I only get a dark screen. I press the call button. Three rings.
No answer. 
I sigh, closing my eyes. Maybe later.
For now, I can't think of anything else apart from ice cream, tea and video games to replace the coldness of the tile floor.
Seconds turn into minutes before the door bursts open, revealing an Alix with a short breath and an overcoat two sizes too big. Her scrutinizing gaze washes over me but I ignore it, standing up with a forced smile.
She smiles at me and picks up my bag, handing it to me. "What's the problem?"
"I... erm... I don't really want to talk about it." I grimace. "It's technically not an imminent problem anymore, I...  just..." Have Ward and Aiden known each other for a long time? They seemed quite familiar. I almost get lost in thought before continuing. "I didn't feel like walking back with someone I have to make conversation with, so thank you." This time the small smile on my lips is genuine.
She shakes her head. "No problem, you're welcome." Her face slowly turns into a frown. "I feel like this will be another one of those things you don't talk about, but... don't forget I'm here if you need, okay?"
I nod, looking away.
"I'm freaking starving though," She continues more dynamically. "and I have some annoyance to bury under several buckets of ice cream. If that makes anything better."
I stifle a yawn. "Absolutely, you read my mind. We'll have to make some tea too, because that makes the best combo."
She makes a face, closing the bathroom door behind us. I have to remind myself not to fidget. He won't be here, he won't be here. I hope he won't.
"You're weird."
I shrug. What can I say?
"What's your problem though?" I ask, my tone immediately turning to concern.
She gives me a look. "It's not really a problem, more like frustration. Besides, you're not telling me yours, I'm not telling you mine. And mine is not even a big one, so no. You have other things to think about."
"Come on." I frown at her. "You know you want to talk about it, and I want to hear about it too."
She normally tells me. I think she just feels uneasy that she will 'complain' about it when I won't with mine. But I'm not counting.
"Come on, you already help with so much. Like Tim's gift, or Business Management, or even getting me work. It's just this one I don't want to talk about but that doesn't mean you have to stop too. Plus, I'm not against a distraction."
She gives me an exasperated look, a bit of amusement shining through her features. "Fine. But you might not want to hear everything about it."
Oh... That means it has something to do with Brian.
■□■
When I finally get back to my bedroom, it's 10 p.m..
I ate the perfect amount of ice cream — enough to be full but not enough to feel bad —, we've almost finished The Witcher, downloaded a lot of cliché storytellings apps that made Savannah sneer and then played a dumb but funny as heck board game Sarah brought from her camp. The goal was to make the happiest life while ruining the one of the others, and although I ended up second, I got very frustrated because everyone gave me the maluses so I'm pretty happy with how I did.
It's safe to say, I didn't have my shitty family in mind, but now seems like a good time to do some research. I take a quick shower, wash my face and change into clean pajamas before climbing into Tim's bed.
I immediately hug a pillow to me, sighing at the smell of him. I couldn't have thought of a more comfortable place to do not so pleasant research.
I let out a breath, staring at my screen. And then type "Henderson". Right away, my parents' website comes up.
As politicians, there is news of their most recent assembly, good deeds and information about their campaign. On the homepage, there is a picture of them, my brothers and me. 
I quickly switch to another so it disappears. We look like the perfect family. If you didn't know me, you could mistake their daughter for someone happy when I remember damn well how I couldn't wait for the photoshoot to be over, dreading the moment my brothers wouldn't bear my presence anymore.
After some research, I also find what I'm interested in: pictures of Aiden's travels. I note down the names of the people he's been meeting without much hope that it will lead me somewhere; the idiots that gave me life are always very careful about the information they give away. It's not for nothing that nobody even suspects my parents of being corrupted trash.
But then it crosses my mind. Aiden has fan pages; he's rich, a public figure and people consider him hot.
That's immediately what I type and after one hour of research, after going through every post of three fan websites that were taken in the last five months, I want to wash my brain. Though, at least now, I have some information about his pastimes and several leads.
I also take a quick look at Ward's family company.
And after another hour of research, I have a pretty clear idea of a few of Aiden's occupations. 
First, two weeks and a half ago, our family's private jet – thanks Flightradar – landed in a city my parents were campaigning in, and at that same time, tabloids talked about Hendrik Ward – Ward's father – being seen in the same city. Although, Ward's father's presence might be a coincidence because it's also where his company's semiconductor factory is.
Aiden is apparently dating several girls, he and my younger brother like to do trap shooting in their free time, and three weeks ago, the private jet Henrik Ward took landed in a city close to the borders. 
That same day, in the South of this city, a fire which kept freight trains from circulating was reported. There is also an article of inhabitants living near rails that complain about insecurity, giving the example of hearing gunshots that day. A few days later, a report from an NGO warned about the presence of semiconductors in the river crossing the city and explained the dangers induced for wildlife.
Then, two days later, there is a picture of Aiden leaving a gym in that same city.
I take a look at the notes that have become incomprehensible before collapsing on the bed. I overcame too many dead ends to just come to the conclusion that there is maybe a link between Aiden, Ward and semiconductors. I frown, fighting against sleep. Maybe Tim knows something about the domain and can help me, even without knowing the full story.
Me: Do you know something about semiconductors?
I frown. I doubt he knows that if he doesn't sell or buy any.
Me: Well, do you sell the thing? Or do you buy it from people you know?
I reread and realize this barely makes sense. I blink. I'm not on an ice cream high anymore, this is definitely time for sleep. At least, there is a link between Ward and Aiden other than me, so my brother's presence might not be related to something else, which is good news.
Me: Good night! 💗👋
I take a sip of water and close the light, slipping under the cover and snuggling into Tim's scent.
A grimace comes to my face at the feeling of missing him a little, or at least his texts, but I force myself to shake out of it. I can't wait to see him tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~
And here I am,  splitting chapters into parts again. All things considered, I should have uploaded the first part last week and the next one this week. Too late :)
(This is a double update, it might take an hour or two before I post the next part.)