Okay, I will try VERY hard to keep this A/N brief. Haha. But, anyway, to answer a question from one of you in the reviews, let's just say that Alejandro at this point has no idea of Heather and his father's joint 'scheme' to set up José and Kelsey. But, I'll just let you guys read on to get more insight on that score. ;) This chapter begins on the following Friday where José and Kelsey are set to go out on their date. Enjoy!

(Alejandro's POV)

I was about halfway through my dinner… as well as halfway through my packet for grad school next semester.

Not that I ever had any doubts, but it was reassuring to have my welcome folder to make it official. Particularly since this was from the school I really wanted since this will mean I'll be closer to Heather, only 40 minutes.

Which brings up the next thought of something I wanted to bring up when I see her in 2 weeks.

"Hola mijo, cómo estás?" I heard as I felt mother give me a kiss on the cheek.

I looked behind me and grinned slightly and responded, feeling a bit surprised to see her as she carried her plate to her usual spot at the table, "Bien, mamá... You're home early."

She sat down and explained, smiling, "Today was productive. So I thought I'd come home early and have dinner. Your papá is working later this evening, but dinner can be just as enjoyable with my sons."

I grinned as I looked at her carrying her own plate and said, "Absolutely… did Isobel leave?"

Mother waved her hand slightly as she dismissed, "Oh, no. I just didn't see the point of having her bring in my plate when I was coming in here anyhow. How is your planning for graduate school going? Well as always like with everything else, I'm assuming?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth as I replied, "Of course. Just finalizing things mainly and I'm just about to sign off on an apartment just outside Toronto."

Mother smiled and looked as if she was about to say something until we heard steps coming from behind us, causing us both to look behind us.

I quirked up an eyebrow when we both saw José walk past the entry way until he stopped at the hall mirror. I tilted my head since I saw him in a royal blue button down shirt and a jet black suit that he wore this past weekend at mother and father's party.

He smirked at himself in the mirror as he smoothed over the side of his hair with his hand.

Then before I could even form a thought mother stood up from her chair and walked toward José as she smiled and commented, "Oh mijo, you look very smart! Not that I'd expect any less from any of my boys. What's the occasion?" Mother smoothed her hands on the shoulders of his jacket before she gave him an affectionate pat on the cheek like she's done to all of us since we were growing up.

José's smirk practically engulfed his face before he finally replied, "Gracias mamá. If you must know, I have a very important date this evening."

I rolled my eyes slightly at his wording before commenting, knowing I sounded pretty snide, "Oh, and what makes this 'date' any different?"

José walked over to me and proceeded to punch my shoulder, making every muscle in my being coil on reflex. Then my blood officially started boiling as I heard him say, chuckling slightly to himself, "I'm surprised you don't know already, Al. I would have thought your girlfriend would have mentioned."

I felt something in me snap as I pushed my chair out and turned around as I got right in his face as I ground out, narrowing my eyes and my fists clenching at my sides, "And what would Heather have to do with whatever pointless fling you have going on?"

At this point mother got right between us and pushed us apart as she reprimanded slightly, "Boys, now I won't have any of this squabbling now or ever in this house. Sí?"

Meanwhile I was fuming and feeling almost prepared to do a repeat performance after what happened on the deck several weeks ago.

But, José just gave me a snide and knowing grin as he ignored mother before elaborating and almost taunting me simultaneously, "No need to get so intense, hermanito. I'm only saying I was surprised your girlfriend didn't mention anything… considering I am going out with her sister tonight."

"Qué?" Mother and I both sputtered simultaneously in confusion.

José didn't even respond as he looked at his phone before smirking and saying off handedly, "Come to think of it… I really must be going. Adiós."

Then he walked out, but not before he was out of eyeshot from mother and turned back around to give me a sly look as a twisted grin took over his face while he pulled something out of his pocket that made me almost go into a state of shock.

Father's car keys.

He kept practically silently taunting me with them before he just turned and made his way out the front door.

But… when did?... and why did?... HOW?!

I thought I was shocked when father allowed me to have them since he has never allowed anyone to borrow his car until I told him I was taking Heather out on our first date a few months ago.

But José? How did he manage to convince father to get them?!

And what does Heather's sister Kelsey have anything to do with this?!

Well, I'm assuming it's Kelsey he was referring to since I know Heather's oldest sister is married and Kelsey lives pretty close by to us.

Then again, I wouldn't put the 'married' aspect past José if I'm speaking honestly. Considering at his gym its almost a regular occurrence for him to at the very least attempt to sleep with the girlfriends of his opponents to get in their heads before a match.

