4. Ride of thoughts and roses

"What? You thought I wouldn't find you?"

Liam stood with his arms crossed in Xander's room by his window, his steele blue eyes glaring daggers at Xander who was halfway in.

He almost fell down the moment he saw Liam looming over him like some ghost.

Xander blinked. " I thought you wouldn't care." He mentally smacked himself at the change in Liam's expression. He was definitely hurt by his words.

"Of course I care!" Liam yelled, making Xander wince. "If I didn't I wouldn't have argued with dad." He muttered loud enough for Xander to hear.

"You argued with dad?!"

Liam waved his hand dismissively. " It's nothing-"

"No it's not." Xander said, his face showing disbelief. " Liam how many times have I told you not to argue with them for me?! I already ruined my relationship with them, you don't have to because of me-"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Liam mirrored his disbelief. "Dude, you're my twin. If I don't support you, who will?!"

Xander stepped inside completely and took out his mask from his pocket. "I'm used to it." He looked away, not being able to take in Liam's expression. He knew Liam was feeling guilty as hell and he was trying to fix everything between them. He did. He was always there when Xander needed him even when Xander didn't deserve it. But it was hard for him too.

Liam was always the one who obeyed everything their parents said, never questioned anything unlike Xander. Because of his utter failure in recognizing his enemies, some things happened that had them drift apart. He was all alone. He was used to fighting his battles alone, to face whatever punishment he got for disobedience, at one point to even hand over his rights as the heir to his reluctant brother who wanted nothing to do with it.

His relationship with his parents was strained, beyond repair since he didn't even want to try anymore. But his idiot brother was following his footsteps. He'd start defying their parents for Xander, he'd started arguing on Xander's behalf. He didn't want Liam to suffer the way he did. And he definitely didn't want him to ruin his relationship with his parents like he did .

"We'll get used to me." Liam said, plopping down on his bed. " Cause I'm not leaving you alone. God knows how you'll get yourself killed."

"Hey!" Xander said, offended. " I didn't risk my life today, if you must know."

"Oh yeah?" Liam raised his eyebrow.

Xander remembered breaking in the club without disabling the cams. He was just too lazy to go through the whole process of disabling them especially since Liam, their tech genius wasn't there." Yeah." He lied, shrugging off his hoodie.

He threw his hoodie on Liam's face. "Now scoot over, this is my bed."

The next morning, Xander woke up to Liam's loud yelp of pain as he fell off the bed. "Dude." Xander groaned, "Let me sleep ."

Liam threw a pillow at his head. "Wake up idiot, you have school in an hour."

"An hour?" Xander briefly raised his head to check the time. Shit. He woke and rushed to the bathroom. He had to go through some files and submit his report to his dad before school. This thing alone was gonna take an hour.

After getting dressed, he rushed downstairs to his office, his bag in his hand. Good thing there wasn't much homework yesterday.

He found the files on Liam's table. Xander wanted to hug Liam and get him an endless supply of paints. He had finished half of his work for him and also laid out the rough intro for the report.

Smiling, Xander got to work.

The files were about the missing daughter of the Owens family. They blamed the Callistos for her "kidnapping". While the Callistos claimed to have done no such thing, the Callisto heir went missing the very next day.

They probably ran away together. Xander thought. Who wouldn't ? But that was a reallystupid move.

The families however, declared war, accusing each other of the kidnapping, refusing to even consider the possibility of the kids running away together. Xander massaged his temples. This was the thing with the old people and their stupid ass rules and customs.

Xander scowled at the stupidity of the Callisto heir. He just left behind a whole fucking empire, something his ancestors had worked hard for just for a girl. How idiotic was that? Now his brothers and cousins will jump at the chance to become the heir and try to get him killed to secure their positions. He will no doubt be in danger along with that Owen girl. Knowing the lengths to which people went for power, Xander wouldn't be surprised if they found the two of them dead in the next few years.

