(A/N: Sorry for the late update. I thought I could spend a day to calm down a bit but I'm still extremely pissed.. I understand that some of you wants me to update more than once a week but as I have said in the other chapters, my updates are not scheduled and the best I can do is update weekly. It's fine to want more update but if you're going be rude about it then I have no intention of being nice and apologetic towards my lack of manners when I answer back as well. There is just so much I can take with ppl being disrespectful towards me. I hope that everyone understands that writing chapters isn't as easy as they seem. There are days that I just don't have the motivation to write them. I appreciate everyone who has been taking the time in reading the story, voting and even commenting on the chapters. I really am thankful. Okay I'm done. Sorry about the rant. Enjoy, I guess.)

My eyes stayed at the closed door long after Alec had entered my room.

I still couldn't believe how she flinched away from me. Was she afraid I was going to hit her? Is my shortcake scared of me now?

I couldn't. I couldn't explain the shock that I am still going through as I stood here. Dumbfounded. Helpless.

There's so much to ask. Questions after questions yet I know she's not ready. Not after what she went through last night. Not when those memories are fresh.

Those memories. Those have a tight grip on Mara. Like a fresh scar being ripped over and over again.

I could hardly imagine how hard it must've been for Alec to watch her go through that. Just seeing what happened last night was enough of a nightmare of my own.

The pain she has go through every time it rains. The memories fresh in her mind from that day, torturing her at every turn.

I don't think I could've handled it the way Alec has through all these years.

"Dust, you okay?" Mark's worried voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Dressed in a black shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans, Mark stands in my kitchen holding a whisk. His apron dusted in flour and some other ingredients he brought with him to make something for shortcake.

I nod my head and proceeded to pick up the tray in front of him. "Need any help?" I asked, faking a smile as I do.

Veronica was worried that I cancelled the board meeting today so she sent Mark to look at how we are doing. I guess I wasn't as good of an actor when it comes to Vero. She can be such a mother hen at times.

He shakes his head and snatches the tray from me. "Sit your ass down. Now, how is Mara?"

I shrugged my shoulder. Not because I don't care but because I honestly have no idea how she is doing. Her flinching away at the slightest movement of my hand is not a good sign. Neither is her refusal to meet my gaze after doing so.

I don't even know if she would want to see Mark. Although he can do some good for her, he is still a male. No matter how friendly he can be, Mara might still feel the need to stay away from him.

"Can I at least say hi to her?" He asked as he puts the first batch of cupcakes on the tray and in the oven. He wipes his hands on a clean towel after cleaning up the mess he made.

"We'll see." I said, my eyes moving to the still closed door. It seemed awfully quiet inside.

I hope Mara would feel better with Alec beside her. I might've been able to help her last night, but I don't think I can help her from the extent that Alec does. I don't think I can provide her the same amount of comfort and relief that Alec does. To be honest, I don't even know if I can effectively help her in any way.

It seemed longer than it really is, but Alec has been inside for a good two hours before he finally emerges from the room. He refuses to meet my eye as he takes the nearest seat to him with his head still down.

"Al?" I called, worried that Mara might be in worst condition than we thought she would be in. I can't stop the worry from etching itself deep into my mind as Alec took his time to respond.

"She just took a shower. She'll be out soon/" He said before meeting my eyes and giving me a smile of his own. "I told her Mark's here to see her."

His smile. It seemed different than before. Like he could finally smile without something eating him up inside. Like he's genuinely just happy about everything.

Mark seemed oblivious to the sudden change in Alec. "Good. Cause the last batch of cupcakes just finished."

Alec gives a smile to Mark. Grateful and relieved. "I'm glad. She'll need to replenish her energy."

"Maybe I should make her more other than some cupcakes?" Mark asked, getting another apron from one of the drawers in the kitchen. "What should I make her?"

I stood up from my chair and snatched the apron away from Mark. "You can't cook." I said with conviction. Mark is a good baker, that I cannot deny. But his weakness is with cooking actual food. He can't seem to make food that isn't too sweet. It'll be a waste of ingredients if he cooks tonight's dinner.

He frowns. "I can cook!"

I shake my head, denying his words. "You can bake. Not cook. Now move over." I said pushing him away from the kitchen.

Out of no where, Mark grins widely at me. "Afraid I'll steal shortcake away from you, dust?"

I feel my eye twitch at the use of my nickname for Mara. "Shut up before I stab you with this knife." I said, waving a large knife in his direction.

"I get it. Shortcake might change her feelings for you after she gets a taste of my cooking." He said arrogantly. That stupid smile on his face making me angrier as the seconds go by.

"I don't give no shit about your supposed cooking skills but if you don't stop calling Mara using that nickname, you might end up in a coffin." I threatened him.

"Okay Okay. Jeez man. I was kidding." He said, raising his hands up in surrender. "I never knew you were this sensitive about a nickname."

"Mark?"

Both of our attention was snatched by her voice, uncertain and soft. She stands in front of the bedroom door, hair still wet from her shower and bags under her eyes. Aside from that, Mara looks better than she did when I first saw her when she woke u. That talk with Alec must've been something if she's already looking better.

Alec is quick to help Mara take a seat on the dining table. Pulling a chair for her and making sure she's comfortable before taking the knife away from me and removing Mark and I from the kitchen. "I'll cook, you entertain Mara."

Mark gasped dramatically. "Do I look like a clown to you?"

Alec looked at him, emotionless. "Yes."

Before Mark could argue again, I pushed him in the direction of the dining table where Mara is look amused by the sight in front of her. A small smile lit up her whole face as I decide to take the seat next to her.

