"To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there." — Barbara Bush

What the hell is going on with her?

I dialed her number again for the nth time and just the same, her phone kept on ringing. Clenching my jaws tightly, I briskly stood up and snatch the phone and tap the end button. Cursing in frustrations, I stood up and grab my car keys. I strode towards the door in haste as I shrug into my suit jacket pissed off of her ignoring my calls, I buttoned it.

"Cancel my last meeting today," I told Kara without looking at them as I strode past their desk towards the elevator, wearing a grim face. The rides in the elevator seem longer than ever.

As soon as I got inside my car, I drove off heading to the PP holdings.

"Good afternoon, sir Mailov," the guard greeted me. I've been here almost every day since I missed her company, but today, I held back the urge to spend the day with her, yet again, since I need to be at a several meeting that had been put off long enough.

I headed straight to the elevator and ignores the stares thrown at me or my way from the female department. Punching 25th level where her office is, the elevator smoothly moves up. The two women in front of me where murmuring incoherently, secretly throwing me glances whenever I look away.

They scrambled out of the elevator as soon as it stops at their destination and the lift started to move up, agonizingly slow.

As soon as it stops, I stepped out and headed straight to her office. I saw few of her co-employees chatting as they are tidying up their tables.

One of them noticed my presence. I tried to squeeze my head for their names but I couldn't recall. The ginger red-haired girl, a short petite girl in her mid-thirties smiled. "Ms. Pallos already left, Mr. Mailov," she said before I could ask.

My face disgruntled in confusion. It's just half past three. "When did she leave?" I asked stopping to face them.

"Half hour ago,"

Nodding my head, I thank her and then pivoted back to the elevator.

I called her number again as soon as I was back in my car. Her phone just kept ringing.

I called their home phone and it was Mrs. Pallos that answered it. She told me that she's sleeping, so I decided to call her tonight. I tried to shook off the worries that slowly settling in my heart and at the same time, thoroughly annoyed.

The night went by and she wasn't still answering. The next day, I decided to head straight to her office but then she didn't show up. I was so frustrated and I hated it when she's ignoring me.

After an hour waiting for her in her office, I gave up and decided to show up in their mansion instead. My blood is boiling by the time I reached their place.

At exactly ten thirty, I pulled into their long curvy driveway. stopping in front of their front door, I hopped out of my car and strode purposefully towards their door and rang the doorbell trying to simmer down my temper.

One of their maids opens the door and smiled stiffly when she recognized me. She's about her forties and was wearing a clean white apron. "Good morning, sir Xandrous," she greeted as she opens the door wide and motioned me to come in. "Ms. Vicky is having her coffee at the sunroom," she said as she closes the door behind me. She led me through the hallway on the right and to the sunroom. The room was facing the pool.

As soon as I walk in, I saw her being tended by their cook while chatting casually. Her back facing me so she didn't notice my presence. When their cook looks up, she smiled at me and she instinctively turned to look.

Her smile withered when she saw me and her face hardened. I knew something is really wrong. She won't ignored my calls just like that and I have no idea what is it, to which really pisses me off.

"If you'll excuse us," I barked, my eyes trained on her. I can't contain the irritation rising as I scowled at her. She better gives me a damn good reason why she's acting so nonchalant and ignoring my calls.

As soon as the two left, I strode briskly towards her, stopping in front of her, she didn't bother looking up. She took her time stirring her goddamn coffee, obviously giving me a cold shoulder to my annoyance.

"What the fuck is going on? Why are you ignoring my call?" I growled gruffly as I stared down at her in disbelief.

She nonchalantly grabs her coffee and took a sip, brushing off my temper.

I'm on the verge of exploding and it seem that she doesn't care.

Letting out a frustrated breath, I stared at her, hard. "Vicky, I swear to God, answer me!" I grit out, clenching my jaws momentarily.

She puts down her coffee and looks up, meeting my ferocious stare squarely. Her lips pursed as she regarded me for a while taking in a few seconds for what it seems hours. "Why don't you ask yourself?" she retorted curtly, tilting her chin up in defiance.

