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smoooothoperator · 2 years ago

Text

Fake It Till You Make It

November: Come What May

Driver! Pierre Gasly x Actress! OC (Anellise Flinch)

Fake Dating, Friends to Lovers

Summary: can they be away? Or will the memories come back until make it unbearable?

Words: 4.9k

Warnings: break up, panic attack

a/n: i know all of you hate me! But hey! Here we have a new chapter. I really hope you like it. I'll take some days off, to write the last chapter and get better because right now my head and throat are killing me, thank God I finished this before getting sick.

Italics are flashbacks

"What do you mean?" Pierre frowned looking at her.

The moment he walked inside the bedroom and saw her with the suitcase, he felt his heart beating fast. And when she said those words he felt anxious, nauseous.

"I have to leave" she sighed biting her lip. "I'll start recording a new movie soon and I'll be away so many months" she said, not daring to look at him.

"Okay" he nodded confused. "I get it. But why you said we needed to talk?"

"We have to break up" she said. "The deal. Is already done. I talked with Marina some days ago, before going to Como. We are done"

"What?" He frowned, not understanding anything. "But... What about the rumours? We had the deal to stop them"

"There are no rumours anymore" she said, trying to stay calm. She wants to stay, be with him. But is her dream, her job. "I'll stop following you on media, and our interactions will be less. Just to let you know"

He can't understand who is the person that is in front of him. Where is the sweet Annelise that gave him love gazes? The one that held him when he was feeling down? Why is she talking so... Coldly?

"Why are you doing this?" he frowned looking at her. "Why are you leaving me? I thought... I thought there was something between us. I thought it wasn't a deal anymore"

She looked at him and swallowed thickly. Yeah, there's something between them.

"Why are you being so selfish?" he mumbled looking at her, hurt.

"It's my dream, Pierre" she said. "I'll be away four months! I... I can barely be away from you a week without feeling my heart call for you. How do you think it will be for four months? I need to be focused"

"And you can be focused" he said taking ateos closer to her. "Lis, please... Don't do this"

"I'm sorry, Pierre" she whispered feeling her heart breaking slowly. "I have to leave"

"No, please. Don't leave like this!" He exclaimed holding her hands. "Just... Think about it please. Think about us"

Us. Is there something like that? Something real?

"Give me time" she whispered. "I... I need to be focused, this is my dream. I need to do it right, Pierre"

She didn't want to cry, but he's making it too difficult. The way he was looking at her, how he held her hands. How, with his body language, he's begging her to stay with him.

"If Christian Horner asked you to go back to RedBull you would give up everything to sign with them" she said with tears in her eyes.

"But I wouldn't give up the woman I love, Annelise!"

The woman he loves? Did she heard right? Does he loves her?

"I have to leave, Pierre" she whispered chocking on her own tears.

"Promise me to text me" he mumbled wiping away her tears. He never liked seeing her cry, neither of happiness or sadness. "Please, Lis"

She looked at him and hugged his waist, hiding her face on his chest, her body shaking with the sobs. He held her close to him, hoping that it made her stay. But the moment she took a step back, he knew.

"Goodbye, Pierre Gasly" she whispered wiping away her tears with the palm of her hand, breathing in deeply and trying to relax. "It was so beautiful being your girlfriend"

He didn't stop her. He saw how she grabbed her suitcase and walked away, leaving the keys of his house on the small plate next to the door, and without looking back at him she walked out.

The house smells like her, smells like that perfume he gifted her one day they were walking around the shops in Milan. It smells like caramel and vanilla. And it makes his stomach drop, wanting to throw up. Her rooms still has some things, that gave him hopes. Maybe she left them on purpose letting him know she will come back.

He can't believe it. He let her slip through his fingers.

Going to the airport was a torture. It made her remember the first time she saw him, leaning on his blue Honda and trying to act cool. And now she's leaving without him. She doesn't know if he will forgive her, if he will ever forgive what she did.

He loves her. He said that. He said she's the woman he loves. And instead of staying and saying she loves him back, she just walked away, leaving him on the room without looking back. Because she knows that if she looked back at him she would have stayed, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

But life is hard. Love is hard. And even if she felt like if she was on a fairytale with Pierre, she knew that it had to end soon. They were going to have only one month more, the thought of still dating after that never crossed their minds. But maybe after this, that was something that won't happen ever.

When Annelise sat on the plane she sighed, grabbing her laptop and closing her eyes when she saw the wallpaper of it. A picture of them during a festival on America. Her mind played tricks with her making the memories come back.

"I have to tell you something" Pierre said smiling.

They where on the hotel in New York, sitting on the couch while reading some books the bought on a bookstore on the street. The original plan was going to Central Park and reading there, but a sudden summer storm made it completely impossible.

"Oh? What is it" she smiled sitting comfortably on the couch.

"I booked two tickets for a festival" he said. "A lantern festival"

"No way! You remembered!" She exclaimed leaving the book on her lap, looking at him surprised.