Sure I always got called out for what I did with Bridgette in particular in order to eliminate her, but I wasn't doing anything because of any 'feelings' and she was the one who took advantage of my distractions despite being a relationship herself.

But, nothing even happened regardless.

As I said, we were in a competition and she was expendable like everyone else.

Well… almost everyone.

Besides, I was kind of in a different head space then and now that I am with Heather, I do not plan to have anyone else in my life in that respect.

But it had to be Kelsey he was talking about.

But… why would father give him the keys regardless?!

Especially considering I remember José asking constantly and practically immediately getting denied those same car keys in the past when he wanted to borrow the car for one of his… 'dates'.

Even though to use the word 'date' with José to me is practically laughable alone.

If there's one thing I know, it's that José has never dated seriously one day in his life to meet any end and practically goes through women like water.

Not that he's ever been one for quality or standard in my view… well, unless if it has to do with sports, studying, or trying to humiliate me.

Particularly since he has been taunting me for years now over my feelings for Heather and add on something else that I will neither forgive or forget in its entirety, I just didn't understand?

Why would José for once be going through all this trouble for a date? And how does he even know Kelsey?

And… just why did father give him his keys?!

Mother looked as if she was in a state of shock, most likely from José sharing the news about his date.

But, I had other things on my mind as I started to make my way out of the dining room as I said, knowing I sounded rushed, "Excuse me."

I immediately pulled out my phone and called Heather as quickly as I could, trying to make sense of everything.

I heard 3 dial tones until I heard Heather pick up and immediately snap, "Hey, can this wait? I'm shopping."

"Heather, it's me." I elaborated, thinking she just blindly answered her phone.

Even though I immediately knew I should have known better as she retorted shortly, "Yeah, so?"

Sí, definitely should have known better than to think she had no idea it was me.

She didn't even wait for me to respond as she started, "So, can we like do this later? I'm trying to pick something out for you right now."

Me?

Under more 'usual circumstances' I would have commented on it… but I had other priorities. "Heather, wait, just answer one thing and please just tell me my brother was just having delusions of grandeur when he said he was going out with your sister Kelsey. Did you know anything about this?" I asked point blank.

Then I was taken even more off guard as she very matter of factly responded, "Um, duh. I helped set her up with him."

My mind felt like it was almost on autopilot as I responded, completely unfiltered, "But… why?"

She almost sounded like she was brushing me off as she explained vaguely, also sounding agitated, "Reasons… Now, look, can we do this 20 questions crap later? I need to concentrate on what I'm looking at."

"Heather, wai.." I started before she just hung up.

All I did was stand there and attempt to process everything that just happened, trying to make sense of everything.

6 hours later that night in Suburban Toronto

({No POV})

Since it was a Friday night and Heather had nothing better to do at the moment, she took the opportunity to catch up on some cosmetic details.

Mainly that she noticed her nail polish was chipping and wanted to touch it up.

She decided to start on her pedicure as she reached for her nail polish on her nightstand until her phone started vibrating next to it to see a call coming in.

Heather took a closer look at the caller ID and almost deviously smirked at the name on her screen.

Kelsey.

All the while Heather held her deviously satisfied smirk as she picked up the call and practically ironically and deviously taunted her sister with a fake and sickeningly sweet, "Kelsey, how was your date?"

It was almost cryptically silent for a moment before Kelsey started, sounding enraged through her bared teeth, "Heather… I hope you go to hell… and that the devil shoves his pitch fork up your ASS WHEN YOU GET THERE!"

Even though Heather didn't need to keep asking to know what that was about, considering she knew that she was supposed to go out with José early tonight… she knew her revenge plan must have succeeded by how completely enraged Kelsey sounded.

But, that didn't stop Heather from looking as if she was enjoying herself in this situation as her smirk became one of satisfaction.

Then to top it off, Heather feigned ignorance as she started, "Oh, what's this about?"

"OH, don't you pull that shit on me, you lying little bitch!" Kelsey spat through the receiver.

"Oh, whatever could you mean, sis?" Heather continued to taunt, practically relishing in the fact that her plan seemed to have worked.

Kelsey; however, sound much less amused as she fumed, "UGH! Cut the bullshit, Heather! You knew exactly what you were doing when you set me up with your stupid casanova's brother! Didn't you?!"