My forehead furrowed. Confusion filled me and anger rising rapidly. "What are you talking about?" I scowled.

"Are you trying to play with our emotions? Because you know we both love you that you think you could just toy with us like a damn plaything?" she scoffed. She leans back and crosses her hands, never leaving my eyes.

"I don't know what are you talking about. And I'm sure hell that I'm not playing with your feelings. I proposed to you because I love you, and I want you to be the mother of my children!" I said intently.

She looks down and then let out a deep breath. "Cassie came by yesterday." She said softly. I stiffened. "She gave me a voice recorder and I heard everything," she confided, sighing momentarily. She took the teaspoon and stirred her coffee again, absentmindedly.

As soon as it dawns on me what was the fuss all about, I felt like I'm going to combust.

Series of questions flooded my head.

How in the hell that happened? I haven't talked to her in months.

"When was this? Did you even check the time when this thing happened? Are you sure it was me? Did you see my face?" I asked almost not breathing as I stared at her incredulously. I can't believe she just believed her and didn't even give me the benefit of the doubt. "I was with you the last months, how could you possibly think that it was me?"

She looks up, her eyes suddenly looks unsure, then she looks away. "I-I err ..." she trailed off, her face softens. Then she looks at me, eyeing me intently for a while, then she shook her head slowly. "But I heard your name. She called you Xandrous. Who could it be then?" she grits out defiantly, "is there any Xandrous that we know other than you?" she sneered. Her face hardens again.

I shook my head. "It wasn't me!" I growled in a low tone and she stared at me, not backing down. I already lost my temper.

She should have called me right away after that.

She looks down on her coffee and grabs the magazine that I didn't notice it was sitting in front of her and ignored me.

I gave her another furious look. "I'm going to kill that bitch!" I growled softly and stormed out of the room with my heart pounding inside my ribcage with the frustration building up.

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

I drove straight to the Alanis house. I was so furious, I was driving more than the maximum speed and didn't care with the curses the other drivers thrown my way.

I pushed the doorbell button hard and waited. There was no response. When I got tired of waiting, I drove again to our mansion. I needed to talk to my father. I needed to know who is this guy who fathered Cassie's child.

As soon as I arrived at my parent's mansion, I strode inside with a grim face. I didn't notice I was barking at anyone I met on my way.

"Where's my father?" my voice thundered in the grand foyer.

"At the living room, sir," one of the maids answered appearing from nowhere and scuttles away, with an empty tray.

I march towards the living room and I can hear different voices. As I get closer, their voices getting clearer. "I can't give you what you're asking, Taryn," I stop midstride when I heard that name.

What is he doing here?

"Dad!" I called out and he looks surprised and alarmed. He abruptly rose from his seat and apprehensively shifted his gaze between me and my mother.

My eyes trained at the guy who looks exactly like me. His hair is a bit lighter than mine, but everything just looks alike. My heart started to drum.

"Alexandrous!" I heard mom said and I snap my eyes in her direction as she scrambles out of her seat and closes our gap. I kissed her cheek as I regarded her for a second then averted to Taryn who was sitting awkwardly at the adjacent armchair where dad was seated. I stared at the man who was looking at me with contempt.

"What is he doing here?" I asked with my eyes still trained on him.

Dad spoke as soon as he recovered. "Xandrous, he's Taryn As—"

"I know!" I snapped unconsciously. "What is he doing here?" I repeated without peeling my eyes off him.

He stood up, staring at me squarely with the same grim face. "I'll—"

'"I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Mailov but Ms. Alanis is here," the butler announced cutting him off and I saw how Taryn stiffened and turns blanched face as he instinctively snapped his eyes over my shoulder. I turned around and saw Cassie in her maxi dress with her sunglasses resting on her head. She stops and shifted her eyes between me and Taryn, bug-eyed.

Her mouth is open, gaping, shifting her confused eyes between us. I turned around to face dad who looks like he was constipated. For the first time in history, dad looks distraught.

"What is going on? And who is the father of her" pointing at her without turning "baby?" I asked grimly.

Dad swallowed hard, giving mom a knowing look, she nodded at him. "Alexandrous, this is your twin, Alexandrine Mailov," he introduced calmly.

