Okay, apologies again for the inconsistent updating. House buying and work is EXTREMELY time consuming for me. So I REALLY do appreciate you all for your patience. Just know that I am determined to finish this fanfic and hopefully am fulfilling if not passing your expectations on these chapters. I'm really trying the best I can with the little free time I have right now. Anyway, just know that I really do mean all my gratitudes to you all and hope you enjoy the chapter! This chapter picks up immediately after the previous one when Kelsey and José arrived at the Wilson's much to Alejandro and Heathers increasing dismay. Lol. Enjoy! :)

(Heather's POV)

After 'whatever the hell that was' in the foyer, mom somehow got us into the kitchen and ended up pouring everyone a glass of wine as we just kept standing in awkward silence until dad walked in and started schmoozing up a storm with Alejandro and José.

Ugh, just… what the hell?!

Everything in my entire being felt like it was clenching so hard that I thought I was going to explode.

And even though Alejandro at least looked like he was putting on a face, I totally could tell point blank how much he couldn't figure out what was going on either. Especially once José and my dad started laughing about something and looking chummy.

Then I especially felt like I wanted to crack the granite counter in half as I saw Kelsey just smirking at me while casually taking sips from her glass, clearly enjoying the fact that she was getting to me.

Yeah… we'll see about that, sis.

Once mom walked off toward dad, I leaned across the counter and spat through my teeth, not even trying to hide how pissed I was, "Okay, what the hell are you up to?!"

My feeling of wanting to burn the world to the ground came back and started building, as she just casually crossed her legs and took another sip of wine before saying, sounding so sickeningly fake and sweet that I wanted to grab her by her hair throw her stupid face into the kitchen floor, "What do you mean, sis? Mom said I'm allowed to bring a guest for Christmas if I wanted."

I scoffed as I started, not even covering my bitter sarcasm, "Ha! Right?! So bringing a guy who has done nothing but annoy the crap out of you, as you have bitched to me about incessantly over the past couple days, and then bringing him to 'meet the family' seems totally unsuspicious to you, does it?! Now what are you doing?!"

My fists clenched as she said, continuing to give me that fake-ass smirk, "Oh Heather, as you said after my date with him about expecting unexpected variables, turns out you were actually right. José and I actually have a lot in common. Mainly that he hates you and your twisted little Don Juan just as much as I do. And honestly… he's not all that bad really."

She paused and her smirk twisted slightly as she leaned forward and said, "And the fact that he's rich, gorgeous, and really 'knows what he's doing' is also a plus. Guess I should be thanking you really for setting me up with him. And now, let's just say I'm ready for some fun at the holidays for once. So, if you'll excuse me, I should be getting back to my date."

As if that wasn't enough, I felt like my head was splitting as she gave me a couple pats on my shoulder before saying, practically mocking and taunting me, "Good talk, sis."

As my whole body felt like it was imploding, she practically strutted across the room to the living area and immediately grabbed José's arm, causing them to smirk at each other before she turned back to look at me and gave me a smug and challenging grin and glare from across the room.

Oh, you want to play like that?

Fine.

It's REALLY on now… bitch.

30 minutes later

(Alejandro's POV)

I walked out of Heather's room, putting my coat back on to meet Heather at my car since we are just looking for any excuse to leave right now.

Just as I was about to take a step I heard, making my blood almost run cold as every muscle locked up in my body, "Well, look at this. Appears we'll be in neighboring rooms just like at home. Quite interesting wouldn't you say, Al?"

My whole being slowly reacted as I saw José standing barely several feet away from me, leaning in the doorway of what I assumed to be Kelsey's room. I could feel my eyes shooting daggers as I heavily tried to keep myself under control despite the circumstances.

But, I managed to contain myself somehow as I crossed my arms and started, quirking up an eyebrow in skepticism, "That's not all that appears to be 'interesting' about this scenario is it?"

He continued to smirk as he started, "Oh Al, there's no need for that. When Kelsey issued the invitation, I thought I'd take her up on her offer. After all, you were making this sound like a good time. And I must admit, I am quite enjoying myself thus far."

"I find that very difficult to believe… from a few different points of reference." I retorted, trying with every fiber of my being to keep myself even despite my enraged skepticism.

All he did was cross his arms at me and ask, "Oh? And what makes you say that, Al?"

I kept a twinge snap in me yet I still managed to maintain my composure as I took a slight step forward and commented, "Maybe because I happen to know that you and Kelsey have not seemed to be seeing 'eye to eye' until just recently."

It was dead silent until José took a slight step forward and crossed his arms back at me as he started, "Really? And just where did you hear that?"

