{Nico}

Mikhail, his glasses friend, and I were sitting down around the table eating pancakes and eggs with a very light conversation. I couldn't exactly flirt with Mikhail with his friend glaring me down. Well, I could have but his glare annoyed me more than I thought was possible. Sera and Dan had both mysteriously excused themselves from the table about ten minutes earlier. I knew they were doing something as they were being way too quiet in the kitchen. Mikhail didn't seem to notice though. He was too focused on trying to eat without puking, when suddenly the ceiling lights turned off and, though sunlight shined through the large window, Dan and Sera came in holding a cake with five candles on top. It was about a six inch, white frosted cake.

"Haaaappy biiiirthday tooooo yooou!~" Dan began and Sera followed, motioning for both Glasses and I to follow in her lead.

I leaned back in my chair and looked towards Mikhail who looked flushed in the face. He was either going to puke or was embarrassed. Cautiously, I put my legs under my chair just for precaution as I soon began to sing him happy birthday. Okay, I wasn't so much singing it cheerfully but saying it amusingly. Mikhail bit his lip as he waited for the song to be over, fiddling with his thumbs nervously.

"Make a wish." Sera said once we all said the last line. They set the cake in front of him.

"Uhm, you guys didn't have to go to such lengths-"

"Shut up and blow out your candles!" Dan said flinching slightly as, I assumed, her own screaming made her hangover pains worse. "Go on. We do this every year." She told him as she took out her phone and was ready to take a picture and or video.

"No need to feel embarrassed, Mikhail." Glasses said with a smile, finally taking his eyes off of me for a few seconds to focus on Mikhail, "Hurry. Before the candle wax drips onto the cake!"

Mikhail squirmed uncomfortably as everyone's attention was on him. He risked a glance towards me and I smirked in his direction. I winked slightly as his attention went quickly back to the cake. "Uhm, thanks." He took a couple seconds to look at the cake. He took in a deep breath and blew out the candles.

"Yay!" Dan said very softly I almost didn't hear her and Sera flicked on the lights. "Who wants a piece?"

"I'll pass." I spoke up, "not really a fan of sweets in general."

"Eh? Seriously?" Dan asked looking at me. I nodded shortly and she shrugged in response, "Well, okay. If you say so."

Mikhail lifted his hand up, "I don't really want-"

"Birthday boy gets cake whether he wants it or not." Dan interrupted quickly.

"I didn't really ask for a cake though."

Dan ignored him entirely as she placed cake on a clean plate and handed it to him, "Eat up. It's your favorite." Mikhail grumbled something softly but forced himself to, at least, eat a bit of the cake to satisfy Dan. Dan served herself and Sera also took a small piece of cake. Glasses took a rather large piece that I wasn't sure he was even going to finish.

After a while, everyone started cleaning up the mess in the kitchen and placed the cake inside the refrigerator. "My head is killing me." Dan said placing her head softly on the table after the clean up. "I think I got too carried away last night."

"Nah, not at all." I joked with a snicker.

"You're too loud." Mikhail grumbled, holding his head with both hands. "Why didn't someone stop me from drinking so much?" He asked, irritated.

I laughed softly and answered him, "because you looked really happy dancing around the room. Also, you didn't even drink a lot. You're just a lightweight."

He shot me a glare, "Why aren't you hungover?"

"I know my limit." I shrugged playfully. Sera came over with water and pills for the both of them. "Besides, we didn't want to stop you. It was really entertaining to watch you dance 'The Macarena' to pop songs." I added, helpfully. "It strangely worked on a few."

Mikhail groaned and attempted to hide his face from everyone, "That's the first and last time I'm ever drinking with any of you again."

I looked around the room with a smile, but it fell as my eyes met with Mikhail's other friend. He seemed to be glaring at me again like a stubborn child who didn't get what he wanted. I figured he was sulking about Max leaving all of a sudden. The way he pursued Max annoyed me. He had no right getting into his business to make Max uncomfortable. Max wasn't a stupid kid, he knew what he was doing.

Finally, having enough of him, I looked directly at his eyes and asked, "Hey, Droopy, you want to stop staring at me or what?"

Mikhail's eyes moved to look at me and then his friend. "You okay, Dylan? You seem kind of off somewhere else."

