A couple of weeks after becoming official members of our clubs, spring break arrived. However, this time instead of going back home to California we decided to go to New York with the twins. Their Dad lived in Manhattan in a very pricy penthouse overlooking the central park.
They asked us to come for the week so they could use us as an excuse to leave a lot. Plus I've only been to New York City once before in my past life and Alex's never been there before. Not only that but it would be interesting to see where the twins grew up.
"Did you double-check check we have everything we need?" Alex asks me as she is slightly stressed with her trip planning. Alex was more stressed this time as we wouldn't be going home and had some of our things around in case we needed them.
"Yup, I triple-checked, we are good," I say to Alex who is going through the itinerary of things she wants to do while in NYC.
"Good, good…" Alex says while completely focusing on her plans for us.
'We are outside,' I get a text from Eric.
"They are waiting outside for us," I say to Alex as she jumps up and grabs her jacket and purse before running downstairs to them.
I just sigh and shake my head grabbing our suitcases, locking the apartment, and making my way down. Walking down I see Alex going over the plans with Maya who is nodding along, while Eric looks ready to fall asleep. We got up early in the morning to catch an early flight and be in the city around nine in the morning.
"Take your time, I'd rather be late anyway," Eric says helping me put the things in the trunk of the taxi.
"Ha, ha, very funny. But Dad is waiting for us and I'd rather not make him wait. Plus I haven't seen him in a while, I miss him," Maya says as Eric and I share a look before just climbing into the taxi.
Eric sat in the front with the driver, while Maya, Alex, and I sat in the back of the taxi. We all finally arrived at the airport and boarded our flight to NYC. Eric and I sat together while Alex and Maya sat together, with the two still discussing the very intense schedule we were going to follow.
"So, we haven't seen our Dad in a while and the last time we saw him was when I made that deal with him… Maya still has no idea and I don't know if my Dad is gonna fuck things up. So, thanks for coming knowing that this might turn into a huge shitshow," Eric says to me with a sigh while rubbing his face in annoyance at this possible outcome.
"No problem man, you are my best friend and that's what friends are for. Plus I can always just lay out your Dad if you want," I say since worst case there is a lawsuit, but my family can more than afford that. Plus I'm sure Eric would claim I did it in self-defense or something along those lines.
"Thanks, bro and I'll hold you to it," Eric says to me with a laugh at hearing my second part.
Eric then told me about all the nightclubs we could go to and other places he knows that wouldn't card us due to knowing his family name. Then we finally arrived at JFK airport and in the front of the airport waiting for us was a driver with a limo. We all placed our things in the trunk before getting into the limo.
After an hour's drive even though NYC is small, the traffic is horrible and we finally arrived at the Twins' home. We left our bags, as someone said they'd bring them up to our rooms. Inside we see a very lavish entranceway with marble and gold trimmings. There was several staff walking around tending to all sorts of different 'needs'.
'This feels more like a resort, than an apartment complex,' I think seeing this giant building looking like it is a hotel on a resort.
"Ah, Eric and Maya! How's Harvard?" an older man asks the twins once we walk inside.
"Hey Frank, it's alright, you know school is school," Eric says with a shrug while Maya rolls her eyes at her brother's response.
"Ignore him, Frank, Harvard is great and there is a lot we are learning there," Maya says dismissing her brother who shrugs.
"I'm glad to hear that and good to see you both again," Frank says while smiling and greeting Alex and me right after them.
Inside the elevator was a person hired to push buttons all day, at the sight of the twins they pushed the penthouse or top floor's button. Arriving at the top of the building we see there is a small entranceway leading to the main door for the penthouse. Eric doesn't even knock and just opens the door. Inside we see a live-in butler, who appears to be around Jay's age, and seemed he was about to answer the door before Eric opened it.
"Young Master Eric, I've told you many times it is my duty to answer the door," the butler says as Eric waves him off.
"Hi, Albert," Maya says as the butler turns to Maya and gives her a warm friendly smile.
"Hello, Lady Maya," Albert says with his very fancy speech which makes me feel like I went back in time to the medieval era. Even my family who has maids and butlers don't talk like this guy.
"And you two must be Master Gabriel and Lady Alexandria," Albert says turning and bowing his head slightly greeting us.
"Yes, nice to meet you too, Mr. Albert," I say unsure how to address this man who talks like he is from the wrong era.
"Albert is fine," Albert says as Eric starts to gesture from behind Albert to keep walking.
"I will inform Master John that you have all arrived. There are drinks and food prepared in the kitchen for you all, help yourselves," Albert says walking away as Eric rolls his eyes hearing the word of his father.
