UNEDITED

SINCE IT"S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE UPDATED HERE IS A BRIEF RECAP: Clara went to meet Jake's dad who admitted on being Alec's dad too. He also told her that he was aware about Jake's entire plan with Eric. Clara agreed to keep their meeting along with the fact that Alec and Jake were real brothers as long as Conrad Henderson left Jake alone. But not to fear she didn't leave his office before giving him a sucker punch straight to the jaw.

It's only in the cab I realise that my hand hurts like a bitch. My knuckles vaguely resemble squished up eggplant.

That was some punch.

I still don't regret my choice to sucker punch him and then pretty much give him a death threat. Frankly I'm super proud of myself.

I'm still kind of bummed at the fact that he didn't call security on me because it would have been freaking hilarious to see the security guards face when they realised that their big shot CEO had just gotten punched by an eighteen year old girl.

But unfortunately Jake's father was smarter than that.

The cab threw me forward as it stopped and I curse as my injured hand hit the front of the seat. I quickly give him his money and get out and make my way towards the hotel lobby.

Rebecca had given both Samantha and I clear instructions that we weren't to come near the room until after lunch.The both of us had mentally gagged and given specific instructions that she had to call housekeeping and change the sheets as soon as she was done doing whatever she was planning to do.

Samantha had gone off muttering that she had to go for lunch with her parents while I had finally decided to visit Mr Henderson.

I could probably go to Jake's room but honestly as of now I needed to clear my head and stay away from both Alec and Jake.

I needed time to process the ridiculity of the fact the both of them were brothers. I hadn't even gotten over the fact that they were going to be step brothers and now they were real brothers.

It didn't make sense.

It was so implausible and ridiculous that it looked like it had come straight out from a movie.

After Jake had let the name slip I thought it was a coincidence. I mean it was stupid even thinking about the fact that it was Alec's mother.

She was the perfect mother and wife. A mistress of a rich CEO and being pregnant with his kid hardly seemed even remotely like her. But the more I had thought about it the more clear it became that the clues were there right in front for a person who was looking for it.

When we were kids Arabella Evans was my role model. She was perfect, beautiful loving and caring, she was like a mother I never had.

It was a tradition for her to drive Alec and I too school everyday.

Every once in a month she would stop by the post office to send a letter. Alec always asked her the same question on those mornings, "Who are you sending those letters too?"

And every time she would wink and say,"Your father."

Alec never understood and neither did I. After all Alec's father didn't travel much back then and once I had taken a peek at the address and seen New York written on it but I just stayed out of it.

That memory had vanished when she died.

The other clue was nearly not as old. It was dated a little more than a year back during one of Alec's careless drunk phases.

"You need to be more careful." I say as I step on the accelerator "Here I got you a coffee it will help with the hangover."

Alec besides me groans as he clutches his head. He takes a few sips of coffee before sighing.

"Thanks Clara, you are the best."

My heart starts beating faster and I put my head down hoping he doesn't notice the blush on my face.

"Don't thank me just please be more careful." I say finally.

"I will. I know it was stupid to come out and drink like this but it was her b-"

He breaks off and I know what he was going to say. Despite the fact that it had been years after his mothers death Alec still hadn't gotten over it.

"It's okay." I say slowly,"I understand but you have to be strong for your father."

"He has gone for a huge meeting in New York, got invited by the CEO of a big shot company himself." He informs me,"Its good he won't think about it much."

We sit in silence for some time but it's not awkward. I finally make a turn and stop in front of Alec's house.

"Do you need help?" I ask him and he shakes his head.

"No. I'm anyways a jackass for calling you at three in the night to pick me up." He says,"Honestly you should have just gone back to sleep and ignored me."

As if I could ever ignore him.

"But then you would be lying dead somewhere and then I would have to write your eulogy." I blabber,"Do you know how stressful writing a eulogy is?"

He chuckles and squeezes my hand making my heart go a million miles an hour.

"Thank you." He says looking at me earnestly,"I don't know what I would do without you."

With that he gives me a hug and gets out of the car and wobbles up his driveway giving me a small wave before disappears into his house.

It was that very meeting in New York which lead to the wedding that I was going to be a part off just day after tomorrow.

I looked it up online and saw that Henderson Co. throws a big charity fundraiser on Arabella Evans birthday every year. That may have been a co-incidence until I realised that it was the same charity Alec's mom used to do loads of volunteer work for. In fact her name was very prominently through out the organisation and was one of the board members.

That's too much of a coincidence.

Maybe Conrad Henderson did have a heart but he had become bitter over time.

After Jake's birthday the day before yesterday I had the entirety of yesterday to think about the possibility of this ridiculous situation.Conrad Henderson had called Mr Evans to make sure that the man taking care of his son was worthy I suppose. It was luck or simply fate that did the rest.

I don't know if Mr. Henderson killed Arabella Evans or not but I was certainly going to keep my mouth shut on this matter, at least until after the wedding. Alec would be devastated and Jake would never be able to live with himself and would curse himself every time he saw Alec.

So for now I was done thinking about it. They did deserve to know but at the same time it would nearly kill both of them.

"Clara?"

