Alexander finally released me from the hug which seemed to have last for years. His hug wasn't the only thing that lingered, his words replayed through my mind.

You shouldn't have threatened me, Gabriel Harris, cause now you'll be playing a dangerous game with me.

Though I could feel that same grin as he spoke, his words said otherwise. There was something about him that felt odd.

Was it the way he managed to fit perfectly into the crowd?

Or the way his eyes blazed with playfulness?

" Gabriel sweetheart, could you pass this key to Alexander, I'm sure you have met him already. Isn't he a charming boy?" Mom handed me a key.

" He sure is." I gave her the most geniune smile possible, hoping to hide my sarcasm.

"Exactly! By the way, his room would be beside yours so I hope you can maybe show him around the house while Blake gets comfortable. Alright, honey?" Mom gave my cheek a pinch as she sashayed away to dad.

She definitely missed my sarcasm.

Sighing in annoyance, my eyes scanned the crowd for Alexander, but to no avail.

" He's such a burden." I muttered under my breath, stuffing the key into my pants' pocket.

More people started flooding into the function hall, being the claustrophobic type, I felt the walls closing -- it all just seem too tight.

Without another moment of hesitation, I made my way to the large balcony which was near our masionate garden.

Pushing the door open, the autumn wind breezed thrown my hair. The small lamps gave away the figure that stood by the edge of the balcony.

" So I guess you are a loner afterall." I chuckled when I noticed him gazing out from the balcony into the night sky.

" I thought we established the fact that you're my friend though, right Gabriel?" Alexander didn't have to turn around to realise who I was.

I snickered at his response.

" Whatever floats your boat, Alex." I mocked, walking over to his side. He gave me a once-over, his dark orbs twinkling under the stars.

" How creative Gabriel, is that seriously the best you got?" He challenged but I shrugged carelessly.

Peering up to the sky, I tried to ignore his burning gaze.

" You know Gabriel, you're very different from your brother."

" Well that took you long enough to realise..." I murmured out sarcastically.

He casted me a lopsided smile, a small laugh escaping his lips.

" First of all, I think we can both agree that you have quite a mouth unlike Blake."

" You should get use to it Xander, since you'll be seeing me everyday." I tried out another nickname, handing him his room key as well.

" I like that." He simply said.

" W-what?" I stuttered, unsure what he was referring to. Was he referring to seeing me everyday? Or..?

" I like that nickname," he corrected, his eyes flickered with a amusement. I released a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

He continued, " Second, from the looks of it, you put up a strong front, and you despise socialising." Alexander said it with full of confidence.

" What are you now? A psychologist?" I lifted an eyebrow, resting my hands on the ledge.

" Well, I did major in that to help me with my....business." I didn't miss the pause in his sentence as though he was weighing his words.

I nodded skeptically, licking my lips wet.

I noticed how he let his eyes drop to the ledge, like as if it was the most beautiful cemented ledge he has ever seen.

" So..." I trailed, " what is this so called business of yours?" I questioned in curiosity.

Upon hearing my question, I felt him tense up. Xander released a heavy breath, letting out an awkward laugh to try an ease the sudden tensed atmosphere.

He pushed himself off the edge of the balcony.

" For now, Gabriel, there's only two things you need to know about me. One, I'm your brother's best friend. Two, my business is way too complex for an innocent mind like yours." He ruffled my hair.

My eyebrows snapped together, I definitely didn't like how he downgraded my maturity.

" B-but--" he interrupted me.

" Good night Gabriel, sleep well." He gave me one last dazzling smile, running his fingers through his hair before he disappeared behind the large doors.

I remain looking in the direction he walked away in, he was so wrong. I'll prove him wrong.

I'll find out every detail about him, down to the smallest scratch.

And Alexander Wilde won't know what hit him.

▪▪▪▪

"Morning Alexander! Bacon and eggs?" Mom chirped, it annoyed me how she seem extra sweet towards Alexander.

" Good morning Aunt Harris! I'll love that," he planted a kiss on her cheek.

He stared at me with an amused smile when I mouthed 'back off, thats my mother'

" Good morning to you too Gabriel, you seem especially happy today, is it because you're greeted with my beautiful face?" He sat on stool by the kitchen counter, grinning at me as I leaned against the pillar.

I definitely didn't miss the sarcasm.

Munching on my apple, I glared at him.

" Instead of bacon and eggs, how about you eat some humble pie and get over yourself Xander. Plus, mom, why does he get bacon and eggs while you give me an apple?" I was ready to list 100 reasons why I would deserve a better treatment.

"He's our guest." Dad pipped in.

" And he's 24 years old as well." I countered back, Alexander just laughed along.

It was utterly useless to fight for my rights, I figured.

" Where's Blake and Kai?" I asked curiously, throwing my eaten apple into the bin.

