roxanne's apartment. It was a long walk, but they both found it comforting. The silence between them was bliss. Due to their busy schedules, the two siblings rarely got any time to spend together; though they lived in the same house.

"I was surprised when you called though." Andrew stated with a shy smile, "We usually communicate by leaving notes on the fridge. That call was a pleasant surprise."

"We're always busy. I think there was a point where i forgot your name." Annie teased then they laughed in unison. Annie had been the one taking care of her brother ever since they left England four years ago. Annie left their home country in persuit of a 'New adventure.' And Andrew couldn't help but follow his elder sister. It was tough for them at first but then things turned up when Annie landed a job at the children's hospital. This caused Andrew to be left alone at home almost every day. Not wanting to be a burden on his beloved sister, Andrew threw himself right into the labour market. And at an age of seventeen. Back then, he was quite unstable, but now; he had gotten used to a lot of things, plus he had a steady flow of income in addition to chasing a college degree.

"Yea. Ohh, remember that time i filed a missing person report because I hadn't seen you for three days straight. Just to find out that you were crammed up in your room the entire time?"

"That was pretty stupid though. Why didn't you just check my room, that should have been your ground zero."

"Yea yea."

"But how-". Annie was just about to say something when the buzzing which came from Andrew's phone cut her off. "That's an unusual ringtone." She commented. Andrew excused himself, leaving Annie alone. After about five minutes, he walked back to her. His face was heavy. He regretted what he was about to say.

"Annie, I'm so sorry. I have to go." He said in a somber tone. They had just began to spend some quality time together.

"What's wrong." Annie responded in a tone similar to that of her brother.

"It's work. There's a problem at my boss's mansion. Apparently he's dead drunk and locked himself up." Andrew sighed deeply. He wondered what could have gone wrong. At this time, his boss was supposed to be on his way back from his family's dinner. Andrew felt bad. He thought this was his fault, if only he had been more insisting when his boss left him with Maria. Maria...

Andrew shook his head, as if to prevent a thought from popping up. "I'll meet you at home."

"Nah, I'll wait here." Annie smiled as she rubbed his arm. She turned to the side."I'll wait for you there." She hinted to the chicken noodle stand beside them. At night, lots of pop-up stands emerged. They sold anything from food to snacks to beer and even hot cocoa. There was variety made to cater to the needs of the night crawlers.

"You sure?" Andrew asked. Guilt filling him. His sister had switched her shift inorder to spend some time with him. Now she wanted to wait for him this late into the night. It was too much.

"I might not get back early though." He pressed on, trying to persuade her to go home.

"I know. I'll be fine." She smiled.

"Okay." Andrew slowly backed away, keeping his gaze focused on his sister. After a while, he turned away and started running up the street. He flagged down a taxi then headed straight for his boss's estate.

******

******

"Master Andrew, you're here." Matthew waited at the gate for Andrew to arrive. He was apprehensive until the bright sight of a taxi came into view. He heaved a sigh of relief. The guards positioned at the gate immediately stopped the oncoming taxi. Unauthorized cars were not allowed into the mansion. Andrew immediately hopped down, paid the taxi driver, then bowed respectfully before running to Matthew.

"What happened?!" Andrew inquired as they were being searched by the guards. He presented his ID card, which was the only way staff could get in and out of the mansion. With a nod, the guard who searched them gave a signal to his colleague to let them through the gate.

"Sir was acting strange when I brought him back home. Mr. Joseph then told me to go that he'll take care of him. I agreed then left. I was already passed the gate when a maid came running to me. She said a terrible accident had happened. I wanted to go back inside but the guards wouldn't allow me. I left my ID and phone inside the car. I have been waiting Infront of the gate since that time. Thankfully, one of the guards eventually took pity on me and gave me his phone to call you." Matthew rambled on as they ventured deeper into the front garden. It was a stressful walk, but eventually they made it to the mansion's front door.

They were just about to knock on it when the door creaked open. "We have been waiting for you." The head mistress of the mansion bowed respectfully to the two young men.

"What happened, where is he?!" Andrew asked, his breathing unsteady.

"Upstairs. He locked himself in his room and you are the only one with a spare key." Her words were slow and her movement fluid. She was elegant.

"What about Mr. Joseph?"

"He is recuperating. He almost had a heart attack."

"What?" Andrew was so confused, however he waved everything off. The only thing that mattered now was his boss. Ethan gave him that spare key for a reason. It was his duty to bring an end to this madness. This wasn't the first time his boss's mansion was in total distress. This explained why security was tighter than usual. In situations similar to this, any time their boss was like this, the security guards were charged with containing the mayhem. It would have been a tragedy if the media caught any wiff of what was going on at that hour.

"Matthew stay here, I'll go upstairs." Andrew held unto Matthew's shivering shoulders.

"W-wait don't go." Matthew's teeth chattered as he dragged Andrew's shirt. "It's too dangerous." He whispered. At this point, Matthew's display could best be compared to that of an actor in a sci-fi. Exaggerated.

"I must. He needs me." 'What?' Andrew felt himself cringe after saying those words. 'Of all things to say?' .He shook his head, "Anyways take care of things down here. Get everyone in order and help Mr. Joseph." Andrew ordered before making his way up the stairs.