"Belief can be manipulated. Only knowledge is dangerous." ― Frank Herbert

"Mom, I'm at Xandrous' house," I sighed. I missed her so much. She sounds so excited when I told her I just arrived.

She's so ecstatic with the news. "Your dad was there, is he?" she asked for confirmation.

I smiled as my naughty side kicks in. "He's not here," I teased.

"HE'S NOT THERE?" she screeched. I stifled the laughter that's about to burst out. "He told me to help bring Zandros back home, that son of a bitch!" she rambles angrily and she gasped as soon as she realizes what she said. "Oh, I'm sorry honey. I didn't mean to curse in front of you. Argh.. " she rambles again and I chuckled. "I'm so going to cut his dick and feed it to whoever he met today, that lying jerk!" mom continued blabbering and I burst out into a fit of laughter.

As soon as I was sobered, I spoke. "Mom, I was just teasing you. Now, I understand why dad was always agitated when he leaves the house and not able to asked permission from you," I chuckled.

Mom sighed. "Oh, that?" she giggles. Then she sighed. "You got my looks, but you totally inherited his character!" mom said in a somewhat disapproving tone and I smiled.

"I'm glad I didn't get your character, mom," I teased again.

"And why is that?" she snarled playfully.

"I'm sure I will be like Elle. Too weak," I giggled. I quickly regretted what I said when the other line fell into silence. "Mom, I'm sorry!" I frantically apologized and I heard her sigh.

"I miss your sister, Vicky. Just as I missed you. I hate it when you guys are away from me. I missed my babies," she sighed again. I felt the deep emotions laced in her voice.

"I'm sure she misses you, too, mom. I'll stay here for two weeks okay? My next photoshoot will be in two weeks, so I can spend the rest of the days with you and dad," I comforted and I could feel her smile.

"Great!" she exclaimed. Though she was happy again, I could still feel that part of her were sad and that's because my sister is still in New York and never called us yet. She sent us Christmas cards and birthday cards, but never actually talk to us.

Christmas is in a month, mom and dad would be sad again. This time of the year, the house never felt the true spirit of Christmas because we are not complete.

I felt terribly guilty again. I was never a good sister to her. A stray tear escaped my eyes. I'm glad Xandrous is in the washroom. Sadness starting to cloth me.

I turn on my side and tucked my hand under the pillow as I talk to my mother. Sadness filled my heart. "Vicky?" mom's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"I'm here, mom."

"Please don't feel guilty again, honey. It's our fault, honey. She'll come back. If she doesn't this Christmas, your dad and I will personally come and bring her home," mom said and I nodded. I force a smile and tried to shook off the guilt feelings nagging me.

"Yes, mom. I want to see her too. I missed her so much," I stifled the sobs that were threatening to burst out by biting my bottom lip.

"I'm sure she already forgave you. There are just some things that we can't control. A trial is a part of our life journey. They shape us," mom said. "Anyway, say hi to your theia Lauren for me, okay? I have to talk to your brother Luke. That kid never fails to give me stress!" mom said gruffly and I chuckled.

"Alright, mom. I love you and see you soon," I said. I smiled when I saw Xandrous walking with just a towel loosely wrapped around his hips, showing his v-shaped. His body is a total perfection. It's like one of Davinci's work.

"I love you too, honey. I can't wait to see you. And drag your dad back home, too. I don't want him to stay longer there. I'm sure he and his friends are going to drink till they drop!" mom said and I agreed as I chuckled.

"Sure. Bye, mom!" and the line went dead. I sighed as I got out of the bed. I place the phone on the side table and then pace around as I waited for Xandrous to come out from his closet.

I smiled when I saw his photos hung on the wall just opposite his bed. He looks adorably cute in his yellow jersey while chasing the soccer ball, with his tongue stuck out. Seriously? Who plays with their tongue stuck out like that?

He was sweating and he actually didn't change a lot. Though he looks more mature and ripped, compared the ones in the picture. I've seen it before, but never scanned it meticulously. Even when he's young, probably about ten here, his face held a mischief.

He's adorably gorgeous. I'm not surprised a lot of women had been chasing him way back high school. He was always a head turner.