Liam had scribbled " you were right." At the bottom of the page with a pencil. Turning to next page, Xander sighed. Just as he thought, the two of them were spotted together at the airport, no doubt trying to leave the country.

Xander felt a headache creeping up as he saw what plane they boarded. To hell with helping them, they're committing fucking treason.

He began typing is solution for the mess.

Set up a bounty on their heads if they don't justify their need to board a fucking- he didn't bother erasing fucking- Amanar owned plane to fucking Romania.

They have two days.

If not answered to me personally, both the families can go to hell for not educating their children on our allies and enemies. I will personally see to it that the two traitors are killed right in front of their families and I will personally remind them who their masters are.

Liam entered the study when Xander was finishing up. He peered at the screen of the computer over Xander's shoulder. "That's a bit extreme don't you think?"

"It's not." Xander said, taking out an old vintage leather bound journal from his unlocked desk. "I'm actually following the rules. Like I always have."

Liam broke out in cold sweat as he saw the journal. It belonged to Hagann Achilles Knight, the fearsome founder of the Knight Empire.

"I bet his brother would disapprove." Liam took out his own leather bound journal, similar to the one with Xander. The name Jace Perseus Knight was written in gold on top of the cover. He was supposedly the younger brother of Hagann Knight.

Their dad often said Xander and Liam resembled the two brothers a lot. These leather bound journals were their only sign except the huge portraits of them in the hallways. Xander and Liam didn't have the fortune of listening to their stories growing up because of some... circumstances. Instead, they were given these journals on their 18th birthday.

Since then Xander always tried to find anything related to them, especially Hagann Knight. He often wondered if he would approve of his actions and after getting the journal, he was sure. He would. Probably.

"Hey did you know there were supposed secret ways in the family mansion?" Liam asked, putting the journal back safely in his desk and locking it.

Xander glanced at the journal. " He mentioned it a couple of times but I never found any."

He had also tried to snoop around the original family mansion for any clues but wasn't successful as their grandmother forbade him saying he wasn't "worthy." Xander scoffed. That woman hated him like he was her long lost enemy despite him being her oldest grandson.

The feeling was mutual.

Xander noticed Liam holding a plate filled with sandwiches. "Did you make those?" Xander's lips quirked up.

Liam scoffed. "I wish. Mom made these."

Xander's expression fell. Liam rolled his eyes and placed the plate in front of him. "Eat." He commanded. Xander rolled his eyes. " I could've just come out you know, you didn't have to bring these here."

"You're welcome." Liam said sarcastically, " I know you didn't want to seem mom and dad, that's why I brought it here. You owe me this one."

I owe you a lot. Xander thought with a smile. Liam's ears reddened at the look Xander was giving him. " Yeah yeah whatever, now eat."

"By the way, how is your crush?"

Xander started choking on his food. Liam handed him a glass of water. "So, how is she?"

"She's not my crush." Xander stated, gulping down the water.

Liam smirked. " We'll see about that."

"I met Blake yesterday." Xander said, trying to change the topic desperately. He was trying hard not to think of her since he woke up. Thanks to his work, he didn't. But Liam just had to go ahead and bring her up.

He told him about last night and how they met Alexandra and her dad. "Wait wait wait." Liam held up his hand, "You're telling me, you, Xander Knight, my emotionally challenged brother went to that restaurant just to see her?!"

Of course that was the only thing he'd hear.

"Kind of?" Xander said, lifting his shoulders in a shrug.

"Why?" Liam asked, leaning down towards Xander with interest.

Xander raised his eyebrows. " What do you mean why?"

"Why?" Liam pressed.

Xander gulped. "I guess I wanted to see her?"

"Why?"

"Dude."

"Just answer the questions Xan."

"I...don't know?" Xander asked, his heart hammering in his chest. He was confused himself. " I guess I liked her smile?" He answered hesitantly. Liam's face brightened up like he just got his favourite bike. " Dude!"

"What?"

Liam's grin was contagious. Xander felt his own lips quirking up. "I can't wait to see how you two are gonna turn out."

