(Alexander’s POV)I was still young when my mother died, and though I could still remember how I whimpered that day at her funeral, as I looked back, I realized it was nothing but a sad memory that I hardly recalled the heartache of losing someone.Not until today.Abuela was loved and respected by her children down to her great-grandchildren. The hugging and crying were unbearable to watch, that even I shed a tear as we gathered in the living room.Everyone was shocked because, as Karen said, Abuela requested her to cook everyone’s favorite food as we would all be coming home. She even asked Dyna to bake cookies and cakes for her grandchildren.I heard Papa saying she went to the front yard, looking at the house and telling her how excited she was that everyone would be coming home, including Aunt Ida’s children because only Dyna stayed with her when all her five children got married. When Uncle Fred asked her what the occasion was, he said she just wanted to see all her children a

(Leigh’s POV)When Alfie and Elle left, I felt alone and lonely again as I went back inside the room. I sat on the front viewing chair, staring at the open casket where I told myself a gazillion times that Granny was only resting, closing her eyes for a while.In her last will, she only wanted a very short vigil after her death, having one day of wake to allow us to gather before her burial. Tomorrow will be the last viewing for others who want to pay their respects, but I don’t want to think about it. If possible, I don’t want to wink or blink and leave her side. I was not even sure if we, my little Alexander and me, were ready to say goodbye to her.“Leigh,” Kayla whispered, bending her knee a little to reach my ear. “Umm… Someone’s looking for Alex, and…” Her voice sounded anxious about something as she glanced outside the funeral homes. “She’s a bit aggressive. Can you talk to her while I look for Alex?”I nod, standing upright before this uninvited guest gets the attention of my

(Alexander’s POV)Whitney Houston made me raise my head and snatch my attention, stopping me from reviewing the budget proposal of Dulce Alejandro. I saw George standing by the doorway of my private office, staring at me in wonder.“Boss, I’m jealous!” George complained, mocking me early this morning, playing the song “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”“What now?” I hiss, returning my attention to the paper I was reading. “Will you please stop that music? Have you gone mad, playing music in the office?” I snarl that I also wish I know the answer to Whitney’s question.She rolled her eyes and turned off the music from her cell phone. “I saw Leigh and -” When I propped my elbows on the table and looked at her with full interest, she pressed her lips together and suppressed a burst of laughter.I breathed out heavily, finally realizing she was just trying to get my attention, and for the past two months, there were three things that she would do to get my attention. First, if she would play ve

(Alexander’s POV)“What’s happening, Alex?” Leigh asked, her eyebrows knitting with curiosity.I shook my head and stared at her face. “Have you not been eating, Leigh?” I asked worriedly, brushing the few strands away from her beautiful face, tucking them at the back of her ears.My heart was upset and anxious that she looked pale, her eyes sad and lifeless, and the curve of her lips as she smiled was like winter, not her usual warm and cheery summer smile.“Have you not been sleeping?” I asked again, pulling her closer to me, leaning her head to my body, and kissing her hair. I close my eyes as I inhale her sweet-smelling scent of strawberry.“Why are you here?” She uttered a question instead of replying to me.I chuckle bitterly, not at her but to myself, sighing heavily as I answer. “I was so worried about you, Leigh. I only came to our meeting because I thought I’d be seeing you.”She moved slightly away from me. “Meeting? What meeting?” She raised her eyebrows.“George said I ha

(Leigh’s POV)Alexander Hearst lives in a paradise!As I reach the balcony of the bedroom, I close my eyes, inhaling the fresh air from the farm. When I first saw the place, I fell in love with it that I wanted to live here. I looked heavenward, loving the clear, blue sky, and the night suddenly excited me, wanting to see the moon and the stars in the sleeping sky.The door opened, and I heard Maxine panting while Callie was whimpering as she paced around the bigger dog. I sneezed again, but I smiled as I turned around. Like a trained dog, Maxine was only sitting on the floor, facing me but not coming to me after Alex told her not to go near me. Yet, even though she was a foot away from me, her nearness still caused me to sneeze. When I sniffled, she barked, walking another foot away from me and sitting again. Her paw reached Callie’s tail when my puppy tried to walk toward me. Startled, Callie turned to Maxine, barking at her.I could not help laughing at what I witnessed. They were