Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty Four

ALEX

✔ Cook dinner.

✔ Prepare desserts.

✔Clean the rooms.

✔Keep Gucci out.

✔ Demand Caiden to do the dishes.

How about him scrubbing the floor? Hmm..,yep he's almost done.

"Alex, c'mon sweet cheeks my hand hurts." He groaned while stretching his arms in front of him. "It's hard to scrub this stuff. Why don't we hire a maid to do this?"

"No, you'll be the one to do that. Now, finish it off before your parents arrive here and laugh at you." I skipped my way through the stairs, giggling.

It's just entertaining watching the devil himself doing the dishes or scrubbing the floor. He have done the dishes earlier by force. He wasn't supposed to do that but I pretended that I've got something to do. When he has finished doing the dishes, he was too angry that I imagine steam coming out of his nose and ears.

Now, where am I?

I pulled the midnight blue cocktail dress and my black flats. I combed my hair and braid it on the side. I applied some eyeliner and added some mascara which brought out my gray eyes. I didn't put some lipstick on for I know that I will just eat it,

Well, I'm just addicted to its taste. lol

I head out of the closet and found Caiden's back facing me. He was half naked and had little droplets of water falling on his back. The towel was hanging dangerously low for my liking. Oh goodness, why is he so perfect? Why does he need to be so perfect for me?

I look away and literally ran away from the scene. I went back in the closet and shut the door on my back. I was trying to calm myself down when someone opened the door and as I opened my eyes they met those familiar blue ones which startled me.

"Can't you knock?" I shouted at him while trying to scamper off his half-naked body when he pulled me.

"Can't you lock?" He retorted, smiling at me. His hold on me was so tight that I'm afraid that he might kiss me right here.

I looked down into my hands which were turning into white because of the pressure of his hands. "I, uh, I really needed to check on the dishes," I looked up and regretted it when I saw his blue eyes darkening with lust. I scampered off and straightened my dress. He was looking up at me with those intense ocean orbs that I found myself heating up.

"I really need to go" I opened the door and before I completely ran out to the exit of this room I heard him saying, 'You'll be mine, soon enough”

That thought clung to me as I made my way through the corridors. The never-ending corridors, not to mention the stairs were like a blink of an eye to someone who is really thinking hard, which is me now. My train of thoughts was startled by a very familiar sound I've heard every time a visitor came.

*Ding dong

I opened the door and was quickly enveloped in a hug by no other than Elaine. She had a big grin on her face that I'm afraid that she might split her face up. After her, I was crush into those familiar warm ones which is my mom. I returned it back with the same amount of force.

I mean it, I really miss her!

It's been almost a year since I've seen my mom. Almost a year since I met Caiden, at the park, in Manhattan. And as the days passed, summer is already here and in three days time I will soon marry the devil itself, the one whom I hate and now I love.

Caiden never mentioned that my parents were coming. He really was my very own box of surprises. I was enjoying my mom's hugs and kisses when I was snatched off from her arms and into those strong cuddly ones.

Well, I'm pretty sure that it's my dad.

He pulled away from me and inspected my face. "Dad, I'm still the same" I gave him my innocent smile while he shrugged and sniffed. He pulled me again into another hug as his tear fall on my head."Dad,"

"I just miss you Alex. I've never seen you so happy before," He leaned down and whispered, "I bet, I've done good on pairing you up with Cole Ford." He smiled at me and crushed me back into his arms.

After a while the six of us sat down on the dining room eating our meal. I was seated with Caiden beside me, our mothers across us and our fathers sitting on each head of the table. I prepared all of the food and I'm glad that Caiden help me with the deserts.

"Oh, this is delicious Alex. Where did you learn to cook this blueberry pie? Did you know that I love blueberries." Elaine gushed while finishing her second slice.

"I've learn it from the internet Elaine. How about you Sir Carl, do you want some of the pies? I've made pumpkin and lemon meringue pies"

"I'll just have the lemon one, it seems to be delicious." Carl look dreamily at the pie that my father had been stuffing into his mouth.