I look away and walk over the bed and sat. I look at the phone and I saw the screen went on and when I reach for it, an email notification. I place it back down and my eyes landed on the drawer of the side table.

I felt the urge to venture inside. Maybe he has albums there. I want to see more of his photos. I grew up with him, but I never know all his routines.

I opened the drawer and it wasn't locked. A black planner welcomes my eyes. I smiled giddily as I took the planner out of the drawer. I want to know his routines.

I unzipped the leathered planner and on the inside, there's variety of cards tucked in its pockets, a calculator, and a gold signing pen, neatly tucked on the bottom. The first page was scribbled numbers I don't even comprehend. I was expecting his daily routine, but I found numbers instead.

As I kept flipping the pages, numbers, graphs, welcomes me. I stop flipping it when something caught my eyes. I took the photo out that was tucked inside the page and unconsciously drops the planner as I stared at the picture, furious.

It was Cassie, wearing that the same shirt when I went to see him in his penthouse. Xandrous was sleeping naked, while she was lying next to him. Her head on his shoulder and she were kissing him on his cheeks while staring at the camera with a sick smile.

I unconsciously clenched my hand, crumpling the edges of the photo. "XANDROUS!" I called for him. I was still staring at the photo. I was so mad, so jealous. I'm the only one that has the right to cuddle him. I'm going to kill that bitch!

I saw Xandrous emerging out of his walk-in closet, holding a black boxer short.

He walked towards me, frowning. I showed him the picture and he took it. His face suddenly turns grimly as he stared at the picture. My hands on my side clenched tightly, feeling my nails digging into it.

"Where did you get this?" he asked as he stared at me, worries etched all over his gorgeous face.

The hell? He's worried where did I got it instead of worrying I'm furious. "You seriously worried where I found it instead of how I felt right now?" I grumbled, my hands flew on my hips staring at him, freaking furious.

He suddenly smiled. "You believe this?" he lifted the picture as he grinned at me.

"Of course! That doesn't look edited, right? She has no right to hold you like that!" I hissed at him grimly.

He chuckled boyishly to my annoyance. "Where did you get it?" he asked again.

I looked down on my feet where the planner dropped and he followed my gaze. "I've been looking for this," he crouched down and picks it up. "So she sneaked it in here and I was unlucky you saw it first before I did," he chuckled shaking his head.

I shot him a disparaging stare. "I'm so going to kill that bitch!" I grumbled under my breath but loud enough for him to grasp.

"I'll come with you and let's kill that conniving bitch!" he stared at me seriously. The anger lessens a bit but I'm still jealous. "She took this when I passed out. I was so drunk," he exclaimed after a lengthy pause as she stared at me silently pleading to believe him. I do believe him, but I'm so jealous.

If he thinks that, that witch is so naive and helpless, then he's stupid. He's actually the helpless one and naive. He doesn't know what kind of bitch is she.

"Give me that!" I snatched the picture away and tore it into pieces. Xandrous just watch me with a playful smile on his face.

"GO, get change!" I hissed at him when I realized he's still on that towel and still holding the boxer short. His ripped chest right on my face. He chucks the planner on his bed together with his boxer short and pulled me against his chest. The tiny pieces of the picture fell on my feet and scattered on the floor.

"You looks so damn ravishing when you're jealous," he whispered against my cheeks. I rolled my eyes.

"And you think it is funny?" I growled softly.

"It's sweet," he kissed my lips and I gasped. A smile broke out on my lips as I kissed him back. My hand automatically curled around his neck, holding for dear life. My legs are starting to shake, my bones melting. His kisses were hard and I'm starting to feel arouse.

A loud rap on the door startled me. "YOU BETTER GET OUT OF HIS ROOM, VICTORIA!" it was dad's voice and I quickly pushed Xandrous away from me. He grunted loudly and I ignored it.

"Hurry, get inside the washroom," I hissed, barely a whisper as I pushed him towards the washroom.

"Coming," I said in a loud tone so he can hear me and then frantically walk towards the door. Dad's grim face welcomes me.

"Let's go home," he said. He doesn't look happy at all.

"Dad, Xandrous promise to drive me home," I said, flashing him a sweet smile. His hard look softens. "Your mom wants to see you and I'm tired too. We just came to help. He has to bug us too early in the morning to bring him home, that dick!" dad shook his head incredulously.

