****LILAC'S POV*****

The next morning for some reason the White House seemed all relaxed. There were no tours going on neither were there any maids and other workers rushing around. Why? I really don't know and honestly, I really didn't care enough to find out.

"So how are you, Miss Manor?" The president asked, as we ate breakfast. With his guards and wife around him I felt somewhat intimidated. Apparently,the little ones had gone to Venice for an annual school trip.

You can count on me to describe the feeling of being an outcast.

"I'm ok." I smiled, "-thank you again for having me stay here."

He huffed as if it was nothing. "It's been a pleasure hosting you. You and your family have great importance to the country so I'm pleased."

I just smiled. I mean...what else could I do?

"Where's Malachi if I may ask, sir?"

"He's assisting the arrangement of a meeting for his father, sweety. Why? Did you need him?" His mum chipped in.

Since when did he start doing that? I thought to myself. He's never wanted anything to do with politics and meetings and whatever they had going on.

"Uh-n-no. I just haven't seen him this morning."

"I'm very sure he's fine, dear."

I hope.

"I appreciate all that you've done for me though there's something I'd like to discuss with you." I said, to no one in particular.

"Go on, Lilac." The president said, wiping his mouth with a napkin then arranging his cutlery. "-it's about time we had a proper chat, right?"

"Right." I smiled awkwardly, putting myself in place.

"I think I should go back home." I said to the man and his wife. "I miss home." I genuinely said.

"Is there anything wr-

"No, nothing at all." I defended myself, "-I just think I should be facing whatever problems I have head-on and stop shunning away in a high place." I told the first lady, fidgeting with my skirt under the table.

"We've enjoyed your company." Kai's dad said. "Though have you discussed this with Malachi? I doubt he'll take it too well."

"I'm sure he'll understand , plus we can all agree I've been slacking school. Not intentionally but, you know?"

At this point I should probably just stop anyway because if my business is enough to keep me going and I still have my head on right I believe that should be enough to get me through a lot, therefore, dropping out even though doesn't sound like a congratulatory action in my case would serve me best.

"I think I'll drop out." I blurted out across the table causing his mum to choke on her salad leafs.

"My son will date a drop out?" She blurted out, slapping a palm to her chest as if to say my decision gave her cardic arrest. "What on earth are you saying here, Miss Manor!?"

"Darling- he husband cut her off "-this young lady is old enough to consider what she wants to do with her life and the background of a woman shouldn't decide if she's eligible to date a person. Be considerate." He scolded here in a calmly harsh manner.

I stood up and tucked my chair inside "If you'll excuse me." and with that, I left the dining room about to head over to Kai's bedroom to see if he'll be in there totally ignoring the tension which had built up between the president and his dear wife.

I gently knocked the door hoping that he was in there because I needed to vent to someone at that moment. I could call Liam though he said he'll call me back (still hasn't)and Mathew...well, we didn't really end on good terms, my father and with my father? He's a busy person and I doubt talking to mum would make anything better. It would just be a catalyst to release all the profanities stuck in my throat.

I knocked a few times before realising he wasn't there son decided to head back to my room to pack a few essentials. If I put my mind to it and made a few phone calls, I could be out of here soon though the fact that I'm about to make this decision without the knowledge of my family doesn't really sit right with me.

Family has meant everything to me even from the beginning, though if the life your family has for you causes them to hide information and bite themselves behind your back that's considered low.

I walked over to the massive closet pulled out a case from a compartment below; from there I stuffed a few necessities into the bag and slammed it shut. I didn't necessarily need to take everything with me right now but just enough to make me as well as everybody in this building know that this isn't my home.

Within the hours that passed, I kept going down the hall to check for the one person I trusted only to find out he still wasn't there so I decided to do the only things that people do when they have nothing better to occupy themselves with.

Sleep.

Ladies and gentlemen, I noticed that sleep hits differently when you're in a bad mood. It takes away that feeling of worry and anxiety and changes it into a nice fluffy cloud on which you feel your on cloud 9 and that's exactly what happened.

When I woke up, it was a few minutes to midnight and I was shocked at how much I'd slept considering I'd been comatosed since the afternoon but I must say, a few hours of doing nothing felt good.

I quickly scanned my surroundings and took a deep breathe as I prepared to make my way down the hall again. This time my heart was beating faster than normal but not at a rate which would deem to scared of anything, I suppose it was anxiety. Upon reaching his door, I knocked at few times and waited for a response but to my dismay, none came. The moment I turned to walk away, I heard the door know turn as my name was called in the most calming manner.

When I turned back, Malachi stood there with only a pair of sweatpants and messed up hair indicating the fact that I just woke him from sleep. What was I even thinking? It's so late.

Despite his expression of utter exhaustion, he stretched out an arm to me wiggling his fingers with a small smile forming on his face. I obliged; walked over and intertwined my fingers in mine as he closed the door behind us.

His room was full of papers. On the floor, on the bed, on desks, it was a bloody mess in here and I could swear on my life he doesn't even know where his phone is.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and allowed him to embrace me, tucking his head into the crook of my neck and stroking my hair.

