"Where's Mara?" I asked Emil as soon as I entered the house. It's Sunday and exactly seven days before our wedding. Things have been a mess since Jack was discharged from the hospital. It's been hard for any of us to do anything, at all. 

The media has been on us since the news came public. Cameras following us everywhere we go, even going as far as camping out on our houses. They've been closely following our actions, and speculating our next move. 

"They're out in the back garden, sir." He told me as guided me outback.

"What are you? A butler?" I asked, laughing a little at him as the maid easily made way for us. 

He looked at me shaking his head. "I'm their last wall of security. I've caught at least four people from the media, trying to sneak into the house and get some pictures."

I nodded my head. Understanding how worrisome such a thing is. If I wasn't living in an apartment, up on the highest floor, I would also be worried about such things. "Has Alec stopped by?"

"No. He hasn't been here since Miss Mara moved back."

I sighed, completely defeated. Our conversation stopped as soon as we stepped outside, where Mara and Jack are eating. Mara was just wearing a plain green shirt and white jeans paired with flipflops. While Jack was wearing something similar, only he looks a lot thinner than the man in the photos the media is using. He seemed far more worst than Mara told me over the phone when she went to pick him up from the hospital.

"Miss Mara." Emil's voice caught their attention. Mara instantly stood up to welcome me, giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before pulling me to where Jack is. 

"Dad, look who decided to stop by." She said with a smile.

"Dustyn, been a long time. How have you been?" He asked, carefully standing up from his chair. 

"I'm good, Jack. Are you feeling better now?" I asked him with a smile. 

"Well, it's the first time I'm eating solid food, so I would say I'm doing fine." He said with smile. "Oh. Did you know your parents are here?"

I raised my eyebrow at his words. "They are?" I asked, looking at Mara.

She grinned up at me. "They're in the kitchen. Jaclyn brought home cooked food for Dad." 

"Dustyn, son. What are you doing here?" Dad's voice made me turn to its direction. He just came out of the door leading to the kitchen and is holding a bowl of soup in his hands. He was soon followed by Mom who is also holding a plate of food in her hands.

"Oh just in time for breakfast, I see." Mom said, not even flinching at the sight of me. "Come on let's eat."

Shaking my head in amusement, I sat quietly by the table and enjoyed the breakfast that my crazy parents had prepared for us. 

Jack looked at me and smiled. "Of course. Us adults would just stay here and have adult talk."

Mom nodded her head. "Yes. Yes. Go do what couples do."

"And no grand kids before the wedding, okay?" Dad added bashfully making all of them laugh. 

I shake my head at them and took a hold of Mara's hand. She's turned red from all of their teasing and has stopped thinking. I had to pull her gently away from them. "You okay?" I asked, nudging her on the shoulder as we walked up the stairs. 

She nodded her head. "That was embarrassing."

"They're only being normal parents." I told her. "I need to talk to you about something."

She nodded her head again, knowing how serious I sounded. "We can talk in Mom's office. I've cleared out most of the ruined furniture anyway."

May's office is now cleaned out. The old furniture are gone except for her desk. Most of the boxes that once littered the floor are now neatly stacked beside the desk and some of the folder are on the desk. The curtains on the windows are removed and are yet to be displayed, letting the light from the sun enter the room.

"This is the only time I would be asking this. Can we postpone the wedding?" Mara asked before I can utter a single word. "It's just, with Dad just getting out of the hospital and the cases that Alec filed. Things have been a mess and I don't want our wedding to be a mess too."

I smiled. I guess we were thinking of the same things. "Stop your rambling." I told her with a chuckle. I placed my hands on either side of her shoulder and made her face me. "It's okay. I understand. And yes, we can postpone our wedding."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded my head. "Of course I am. It's only a matter of time before we get married, and when we do, I don't want you to be stressed."

"Thank you." She said, her eyes tearing up.

My shortcake is a crybaby. But she's a strong and beautiful woman at the same time. I could never ever ask for more. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Get these files scanned and bring it down to the accounting department." I told her. She nodded her head and quickly got the said documents and rushed out of the room. "You need to stop doing that."

"What? It's fun." Alec said, shrugging his shoulders. "Well? The wedding?"