I look up to see Jakes mother standing in front of me staring curiously at me. Michella is standing behind her with her usual blank expression but she refuses to meet my eyes.

"Are you all right dear?" She says whilst giving me a concerned look,"You don't look too well."

"I'm fine." I reply,"Just a bit tired."

She smiles,"Well then you better rest up, tomorrow is going to be hectic with the rehearsal dinner and fittings."

I nod,"Of course."

She then turns to Michella,"Dear can you go and sit in the car? I'll be out in just a moment."

Michella nods and is clearly relieved that she doesn't need to stand anywhere near me as she practically runs outside.

"Clara, first of all I want to thank you." She says looking at me earnestly.

I shoot a confused look her way,"Thank me? For what?"

"I just came down after visiting my son." She says,"And he looks happier than I have seen him in a while."

It was probably because of the diary.

"He must be reading something really funny." I say and she smiles.

"He was actually." She says,"But its been a while since I've seen him actually hold up a conversation with anyone and its all thanks to you."

I blush with embarrassment.

"I highly doubt it." I say.

"Clara, I rarely give my stamp of approval to any of Jake's well-err." She stops for a moment before saying,"Well, girls. I have no clue what to call them especially since you are the first girl he has ever called his girlfriend. In fact you are the first girl he has ever introduced me too."

"But you have changed him." She says,"So thank you Clara because its been a while since Jake has come out from behind his wall."

With that she gives me a small hug and turns around and leaves without giving me a second glance.

_______ _______ _______ _______

I spent the rest of the day either talking to Jake on the phone or playing Quiz Up.

The two of us spent hours talking to each other about random stuff something we had the knack of doing when we weren't biting each others head off or having a deep conversation or day dreaming about kissing each other.

Okay the last part was me.

But seriously that was all I was thinking about. I mean I could imagine perfectly as to how Jake would be smirking as he talked to me and roll his eyes every time I said something extremely stupid and right then and there all I wanted to was go and kiss him.

But I knew that one look at him and I would crumble. I needed time to trust myself enough to keep this secret. I was scared that one word from me would screw everything up. But the worst part of all of this was the reason that I hadn't told him the minute I had suspected was because I was incredibly selfish.

I didn't want to tell them the truth because I was scared that I would lose him.

And the worst part is that I didn't even know who I was terrified of losing more Alec or Jake.

But one thing was for sure I had to avoid Alec to the best of my ability because in front of Jake I was stronger and much more composed but in front of Alec I was more or less transparent and I was sure that he would see right through me.

So I spent the entire day cooped in the room to get my shit together because I would have to face both of them together during the rehearsal dinner along with their father.

Now that's just freaking peachy.

It took me a good 24 levels and hundreds of games of the Math Quiz on QuizUp to finally take a deep breath and feel like I was not going to burst. I don't know how I was going to manage it but I was not going to lose my cool and get through the dinner and eventually the wedding.

After that I had to tell them. Even I couldn't be that selfish.

The morning of the rehearsal dinner was a mess. The final preparations for the weddings were in full swing along with constant dress fittings and last minute changes. It was clear that this wedding was a big deal and nothing could afford to go wrong. It was so busy that I didn't even get to make eye contact with Jake or Alec.

I was grateful for that much.

And before I knew it, it was time for the Rehearsal Dinner.

When I got back to the hotel room Samantha and Rebecca had already started prepping. The hotel room was a mess, with hair curlers and mascara flying around.

"Aren't you gonna dress up?" Rebecca asks as she slowly curls her hair.

"My mom is sending over my dress." I say with slight distaste.

"Aren't you worried that she is going to make you look like a vegetable, so that your sister can steal the show?" Samantha states.

I briefly think back to how in the last few things have changed and I simply shake my head,"No, not really."

Samantha raises a questioning eyebrow.

"And if she does that I can always opt for nude." I state and Samantha's hand jerks making the careful black line on her eyelid completely crooked. Even Rebecca looks at me as if I have completely lost it.

"Who are you and what have you done with Clara? " Rebecca says as Samantha wipes off the hideous line.

"What do you mean what have you done with Clara?" I demand,"I'm right here and I can crack jokes you know."

"No, you can't." Samantha states,"Because that's what I'm here for. Rebecca is here to be creepy while you are here to be whiny."

I roll my eyes at her statement and she smirks a little bit,"Your fake relationship has made some real changes."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I ask.

"Depends on who you ask." Samantha says giving me a wink.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

The both of us turn to look at Rebecca who is staring at a box in front of her.

"Explain." She says turning towards me.

Samantha and I give her a blank look.

Rebecca sighs and picks up the box and shoves it towards to me.She then opens it to reveal the charm bracelet Jake had given to me lying neatly in it. I had taken it off after I had come back to the room because I was terrified of losing it to damaging it. In the process I must have forgotten to tell them about Jake's thoughtful gift.

"It's a gift from Jake." I announce slowly.

"Now it's not a gift its more like a symbol for the fact he has hopelessly fallen in love with you."Rebecca states and I turn a deep shade of red.

"Its just a gift." I say snatching the box out of her hands and snapping it shut,"In a perfectly we are friends way that is strictly platonic."

