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.

But all my feelings aside Alec was my friend. One of my closest friends and although a lot of stuff had happened between us it was time for me to move on.

Or for now at least help him.

"Of course Mr Evans, ill talk to him."

His face almost immediately softens and the lines of worry disappear.

"Thank you, Clara."

I smile,"Of course but you better go now your bride is waiting for you."

He gives me grateful smile and makes his way towards his bride. Connected by genes or not he was a much better father than Conrad Henderson would ever be.

I scan around to look for Alec. I spot a familiar blonde haired girl and for a minute I can't place her and then it hits me: Natalie.

I had forgotten that she was a guest too as I hadn't seen her for the two weeks we had been here for, so it had completely slipped out of my mind. She wasn't a bridesmaid either therefore I hadn't seen her in the various fittings either. Although she was flirting with an extremely hot guy who looked like he was in his twenties she was clearly distracted. You could make it out as her eyes kept on wandering all over the place.

But it fixed unto the spot where Alec was standing alone next to the window.

I take a deep breath in and grab a glass of the clear golden liquid and take it down in one single gulp. I instantly gag on the taste but all of a sudden I feel way more confident and stop shaking in my boots at the very thought of talking to Alec.

Apple juice really is the best.

I slowly make my way towards him trying to figure out what I was going to say. His back was turned towards me so he couldn't see me and I was grateful for that. I didn't want him to see how I was hesitating on my way towards him, rethinking my decision every step of the way.

"Hi." I say before I can stop myself or overthink anymore.

He turns around looking slightly confused. Almost instantly my mind starts to find similarities between him and his real father.

"Hi." He says in a monotone voice.

"So." I say trying my best to keep the awkwardness out of my voice,"We haven't talked for a while, huh?"

He looks at me with an expression that I can't decipher.

"Yeah, the last time we talked you walked off." His voice isn't bitter or angry. He says it like he is stating a fact that doesn't effect him at all.

With a horrible sinking feeling I realise that he was talking about the Christmas dinner when I had gone running after Jake. After that I had been so caught up with everything that I didn't even think twice about how he felt.

I'm turning into my sister.

"I'm s-sorry." My voice cracks pathetically in the middle and I can barely look him in the eye.

"Its okay." His voice is soft and there is a small smile on his face,"I'm not mad, I know you have other things to do."

If this was Jake that sentence would have had a double meaning, but it wasn't. Alec had always been like that transparent while Jake had been anything but.

Jake is the kind who drives you up a wall and throws you down, just so that he can catch you when you fall.

Alec is the kind who says things as they are and sees the best in everybody.

Except Jake.

"I know." I say slowly finally getting the courage to look up at him,"I've been scattered lately but I promise you have my undivided attention. Lets just go somewhere private, like the balcony?"

His eyes narrow slightly,"Are you scared that your boyfriend will not approve of you talking to me?"

"No." I say firmly,"He's not here yet."

Alec looks at me quizzically for a second before nodding,"Okay then."

I nod giving him a tight smile as he moves towards one of the many balconies. Even as I walk out I can feel Conrad Henderson's cold stare on me. It was why I had told Alec to step out so that I could stay away from that man.

Alec opened the door and held it open like a true gentlemen as I stepped out into the bitter cold night air.

I bit my lip hard to stop shivering as Alec gently closed the door behind me and came to stand next to me.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

My mind goes blank at his sentence and I literally can't make a single sensible word form in my mind.

"I wanted to apologise." I say my mouth going on autopilot.

He gives me a light smile,"You already did and I already forgave you for something you didn't even do wrong."

We stand in silence for sometime before he breaks it.

"My dad sent you here to talk to me, didn't he?"

I nod.

"He's worried Alec you're pulling away from him and he is concerned because-"

"I'm not pulling away from him." He says lowly looking out,"I'm just taking a time out to think."

"Alec, if its because your father is marrying Jeanine then you should talk to him." I say calmly,"She is a wonderful-"

"I know." Alec says,"You gave me this speech before and my dad deserves to be happy."

