The conversation didn''t die down after that.

    If anything, Zack''s ability to stir things up only made it livelier. And Ethan didn''t know whether to be happy or unhappy about this development.

    Julia, practically bouncing in her seat, kept asking more questions about Ethan''s house. "Is it really that big?" she asked, eyes shining with curiosity.

    Zack nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Oh, you have no idea. I stepped in there once and almost got lost. I thought I was in some kind of movie — huge halls, high ceilings, fancy furniture. But it''s so quiet, I swear I could hear my own heartbeat."

    Julia gasped. "Is it haunted?"

    Ethan shot Zack a glare, but the man only grinned.

    "Who knows? Maybe the ghost of a lonely rich guy roams the halls, waiting for someone to finally hire a bunny-eared maid to keep him company."

    Ethan groaned, rubbing his temple. "Zack..."

    Claire, who had been mostly listening, tilted her head. "Bunny-eared maid?"

    Zack smirked. "Oh, that''s just Ethan''s little fantasy."

    Ethan shot him a sharp look, but Zack just laughed, raising his hands in surrender.

    "Kidding, kidding... mostly."

    Their mother sighed but smiled at their antics. "Well, I do agree that the house is too big for just one person. If you don''t want full-time staff, at least hire someone to help with cleaning. Otherwise, it''ll fall apart before you even realize it."

    Ethan took a slow breath. Truthfully, he had been considering it more seriously.

    The idea of hiring a few staff members wasn''t bad, especially with Julia and Claire coming over.

    He had more than enough space, and it wasn''t like he couldn''t afford it.

    "I''ll think about it," he finally muttered.

    Julia clapped her hands. "Yay! So that means we can visit?"

    Ethan glanced at her, then at Claire, who was watching him expectantly.

    "...Fine," he relented. "You two can come today. I''ll pick you up later."

    Julia cheered, throwing her arms in the air, while Claire just smiled.

    Zack leaned back with a knowing grin. "See? Progress."

    Ethan rolled his eyes but didn''t argue.

    Just as he thought the conversation was finally shifting to something else, Zack suddenly smirked.

    "Oh, by the way, Ethan... don''t forget about that little date you owe."

    Ethan stiffened slightly.

    Claire and Julia''s attention immediately snapped to him, their curiosity piqued.

    "A date?" Claire asked, narrowing her eyes.

    "Big brother has a girlfriend?" Julia added, gasping dramatically.

    Ethan groaned. "Zack..."

    Zack ignored him and instead leaned forward, his grin widening. "Oh, it''s not just any girl. It''s Vanessa Carter."

    Ethan groaned, sinking further into his seat. He could already see where this was going.

    Their mother, though more composed than the others, watched him with quiet curiosity. "She agreed to go out with you?"

    Ethan hesitated. "...Technically, yes."

    That was all Julia needed to hear. She practically bounced in her seat.

    "So when are you taking her on the date? What are you going to wear? Where are you going? Oh! You should bring flowers! Girls like flowers!"

    Zack grinned. "You hear that, Ethan? Your little sister is already your personal romance coach."

    Ethan shot him a flat look. "If you don''t shut up, I''m taking you out of my will."

    Zack burst out laughing. "Joke''s on you, I was never in it."

    Claire chuckled but looked at Ethan expectantly. "So, seriously. Where are you taking her?"

    Ethan sighed, rubbing his temple. "I haven''t thought about it."

    Zack scoffed. "Dude. You beat Vanessa Carter in a race. You can''t just take her to some basic dinner or coffee shop. You need something bold."

    Julia gasped again, practically bouncing. "Another race! You have to challenge her again!"

    Ethan shook his head. "No."

    Zack smirked. "Why? Afraid you''ll lose this time?"

    Ethan narrowed his eyes at him. "I won''t lose."

    Claire laughed. "Then what''s the problem?"

    Ethan exhaled, looking at them all. "Because I wasn''t planning on making this a big deal. I just wanted to race, that''s all."

    Zack leaned back, smirking. "Yeah, well, too bad. It''s a big deal now."

    Julia clapped her hands. "Can we meet her? Please?"

    Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "No."

    Julia pouted. "Why not?"

    "Because you''d just do exactly what you''re doing right now — except worse."

    Claire snickered. "He''s not wrong."

    Their mother, still watching the conversation unfold, finally shook her head with a smile. "Well, whatever you decide, just be careful. And be a gentleman."

    Ethan sighed. "I always am."

    Zack smirked. "We''ll see about that."

    Julia hummed to herself, still excited. "I can''t wait to tell my friends that my brother is dating a famous racer!"

    Ethan groaned again, but he knew there was no way out of this now.

    Zack grinned. "Hey, at least you''re not boring anymore."

    Ethan shot him a look. "Get out."

    Zack just laughed.