I rolled my eyes. I'm sure he'll do the same when he's troubled. Bug them whenever he wants. But dad is so lucky to have friends like them. They are there anytime for him, so were he to them.

"Come on, let's go. I'm sure your mom will be ecstatic to see you and I missed her already," there's the main reason. Mom and dad are inseparable so were his friends as far as I know. They were so possessive and I wonder their wives are not here today?

"Dad, I already called mom," I said.

"You did? I told her I have a surprise for her!" dad puffed out an air and I chuckled.

"I'm sorry, I spoiled your surprise," I chuckled at him.

"Never mind. Come on," dad took my hand.

"Wait, dad. I have to say goodbye first to Xandrous!" I said as I tug back my hand. Just as he release it, Xandrous already close to us. He was wearing a khaki black short and a gray shirt.

"I'll talk to you later," I said. I want to kiss him but dad was watching us.

"You are going home?" he asked. I hear the disapproval in his tone. I stared at him and I suddenly lost the words I want to say. Dad is behind me, looking impatient.

Argh... Can't he give us privacy? Of course, my super strict dad. Why would I ask for the impossible thing to happen.

"Okay, let's go, Vicky." Dad impatient voice cuts the silence.

"Dad," I grumbled.

"It's alright, Vicky. I'll come and pick you up for dinner tonight," Xandrous said and I nodded. The sudden happiness filled my chest, replacing the sadness.

I nodded. Without thinking, I stood on my tippy toes and kisses him on the lips. Xandrous eyes widen as he stares over my shoulder.

"Ehem!" Dad's fake coughed suddenly made me realized that he was actually right behind me.

I chuckled sheepishly as I turned to face dad. He glares at me with disapproval.

"Sorry, dad," I said softly. I felt my cheeks hot.

Dad only shot me a cold look. I curled my hand around his waist as we walk across the hall, heading for the stairs. "I can't believe my princesses are falling in love," dad commented as he rested his hand on my shoulder.

"Dad," I whined.

"I just can't accept it," he shook his head and sighed.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and I felt his lips kissed my forehead. "As what always your mom says, you are still our baby!" dad said as he pulls me away from him and pace down the stairs. I followed him with a smile on my face. They had been so sweet with me ever since that incident with Elle. They never failed to show more affection than before and I'm so happy. I felt so loved.

We met theia Lauren at the foyer. She was about to head to the grand staircase but was stopped when she saw us. She was holding a tray with cookies and juice.

"Are you guys leaving?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Yes, Lauren. We'll be back tomorrow," dad responded briefly. I was standing next to him.

"Oh, but I already called Yvonne. I invited your family to come have dinner with us tonight and she agreed," theia said.

"Well, we can come back tonight then. I just want my wife to see her daughter first," dad replied as he smiled at her.

Theia's face lit up. "Great. I'll see you then tonight, Demetrio. I missed Yvonne, too." She chirps as she walks towards me and leaned in, kissing my cheek before stepping back and nodded at dad.

She walks up the stairs while dad and I headed for the door.

....

"Oh my God, my baby!" mom hugs me tight and a tear escapes her eyes. I hug her back and felt overwhelmingly happy being with them again. I've never realized how much I missed them until now. "I can't believe you're home," she giggles as she runs her palms on my hair.

I chuckled. I gave Luke a hug, too. I saw the happiness in my twin's eyes. I felt the same way being back home.

Mom tugs my hand and led me inside. "Hey!" dad's whined made us stops and faces him. "I don't get a hug and kisses, too?" Luke rolled his eyes and I chuckled. Dad is an attention seeker when it comes to mom.

"It doesn't fit your age, babe!" mom glared at him and all the more I chuckled. Dad's face disgruntled. Mom released my hand and walked towards dad. I watched them as mom stood on her tippy toes and then kissed dad. She patted his cheeks after and dad grunted, but he's grinning.

"What are you trying to say? That I'm old?" dad whined. Mom chuckled as she playfully smacked his chest.

"What are you talking about? Who said you're old?" mom ran her palm on dad's chest.

I shook my head in disbelief.

