I was so excited to see my big brother. He moved to California over three years ago, and although we talk all the time, I haven't seen him in person since he left.
Apparently, he was doing really well out there, making a lot of money and meeting a lot of big celebrities, but he was also a bit of a bullshit artist since I'd known him, so I had to see it all for myself. He was always name dropping, telling me he hung out with this person or that person, and sometimes even telling me about his famous sexual conquests, but like I said, I'll believe it when I see it. It didn't matter anyway seeing as it was my first trip to the coast, and I was just excited to be there for two weeks, and hang out with my big bro.
When I walked out of the gate, my brother was there waiting for me. He looked amazing – tan, well dressed and well built, completely unlike the guy I'd grown up with. He'd definitely been working on his appearance. I rushed in and gave him a huge hug.
"Wow bro, look at you! I'm impressed! You look great!"
"You look pretty hot yourself sis. You'll fit right in around here. C'mon let's get your things."
I had definitely undergone some physical changes since I'd seen him last, but it was a bit weird because it seemed like every time I looked at him he was checking me out, and he would quickly look away when I noticed. But he was my brother, so I just figured he was glad to see me.
We drove up to his place, and it became obvious that he wasn't lying about his income anyway. The house was big and beautiful, and very secluded. I could definitely see it on MTV Cribs!
"Wow James, you weren't kidding! The house, the car...looks like you made it!"
He smiled as he showed me around the house.
"Well, the car is a lease. One of the perks, but the house is all mine. C'mere, let me show you the best part."
We stepped out on to the huge patio. The view was amazing, and complete with a swimming pool, and an enormous hot tub. It looked like a tropical paradise. I just stood there with my mouth wide open.
"Wait 'till you see it at night" he said. "It's amazing."
"I can't wait."
"Well, you'll have to because I've got plans for us tonight."
"Oh yeah? And what are they?"
"Don't worry, it's a surprise. Go get settled because you've got to go and get you something to wear."
I smiled and headed to my room. When I came out, my brother was sitting in the living room with an attractive blonde. She looked very young, about sixteen or so, but I found out later she was actually older than me.
"Anne, this is my assistant Toni. Toni, this is my sister Anne."
"Wow James, you were right, she's quite beautiful."
She held out her hand to me, and gave me the "once over" as we shook hands. She had an English accent which completely threw me. She looked so young, yet so mature, and the voice just didn't match, but there was something about her that was very endearing.
"Assistant huh? Wow." She pulled me in close and whispered in my ear, but loud enough so he could hear.
"Don't listen to him. I am his entire life. Without me, he'd fall flat on his face, but he pays me well enough, so I put up with my title. Whatever you need, you just let me know. Your brother couldn't even get dressed without my help."
He laughed and said she was right.
"Anne, Toni is going to take you shopping while I tie up a few ends. I'll meet you guys back here in a few hours."
Toni was really cool. In a short time we got along as if we were old friends. We spent the afternoon getting the full star treatment, courtesy of my brother, but the topper was the dress Toni said I just had to have. It was absolutely the most amazing thing I'd ever worn, but the price tag was incomprehensible. Toni shrugged it off and insisted we get the dresses. (She had picked one out for herself that was almost equally as expensive) It kind of put me off to think that she was spending my brother's money that way, but later, I learned that the dresses were loaned to us, and didn't cost a thing. It was the first of many eye-opening experiences of what things were like for the rich and the famous. Not only that, but everything that Toni ordered for us had been delivered to my brother's house before we even got back! I was in heaven!
My brother was home before us.
"Looks like you didn't waste a second showing my sister around."
"She's learning."
Toni smiled, grabbed my hand and kissed me on the cheek.
"It's been wonderful meeting with you Anne. I hope we get to spend some more time together" and then she left.
"She's amazing isn't she?"
"Yeah, she's great."
"Well, you'd better hurry up and get ready, we've got to leave soon."
That night was incredible. It was some charity event, filled with all kinds of celebrities. I met so many people, I can't remember all of them.
The first week was much of the same. Every night my brother had us going to some celebrity event or party, and after a while, it all seemed the same. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing, but I was exhausted, and I really hadn't got to spend any time with my brother, so on Saturday morning, I told him that I needed a break.
"Too much for you to handle huh?'
"No, it's not that, but I've been here for a whole week, and the most time we spent together was coming back from the airport. I'm only here for another week, and then who knows when I'll get to see you again."
"Okay, okay, I get it. So, we'll skip tonight and go out to dinner, just the two of us."
"I've got a better idea. How about we skip tonight and stay here, just the two of us. I'll even cook dinner. Besides, I've yet to see this amazing view at night."
"Okay, I'll meet you half way. We'll stay in, but we'll order out."
"Hey, I can cook you know."
"I'm sure, but this is your vacation. I want you to relax and have fun."
"Okay, whatever."
It was turning out to be the best night of the whole trip. We had an amazing dinner, and really got to talk and hang out, like we used to. It made me realize how much I'd missed having my brother around. All the other stuff was great, but even without it, my brother is really amazing. We were on our third bottle of wine when I started to ask my brother about his love life.
"So, where's all these hot young celebrity chicks your always telling me about?"
"Eh...that's fun for a while, but it's really hard to find a girl out here you can be serious with. They're all after one thing."
I laughed. "Listen to you, you sound like a woman."
"No, I'm serious. All these girls want to know is who you know or how much you got. After a while, it would just be nice to have someone who doesn't care about all that shit."
"Wow, never thought I'd hear you say that."
"Yeah, well, things change."
"They sure do."
"What about you? I watched the way you worked the room. You had a lot of heads turning. How come you're not trying to bag yourself a man?"
"Well, even if I was, what would I do? I'm here with you, it would be too weird."