Me neither. Xander thought, his eyes drifting back to the journal.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Alexandra rushed in, just in time for the class. Her eyes met Xander's, who looked relieved the moment she stepped inside.

"Hey." She greeted him, taking out her books.

"Hi." Xander said, his hands tapping away in an unknown rythm.

Before either of them could speak more, class started. In the middle of the lecture, their teacher, Mr. Ryan's phone rang.

Using phones in the class was practically forbidden for both teachers and students. Murmurs passed around in class as Mr. Ryan spoke on the phone, a frown on his face. His eyes drifted to Xander for a brief moment.

After putting it back down, he called Xander to his desk.

Furrowing his brows in confusion, Xander walked up to the desk. Ryan whispered something to him at which his frown deepened. Giving a nod to Ryan, Xander walked back to his desk and began putting his books away.

"What's wrong?" Alexandra asked, taking in his expression. He looked really tired.

Xander paused, then looked down at her. "Family emergency."

She could tell he was lying. It was written clear on his face but she didn't press more.

"Leave me your notebooks." She said instead, surprising him. "What?"

"What?" She chuckled, oblivious to the stares on the two of them. "You're not planning on writing the notes for the entire day after you get back, are you?"

He nodded, mentally winching at the amount of work he was gonna have.

"A shame." She said, her eyes showing a teasing glint, igniting something in him.

"You should allow yourself to be lazy sometimes you know? Just relax. I'll write them down for you."

"I don't want to burden-"

"You're not." She interrupted with a smile, already taking his books. "Now go before you get late."

Xander nodded obediently, giving her a loop sided grin. Was it just her or did the room seem to get suddenly warm? "Thank you." Xander said, his hand hovering over hers but not touching it. He retracted it, disappointing her. Then he left without a second glance.

The class passed really slowly. When it finally ended, she placed Xander's books in her bag, thankful that she'd come straight to class without stopping at her locker.

But as soon as she got there, oblivious to the whispers of the students, she almost threw the bag down in anger.

Her locker was covered with slurs and insults written in bold. The janitor tried to clean it up but was clearly having a difficult time.

Mustering up as much patience as she could, she politely asked the janitor to step back and snapped a picture of her locker. This was going straight to the principal's office and if he didn't take action against the ones responsible, it would go on the school blog.

With that thought in mind, she made her way to the Principal's office.

He was talking to someone on his phone when she knocked and entered his office.

Without a word, she showed him the picture.

He let out a tired sigh. "I'm having it cleaned up-"

"What about the ones responsible for this? Did you find them sir?" She asked.

"This isn't a big deal." He said, annoyed. "You should get to class-"

"Fine then. I'll show it to my dad since it's not a big deal. Let's see how he reacts."

"No no don't tell him." The principal said in panic. He could not deal with George White breathing down on his neck. No one could. If he found out, he would straight up sue the school before even talking about the matter. "I'll deal with the ones responsible. Please get to class." He said defeatedly.

'That's more like it.' Alexandra thought as she left the office. Even though her relationship with her dad was hanging by a thin thread, she never hesitated to use his name. He would actually encourage it if he found out.

Shaking her head, she went to the next class.

It was a long and tiring day, completely different from yesterday. 'It's because of Xander.' She thought as she ate her lunch. She wondered what he was doing now and what the family emergency was. Why did she feel like he was lying?

She groaned internally as she saw her old friends approaching her table. To her relief, only Julian Summers came to talk to her.

"Hi." He said, trying for a friendly smile. It pissed her off. Acting like nothing happened, acting like he hadn't broken all of his shitty promises that night ...it fueled the fire inside her, demanding to be let out and burn.

When she didn't respond, Julian sighed. "How long will you keep ignoring me? I said I was sorry-"

She stood up, her lunch forgotten and tried to leave, only to be stopped by him clasping her hand. " Let me go." She gritted out, roughly pulling her hand out.

He tried to reach for it again. " Not until you forgive me."

"I don't care." Alexandra said, her eyes glaring at him. " Leave me the hell alone."