Ah, right. His name was Dylan. I had to make an effort of remembering.

"Fine." He responded quickly. He kept glaring at me and asked, "Where'd Max go off to?"

I rolled my whole head on my neck instead and groaned out loud, "You're a broken tape recorder, aren't you?" I asked, pointing at him with my index finger.

"Guys. Don't start." Dan said softly, picking up her head, obviously not wanting a fight to break out on Christmas Eve and Mikhail's birthday. Of course, I was going to try to avoid it as well but Glasses really knew how to get under my skin and irritate me.

"He's your friend and you don't even question him at all about his whereabouts." Glasses ignored Dan completely, "You just let him go off and make money in such an immoral way. He always closes me off and I suspect it's partly because of the way you always push him aside without a care in the world. Do you even care where he goes off to? You should have forced him to stay. It's a learned behavior-"

My eyebrow twitched, "Stop." I warned him, "He closes you off because you don't make an attempt to understand him. You push your own thoughts and beliefs onto him without letting him speak for himself. You think of him as a little kid who needs you to protect him, but what you don't understand is that he's had to grow up faster than you. Do not throw your frustration at me, Dylan, because I will not be responsible for what happens."

Seriously, why did this guy think he could just waltz right into Max's life? I'm not an idiot. I know Max is keeping secrets from me, but what good would it do if I demanded answers? He would feel cornered and pull away from me. Max is a ticking time bomb. He has so many things locked inside of him that I have no way of letting him open up without everything flowing out. That could prove to do more damage than good.

"That's bullshit. I always try to understand him-"

"Oh, but let me guess." I interrupted, "You end up not being able to understand and get frustrated? You yell and make him feel worse about himself?" I stopped and gave him time to speak but he kept his mouth shut. "Exactly. Stop pretending like you do things for his sake. If you're just going to be in his life to give him false hope then leave now."

"Nico-"

"No." I said stubbornly towards Mikhail who was trying to stop me, "I've had enough of this idiot here thinking he's doing good by hanging around Max all the time. You're making him back up into a corner." I told Glasses a little bit more harshly than I had intended to but I was positive I got my message across all the same.

After a few seconds of glaring at me he finally said, "Whatever." He stood up, "I don't need to hear this shit from you. I'll give you your present some other time Mikhail. Happy birthday." He walked out of the dining room.

"Keep walking away. I hear it's a great way to hold a conversation." I said sarcastically to Glasses who was already gone out of sight.

"Dylan, wait!" Mikhail shouted after him and stood up. He glared at me and said, "You just had to start a fight, didn't you? You didn't need to say all those things." Mikhail chased after him quickly without letting me speak. I sighed softly and leaned back in my chair. I heard them bickering out in the living room. Honestly, What I said wasn't wrong so there was no reason why I had to feel bad about making Dylan angry. Besides, technically, I started nothing. He started it by giving me nasty looks all morning long.

"Ahh, perfect." Sera said dryly with a small smile in my direction. "Smooth. Real smooth, Nico."

"Yeah. Yeah." I waved her off and then actually letting Dylan's words affect me, I reached into my pocket and took out my phone. It's had been about an hour since Max left in a hurry. I dialed his number and waited but he didn't answer my call. I hung up and texted him telling him to call back whenever he had a chance. I stuffed my phone back into my pocket and sighed again softly. "Sera"

"Hm?" She asked

"Call the driver." I told her, seeing as I didn't want to overstay our welcome. Also, Glasses put me in a bad mood and I just wanted to go home already. "We should probably get home soon and prepare for the ridiculous Christmas Party-" I stopped as the door bell rang. "Did he storm out of the house and forget his manners?" I said although I knew they hadn't left because I could still hear them faintly talking.

"I'll go see." Dan said standing up and going towards the living room to see who had arrived.

I clicked my tongue and sunk down in my chair with my hands crossed over my chest. Now, because of Glasses, Mikhail was angry at me. Like, if I had done anything wrong. Dylan was the one in the wrong. I didn't know how he didn't see it. Always hanging around Max like an annoying fly. Anyone would get the wrong idea. Knowing Max, he didn't want to get his hopes up too high as he probably thought that Dylan would only stick around long enough to break him completely, leaving him in the dark alone.

