Yay! The site seems like it's fixed again! Haha. Let's get right to it shall we? :D Anyway, this chapter is very short, but just trust me that the next chapters to follow are going to be an expositional TRIP! Lol. Anyway, hope you enjoy! :)

(Alejandro's POV)

I kept looking over my grad school selection list, trying to make sure there wasn't anything I missed with the criteria.

Not that I was in any way worried about not getting admitted to any of them of course, but… I did want to make sure I covered all the fine details so that I could transfer to an ideal school closer if not directly located in the Toronto area.

Mainly for several specific reasons… well, one in particular.

My phone started to vibrate and I smirked once I glanced over at the caller ID.

Speaking of said reason…

I picked up the call and started smoothly, kicking back casually in my chair with my feet kicked up and crossed over on my desk, "Hola, mi ángel…"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Do you mind telling me what the hell your dad was doing at my house just now?" She cut in, sounding almost suspiciously annoyed.

I quirked up an eyebrow in confusion as I put my feet back on the ground, "Qué? Father was at your house?"

"Um, yes. That's what I said. What are you? A freaking parrot? Explain, now." She demanded, practically hearing the annoyed eye roll in her voice at the same moment.

But, I just decided to brush off her usual comments and responded, "Well, contrary to what you're thinking, I haven't the slightest idea? I knew he was in Toronto for business reasons today, but I had no idea he was going to stop by your house. Why? What did he say?"

As much as I tried to hide my curiosity, I couldn't help but be at least moderately intrigued.

Again, not that I am in anyway complaining about my father's approval of Heather, but… I just can't ignore my complete curiosity over it.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard Heather retort through a scoff, "Beats me? How the hell was I supposed to know? I just got back from a late lunch meeting with a prospective agent, who by the way turned out to be another total clot, and just saw him talking to my parents. Then he just gave me an invite to an anniversary party for him and your mom and then he just left. Seriously, is being insufferably and annoyingly eloquent a running trait in your family? Ugh, it's like I was talking to you!"

I smirked in amusement before remarking, "Well, my father is a diplomat so 'eloquence' is a required facet. And I also do happen to be his son so…" "Ugh, whatever! Why do I even bother?!" She cut in, her tone laced with annoyance.

I smirked again as she let out another scoff before continuing, "Anyway… What about the party? Is it anything interesting? Or is it like some kind of painfully boring dinner whatever like I had to do with Junior League?"

Even though I felt conflicted… I decided to at least be honest.

"It's honestly quite the affair. Every five year anniversary marker, my parents usually renew their vows with immediate family and friends and then we have a party afterward. Dinner, drinks, dancing…" "Sure." She cut in, making me go wide eyed.

"Pardon?" I said, slightly surprised.

"What? I said I'll go. But, we're going to have to coordinate colors with what we're wearing though if you are accompanying me. Because I am not about to commit a social faux pas over something as stupid as..." She started off handedly as I started thinking about the situation more and more.

But, no wanting to be caught off guard or arouse suspicion from Heather, I was quick to cover myself and took a moment to recompose.

She just kept going as I heard, "And there is no way that I am going to… Hey, are you even listening to me?!"

I grinned to myself and I started, getting back to something we were used to, "Of course I am paying attention, Heather. How could I not listen? Particularly since I am just enjoying hearing your voice after how long I've been without you, mi amor."

She scoffed and retorted, "10 days? That's 'long' to you?"

"And 10 days too long, mi ángel. Especially when I think back to that last night we were together here in my room. Especially what you did for me when we were together. You must allow me to return the favor for next time, particularly since it seems like I have quite a bit to prove after how satisfying that experience was personally." I teased, almost feeling her flustered annoyance through the phone.

"Ugh! Will you stop it?! You're disgusting…" She said in annoyance, even though I was sure she was covering up something else.

I smirked and countered, "I fail to see how calling you a good lover is in any way 'disgusting'. Particularly since as a gentleman, I should absolutely make sure that you are just as if not more satisfied than myself. And I will make sure of it next time."

"Y-You're just… UGH!" She exasperated over the receiver in flustered annoyance, making me continue to grin.

Ah… Oh, how I love teasing her… among other things.

"Look, just pick me up on Friday at 6 for our date." She said, changing the subject.