"You just said it!" dad said sulkily. He pushed his chest up, hands planted on his hips. "I'll show you that I'm not old. I can still make a dozen of babies," dad boasted and mom snapped her head to my direction, and I saw her cheeks covered in pink shade. She suddenly smacked dad's chest, harder this time. I burst into a waves of laughter as I turned on my heel and left them, bickering.

I headed straight to my room. I want to sleep. I suddenly felt exhausted. I miss Xandrous already. I'll call him in my room. I thought, but then I realized, I have my stuff in his car.

I quickly pivoted back in the foyer. I saw dad kissing mom. I fake a cough to get their attention. Mom quickly unwrapped her hands around dad's neck. She faces me with a sheepish smile.

I look at dad. "I have my stuff at Xandrous car," I said.

"It should be in your room now," dad responded briefly. I wonder when, but I didn't bother to ask her.

"Alright," I said. "I'll just take a rest then, wake me up at lunch," I smiled at mom.

She quickly left dad's arms and walk towards me. "Did you had breakfast?" she said as she narrowed our gap.

"I'm not hungry, mom. I'm actually sleepy."

She nodded as she stops in front of me. "Alright," she said as she pulled me again and hug me. "I'm happy you're here. I love you," she said before releasing me.

"I love you, too, mom. I'll talk to you later," I pivoted back to the stairs.

As soon as I got in my room, I saw my luggage sitting beside my bed. My wrist purse is on my bed. I decided to have a shower and I'm still wearing Xandrous' coat and my black dress.

I quickly peeled off my clothing and tossed them in the corner of the washroom and step into the shower. I turned the water on and waited until the desired temperature before turning the head spray. Not long, the warm water cascaded down my body, relaxing me.

The favor Deshawn asked me rang in my ears again. I don't know how am I gonna tell him. I feel so bad. I quickly shook the negative vibes off. I'm sure, he can get away with it.

After I dried my body and hair, I wore a plain blue top and baby blue short. I quickly crawled under my bed cover, after placing my small purse on the side table, and smiled at the softness of my bed. I closed my eyes and decided to sleep some more. Now, I could feel my whole body sore, especially my lower part. Our multiple love making made me shiver deliciously. If only he has more condoms, he wouldn't stop until we landed.

I sighed contentedly. I missed him so much, but I comforted myself with the thought of seeing him tonight. I decided to sleep.

Time flies by so quick. Here I am with my family sitting at the Mailov dining room. I was sitting beside Xandrous, mom and dad on the opposite side of theio Zandros while theia was on his other side. Angelik wasn't here and so Kristos. The twins, Lysander and Leandros, are sitting next to theia Lauren. Ember sat beside mom, then me, then Xandrous, across Leandros. Luke wasn't with us.

"I'm so happy you accepted our invitation," theia Lauren chirps as she looks at mom. Her eyes were sparkling with joy.

"Why not, it's been a while," mom responded. I felt Xandrous palm rested on my thigh. I felt tingles suddenly courses through my veins. I didn't hear what theia said since all my senses were on his hot palm resting on my thigh. I was wearing a knee-length dress, and the fabric didn't hinder the heat that comes from his palm, traveling deliciously to my body.

I glared at him and he just smiled at me, his eyes held mischief. Oh God, I never saw this side of him. Wicked but my core is loving it.

I leaned towards him and smiled sweetly. "Get your hand off me," I hissed, still smiling. I saw Lysander was smiling in our direction. I flashed him a sweet smile and straightened myself. I smack his hand away from my thigh. He grips it first before releasing it.

"You look so hot tonight. I can't help it," he whispers suggestively against my ears when Lysander look down on his plate. My cheeks were so hot.

"Are you alright, Vicky?" I heard theia Lauren's sweet voice and my head snapped up in her direction frantically.

I was about to open my mouth when their butler interrupted us. "I'm sorry for the interruption, Mr. and Mrs. Mailov, but Ms. Alanis is here," the butler announced.

Everyone looks in the direction of the door while I was rooted to my seat.

........................

A/N: I'm sorry for those who tried to open this chapter. I accidentally published it, so I unpublished it right away. Anyhow, hope you won't forget to show your support by voting or commenting your thoughts.

I love you guys. I was off today, so I had the chance to update twice. I'll keep trying to write more as often as I can. I apologize again.