Alistair woke up rather too suddenly, his seemingly pleasant yet nightmare of a dream stirring his consciousness. For a moment, he was bewildered, stirring at the suite he was in, confused. The chandelier lights, though dimmed, seemed to bright for his eyes. He squinted, his realization first of his non-aching body.Moving around, his soon found the bathroom and washed his face. Then realization dawned him. The events of last night.Anyone who'd known him and witnessed the previous night could have given him an award for composure. Apparent composure though. No one knew or rather, he should say no one knew yet the things he already had set in motion in his imagination.But his sudden wealth had shook him. Even Nathan knew that at some point, he'd drop the nonchalant, indifferent attitude he was wearing. He was beyond awed. And the irony of events as well? Hadn't it been few moments away from his utter embarrassment and divorcement? A smug smile appeared on his face as he wondered the

Alistair walked over to the large window in his office, watching the reflection of those behind instead of the breath taking view of the city below. The lower office staff were arranging the office, a silent yet stuffing activity for him. He wanted them to distract his thoughts, but they pretended not to notice him, a character they played out too well and so unknowingly, it seemed so normal.Back to the thoughts. He looked down, finally acknowledging the beautiful view of the city from his window. A speed boat breezed through and it seemed funny to Alistair how the big companies always had their headquarters situated on the island part of the city. Alistair blinked, and suddenly he could see the younger version of himself in the reflections instead of the cleaners. He could see himself walking, the awkward and unusual memories he had of his first day at his father's office.“Alistair”Till that day, he wondered if he was actually meant to have been there. His mother never took him any

“Woah..”The slippery trunk handle slithered through her hand, hitting the ground rather gently than harshly. But not gentle enough for Mrs. Moore. As usual.“Layla!”“Oh .. sorry Mum”, Layla apologized rather too hastily, a distracted apology as her eyes seemed glued to the magnificent building in front of her. She could see the inside already through the glass or rather she could see through the glass that framed half of the building, living room upward.“Get the other things from the car, Layla”, her mother's strict tone lashed at her, snapping her mind out of captivation. Layla's small, quick feet went down the stairs.“Welcome Madam”, the doorman greeted Tricia as she stepped in.“Thank you.”He offered to take her bag from her but she declined.“Oh dear, that wouldn't be necessary”, she said, smiling kindly at him.“Thank you”“Yes ma'am”. He nodded in approval and dashed outside to help Layla.Just then, Alistair came out of his room, headed for the stairs. When Tricia saw him

“Misterr Charlie”“Oh great. You're here too”, Charlie said, sarcastically excited. “Urghhh”“How have you been?”“What does it look like to you?”“I just saw Capuedo on his way out. Looks like your debt's been extended”“Oh please. Your subtle insults are the last thing I need right now”, he said, yet again struggling with the lighter in his hands.“You are right. You need way more than that if you want to fix this silly negligent mistake of yours”“*@&# you. This is both our mess”“Right. Because as president of the Voxx Group, I should be keeping watch on snitches. I was the one who should have done a better job. I was the one who should have cleaned up blood traces and picked up the goddamn gun instead of being a bloody coward”“Well maybe you should have. You should have taken the bloody gun, because neither Nathan nor Alistair are supposed to be alive right now!”“Oh shut the @#&@ up Charlie. If you weren't such a freaking coward, they'll all be dead by now!”Arghh!”, He growled

“Woohoo! Yeah!”The champagne popped open, foam flowing freely from the mouth. Layla laughed freely, pouring into the tall tulip glasses for each of them. She downed one glass in excitement and their reactions only made her burst in her unladylike laughter, at least so her mother had often described.Well to her it was. But to Alistair, it was probably the sweetest sound he'd heard…“To Layla”, Nathan's deeply sensuating voice pierced through the silence. Layla poured herself another glass and clicked her glass with Nathan's.“To mee”, she said giddily but this time sipping out of the glass.“And to Alistair”, she said, turning to him.“For getting his father's company back, for being ever so loving to Mum and I and for this beautiful job offer. Thank you so much Alistair”“It's nothing”, he said, taking up his glass as he smiled, a bit taken back that she'd known it was him. Not for long though. He could already guess from Nathan's awkward behavior of avoiding contact as soon as she