When they played that game of 20 questions, she told him that one of her favourite movies is Tangled. How she always wanted to be the real Rapunzel and be on the live action movie, experience the same thing she lived while looking the lanterns.

"Of course" he laughed. "It will be in two days"

She looked at him with the brightest smile she ever gave him, moving to be on top of him and kiss his lips.

Two days after, they were already on a rented car, going to that place that is five hours away to just see the lights. It was a movie, they were on her favorite movie and she couldn't help but feel like a toddler. She was the happiest, and he was with her. They stopped on a small market to buy things for dinner, a lantern and a blanket to lay on it.

She couldn't believe it yet even when they turned on the lantern, holding it and looking at each other. When they let it go she hugged him, resting her head on his chest making him rest his chin on top of her head.

"Wait" he smiled kissing the top of her head, pulling away from the hug and walking to the married couple that gave them the lighter. "Can you take a picture of us, please?"

They smiled and stood up, the man grabbed Pierre's phone and took pictures of them while the woman stood next to her husband, a big smile on her lips while looking at the pictures.

"You two look so lovely together" she smiled.

"Thank you" Annelise smiled at her, her heart getting warm by her words.

She swallowed hard, those memories hurting her. Did she make the right decision? Of course not. She loves him. But is the best for both of them.

He hated feeling that way. He hated walking in front of her room and opening the door all the times he walked on its way and look at ber things. It has been nearly two weeks. Two weeks with no answers, no news. He has no idea where is she right now, where is she recording. He tried to be like one of those fans that goes to the deepest wen and search information about the movie.

But the moment he realized he was acting like a freak he stopped. She asked him for time. He has to give her that, right? It's her dream, think about someone else will make it more difficult, right?

But he loves her! He told her he loves her! Why she didn't stayed? Maybe he wasn't clear enough, maybe he didn't say it out loud.

Brazil was hard. He tried to act like if everything was fine. Like if they were still being an item.

"Why did Annelise stop following you?" some media interviewrs asked him on his way to the paddock. "Why she's not here"

"Her account was hacked" he lied. "She's filming a new project" he excised himself, walking away and pressing his ID card on the scanner.

He tried to look happy, at least smiley, even if deep inside he was questioning everything. He didn't say it loud enough. Hs not enough for her.

"Hey, Pierre!" Charles smiled looking at him, but frowned the moment he saw his fake smile. "Oh, what happened?"

"Hm? No, nothing" he said, brushing out the topic. "Just tired. Jet lag, you know"

"Then it's not about why Annelise stopped following you on Instagram?" he said rising an eyebrow. "Come on, you can tell me"

He looked at the Ferrari driver and took a deep breath, swallowing thickly and licking his lips.

"She left" he said making sure no one was around. "She left because of work. The deal is broken, whatever we had is broken"

Charles looked at the Frenchman and sighed, patting his back and giving him a sad smile.

"You and I know it's not broken" he sighed.

"Really? Is not? Because I think she left it clear leaving me and not looking back" he groaned. "I want to be mad. I really want to get all the things she left on my house and burn them, or throw them away. But I can't! Because I love her so damn much that it hurts. The other day I went to her room to grab a thing I needed and it still smells like her".

Charles sighed looking at him. The time they were together, even if it was fake, they spent time the three of them. Sometimes they even had double dates on Milan or Monaco. And somehow he felt how much she loved him too. But when Pierre told him that she left, it left him confused. Maybe everything was an act?

"If you don't talk to her you won't know what is going on in her mind" Charles frowned.

Pierre sighed, looking how his friend walked inside the red building. He tried to talk with her, but everytime he goes to the chat the share, he doesn't know what to write. That he misses her? Well, it's true. When will she come back? He doesn't want to put pressure on her, he knows she wants to focus. Does she love him as much as he does? He write that every hour of every day, but deletes it before sending it, leaving the chat with no new messages.

He wants to go a month back, right when their bond was the best. He wants to go back to when they spent days together on his apartment or when they went around places to explote. He wants to live on those days everything was perfect and he could love her.

She was asleep next to him, her golden hair was spread all over his arm while her head was on his chest. She looks like an angel, he thought.

Last night he came from an sponosor event, and when he walked inside his room he found her sleeping on his bed with one of his shirts. He smiled softly, taking off his clothes and sitting on the bed next to her, laying slowly and wrapping his arm around her.

"Hm? Pierre?" she mumbled opening her eyes slowly, snuggling closer to him.

"I'm sorry I came late, the event was longer than I thought" he whisper covering themselves with the blanket, kissing her forehead and holding her closer.

"It's okay" she jawned, leaning on him and relaxing on his arms, falling asleep again.

Everytime they shared a bed he fell more for her, holding her, knowing their hearts were beating at the same time, same speed. How her breath dtickled his chest, how her scent was all the breathed at night, making his nostrils memorize that perfume of roses, caramel, popcorn and vanilla. It become his new favorite scent.