"Yes it is, Carl. Did you know that she put bits of lemon in it?" My father offered Carl a piece and bit into his own pie.

"Hmm, yum. You're right Ace, it is delicious." He genuinely smiled at me and I return that with twinkle on my eyes.

I was having fun with my own blueberry pie when his hand snaked on my waist and the other snatch the slice off my hand. "Hey! That's mine.” I tried to snatch it back but it's long gone in his mouth.

"It really is" He said as he tried to swallow my pie. "Yum!"

"Oh, you two are so adorable and by the way, Alex you are scheduled tomorrow for your gown fitting and you my son will not be going with her!" Elaine pointed at his son while Caiden shrugged.

"And Alex, you will be staying in the suit with your mother for a while here in Italy. You Caiden, won't be allowed to see her until the wedding. Jake told me that you'll have your bachelor party and yes," Elaine looked at me confirming my thoughts "stripers won't be allowed."

"The wedding will be on two days time. You don't need to worry about the media for they don't know and also I've only invited our close friends" Carl looked at Caiden and me.

My father stood up from his seat with Carl. They headed in the living room, discussing about their business again. Elaine stood from her seat gathering the dishes. I wanted to help her but she insisted to do it alone. As she put all the dishes back in the dishes Caiden offered to help and I ended with mom here in the dining table.

"Oh, I didn't know that the wedding would be too soon," I look at Mom "It felt like, like it's just one minute I was angry at you because I don't want to be married and now…It's all too soon" I complained. My mother stood up from her seat and put her arms around me. "Alex, it doesn't matter. Don't you like him?" My mother whispered.

"I, uh, I-"

"You like him right" My mother giggled and I stood up in a haste.

"Mom, I do not!" I groaned while ducking my head so she won't see my cherry red face.

"Oh, don't hide that blush. It's beautiful" She raised my chin and there, ugh...my secret is out!

"Mom!" I looked into her eyes and sighed, "Okay, okay. I admit it. I like him" My mom shrieked and caught me into her giant bear hug. "Ugh, too tight mom!" She remove her arms while I excuse myself. I went up in my room, locked the door at my back and transfer my gaze into the painting I made for him.

Aww, did I really did that?

•••

CAIDEN

"Mom, can I ask you?" I looked at my mom while I putting the dishes on the sink

"Go on"

"Well, I just want to ask you about what really had happen"

"Happen, in what?" Her eyes darted to me and down unto the dishes.

"About the accident, the one that had made me forget all the important things, the one who stole you from me. The one who made me like this," My voice was raised and I watch my mom's face as a tear slid down her cheek. "This cold and heartless monster" She wipe it hastily and continued her work.

I pinched the bridge of my nose to stop myself from shouting at my mother and getting the attention of Alex. "Mom, please" I watched her as she slowly darted her gaze from the plate to my eyes. "Please tell me, what happened?" My voice broke as a tear escape my eyes.

"Cade, I-"

"Tell me mom, please" I hated it that my voice came out like I am pleading but I'm desperate.

I have the right to know.

"Cade, it's a long story. I needed to finish these." She pointed at the half-cleaned dishes and back at me.

"It can wait mom, but I can't. I've been so alone, so cold since that accident because I can't make myself adapt into this world I was forced on. There's nothing left in my head. Not a single one! I can get a glimpse, a taste, but not the whole one." I sat on the chair beside the table and continue,

"It's all hidden away from me. Everything, it is a mystery. I don't even know my name. Do you know how hard it is to undergo those therapies, those operations? I felt like a guinea pig being experimented by those neurologist. Even you, I don't know how to talk to you, to be your son. I'm waiting for you to comfort me in my cold room in the hospital but you never came. It’s like you are not sure of me"

"Yes I was well taken care of by those maids you sent, but I'm looking for you. I'm hoping for you to come any minute, tell me that it's okay, that every memory that was stolen from me will return, but what? Nothing, there's nothing. You never came."

"No! You don't understand Cade, you do not know" My mother held my shoulders and force me to look at her.

"So please enlighten me, Mom! Tell me please. Tell me all about it."

