Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 72: Taken

Chapter 72: Taken

Okay.

Calm down.

Maybe that was just some euphemism.

If I’m being technical, I haven’t violated our agreement or made it difficult for him in any way.

Let us remember that it was my Dad who decided to come with me for Foundation Tools, and Lucian had that inkling way ahead of time.

I have also made it easier for him to work.

No whining or distractions.

My face did not make it into any tabloids, social media, or anything of that sort. I was blemish-free, at least for this week. I also hadn’t beaten anyone up, nor did I visit the police station.

The visit to the Grahams was entirely an accident, but I’d like to believe that it ended up fairly well, with everyone having smiles on their faces by the time I left their mansion.

Even the butler had a gentle smile. And sure, that might be from years of practice, but Joshua also grinned as he said goodbye.

And children (clearly, not all) don’t lie.

Okay, maybe they do, but those aren’t children. Those are little imps.

But I digress. If the panic wasn’t obvious, I wouldn’t know anymore. I’ve practically re-run this week in my memories, and really, if I owe anyone anything, that would be to my lovely Chester.

He was the only one that got the short end of the stick.

Because Lucian got everything that he wanted, and no one had died.

So I should be fine?

Is this what it’s like to be facing your imminent death? I mean, I have had so many close calls, but I didn’t really have much time to dwell on memories because I really couldn’t breathe, or the pain was just too much to process things.

But I managed to fit an entire week into a short span of time, the time it took for him to almost crush me in his embrace.

The meerkats already gasped when he approached me, and that was when he gave me a light embrace.

Now that he’s practically crushing me in his arms, with his head next to mine, the meerkats have become restless.

And really, I have them to blame. I wouldn’t have been "caught" if they didn’t block us in. The ladies’ bathroom could’ve hidden me until it was his slot to present.

But no.

Damn, you guys.

But, of course, I had the audacity to defend myself against his clearly correct accusations.

"I didn’t run." I answered softly, barely a whisper in this noisy place.

Lies.

Maybe he didn’t hear that since it’s too noisy.

My ancestors must be shifting in their graves right now. How disappointed would they be to produce such a little liar?

So, I justified it by telling myself that, technically, I didn’t run. Running would make too much noise. I sneaked.

I sneaked my way into and out of the house. Of course, it wasn’t that obvious. We had so much surveillance that I would’ve been flagged as a thief in our house if I tried such an absurd thing.

Imagine how smart Lily was to hide in some cart from the very beginning.

But I’m too big. It’s something I’m regretting right now, too, because I won’t be able to escape his grip.

There’s also the schedule I’d long given to Oliver. They knew that I would double my efforts for our business after school finished. All I did was manipulate the start and end times like a very eager busy bee. And when this bee looked too free, she hid at her parent’s house to "learn the ropes."

I suppose I’ll stop getting ahead of myself. Maybe another issue came up concerning me, something that I had no idea about.

That’ll be more believable because thinking how he’s learned about my pettiness would be too far-fetched.

"Have you eaten?" He asked, still encasing me.

"No." I replied honestly. I am capable of answering questions like this. But as much as I’d like to ask what he’s doing here, hours before his schedule, I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Because what if I don’t like his answer?

"Father, would it be okay if I borrow Eli for a moment? We’ll just grab something to eat. And I’ll have someone deliver some food over since you might not have enough time before your scheduled slot." Lucian asked, sounding logical.

Internally, I’m screaming.

Please, Dad!

I’m your daughter!

Don’t throw me to the wolves!

But of course, he couldn’t hear me, nor could he see how my face had a giant ass scowl. He just nodded at Lucian’s request because it really made sense. If only his only daughter wasn’t trembling in fear over to the side.

The horror!

Wait, maybe Rina could come with us? Or Mitchel. He’s my assistant and was duty-bound to join me in hell or high water, right?

But this traitorous bitch decided to abandon me once again.

To my sheer terror, Rina said, "I had something before coming here, so I’m fine. I’ll go with Mitchel to scout for Landscapers. We’re still in need of that."

This time, I whipped my head to the side of Lucian’s chest. Trying to eyeball my supposed ride-or-die best friend and my actual personal assistant.

Landscapers, my ass!

And what "something" were you talking about? We had nothing before going here! Since when were you a plant?!

But she turned her head to face Mitchel, who looked like he was concentrating on listening to her orders.

You have got to be kidding me?!

The world was certainly not fair, and that was how Lucian successfully dragged (guided) me outside.

Lucian managed to open the way for us, but the people actually tried following, if not for the guards we had in tow and the organizers actually stepping in. This time, they physically reasoned with the crowd. This was a construction summit, after all, and the "real" guests would be more interested in the booths rather than certain individuals.

A subtle threat if you asked me. Lucian probably said some kind words to the organizers about handling the situation.

Not that they were being told to leave immediately, but to avoid further chaos, they should at least pretend to look around.

The ticket sales would really help the organizers, so I understand wanting to balance the fans and the actual people of the industry.

What if Lucian doesn’t go next year because of this year’s disaster? That was probably their worry.

Meanwhile, I probably had a dumbfounded look. My solution was to just shield my face by looking at the floor as if something interesting was happening there. To others, I would just look like I was minding my steps very carefully.

Lucian now held me by the waist, and we walked as if we’d joined a three-legged race.

We were initially synchronized until I turned left, and he turned right.

So I had to look at him, wondering why he was going the wrong way. The food stalls were to the left. And there wasn’t really anything to the right.

"The stalls are over there." I managed to point out.

"I know. But we’re not going there just yet." He said in a tone that didn’t want any objections.

And that was how I found myself backed against the wall in the hall’s fire exit.

We were walking with a few guards, and the guy actually had them man the doors.

For someone who’s supposedly trained to have great reflex reactions, I’ve been sucking so bad.

Always too shocked to move, like right now.