I sighed and sat up properly before answering Alec. "Mara asked me to postpone it. I don't blame her, really. With everything that's going on, it's bound to happen."

Since Jack gave up some of the evidence he had gathered, Alec has made a move. He has sued the Natividad's for their involvement in the recent failed kidnapping. The case will be tried in a matter of days. Meanwhile, Amelia was just arrested for the murder of May Ramirez. With Alec and Jack's evidence together, they were able to prove that she was the mastermind in what seemed like an accident that cost May's life. The reason of which was almost too unbelievable.

A simple grudge that Amelia carried since she was a child. A jealousy that drove her to plan a murder.

She killed May for the simple reason that she was jealous of what she had, what she achieved. Even though she became a well-known model, seeing May as the photographer, and almost on a higher position than her, pissed her off. It was on that day that she got fired for harming May during the photoshoot. It was also on that same day that she wanted to avenge herself.

I don't understand her, and I don't intend too. I'm just relieved that she didn't really try to run anymore and is pleading guilty on the murder case. However, she refuses to admit her involvement in Mara's kidnapping. Both of it. 

"We hauled up a lot of trouble didn't we?" Alec asked but there was a hint of smile on his face. I could tell he was relieved that things are finally settling down. Cases had been filed, trials are set. The only thing we are waiting on is proving they're guilty and locking them behind bars for good. 

"Have you talked to Mara?" I asked him. 

He shook his head. "I really don't have the courage to talk to her." He said and sighed. "How does one say sorry for being mad?"

"Just be sorry. Besides, I heard Jack asked you to move back in with them"

"You're awfully close with Jack now." He said, watching me closely.

I winced a little, not used to hearing him call Jack by his name. Alec had stopped referring to him as Dad ever since he got out of the hospital and Alec was punched on the face. It didn't seem to help that Alec refuses to meet with Jack, despite the old man asking him too everyday. I think, it's more of Alec is embarrassed to show himself in front of his family because of what he had done. He was emotionally tired and the things that happened didn't help, adding the fact that his words put the nail on the coffin. 

"I think, you need to swallow that embarrassment and show yourself to them. What are you even doing during the day?" I asked him, looking at his clothes. A pair of faded blue jeans and a simple black shirt paired with white rubber shoes. 

Alec has successfully transferred everything that May gave him back to Mara. It wasn't an easy arrangement but Mara agreed to it. However, I could tell that Mara was so angry that day. She didn't really understand why Alec had to do such a thing. She told me it almost felt like Alec was cutting ties with her. She even said she wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to change his surname too. 

As of now, Alec is no longer the owner of their company. In fact, he doesn't even work there anymore. Most of the time he does this, barges in on my office and scares my secretary. He hangs around until lunch just asking questions about how Mara is doing. 

"Nothing. I sleep, eat and sleep." He said with a smile.

I can't help but smile back at him. He hasn't been this laid back since I could remember. I haven't seen him laze around all day, not caring about any responsibilities. "Well I hope your bank account is ready." I said jokingly. 

He playfully glared at me. "How dare you? I'll let you know that I have enough money to last me for years."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm just saying, if you'd just accept Mara's request for you to keep running the company, then you won't need to waste your time annoying me and more time on working." 

"Didn't you understand what I just told you? Years. I can be a lazy human being for years without going bankrupt." He said, making sure to emphasize the word years. 

I rolled my eyes at him. "Then, help her hire someone suitable. Or be an advisor and still get paid for it."

"I'll help her hire someone but I won't be working anytime soon." He said with conviction. "I'm thinking of pursuing Rory for a while." 

I shake my head in amusement. "Are you planning on annoying her?" I asked.

He nodded. "Well, that's how I got her to love me before. Why not try for the second time, right?" 

"Because you guys didn't have the same issue as you do now?"

"I will move every mountain if I have to, just to have her back. That's a promise I will be sure to go through."

I nodded my head, knowing that Alec meant every word he had said. I don't think he'll be having any problems with following Aurora around, what he would have a problem with is the woman herself. I don't think she would just let Alec follow her around and sway her back in his direction. She's more strong-willed than she ever was before.

I just wish things would go by fast and just settle down.