"Now you two can meet the greatest father of all time," Eric says with heavy sarcasm and hatred in his voice.
"Eric!" Maya says about to defend her Dad, making me feel very awkward after what Eric told me.
"Eric, Maya. Hello, Mr. Hunter and Ms. Dunphy," we all hear a deep mature, and monotone voice say as we look at a middle-aged man who appears to be the spitting image of an older Eric.
The man was dressed in what I am sure was a several ten thousand of dollars suit, with slick styled black hair, dark brown eyes, and slight crowfeet around his eyes showing his age. The way he talked and acted showed he preferred to appear as a very opulent person.
"Hello, Mr. Anderson. Your home is extremely beautiful," I say nodding to him as he looks back at me from eyeing his children. Since Eric is giving him a very obvious hate-filled glare, while Maya is smiling at him.
"Thank you, though I am sure it does not compare to your family's estate," Mr. Anderson says showing he already looked into my and Alex's background before we appeared here.
"So you approve of them, especially since Gabe is rich like us?" Eric says with venom in his voice, while Maya wants to berate her brother but holds back in front of her father.
"Yes," Mr. Anderson says without sparing his son a glance.
"Albert has been keeping me informed of your progress at Harvard. Eric, you've joined the Porcellian Club, that is good. You can make many connections there, plus your grades are not as bad as I was expecting them to be," Mr. Anderson says while facing Eric with a thoughtful look on his face, calling back what he has learned from his butler.
"I've been doing very well too! Like Eric, I joined a club too, the Bee Club," Maya says hoping to get her father's approval. He just glances at his daughter with a very well-hidden disgust in his eyes, that I wouldn't have noticed if Eric didn't tell me his real feelings.
"So, I've heard," Mr. Anderson says with a slip of disgust in his voice, but it appears Maya didn't catch that.
'Well this is gonna be a very long week,' I think seeing this short interaction.
"Well, I will be busy for the rest of the day until evening. So you all can keep yourselves busy I am sure. Should you need anything, just ask Albert here," Mr. Anderson says before walking away back to wherever it was he was before coming to 'greet' us.
"Mr. Hunter and Ms. Dunphy here is my mobile number should you need to get in contact with me for whatever reason. The twins already have it," Albert says taking his leave as well. Eric looks very pissed off now, while Maya just sighs once their father leaves.
"Eric, why'd you have to start already? We haven't even been home more than ten minutes," Maya says once the two older men leave.
"I just can't stand being in that… that man's presence," Eric says wanting to degrade their father more, but holding back for his sister's sake.
"Whatever, Alex, Gabe, want to see the city now?" Maya says disregarding her brother's hatred for their father.
Then we spent the rest of the day sightseeing and walking around the city, hitting all the spots that the two women planned for our first day here. We only stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and lunch. Around six in the afternoon, we headed back to the penthouse, where we'd be having what I am sure is going to be a great family dinner.
Walking inside we see Albert directing other staff members about the food and order to bring it out in. Then we all head to our rooms to relax a bit before it is time for dinner. As Alex and I are in our room, she asks me a question.
"Gabe, did you notice how their Dad was being distant with Maya?" Alex says to me as I stare at her for a bit, trying to come up with an excuse.
"Uhm… yeah?" I say since I couldn't think of anything.
"Wait… you know something, don't you?" Alex says looking at me with a scrutinizing look.
"Just something that Eric told me, but asked me to not say anything. I love you Alex, but I can't betray Eric like that," I say to Alex coming clean, but still holding my ground to not spill the secret.
"What? So he was being weird around her… Now why would he be like that?" Alex says while thinking of reasons why.
"Listen, I can't tell you. But please don't bring that up to Maya either," I say hoping this horrible secret can remain a secret as long as we are here.
"I won't say anything to Maya and you don't have to tell me. Though I am very curious to as what it is," Alex says while giving me a pleading look.
"Shit… Alex, if I tell you, it could blow up in your face too. The fact you already suspect something is possibly gonna blow up in your face," I say to her while rubbing my eyes hoping this doesn't turn into a huge mess, but something is telling me it is going to blow up sooner or later while we are here.
"Gabe–" Alex starts to say before we are told that it is time for this fantastic family dinner.
Walking into the dining room we see the three Andersons sitting at the table with Eric staring down his father. Maya is smiling at him, while Mr. Anderson just looks unbothered by both different stares. Alex and I take our seats with slightly awkward looks on our faces at the tense atmosphere.