"No. I-"

It was then she heard his voice. "Get the fucking message asshole. She's telling you to fuck off. So fuck off."

She hadn't noticed him entering the cafeteria earlier. And she certainly hadn't noticed the way those sapphire blue eyes darkened with something so feral, it sent chills down Julian's spine.

"Xander." His name left her lips in a breathy whisper, like his mere presence left her erratic. The moment he turned his gaze to her, that darkness was gone as if it was never there in the first place. His eyes softened at her, his heart beating a rythm that demanded to be heard. Heard by her. Yet, why was did a strange sense of calmness wash over him the moment he saw those brown eyes that haunted his thoughts all day?

"Hey." He said, the rest of the gaping student population forgotten like the invisible specks of dirt. He was holding a bouquet of pale pink roses, 13 in number. The one in the centre was the colour of amethyst purple. They looked freshly cut and the long green stems were held together by a delicate rope.

Xander extended the bouquet to her, an almost shy smile adorning his lips. "Thank you?"

Alexandra glanced at the flowers before meeting his gaze. "You didn't have to, you know?" She smiled, her cheeks adorning pink hue, and in the evening sunlight creeping through the huge windows, she looked ethereal to him.

"I wanted to."

She took the flowers. " They're beautiful, thank you." She was definitely blushing. That brought a satisfied smile to his face and yet there was a sudden wave of jealousy in his heart as she brought the flowers closer to her.

He wanted to take a picture of her. To cage that perfect moment when she slowly peered up at him, the flowers hiding half her face. The pink hue in her cheeks matched the pale pink of the roses. Xander couldn't stop staring at her.

Julian cleared his throat twice to get their attention. The moment their gazes broke, the cold wall was back in place.

"Who the hell are you?" Julian asked, glaring at Xander who seemed unfazed.

"None of your fucking business." Xander said, coming to stand right behind Alexandra. " She told you to fuck off, you should fuck off. Doesn't fucking matter who has to fucking repeat it."

Alexandra released a small breath of relief. She was sure she would've lost her cool if Julian kept pestering her again and again. She wasn't looking forward to another visit to the Principal's office.

Before Julian could retort, she grabbed Xander's hand. " Let's leave?"

Xander nodded, helping her pick up their books. " Geez how much did you have to write?" He asked, grabbing three of his books.

"A lot." She answered, the two of them completely ignoring Julian and the rest of the group.

Xander gave her an apologetic look. " I'm sorry."

"It's fine." She said, placing the bouquet on top of her books. " These made up for it." She winked.

He would get her a whole garden of them if it means she would smile and wink like that.

Alexandra noticed a red stain on his collar. "Is that blood?"

"Where?" Xander tried to maintain his cool. He should've changed out of his uniform damnit. Alexandra gestured to his collar. "There."

Xander touched the red blotch, feeling quite annoyed at himself. "I probably hurt myself without knowing." He lied. "Is your dad coming to pick you up?" He asked, trying to change the topic.

Alexandra shook her head. " No. I'm gonna walk home today." She had gotten her dad's text a few minutes before school ended.

'Sorry darling, can't come pick you up. Got caught up in work.'

"I'll drop you." Xander offered, trying to hide his eagerness.

She followed him out to a sleek black motorcycle parked outside the school. Xander gently placed the helmet on her head and strapped the buckle, warming her heart at such a small gesture.

He tried not to stare as she sat behind him, her hand gripping his shoulder reluctantly. After she was comfortable, she removed her hand.

"Hold on?" Xander quirked up his brow, feeling the heat from her body.

She smirked. "I'm actually really used to these kind of rides. So it's fine really."

No it wasn't. She wanted to hold onto him.

He felt disappointed. "Do you know how to ride one?" He asked instead, starting the bike.

Alexandra shook her head. "I wish. Dad never had the time to teach me." This was true. 'You teach me then.' she thought and her unheard voice was responded to.

He felt suddenly hopeful. "Want me to teach you?"

