A tinge of anger rose within me as I watched GP held Clara Bell so gingerly. Clara looked so content, no malice yet I couldn't help it.

Stinging sensation burst around my eyes and just realized that I was staring at him too hard. And holding back that intense feeling was actually exhausting. It felt like I just had a marathon.

It's crazy how powerful it is, it is draining my energy.

It's just a friendly hug, Alex. I silently chided myself as I approached them.

I willed myself not to reach out GP's neck and give it a little squeeze... a little harder... or... throttle it. In a barely controlled anger I embraced him, a little too tightly than necessary.

GP didn't notice but Lucas did. That one eyebrow arched too high than the other, he knew how I felt at the moment.

"That was a pretty intense, hug," he commented good-naturedly as he past us and approached Clara wearing that mischievous grin.

"Nice seeing you again, bro!" GP said causing me to tear my eyes off Lucas and Bell and rested on him. One hand rested around my shoulders in a friendly manner.

"It's nice to see you, too," I replied in a barely concealed tone.

"What happened to you, after the party?" GP inquired. I'd like to think he's being nosy now, but his tone held nothing but no interest.

"I barely remember anything," I frowned. And yes, I can't recall what happened most of that night other than stalking Clara Bell. I was really drunk.

I patted his shoulder a little too hard before pulling away. "You left after, you tell me what happened?" I cocked my head as I waited for his reply.

GP shook his head as he dragged his gaze away. " I got bored," he sighed.

"When was the last time you were ever get entertained?" shaking my head good-naturedly.

He just shrugged his shoulders in response. Typical GP.

Shaking my head I looked away, my eyes locked with Clara's. My heart cavorted as I tried to read her mind through her eyes. She looked unimpressed. And my heart suddenly made a leapt to my throat.

What did I do?

I wonder why?

I was about to mouth her 'what's wrong' when she turned her attention back to auntie Enna.

"What do you think of the newly elected president? His platform seems good. Will surely bring more busi...."

His voice just passed my ears in a blur. My brain was now busy trying to remember what must be the reason of her sharp stares.

And as I pondered what happened in the last minutes, ny brain suddenly made an abrupt halt.

Good Lord! I'm acting like my dad now. Whenever mom wasn't smiling or looking upset, fright is written all over his face. And I bet I had that look right now.

Okay, relax.

I'm not overthinking things.

"Love bugs. You got it hard!" GP muttered but it didn't register in my busy brain.

Suddenly, his phone beeped. He gave me the silent 'excuse me' signal using his index finger, then he casually pulled it out of his pocket his phone. The small machine then took all his attention.

"Come on, Alex. Let's go to the stables. You should see the new horse GP acquired from Turkmenistan," Lucca or Lucas excitedly said. He turned on his heel towards the direction of their stables. I looked back where Aunt Enna and Clara Bell's disappeared into before I followed him, leaving GP still glued on his phone.

"You will forget any blondes you dated after you see this hot baby!" His full of pep affected me causing me to laugh.

"What's the breed?" I asked as we ambled along the pavement that led to the very back of their house to their stables. Farther end of their properties is where their racing tracks located.

They bought the next properties and let the forest grew more on its own so they can also go horse riding in the forest. Sometimes, they hunt deer, but that's very rare.

"I know you are knowledgeable about horses so I'd like you to see it for yourself... Impress me," Lucas grinned from ear to ear.

"Just common knowledge, Luc," I frowned, head shaking with disagreement.

Lucas guffawed, excitement obviously is the cause. I looked around us and it looked like Lucas caught their workers' attention. I could feel their eyes watching us as we trudge down the path.

"Please!..." he cocked his head to the side, "playing modest now, huh? Come on, Alex!" I chuckled. 

We reached the stables. 

"Hey, Oliver!" Luc greeted their stable man as we get closer. Oliver stopped brushing Myrtle's mane. It's Bambi's horse. He turned to face with a smile on his face. 

We stopped at arms length in front of him. 

"How's going?" I smiled at the 32 years old man stretching one arm and gave his shoulder a gentle pat before pulling it back and tuck it in my pocket. 

"Morning, Sir Luc..." with a brisk nod of his head, then he drifted his eyes on me. "Morning, Sir Alex," giving me same brisk nod out of respect. "Always happy to be with the horses, Sir," he chuckled shyly drifting his eyes back to Lucas.

