SEVEN

"Is there something you'd like to tell me."Nothing goes past his sister."You like her?"

"I have no idea what you talking about.I'm on my way to see the new house I came here to ask if you wanna go with me.Mom is on a plane,I want to get everything ready before she gets here."

"That was fast.And yes I'd love to go and see the new house with you.Let me fetch my bag and inform Margaret."He waited outside in the car for her."I also have good news of my own."She told him when she joined him in the car.

"I'm listening."He said.

"Avery accepted the job offer as the twins's full time nanny."She did he had thought she would refuse, he can tell his sister is very happy about the news. "She'll be moving in soon.Margaret and I will prepare everything for her and the babies in the guest house.Oh you should see her triplets Alex,they so adorable and cute,the girls instantly bonded with her babies the five of them had a ball."

"You like Avery alot,the two of you seem close."

"We're getting there."Catalina agreed."Not only that with her I'm at ease,it's as if I've known her all my life.I can talk to her without having to hide myself.I don't know if you get me."He sure does,even he feels that way.There's something about Avery Ross that lures him to her and he needs to find out what before he goes insane.She's always occupying his every thought.

"Oh I almost forgot to tell you.Her son has a striking resemblance towards you. I was shocked when I first laid my eyes on him.He looks exactly like you when you had been eight months old."She smiled."A mini you.His name is also Alex. If the two of you had been involved before I would've said you're the father but that's absurd."It sure is he thought they had used protection."Just a pity I don't have a picture I would've shown you."

He should definitely stop by her apartment after viewing the house and find out why she's avoiding him,he also wants to know about her babies and perhaps even see them especially the boy.

But he has a feeling she won't allow it so easily even if she can refuse she's moving into the guest house at his sister's place.

He can go there anytime he wants to see them and catch her off guard,the guest house is very secluded and private."So what do you think?"He asked his sister an hour later.

"I love it.Mom will too.It's very open but private too.I love the ocean front view and the pool too.I feel a little jealous you always manage to get everything that's beautiful.You have very impeccable taste brother.All that's short is for you to find that right woman but it seems to me you've already chosen her you just don't know it yet."Catalina gave him a knowing smile.

"What are you talking about if I may ask."

"Come now brother.You cannot fool me even if I can tell you you'll deny it anyway."

"You don't know that.Ready to go?"She nodded.

"Have you seen Julio."She asked him in the car.

"Yes.He stopped by last night. Why?"

"No reason.Have you spoken to him about the house and mom."

"I did.He said he'll come for the house warming party.As if I'll throw one."

"That's how I know him.Loves to party and waste money like there's no tomorrow.You should have a talk with him."He nodded."Aren't you coming in."

"No.I have to be somewhere."He bid Catalina goodbye and sped off.

Gently Avery covered the triplets and began to pick up their toys that lead straight out to the living room.She hasn't heard a word from Nicole in days and that worries her,Nicole usually doesn't go days without calling or stopping by she hopes nothing is wrong.Hopes Brian hasn't hurt her sister in any way. The sound of the doorbell made her rush to open it."Nico-....Oh it's you."She said looking at Alex.

"You don't look too pleased to see me.Expecting someone."

"What are you doing here if I may ask."

"Aren't you gonna invite me in."He asked when she remained standing in the doorway.

"Now isn't a good time."His gaze held hers for a while.

"If I didn't know better,I'd say you avoiding me.Any particular reason why."

She averted her gaze from his."I have no reason to avoid you Mr Cano.What I fail to understand is what you're doing here at this time on my doorstep."

"You very well know what I want from you."He said."But just in case you've forgotten I can happily refresh your memory."

Instinctively she took a step back, which was a mistake because he used the opportunity to come inside and close the door behind him."What on earth do you think you doing.You can't just barge in here."

Casually he took of his jacket and sat down on the couch."Coffee?"

"I don't drink coffee."She said.

"This isn't the manner with which you treat your guests Amber.I thought your job as a stripper taught you the importance of always ensuring a client is happy."

"How dare you come in here and talk about my past as if you know what I went through.How dare you even mention it."Angrily she set the basket down containing the toys of the triplets."I told you before whatever it is you looking for you won't find it here.Amber Storm is gone.What more do you want from me?You've had no trouble in keeping yourself entertained without me over

the last couple of days."So she's been reading the gossip blogs."I don't understand what you still want from me."

Those dark eyes searched her own,she felt exposed under his penetrating gaze."Yes,I've been busy I'm a man after all but they weren't you Avery.They don't have the same passion as you,the same fire,the desire,they just give me a body,with them it's just sex two people sating their needs, nothing more but you...you Avery. You give it all.You don't just give me your body and I get the feeling you haven't given yourself to anyone the way you gave yourself to me. That's why I want you and I won't stop until I have you again."

"You cannot talk about me as if I'm for sale.You can't buy me.And after what you did at the hotel two years ago do you really think I'm about to sleep with you again after the way you treated me.

Slamming a check in my hand and thanking me for my services."The memory is one that still stung."What I did for a living didn't give you the right to treat me like a prostitute.Yes I was a stripper but that was it nothing more or less."

"Then you shouldn't have taken the check."He said flatly.

Is he serious."I never cashed the check."

"I know.Which I must say surprises me.I don't know if it's a ploy,a trick or some sort of game you playing.Maybe it wasn't enough could be why you never cashed it.There's a whole list of reason I can give you but I didn't come here to talk about that I'm here for something else."She was afraid to hear what it is so she kept quiet until he spoke."I hear your son has a striking resemblance towards me so I thought to come and see for myself.

She stiffen in surprise,she didn't think that Catalina would tell him clearly she'd been wrong."You not the father if that's what you wanna know."

"I didn't ask you that."She saw him frown and wonder what's running through his head."All I said was I wanna see your son.That's all."

"You can't.It's late they're asleep."

"How about tomorrow then."He suggested.

"T-tomorrow."She stammered."You can't,we have somewhere we need to be."

"Then now would be the perfect time for me to see him."He stood then heading in the direction of the triplets's bedroom Avery was hot on his heels.

"Alex.Wait."She panicked."It's late if they wake up now they won't go back to sleep,they'll be cranky and fussy."

"I won't wake them."He promised. "All I'm gonna do is look."

"No!"She blocked the doorway of their room.

"What is it you don't want me to know Avery."He asked."What are you trying to hide."