"Then what Is it?" I ask and for one terrible moment I think that he knows everything,"You must hate her if you hate Jake  so-"

"Because I'm jealous of him Clara. " he interrupts softly,

I open my mouth to reply but nothing comes out.

"Jake Henderson has a brilliant father and a mother that loves him. Not to mention that she is alive." He states bitterly.

My throat constricts at the very thought of Alec being jealous of the fact that Jake is the son of Conrad Henderson.

"But you have it too."I almost say it as a plea,"Your father-"

"He has you."

The statement is short abrupt and enough to make my hands grow cold.

"What do you mean by that?" My voice is steady and calm even though my brain is freaking the hell out.

"You have always been my rock Clara." He states with a smile that's small,"Even though I've been a dick."

"That I'm sure all three of us can agree on."

Oh Shit.

Jake is standing quietly next to the closed door his gaze fixated on Alec. Although his expression is neutral almost calm in fact, his eyes are steely and dark. 

"Although what's questionable is why you are stating the obvious."

Alec's expression changes almost drastically at the sight of Jake. His brows bunch up and his fists clench up.

"You don't own her you know." Alec states.

Jakes eyes travel briefly to me before fixing back on Alec.

"No, I don't." He says calmly with a small smirk,"But I'm not the asshole who lead her on for years and then slept with her sister."

His smirk grew wider as he added,"Twice."

Alec turned red losing the last bit of his composure.

"You are toxic for her." Alec spits,"Because of you she has torn apart her entire family and because of you any relationship she had with her mother is ruined."

A look of surprise flashes through Jake's eyes as he looks at me disbelievingly. His eyes then fall to my wrist on which I'm wearing the charm bracelet and his surprised look is replaced by a more determined one.

"You don't deserve her." Jake says his voice low,"I don't either but you can sure as hell stay away from her."

"And who exactly are you to make that decision for her?" Alec throws back,"I've known Clara for almost the entirety of her life-"

"And you care about her?" Jake laughs humourlessly,"Then tell me Alec why start caring now? Clearly you didn't care when you dated her sister or her best friend. So what suddenly sparked into you're fucking screwed up head, that made you finally notice her?"

"Maybe the fact that she didn't follow you around like a puppy dog anymore got to you." Jake sneered,"Or the fact that she realised that she doesn't need you anymore."

I should have ended it there but honestly I wanted the answers  to all of his questions because they were mine too.

"But if you ask my opinion, she never did."

And that was the moment when Alec lost it. He tackled Jake straight to the ground and they both hit the floor of the balcony.Alec was the first to land a punch, square in the jaw. It was a hard one and the noise made me wince.

But it was obvious that between the two Jake would win even though Alec was much angrier.

Jake pushed Alec off easily who rolled to the side and got back up on his feet. Alec glared at Jake rubbing his knuckles,"All you can do is taunt. You don't have the guts to do anything else."

Jake clenched his hands and his eyes were so dark that they were almost black,"Don't tempt me.I may just kill you."

Although Jake's warning was menacing Alec ignored him,"You are selfish and arrogant and you act like you own her. Your father was right about you. You don't care about anything but yourself and your ignorant pride. You are a good for nothing person and you are dragging her down w-"

He doesn't get to finish his sentence when Jake finally loses it and he swings  at Alec who he hits on the nose.

Alec crumples to the ground clutching his noses which is bleeding profusely.  But Jake isn't done, he leaps towards Alec and gives him another punch this time straight in the stomach.

And all I'm doing is freaking standing there in complete and total shock.

You know how each romance movie has a scene when two guys are fighting over a girl and the girl is simply standing there not doing anything and just hopelessly staring at the two of them like a bimbo who is helpless.

Well, in this scene I was the bimbo.

Usually whenever Rebecca,  Samantha and I watch a movie and this scene comes on we have very different reactions. Rebecca's is squealing and threatening the writers if anything happens to the heroes "beautiful face." Samantha and I on the other hand watch the girl and comment on how she just set back the feminist movement by a decade.

