Uncle Rafael constantly throwing me deadly stares, eyes accusing me. And I felt like I betrayed his trust. I tried to avoid his stares but even so, I could still feel his eyes boring holes into my face, and my father seemed to find pleasure in irritating him.

His disapproval of me is very noticeable, but it seemed I'm the only one who noticed it.

"This is surreal, don't you think, Valiente?" Dad commented. Uncle Rafael took his glass filled with Whiskey, then took his time sipping the brown liquid as he looked at him over the rim of his glass.

"Well, I'm happy that my son finally realized his mistakes, and choosing Clara Bell was the best decision he had ever made," Mom piped in drawing all eyes at her. She was beaming heartily at Aunt Tati, and Aunt Tati beamed back at mom, her eyes filled with the same happiness, excitement rather. The two looks thrilled, excited for us which opposite mine. Bad vibes swirling in all over my gut.

A loud thud caught all our attention. Uncle Rafael's glass made a loud thud as he placed the glass down on the table. Face grim, and the only one who wasn't thrilled with the idea of us together.

The food tasted like paper in my mouth as I stayed quiet, and hope to whoever created human that good things will come out of this awkward dinner. Even Clara Bell, she barely touched her food, and frequently throwing me a bothered look which only adds up fuel to my already raging disappointments and frustrations.

"Clara Bell is still young to get into a serious relationship," Uncle Rafael finally said after a long silence. Dad let out a loud chuckle while Mom stared at him, her smile slowly leaving her face. Aunt Tati eyed him with disapproval while Clara Bell almost choked on her own saliva.

"Are you okay?" I asked her as she wiped her mouth with the peach table napkin. She just gave me a brief glance yet fierce look that resembles a laser, nodded her head twice before turning her gaze to her father with a deep scowl on her face.

"I'm twenty-five, dad!" she snapped, her tone was clipped and sharp. Uncle Rafael only snorted before he took his glass and downed the rest of his drink, avoiding his wife's and daughter's eyes.

"Oh, come on, Valiente," dad chimed in, in a playful tone. "The kids are old enough to choose who they want to be. Don't be such a sourpuss," dad added causing me to frown at him.

I swear to the Big Guy up above, he's not helping at all!

"Dad," I called out, glaring at him. Eyes sending him a message to just shut up before he'll screw it all up for me.

"Alright!" Aunt Tati exclaimed, raising her glass. "Let's toast. For our kids and to our friendship," she said. I took my glass and raised it as I stood up, following aunt Tati. Mom agreed, rising to her feet, and everyone followed, including Uncle Rafael who still looked like he had lost billions.

"To our kids and to our friendship," mom repeated and soon loud clanking of glasses filled the dining room.

I felt a little relieved when the topic was changed. Uncle Rafael soon immersed talking with dad about his new venture. Mom and aunt Tati were talking about their kids, of course. Nothing new.

"I don't know what Am I going to do with my Sasha Beth..." I heard mom whined, letting out a deep sigh after.

When I turn my gaze to Clara Bell, she looked displeased. My heart plummeted to the ground even more.

I just hope she won't break up with me after this distressing dinner.

After the dinner, mom and dad invited uncle Rafael and aunt Tati in his office. I didn't waste any second as soon as the four left us. Sid was busy on his phone and excused himself too without a care in the world. Well, until I got up from my seat and about to approach Clara Bell when I heard Sid talk behind me.

"I hope you'll do remember that we are not to mess up with, Alex," he said in a clipped tone. He's maybe younger than me, but he's a little taller than me. He's probably taller among the rest of the Valiente.

"I never dreamed of it," I replied, glancing at him briefly over my shoulder before dragging my gaze back to Clara Bell who just rolled her eyes at him.

"Please, Sid. Not you, too!" she snapped. Sid just lets out a chuckle before turning to leave the room.

Clara Bell was glaring at me as she rose from her seat.

"I know, I really fucked this up. I'm really sorry," I said apologetically, my heart beats frantically as I met her eyes, not in a good way.

"You should be," she hissed. "Now what?" she snapped, one defined brow rose up high, her natural pink bow lips were accentuated with nude lipsticks.

