Hunter's POV

After a long day at work, I want to shower and then go to bed. My plans change when I walk through the front door of my condo and find my sister sitting on the lounge with a tub of popcorn, watching the news.

Breaking News

Singer Melody Stryker has been admitted to the hospital after having a breakdown during her concert.

Unfortunately, all shows will be on hold until she gets help. Once the star is better, new dates will be added.

Suri looks up from the TV with tears in her eyes. "I was supposed to go to the show. It's sad to see that a woman as beautiful as her would be dumped cruelly on her wedding day. Can you imagine the heartbreak that would accompany that?"

Suri knows that I can relate to the singer. I wasn't getting married when the girl I loved cheated on me with my Best Friend, which is why I prefer to work harder and party less.

Any woman is by far the last thing on my mind. I'd rather bring in more money and be able to buy what I want and not have a woman suck me dry like my ex did.

I don't answer her and take a seat on my couch. Grabbing a handful of popcorn, I ask. "What are you doing here, Suri? I thought you'd be with Mom and Dad."

Sure throws her head back against the couch and then looks me in my brown eyes. "Mom wants me to go clubbing to meet guys. That woman wants to marry off all her kids before she retires next year, and she expects babies to be part of that. I am a successful businesswoman, but that's not enough for her." She grabs a handful of popcorn and puts it in her mouth. Once she finishes chewing, she says. "How about we spend the winter break at the Chateau? Away from our parents and having the best three months of our lives."

A smile spreads across my face.

That's the best idea she came up with. After the year I've had, I think I need a break.

"That's the best thing you've come up with. We can work from the Chateau part-time and still enjoy ourselves. I'll have to work on a flyer to advertise the positions available, as we'll need cleaners and cooks while we're there. It would be easier for us to have fewer things to do there. Spend more time on the snow. We should invite the rest of our siblings. I'm sure they'd like to get away too."

Suri pulls her phone out of her pocket and texts our siblings.

Suri: Hunter and I are planning a three-month trip to the Chateau. Are you in? Or are you out?

She hits send, and we wait for them to reply.

There's a knock at the door and I stand up. "I ordered pizza for dinner. Do you want to spend the night?"

Of course, she would. That's why she's at my house.

"Yes," she climbs off the couch and hugs me. "I was hoping you'd ask me."

I chuckle. "You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to get away from Mom. I suppose she's annoying you about dating guys."

"If she had her way, she would marry me off to the first guy that showed me interest, and that's the last thing that I want."

Opening the door, I'm greeted by a beautiful blonde with blue eyes. Her big boobs are at eye level, nicely shaped in the polo shirt she's wearing. She smiles, and it lights up her face. "It's $24.95 for the pizza, Sir." She licks her lips, letting me know she's interested.

If my sister weren't here, I would invite her in, but since I have company, that won't happen. I give her $50.00. "Keep the cash, beautiful." I take the pizza from her. "I'll see you around." I wink at her and then close the door.

Suri shakes her head at me. "You would have screwed her if I wasn't here?" She accuses me.

"So what if I would have? I'm a single man and can do whatever I want."

Suri walks into the kitchen and grabs some plastic throwaway plates. She hates washing up, and it's just easier for her to throw the rubbish in the bin than to waste water.

I sit on the couch, then change the channel to Netflix and watch Jessica Jones.

Suri enters the room with two plates, which she puts on the table between us. She grabs a slice of pizza and then turns to the TV. "Why are we watching this garbage? I thought you'd at least put on Arrow or The Flash."

"You had time to watch this when I came home from work. Instead, you watched the news to find out what's happening with Melody Stryker." Just saying the name strikes something in my heart. I turn back to the TV and watch Jessica do her spy stuff.

Suri's phone goes off, and she grabs it. "I just got a message from Ayden. He said that both he and Luna are in. Now, all we have to do is ask Mom to hand us the keys to the place for three months."

Out of all my siblings, I am the one Mom would do anything for. I'm the one who leads my siblings down the right track.

I have to call Mom.

When I pick up my phone, I call Mom, and it takes a couple of rings before she picks up.

Mom: Hunter, is everything okay?

Damn, that woman worries over nothing, but that's one of the things that I love about her.

Me: Does something need to be wrong for me to call?

Mom: You tell me?

I laugh.

Me: Can I have the keys to the Chateau for three months? I need a break from everything that's going on, and being there seems to calm me down.

Mom: Is anyone else going with you?

Me: Yes, Suri, Luna, and. Ayden will be there too.

Mom: Okay, she's quiet for a moment before adding. Is Suri with you?

Me: Yes,

Suri: Hello, Mom.

Mom: Were you going to come home or spend the night in a stranger's bed?

Suri's mouth drops open at that comment.

Suri: You'd like that, Mom. Probably hoping that I would get pregnant so you could babysit while I went to work.

Mom: I would love that. Maybe I should start pressuring your brother to find a woman.

Me: Mom, I scold. I won't meet a girl and bring her home to you. Can you just let us live our lives for a while?

She sighs.

Mom: I'm not getting any younger. I want my kids to grow up and start their own families. You're nearly 28 and showing nothing for it.

Me: Okay, how about I put myself out there next year and start looking?

Mom: At least one of my kids will do as I ask. Now, I have to beg my other three.

Me: Luna is dating someone. She's too afraid to bring him home. I'm sure you will meet him one day.

Mom: You said you would use the Chateau for three months? You'll be there for Christmas, and you know how I love spending that holiday with my kids.

Suri shakes her head. "Please, don't let her come." She whispers.

I can't deny Mom her request to see us for Christmas.

Me: Dad and you can spend a week with us. It would be great to see you there.

Mom: Hunter, that makes my day. I will let your father know that we'll be going to the French Alps to visit our kids for Christmas. Come by tomorrow to pick up the keys. I know you'll want to get out there as soon as possible.

Me: Thanks,

Mom: The day after tomorrow, your father and I will be travelling to Australia, and we won't be back before you leave for the Alps. Have a good time, and we'll see you for Christmas. I love you, Hunter and Suri.

Suri and I: Love you, Mom.

After hanging up with Mom, I looked at my sister. "Did you know Mom and Dad were going away?"

Suri shakes her head. "She never mentioned anything to me. It looks like I will have the house for myself for a while. Maybe, I will throw a party."

"Suri, we know you won't clean the house after a party. It's too much effort for you."

Suri leans against the couch. "You're right, it will be too much. Do you want to throw a party instead?"

"No," I say, leaning back against the couch to watch the show. We stay that way until midnight. Grabbing a blanket from the cupboard, I throw it at my sister. "See you in the morning."

I walk out of the room and head to my bedroom. Quickly stripping out of my clothes, I put on a pair of boxers and slid under the covers.