"But you have your own place?" I scowled at Alex as I closed our gap.

I didnt care about his smouldering eyes raking my face up and down as I stood in front of him.

Reaching out for the stove, I turned it off. He cocked his eyebrow as he stared at my face intensely. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt, then tugged him forward.

"I apologize, Clara Bell. I know it was sudden, but I didn't expect a woman was waiting for me there. I don't want to see that Heaven. She's so tenacious," I heard my brother whined.

"All right, give me a second. I just need to get change," I said as I pulled Alex with me to my guest room.

"Get dress!" I mouthed at him, widening my eyes at him.

He inclined his head to the side as he gestured me silently with is hands what's going on.

"Did you just get up?" Nicolai asked.

"No, Nikolai!" I said, stressing his name so Alex can get it.

Alex's face lit up in recognition and he quickly grabbed his clothes from last night and put it on in haste, except his coat.

I gave Nikolai my unit number as I left Alex in his room and headed straight to the door.

I unlocked the door and yanked it open. Nikolai was scowling at the hallway, and turned to face me. His scowl darkened when our eyes met.

"What took you so long?" he grumbled, then he walked past me. I glared at his back then pushed the door shut and followed him to the living room. I just noticed his laptop casing slung on his shoulder when he ripped it off his shoulder and place it on the single chair next to the couch.

"How long will you stay here?" I asked as he slouched on the couch. He looked exhausted. His one hand busy loosening his tie, while the other resting on the top of the backrest.

"Until my unwanted visitor leave my place," he grumbled as he looked up and frowned at me. "Is your guest room clean? I'm really sleepy. I just need a few hours sleep," he said then yanked his blue necktie off his neck then tossed it next to his laptop casing.

My eyes suddenly snapped to the hallway and just then Alex sauntered heading our direction without any sign of wariness or anxiousness in his aura.

I was holding my breath as he came closer and stopped. "Hey, Nikolai," Alex greeted causing my head to snapped back to Nikolai who gave me a questioning look then drifted it back to Alex as he stood up and meet him with a brief handshake.

I was wringling my hands behind my back as I watched the two exchanged pleasantries. My heart pounding loudly against my breastbone with growing apprehension.

If Raffy is hot temper, Nikolai is the worst. Mom always tells him that his temper is as worst as dad.

"Dad asked him to drive me while Clinton is in Scotland to watch Alexandria," I blurted out before Alex would say something that Nikolai doesn't approved.

Nikolai's eyebrow went up high as he threw me a quizzical look. I sent him a sharp glare. "I don't know!" I said, my eyes rolled.

"Well," Nikolai said as he return his attention to Alex. "Thank you for taking care of my sister," he said, giving Alex a pat in the shoulder. Alex only let out a soft growl. I glanced at him and he doesn't look pleased. "Since I'm here, I can drive her anywhere," Nikolai said and gave me a warning look.

I sighed.

"No, I don't mind driving her, Nikolai. I know you came here for your business. My purpose here is over, I'm free to drive her anywhere before I fly back to New York," Alex said, the determination in his tone was firm and Nikolai stare him down.

Alex met his without wavering.

I sighed in resignation.

These two are two big headed.

"I know how precious your time is, Alex," Nikolai leveled him a sharp gaze. "What's your intention?" he asked bluntly.

My eyes widened as I darted it to my brother. He stood now face to face with Alex. The two almost of the same height, and they looked like two tigers who was sizing up each other before pouncing.

"You are right," Alex begun. My heart starting to beat like hooves of mad horses. "I love your sister," he admitted to my disbelief. My eyes felt like it's gonna popped out of its socket of his admission.

"NO!" I screamed in my head as I shook my head.

The two seemed to forget me already as they stared each other's down. The room suddenly felt smaller. The energy radiating off from them filled the four walls, tension thickening.

"We know you dated Claire. Are you going to include her in your collection?" Nikolai seethed, his jaws flexed, his lips pressed in a grim line.

Alex's jaws was tight. "Claire and I are over and I can assure you, my intention with your sister is pure. I can marry her anytime she wants, anywhere," Alex growled sternly.

Nikolai only raised his eyebrows as he snorted. Nikolai darted his eyes to me. God, I wanted to vanish right this moment.

"Did you allow him?" Nikolai frowned, accusation underlying his low tone.

I glared at him. "He's persistent, and I'm already old enough to decide for myself, don't you think?" I hissed at him. See, this is the problem when you have four brothers who thinks they are the fathers!

Nikolai stared at me with amusement, but his eyes held displeasure with the situation. "I'm sure dad and Raffy won't think the same, just as I do," Nikolai crossed his hands over his chest and cocked his head to the side, taunting me.

And Sid and Matthew, don't forget, but I kept it in my head.

My eyes turned into slits as I stared him down. Oh, this bull headed, he's pissing me off royally.

Nikolai just nod his head at Alex and the two seemed agreed silently, though I could still feel that Nikolai doesn't agree completely.

"If you don't want me to call your place and let that Heaven know you're in my place, then shut your mouth, Nikolai!" I warned him, and he just grinned at me.