"Yes please."

She didn't hold on to him once and that disappointed him more than he thought. He narrowed his eyes, seeing the speed breaker. Smirking, he picked up the pace and slowed it suddenly before they crossed it. As expected, she held his shoulder.

This action repeated a few more times until she was sure he wanted her to hold him. She was grateful for the helmet for hiding her obviously flushed cheeks and the satisfied smile.

She had actually told him the longest route she knew to her house and was glad she did. Releasing a nervous breath, she gently snaked her hand through his waist and laid it on his stomach. Xander, who seemed to have been sitting stiffly relaxed his posture.

They didn't know what was going on or why they were acting this way. But that's the fun part isn't it?

He stopped right Infront of her house. He watched her like a hawk watching it's prey, not missing out a single detail as she got down

Just like he had, she placed the helmet on his head, earning a low chuckle from him.

"See you tomorrow?"

Xander lifted the visor. " Can I come pick you up?"

Alexandra glanced at the open window of her house, feeling someone's gaze on her. She didn't want to spend time with her dad anyways. " Of course."

He had no control over the grin taking over his face. " See you tomorrow."

She could feel his burning gaze on her as she walked to the door. She hoped she wouldn't trip and embaress herself. When she finally opened the door, she turned around. He turned his visor down. Giving her one last look, he rode off in the twilight.

She found the house deserted much to her relief. Cole was probably at his football practice and her mom was probably still at school. But that relief was gone the moment she saw Olivia watching TV in the living room.

She didn't want to talk to her. But she wanted to know why she was at home alone. They've never left her by herself before. Olivia glanced at her, a smirk on her face. " I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

She didn't feel the need to explain about Xander to Olivia. But when she heard the words Xander and boyfriend in the same sentence, she wondered if he could be after the incidents today. She looked down at the roses.

Thirteen of them huh. She rushed to her room, ignoring Olivia's unanswered question, unknown to her of the problem it would cause.

After getting freshed up, she descended down the stairs to find her parents back along with her brother.

"When did you get home?" Her mom asked as she joined her in the kitchen.

"A few minutes ago." Alexandra was searching for an empty vase for the flowers. "Mom is there an empty vase?"

She realized her mistake too late.

"Vase?" For what?" Her mom adled, confused.

Her dad was also watching her questioningly while her brother was busy annoying Olivia who apparently heard the question. "Her boyfriend gave her flowers." She said enthusiastically.

Alexandra gaped at her. This bit-

"I don't have a boyfriend." She denied, glaring at Olivia.

"But I saw-"

"He was my friend. My classmate!"

"You didn't say anything when I asked-"

"I don't need to explain anything to you. When will you stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong?!" She said, incredulous. She wished she could throw the vase at her face. She knew exactly what her brother would say. "That's a lotta damage."

Her lips quivered, tears glistening in her eyes. " Alexandra you didn't need to yell at her." Her dad scolded lightly.

"Are you fuc-"

"George." Sophia said, her voice stern. "Please." Her voice sounded anything but pleading. Sophia opened one of the cabinets and found a glass vase. "Will this be good?" She asked Alexandra, the anger in her voice dying.

Alexandra nodded. "Thank you mom." She said, not just for the vase.

"So a boy gave you flowers?" Sophia asked, a teasing smile on her lips. George looked at Alexandra, waiting for her answer. She had half the mind to whisper the answer in her mom's ear to piss her dad off.

"He had to leave because of some emergency. I offered to write his notes for him." Alexandra explained briefly, " he got me flowers as a thank you. That's it."

"Oh and I'm gonna go to school with him from tomorrow." She said quickly trying to get over it so she could go back to her room to the roses. "You can spend more time with your daughter without worrying about me." This was directed at her dad who stiffened.

"And who is this boy?" He asked, his voice ever so serious. A tone specially reserved for her whenever she spoke this way.

"Xander."

She left the kitchen before her dad could say more.

"Ethan and Amelia's son?" Sophia asked George. He nodded, his hand brushing his chin in thought.