When the light of the dah started to bright the room he was the first to wake up, hugging her tighter making her wake up too. They spent some minutes there, holding each other on the bed and breathing deeply, looking out of the window.

"It seems that it will rain soon" she whispered rubbing her eyes with her fingers. "The sky is ugly grey"

"Yeah, I read about it yesterday" Pierre whispered playing with her hair.

"You know what it means?" she smiled looking up at him with a smile. "Stay at home and do things together"

He laughed at that, hugging her with both of his arms and kissing her head while she giggled.

Days together were their favorite, doing absolutely nothing but at the same time a lot. They spent the day reading, or making cookies. While he played on the simulator of his office she lated on the floor surrounded by cushions and with her legs on the glass, reading the new book she bought, one she already read not long ago but got it on Italian so she could learn more than she already knows. When Pierre finished his lap he went towards her, laying next to her on the same position.

"What are you reading?" He asked her, letting her rest her head on his arm.

"Normal People" she smiled looking at him, pecking his lips. "Can I try the simulator?"

"Of course" she smiled, letting her sit and get up before him.

He adjusted the seat and settings for her, searching an easy track where she could race. The moment she grabbed the wheel and started to drive he was impressed, how easy she made it.

"Oh god, this is so funny!" she exclaimed, looking how she overtook some cars.

He looked at her, falling more and more, seeing how she drove with a big smile on her lips and not taking her eyes out of the screen, how the tip of her tongue was trapped between her teeth. Everything of her is perfect. She is perfect for him. He can't wait to tell her his feeling. But, when?

It hurts. It hurts so much knowing that she's on his mind all the time and he can't have her in front of him. It hurts how his mind is laughing at him for falling for her, showing him all those memories and torturing him. It hurts.

She looked at the cars on her screen, her eyes going to the table at the left of it, searching his initials.

She tried to stay away from him. But the fact that she's still wearing the necklace that matches with his, and wears the perfume he gifted her it makes her impossible to not think about him. Her heart aches for him, and she hates it.

"You okay?" Timothée asked her, sitting on the chair next to hers.

"Yeah. Just... Watching him" she sighed, her heart beating faster when the cameras were following his car during his lap.

"Your boyfriend?" her cast mate asked and friend asked her. "Pierre Gasly?"

"Yeah..." she sighed. "Tim, I miss him so damn much. I regret everything I did"

When the whole cast was reunited to record the film, Annelise and Timothée spent most of the time together, as well as Zendaya did with them. The three of them were together most of the time, and when she couldn't hold it anymore, she told them everything she was carrying on her heart. How she regrets leaving Pierre, hoe much she loves and misses him. And they were there for her, to keep her company and make sure she felt supported. Because being away from a loved one is hard, everyone knows it. And she's not the exception.

"Why don't you call him, Anne?" he sighed looking at her, watching the screen of her phone too.

"He hates me, I left him" she mumbled.

If only she knew...

"I'm sure he doesn't" he said wrapping an arm around her to comfort her.

They were recording on the dessert of Abu Dhabi. She was so close and at the same time so far from him. He doesn't know she's there, and it will be better if it stays like that. She didn't have to film on this place, but didn't want to be alone, so she travelled with all the team, going to all the places and helping with everything she could do.

That day was a hot day, and the fact that she knew that Pierre was on the same place, if made her more unfocused. She was on her own world, looking at his practices, cheering silently for him. The day was going great, at the moment.

The make up artist called her because they needed her to check a new make up and hair style, making her stop watching and go to the traiker were the team was.

"I think that for your own health and with all the heat here, it will the best if we cut your hair instead of using the wig, what do you think?" the hair stylist proposed her with a smile.

"Oh... Okay" she nodded, feeling her heart beat fast. They were going to cut her hair, the hair Pierre loved to play with.

She sat there, letting them do their thing, not noticing the necklace breaking after a rough movement of the hair artist when the robe got stuck on it. Less than an hour passed and her hair was done, cut over her shoulders.

"You look so beautiful" Zendaya smiled hugging her.

"He liked my hair" she mumbled touching it, how straight it was and ended on her shoulders.

After that she went to her trailer, getting ready to have a shower and take off all the sample hair that was on her back, itching a little. She got undressed after opening the water key, sigheknd while looking at her hair in the mirror.

And then her eyes fell on her chest. They nacklace is not there anymore.

"No, no, no, no, no" she mumbled looking around anxious.

She can lose her long hair, but not the necklace. Not his necklace.

She wrapped her body with the robe and walked around the trailer, searching for the necklace. She looked between the chusions of the couch, on her bed, on all her clothes, on the floor under the table, on her bag. But she couldn't find it. And it made her panic more.

She walked out of the trailer, her eyes scanning all the place. The floor, all the places she was on that day. The chair where she sat with Timothée, where she huddled Zendaya after she finished filming a scene, on the catering zone under the table, on the othing trailer. Then she went to the hair and make up trailer, the last place she was in.

"Sarah... Please tell you found a necklace here while cleaning" she said with tears in her eyes.