We may have just sneaked a kiss or two.

"He would definitely not go through so much of trouble for a friend." Rebecca says,"I mean no guy gives a girl an expensive yet extremely thoughtful gift unless they really like her."

That makes me blush even more.

" Its either that or he thinks that he will get to bang the girl." Samantha pipes.

"Sam! I'm trying to construct a love story here will you please stop ruining it?" Rebecca exclaims.

"I'm not ruining it, I'm stating facts and judging by Jake's track record-"

"Seriously stop." I say interrupting,"Sam you're sounding like my mom and Rebecca you are going way off track."

"Puhleez and I'm Angelina Jolie." Rebecca says,"I'm never wrong."

That makes the both Samantha and I raise an eyebrow.

"Do you want to start or should I?" Samantha says looking at me.

"Lets remember the time you thought it would be fun to set me up on a blind date." I say.

"How was I wrong?"She says defensively.

"You told me he would be my soul mate." I state drily.

"Then there was the I'm sure Aaron James is Chace Crawford in disguise phase." Samantha says,"Jen and Brad will totally get back together and-"

"Fine I've been wrong." Rebecca pouts,"But I'm not wrong here. Jake totally has a thing for you."

"Well, best of luck constructing Clara's fairytale love story,I'm going and putting on makeup and getting ready." Samantha says,"Oh and I forgot to tell you Jeremy called."

Rebecca's eyes widen and she soundlessly gets up and grabs her phone and exits the room.

"Well, she has it bad." I say smiling.

"Don't even get me started." Samantha says laughing,"And by the way you're welcome."

She tosses me a pair of white gloves and I raise an eyebrow confused.

"For what its worth." She says glancing at the box in my hand,"I think the fact that he finally taught you to stand up for yourself is the better gift."

"Oh and the gloves are for your knuckles they look like they hurt." She then winks,"I'm sure whoever was on the other side got the worse bit of it."

With that she turned her around and started applying mascara without another word.

_________________________________

The venue for the Rehearsal Dinner was the ballroom on the top floor of the hotel. It was decorated beautifully with dark blue and gold and the view of the city was absolutely breathtaking.

If the venue didn't tell you that it was a major deal, the people surely did. One could make out just by looking at the guests with their snobby attitudes and diamond necklaces that these people had enough money to buy a country. They all had that typical There is something unpleasant underneath my nose, a look both Natalie and Michella had mastered in.

Although in their case I was the unpleasant something.

Michella looked stunning as usual Her hair tied up in a neat and elegant bun along with her flowing ball gown. She was talking to people with her cordial and polite smile, the one which she usually has in front of people who don't know what a conniving bitch she is. She accidentally makes eye contact with me and gives me the most distasteful look she can give before turning away.

I'm tempted to yell some profanities about her but instead I just grab a glass of apple juice in front of me and gulp it down in one go.

It's only after I swallow that I get hit by the bitter aftertaste. I almost immediately start feeling a light headed.

Kudos to me. Only I would think of something as stupid as stupid as apple juice because obviously what else could they possibly be serving in a party like this?

I'm tempted to drink another glass but my eye catches a familiar set of cold green eyes standing across the room staring straight at me.

Conrad Henderson was in his element here you could make out clearly from his proud stance. A huge number of people were gathered around him each of them clamouring for his attention.

He gives me a small nod of acknowledgement and I know that even though he has covered it well my punch had left its mark by the stiff movement of his jaw.

I raised my gloved right hand and give him a small wave enjoying the fact that I was taunting him. He doesn't seem to effected by it and gives me an amused smile before turning his attention back to the people in front of him.

"Clara, my dear enjoying the party?"

I smile,"Of course Mr Evans its been beautifully set up."

It was next to impossible to believe that the man standing in front of me wasn't Alec's father. They didn't look similar, no not all, Alec's blonde hair clearly came from his mothers side and his green eyes were just one of those recessive genes. But still there was something so similar between the supposed father and son that it would be stupid to even think that they were not related.

Maybe it was the fact that both the Evans were kind hearted and had the likes and dislikes in just about everything. Its true, you don't just become a parent by being genetically linked. For all means and purposes the man in front of me was Alec's dad because he had raised Alec, not Conrad Henderson and Alec was a better man because of it.

"Clara?" He looks at me concerned and I break out of my thoughts.

"Sorry." I say embarrassed,"I was thinking. But I just wanted to officially say congratulations. I never got to say it before."

"Thank you." He says looking at his fiancee who was standing a few metres away from us talking animatedly to one of her friends,"I am a lucky man."

I smile,"True."

"The reason I came here was to ask you for a favour." He says carefully,"Concerning Alec."

I stay silent and he sees this as a sign to continue.

"Alec has been very detached lately." He says,"He barely talks and he disappears for hours without saying anything. He says everything is fine when I ask him but I know it isn't. I was wondering if he has said anything to you?"

Immediately a wave of guilt washes over me. I had been avoiding Alec like the plague for the last few days after our weird talk in the hall. It was maybe because I didn't know what to talk about anymore. The last few days had been so jam packed with Jake that I had barely been able to think about anything else.