And now I'm that girl.

I want to say something but I just stand there dumb unable to form sensible thoughts.

"I've cared about her longer than you know her." Alec spits,"And unlike you I'm scared of hurting her."

Jake laughs,"So you lead her on for so long and flaunt other girls in front of her, just so that you don't hurt her?"

Alec's jaw clenches and he wipes the blood off his nose with the sleeve of his once white shirt.

"Tell me then what made you finally take the leap? Older sister got too boring? "

Jakes voice is taunting and condescending and each word is a well placed blow.

But you could make out that Alec was done with his good act with Jake.

"No. I realised it the minute she started dating you." Alec's voice was harsh,"That I was in love with her and I tried distracting myself. I never slept with her sister because I  said the wrong sister's name. Thats when I realised that Clara was the one I would choose over everyone."

Jake stepped forward and would have probably punched the living daylights out of him if my feet hadn't finally started working.

I place myself right in front of Jake who stops abruptly looking at me.

"Don't even think about it."

My voice is steely and hurt flashes through his eyes briefly but he masks it.

I turn to Alec who looks like slightly triumphantly at me.

"I need you to leave, NOW." 

Alec face falls instantly and it turns pleading,"He's just going to hurt you."

My fist clenches.

"Just him?" I say my voice rising along with my temper,"You both are the most insensitive people I have met in my life."

"What is wrong with you?" I turn to Jake and then say,"Both of you? Fighting over me like some toy thinking that whoever wins the fight would get me as a trophy."

Alec looks weary of me and stares at the ground since he hasn't ever seen me during my fits, Jake on the other hand stares straight at me his face giving up nothing.

"You know how you guys can compete?" I say,"Jump off the balcony and whoever reaches the ground first wins or better yet I'll do it."

"You, you of all people who claims to know so much about me should know better  than to pull this out of nowhere. " I tell Alec.

"Im sorry." Alec replies,"But Jake isn't the right guy for you  and he doesn't deserve you, I don't either but-"

"That's my decision to make." I say coldly.

"Then make it." Jake says in a monotone voice.

The air around me grows colder and my hands start shaking along with my voice,"What."

"Since you've already made you're choice you might as well share it." Jake says bitterly.

I look at him gape mouthed. It was ridiculous that Alec and Jake were half brothers, it was ridiculous for Alec to say that he was in love with me whilst fighting with Jake but nothing was as ridiculous as Jake thinking that I could make a choice like that in a moment.

"Make it." Alec says,"And if you choose him I promise I'll stop trying. I know I may have lost my chance-"

"Please stop." My voice is faint but Alec stops immediately,"Alec you can't do this to me."

"Im sorry it took so long and I never planned on saying it like this." He says softly,"I know you cant make a decision like this so soon. So I'll wait till tomorrow night, till midnight."

"If you choose him I'll respect it but I'm going to kill him, when he hurts you." Alec's voice is low and I know he means every word of it,"I know he will hurt you because that's just who he is."

He then turns to Jake and gives him a look I never thought Alec was capable of giving.

"And when you screw her over, Ill be the one who is going to be there for her. From now on I'll always be there for her."

With that he walks out limping slightly.

I stand in silence as the door closes behind Alec. And thats when I lose it.

"You are despicable." I say with as much of poison as I can muster looking straight at Jake,"You are a monster."

He looks at me calmly his dark eyes looking at me,"Why? I just made it easier for you. Go running to Alec like you always intended too."

"Are you kidding me?" I say pushing him back." Are you that cold hearted?  You are making me choose between him and you-"

"And you've already chosen Alec-"

"NO I HAVEN'T." I scream and he instantly goes quiet.

"Because of you, all because of you I have to make a choice between you and him. How can you ask me to do that? How can you ask me to do this? How can ask me decide?" 

"My choice had been easy and then you -"

My voice falters for a moment at his expression which has an expression I cant quite decipher.