"Oh?" The brunette woman frowned looking at her. "Yeah, I think I did".

Annelise felt how a weight left her shoulders, but the moment when the hairdresser turned around and showed her the broken necklace.

"Is it yours?" the woman asked her and she swallowed thickly while nodding. "Oh... The chain is broken"

Annelise looked at it, feeling how her chest started to ache. It's broken. The necklace is broken.

They were walking around Tokyo, the neon light shining on the night. Yuki asked them to join him for dinner on one of his favorite restaurants, so they were making their own way to meet the young driver.

"Oh, look!" Annelise smiled, holding his hand and pushing him with her to one of the small tables that was outside a small store.

It was a jewelry store, with small things. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings. She looked at all of them carefully with a smile on her lips.

"Oh, hi" the woman smiled making a bow, talking with a perfect English, making Annelise and Pierre smile relieved and look at the woman.

"Hi" Pierre and Annelise smiled giving the woman a bow too.

"Did something catch your eyes?" the woman asked with a smile, looking at them.

Pierre smiled, scanning his eyes all over the table until he saw two necklaces. One was golden and other silver, the golden one bad a 'P' on it and the silver one an 'A' on it. It was a section with initials, but the cat that those two letters were together made him smile.

"How much for those two?" he said pouting with his finger to the necklaces.

"2000 yen" she smiled looking at the couple.

"Then I want them" Pierre smiled, grabbing his wallet and two bills of 1000 yen, handing them to the woman.

Annelise was looking at him blushing. Did he really bought a couple necklace?

"Here" Pierre smiled, grabbing the golden necklace and putting it around her back, clipping it on her nape. "See? You look better with golden jewelry" he said winking at her.

"Are you okay, Annelise?" the hairdresser asked her frowning.

She just nodded, holding the necklace on her chest and walking out of the trailer. On her way to her personal trailer she bumped into Timothée, but since she was looki g stt he floor hiding her tears, she didn't notice him.

"Annelise?" the man frowned following her with his eyes, and when he saw that she locked herself on the trailer, he knew something was wrong.

He frowned walking towards the door knocking on it softly. Zendaya showed up, and when she saw the frown on her friend's face she knew something happened with Annelise.

"Anne... open the door, sweety" Zendaya sighed knocking on it, talking softly. But when they heard sobs coming from inside their worry grew more.

She felt stupid, crying over a necklace. But it wasn't a simple necklace. It was the nacklace with his initial, the 'P' engraved on it. It was the necklace that stayed on her chest, close to her heart, for the last month. She never took it out, and when she had to do that, she always tried to wear it until the last moment before recording a new scene. It was a way of having him with her, of having Pierre near her heart.

But now it's gone. He's gone. And it was because her fault, because she walked away. She should have asked him to keep the relationship, to forget about the deal and keep dating. But all she did was think about a dream. But what is a dream if you are not enjoying it with your lived ones, sharing the experience.

She heard the knocks on the door, and standingnuo while cleaning the tears out of her face, she ooened it, letting her friends walk in and wrap his arms around her.

"What happened, An?" He asked her.

"The necklace" she whispered showing them the golden chain broken.

Zendaya looked carefully at it and sighed. They are done with her suffering. It's not fair seeing her on this state and not doing anything for her.

"Tell me what you need" Timothée whispered cupping the cheeks of his friend and wiping away her tears. "Tell us what do you need and we will be there to make it, okay? It hurts seeing you so sad"

She looked at her two friends. It makes her happy have them there, supporting her. But they are not what she needs right now.

"She needs him" Zendaya whispered, looking how Annelise closed her hand around the necklace and placing her fist on her chest.

He finished the second practice and media duties quicker thank he expected, all being so smooth and congratulating him for a nice finish on P7.

His day was going good, but the moment he walked inside his room on the hospitality after taking a shkeer and saw three missed calls he frowned. And when he saw who called he panicked.

It was her. She called him. Three times. And he wasn't there.

So he called back immediately. The tones made his heart beat fast and breath get faster, heavy

"Pierre?" someone talked at the other side. That's not Annelise.

"Who are you?" he frowned, looking to a fix spot on the wall.

"I... I'm Timothée, Annelise's cast mate" the voice said and Pierre sighed. Timothée Chalamet, the lead of the movie she's recording, Dune.

"Oh... why are you calling?" He sighed closing his eyes.

"She needs you" the other man said, making Pierre open his eyes quickly and frown. "Look. She has been miserable all this recent days and we can't handle anymore. But today happened something that really made her have a breakdown, and we don't know anything else to do".

He didn't say anything, all the information getting inside his brain, processing it slowly.

"I know you might feel like this or worse... But please, if you love her, if you really do, come to her" Timothée begged.

Pierre frowned getting up from the couch. He doesn't even know what to do. What he can do? He doesn't know where she is, how is she. Does she know her friends are calling him with her phone?

"We are in Abu Dhabi too" Timothée said quckly, making Pierre stop breathing.