"I'm sure she'll love your company. She's too snobby and brat, you'll like her too," Nikolai grinned as he moved and made his way to the guestroom, but before he passed us, he said to Alex. "Don't ever think of hurting our princess, Demakis. I'll hunt you to hell," Nikolai threatened before he strode off.

I heard Alex let out a deep sigh before he turned to face me.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled and Alex only smiled. He stepped forward, stopping a few inches away from me then dropped me a kiss on my forehead.

"It's alright," he answered after.

"Would you like me to leave now or I stay? I don't want to provoke your brother," Alex asked politely, and I shook my head. Just then my belly growled and Alex chuckled.

"I think I'll make you breakfast first before I'll leave you," he said, then guide me to the kitchen. I didn't protest since I'm already hungry.

I sat on the same chair I vacated an hour ago and watched him moved with familiarity in the kitchen. I could sit all day and watch him move around. Who thought a ruthless Demakis could move like a professional chef in the kitchen, like he owned it, and makes the best omelet.

Not long, I was drooling silently as I stare at the omelet in front of me. I took the knife and fork and started digging in. Alex was just watching as he quietly ate his.

"Thank you," I said after a bite. I gave him a broad smile and he just chuckled at me. The brief shuddering of his shoulders, the twinkling in his eyes had my heart swelled with happiness. He looked genuinely happy, and that brought a warm feeling in my heart.

"Would you like to go out tonight? Maybe this time you won't drink as much as last night so I can enjoy your company?" Alex's eyes flickered with amusement and I felt my cheeks heated up.

"Sure, just don't buy a bottle of Champagne," I joked and he chuckled boyishly. I stared at his face. He's really good looking.

"I'll keep that in mind," he grinned.

I resumed eating and he did too. We silently finished our breakfast.

When he's done, I was about to collect the dirty dish when he stopped me. "Go ahead, take a rest. I'll do this," he said in a tender voice I've never heard he used in all the years I've known him.

"You're spoiling me," I said as I insisted to help him, but he just placed his hand over my hand to stop me from picking up the plate as our eyes met.

"That's what I am aiming for," he mused. My face heated up at the intensity of his stare and I looked away, nodding my head in resignation.

"Go and just relax at the couch," he said, and started collecting the dishes.

I quickly headed to the living room to avoid his intense gaze, my whole body felt warm. My heart didn't stop beating, like it's going to popped out any time soon.

If he keeps doing that, I'm going to fall harder until I couldn't get up anymore.

God, please help me!

.....

Nikolai decided to stay for the night. Alex insisted to come and make dinner, but with the two inside the room, it's not a good idea so I have to decline his tempting offer.

Maybe Raffy could tolerate him, but Nikolai? His temper is as thin as his hair strands.

"You two used to fight. You hate each other. What happened?" Nikolai blurted out as he ate his last bite of his Veal. We just ordered Veal ala Marsala since none of us knows how to cook.

He looked calm, yet his eyes was telling me he wasn't.

"Yes, but we were young then. Very immature," I rolled my eyes at him.

The corner of his lips twitched. "So you mean, you like him now?" Nikolai looked surprised and I didn't say yes neither no. I just lifted my shoulder into a half shrug as I continued eating.

"You know we don't want to see you shed even a single tear, princess, but if he will be the cause of it, forgive us, but he better find a place to hide," Nikolai said. The firmness in his tone said he was dead serious. His eyes twitching as he gaze at me.

I shook my head.

"Oh please, that will never happen!" I hissed, finishing my food, then rose from my seat and grabbed my plate. I put the plate in the sink, rinse it off then place it in the dishwasher.

"It better not be!" Nikolai growled.

"Why is Heaven in your place by the way? And why are you hiding from her? Since when did you hide from woman?" I asked, dropping the topic.

Nikolai grumbled under his breath. I took his empty plate and empty wine glass, then brought it to the sink. I did the same thing before placing it in the dishwasher.

"You have no idea how persistent is that woman. I didn't even bed her because I know how clingy and tenacious she could be. If only I had turned my back that night when I saw her approaching me. Damn!" Nikolai cursed as he shook his head in regrets and rose from his seat.

I chuckled.

Nikolai is a mixed of mom and dad. His eyes, he got it from dad; his temper, his body and height, and so his skin. His hair is lighter than dad. It is between dad and mom's hair. Many had said that Nikolai was the most handsome among the Valiente's, but I think Sid has it all.

(I found my Nikolai Valiente. He's Anthony Jerram. Just ignore the color of his hair and eyes. I'm imagining him with lighter hair and forest green eyes. Gorgeous, isn't he!)

(He does look a bit like David Gandy here, especially the eyes. And oh, the lips!)

"Isn't that's what you men like? Women chasing you?" I teased as I followed him. Nikolai snorted.

"Not many men, Princess."

He put his hand around my shoulder and led me to the living room. I felt shorter all the more. I'm 5'9, but Nikolai still a head taller than me, like Alex, or the rest of my family except mom.

"If Alex pursues you, would you give him a chance?" Nikolai asked as he pulled his hand off my shoulders.

I stopped and stared at him. He looked dead serious. Curiosity swirling in his forest green eyes, eyes that he got from Dad.

......

Here you go. Sorry for the long wait.