"Hi." She said softly, looking at me with those eyes filled of shame and uncertainty. "I'm sorry about earlier."

I shake my head. "It's okay. I understand." I said, meaning every word that I said.

"Ugh. I need my wife here too." Mark said, sulking across from us. His eyes on both of us, seemingly jealous of not having Vero by his side right now.

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics. "Shut up. You should give Mara that cupcake you bake." I said, trying to make him leave without pushing him out of the room.

He squints his eyes at me. "I know what you're trying to do."

Before I could deny his accusations, noises from the front door stole our attention. Even Alec who was busy chopping some peppers came into view to peek at the direction of the door.

"You expecting anyone, Dy?" He asked, looking concerned for a while before smiling at Tamara's direction.

"No." I said, standing up from my seat to see who is making such a ruckus. I opened the door to a funny sight. Emil is standing a bit closer to the door while the other two are trying to block a certain purple haired woman from peeking between them. "What's happening?"

"You little asshats! Let me through! I need to see Tamara!" Her familiar furious voice almost made me laugh out loud at the situation. Aurora is a small woman, of course she won't be able to see through these two giants in front of her no matter how hard she tries.

"Aurora." I called out over the two other's shoulders. They instantly made way for me and I saw the irritation etched on Aurora's face. Her hair is a color lighter than before but it doesn't come far from the bold colors she's always been wearing. "You shouldn't be shouting outside of anyone's place."

She turned her glare to me and took a step closer. Effectively putting her face right under mine. "You little shit! You better not stop me from seeing Tamara!" she said angrily.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "How did you even know she was here?" I asked suspiciously. I was sure it wasn't Alec. The only time he was on his phone was to talk to that secretary of his.

She quickly took a step away from me and wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Well?" I said, impatiently waiting on her answer. I know its terribly wrong but I can't help but be suspicious of every one around us now. If we are going to protect Tamara, we need to be on our guard on all times. Friends can be classified as enemies in a matter of seconds. We need to be extremely cautious if we plan on doing this right.

"I called both of your secretaries then I called Jack." She said, looking embarrassed.

"Come on. I think Tamara could use some female company." I said leading the way to where Mara and the others are.

Alec was the first one to see us. His stance instantly relaxes as his eyes land on Aurora who is still visibly fuming from being stopped on her tracks earlier on. Alec's eyes never left Aurora's as she maneuvers her way to Mara, effectively making both Alec and Mark moved away from the small woman who seemed too angry to be stopped.

"I was so worried! These beasts are hiding you away from me!" She wailed as she crashed Tamara into a tight hug which the latter returned with a bit less intensity. "Are you okay? You look pale!"

Tamara lets out a light chuckle before patting Aurora's hand. "I'm okay."

Aurora squinted her eyes as if it would make her assess Mara's condition better that way. "No you don't. You better not lie to me, young lady."

Alec sighed before leaving the rest of us with still a very worried Aurora. "I'm going back to cooking."

"You should! It's not like you to not take of Mara. Maybe I should start taking care of her." Aurora said to Alec whose back is to her. "Maybe I should take her back with me to Greece. I'm sure mitéra would be happy."

"You can't take my sister." Alec said bluntly as he continues his preparation for tonight's dinner. Which seems to be getting bigger than we both anticipated. Even more people and this would be like any other planned dinner party.

"Of course I can! She's my sister!" Aurora said with confidence.

I saw the smile on Alec's face before Aurora could even realize what she just said. "Marrying me for real this time, princess?" Alec asked teasingly.

Aurora's eyes widen comically. "I--I never said that you idiot!" She shouted at Alec, stuttering as she does so. The blush that covers her cheek is visible to everyone in the room.

"I don't mind you marrying my brother, Rory." Tamara said kindly as she sits back down on her chair. "Although, I think we need to clear some garbage out of the way first."

I almost wanted to laugh my head off the terror that crosses Alec's once amused face. If anything, he should be more than scared. He should be terrified. If Mara intends to clean out some garbage, that only means that she's going to fire that stupid secretary of his. The one he claims was the one who got away.

"Oh by garbage you mean that woman he loves so much?" Aurora said, playing along with Tamara. "Oh. How can I ever compete with such garbage?"

Both of them bursts out laughing at Aurora's words.

"I heard laughter." Veronica's familiar voice joined the room.

"Oh! My baby is here." Mark said, jumping to his feet to welcome his wife.

"Honestly. What are you all doing here?" I said, annoyance covering my tone. My home has never had this much people and noise. Besides that, they kept showing up without me inviting them to come over.

"We're here for Mara, of course." Veronica said without even saying hello to me. She makes her way to Mara and Aurora. Mara is quick to introduce the both of them to each other.

"This is my place, you know." I said stating the obvious.

Aurora and Veronica looked at each other before they both looked at me.

"Then should we go out with Mara?" Aurora asked, already standing up to collect her phone on the dining table. "Let's go to my place then, Vero."

Panicked, I snatched her phone away and pushed her to a seat. "N-no. You can stay." I said before leaving the room but not before I heard their laughter. "We have more uninvited guests." I said grumpily to Alec as I heard another round of commotion outside of the apartment.

Alec just laughs at my miserable face. "This is what you get for housing Tamara."

I glared at him. "I don't have a problem in letting her live here. I don't mind the visitors. I just-"

"Don't like that they're taking all of her attention?" Alec asked, a smile on his face.

I turned away from him not directly answering but admitting to his words silently to myself.