I kept myself just as even, despite fighting the compulsion to lash out with every last shred of my self-control, and replied matter of factly, "Heather gave me a bit of a summary among 'other sources'."

I was expecting him to confront me immediately only for him to smirk and start, chuckling slightly to himself, "Your girlfriend actually telling you about something? I must admit… that's surprising."

Immediately I snapped completely as I grabbed his shirt and got nose to nose with him.

His expression contorted knowingly as he interrupted me as he started laughing before giving me his usual sly and cocky grin before elaborating, "Now, now… there's no need to be so enojado, hermanito. You wouldn't want your 'glittering gallantry' with your girlfriend's family to be tarnished by starting an altercation now would you? I'm only saying so from what I have heard as well recently. Because let's just say Kelsey has told me quite a lot of fascinating information about your girlfriend. And let's just say there's quite a bit it seems that she hasn't told you about from my perspective."

I clenched my fists tighter on the collar of his shirt as I practically ground out through my teeth, knowing how snide and fed up I sounded, "Do tell then… but I suggest you 'tread carefully' on what you divulge to me. Because I'd be very careful on how you choose your words when referring to Heather in front of me. Unless you'd like a repeat performance of what happened on the deck in October?"

At a certain extent, I didn't care if anyone was listening in on this exchange.

He already crossed my line of suspicion the moment he walked through that door earlier… and now he is standing perilously close to the edge on my last shred of patience if he thinks he can get away with trying to push me by insulting my girlfriend.

All he did was continue to smirk and make me fume internally in absolute rage before he quirked up an eyebrow before saying, "Well, for starters… did your girlfriend at least happen to mention to you that there was a white tie event we were all attending tonight at the local country club?"

Unfortunately my confusion got the best of me as my eyes went wide.

Then even more unfortunately José caught it and he elaborated, completely taunting me, "Surely she mentioned it to you, sí? It's just I didn't see you take your white tie attire with you on your way out this morning. Unless perhaps you forgot?"

I tried to retain a stern look before I pushed off from him and walked away to avoid giving him the satisfaction and meet Heather by my car.

My entire way there; however, my mind started twisting and turning as I tried to process what I just heard.

White tie event at the Wilson's country club?

Heather never… no, if it was something like that, she would have let me know so I could pack accordingly with the proper attire… wouldn't she?

Well, I'm taking her out to lunch so we can get away from this for a couple hours and figure out what was happening.

Maybe she'll let me know and clear things up surely.

3 hours later

We both walked back into her room and I kept looking at her expectantly. Lunch was extremely uneventful, with the exception of trying to figure out what José and Kelsey were up to together by showing up unannounced.

Otherwise… nothing.

She never mentioned a thing about a white tie event. Which could only mean one of two things.

One is she forgot to mention it to me, but I am highly doubtful on this score since that is NOT like Heather to have something like that simply 'slip her mind'. Particularly if it's a 'high end affair' that involves proper attire and coordination between us.

And two… Right as the possibility of the second option took me over in frustration, my fists clenched on reflex as every muscle in my body started to tense up.

Heather realized I was staring at her intently as she started curtly, confused and quirking up an eyebrow, "Um, what?"

"Oh… I'm sorry. Am I 'irritating' you, mi amor?" She kept giving me a confused look and getting progressively more annoyed and frustrated with me as she put her hands on her hips as she countered, "Honestly, yeah, kinda… considering I have no idea what's even going on here?"

"Oh, do you now?" I immediately spat back indignantly as my thoughts started spinning in a vortex of absolute frustration and rage.

"Look, rather than playing some stupid 20 questions game here, can you just spit it out or something?!" She retorted as she crossed her arms.

"Fine, Heather… I will 'spit it out' then, as you say. Considering I'm the only one who seems capable of 'proper communication' in this relationship it seems." I ground out in frustration as I started her down.

She scoffed and groaned before exasperating, "Ugh! And here you go again with the 'communication crap'! I told you how I feel! I said sorry! AND agreed to date you! What MORE do you want from me?! WHY IS THIS SO DAMN IMPORTANT THAT I TELL YOU EVERY DAMN THING?!"

"BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT, HEATHER! We're together now! So it's very important for us to have open communication with each other. Especially since there's something you didn't even bother telling me when I was packing for this week!" I erupted, not even trying to repress my frustration.

WHY MUST SHE ALWAYS BE SO INSUFFERABLY STUBBORN ALL THE TIME?!

She knit her eyebrows as she got right in my face until we were almost nose to nose before erupting right back at me, daggers almost shooting out of her eyes, "OH! And what's this now?! HUH, ALEJANDRO?! I already said I had no idea why my sister brought your stupid brother to start this whole crap parade this morning!"

