"How was the meeting?" Richie asks as soon as Alana walks in the house.

"As usual your son's ability to stay quiet amazes me" Alana smiles walking to where her husband was before dropping a kiss on his lips.

"Will Flora be staying for a while in the town?" Richie asks bringing them back to the topic.

"I am not the keeper nor am I the one informing about her tracks to her husband so" she teases making Richie sigh.

"I do not feel comfortable answering Lucero's calls every few hour" he admits making her pause.

"Lucero has been keeping tabs on his wife"

"Yes, may be their relation is worse than they show"

"If the case, then why keep tabs on her? It's understandable that they ignore calling each other but it's another to call you and ask about his wife's whereabouts...

Is Lucero having feelings for his wife?"

"I don't know, if he does who cares they are married anyways" he states making Alana frowns.

"Is this a man thing?" Alana asks as she puts her son on the carpeted floor.

"What?" Richie asks not understanding what she was saying.

"To know once they marry us, we will sleep with them" she questions making him groan.

"We are not doing this" he states as he goes to turn around.

"Oh no, no, we are so doing this. You knew I would sleep with you eventually"

"We are married, that's what married people do they sleep a lot, have babies and is not that the point?" he groans.

"Still, how can you sleep without any feelings for us, like how?"

"You slept with me without any feelings as well, it's just sex sometimes and in our case you were the one who wanted to try and have baby"

"May be I am the man in this relation" she points out.

"You can be both until and unless I am being dragged in to whatever is ongoing in your head"

"Go on, walk away. You always do that, walk out, never fight out" she comments making him sigh.

"I will fight when I have to"

"If ever there is some situation will you ever fight for me, for us" she asks making him frown.

But before he can answer Rick's loud cry make them turn around to find their son stuck his head under the sofa.

*******

Richie narrows his eyes as he watches his friend stand on his doorsteps, he sighs as he puts the fork down before he gets up from his chair.

"I am sure you are not here to join us for dinner" he comments and Alana turns around to look who was in their house.

"Actually I am here to invite you"

"Invite? Bloody hell, Nick congratulations" Richie laughs as he hugs his friend.

"What is the congratulations for?" Alana asks as she picks up her son.

"He is getting married, again" Richie teases.

"Again?" she asks confused not knowing when Nicholas Price got married in first place.

"It's a long story"

"And a complicated one, but it will be an honor if you could make up for the wedding"

"Who could say no for free cakes and food?" Alana grins.

"Well, I know this is your family time but..."

"Nonsense, Price, we both know Richie will drop me off on a blink for you" she teases as she picks up her plate of food.

"We will be at the office" Richie smiles.

"See, that man could not even deny that" she sighs as she walks towards the living room.

*******

"So, it seems the marriage life turned out to be good for you" Nicholas smiles as he takes the drink Richie offers.

"I could say the same for you" Richie smiles as they clinks their glasses together.

"She is mind-blowing" Nicholas chuckles.

"Ah, in that case I am glad your mind has blown away"

"I am here not just for the invite" Nicholas speaks as he puts the glass down.

"I know, you could have informed me about it on the phone as well"

"Flora Lucero is in your city"

"Yes about that"

"And you did not think on giving me that little detail the last time we talked?" Nicholas asks raising his brow.

"Alana and she, they seem to have become friends and if I have to win Lucero's trust I will have to let his wife feel welcomed"

"Just checking if you have been swayed for the real motive of marrying Alana"

"She is now my wife Nick and I would like if you keep her out of it, you would not like someone pointing out the real motive behind your marriage to Grace, now will you?" he asks raising his brow.

"That has changed now" Nicholas stares at his drink.

"Even if we had our own reasons to marry the woman in our life, that reasons have turned into something else now as we know them...

I may have married Alana to get close to the dealings her father does and the reason you married Grace is to save your position as the head of the family we both know, things have changed ever since we started to see them as our wife not a means to an end" he points out and Nicholas nods as he sips his drink.