I look at him in disbelief.

My twin? How?

Mom walks towards dad and stood in between them and Taryn. I was gaping at them hoping that he's just joking, but the looks on their faces, they were dead serious. "Taryn here," mom looks at the frozen state of Taryn — while he was still staring at Cassie — with longing "was stolen by Dr. Tara Asker when he was born, that's why we have no idea that you have a twin," mom explained and I don't know how in the hell they didn't know they are having twins.

With all the surprises that revealed to me today, my head seems to stop working properly.

I don't even know what exactly I am feeling right now or should I feel.

When I look at Taryn or Alexandrine, he looks detach, still with his eyes trained on Cassie. "He's your twin," mom choked out.

"So you are playing as Xandrous all the while?" Cassie's voice broke the growing tension gaping between us. And then I just realized, Cassie's baby is my twin's baby.

Taryn steps forward towards her. "Kouklitsa mou (doll)" he calls trying to reach for her but she spun on her heel and walks away.

"Alexandrine!" mom called out as she reached for him and Alexandrine stares at her with mix emotions.

"Please stay, son," mom begs and I felt the tears brimming in my eyes. I don't know why I felt sad. Alexandrine looks at me and I just stared at him, unable to name what kind of emotions I'm feeling right now.

"I need to talk to her," he said softly, and gently pulls her hands off his arm.

Mom just watches his retreating back, eyes glistening from the tears she's holding back. She looks lost and broken. "Son," she calls, her voice is broken. Alexandrine stops and a minute waiting for him to turn feels longer.

He slowly turns his head. Staring at my mother with the same broken face, "I'll be back ..." he paused, "mom," then disappeared.

Mom broke out into tears as soon as he disappears. Dad was already standing at her side and pulled her to his chest. I walked towards them and gave mom a hug, and dad hugs us.

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

Everyone was busy in the house. Mom didn't stop ordering since this morning, the curtain was changed into new ones, to clean every corner of the house, especially my sister's room. After Xandrous walked out on me, I felt stress out. He looks really mad and I don't know where he is. I know I'm acting childish, but I'm not going to call him. I'm still mad and jealous.

He kissed that bitch!

Argh.

Honestly, I'm starting to feel suspicious. Maybe he was right? But who was this man whom she called Xandrous? He didn't even correct her, instead, he kissed her!

I decided to watch a movie instead of sulking and stressing myself over that damn thing.

I headed straight to our entertainment room. I set up the popcorn machine and soon, the room filled with the popping sounds of the popcorns. As soon as it was done, I turn the small handle and shake the kettle out to make sure the kettle is empty and turned the switch off.

I took the big bowl filled with popcorns and place it on the small coffee table and turned on the huge wall-mounted screen. Browsing the collections of movies my brother downloaded , I wonder which one I already watch and which are not.

"How to dump a guy in ten days"

I smiled and instantly click it. The background sound filled the room and I settled myself in the middle, with the popcorn bowl on my lap.

Soon enough, I was lost in the movie. I was laughing my head off when she moves in his apartment, acting overly possessive, and when she ruins their poker night. The two sticks into their own intentions to win and in the process both fell in love.

I smiled at the happy ending. My eyes unconsciously flew to the ring I was wearing and I smiled bitterly. I hope I'm getting the same happy ending with Xandrous.

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

Dinner came and everyone was shocked to see Luke with a girl walk into the dining room. She has a coffee brown hair, a little taller than mom, amber eyes, high cheekbone, in short, stunning. I've never seen my brother smile like that. Dad and mom suddenly stood up to meet them.

"Mom, dad, I want you to meet Jewel Ashton. My girlfriend," he introduced and I just watch them as they shared pleasantries.

"And my twin," Luke doesn't look impressed as he threw me a brief glare then turning his eyes at her.

I just gave her a small smile. She smiled sheepishly. "Please give her a seat, Luke," mom said and Luke led her to the chair across me.

Mom and dad converse with Jewel and Luke, while I focused on my food not interested in their topic as I frequently checking my phone under the table if Xandrous called yet. I received nothing.