At that moment, the fire in her eyes made her look even more ravishing, and all I want to do is kiss her, hold her, but I held the urge to do so. I don't want to aggravate her even more.

She strutted along the hallway towards the loggia. My hands tucked into my pockets as I followed her, one step behind. Hoping her temper would simmer down as the night grows.

She suddenly skidded to a halt causing me to step one-step behind so as not to collide with her, then turned to face me.

Her hands flung onto her hips and glared at me sharply. I've never been so scared in my life, fear clouding my thoughts, numbing my consciousness.

"I'm not mad at you... I am mad at our situation. I know what my dad was thinking, and why he is not agreeing, but..." she rambled and heaved out a sigh. I'm still scared stiff, minds were still consumed with fear. My brains had frozen, functioning so slow. Her words were like scrambled letters, my mind struggling to put together.

"Are you even listening?" she hissed causing me to bristle up at her sharp tone.

"Yes!" I replied instantly. "Yes, yes. I am," I repeated as I pulled my hands out of my pocket and my shoulders straightened up as I met her fiery eyes.

She shook her head and then let out another sigh. "Nevermind," she said and then started walking back inside.

I caught up with her and spoke tenderly. A tone that's becoming a norm, that I'd never thought I'd possessed. "I know what you mean... and I didn't plan for this, Clara Bell. It just happened," I explained earnestly.

"Yes and life is messing up with us!" she muttered as she walked off.

I stood there as I watched her back retreating. When she's gone, my head dropped and I gazed mindlessly at the floor. Too many negative things racing through my mind.

If only I could find a replacement too easy, one that I could rely upon and trust, the moment I learned Langdon relayed about us and Clara to my parents, I had fired him right away.

Of course, I should have known that Langdon's loyalty is to my father.

My nosy father!

Letting out a loud growl, I decided to find my parents. Have a little talk with my annoying father. I wish he had just shut his mouth, it would have been handled well, but he had to talk.

Just as I arrived at the great hall, Clara Bell was fuming.

"You can't do that, dad! We are the old enough to decide for ourselves!" she cried out.

I walked closer to them, frowning. The way her hands curled tightly into a ball, her face rigid, lividly staring at her father. She's seriously mad.

Clara Bell threw me a daggering look as soon as she felt my presence. Standing next to my father, I stared at her, confused. "If you agree to their ridiculous idea, then marry my dad!" she spat.

She turned swiftly, her shoulders rigid and strutted off toward the door.

"Let's go home, Rafael! We will talk!" Aunt Tati exclaimed in a cold tone. I saw uncle Rafael's face fell when his wife threw him a look that would freeze even a rock.

"You know I love her too much that's why I was doing this, babe!" Uncle Rafael said cautiously as he tentatively followed her to the door where Clara Bell disappeared.

As soon as the couple was out the door, I faced dad. "What's does Clara Bell mean?" I scowled at him.

"Where are they?" I heard Sid's voice behind me.

"They just left," mom answered as she turned her back to us, leaving dad a disapproving look.

We waited before Sid left. As soon as he's out, dad gave me an apologetic look. My heart dropped at the thought of losing Clara Bell. We are just starting and my parents ruined it.

"What, dad?" I asked as calm as I could muster.

"It's not my fault!" dad exclaimed defensively. "Rafael had proposed it, I was as eager as him... so I agreed," dad smiled nervously. I scowled at him. "He wants you to marry her..." — he trailed off — "soon." Then he let out a nervous chuckle. "And of course, we forgot the fact that you and Clara Bell aren't two years old anymore."

My jaws clenched as I stared him down.

"I'm sorry, son. I messed it up," he apologized and shook his head, realizing what mess he had created.

"So you brought uncle Rafael to your office to talk about us?" It was a statement.

Dad dragged his eyes back to me and shook his head profusely. "Of course not!" he denied.

"I called him into my office and told him a story which your mom and I had kept from you and everyone. We don't want to meddle with your decision in life, so we let you date Claire even though her mom almost ruined my life... and your mom," he explained.