"They are planning some club party this Saturday, so they are checking out the hotspots." Dad explained, as he sipped on his warm coffee.

"Well, I'm heading to the Art Museum to try and figure out my art project." I shrugged with a sigh.

" I'm heading for the gym, so I'll leave with you." Alexander announced as well, winking over at me cheekily.

Why do I feel like I could never escape him?

Walking ahead, I heard him shut the door before jogging up to me. I glanced over at him -- his grey sweatpants hung low around his waist, he wore a white translucent muscle tee along with that, I didn't miss the sliver necklace he had around his neck.

" I heard you are majoring in Art. I could never understand what people see in art pictures?" He started out with small talk.

" Well people like you won't appreaciate the beauty in the little things, I don't understand either what you guys see in lifting weights in the gym? " I countered back, casting him a small tip smile.

He raised an eyebrow, licking his lips.

" People like me? You better watch that mouth of yours Gab." His words made me feel a weird somersault in my gut.

I couldn't understand the way I reacted, it was such a foreign feeling. Shaking those jitters off, I felt his gaze on me.

" If you knew me better, you would know that I do actually apprecaite art...its just a different type of art compared to yours." My eyes widened, his words piqued my interest.

I peered up at him, pouting slightly in thought.

" You know what Gab? Scrap the idea of going to gym, show me the art museum, it's at Lavender Avenue if I remember correctly." He gave me a wide smile, that made my heart flutter.

I gapped at him, only realising that when he snapped his fingers before my eyes.

" Why are you so shocked?"

"I-I...no one ever took interest in my art stuff..." I murmured out, i couldn't help but let a smile lace on my lips.

" What are you waiting for then, Harris!" He yelled out in excitement before sprinting forward.

" Xander I can't run for nuts!" I bellowed.

" Last one to the muesuem owes the other a favor and ice cream!" He added on.

Hell no, I'm not gonna owe him any favor nor ice cream. With that, my legs begin moving faster than I thought.

▪▪▪▪▪

" I'll let you know my favor eh?" I nudged him playfully, enjoying how he was bumped by the fact that I won him.

" Beginner's luck." He snickered.

"Sure, Alexander, sure." I spoke in a sing-song tone.

Leading him into the muesuem, my heart rate increased. I was afraid of how he would react, what he would say or feel. I was usually alone when I went analysing artworks, having a person with me made me fidgety.

He walked ahead, his eyes roaming about the many artworks. He had a permanent frown on face, as though something was on his mind.

Instead of analysing pictures, I found my eyes travelling right back to Alexander. What could he possibly be hiding from me? He seemed so carefree.

I noticed over the hour how he enjoys biting his lip when in thought, or how he scratches his head when he felt confused.

I found him highly amusing to watch, surprisingly. " Why do you come here Gabriel?" He asked out of the blue as we headed for the exit.

" I need to find some inspiration for my art project, apparently its not good enough." I shrugged, releasing an irritated huff.

His tongue poked around his cheek, as he pursed his lips.

" Don't get me wrong, Gab, these beautiful artworks but to get inspiration...it doesn't come from looking..." Alexander halted in his steps, hence I stood before him.

"it comes from here--" he tapped his his finger on the left side of my chest--my heart.

I was gazing into his eyes the entire time, they captivated me with just one glance.

They weren't just ordinary brown eyes, they had specks of dark brown in them, arousing a feeling of warmth within...somehow.

It was rather unusual how close proximity we standing, but he had a way with his words. He could make me forget about everything around me.

" I want to show you something, " he grabbed my wrist, which thankfully shook me out of little mental conversation.

Dragging me along, we ran through the neighbourhood, in between alleyways, up the hill into the forest.

The smell of pine trees became more evident, its whiff made me giddy as though I was high on a drug.

" I can't believe it's still here." Alexander breathed out with a smile, as he ran up the the top.

" Wait up! What do you mea--" I paused upon seeing the sight before me.

I never been to this secluded part of the town, neither did I know that behind the hill was a large shimmering lake with a small hut by the side.

" What are you waiting for Gab!" I realised Alexander had ran further.

This boy is older than me by 4 years and yet he acts like a child, I shook my head with a small slip of laughter.

He stopped by the hut, his hands resting on his hips as he took a deep breath.

" I came here all the time when I was 13, this is my type of art." I squinted my eyes with puzzlement, I didn't quite get his drift just yet.

He took both my hands in his, which made me swallow hard. His hands brought mine to my eyes, covering them.

" Don't peep, alright." He whispered softly, his fingers leaving my hands finding their way to my back.

I nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to expect.

" Don't worry, I'll be by your side the entire time. Just do what I say." He spoke soothingly.

" As long as you don't kill me, then I'm fine." He chuckled at my response.

"If anything, you'll be the first to kill me." He chuckled, I was still trying to figure out whether there was another meaning behind his words.

I didn't know this was the beginning of how fast my life will change...