Too? How does he know he is in Abu Dhabi?

"She was watching all your races, Pierre..." he sighed. "We finished our recording day and are heading to the hotel"

"Where is it? I'll be there" he said quickly, holding the phone on his ear with his shoulder while he packed all his things inside the backpack.

Timothée told him in which hotel they were staying and Pierre made his way out of the hospitality, bumping into Charles.

"Hey, mate" Charles laughed looking at him. "Why the rush?"

"I found her" he said quickly, hugging him. "I found her!"

He left Charles looking at him confused, but the moment he started run through the paddock, the Monegasque smiled proud.

He went to his car, ignoring as much fans as he could, and drove out of the parking lot. He asked Siri to guide him to the hotel she was staying and when he found it he parked the car quickly, not caring if he locked it or not.

He ran issude the hotel, not looking around to check the interior design, and went to the elevator pressing the button of the floor where she was. He looked at the mirror, fixing his hair with his shaking hands. He took a quick shower but couldn't fix his hair, making it look messy. But that's nothing compared of how messy his heart is beating inside his chest.

He walked slowly, feeling his heartbeat on his ears, and tried to calm himself before knocking on the door. He did it three times, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

It's not the first time he sees her having a panic attack, so he knows that what she needs right now is someone calmed.

It was 3 a.m and he felt the bed empty when he turned around. It was weird. She always slept like a baby next to him.

Pierre got up, rubbing his eyes with the palm of his hand and walked around the apartment searching her, and when he saw the light of the kitchen on he walked inside of it. What he didn't expect was finding her on the floor, curled on herself and shaking.

"Lis?" he frowned kneeling in front of her. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I fucked up" she whispered. "I fucked up so bad"

"What? What happened?" he whispered holding her hands.

"I was doing the interview, the one I told you I was going to do at night because it was for an American show" she whispered, her voice shaking.

"Now it make sense why you look so beautiful" he smiled looking at her, hoping to make her smile, and holding her making her sit on his lap.

"I just talked about the bad relationship with Olivia" she mumbled, chocking on her own sobs and not being able to breathe well. "I... Fuck, I told everyone how bad she was with me, with everyone"

"Hey" he whispered cupping her cheeks and making her look at me. "Breathe with me, okay? Then you can tell me everything that happened"

She looked at him with panic on her eyes and nodded. Pierre placed her hands on his bare chest, holding them there with his own hands on top of hers, and started to breathe in slowly through his nose while looking into her eyes. She imitated him, or at least she tried at first. And when she got it, she closed her eyes and rested her head on his neck, hugging him close.

"I don't know what I would do without you Pierre" she whispered, her breath brushing his bare chest making him shiver.

He saw how the door opened slowly, a tall brunette woman he recognized looked at him.

"Pierre" Zendaya smiled looking at him. "Thank you, really. She really needs you"

Pierre nodded, walking inside the room and sighing when he saw her there, laying on the bed while hugging a pillow like she used to hug him.

"I'll leave you two alone, okay?" Zendaya smiled walking towards Annelise, kissing her temple and looking up at Pierre.

He didn't see Zendaya closing the door, his eyes are only for her. For the woman she loves.

Pierre walked slowly towards the bed, laying on it and taking off the pillow. He observed her with attentive eyes. Her hair is short, lips dry because of the sun and cheeks wet. Her left hand was on a fist, holding something close to her chest

"I'm here" he whispered, holding her close. "I'm here, my love. I won't leave, okay?"

"Pierre?" she whispered opening her eyes slowly, more tears showing on her eyes. "Tell me this is not a dream... Please tell me you are real"

"I'm real" he whispered wiping away her tears, kissing her forehead. "I'm going to stay with you, okay? Forever"

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badchoicesposts · 5 years ago

Text

Loyalty or Royalty

Chapter 11

Summary: Mia Bhatt spent years trying to escape her past, trying to escape the feeling of betrayal that was left in her heart after the fire, and she finally had. She was marrying the King of Cordonia and was finally going to get her happily ever after. But, after a momentary lapse in judgement caused her to send a wedding invitation to someone she was sure had forgotten about her, she realizes that sometimes the past has a way of crawling back to you.

Author’s Note: In this fic Anton and The Sons of Earth were caught before the wedding. Also this story will contain flashbacks that will be in italics.

Pairing: Liam x MC (Mia Bhatt), Platonic!Colt x MC, Past!Logan x MC

Word Count: 3,408

Warning: Language

Taglist: @flowerpowell, @dcbbw, @texaskitten30, @kingliam2019, @hopefulmoonobject, @lovehugsandcandy, @los-cafeteros, @desireepow-1986 @lovemychoices, @kimmiedoo5

Catch Up: Masterlist

“Sweetie, everything’s going to be fine,” Ximena tried to calm Mia as she frantically changed out of another outfit.

“But, what if it doesn’t go fine,” she asked again for the millionth time, shimmying into a pair of leggings.

“Logan’s a nice guy. You have nothing to worry about.”