I might have been too harsh but my intentions were good. Max is family and I'd be damned stupid to let Dylan break him while I watched from the sidelines.

I groaned and shook my head, getting rid of such thoughts. I turned and watched as Sera took out her phone and immediately widened her eyes. I frowned softly and asked, "What's wro-"

"Nico!" I heard Dan call my name, "Your brother is here!"

I completely froze as my head turned ever so slowly to look towards the doorway, "Did you tell him where we were?" I asked Sera without looking at her.

"No!" She said quickly. "I haven't even spoken to him since yesterday. Even then, I didn't say where we were going!"

"So, why the hell is he here?" I said keeping my voice low and as controlled as I could.

"I- I really don't know."

"What the hell do you mean you don't know? I don't talk to Elisha and Max sure as hell wouldn't tell him." I turned to her, finding myself unable to believe her words anymore. "Father doesn't know.

I was sick and tired of having so many doubts towards Sera but she didn't make things any better for herself. Always disappearing at times when I need her. Always mysteriously out of the house. Talking to Eli behind my back. She knew of my concerns about Eli yet it seemed to me like she never took any of it serious. Either that or she favored Eli over myself. I never know where her true loyalties lie.

"Why can't you ever trust me?" She asked me with a small frown. "Maybe it was the driver? He did bring us here in the first place."

"Maybe because you're always doing something shady behind my back?" I responded and sighed softly, "I told the driver specifically not to say anything." I reminded her, "You were right next to me when I told him. Which reminds me, did you ever do a background check on him."

Sera seemed to be biting back words as she nodded carefully, "I did but I got nothing in return. Either he's good at hiding his trail or he isn't who he says he is."

"Great." I rolled my eyes and rubbed the back of my neck in thought.

Supposedly, he said his name is Frederick Schubert. Whenever we questioned him, his answers were always short and to the point. He's only twenty-five and decided to work as a driver when he wasn't able to get into any colleges. He said he's not very smart so he struggled to even get his high shook diploma. No siblings. Parents died.

It was all too suspicious and convenient. I made a mental note to visit George later for his side of the story and why he retired without letting me know. The timing of the new drivers appearance was too on par when Eli came to stay with us. I didn't like it one bit.

"I can try-"

"Don't bother. If you're telling the truth and you couldn't find anything on him then he's obviously got something on his record he doesn't want anyone to know about. Keep this to yourself until I decide what to do about it."

"Okay." Sera replied, hesitantly.

"Nico!" Dan yelled.

"I'm going!" I shouted back and stretched my legs, taking my time since I didn't want to see Eli. Then I rapidly stood up, remembering Mikhail was in the living room. I stormed out as Sera quickly followed behind me. Turning the corner I saw Mikhail and Elisha shaking hands. Eli had a long thin smile as he wouldn't let go of Mikhail's hand. They were standing too close for my own liking. Eli placed his other hand over Mikhail's and laughed gently at something Mikhail had said. "Eli. What are you doing here?" I said pushing my hair out of the way and walked over cautiously.

Everyone turned to look my way, though it seemed as though Dylan had already left. Mikhail yanked his hand out of Eli's grip quickly and put his hand by his chest. Eli seemed shocked for half a second and then his usual grin formed on his lips, he looked at me and said, "Brother. How nice of you to finally show yourself. Father has called for you. There's been another murder."

Mikhail and Dan opened their mouth with shock, "Murder?" Dan asked looking around the room.

"Ah-" Sera said looking flustered.

Ignoring everyone else in the room for the time being I kept my eyes on Eli in case he tried to do anything, "Way to dodge my question. Why are you personally here? I didn't think dad would know-"

"Don't be stupid, Nico. Use your head. Of course he would know you were staying here at the Sander residence. You really thought they wouldn't call father to let him know they were hosting his precious son?" He looked away from me and looked directly at Mikhail, "I apologize for my brother. He's a handful."

"Eh? Ah, no. It's alright." Mikhail said fumbling for words. "It's not like he's a bother to have around."

I raised my eyebrow and stood in front of Mikhail, protectively. "What are you doing here, Eli? Drop the façade. I won't ask again."