"Is it safe for her?" Sophia's expression was conflicted. There was clear worry in her brown eyes as she cast Alexandra's retreating form a gaze.

"The boy is... certainly capable. He is probably the safest person for her to be with. We'll have to wait and see."

Alexandra placed the bouquet in the vase after filling it with water. She kept it on her desk beside the window. That way they'll get some sunlight as well.

As she was in the middle of her homework, her thoughts drifted to the way he spoke up for her and how he'd discreetly tried to have her hold onto him. And also the delight on his face when she's accepted the flowers.

Pale pink and purple huh? 13 in number.

She knew a little bit about flowers and their language as she did use to read about them when she was bored.

Finishing up her work, she opened her laptop.

"What do pale pink roses indicate?" She typed in.

'A classic symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as a token of admiration and appreciation...'

That much she'd already guessed. But it was the purple rose sending her emotions in a rollercoaster. She knew what it meant but searched the meaning again to conform it.

'Lavender roses are often seen in spring and represent love at first sight. These roses are used to express fascination and adoration. Their beauty is known to convey enchantment and their meaning can differ by shade.'

'Because of lavender's soft hue, a rose of this color represents love at first sight or even enchantment...'

'Lavender roses can represent mystical love and enchantment. If the rose has zero thorns it represents love at first sight.'

None of the roses has thorns.

She couldn't control the smile spreading on her lips nor the rythemic beating of her heart. She hunched over her desk, the soft breeze through the window brushing her hair back. She closed her eyes and relished in the feeling. How long has it been since she felt this way? So alive, so excited.

But there was also an uncertainty. A fear that this might go wrong too like all the things in her life had. Nothing and no-one stayed. She was even loosing her dad.

Why would anyone want to be with someone like her?

Maybe he didn't know the meanings of these roses. Maybe he gave them to her because deep purple roses were her favourite. But the rose he gave weren't deep purple.

And also they were thirteen in number. She never saw nor heard anyone receiving an odd number of roses. Shouldn't it be 12?

She Googled again. "What do 13 roses indicate?"

'The meaning of roses when presented in the number 13 can either symbolize eternal friendship or a secret admirer.'

Eternal friendship...or a secret admirer...

She ducked her head, her loose strands of hair hiding her pink cheeks. If there was one thing she learned by spending time with Xander in these two days, it was that he was just as nerdy as her. And this definitely can not be a coincidence.

What if it was?

This left a hollow feeling in her chest.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

It was not a coincidence.

He gave her those flowers on purpose, half hoping half dreading her finding out his intentions.

When he had left school, all he could think of was her. It was like he had no control over his thoughts.

"They're waiting for you in the lobby young master." He'd heard the head guard Matthew say.

Following him, Xander entered the lobby of one of their hotels near the red wolf.

The Owen heir, Josh Owens who was a few years older than him, had been scared out of his mind when he saw Xander enter.

Standing with him was the youngest daughter of the Callistos, Raina Callisto. She'd trembled in fear as Xander wordlessly sat on the couch before them and took out his gun.

"Explain." His cold command had resonated through the empty lobby like the howling wind.

"W-we didn't have a choice. T-they offered us protection from out families-"

"In exchange for what?" Xander had cocked his gun, his eyes unmoving from it.

"N-nothin-"

The girl had screamed in horror as a gunshot was heard in the eerie silence, turning Josh's words into a yelp. A red blotch appeared on his shoulder, the blood trickling down his hand.

Xander had leaned back on the couch, spreading his hands on the back, the gun still in his hand. The murderous look in his eyes was enough for Josh to spill everything.

"They wanted information!"Josh had yelled, clutching his shoulder tightly, beads of sweat covering his face. The fear he'd felt when Xander fixed his eyes on him was something he would never forget. How can someone so young have such a murderous aura?

"Information on the secret bases of the Fraziers." Josh knew the moment those words left his lips, he was done for.

