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"You can't continue to steal all my hoodies, Alexa!" Axel yelled after me while chasing me down the staircase.

I giggled while running into the living room. I quickly hid behind the couch and pulled my knees up to my chest to fit in the small space between the couch and the wall. The sound of Axel's heavy footsteps started getting closer and I could hear the sound of his heavy breathing after chasing me for so long. I quickly covered my mouth with the palm of my hand to avoid giving away my hiding spot.

"You can run, but you can't hide from me long little mouse." He said in a sinister voice. I internally rolled my eyes at his silliness. He can't even find his phone when it's lying in his hand.

I can't really see the problem. I only borrowed a couple of his hoodies. He is acting like I stole his food or something, if that was the case then I probably wouldn't be alive right now. It is really not my fault that my stupid brothers didn't think it would be a good idea to bring all of my clothes when they first decided to kidnap me. I only had a duffle bag stuffed with some of my school clothes. What I wouldn't give to get my favorite hoodie back.

After a while, it got quiet around me and I thought that maybe Axel had given up looking for me so I carefully crawled out from behind the couch, but the second I was up on my feet I got pulled down onto the couch by Axel. That sneaky bastard!

"Please can I borrow it just for today?" I pleaded while putting on my saddest face.

He ran his hand through his slightly curly hair and I knew at that moment that I had him just where I wanted him. I knew that he couldn't resist my puppy eyes. Damon is currently the only one immune to my puppy eyes. Not that he would give a shit about me being sad anyway.

Axel sighed at my struggle and eventually released me from his iron grip. I instantly smiled in victory and let me tell you his expression was priceless. I personally want to thank Olivia for being an amazing actor and rubbing off on me.

I proceeded to happily skip down the hall to Mason's office. It was located at the end of the hallway to avoid anyone disturbing him, not like I couldn't do it now. I gently knock three times on his door before entering.

I was Internally awed when I spotted my oldest brother passed out on a stack of papers. His usual slick hair was now messy and a couple of strands were hanging down his face. I could even see some droule on his chin. The poor guy must have fallen asleep while working last night. Even in his sleep, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, like he was still worrying about work even when sleeping.

I looked around his office and instantly spotted the big mess of files and contracts on the floor. I decided to pull up my sleeves and sort this mess out, so I picked up a couple of files and started organizing them.

It took me a while, but after color coordinating everything, it looked a lot better. Just as I was finishing up I could hear Mason groaning from his desk. He must have woken up by the sound of me cleaning. I walked up to him and gently patted his cheek.

"Alex, Is that you?" He mumbled and I couldn't help but giggle when I saw the yellow post-it note stuck to his forehead.

"Good morning Mase, I think you fell asleep last night," I said softly.

Once he was fully awake it didn't take long before he noticed that all of his files were neatly organized on his shelf and looked over at me with a huge smile etched onto his face. A smile that I had deeply missed.

"Did you do this?" He asked, looking at his now clean office in complete awe.

I nodded and leaned forward to remove the post-it note from his face. The expression on his face was hilarious when he noticed it. In one swift move, Mason stood up from his chair and attempted to stretch out his back which was probably sore from sleeping in his chair.

"So what do you say, do you want to spend the day with your boring old brother?" He looked down at me hopefully.

Since school was closed for the day, the only plans I had made were to make some cookies and have a movie marathon in bed, but I guess it could be fun to spend the day with Mason like we just do all the time together.

"Don't you have work today?" I asked.

"No, today we are going to spend some quality time together without any distractions." He stated determinedly.

"Just let me go and change and then we'll get going." He said before leaving to get dressed.

I laughed when I heard the sound of his footsteps running up the stairs and soon I followed after so I could change out of my sweats and into something more appropriate. Eventually, I decided on a pair of high-waisted shorts and a black t-shirt. By the time I was done getting dressed Mason was already waiting impatiently in the hallway for me. Long gone was his usual suit and instead, he was wearing a casual outfit consisting of a blue t-shirt and a pair of black shorts.

Well seated in the car the conversation wasn't exactly flowing like it has moments before. It was like it was this barrier of unanswered questions that were keeping us from being able to be act normally. And without Carson there to brighten up our moods, it was just awkward.

I could feel his burning gaze from beside me, but I continued to keep my eyes trained on the dashboard in front of me.

"You have grown into a beautiful woman Alexandra." He stated.

I couldn't help but glance over at him. He was already looking straight at me when I eventually met his gaze.

"I can't even express how sorry I am for making you feel so lost that the only possibility you saw was leaving your family." He said, still looking directly at me. The pain in his eyes was clearly visible.

I violently shook my head at that statement. Mason was not allowed to put this on him. I knew he was trying so hard to keep this family together and make sure we got the best possible childhood, which he did give us. I never should have taken everything he gave me for granted because I now knew that the nights he had to leave me alone at me was also the nights he sat alone in his office all night trying to make enough money to support our dreams.

"You are not allowed to put all this on yourself, Mason. I was in such a bad place..."

"I was there Alexa. They contacted Axel and me after your accident and they told us you might not make it. I saw you lying in that hospital bed, pale and almost lifeless. I have never felt so helpless, I should have been there to protect you as I promised I would. You have every right to be mad at me because I failed you." he nearly screamed out.

I found myself speechless. He was with me at the hospital?

"But when I woke up you weren't there and I'm pretty sure Xander wouldn't have allowed them into my room." I tried to think back to that day, but I was in such a drowsy state that I couldn't really understand what was going on at the time.

Mason's jaw clenched at the mentioning of Xander, tho I am pretty sure they haven't even met and if they ever did it for sure wouldn't be a pleasant sight. They are way too similar to get along, both strong leaders.

"Well while we were visiting your friends came in and this guy even had the nerve to kick us out of your room claiming we were not family," he said it like it was the stupidest thing ever, but to be honest, I am not sure I would even have handled seeing them in that state.

I took his large hand in mine and gave it a little squeeze. "You will always be my big brother Mason." I said looking straight at him.

He gave me a small smile back before the engine ones again roared back to life and he swiftly turned the car back on the road and started driving towards our favorite ice cream parlor. I knew he was trying his best to hide it, but I couldn't help but notice the lonely tear that escaped his eye.