Mia pulled on a tank top, hated the way it clung to her love handles and immediately pulled it off before going back to her closet. She pulled out a blouse, thought it made her look top heavy and grabbed a sweater instead.

“I don’t know how to do this, Xi,” she said, pulling it over her head and dropping down onto her bed.

“Are you really going to wear a cable knit sweater?” Ximena asked, raising her brows and fighting back a smile.

“Okay, Xi, I’m kind of freaking out here. Can you make fun of my clothing choices later please?” she asked desperately.

“Look, sweetie, I know you’ve never been on a date before. It’s normal to be nervous,” she said, placing a comforting hand on Mia’s shoulder.

“Is it normal to be terrified?” she asked, true, genuine fear evident in her eyes. “I can’t do this, Xi. I don’t know how to do this.”

“Logan’s a good guy,” Ximena repeated, an understanding look in her eyes. “You’re safe with him. I truly believe that and I think you do too. You have a good judge of character, trust it.”

“Okay,” Mia finally said, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

“Good, now take that sweater off,” Ximena said, rummaging around in her bag.

She pulled out a top and tossed it in Mia’s direction. It was black lace peplum top with long sleeves.

“I don’t think I can pull this off.”

“Put it on,” Ximena instructed, her tone left no room for arguing.

Mia sighed and pulled the shirt on, her black bra peeping through. Ximena smiled proudly in her direction and tossed her a red mini skirt. Mia eyed the garment cautiously before pulling off her leggings and stepping into the skirt. The outfit was completely out of her comfort zone and she just wanted to put her sweater back on, but Ximena was already ushering her out of the loft and down to where Logan was waiting for her.

He and Toby were playing a game of pool and he was just about to sink the 8 ball when he caught sight of her. His mouth dropped open and he missed the shot.

“Mia, you look… wow,” he said, causing her to blush furiously.

Ximena pushed her forward and she stumbled into Logan’s arms.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

She nodded her head and Logan led her to his car. He opened the door for her and she smiled, despite her nerves.

“So where are we going?” she asked.

“Somewhere I think you’ll enjoy yourself,” he said, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Logan, you know I hate surprises,” Mia groaned out, rolling her eyes at him.

“You’ll like this one, I promise. Don’t you trust me?” he asked playfully.

Mia remained silent and just raised her eyebrows at him in amusement.

“This is where you say ‘Of course, I trust you, Logan. You’re so handsome and dreamy.’,” he said, raising his voice about three octaves to imitate her and causing her to scoff.

“Okay first of all, I sound nothing like that. Also did you just refer to yourself as dreamy?” she teased.

“Oh yeah, I’m very dreamy,” he said with a playful wink. “Seriously, though, I think you’ll like it. I promise you've never been anywhere like it before.”

The smile slowly fell off of Mia’s face as Logan pulled up to the sideshow. He got out of the car and once again opened the door for her.

“So what do you think?” he asked, looking at her with a hopeful smile.

Mia plastered a smile onto her face and looked back up at him.

“It’s… uh, really great,” she tried feigning excitement, but Logan saw right through it.

“You hate it,” he said, his shoulders slumping slightly in defeat.

“No! Not at all. It’s just… I’ve been here before. A lot actually,” she said with a guilty smile.

“You have?”

“Logan, I practically grew up in Kaneko’s shop. I came here for the first time when I was fourteen,” she said, giving him a sheepish smile.

Logan reached his hand up and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought about that. I just thought that maybe it would be a good place for you to let loose,” he said.

“Don’t apologize. You were right. This is a good place to let loose,” she said, a sudden swell of confidence surging through her. “I’m not really great at that, but maybe you can show me how.”

Logan held his hand out for Mia to take, and she entwined their fingers.

“Let’s go grab some food. There’s someone I want you to meet,” he said leading her over to a food truck.

“Hi, Vaughn!” Mia greeted the owner with a large smile.

“Hey, Mia! Hey, Cuz,” he said, both of them sharing an amused smile at the look on Logan's face.

“You two know each other?” he said, a look of shock etched on his features.

“Fourteen,” she singsonged before ordering a grilled cheese sandwich from Vaughn.

Logan ordered as well and the two of them ate while laughing and going back and forth with their usual banter. Mia was actually enjoying herself, and it wasn’t until over an hour later that the nervous energy returned. This time, however, it was more out of excitement than fear.

“Since you’re such a frequent attendee I’m sure you’ve danced here a million times,” Logan whispered in her ear, grabbing onto her hips and pulling her back into his chest.

“I-uh, I’ve only ever been here with Colt and trust me, we would never dance like this together,” she stammered out, her heart beating rapidly in her chest at the feeling of her body pressed so close against his.

