This chapter is a teensy bit steamier than usual. So yeah, just thought you should know.

[ a l i n a ]

"The number one priority right now is the press. We have been stalling for too long." Nathan tells me, as we hung out in the living room.

He's right. Michael coming back, the Vanderbilt building destroyed..The media has been demanding answers. A lot.

Ariana showed me some articles, where they assumed that the Vanderbilt family was a pot of bad luck. They weren't wrong.

"I spoke with Marcus.." He started, a glass of vodka in his grasp. "He's busy with the new building construction."

"Right." I mutter, sinking into the sofa, holding a glass of water.

A part of me cursed this whole kingdom and business matter. I've gone through quite a lot these past few weeks and once I'm back, it was as if they slapped me in the face with royal chores.

I'm extremely selfish at the moment, but I'm not against it. I only wanted my mind to be clear of problems for a moment only, and apparently that is impossible to ask for.

Looking at my brother, I can tell he's been better. His dark hair is now cut neatly, his body becoming healthier.

"How are you doing?" I asked him, noticing a smile growing. "Did you find.. someone?" I asked.

Nathan choked on his drink, his face growing pale. "No." He muttered, turning his back to me, standing up, putting his glass onto the coffee table.

"Nathan.. you'd tell me if you were dating someone, right?" I asked again, as he was about to leave the room.

"Of course. You're my sister." He laughs dryly, ruffling my hair.

Setting the glass onto the glass table, I nod, looking into his eyes, feeling that his words weren't true. I just hoped they were. I don't need anyone else keeping secrets from me. Not anymore.

"I guess I really haven't had the chance to say this. Nathan, I'm.. sorry about Althea." I breathe out, letting those words go. I've wanted to talk to him about this matter, but I couldn't stand to see his heartbroken face.

Althea, his late fiancée.. Killed by Talia's assassins because they thought she was me. We did have a lot of resemblance, starting by our hair, and our sense of fashion.

"It's not your fault. Never has been. I'm sorry for blaming it on you." He pressed his lips, walking away into his bedroom, turning off the hallway lights; and the place went completely dark.

~

"I'm glad you're safe." Marcus whispered as he held me tightly. "I'm.. glad too." I smiled back as we pulled apart.

We were in the business district of Gotham, where the Vanderbilt building used to stand proudly. Now it was just ashes and debris.

"Are you okay?" He asks worryingly, inspecting me. "Yeah. Just a little tired." I smiled, my attention drifting towards the construction area.

Staring at the new building's construction, I let out a sigh, as Nathan comes walking next to me. Behind us is a line of security, blocking the paparazzis.

"The new building's far more.. classy." Marcus nods as he hands me a tablet, containing the preview of the building. "I like it." I muttered, handing the tablet over to Nathan.

I didn't really found any interest in the new design. In fact, I didn't even look at it.

"I want you to stay here and run the business, Alina." Nathan breathes out, speaking in a low voice.

"W-what?"

Turning towards me, he fixed me in the eyes. "You don't belong in Valencia. Forgive me, but I'm saying this for your sake. That place brings the worst in you. It's where everything bad happened to you."

"Oh." Nodding dryly, I fixed my brother in the eyes. "And the business needs a new CEO anyways. You'd be perfect for the position."

"What about Ariana?"

"She isn't willing to take the position. She wants to stay in her current ranking. Apparently, she's already gotten herself comfortable." He states, returning the tablet over to Marcus.

Breathing out, he pats my shoulder, and walks away to his car without saying another word. "Where is he going?" I ask Marcus, watching as the car disappears from my sight.

"He said something about a famous restaurant in town, called Rossa." He mutters. "Why?" He asks, but I ignored him.

"I could swear that's where Taliana was going. I mean, she texted me a few minutes ago saying she was going to have brunch in a restaurant called Rossa." I turned towards him.

"It's probably just a mere coincidence, your Highness." Marcus smiles, leading me to my car.

Shrugging my mind off it, he was probably right. Just a coincidence.

~

{ - a few hours later - }

Opening my eyes, squinting, my mind screamed as I saw the time. 3:30 am.

I couldn't sleep. My mind had wandered off too far this time, and shifting in my position did nothing. The nightmares were slowly crawling into my life again. Was it because the pillows weren't comfortable enough?

Or was it because my mind had been playing tricks on me, giving me excuses not to sleep?

Giving up, I stood up, and still in my night robe, I slowly walked towards the door, opening it carefully so that it produced no noise.

The hallway was dimly lit, with only a small night light illuminating it. Nathan's room was next to mine, I had to be careful.

I passed through the living room, then the kitchen, and found myself in the main entrance. I quickly grabbed Nathan's car keys, and I'm out of here.

There was one place that could calm it all down. More precisely, one person.

~

"The hell?" A grave voice grunted, feeling a presence in the room. He sat up, turning on the night lamp, and his eyes found mine, as I stood by his bed.

"Hey." I mumbled, as Damian's eyes raked over my body, noticing that I was in my night attire. "Hey." He responded blankly, confusion spreading across his face.

His black hair was disheveled, and he only wore a set of black pants.

I couldn't help but notice at his toned chest, fully available for me to look at.

"Can't sleep." I muttered, sitting on his bed. His eyes fixed me in a way he never did before, as he presses his lips together.

"Come here." He extended an arm towards me, offering his hand. I gladly accepted it, and laid beside him, the warmth of his body engulfing me.

"What's wrong?" He asks me, his fingers softly brushing my hair.

"Everything's way too fast, Damian. I'm an orphan, I have 'abilities', and.. It's just too much to handle." I  mumbled everything out, as he softly caressed my head, and proceeded to plant a small kiss on my forehead.

"I know it can be overbearing; but I know you're strong enough. You're the strongest girl I've ever met." I could almost feel him smiling.

"Stronger than your mother?" I tease, turning around, facing him. My eyes focused on his handsome features, from his sharp jawline to his thick, dark locks.

"Should we really talk about her right now?" He cocks an eyebrow, green orbs staring at mine tease fully.

"No, we don't. In fact, I don't think there's any talking needed right now."

My fingers snaked around his head, pulling him in for a kiss, tasting his lips on mine. In this moment, he was all I needed.

He stays frozen for a second, before kissing me back passionately.
His hand slides through my brown locks, gripping it as he returns the kiss. Another hand slides around my waist, and he suddenly spins me around, and I found myself trapped under him.

He looks at me for a moment, as if searching for any sign of uneasiness, and then claims my lips again, in a deep and thorough kiss.

That night, he didn't let me sleep at all.

___________________________

This chapter is, uh, something.. yeah.
Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!

By the way, I wanted to know how you feel about Nathan and Taliana being 'together'. The relationship was completely rushed, hence why I don't ship it that much?

Okay, I'm a terrible writer for doing that. It's just that the idea popped randomly into my head, and I was like ta-da! I'm doing it.

Once again, thank you so much for reading!

Love,
          Soph(ia)