Jake P.O.V.

I paced in the front foyer and raked my fingers through my messy hair in worry. Adriana still hadn't come home after my episode and it was nearly midnight. Alyssa sat at the bottom of the staircase and watched me pace back and forth. She looked bored as she mumbled into her hand,

"Can I get you anything, sir?"

An idea suddenly popped into my head. I snapped my fingers and ordered,

"Go and get me Lucas."

Alyssa dipped her hand and went to get Lucas. I ran my fingers through my hair and was truly baffled. The thought of her leaving or being somewhere I couldn't protect her absolutely terrified me. I had never felt so helpless and weak before.

Alyssa snapped me out of my thoughts. She presented Lucas and left the foyer. I glared at Lucas and took a deep breath. As much as I disliked him, I needed him to help me right now.

"Do you have Adriana's phone number?"

Lucas nodded solemnly,

"Yes sir I do."

I held out my hand.

"Give me your phone."

Lucas reluctantly shuffled forward and placed the iPhone in my palm. I clicked it on and instantly glared at him. His lock screen picture was a picture of a sleeping Adriana. Her gentle features were relaxed and her lips were tipped up slightly in a smile. I couldn't help but wonder what she had been dreaming about. A tiny part of me hoped it was me.

Lucas blushed slightly but remained silent. I dismissed him with a wave of my hand, still starring at the picture of Adriana. A large part me was furious that he had taken this picture but a small part of me was glad I got to see it.

I opened the phone and pulled up Adriana's number after I sent the picture to my phone. I pressed call and help the phone up to my ear. The ringing filled my ears as I waited. I heard a faint click as she picked up. I felt myself smile and I opened my mouth to speak when a husky raspy male voice sounded on the other line.

"Hello?"

I felt rage flood through my veins and I snarled into the phone,

"Who the hell is this?"

When he replied I felt my blood run cold.

"Norman Stiller who is this? Why are you calling Adriana?"

I gripped the phone so tightly I'm surprised it didn't crack and shatter. I'm sure there are plenty of other Norman Stillers' in the area. It couldnt possibly be the Norman that was the future owner of Stiller Corporation, my family's biggest rival.

I snapped,

"This is Jake Collins. May I ask why you have Adriana's phone?"

I heard a dry laugh on the other end of the line and I felt my face flush with anger. Damn I hated Norman, and not just because he liked Adriana. He always made himself appear as a sweet innocent nerd when he was really a manipulative liar.

"Well well Jake Collins. Didn't expect to be talking to you this evening. I have Adriana's phone because she fell asleep after our WONDERFUL date and the ringing was disturbing her so I answered it."

Norman took Adriana on a date?! I tried desperately to make my voice steely calm.

"Can you please take her home?"

"Ah of course but I do not know where she lives. Care to enlighten me?"

I couldn't keep the haughty pride out of my voice.

"Ah she lives with me. I assume you know the address."

A low growl came through the other end of the line.

"Of course."

There was a loud click then all I heard was static crackle. I let out a loud frustrated snarl and threw the phone against a wall, hearing it shatter. I curled up a fist and punch the wall, seeing a small crack in the plaster.

I continued to assault the wall and I snarled between punches,

"Why."

"Is."

"She."

"With."

"Norman!"

I threw my hands in the air and was suddenly aware of another presence watching me in the room.

Mother had a faint amused glint in her cold eyes as she walked towards me, her heels clicking against the tile floor. Up close I saw an emotion I couldn't place my finger on. It looked like reminiscence but with a bittersweet twist in it.

"Is something the matter, Jake?"

I snarled and glared at her,

"Why would you care?"

I swear I could see a little flinch but I quickly dismissed it as my imagination.

Her voice was a tad bit colder as she replied,

"What is happening Jake? Tell me."

The authority in her voice made me stiffen. That was the tone of voice she used with her employees. Did she just see me as a another tool in her business?

My voice cracked slightly with hurt.

"It doesn't matter. Can I help you?"

Mother only raised an eyebrow at me and her cold electric blue eyes hardened like ice.

"Rosalyn had a nightmare and wanted your presence and comfort."

I instantly felt concern for my little sister and nodded at Mother before jogging up the stairs past her. I was at the top of the stairs when my mother's voice stopped me.

"Jake?"

I turned around and saw Mother had a small smile playing across her normally frowning lips.

