Page 255 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“No, you don’t,” I say as we pull into a huge ass mansion right on the lake. Hence why this area is called The Lakes.
“Shit, you guys live here?” He nods.
“So does your grandmother. And her housekeeper and housekeeper’s daughter. Just wait until you see the daughterand Aadi together, she drives him crazy and it is bloody hilarious.”
“I bet.”
Once the security opens the gate, I gawk out the window. The lawns are mowed to perfection, the shrubs lining the fence are pruned to perfection, and she has a fucking massive ass fountain.
“Pretentious, much?” I snort when we pull up into a parking space and climb out of the car.
“Let’s just say your grandmother has money, and she likes the finer things in life.”
The door flies open and a curvy little Italian woman stands at the top of the stairs. I freeze. She almost looks identical to me, curly hair and all.
“Mia nipote!” she cries and rushes down the stairs with her arms open wide. Wrapping them tight around me, she speaks Italian in between obsessively kissing my face over and over.
“Come, let’s feed you. You are way too skinny!” She then looks up at Smalls, who dwarfs both of us, and husky laughter falls from her lips. She hooks her arm in mine and walks us towards the house, Smalls trailing behind us. Inside we are greeted by a housekeeper who looks less than pleased that Smalls is covered in glitter; her nose scrunches, but she doesn’t voice her opinion.
“Saide, this is my granddaughter Amelie. Could you set up brunch?” The housekeeper nods and informs my grandmother she has a call. Smalls is instructed to take me to the sitting room where we will be eating.
“Ho lee shit boi, what happened to you?” a girl around my age says, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. She’s wearing cargo pants that hang low on her hips, a crop top that shows off her impressive abs, and a hat covering her long chestnut coloured hair. “Looks like a unicorn shit all over you.”
“Ha-ha, don’t you have some cleaning to do or something?” Small’s teases.
“Come upstairs with me and I will clean you, big boi,” she flirts back. She seems to be teasing him too.
“Nope, I don’t need another reason for Aadi to kill me.”
“That wanker doesn’t scare me,” she scoffs.
“That wanker is my brother,” I say. The girl stares at me for a moment and then the recognition slowly dawns on her face. Clearly, she’s only now just recognising me, or noticing me.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m Bexley but you can call me Bex.”
“Amelie,” I say, taking her outstretched hand.
“Sorry about the wanker thing. I don’t have a filter and words just come out, and before I know it, my foot’s in my mouth.”
“Don’t sweat it, he is generally an ass but I have to love him.”
She throws her arm around me and leads us further into the house. I try to take in everything around me but Bex moves us quickly and I only manage to get a glimpse of some impressive artwork on the walls.
“I see you have met Bex,” my grandmother says.
“This grandchild seems way better than the other one. I vote you switch them out and send the other one packing.”
“Get out of here girl, your mother could use some help.”
“See ya round, get my number off the big guy.” She winks at me as she strides out of the room. I look at Smalls and he gives me an ‘I will tell you later’ look.
“Boy, go and do some work while I talk to my granddaughter.”
“Yes, ma'am.” Smalls leaves the room, glitter falling on the floor as he goes. I chuckle.
“You’re so grown up. I haven’t seen you since you were so small. Before we get to know each other, I just want to say be careful of those men, they can all be snakes. My brother…well that's another story, but please be careful.”
“I am, and I have some pretty awesome people watching my back.”