"You know what my choice is quite easy because I hate you. I hate you for making this so hard for me. I hate you for bringing out a part in me that makes me a terrible person. That makes me do things I wouldn't, that I shouldn't. I hate you for making me fall in love with the worst parts of me that you bring out. I hate you for giving me this bracelet and I hate you for that stupid empire state break in. I hate you for coming into my life and completely bulldozing it. I hate you for making me care so much. I hate you for kissing me and UUGH I just HATE YOU."

He stares at me silently while I desperately try to calm down.

"I hate you for making me choose."

With that I turn around and open the door and step back inside. The party is going on as I had left it like nothing had changed at all, like no one had noticed anything at all. I was grateful for that much and I make my way through the crowd keeping my head down. I knew it was terribly rude to just duck out of the dinner but I had to pull myself together.

I duck into the elevator and sigh in relief when no one gets on. I bury my head in my hands.

Keep it together.

I can't.

I can't lose either of them.

Jake.

Alec.

Jake or Alec?

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't realise that the elevator has stopped.

"Tough day?" 

I recognise the voice easily and I freeze in my place. I slowly put my hands down to look at the tall skinny boy standing in front of me.

"Hello Eric."

Eric grins at me and my blood turns into ice. 

"Fancy meeting you here." His voice is light but at the same time menacing,"I just met your boyfriend some time back. Unfortunately we had a little spat. He backed out of a very important agreement."

My smile tightened,"Im really sorry about that."

He gave me a small smile as if he knew something I didn't,"Im sure he will be too."

CREEP ALERT.

"Im sure." I say just as the elevator dings open,"Thats me."

I'm about to step out of the elevator but Eric steps in my way blocking me.

"We just met each other, why the rush?" He gives me an innocent smile that makes me want to throw up.

I return the smile hoping it would mask just how terrified I was,"Maybe another time."

I tried to slink away but his hand caught my forearm, hard.

"You know what they say, there is no time like the present." His grip on my hand tightens and his sickening smile widens as the elevator doors close along with any chance of my escape.

___________________________________________________________________

AUTHORS NOTE

AUTHOR *hides behind Jake while people throw stuff at her* I'm sorry for the really really really late update. I have never hd so much of writers block or so little time which is what caused the delay. Im not a 100% satisfied with this chapter.

ALEC: Neither am I.

JAKE: You're never happy

ALEC: Says Mr Grumpy

JAKE: Well, at -

CLARA: Cut it out. Instead of fighting with each other will you guys please save me and get me away from this creep.

SAMANTHA: Only after the author starts writing with good grammar.

CLARA: So you're saying never?

AUTHOR: Pretty much.

CLARA: I don't see why they cant tolerate each other and have to make such a big deal out of each other

AUTHOR: Would you rather have a little BROMANCE between them?

CLARA: NO but-

AUTHOR: ALEC AND JAKE BROMANCE SCENE 1 TAKE 1 and ACTION!

ALEC: Bro; I heard there is a killer football game on tomorrow night I was thinking we should watch it

JAKE: Cool; It's a date. I'll make sure to get a load of junk food.

ALEC: Can you not? I'm trying to watch my weight. I mine I swear my skinny jeans weren't  skinny a month back

JAKE: I know did you hear about Aaron? 

ALEC: No why?

JAKE: Let's just say that his milkshake  made everyone run away from the yard

ALEC: Should I wear my pink track pants or my black boxers?

JAKE: I'm sure you'll look good in whatever

ALEC: *blushes* I'll wear the boxers, although I'll have to shave my legs for that.

JAKE: You're Amazing Just the way you are

CLARA: CUT! CUT! *covers ears with her hands* I did not just see that, i did not just see that

AUTHOR: Wasn't that fun? Anyway thanks for all the support TGND has reached 262K+ reads and 6.7K+ votes thanks a lot.

CLARA: This chapter is dedicated to CelesteGarcia3 for her comment on the previous chapter. Once again a random commentor gets a dedication

JAKE: So please don't forget to comment vote and give your suggestions, they always help.