"No, what I am referring to was how you completely neglected to mention there was a white tie event at the country club this evening that we were attending! HAD you told me, then I wouldn't have left my white tie back at my parents' house. Now what am I supposed to do?!" I spat until she got nose to nose with me and practically yelled in my face in blind fury, "Well, HAD I told you then it would have ruined your present, you insufferable jerk!"

I was about to retort until I paused as intrigue took over.

It was dead silent between us for a few moments before Heather abruptly stomped away and threw her closet open before pulling out what looked like a black canvas garment bag before practically throwing at me.

The bag was covering my face as she spat, "Merry Christmas, you jerk! And I hope you fucking choke on it!"

I managed to get the garment bag in my hands, my mind now slowing down to surprise, shock, and intrigue. "You got me a present?" I started, still in a state of disbelief.

Heather, she… she actually got me a Christmas present?

Right at that moment she threw her hands up and started, "Well, you don't have to make such a big stupid deal about it! What do you think I was doing that one day I was out shopping for you only for you to have a fucking cow over it right now?! UGH! And this is why I hate all this feelings and talking crap."

She turned her back to me and proceeded to cross her arms. I was still in a state of shock until I finally got myself collected enough to unzip the bag.

My eyes went wide as I looked at what was inside.

Inside the garment bag, was a full white tie ensemble. Jet black suit with tails on the coat, starched white vest and dress shirt, and a pristinely cut white bow tie.

"Heather, this is… This is perfect. It's so well made." I couldn't help my state of shock.

It was the most gorgeous white tie ensemble I've had… and I didn't even consider my white tie at home even remotely unacceptable since I have worn it to many dinner and cocktail parties for both mother's and father's work.

But this… I just couldn't believe it.

Heather scoffed and I could practically hear the eye roll in her voice as she spat, "Well, duh! I picked it out for you. Why do you think I needed to concentrate?! I had this suit made custom just for you with my money. Anything else?!"

I looked back at the suit before saying, a thought suddenly occurring to me, "But… how, did you know my measurements? You had to have given them to the tailor."

"Please, I took your measurements on that old one in your closet that I wouldn't have been caught dead being seen with you in." She retorted in absolute annoyance.

I tilted my head as I responded, "And what was wrong with my old white tie? It's acceptable for any formal occasion."

Heather turned back around and said, staring annoyed daggers into me again, "Yeah, acceptable by last decade's standards, but not by mine. Now are you going to try it on or what?!"

She shoved the suit into my chest as I kept looking at her in absolute shock, still in a complete state of disbelief that Heather actually did something actually sort of 'thoughtful'.

Well, at least thoughtful by Heather's standards.

I couldn't help myself as my shock slowly subsided as I slowly smirked at her and said, keeping my tone as sincere as possible, "Thank you, Heather. I love it, truly."

It wasn't even a difficult task to be sincere since I actually meant it with every bit of sincerity I had in me.

She was avoiding eye contact with me; but right as I was about to try it on, I heard a short and barely audible, "No problem..."

I slowly grinned and tried to say something until she grabbed me by my shoulders and proceeded to shove me into her walk in closet and slam the door shut as I heard her call out through the door, "Just make sure it actually fits you! I need you to be able to keep up with me tonight if there's dancing!"

I stood there for several moments until I looked down at the suit for a brief moment before I smiled slightly to myself before smiling at the door and replied, "As you wish!"

Well, I know Heather and I are still starting to figure out our relationship, but one thing is at least for certain that I have known for years.

In her way, she really does love me too.

Ah, classic Aleheather misunderstandings. While maybe heated… are also romantic and hilarious! Lol. XD I just wanted to show a little taste of how the drama is going to be set in motion. After all, this chapter just erupted from an argument of miscommunication over a suit. When in reality it was just Heather keeping it a secret because it was her present to Alejandro that she was planning on giving to him later that day before the event. I hope I was able to nail it with Heather's standoffish, emotionally constipated nature with how I would portray her getting Alejandro a gift of any kind. Let's face it, Heather may be stubborn as all get out, but like Alejandro said… she really does love and care about him in her own way. Next chapter will begin the introductions to the remaining members of Heather's family that are coming over for the holidays. Then as for Kelsey and José… I'll leave you guys to wait and see and to make your own predictions on what those two are up to. Haha. ;) Anyway, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time out of your day to read this fanfic and constructive feedback is always appreciated. Hope you all are staying safe and well out there!

Best regards and stay classy!

Dexter1995