"Don't order me around." Eli said, his anger seeping through his voice for half a second before he put a smile on his face again, "Well, I was trying to have a decent conversation with Mikhail here but you seem to be putting your nose where it is not needed again." He looked at Dan but didn't smile, "You're Dan, correct?" I didn't look back at Dan but I heard her say yes very faintly. "Interesting." He said sparing a look to Sera and then shrugged. "We should get going. Come." He said ordering me around as he pleased.

Trying to stay calm I shook my head, "No. Go home without me. I'll see to it that Mikhail gets home safely."

"Safely? What are you talking about?" Mikhail said finding his voice again, "I don't need you to 'see me home'. I can get there by myself." He pushed me out of the way so I wouldn't be in front of him, clearly still mad at me.

Eli laughed and said, "I see. Nico has been too possessive over you. If you ever want to hang out with someone more... Mature. I can give you my number-"

"He doesn't want it." I said putting my arm in front of Mikhail.

"I don't think I asked you, Nico."

"Quit answering for me." Mikhail said as he thrusted his elbow into my ribs. I flinched and groaned as I put a hand on my ribs. I frowned at him and he said as he looked at Eli again, "I appreciate the offer but I'm not a fan of using my phone often so I would hardly ever message you." I bit my lip, pleased, as Mikhail fed Eli a lie so easily. He always found time to text me and call me whenever.

Eli nodded slightly, watching him carefully, "I see. Well, let's leave it at that, shall we?" He offered a friendly smile that made me feel sick. "It is not up for discussion. Our father told me to drag you home if I had to." He said addressing boss as 'our father' since he wasn't in the room to find it disrespectful.

"You should go." Mikhail said behind my arm. I looked to my side and raised an eyebrow up curiously, "I mean, we didn't have much planned for today anyways. I was just going to go home and spend the day with my dad."

"Are you sure? I thought we could-"

"Don't bother." He said shaking his head, "I'm not use to people making a fuss over me. It's fine." He said as he tried to reassure me.

I put my arm down and ran my hand through my hair again, "Fine. Okay. I'll go then."

Eli whistled in an impressed tune, "I should take you with us so you can train him to listen to me more often."

I ignored Eli as I turned to face Mikhail completely, removing everyone else from the room mentally so that only Mikhail and I were in the room. "I didn't forget about your present. I was going to wait until later but I don't know when the next time I'll see you again will be." I walked over to get my jacket that was hanging on the coat hanger and reached into the pocket. I took out a small silver chain. "Don't freak. It wasn't super expensive." I said quickly to prevent him from bickering, "Its super cliché but I didn't hang anything off of it because I figured you could put whatever you wanted on it. It would hold more meaning that way."

Mikhail looked genuinely shocked as he stared at the chain hanging from my fingers. "I can't accept that. It must have cost-"

"It didn't cost much. It'll make me really happy if you accept it. You don't even have to wear it if you're scared of breaking it or whatever. As long as you have it."

Mikhail puffed up his cheeks with air, which I found completely adorable, as he took a second to think about it. He looked like he didn't want to accept it but did in the end. "Thank you." He said softly as he looked down at the chain in his hands.

I laughed out a smile and ruffled his hair gently, "See? It wasn't so hard, was it? You're welcome." I leaned down and whispered into his ear quietly, "I'll call you tonight. Happy birthday." I pulled back and watched him nod as his face flushed red. "Let's go then. Thanks Dan for having us over. Sorry I couldn't stay long enough to help with the clean up."

Dan waved me off and shook her head, "Oh! Don't worry about it. I'll just have to work Mikhail extra hard." She said with a smile.

I nodded and put my jacket on. "Go out first." I told Eli.

Eli smirked and looked past me to look at mikhail, "See you around, birthday boy?"

"Yeah. Sure. Thanks." Mikhail said quickly with half a smile.

Eli stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out towards the car that was parked out front. I looked at Sera and she was already putting her jacket on as well. She was talking to Dan quietly so I took the time to look at Mikhail, "I didn't mean to be so protective-"

"Don't worry about it." He said, looking up at me with a big smile. His maroon eyes looking back at me like they could see what I was thinking. "I might not understand completely but family can be a handful, that much I get."

"I thought you might." I smiled, "I'll be leaving then. Get home