Heather though was still toying with her sister as she feigned again, "What? I didn't 'lie' about anything. I said he was hot and he was interested. C'mon, you should know working in business about unexpected variables. "

Kelsey scoffed before retorting in anger, "Unexpected variables my left fucking foot! YOU withheld information! Considering YOU probably knew exactly how much of a total narcissistic douchebag he was from the start! Ugh! Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to smack him because he wouldn't shut up about himself or just shut it period?! So thanks, Heather, for wasting my fucking time! And I hope you're fucking happy with yourself?!"

Heather just smirked as she looked at her nails casually before responding, sounding extremely pleased with herself and confirming it with her words, "Oh, me? I have never felt better. Thanks for making my night by the way."

"Fuck… you…" Kelsey spat through her teeth, still fuming in rage.

"See you in 2 weeks… sucker." Heather taunted as Kelsey immediately hung up on her.

Hardly seeming in any way phased, Heather smirked to herself in satisfaction before returning to her task of painting her nails, though now seeming in a much better mood after her exchange with her sister.

30 minutes later in Suburban Ottawa

Alejandro just got out of bed to head to the bathroom.

He opened his door and looked like he was about to go out into the hallway when he heard movement up the stairs. He paused in the doorway and looked around the corner as he saw José get to the top of the stairs.

Usually Alejandro would have just paused and rolled his eyes before waiting for the sound of José's door closing to avoid any interaction.

But… Alejandro's eyes went wide in shock at what he was seeing as he continued to hide behind the doorway to his own room.

Sure, to Alejandro, José coming home in the middle of the night after one of his 'dates' usually was quite a regular occurrence and usually involved seeing José with a smirk on his face as he practically swaggered into his room.

But… that was not what Alejandro was seeing at the current moment.

Instead, everything about José looked as if he was in a state disarray at a bare minimum if not looking completely disheveled.

His hair was completely mussed up and his clothes with the exception of his suit jacket and pants were almost a disaster.

José's dress shirt looked wrinkled, the right side of his shirt collar was turned up, and more noticeably the front of his shirt had several missing buttons and the ones that were left to hold the shirt together were not even remotely lined up with the correct button holes on the shirt.

At first Alejandro assumed his brother may have had one too many and got into a fight somewhere along the line.

And that would make sense from Alejandro's perspective since José was never a stranger to physical confrontation with other young men. Especially when something related to money, women, or heavy use of alcohol was involved when he goes out to clubs to use past examples.

But then Alejandro's expression became a cocktail of intrigued confusion as he looked at José's face.

José's normally cocky and 'sure of himself' expression that's usual ever present on his face had been completely replaced. Instead his whole demeanor seemed to be consumed by uncharacteristic confusion and perplexion.

Then Alejandro seemed completely perplexed to nth degree himself at this point as he tried to hide more as José stopped abruptly and leaned on the doorframe to his room by his left hand before smoothing his hand over his hair with the right and letting out a long winded sigh.

José continued to hold that position with wide eyes as he said, under his breath, "Ay… mierda…"

He let out another sigh as he shook his head, looking like he was trying to collect himself, as Alejandro noticed something even more perplexing.

There were what looked like bruises scattered over José's neck and jaw, at least that he could see.

Alejandro kept looking at his brother in absolute confusion about what could have possibly happened as José eventually stumbled into his room.

Meanwhile Alejandro was still trying to process everything that transpired from dinner to this moment, not looking anywhere close for once to making sense of anything.

Well, looks there's a lot of mismatched and conflicting information going about, but… I will leave it up to you all to make your speculations for now. ;) And now it looks like Elena finding out that José was going out on one date with one of Heather's sisters was almost enough to put her into a near existential crisis. And that's just over 'one' date. Haha. But, I really wanted to capture more of the respective 'sibling dynamics' in this chapter so I hope I was able to do justice in that respect. And either way… 'something' happened that seemed to give José a bit of an 'attitude adjustment' at the moment. Or at the very least shake him up a bit. As to what exactly happened? Again, make your guess and you'll just have to wait and see. I hope you enjoyed Heather being the evil, twisted, and manipulative chick we all know and love her as during her phone call with Kelsey. Also, what is Heather getting for Alejandro? What does Alejandro want to ask Heather about? So many questions… but all will be answered in time! :) As always thanks for stopping by to read and constructive reviews are always appreciated. Thanks again for all your continued support! And if you celebrate it… Merry Christmas!

Stay classy, healthy, and safe!

Dexter1995

P.S. Next chapter should hopefully be up a day or two after Christmas day due to a busy schedule with work. But, just know that the updates are on their way. Take care all!