“Maybe there’s something I can teach you after all,” he mumbled, pulling her in even closer.

~~~

Mia had never hugged Teppei Kaneko before. Maybe that wasn’t entirely true. She must have hugged him at some point during her childhood, but she could never remember actually doing it. It was just something that didn’t happen. You don’t hug Teppei Kaneko. He wasn’t that kind of person. However, as he stood before her now, his face scarred from the explosion seven years ago, she had the urge to wrap her arms around him.

She couldn’t explain why. Perhaps it was relief. Relief that he was here right in front of them and now they wouldn’t have to wonder where he was. Maybe it was because now that he was here she could finally hear the answers to all of the questions that she had. He could fill in all of the blanks. Or could it be because she missed him despite all of the terrible things he’d done. She quickly decided that it was a mix of all three as she moved forward and threw herself into his arms. Sure, she was upset about everything, but he still meant so much to her. He was still special to her.

Mia squeezed Teppei as tightly as she could and for a moment he just stood stiffly with her arms wrapped around him. However, he soon wrapped his arms around her as well, squeezing her just as tightly. But, almost as soon as he did, she pulled herself away and wrapped her arms protectively around herself. She felt the familiar stinging behind her eyes and walked back over to Drake, where he placed a comforting arm around her shoulders as Colt moved forward.

There was a look of complete disbelief in his eyes as he took in his father’s appearance. He moved forward and pulled him into a hug as well, something completely uncharacteristic for the two of them, and Mia hid her face in Drake’s shoulder in attempts to hide her tears. Drake squeezed her a bit tighter in reassurance and in that moment she was glad he was the one here with her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, finally pulling away from Drake’s embrace and sending Kaneko a cold glare.

“I have a contact at the correctional facility in Cordonia. When I learned that you went to see Claudius and disappeared from the Palace I assumed you and my son would be here,” he said.

Hearing his voice as smooth and confident as it had always been growing up, sent Mia back into a state of mind she never thought she would be in again. She had always associated Teppei with safety. He was almost her anchor growing up because he gave her a safe place to escape to when being at home was too unbearable. However, even then she knew that he wasn’t the type of person you could cross. It was an odd mix of emotions that he made her feel. Although she felt safe with him, there was always a part of her that knew what he was capable of and that it was necessary to keep her guard up. That familiar feeling overtook her as he spoke to her now. She knew that he wouldn’t hurt her, and she trusted him implicitly, but she also knew she had to tread carefully.

“You have a contact at the correctional facility?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She wanted to be shocked, but honestly she wasn’t. It was typical of him to have connections everywhere.

“Pop, I have so many questions. How are you here right now? Where have you been?” Colt began firing off questions, although Teppei hadn’t taken his eyes off of Mia.

Mia knew why he was looking at her. He was waiting for her to ask the question she had been wanting to ask since she found out he was alive. She was sure she knew the answer, but she still needed to hear it from his mouth.

“Are you actually my father?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” she asked, her face completely blank as she fought back her emotions.

“Back then I would have done anything to be yours. You protected me, made me feel safe, or at least I thought you did, and as crazy as it sounds you even made me feel loved. I would have done anything to know that you were my father and that monster wasn’t. So, why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you do anything? Why didn’t you actually protect me? Why were you okay with sending me back home to a man you knew was hurting me when all you had to do was claim me?”

“Amelia, everything I’ve done has been for you,” Teppei claimed in the same calm voice that was starting to drive her crazy.

“Really? Because from where I’m standing all you’ve done is hurt me. You allowed me to go home to an abusive household, faked your death, and if that wasn’t enough you followed me across the world where you helped people who tried to kill me,” she said, her voice getting higher and more aggressive with each word.

“I’ve always protected you to the best of my abilities,” he said.

“How?” she demanded. “Because I sure as hell can’t see it!

“The only reason you caught that idiot Anton was because of me. If I hadn’t faked my death then The Brotherhood would’ve closed in and the entire crew would have ended up in prison, and the only reason you got away from that man you called your father was because I intervened!” Teppei growled out, finally beginning to get agitated.

“What? What are you talking about?” she asked.

A look of hesitation briefly crossed his features before one of resignation and determination took its place.

“The deal went south because I wanted it to. We had already exchanged the vehicles, but the other crew was expecting $65,000 and I sent him with $50,000,” he admitted.

Mia froze in place. She wasn’t sure what to say to that. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react. He set her parents up to get killed.

“You’re the reason my mother is dead,” she breathed out, backing up and dropping down onto the bed in shock.

There was a brief look of genuine sadness in his eyes at her words.

“Amelia, I may have done some terrible things in my life, but I would have never knowingly done anything to hurt your mother. I had no idea she was going to be with him that night. If I had, I would have never done it in the first place,” he said, walking up to her and resting a hand on her shoulder.

