3~

Four years later...

High up in a condo, someone was struggling to hold on to dear life and another was trying to be rid of it.

"Is that another nicotine patch..oh..well come on Colin, you're gonna pass out soon you now."

Alex's assistant wasted no time sending an icy glare her way.

"Well I wouldn't need them if my boss wasn't putting me thtrough this much stress," Colin snapped exasperatedly. "I mean Alex, I asked if I could confirm your attendance several times."

She chuckled, but sobered up quickly when another icy cold glare hit her way.

"Would it kill you to at least make an appearance, so I don't go looking like an incompetent fool infront of your mother again." Colin had resorted to begging.

Alex shook her head and stood up.

"It's not my fault some urgent business came up at the last minute, " She poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned on the snack bar.

"Oh really?" Colin asked flipping through pages. "Well your so called urgent business, seems to be missing from your calendar."

"Well its not my fault you didn't put it in, I mean...that's your job." Alex reiterated with a wince as she picked up her keys and prepared to slink out of her office door.

Colin stared blankly at her for a few seconds, then stood up and picked up her office phone.

He dialed a number and put it to his ear.

Alex looked at him with dread. "What're you doing?"

"Oh, just calling my beloved husband Ray, to let him know I'm attending one of your mom's soirees and I might not make it home tonight...or ever."

Alex rushed over and dsiconnected the phone line. "Playing hardball I see."

"I have no idea what you mean." Colin smiled sweetly

"Fine. I'll go to the stupid soiree...but I'm only sticking around for five minutes,"

"An hour"

"10 minutes"

"45"

"30! and that's my final offer."

"Deal." Colin said. "Oh and FYI it was that pizza place around the corner I had on the phone."

"You know colin, not a day goes by when I don't hate your guts."Alex scowled.

"Well I can say with pleasure that the feeling is very much mutual." Colin stated as he strolled out of her home office.

She followed him into the the parlour letting her discontent flow of her in waves.

Colin picked up his bag and keys before paying her any mind.

"You've skipped out on so many of your mother's events this year alone because of me, you have no business pouting."

This only made Alex change her expression to that of someone about to be met with impending doom.

She threw her keys on the sofa and fell face flat on it too.

"Well if its any consolation," Colin started. "You have a flight to Rome in the morning, so Jalen will be picking you up 30 minutes after and whatever chaos you cause, you can run out of there and survive for about a week or so before returning here to die."

Alex's eyes lit up before dying back down at the mention of her return.

"I hate my life." She mumbled, her face now buried in the cushions.

"Don't we all." Colin said.

"Say's the guy married to a rich gorgeous work of art and father to an adorable son." She commented dryly

"Oh." Colin laughed. "You're right. Ha. My life's perfect. See you tomorrow. Bye boo."

He was gone before she could even curse him out.

***

The decorations and the dress code of most of the guests made Alexandra wish she had accepted Ray's wrath.

This wasn't a regular soiree. This was important news stuff and that meant her sisters would be here.

She clamped her teeth on her lip to stop the shiver from taking over her.

It was too late now so she got out of her BMW X4, gave the keys to the valet and did the only thing she could that would keep her sane for the first introductions.

She downed the initial drink from the waiter that was standing right by the door.

She wasn't doing this sober.

It didn't take a detective to find her mother in the swarm of people. Simply look for a spot in the banquet hall that holds all the attention.

Rich silver hair glazed and she followed.

"Mother." She called as she approached.

Fiona messallina Constantine, looked nothing like her full 55 years.

There were barely any wrinkles or lines. She could've passed for 30 with her slim figure and beautiful body shape.

"Alexandra." Fiona called in return as she moved slightly away from the group of besotted men and business partners.

Alexandra moved forward and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek as was customary whenever they met.

"Its been a while hasn't it." Fiona smiled.

Alex just smiled in return with a slight nod of her head.

She felt a gaze burning its way into her skull.

It was an eerie feeling, goosebumps covered her skin.

She looked back and skimmed the crowd.

For a second she was certain someone had been watching her.

"Well, I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to catch up later. For now let me introduce you to a few of my business associates." Fiona continued

She led her to a group of well dressed business men and Alex grabbed a champagne flute right off a waiter and downed it immediately.

I'm just being paranoid, she decided.

"I'm sure you all know my daughter Alexandra," Fiona introduced.

A short male brunette in a dark blue suit spoke first.

"Its a pleasure to finally meet you, my wife and I are such huge admirers of your paintings. Do you have any idea when your next showing will be."

"You'd have to ask my assistant, he's well acquainted with my schedule from now till I die" Alexandra replied dryly.

The group laughed and Alexandra picked up another drink from a passing waiter.

If death scared Alexandra she would've dropped the drink in her hand at the first sign of her mother's glare.

To hell with it, she thought.

She downed the drink and ignored the blatant stares.

"If you would excuse me, I'd love to go say hello to my sisters." She smiled sweetly at her mother and disengaged from the group.

She saw some of her sisters and did a light jog in the opposite direction.

She snatched an hors d' oeuvre from a tray, strolling and observing as she delved deeper into drunken bliss.

Oof.

She collided with someone and her empanadas' sauce was now decorating her deep v cut Borrego blazer.

She looked up to find the culprit blushing.

"I-I'm sorry about that, I didn't even see you there."

Ouch, she thought.

I know I'm short but no need to rub it in.

"I'll get someone to take care of that for you." He looked through the crowd and signaled for a waiter.

He was tall...and really cute.

She smiled.

Prey...

"And whats your name." She asked.

He blushed again before answering. "Its Noah."

"Well Noah-"

"Noah."

She was interrupted by a deep whiskey like voice.

So undeniably male.

She turned and nearly stumbled.

Damon

Shiny blonde hair, slicked and styled to perfection...just like the rest of his face.

It's been so long.

"I'm sorry, one moment, I just want to help this young lady with her jacket." Noah sputtered having already gotten a waiters attention.

"Alexandra."

She felt it again.

What she felt all those years ago.

Goosebumps lined her skin as her name on his lips seemed caressing.

His eyes searched hers, then dropped to the stain on her shoulder

Then dropped a bit lower..

Then a bit lower... to the curve of her breasts in the middle of her blazer.

Heat rushed to Alex's face as she felt his gaze on her midsection.

"Babe, I thought you already left, What're you still- Alex?"

And just like that Alex's high came crashing down with phenomenal back lash as the lady in red hooked her arm around her stranger.

Her older sister had all her attention now.