The Knights and the Fraziers were the oldest allies and treated each other with enormous respect and loyalty even though the Knights were basically their leaders.

"You mean information on Blake Frazier." Xander's cold voice had cut through like a blade ready to cut off his head any moment. Josh had nodded, afraid that his next words might just get him to wish for death.

Josh couldn't have anticipated what would happen next. Xander was up on his feet, his movement ever so silent as he had grabbed Josh by his neck and dragged him to a wall. The girl was begging him to let him go. Her cries were ignored.

Xander had smashed Josh's head against the wall. " This is your last chance." Xander had gritted out, his blue eyes darkening with ferocity. "If you don't spill every single fucking thing, I'm gonna fucking make you fucking wish you were never fucking born."

He'd let go of his hair roughly. "Speak!"

"I didn't tell them anything I swear! I said I didn't know anything except that he was in some university. That's all! I gave them all the information I could on my own family but I never said anything on the Fraziers!"

"Hear that?" Xander had asked loudly, looking at one of the locked doors. Then he looked back at Josh Owen. " Who suggested you to go to those fucking traitors?"

His eyes had flickered towards the girl for a brief second before he took the blame on himself. But Xander noticed.

"You didn't want your empire, is that right?" He'd asked Josh, his voice dripping with mockery yet his smoldering eyes burned the fear inside him, rising it. " You left it for this bitch?"

The next second her Josh had pushed off the floor in an attempt to stop Xander. But he was too late. Another shot was heard and the girl's lifeless eyes stared back at Josh, the ghost of her horrified scream echoing in his mind.

"Your fucking punishment," Xander had said, turning his back on the lifeless body of the girl, "for the crime of disloyalty, for the crime of seeking fucking aid from the fucking traitors, for fucking selling your own fucking family out, for disobedience of your fucking familial rules and lastly, for not realising that the fucking bitch you loved was a fucking spy," Josh's eyes widened in horror. A spy?

"You're going to rule not just yours but also the Callisto empire." Everyone had been surprised by his command. "There shouldn't be a single flaw nor a complaint. Your job is to root out the traitors in the two families and report to me the results. If you succeed, I will let you live your life freely. If not, if I find a single flaw, you're going straight to the front lines."

The front lines was being the spies and the counter spies in their enemy territories. This was a really dangerous job in the Mafia.

"Or you can choose to suffer my wrath."

Some might disagree and say this was the most dangerous thing in the Mafia. No on survived Xander Knight's wrath.

He'd wiped his bloodied hands on a towel given by one of the guards. "Where's dad?"

"He's in the conference room waiting for you."

Xander had walked to the conference room, thinking of his decision. He knew Josh would give anything to leave the Mafia, even if it meant betraying his family and the Knights. But he got too ahead of himself. Once you're born in the Mafia, you stay with the Mafia. You can't leave. It's impossible not to without getting hurt or dying.

This was the worst punishment he could give him except hurting his loved ones but Xander would not steep that low.

As he'd stood in the elevator, her face flashed in her mind. He didn't know what he felt towards her. But he was no fool. He had an inkling what it could possibly mean. Yes he might just have a crush on her even if it's only been one day. She was beautiful in every aspect. Not just her looks, it was in the way she talked, the way she got excited over things like books or stars, that had him wanting to see more. He wanted to know more about her, to uncover her secrets slowly. To uncover that pain behind eyes. And strangely, he wanted to take it away.

He could have her investigated. He could have all the possible information on her in the palm of his hand. But he wouldn't do that. Not only would that be an invasion of her privacy, it would make him downright creepy. And besides, he wanted to know her on his own.

What could this possibly mean? He'd decided he'd figure it out. His heart beat that rythm again when he thought of her looking up at him with those mousey brown eyes with her dazzling smile. Maybe he did have a crush on her.

He didn't realize he'd been was smiling until he saw his reflection in the elevator mirror.