Mia jumped up at his touch and ran around him to the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and let out a soft sigh as more tears began to well up in her eyes. She looked at her reflection in the old smudged motel mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy and she looked exhausted. She felt exhausted, and as a wave of nausea began to overtake her because of the stress she realized just how much she didn’t want to be here anymore. She wanted to go home to her husband. She splashed some water onto her face and took a few deep breaths before leaving the bathroom. She gathered up all of her things and threw them into her overnight bag.

“What are you doing, Bhatt?” Drake questioned, causing her to turn and face the three men in the room.

“I’m going home,” she said, zipping the bag up, “And you’re not leaving my sight until we get back to Cordonia.”

You didn’t talk to Kaneko like that. It just wasn’t something that you did. He didn’t take orders, he gave them. However, Mia was past the point of caring. The man himself didn’t seem to be in an argumentative mood either because he simply nodded in her direction.

They all gathered up the last of their stuff and went to the airport, boarding the plane, and settling in for the long flight. Colt still seemed to be in a state of awe, and Mia could tell that it was killing him not to ask questions. The flight itself was fairly uncomfortable for everyone. They could all feel the tension between Mia and Teppei, but no one was sure how to break it.

Mia herself just wanted to be away from him, but she knew that she needed to make sure that he wasn’t going to disappear again. She wanted answers. She wanted answers about Anton and The Sons of Earth and about her parents’ death. But, first she needed a good night’s sleep in her own bed and in Liam’s arms. She needed to release all of the built up tension in her body because if she didn’t she would snap.

When they touched down in Cordonia, Liam and Bastien were waiting for them at the airport. Mia immediately walked into Liam’s arms, and he held her tightly.

“Are you alright, love?” he whispered in her ear, gently rubbing his hand up and down her back.

Mia shook her head to say no, and he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.

“We’ll figure this out. I promise you, I’m here no matter what,” he said, causing her to smile despite herself.

She pulled herself out of his arms and Liam and Kaneko both seemed to be sizing the other up. Finally, Liam held his hand out for Kaneko to shake. He did so and they acknowledged each other with a stern nod before Liam opened the SUV door and allowed Mia to climb inside.

“Make sure someone always has eyes on him,” Mia said to Bastien once they had gotten back to the palace and they had set Kaneko up with a room for the night. “We’ll figure out what to do with him tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Bastien responded.

“Just Mia.”

“Of course, Mia,” Bastien said, giving her a smile before they parted ways and Mia and Liam retired to the royal apartment for the night.

Once they were finally alone Mia collapsed onto the bed and let out a tired sigh.

“What’s wrong, my love?” Liam asked, laying down next to her and brushing one of her curls behind her ear.

Mia confessed everything to him. She told him about finding Kankeo and everything he told them. By the end of the story, she was beginning to get visibly upset and Liam could see it. He reached up and started slowly massaging her shoulders. He pressed a few kisses to the side of her neck and she sighed as her body finally began to relax.

“I’m sorry, love,” he whispered, moving his hands to the bottom of her shirt. “I wish I could take all of your pain away.”

He unclasped her bra next and moved down her body to pull her leggings off. He helped her to lie down on her stomach and continued to massage her back.

“How can I help you?” he asked, leaning down to press another kiss on her now bare shoulder.

“Mmm, just keep doing that,” she mumbled, the feeling of his hands on her body doing wonders to ease her stress.

Liam’s hands moved down to her lower back, and she let out a satisfied groan causing him to chuckle.

“You spoil me, My King,” she mumbled, cuddling her face into her pillow.

Mia found herself drifting off into deep sleep, only to be awoken the next morning by Liam gently running his fingers through her hair.

“Morning, Li,” she mumbled, curling up against his chest and revelling in the feeling of his bare skin pressed against hers.

For just a moment everything was fine. It was just the two of them in the world and they had nothing to worry about. They could just be with each other and nothing else mattered.

“Did you sleep well, love?” Liam asked, pulling her in closer.

Mia nodded and pressed a gentle kiss to his chest before burying her face in the crook of his neck.

“Do we have to get up?” she grumbled, her body already ready to fall back into a deep sleep.

The travel plus the stress from the last few days had all been exhausting. It was hard for her to believe that just last week she had been walking down the aisle and now she was dealing with the fact that her father had come back from the dead.

“I’m afraid so,” Liam muttered back, a hint of playfulness in his voice. “ But first…”

He flipped them over so that she was lying on her back and he was hovering over her and settled between her legs. He pressed a slow kiss to her lips. Mia sighed happily against his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with the soft hairs at the base of his neck.

“I missed you,” Liam mumbled, pulling away and gazing down at her tenderly.

“I was barely gone for two days,” she retorted, although she wore the same lovesick smile on her face that he did.

“I spent months wishing that I could be by your side and now any time apart is far too long,” he said, referring to his and Madeleine’s engagement tour.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not going anywhere,” she said, pulling him down so that his head was resting on her chest.

The two lay like that for awhile longer, Liam rested contentedly in his wife’s arms as she slowly ran her fingers through his hair. Even when he broke the silence hesitantly, he made no move to get up.

“I hate to bring this up, but we need to decide what to do with him. If he were anyone but your father I would have had Bastien questioning him since he stepped foot back in Cordonia,” Liam said, his breath warm against her skin.

“I need answers from him. We both do and so does Colt and the rest of the crew. I don’t know what to do when we get those answers, but I need to know the truth,” she said.

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