BRYAN
My car rolled to a stop, and I stepped into the house with my friends trailing behind me. Jason looked almost too happy—probably because it had been ages since he last saw Nina. Either that, or he already had his eye on one of my maids.
"Bryan," Hindley called.
I stopped in my tracks. "What?"
"Isn't Mrs. Smith supposed to be here? I thought you said she was coming."
I chuckled lightly. "My mum loves surprises. She'll show up whenever she feels like it."
Steve was about to add something when Nina walked in.
"Hey, son," she said, her voice tight. "You never told me you were all coming."
I glanced at the others. She looked irritated—and rightly so.
"We insisted," Jason jumped in smoothly. "Business meeting and all. Plus, it's been a while since we last saw you."
I nodded along, even though it was a complete lie. I'd known for days. I just… forgot to tell Nina.
"Don't worry," I added quickly. "They won't stay long."
Steve shot me a confused look.
"I'll send a maid shortly," Nina said, forcing a giggle. "Let me prepare something for you."
As she walked away, Jason leaned in and muttered, "You need to back my lie."
I rolled my eyes as he nudged past me.
I just hoped Cali wouldn't come downstairs—not now. I wasn't ready for the drama. If any of them found out about her, I'd be in serious trouble. Jason was the only one who knew. The rest? Completely in the dark.
"So," Steve said once we were seated at the bar, "have you decided what to do about your mum?"
I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair. "I wish."
Jason leaned back. "What about the girl you contracted? Isn't she around?"
The room went quiet.
Steve and Hindley stared at us.
Jason froze.
That was when he realized I hadn't told them.
"What the hell?" Hindley blurted out.
I looked away.
"Wait—what do you mean?" Steve asked.
Jason cleared his throat and poured himself a glass of vodka.
"Alright," I said finally. "News flash. I hired a fake girlfriend to act the part while my mum's here. She's already in the house. I was… going to tell you guys."
Hindley's mouth fell open. "That's insane."
Before Steve could respond, a maid walked in with our food—Clara, or something like that. I barely noticed her, but Jason definitely did. His eyes followed her every move.
When she left, Steve frowned. "Okay, what the hell was that?"
"What was what?" Jason asked innocently.
"You were staring at the maid," Hindley snapped.
Jason smirked. "Can't I look?"
"Not at my maid," I warned.
He just shrugged.
"So," Hindley pressed, "what's the deal with this girl?"
I opened my mouth to answer—
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
I looked up.
Cali was coming down.
And just like that, everything I'd tried to keep under control began to unravel.