"Of course. I will be there promptly and not a second later." I complied, and despite her tone… I knew she was looking forward to it just as much as I was.

"Well… good." She started, sounding slightly flustered but trying to retain her usual front.

"Excellent. See you then. Te amo." I said, until I just heard silence for a few seconds before she hung up.

I looked at my phone for a second and let out a sigh as I ran a hand through my hair, but as frustrated as I felt… I couldn't hold back a slight smile.

After everything; and even though it's frustrating, I know I shouldn't expect everything immediately. Particularly since it was still slightly surreal for me to even think of where Heather and I stand in our relationship… especially since there actually is an 'us' now.

But, I knew I needed to bide my time more.

After all, I know I already got further with Heather than any other guy ever has and I'll wear her down eventually to get her guard down with me more. Especially once I finally move closer to Toronto, I plan to make that a reality eventually… even if to just to a slightly higher degree.

But, as always, Heather has always been a challenge in nearly every aspect for me… and as always, I accept her challenge.

I just have to make the right moves at exactly the right time.

Though nevermind that.

That is the least of my problems.

Now that father personally gave Heather an invitation to his and mother's anniversary party and actually wants to come up for it, there's no more avoiding it… and I'm not just talking about Heather finally meeting mother.

Though mother is an entirely different issue.

It's someone else who I have a problem with meeting her as well. And it's not hard to imagine why since I have my reasons...

3 years and 10 months ago

({No POV})

Alejandro walked back into the house in his usual track warm ups from the local suburban high school he was attending just outside of Ottawa.

Track practice ended earlier than expected and he decided to capitalize on his free time to get his homework done before his parents came home for dinner.

He readjusted his gym bag over his shoulder as he walked up the stairs.

It looked like Alejandro was about to go to his room and drop off his gym bag when he heard what sounded like some mixed and slightly suggestive laughs behind the door to José's room.

Alejandro rolled his eyes in a knowingly annoyed fashion, making the obvious assumption that his older brother was also taking advantage of having 'free time' and 'full reign of the house' to hook up with his usual flavor of the week.

At first, Alejandro looked like he was about to put in his ear buds to drown out the noise since listening to his brother having sex some random girl was the absolute last thing he wanted hear, now or ever in his view.

It looked like he was about to finish putting in his other earbud when he froze up immediately as he heard something familiar. He held his position as he turned off his music and kept listening.

Slowly he made his way over to the door; and though looked as if he even detested the idea of even doing the act from the start, he pressed his ear to the door and his eyes immediately went wide as he heard a slight yet unmistakable feminine laugh he knew all too well mixed in with his brother's that made his blood run cold for a moment.

Looking as if he was hoping with every fiber of his being that what he was imagining was not what was happening.

Hardly even thinking, Alejandro practically impulsively opened the door to José's unlocked room and immediately froze at what he was seeing in front of him.

His whole expression completely dropping as his gym bag fell off his shoulder and onto the floor.

And cliffhanger!... Please don't hate me. Lol. XD But, let's just say this is only a teaser for something I have been looking forward to working into my fanfic for a LONG time. Though it is maybe obvious, let's just say that there was more that happened to fuel the hatred between Alejandro and José than just your typical 'sibling rivalry'. I alluded to this particular scenario all the way back in "Propositions and Conniptions" before Alejandro and José's fight. It was something José alluded to when he was trying to get under Alejandro's skin. And I also alluded to it in this fanfic a few chapters ago as well, but I'll leave that up to you guys to speculate for now before I do the 'big reveal'. Anyway, I do hope you enjoyed the chapter with Alejandro and Heather just being 'Aleheather' on their phone call together. Because let's face it, Heather is not just going to melt into Alejandro's arms and get all 'lovey dovey' (not to crap on TDAS again, I'm sorry). But, Heather is such a hardened chick when it comes to her emotions and even though she told Alejandro she loves him… it's going to take her some time to even remotely get 'emotionally comfortable' in her own way with Alejandro. Though that's just how I see it personally. Plus, Alejandro doing his usual teasing with Heather is always fun, right? Haha. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope this chapter brought a little helpful escapism to your day. :) As always, constructive feedback is always appreciated if you have the time and thanks again for all the support.

Stay classy, healthy, and safe!

Dexter1995