Bonus chapter 30

They guy had faked the whole thing! He was a good actor she would give him that but she was beyond furious that he had taken advantage of her gentle and kind heart. The whole thing was a trick to take her on a lunch cruise out on his private yacht. She had decided to give him the silent treatment which lasted for an hour and then she had no choice because he was so damn funny and at least for the next three hours was just about joking and laughing around. She resumed being mad at him and not speaking to him on the journey home and 'really' dropping him off at his house.

She had ignored any attempts he made to contact her. Yet he continued to pester and kidnap and stalk her. It seems that whenever she thought that he couldn't top his antics he goes and does something even more ridiculous. The weird thing was that he was the utmost and respectful gentlemen on their "outings" and "dates".

She hated to admit it but she always enjoyed his company. He was sweet and showed her the utmost respect. He was respectful and kind and considerate and soon she developed more than friendly feelings toward him. But she could not reciprocate the feelings that he clearly had for her. He had told her more than once that he wanted to take a stronger approach and attempt on their relationship. She always denied or gave him no chance to finish his sentence before cutting him off and abruptly changing the subject.

Her conscience and her emotions were in constant contention with each other. She could not deny her attraction towards him. He was the sweetest person he had ever known. Any woman will be lucky to have him as a boyfriend. That was the argument that her conscience always made, Alex deserved better. She had too much baggage and she could not and should not come in the way of him finding a good and pure and innocent woman who was worthy of him. She couldn't ruin his chance at happiness. As a mother she would know that. A woman always wanted the very best for their child. She had wrecked people's lives years ago and she wouldn't do it again.

She had to think as a mother, not as a woman. Yes that was what she should do. That was what she would do. Gulping the last contents of the glass she placed it back into the sink. It was now six in the morning, she better get ready because in a couple of hours she had something very important to do.

Remembering her resolve from this morning she took a deep breath and climbed out of the car. Walking up the stairs she hesitated for a minute and then rang the doorbell two times and waited. She had called earlier and asked to meet him to discuss something important.

The door opened and it was his maid

"Yes?" she answered politely.

"Is Mr. Tay in?" she asked softly.

"Yes. Is he expecting you?" she asked him curiously. Never has a woman ever come to her employer's house. Except for his mother.

Clearing her throat "Yes. I am Reves"

"Oh yes, he is expecting you" ushering her in.

"Please wait here" she told her and then disappeared.

She looked around the room. It was a typical bachelor and masculine room. It actually reflected Alex. She could see traces of his character around the house.

"He is in his office and said to come right in" the maid appeared again and escorted her to the room. After she smiled and then disappeared once again.

She straightened her back and then opened the oak door and walked in shutting it behind her.

He was behind his desk throwing a ball up and down and had a grin smirk on his face. He knew if he played his cards right she will eventually have the same feelings that he had for her.

"Hello Alex" she said softly slowly walking to his desk and taking a seat from him. She needed to be strong. She had to do what was best. She was bad luck and she really did not deserve happiness. And she was happiest when she was with him. But she could not be so selfish and bask in her happiness as his career came crashing down. Lord knows what will happen if the media found out about her past. And she didn't even want to dream or imagine Alex finding out.

"The day has come when Reyes finally comes to visit me. Ring Santa because this is a Christmas miracle" he joked. He was hopeful.

"Alex we need to talk" she said seriously.

"Uh-oh why do I feel like this is something serious" ceasing with his actions. And giving her his full attention.

"Because it is serious" she said grimly.

"What is going on? You still mad for me changing your schedule?" he joked. Hoping to lighten the mood. He could feel that this time the situation and conversation was different. She looked determined and when a woman was determined nothing could change her mind. But what got his attention even more was the tired look on her face.

Nevertheless, she still managed to look breathtaking. But he didn't like seeing her so tired and exhausted.

"No. Alex this whole situation between us has to come to a stop right now. Now. No more dates. No nothing. What is happening between us must cease" she rushed out in one breath, trying to get it all out in breath.

After her last word, the room was as quiet as a cemetery. He was gazing at her with an intense smoldering look. He had his hand under his chin.

"Why?" he asked quietly.

"Because" she shrugged

"Because what?" he growled. She was not making any sense.

"Because of several factors"

Like what" challenging her. If she was calling this whole thing off she better have a damn good explanation.

"Okay for starters, you deserve a woman that is in your caliber-"

"Let me stop you right there Reyes. I have a mother and you are not her. So please stop playing my mother. Got that?" he said angrily.

"Okay fine, how about our age difference? I am way older than you. I could be your mother" she tried again.

"No you couldn't. You and I both know that that is impossible." he said irritated.

They had had this discussion time and again.

When he first met Reyes he had never had a set preference in women. His motto and ideology was all women are different and unique, why settle for the same thing over and over again.

He did however love a challenging woman. Frankly speaking, the first time he had laid eyes on her he had assumed he was the same age. She was just so beautiful. By the time that he had found out her age he had fallen for her and taken a real liking to the woman. She seemed so sad and he wanted nothing more than to be the one to make her smile and laugh and her eyes to light up like her daughter's. He had thought he was doing that until this very moment.

"You are close to Diane's age. My daughter's age" she tried to make him understand.

"First off you had Diane in your teens. And even still I am older than her. How many times do I have to tell you that? Let me freaking explain it to you for the first and last time. I am not a baby. Heck I am older than your kid. Diane is 28 and I am 36.

36. You are nine years older than I am. Do you know how many men in Hollywood who have older wives?" he asked her

Shaking her head "It doesn't matter. You are still a child. You deserve someone that will love you. That will truly make you happy" Even if that person is not me she thought bitterly to herself.

"I do. And I am looking at her" looking her straight in the eyes causing her breath to hitch and her heart to beat faster.

"You are just going through a phase. Once you grow up you will look back and realize how silly and ridiculous you were" willing her heart to calm down.