"I'm sorry. I've been occupied."

"I understand."

We stood there for a bit then I figured it's time I broke the ice to him. Gently, I pulled myself from his grip as he stared at me with sleepy eyes and slouched posture.

I grabbed his face and looked into his blue eyes, as they blinked in effort to stay open. "I'd tell you you have beautiful eyes though I'm pretty sure everyone else tells you same." He smiles at my comment. "Seriously? I never knew." He responds, sarcasm dripping from his lips.

"I need to leave." I finally admit, turning away from him and intentionally focusing on his messy room. "It's a mess."

"The room?" He states, walking over to the bed. "Give me two minutes and we'll be cozy." He says, trying his best to gather the sheets of paper.

I just smile.

"I need to go home." I corrected myself, causing him to drop the sheets of paper.

"What?" Malachi sounds concerned, slowing walking over. He looks over his shoulder then back at me. "Why?"

"I need to stop running." I say, taking his hands in mine. "I've been meaning to tell you but you've not been here. I-

"Will you come back?" Was the only thing he asked, with sadness in his voice.

That was a question I couldn't answer. Especially not now and even if I wanted to, I couldn't because I didn't have the answer to that question.

I took a step back and he took one forward. "Will you?"

Coming back. That meant a lot. Did that mean coming back to the life which I though revolved around me or the life in which I was a victim of toxic relationships? Did it mean taking steps back from my problems? Or did it mean going back to the being the rotten brat I was before him?

"I'm sorry." was all I was able to muster before taking steps back and slamming the door behind me. I didn't mean for it to go like that but now I see that there are things I'm still not sure of. Answers I still need and once those answers aren't known, I don't think I'll ever define the term 'coming back'.

He didn't follow me nor did make an attempt to talk to me in the time which passed. I could only think that he needed time and thought I needed space.

That's the type of person he is.

It was a bit difficult to get myself a cab considering this was one of the most survilled locations in America but somehow, I made a way and I found myself dragging a case and a backpack down the stairs I once walked up on.

Tears where something my eyes welcomed but only when I shut the door of the car and from a window, I saw a silhouette and I instantly knew who it belonged to. The curtain behind the window closed just immediately after the silhouette disappeared and I rested my head on the window only hoping that I don't regret this.

*****

Of course, I needed to board a plane back home but that wasn't much of a problem considering the people I'm fortunate enough to know plus the money I have with me. Within the early hours of the morning, the pilot announced that we were ten minutes to landing and I felt my heart skip a beat at that.

No one here know I was coming home and only the Lord knows what awaits me but I suppose I need to find out what exactly is going on and if not one wants to face me and tell me shit has gone down, I'm going to learn this myself.

As a few people and I who paid for a private flight disembark the plane, I sense a feeling of deja vú crawl up to me, causing goosebumps on my skin. A few months ago, I had disembarked a private plane with two of the most important people in my life at that time and this time here I am, alone and with no one to look to right now, no one to laugh with and no one to share funny stories with.

I'm not going to say I miss those girls but a part of me wishes I wasn't alone in this.

I found my way out of the terminal pretty easily considering I'm a frequent traveller and quickly found something to shield my face with, hoping and praying that no one would spot me because I honestly don't have the energy to deal with that right now.

As I hail a taxi, standing next to the rank, I pull my phone out of my bag and check the time- '4:32am'. I sigh. What exactly am I supposed to tell my parents at possibly five in the morning as to why I'm back home after the best has been done to keep me out of issues.

In less than thirty minutes, I'm at the gates of the building I called home and my backpack suddenly feels heavier on my back as I do my best to hold on tight to my luggage. I press the buzzer on the machine next to the gate and wait for a response.

A very pissed off voice comes through 'It's too early for this shit so please, go back. They don't want an interview." The person concluded, right before it made an annoying buzz indicating its cut off so I pressed it again, just a little longer this time.

"You better-

"It's Lilac." I say, right before the person chokes on something. Probably his spit and speaks in a more polite manner.

"Miss Manor?"

"Yes. Please can I get into my home?" I plead with whoever man's this job right before I hear another buzz and the side gate opens.

I'm not supposed to be here, that's been made clear yet here I am; right infront of the front door. I feel the side of my bag for my set if keys then push them into the lock. The door clicks open and I walk into a hall of darkness and gently close the door behind me as I drop to my knees and somehow my phone falls beside me.

The screen is lit up and the notification I see sends tears down my worn out face.

1 notification
From Kai 🤍🦋
"I don't know what you're going through but know that I'll be here for you every step of the way. Whenever you decide to come back, love, I'll be here. That's a promise"

A/N: YESSSSSS. SHE'S BACK.
It's been over two months but I mean...who's counting? *forces a giggle.*
I'll try my best to update every Friday or whenever a new chapter is ready but from here on out, we're finishing this journey guys, we're getting this done!

🤍 Am I the only one folding for Kai?

Please note that the following chapters are going to be a roller coaster so please hold on tight, grab a kool aid (or whatever you'd like..maybe water?) and enjoy reading!

A

lso, would you guys prefer a character account of a writers account where we can interact more?