"Just so you know, Gabriel will be around here for sometimes"

"Of course and if my sources are correct he is actually staying in the same hotel as Flora Lucero, if that is not a fucking planned co-incidence I do not know what it" Richie shakes his head.

"You know, we have no control on what Gabe does, he is no harm though"

"If he is trying to mess around Nick"

"He is married, so chill and from what I know Flora is not the kind to be someone's one night"

"He may be married but both of us know, it's just on papers"

"Gabe is not the sleeping around kind okay" Nicholas speaks before he chuckles as Richie raises a brow.

"Fuck off, it was long time ago I already got burns about it from my wife I do not need your words"

"Still, you were a man-whore, whatever" Richie raises his glass at Nicholas who just laughs at the accusation.

********

"So, did you talk with your in laws, any useful information on when the next shipping will be?" Nicholas asks as both of them just discusses about the business.

"I offered to join him in one of the meetings, he is wary. Does not trusts me fully or perhaps the idea of Alana being a widow scares him"

"Did you try talking with Lucero? I mean you did showed some interest to join him did you not?"

"Trying to discuss about Slavism with Lucero is like discussing the fact we are born because our parents did have sex...

Everyone knows it but no one talks about it. It's like sweeping the dust under the rug, he is too damn tight about it"

"Do you think he knows?" Nicholas asks and Richie shakes his head no.

"I don't think he suspects anything, but he does not trusts me enough to give away his secrets so I have to let Flora in...

Perhaps she can talk about anything to Alana but Alana's lips are sealed even to me"

"She is your wife, you must know how to make her talk"

"Of course, but I do not want her drunk" Richie sighs.

"Oh tell me all about a drunk wife" Nicholas sighs as well.

"I do not want any harm come her way and now that Ricardo is here with us" Richie smiles sadly staring at the door behind which his wife and son are watching T.V.

"I understand" Nicholas nods his head.

"I am meeting Alana's parents tomorrow, maybe I can persuade the man"

"Great, hope to hear for any good news. I will take my leave and sorry to interrupt your dinner" Nicholas speaks as he gets up from the chair.

"No worries" Richie smiles as he pats on Nicholas's shoulder as they walk out.

*******

"What were you two doing for so long?" Alana asks as soon as Nicholas leaves the house.

"Just some drinks"

"Oh so you can drink with friends but I cannot?" she states.

"I never said you cannot drink with your friends just do not get home drunk and not while you are breastfeeding him" he states as he sits beside his wife.

"So, are we going to join him for his wedding?" she asks and Richie sighs.

"No" he states as he tickles Rick's feet.

"What, but he personally invited us"

"I cannot be friends with both Price and Lucero's at the same time and if you have forgotten one of Lucero is in the town as our guest"

"But why?" she frowns not understanding.

"Price and Lucero's are like water and oil, they do not mix up well"

"Did something happened?" she asks curious.

"Just that the way Price handles things are different from what Lucero's does. Price are against slavery and trafficking...

And Lucero's are all about it, that's their way of controlling this world"

"Where does that, puts you?" she asks and he shrugs his shoulder.

"Nowhere, I am just trying to make a difference a small but effective one"

"And you needed to marry me for that?" she asks as she stares at the screen.

"To be honest, you are my gate pass" he admits and she nods her head.

"I feel used" she admits unhappy.

"I can do nothing to make you feel less used" he smiles but she does not face him.

"Well how about you take the couch tonight" she snaps glaring his way.

"I will be in my office" he sighs as he goes to get up but halts as she grabs his wrist.

"You could just kiss and say you are sorry and I am no longer just a gate pass for you" she states and his eyes softens.

"You have stopped being one the moment Rick was born" he smiles and she smacks on his shoulder.

"Is there even one single romantic bone in your body?" she groans.

"Well should have said you wanted a romantic husband" he teases as he sits once again.

"Shut up" she warns as she puts their son on his lap.

*******

"You" Alana shouts as soon as she enters the lobby to meet Flora.

"Have we met?" Gabriel asks and Alana narrows her eyes at him.

"We met once but whatever are you doing with my friend, she is married" Alana adds and Gabriel scoffs.