"That girl isn't worth giving up on."

~~~~~~~~

As I walked towards Rosalyn's room I felt my head spinning. What did she mean by that? Even more importantly, why did she care?

The sound of soft sobbing snapped me out of my confused daze. I walked into Rosalyn's pink Wonderland of a room. Everything was pink, literally everything. Pink stuffed animals lined the pink walls and Rosalyn was curled up in her pink comforter.

I sat on the bed and swept Rosalyn into my arm. I stroked her hair and cooed softly,

"There there its ok Rosalyn. Everything is ok, Big Brother is here."

Rosalyn snuggled into my chest and wrapped her small arms around me. She sobbed and sniffled into my chest while I hugged her and stroked her hair soothingly.

Rosalyn pulled away after a few minutes and looked up at me. Her wide brown eyes shone with unshed tears. She pointed to the pink closet and her bottom lip wavered slightly.

"C-C-Can you c-check the c-closet?"

I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Sure sweetie."

I got up and opened the door and clicked on the light. I walked in and yelled to Rosalyn.

"The only monster in here is me!"

Rosalyn giggled.

"No wait. There is a monster in here!"

Rosalyn let out a little scream and I poked my head out. I held up a stuffed pink horse and teased,

"See? Mr. Horse here is a monster."

Rosalyn let out a little insulted gasp. She launched out of the bed and ran up to me, snatching the toy out of my hands. She gave me an indignant glare while stroking the horse's mane soothingly. She was no longer crying.

"Winny isn't a monster..."

Rosalyn showed me the horse and I saw a little embroidered smile on the horse's face. I chuckled and kissed the little horse's face.

"I'm so sorry Winny."

Rosalyn looked satisfied and she scampered up to her bed and crawled back into it. She snuggled into her blankets and peeked at me. I kissed her forehead and walked towards the door. Before I closed the door I turned back to her and blew her a little kiss, which she pretended to catch.

"Goodnight Big Brother."

"Goodnight little Rosalyn."

I closed the door and smiled at it briefly before walking back down towards the foyer.

~~~~~~~

I saw Norman holding a sleeping Adriana in his arms and a red haze filled my eyes. What business did he have holding her like that?

Norman smirked at me, surely noting my anger.

"Hello Jake Collins. Wonderful night we are having."

I stalked over to them and snapped,

"Cut the shit Stiller."

Norman chuckled humorlessly,

"Surely we are past the last name basis Jake. Oh since when did you start swearing?"

I glared at the cold hearted snake in front of me.

"Since I met Adriana."

My eyes darted down to her. Adriana was curled up against his chest, an innocent smile on her relaxed face. Norman let out a quiet laugh and moved his spare hand ran the back of his hand along her jaw. I clenched my jaw and fought the urge to snatch her out of Norman's grasp.

Norman looked away from Adriana and smirked at me again,

"Do you want me to take me to her bedroom?"

I shook my head and snapped my fingers. Lucas hustled into the room and I pointed at Adriana.

"Take her to her room."

Lucas nodded and walked over to Norman and held out his arms for Adriana. Norman sighed and handed him Adriana. He leaned forward and I saw his eyes trail down to her lips. Before I could move over and smack him Lucas got there first. Lucas smacked Norma across the top of his head and snapped,

"A real man does not take advantage of a sleeping woman."

Norman snorted with laughter and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Do you blame me, good sir?"

Lucas gave him a cold glare and pulled Adriana closer to him. He looked stiff with anger as he stalked up the stairs to Adriana's bedroom.

~~~~~~~~

Norman turned back to me and looked at me with cold calculating eyes. I crossed my arms across my chest and returned his look. Norman broke the silence.

"I'm not playing with her, you know."

I snorted and looked at him with disbelief,

"Really? Are you not using her to get at me?"

Norman smirked deeper,

"Of course, when I saw you staring at her with hearts in your eyes, i wanted her even more but you are not the soul reason, don't flatter yourself."

I held my fists by my side and snarled,

"Then why do you want her?"

Norman looked surprised.

"Because she is untapped beauty. Her innocence is refreshing. You should now as well as I do that woman tend to throw themselves at us to get our money, not our hearts."

I nodded. He was right. Woman were constantly purring and lowering themselves just to get my credit card. I was always taught to detect that and I could feel what Norman did; that Adriana didn't care about my money and it had never crossed her mind.

Norman continued to speak.

"She is something I need. Of course there is some want there too."

I frowned when Norman ran his tongue across his lips. I wanted to walk over there and smack that pervy look off his face.

I frowned at him and raised an eyebrow at him, a habit I leaned from my mother.

"You are like night. You dont deserve her."

Norman smiled.

"Ah but even the brightest sun can break the night. Adriana will be my great dawn; a catalyst if you will."

He took a step towards me and a look of anger came across his arrogant face.

"I will take the sun away from your day and watch you plunge into night, groping for your sun even though it isn't there, it is with the day."

He took another step.

"And you will be in endless night as I crush you into nothing but a wavering shadow."

He was in right in front of me by the time he was done and his eyes held a cold dangerous look to them. I snarled right back,

"Even if you do take her away from me she will always be my moon, making me a little brighter."

Norman snickered and spun away, walking towards the door.

"I will always crush you Collins. You can't win."

He reached the door and pulled it open. He suddenly froze, then turned around and smirked at me. He looked triumphant as he said,

"Oh by the way, Adriana's lips are like the sweetest wine. Delicious and addicting."

I wave rage overcome me and I lunged towards him. The door closed in my face and Norman's laughter filled my roaring ears. I threw the door open to see Norman's Cadillac racing out of the driveway.

~~~~~~~~~