Never Judge

Alexi sat behind his desk with a serious look in his face. He was typing furiously on his laptop as he looked intently at the screen. 

Right after the article about him and Nurse Jen had been released he pulled her to the side and asked her to consider being with him, it was the best way he could protect her. Nurse Jen refused, she told him she wasn't ready, she had just gotten used to liking men and wasn't ready for a relationship just yet.

He was heartbroken by her response, he excused himself and drove home. He had just recently moved into his new mansion in the Mountain View community, when Cedric gave them the opportunity to buy a piece of property in the area he took it and had his own mansion built there. The mansion was fully staffed but only one person lived in the lavish property, Alexi. 

"Brother?" Alexi heard Katerina call out. He didn't bother to respond since he was sure a maid would take her to where he was.

"Brother." Katerina said as she entered his home office. "You suddenly left and everyone was worried about you."

"I just have something to attend to." Alexi said as he continued to focus on the screen in front of him.

"Alexi, I know you don't have a lot of work." Katerina said as she walked over to see what her brother was so busy with.

"Katerina don't you dare go back here." Alexi said as he panicked to close his computer, but he was too slow.

When Katerina saw what he was so focused on she laughed. 

"Are you seriously googling how to court a woman?" Katerina asked as she supressed a laugh. 

"Where is that damn boyfriend of yours!?" Alexi shouted.

"Outside in your living room. His manager called, I think he has a project coming up soon." Katerina said with a shrug. 

"Wait! Did you leave because of Nurse Jen?" His sister suddenly had a realization.

"Think what you want Katerina." Alexi said as he rolled his eyes. 

"But brother, you've never had trouble with the ladies before." Katerina said with a smile as she moved to sit on the couch.

"No, I've never. So I refuse to think that this one would really reject me." Alexi said, shutting off his computer. "I just need to change my tactics with her." Alexi poured a glass of alcohol for his sister, he needed a drink to discuss this topic with her.

"Older brother, did it ever occur to you to ask me and Natalia?" Katerina asked as her brother handed her the glass.

"What would you two know?" Alexi laughed.

"I'm in a happy relationship, and you're, well chasing." Katerina grinned as she took a sip of her drink.

"Alright, what do you think I should do?" Alexi asked his sister.

"Your problem, dear brother, is you have been using the same tactics for one night stands. You need to show Nurse Jen that she isn't some temporary fling to you, that you are actually serious about her." Katerina said leaning back.

"Hmmm, like the tactics Eric used to get you?" Alexi teased.

Katerina rolled her eyes at her older brother in annoyance. "It worked didn't it." Katerina said.

Alexi remained silent for a time, he was considering if he should take his sister's advice or go on about as usual with his own methods. 

"Fine, what should I do then?" Alexi asked, finally letting go of his pride and asking for his sister's help.

"Brother, you're just too aggressive with women." Katerina said, shaking her head.

"But if I take it slow, won't they get bored?" Alexi asked his sister.

"Of course not silly." Katerina laughed. "Start with bringing her flowers or small gifts, then take her out to dinner, but make sure your dates aren't crazy ones like flying off to Bali, start it small, the Bamboo Room or Constellations should do." 

"And you're sure this will work?" Alexi looked more like a child asking his parents if what they had said was true.

"Don't act naive Alexi, of course it's not a guaranteed success. You sound as if you've never chased women." Katerina complained.

"I never chase dear sister, they come to me." Alexi smirked. "Nurse Jen has been making me doubt my abilities since she is constantly refusing my advances."

"She's just, errrr… different. She didn't like men till recently and you're being very aggressive. Take it slow." Katerina advised. 

Alexi nodded and smiled.

"Alexi, big brother, do you really like her?" Katerina asked. Alexi knew that it was very uncharacteristic of him to be serious about a woman, especially after what happened to Ilya, he made a conscious decision not to open his heart again.

"I do Katerina." Alexi said proudly.

"Have you moved on from Ilya?" Katerina asked.

"I honestly don't know Katerina. After she passed I promised never to feel the same way about another person, but something about Jen draws me to her, I can't point out what but I feel the need to make her happy all the time." Alexi explained to his sister.

"Whatever your decision brother, I will support you." Katerina said with a smile. 

"Katerina?" Eric said as he knocked on the door.

"Come in Eric." Alexi said, inviting his sister's boyfriend in.

"Hey Alexi, how are you holding up?" Eric asked, he had always been like an older brother to the other boys, he was four years older than them and in the past they would seek him out for advice.

"Liking someone is hard." Alexi complained.

Eric laughed as he sat next to Katerina and pulled her closer to him.

"Eric!" Katerina complained as she blushed.

"Are you being shy, little sister?" Alexi teased. "I've seen you like this with other men, what difference does it make if it's Eric."

"You should tell me about the other guys Alexi." Eric said with a laugh as he pinched Katerina by the waist making her jump.

"The right woman is always worth it." As Eric said this he was looking lovingly at Katerina who blushed in reaction to his words.

"I never thought I would meet a man that could make Katerina blush." Alexi said with a smile. "Who knew that man has been in our lives the whole time, I can't wait to call you brother-in-law Eric."

"Eric, don't we need to leave? Don't you have a shoot tonight?" Katerina asked, diverting the topic.

"I do." Eric said with a nod as he kissed Katerina on the forehead. Alexi was used to seeing Katerina's past boyfriends being affectionate to her, but it seemed that Katerina was uncomfortable with Eric showing affection in front of her brother. "We will go ahead Alexi, if you need help with the Nurse Jen issue, give me a call."

Alexi nodded and walked the couple to the door. He was happy that Katerina and Eric finally decided to give their relationship a try, it was very much long overdue.