"Ruined your life and mom? So you know aunt Krysti?" I frowned. How come I have never seen it. Now it dawned on me why my parents refused to come with me to Claire's parent's party. I never got suspicious about it. 

"I hope I did not!" he gritted out as he looked away. "Anyway..." he paused, looking back straight into my eyes. I saw the cold man in those eyes my mother used to tell us. "I know you will be mad if I tell you that I had been watching that girl's moves ever since we met her in your bedroom," he said.

My jaws tightened even more. "I'm not surprised, dad," I growled softly.

He just brushed off my temper. He continued on. "She's just as scheming as her mother," dad scowled and I couldn't agree more with him.

Now that he mentioned it and seeing his bright face turning grim, I forgot all about my frustrations, my disappointments of him. I got curious about what happened between them long ago. 

"So what did she do to you and mom?" I asked. 

Dad let out a deep sigh, staring at me for a moment, seemingly weighing the idea of sharing it or not. 

"When your mom and I was still dating, Krystina told her that she's carrying my child. I don't remember what happened that night, but I woke up with her in the same bed, naked. Your mom was devastated. I lost her trust and even after I found the truth, it was too late. Your mom was so hurt, she can't forgive me. She can't trust me. We broke up and she got engaged to your uncle Rafael. I—"

"WHAT?" I exclaimed loudly, cutting him off and he shook his head in confirmation. 

"I had to kidnap her and took her to Mykonos. I was so scared, I can't lose her forever to my friend," dad chuckled, yet the sound of it wasn't full of joy but bitterness. "I didn't know that before the wedding came, Ali broke up with him, canceled the wedding. It was the happiest day of my life," he smiled.

"Your crazy, dad!" I shook my head.

"Yes. Crazy in love with your mother," he chuckled. "That's what I explained to Rafael after he told me that he cannot accept you. The fact that you dated one of her closest friends. He won't let his daughter be your next prey, his words," dad lifted his shoulders into a half shrug with a hand motion. 

My teeth gnashing upon hearing the words. Though I can't blame him for getting suspicious, I deserve a chance. 

"I am ready to marry her, dad. I see my life with her forever," I growled tersely.

"I know. That's why I agreed when he told me that you need to marry his daughter. After that night the paparazzi's saw you in front of her building with just your boxers on, he can't stop thinking that there might be something that happened between you two, and it only strengthened his suspicion when you both got back here and find that you are in a relationship," dad beamed at me causing me to frown at him. His reaction to the situation was making me even more frustrated. "I too would think the same thing," dad shrugged his shoulders. "Why are you in boxers only, by the way, son?" he asked randomly. 

My jaws tightened. "I got so worried, I forgot I was only wearing boxers, but nothing happened between us if that's what you want to know," I hissed.

Dad chuckled. "You got it bad then, son," dad remarked, chuckling even louder. 

"And I hope you didn't start teasing uncle Raf—"

"Sir," Langdon's voice interrupted me. His voice held apprehension as he stood in front of us. "There's something I need you to see, Sir," he said, then he looked at dad apologetically and dad just nodded his head at him, then pat my shoulder lightly before turning his back and left. 

I frowned at Langdon as he lifted his phone and showed me the screen. 

A close-up picture of a beautiful lady in a white gown, a white furry coat draped around her delicate shoulders. Her hair was tied in a bun, sparkling diamonds holding the bun together. Her neck adorned with diamonds and so was her ears. She looked like a queen. She's nearly about mom's age.

I read the article. 

Former renowned beauty queen, a businesswoman claimed to have one of her heirloom jewelry went missing. The jewelry was last seen on the day before her penthouse was used by Victoria Secret for their Spring Catalogs. Just recently, Victoria Secret's CEO gave the names of their crews who were there during the shoot. 

I skipped some of the articles, eyes following the screen as I scrolled down the articles. When I found the list, my eyes scanned the names.

Justin...

Tabitha...

My heart was hammering against my ribs as my eyes searching for her name, hoping her name wasn't there. And then, I saw it. My heart dropped.

Clara Bell Valiente. 

It was at the end of the list. There was about fifteen on the list.

"Shit!" 

................