"Just so you know I am married too, at some point everyone gets married even this little guy will be married...

I already feel nothing but sympathy towards him, whoever will catch his attention and grab his freedom" he pouts as he stares at Rick.

"Don't talk to my son" Alana snaps.

"If only his mother was welcoming we could sit for a coffee and perhaps discuss about how I can let your son one day marry my daughter...

But seeing I have no interest on having any kids looks like you son is safe" he grins making Alana stares at him weirdly.

"Let's ignore him, Flora what are you even doing with him?" Alana asks and Flora just grins.

"Gabe here, volunteered to accompany me while I wait for you. Something about both of us being lonely souls"

"Oh jeez" Alana gags.

"Did your husband never helped you work on your gag reflex?" Gabriel comments and Alana glares at him.

"I dislike you and if ever your daughter comes near my son I will make sure she never gets her hands on him" she snaps childishly

"Please as if, your son can keep his hands to himself. Any kids of mine will be so awesome that no one can ignore or be away from them...

That's a Price charm which you will never know"

"Then I will raise my son in such a way that he can shield himself from any of that horrifying charm called Price"

"There is no one made in this world who can shield away from a Price charm, let me tell you if a book was written on about me, even the readers will fall in love with me...

And baby I love hard, filthy fucking hard"

"Oh please"

"I am sorry I am married and do not fuck anyone even if they begged, so keep your pleading with yourself" he states and Alana's opens and closes her mouth stunned.

"Oh wow, you two are so fun, coffee anyone?" Flora laughs.

*******

"I dislike you"

"It's none of my business" Gabriel smiles as he focuses on Flora.

"So, how long do you plan to stay in the town?" he asks her and she shrugs her shoulders.

"As long as I do not get home sick"

"Home sick? I never get home sick" he states.

"That's because you do not have one. I am sure no one is waiting for you back home, I mean you claim to be married yet here you are away from your wife seems like a pathetic life you got for yourself" Alana comments.

"Do not bad mouth about my wife" he narrows his eyes at her.

"I am not, I am sure she must feel very glad that you are away"

"I am the one glad to be away from her"

"Why? Don't you love your wife?" Flora asks with furrowed brows.

"No, why would I love a woman my family chose for me and I never had any intentions to marry her. I hate her" he states.

"Hate her, but why? Did she do anything wrong to you?" Flora asks and Gabriel opens his mouth to say but stops to think.

"From your expression I guess the answer is no, I know arrange marriages can be tough but have you ever stopped to think maybe she never had a choice like you when it came to marriage?

Have you ever stayed long to know her?" Flora questions and Gabriel shamefully shakes his head no.

"Arrange marriage can be difficult to a woman just as a man, at least you get to be around people you know while us woman, everything is new to us...

Even the bed we sleep" Alana adds.

"Fuck" Gabriel whispers.

"It's never late to wanting to know her, you know we woman are far more forgiving than you men" Flora adds.

"Yeah, I mean my marriage with Richie was not all flowers but now we are somewhat happy and can handle each other...

There are some days I initiate the kiss which leads us to bedroom" Alana admits and Flora laughs.

"TMI" she teases and Alana laughs as well.

"You guys may be right, I never gave Amelia a chance" Gabriel admits sadly.

"But things can change"

"Yeah, maybe I should initiate a kiss that lead us to bedroom" he nods making both Alana and Flora frown.

"I do not think that..." both of them go to stop him but he gets up from the table.

"I need to go do some husbandly duties"

"What?"

"May be its time I fuck her" he mumbles as he walks away shouting they can pay his bills as well.

"Wow, such a gentleman" Alana scoffs before she eyes her son.

"Never fall for a Price charm" she warns her son who squeals clapping his hands.

"Is that a yes?" Flora teases Alana who glares at her new friend.

"Don't gloat else your daughter may one day fall for a Russo charm" she snaps and all the smile wipes off Flora's face.

"Oh, I am so..." Alana goes to apologize but Flora shakes her head.

"If I have a daughter I would love nothing but to marry her off with a Russo" she smiles and Alana smiles back feeling guilty.