He wasn't going to rush that's fo sure. And besides even if he did like her why would she ever return his feelings? He was broken, his shattered heart behind an unbreakable wall. He was also scared deep down. Scared of being hurt and disappointed again just like he had been in the past. His demons would devour his chances with her before he could fuck it up. And there were also his enemies. Being with him could be the most dangerous thing ever. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't give it his all in protecting her.

The doors chimed opened and he'd walked out, his emotionless mask back in its place.

He'd found his dad discussing something with the Owen and Callisto heads. The two of them stood up as he walked in and took his place beside his dad.

"As I was saying," Ethan had said, giving a pointed look to the two of them. " I approve of my son's decision. If you have a problem, discuss it with my son. He's right here."

Crossing his arms on his chest, Xander had looked at them, slightly tilting his head up, challenging them.

Ethan had watched in amusement as they shared uneasy looks but didn't say a word. This was the range of fear his son had embedded in their heads. He didn't know if he should be proud or jealous.

"We have no objections." The Owen head had said in defeat.

"Can I leave now?" Xander had asked his dad as they walked out together.

Ethan had raised his brows. "I thought you would take this chance to skip school.'

"I am." Xander had said, " By the time I get back, school will be over."

"Where will you go now?" Ethan had asked curiously. Xander just shrugged. He'd wanted to go to his cliff to clear his head but that would take like two hours and he wanted to get back to school in time.

"Have lunch with me." Ethan had said suddenly, hoping his son would agree.

Xander shrugged again. " All right."

They had eaten their food in silence. It was perfectly fine for Xander while for Ethan, he was thinking about things to talk about.

"So George said you met him yesterday." Ethan had begun. Xander looked at him wearily. "Is this why you wanted to eat with me? To interrogate me?"

"Of course not." Ethan had said, looking horrified. "Why would I interrogate you? You did nothing wrong."

Silence again until Xander decided to speak up. " Blake and I were in the neighborhood."

"So the Villin club that burned down, that was you?"

Xander nodded.

"Did you meet George's daughter?"

Xander had paused the fork halfway to his mouth. "You don't know?" He asked.

Ethan frowned. " What?"

Seems like Liam kept his mouth shut. "Nothing." He'd stood up, finishing up his meal. "Bye dad."

"Wait. Xander!" Ethan called to Xander's retreating back. " What don't I know?"

Xander had allowed himself to relax after getting on his bike. He'd taken different way this time, going through road between the tall, looming trees. He loved the feeling of the wind through his hair, messing it up.

He felt carefree this way, his responsibilities forgotten for the moment.

He'd stopped at a flowers stand on the side of the road. It was a simple shed made of wood with all sorts of colourful flowers on the stands and hanging by the roof.

He noticed roses of different colours but the lavender coloured one caught his attention. He knew what it meant. He was wondering if he should give it to her. He was intrigued by her the moment their eyes connected, as if he'd found the counter part of his puzzle.

But he wasn't sure about his feelings.

"Roses for someone you love?" He heard a croaky voice say. It was an elderly looking man behind the counter, smiling gently at Xander. His forest green eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

"I...am not sure yet." Xander answered.

The old man raised his eyebrows. "Ah I sense a crush there."

Xander remained silent, mulling over his words. Did he have a crush on her?

"She's the first girl I've ever even felt something for." Xander said, gently holding the lavender rose.

The old man mused, his eyes twinkling. "Love at first sight."

"I know." Xander smiled, his eyes unmoving from the rose. He felt the thorns prickle his skin as he continued to hold it in the sunlight. He'd remembered her mentioning that violet roses were her favourite.

"What do violet roses mean?" He asked.

"Ever lasting love."

"What if I want to say thank you through roses? Which one should I give?"

"Pink ones would be perfect."

Xander had decided then. He would give her a lavender coloured one and the rest would be pink. He asked for a simple bouquet with these flowers and also requested for the thorns to be cut off.

The old man took 12 pink roses and put the lavender one in the centre. "Do you know what 13 roses signify?"

Xander shook his head no. " It means ever lasting friendship...or a secret admirer." His eyes had shined with mischief as he cut the thorns.