"Myrtle's lucky!" I replied as I stepped closer to the brown horse. Lifting my right hand, I gently stroke her face. She blows some air through his nose and I smiled. 

"Is everything okay, here?" I heard Lucas asked.

"Everything is fine, Sir. Gypsy is back on her feet," he replied enthusiastically.

"Good! Good!" I caught Lucas patted Oliver's shoulder gently. Turning his eyes to me, he gave a brisk nod towards the direction at the back of the stable. 

"We'll see you around, Oliver." I said and followed Lucas to the other end.

As we got closer... "NO WAY!" I exclaimed. "How?" I muttered to myself as my legs strode faster.

The stunning beauty took all my attention. My eyes feast on the coats of the horse, it shimmered as the sun showered the horse with its light like gold.

"Damn, Luc. What a unique beauty?" I exclaimed, eyes never leaving the Akhal Teke horse.

I believe there's about 6,600 Akhal Teke in the whole world. Glancing at Luc then back to the horse, my hand reached out the top of his head and give a gentle brush.

"What a beauty," I murmured as my palm ran down across her smooth, shiny face.

The horse blows some air and moves her head away. That hurt me a little. Looks like the horse isn't adjusted yet to her new place. I reluctantly pulled my hand away and just watched her with awe. 

"Her name is Beauty," Luc said as he got closer. I stepped back a little to give Luc some room closer to her.

I looked at him. "It suits her," I grinned. "But how did GP got her?" Still couldn't believe it.

Lucas grinned even more. " He met a guy in a bar. His father is from Turkmenistan. They use to breed Akhal Teke. His father is seriously ill and they had spent all their money mostly on his medical bills. So he had to sell this last horse. His dad is dying." Lucas stood closer to Beauty and gently stroked her face. She leaned even closer to Lucas and I smiled unconsciously. 

"So sorry for him," I commented as I watched Lucas contentedly. Beauty had calmed me down unknowingly.

"How's my Beauty?" he asked, voice filled with excitement. Both hands now holding Beauty's face. Gently petting it. He moved his face closer until it touched Beauty's face.

"My beauty?" I inquired good-naturedly. 

Lucas chucked as he shifted his eyes to me. "Yes. GP isn't fascinated with horses as much as I do. So he gave it to me. I owe him one," Lucas explained briefly. He turned back his attention to Beauty. 

"My sweet, sweet Beauty," he murmured. 

I chuckled. I know Lucas adored horses. They are his babies.

My baby...

I stilled. Thought of Clara Bell's being interrogated by the police filled my mind. Everything around me dispersed, even Lucas' voice seemed so far away. 

I know they will come for her today and I haven't done anything to protect her. What kind of a boyfriend I am? Just waiting for my future father in law's help?

How can I even make a good impression?

"Alex?.." 

And not only her father, her brothers too. 

"Alex!" Lucas curious' tone broke into my reverie.

"Huh?" 

"What happened?" he asked, his eyebrows crinkled. 

"You look confused," he muttered as he stared at me intently. "Lost rather," he added.

I shook my head as I forced a smile, trying to convince him it was nothing. Staring back at him, he cocked his head to the side, eyes saying don't buy it.

I sighed, eyes dropping to the ground. I took a deep breath as I debated whether to share it or not. I know the Santorini's is a family, but I don't like the idea of sharing it to him. 

Looking up, I met his eyes. He was waiting for me to spill it. 

"Nothing." I shook my head. 

"Come on, Alex. We both know it's nothing."

I took a big gulp. I know Lucas can be persistent.

"The Police is coming after all the Victoria Secret's crew who was on that shoot held at Mrs. Ratskin's place." I finally conceded. 

"And Bell is one," he muttered factly. "Shit! And what are we still doing here?" he grumbled. He abruptly turned around and walked off. 

My legs instinctively moved faster catching him. "Lucas, you can't tell her. Uncle Rafael told me to make sure she won't find it. He's going to find a way and fix it," throwing lights on what's happening why Clara Bell is here with me.

Lucas stopped and then he faced me.

"How do you feel that instead of you doing something for her, her father did," Lucas cocked his eyebrows, conveying his dislikes of the idea. 

