Jay's POV]
The karaoke machine was glowing in the corner of the terrace, but the real show was happening right in the middle of the lounge area. The "Squad" had formed a circle, and the atmosphere was thick with the scent of expensive cigars, chocolate cake, and impending sibling betrayal.
It started because Angelo made the mistake of mentioning that Lia had forgotten her luggage at the airport and had to borrow one of my hoodies.
The Opening Salvo
"Honestly, Jay," Angelo said, leaning back with a smirk, "I don't know how you handle her. Lia's brain has the processing power of a toaster. A broken toaster. From the 90s."
The room went "Ooooh!" and Calix started doing a drumroll on a pizza box.
Lia didn't even blink. She slowly put down her glass of juice, stood up, and adjusted her neon boa like it was royal armor.
"Oh, that's cute, Kuya," Lia drawled, her.
eyes sparkling with mischief. "Coming from the man who still uses '0000' as his phone passcode because his 'superior' brain can't remember four different digits without a spreadsheet."
The Roast War: Level 100
Angelo: "I keep it simple so you don't accidentally hack my phone and delete my contacts while trying to find the 'Camera' app, which you still call 'the little picture box.'"
Lia: "At least I don't spend forty-five minutes in front of the mirror every morning practicing my 'brooding CEO' face just to make sure my jawline looks sharp enough to cut paper. We all know you're just holding your breath so your abs show through your shirt, Kuya. It's a wedding, not a fitness competition!"
The Squad: "OHHHHHH!" David and Erdix were practically falling off their chairs.
Angelo: "I have to look good to compensate for the fact that my sister looks like a highlighter exploded in a craft store. Look at that boa, Lia. If I lose you in the dark, I'll just follow the trail of sequins and bad life choices."
Lia: "Bad life choices? You mean like that time you tried to 'engineer' a romantic dinner and ended up burning a salad? Who burns a salad, Angelo? You literally set lettuce on fire! The smoke alarm has a restraining order against you!"
The Final Blows
I looked over at Keifer, who was trying so hard to keep his "Cold Prince" composure, but I could see his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
Angelo: "I was experimenting with thermal dynamics! At least I've graduated university. You're only here because Jay-Jay is a saint. If it were up to me, I'd have left you at the gas station three exits back. You're lucky you're cute, because your 'logic' is a 404 Error."
Lia: "Logic? You want logic? Logic says a man in his late twenties shouldn't still be sleeping with a 'security pillow' named Barnaby whenever he stays in a hotel!"
The room went silent for one micro-second before exploding into pure, unadulterated chaos.
Keifer: (Actually choking on his drink) "Barnaby?"
Calix: "NO WAY! THE GREAT ANGELO HAS A PILLOW?!"
Keigan & Keiran: "BARNABY! BARNABY! BARNABY!"
Angelo's face went a deep, jagged red. He pointed a finger at Lia, his 'Kuya' authority completely compromised. "That was a gift from our grandmother, you little traitor! It has sentimental value!"
"It has 'I'm-scared-of-the-dark' value!" Lia shouted back, high-fiving me.
The Peace Treaty (Sort of)
Angelo looked at Keifer, then at me, and finally at his sister, who was sticking her tongue out at him. He let out a long, defeated sigh and pulled Lia into a one-armed headlock, ruffling her hair until the boa was tangled in her earrings.
I hate you," Angelo muttered, though he was smiling.
"Love you too, Kuya Barnaby!" Lia chirped, winking at me.
Keifer pulled me into his side, his hand resting on my waist as he watched the two of them. "Analysis, Jay?"
"The 'Sibling Variable' is currently at maximum volatility," I laughed, leaning my head on his shoulder. "But the 'Family Constant' is 100% stable."
"Remind me never to get on Lia's bad.side," Keifer whispered, kissing my temple. "I don't want her revealing my 'security protocols' to the squad."
"Don't worry, Keif," I teased. "Your secrets are safe... as long as you don't burn any salads."