"I was not there because I'm hurt."

"Are you hurt because I cannot remember you?"

"Yes that's one of the reason, but the one who hurts me the most is that," she took a deep breath and continued " is that your brother-"

"My brother…" I looked at her questioningly "I have a brother? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yes, you did have a brother. His name was Caine. You two have grown so close together from the moment he arrived here. You haven't met for ten years back then because I made a contract with my ex-husband that Caine will have to spend his ten years with him. He thought that Caine is his son but he's not. When Caine was finally returned to us, you were so happy that you've already found your best friend. I was rejoiced to see my twins happy" She smiled at me and brush her hands on my hair.

She turned on her back and shrugged. "But he's gone. I cannot bring myself to tell you because you might wonder how he was killed, that you will blame me but I know that I have the responsibility because I let him go"

"Let him go? Where?"

"I let him to go and have time with his friend. He said he needed to and then that afternoon, I got a message that their plane had crashed. It crashed! I tried to go and tell you in your room what had happened but it turns out that you are not there. I got all of them to search for you. That evening they found 2 bodies on an island. I thought it was you and him but when they reached it there's only you and Cedric, my ex-husband."

"I was so shock, I don't know what to do. I was so scared of what your father will say and I am not sure which twin have survived. When we rushed you off into the hospital, the rescuers told me that your twin was long gone. That they found his clothes coated with his blood. I was so hurt Cade. I don't know what to do. You just look a lot like him and I couldn’t bear to face you"

"Your father and I fought almost every night. He blame me but we can't do anything. He devoted his time on business and I focused myself on arts. I tried to go and visit you but every time I step in your room I can imagine your brother; his smile, his face. You just remind me of him and because of that I ran back out, forgetting you once again."

"But why mom, why did you keep all this from me? Why were you so coward? You should've stood out. You should've thought about me, that I live, that somehow between the two of us, I was here. I was living for you. Shouldn’t you be there for me too?" She turned again and caught me in a hug.

"I know. I feel so sorry about it but please, forget about it Cade, I'm now here. I can be your mother again please accept me back. Even though I've tried to make it up from you since the moment you return back into our house. Since then you've been cold. But it's my fault again" She bowed her head and I watch as the tears fall freely in my lap. "It's fault you forget how to love. I've pushed you so hard you became a monster. You spend all of your time in work, you don't even need to study for you were so great. Your father trusted you with the business since you're twelve." She nuzzled her head on my chest and hugged me tight."I'm so proud of you son. I really am. But this is the first time I have congratulated you for I never had the chance, so please. Can you accept me as your mom?"

I look at her angelic face. My eyes were like hers, stormy gray with the shade of blue. "Mom, of course I do. All of that is in the past. Plus, I've change. I'm not the cold monster you said I've been, because there is an angel who saved me." I smiled and stood up. I kissed her forehead as she wrapped her arms around me.

She pulled away and sighed. "So, you’re a good one now, huh?" I nodded "Okay then, if you are really good, then you should go and do the dishes for I really needed to talk to your bride."

And as I watched her go out of my kitchen, I snatched a plate off the sink and started my job.

I’ll do this because I am good. I smirked at my mom and snatch another plate, scratching it.

•••

UNKNOWN

"Mate, I've already prepared the things we needed. All we have to do is wait" He smiled at me while I scrub the blood off my knife.

"Just shut up Ryder! Just think of anything besides this " I snapped at him while throwing his file at him. I am clearly annoyed that Caiden didn't listen to our warnings yet I had have enough that I won't give him again another chance.

"Why don't you just go with my plan for it really is a sure fire plan" He told me while giving me a head lock.

I pushed him off me and shook my head. " You know, you clearly are an idiot. We have done it before and you almost killed her!"

"Well, it's fun to do that but I didn't get the chance to enjoy her--" I punched his nose and heard a crack.

"Shut up!" he scrambled off my desk and out the door.

He really shouldn't mess with me right now, especially now that almost all my plans were crushed, because of that stupid Caiden.

Well, I think I'm going to have a change of plans.

•••

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