"The very reason I was lost a while ago," I replied unable to hide my sarcasm. Before Lucas turned on his heel, I caught his one hand, stopping him. "But we don't need to tell Bell yet. I have people working on this but time is ticking. And I can't leave Bell today. I need to distract her..." I explained, almost pleadingly. 

"Damn, man!" Lucas half chuckled. "You love her," he commented, stated rather.

No point of denying it. "I do," nodding my head corroborating his statement.

"I never thought this day would come, Alex," Lucas chuckled and gave me a pat on the shoulder.

"Come on, let's go and join them for breakfast. Then we can help you. We'll fix whoever did it." Turning on our heel, we headed back.

The breakfast was filled with drama. I was half glued to my phone, sending emails to all the people I know that could help me dig deeper about the case while one ear hearing whatever is going on the breakfast between the Santorinis, while also tending on to Clara. She don't eat much which also worries me. 

Bambi as usual made the breakfast amusing. If that's how they called it... or waggish display?

"Bambi in my office!" He gave Bambi a hard look as he dropped the table napkin next to his plate and dragged the chair back and strode off. Auntie Enna and Bambi was giving each others look of concern as they followed him inside.

Embarrassment filled the Santorini's faces, Clara Bell's face turning into a red cherry, and me? I'd say my whole mood turned 180 degrees.

I felt uncomfortable. Everything seems tight down from my hips to my mid thigh. And watching Clara Bell's face was the cherry on top. Clara Bell was avoiding my eyes.

Oh God! 

I grabbed the glass that was filled with water and chugged it. 

All I see is Clara on top of me...

I jerked my eyes away as I put down the glass on the table and forced myself to continue eating the food in front of me. I felt Clara's elbow against my side, my body felt electrified. I looked up and met her eyes, she innocently eyed me, apologetically and then she continued eating. My whole body felt warm and tingly. 

I leaned back, my back resting against the chair's back support, trying to stave off the concupiscent thoughts starting to swarm my brain. 

Lucas met my eyes. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he popped a piece of toast in his mouth. As he chewed his food, his eyes teasing me. 

I gave him a warning look. He just laughed it off. 

"So did you show Alex your new girl?" GP asked. Setting the glass down on the table as he drew his gaze away from Lucas to me.

"Yes! And Alex fell in love!"

"Love at first sight?" GP taunted. 

I laughed. "Indeed! She's a beauty. Suits her name too!" I confessed. 

He chuckled. "Oh she's hot!" GP added. 

"I told him he will forget all the blondes he had dated," Lucas bragged. He gave me a teasing look and I just laughed while shaking my head. I leaned forward and decided to continue eating. Grabbing another piece of bacon I felt Clara's shoes connected to my shin. A burning sensation erupted on my right shin. Eyes instinctively drifted to Clara Bell and she was shooting me daggers look. 

I gave her a questioning look. Her lips are tightly closed, face taut. 

GP and Lucas's boisterous laughters broke our heated gaze.

Breaking our gaze, I looked at the two Santorinis and they were laughing, eyes filled with mirth. 

And I couldn't control my laughter, I joined them. 

Just the thought of Clara Bell jealous of a horse was enough for me to burst into a fit of laughters. 

"What's so funny?" Clara asked with a clipped tone.

Lucas suppressed his laughters, he bit his bottom lip, his eyes couldn't hide though how he felt. 

GP spoke. "Beauty is a horse," he admitted. Then he laughed some more. 

Clara's face turned red and tried to look away.

She dropped her hands on her lap. I smiled at her, reaching out for her hand, I held it and gave it a gentle squeeze. They were so warm and soft. He met my eyes. I mouth I love you and she blushed even more. Taking her eyes away briskly, she looked at the two in front of us. 

I tore my eyes off her face and met with GP and Lucas' mischievous grins. 

One of their staff approached us with haste. She stood in front of GP, she looked apprehensive.

GP cocked his head to the side, prompting the staff to speak.

"Excuse me, Sir, but there's two Police Officers waiting outside. They are looking for Ms. Clara Bell," she said a little hesitantly.

Loud dragging noise of the chairs filled the air, chairs toppling on the concrete as Lucas and GP shot up from their seats. 

My whole body stiffened.

.......

Thank you guys for standing by! And for all the sweet messages. About my other books, I will surely finish them one by one. 

Again, I apologize for the very long wait.