The Dinner Treaty

Chapter 16 - The Dinner Treaty

I have my hair pulled up in a ponytail-braid that hung down past my shoulder blades, thumping against the pink shirt that I wore with jeans. A simple outfit, for a dinner that was not going to be so simple. It's just Mum and I sitting at the table, with the boys and dad yet to come. I'm not too egotistical to admit I'm nervous. I don't know about Luke, but when Mike and Carter look at me they don't see Aelia anymore.  

"Aelia?" Mum asks tentatively, "Are you alright? You seem worried." I smile at her and loosen my shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine, Just a bit tired I guess." It's true. I didn't sleep at all last night, too on edge to get more than a few minutes slumber at a time. Once the adrenaline of my half-victory had worn off I was only left with the reality of my situation. PinK's greatest advantage was her hidden identity. She was free to plot, scheme and create because I was just Aelia, in the background and not a priority. Now my brothers know where to find PinK and all of my strengths and weaknesses. But, if tonight goes well, I might have a chance for survival in villainy. Worst Case Scenario? I get carted off to prison for the rest of my teen years. 

I hear a trio of thuds outside the door, accompanied by the creak of our front door opening. I suck in a deep breath and plaster a cocky smirk over my worried expression, willing the smile to reach my eyes. The three of them walk in the door and I can feel the moment all three pairs of eyes lock onto mine. Mum stands up to give them all hugs and is almost bowled over by Mike leaping over the table, arms outstretched to grab my throat. I quickly duck under the table and crawl out the other side, bumping right into Dad as he walks in the room. He looks at me as I stand up and turn to face Mike.

"Hello to you too, Mike," I remark dryly, rolling my eyes as he glares at me from over the table. "Wasting no time, I see." It doesn't surprise me, he's always been straight to the point.  "The sooner you're in prison, the better" scoffed Carter from beside me. "You'll ha-" I begin before Dad cuts me off. "Prison? Boys, what's going on?"

Luke sighs, and Mike narrows his eyes at me. "She's PinK" he snarls, and I turn to give Dad a cocky smile. "And it took these bozos a month to figure it out," I said with a jerk of my thumb. This makes Mike see red, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him jump at me again. I sidestep neatly, causing him to tumble in a heap by my feet. I step over him and make my way back to my seat. "Can we do this after dinner? I'm starving, and it's pork night." I say, taking my seat and loading up my plate. Mum and Dad do the same, and one at a time Luke, Carter and Mike follow.

We eat without talking, only the clink of cutlery breaking the silence. Once I've finished my plate, I pull out the sheet of paper I've worked so hard on. "I'm sure Mum doesn't want her house in chaos every Wednesday, so I propose we all sign this," I say, gesturing to the single sheet in front of me. "It's legal, and basically means whoever signs it agrees not to fight, injure, maim or arrest Aelia, Mike, Carter or Luke when within 200 meters of the house, or when coming to or from Wednesday Dinner." I pull a pen out of my pocket and hand it to Luke, who seems the most open to the idea. "I'm calling it The Dinner Treaty." He looks at our other brothers, who are contemplating, and signs it.

I could have jumped for joy when my other brothers quickly followed suit, and finally, Carter handed the pen back to me. I sign, and just like that - I'm safe. 

"Oh, and it also says you cannot pursue me for the following week after signing it, and all of my inventions are patented," I smirk. "Thanks for dinner Mum, I think I'll be off now." I walked out of the dining room, still smiling as Carter shouts at me. "That's not fair, A, get back here! That can't be legal!" It is though, any lawyer can prove it. Idiots. They really should read things before they sign. Now I have a whole week of peace to enjoy while they sit twiddling their thumbs, unable to do anything. Not that I'll be relaxing. I have a whole city to wreak chaos on, and I've only just started.