Brandon raked a hand through his hair, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
"It was okay, I guess."
He shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of Bailey's arms still wrapped tightly around him.
"Uhm, can you let go of me before we both fall over, Bailey?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt Bailey's grip loosen. She stepped back, her demeanor changing so abruptly it was almost jarring. The bubbly excitement vanished, replaced by a look of confusion and hurt.
Brandon hopped off the balustrade, turning to face his sister. He noticed the change immediately, concern furrowing his brow.
"What's wrong?"
Bailey's eyes narrowed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You've never called me Bailey... like never..."
The words struck Brandon like a punch to the gut. Suddenly, flashes of memory assaulted his mind. Snippets of conversations, shared laughter, inside jokes all featuring a nickname they both shared— "B".
The onslaught of images brought a searing pain to his temples.
Brandon grasped his head, a low groan escaping his lips.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to make sense of the jumbled memories.
"I'm sorry, B," he managed to say through gritted teeth.
"My memories are a little hazy after... you know..."
Bailey's eyes softened, her earlier confusion melting away. She stepped closer to Brandon, gently taking both his hands in hers. Leaning in, she rested her forehead against his, their silver hair intertwining.
"Hey, it's okay," she murmured, her voice soothing.
"You've been through a lot. We all have."
She squeezed his hands reassuringly.
"But I'm here for you, B. Always have been, always will be. We're the B twins, remember? Nothing can change that."
Brandon felt a wave of comfort wash over him.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he savored this moment of connection.
As he opened his eyes, intending to thank Bailey for her support, Brandon's gaze inadvertently dropped.
His breath caught in his throat.
The sight that greeted him was... unexpected. Bailey's blouse gaped open, offering a tantalizing view that sent his mind reeling.
'Oh god, no. This is wrong. So, so wrong.'
Brandon's thoughts raced.
He needed an escape plan— fast.
Without thinking, he yanked Bailey into a tight hug, desperate to avoid the compromising view.
"Uh, thanks, sis," he stammered, his voice an octave higher than usual.
"You're the best."
Bailey returned the hug, but suddenly stiffened.
"Wait, what's that?" she asked, her voice curious.
"Do you have something in your pocket?"
Brandon froze, his mind blank with panic.
"Pocket?" he squeaked.
Bailey pulled back, her eyes widening as realization dawned.
Her face flushed a deep crimson.
"OH MY GOD, YOU PERV!" she shrieked, her cheeks flaming as she slammed her eyes shut.
"I didn't... I mean, I wasn't..."
Brandon sputtered, but Bailey was already bolting for the door.
"Mom and Dad are in the dining room for breakfast!" she called over her shoulder, her voice growing fainter as she fled.
"I'll be right there!"
He stood frozen, mortification flooding over him in waves.
Brandon shook his head, dispelling the lingering embarrassment. He grabbed a pair of silk Versace shorts from a nearby dresser and slipped them on, the cool fabric a welcome sensation against his skin.
'Time to figure out this new life,' he thought, steeling himself.
Emerging from his room, Brandon found himself in an expansive, lavish hallway. Crystal chandeliers dangled from the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm glow over the ornate wallpaper and luxurious carpeting. Antique vases and priceless paintings adorned the walls, each piece likely worth more than most people's homes.
He glanced left, then right, a low chuckle escaping his lips.
'This place is ridiculously huge,' he mused. 'Now, where the hell is the dining room?'
Brandon set off, wandering through the maze-like corridors.
As he walked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
'I have my original memories, but only fragments of this Brandon's life. Strange. Shouldn't I know where my own dining room is?'
His mind drifted to the song he'd played earlier.
Suddenly, he realized he could recall every note, every chord progression with crystal clarity.
It wasn't just that song either. Memories of countless melodies from his past life flooded his mind, each one perfectly preserved.
'A photographic memory for the music of Earth?'
A surge of excitement coursed through him.
'This could be huge. If I can remember every song I've ever heard...'
His mind raced with possibilities.
"B! Over here, slowpoke!"
Bailey's voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality.
Brandon stepped into the dining room, his eyes immediately drawn to Victor and Annie. They were huddled together, heads bent over a smartphone, their faces lit with fascination.
As he approached, he heard his own voice echoing through the room's lavish interior.
"Is that... me?" Brandon asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.
Victor looked up, a proud smile spreading across his face. His eyes, usually stern, softened as he gazed at his son.
"Son, this is incredible. We had no idea you could sing like this."
Annie nodded enthusiastically, her eyes still glued to the screen.
Her fingers tapped excitedly on the table.
"It's simply breathtaking, darling. You have a real gift."
Brandon sauntered over to the table, a smirk playing on his lips. He pulled out a chair next to Bailey, who was pointedly avoiding eye contact.
'Well, what can I say?'
Brandon mused in his mind as he settle into his seat.
'I'm blessed with the voice of an angel. Muahahaha!'
Bailey rolled her eyes, but Brandon caught the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Annie finally tore her gaze away from the phone, her eyes shining with pride and excitement.
"Brandon, darling, have you ever considered pursuing music professionally? With a voice like that, you could-"
Bailey abruptly cut Annie off, her eyes widening.
"Mom, Vikky will lose her mind if she knows you're pushing B to become a superstar. She's already on route to the company, ya know."
Victor turned, giving Bailey a pointed side-eye.
"Oh? Then why don't you help your sister out? It is OUR family empire, you know."
Bailey's shoulders slumped as she lowered her head.
"Uhmm, I'm still... young," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Brandon rolled his eyes dramatically.
"We're twins, remember?" he interjected, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Bailey's lower lip jutted out in a pout.
"But—but you're the only guy amongst us," she protested weakly.
"Oh, and we're back in the 1800s, are we?"
Brandon replied, his eyebrows arching in mock surprise.
Victor raised a hand, effectively silencing the bickering siblings.
"We had a deal," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the squabble.
He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxing slightly.
"Do whatever you want now, but as soon as you two hit 20, you're gonna have to carry your own weight, just as Victoria's doing right now."
Throughout the entire exchange, Annie had remained fixated on the phone, replaying Brandon's performance. She finally set the device down, her expression one of wonder and curiosity. It was as if she'd been oblivious to the conversation that had just unfolded.
"Brandon, darling," she began, her eyes sparkling with interest, "was that song you sang an original? I've never heard it before."