"Actually, my daughter here, Victoria is a designer," dad proudly said and I snapped my head in his direction. I smiled at them. Dad beams at me with pride.

"She's a wedding designer, princess," dad exclaimed and I look at snapped my eyes at her. She sheepishly smiled at me as she nods.

"She just got engaged," mom proclaimed enthusiastically.

She looks at mom, "is that so?" then she averted her eyes to me and beams "congratulations!" she said genuinely and I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you!"

"She could design your gown if Xandrous and you, decided to pick the date," mom interjected elatedly and I nodded, forcing a smile.

I felt relieved when the dinner is over. As soon as I was in my room, I decided to take a shower and go to bed early. Mom and dad reminded us to wake up early since we are going to pick up Elle and Nicolai. All the worries wash away with the excitement to see my sister. I can't wait to see her.

I'm going to see her. An errant teardrop rolled down my cheek. I didn't realize I was crying softly as I remembered her.

After a quick shower, I was lying in my bed with my sleeping gown. I took my phone and tap on the speed dial. I stared at the number as I battled with my thoughts.

Pushing away the urge, I decided to call him tomorrow. Turning the phone into silent, I place it on the side table and decided to sleep.

...........

"Wake up, baby!" a soft cooing sound woke me up but I just grunted in protest and rolled to the other side with my eyes still closed. I don't want to leave the comfort of my bed yet.

"Vicky, everyone is ready. You need to get up and get ready. Elle will be here in an hour," upon hearing Elle's name, my eyes snapped open and then I rolled onto my back to check who was talking though I recognized the voice damn well. I bolted sat upright when I saw him staring down at me with a wicked grin on the corner of his lips. My heart leaped a bit but I just shook it off and ignored his effect on my system.

"Why the hell are you here at this hour?" I asked disorientedly and he chuckled. He is acting like we didn't just argue yesterday.

Rubbing my eyes, I scrambled out of my bed and ignored him again. He just brushes it off my temper.

As soon as I got showered, dressed, and all, everyone was already at the front door, heading to the limo. Xandrous was patiently waiting for me at the foot of the stair steps. I'm still upset but I really missed him.

I don't want to ruin this day so I let it slide for now.

"You look stunning, baby," as he reaches for my hand. I stared at him for a good minute, taking in his charismatic aura, and I noticed the redness of his eyes, dark circles under his eyebags.

Did he sleep?

"Let's go," he smiled as he assisted me down to the last steps.

I felt his hand around my waist and I didn't protest. I smell his natural scent mix with his expensive cologne and I smiled inwardly. I missed his smell, all of him.

"Can we talk later?" he murmured as we walk towards the limo.

"Yes," I responded briefly.

We were both quiet the whole ride but his hand never left my waist. I could feel his lips occasionally kissing my head and I just enjoyed it, forgetting temporarily the problem between us.

The limo pulled behind the Petropoulis black limo and then dad came out first. He helped mom, then Luke and his girlfriend which I realized she was here as well. Then we came out last.

Mom and dad were conversing with the Petropoulis excitedly as we waited for the plane to arrived. I noticed the tarpaulin the Petropoulis' twins was holding. From where I stood, I could only make up some of the letters which read like, Welcome.

Not long, the Petropoulis private plane landed. I felt Xandrous gave my waist a soft squeeze. My heart starting to beat rapidly, feeling a little anxious of how will my sister treat me after that night.

I leaned in on Xandrous' side and he pulled me closer to his side. "It will be alright," he murmured comfortingly.

"She's here!" They're here!" Natalia giggled loudly and everyone's attention was locked on the plane that just landed.

The aircraft door opens in a slow motion or was just my imagination and the crew made their way down the steps and stood to either side of the open door waiting for them.

I sucked in my breath when I saw Nico steps carefully down and with Elle behind him. I felt rooted to the ground as I watch my sister in her new look, straight bob cut, looking so different from the Elle I know, with no glasses on. She looks stunning in her gray midi dress.

I felt the tears brimming in my eyes and I tried to blink them away as I trained it on them. My throat feels dry from constant swallowing.