Chapter 11

Chad's POV:

Seeing her face, I smiled unknowingly. She looked really pretty tonight, a bit calmer than the last time we met.

"Hi," I greeted with a small wave and she came closer, almost as if she wanted to hug me, then stopped.

"I'm sorry… Does anyone know you're here?" She whispered.

"Nope… Well, except for the officials, nobody else." I replied, and she furrowed her brows, then beamed later on. Hmm, funny girl.

One full glance at her and I frowned.

"Didn't you say you didn't like the cold? What you're wearing doesn't cover much."

"Oh… That's true. I really wasn't planning to stay out that long…" She stopped when she saw me unbuttoning my coat. "What are you…?"

"Here, have this," I said as I put around her. She looked dazed for a while, then slowly hugged it.

"Thanks." She muttered shyly.

"You're welcome." I replied. We fell quiet after a while, looking at the fountain.

"So… why did you come see me?" She asked after a while.

"Oh… I came to say congratulations on being chosen."

"Huh? Thanks. Did not see that coming." She whispered.

"And… I wanted to give you some moral support. You're pretty good, but you need to work even harder if you want that spot. The entertainment industry is no joke."

"Really? Wow. I'll keep that in mind." She muttered determined. Then glanced at me and looked away. Her expression changed later on as if she'd seen something weird.

"Why? Is there someone here?" She muttered to herself, and I glanced at the direction she was facing. It looked really dark and I couldn't make out anyone.

"Is everything okay Lila?"

"Yeah… Sorry, I thought I saw someone peeping in the bushes. What were we talking about?" She asked, as her attention focused on me again. I smiled.

***

Dean's POV:

Oh crap! That was close! I can't believe I almost got caught by that girl. So that's the Lila they've all been talking about. Strange, Chad left the penthouse to see her? He could easily drop by at the company if he really wanted to meet her.

"Or else… He really has a crush on her!" I muttered to myself. Don't blame me for creeping up on Chad, I just couldn't help myself. With everyone in the penthouse talking about Lila this, Lila that, I needed to find out how she really was, and Chad didn't want to tell me anything about her.

Reasons I followed him when he left the house this night. Didn't know I was right behind him and boom! He drove here. Although I could see her outline, I really couldn't see her face from where I hid, so it was hard to picture out how she really looked like. From the way they were talking, you would think they were in a relationship of some sort. Well, looks like Chad has a lot of explaining to do when he gets home. I'm out of here.

***

Lila's POV:

"So while being a trainee is lots of fun, you have to prove to everyone that you're really up for the job." Chad ended his impromptu speech. I beamed smile.

"Thanks a lot, Chad. I totally appreciate you coming here to tell me all of this. Right now I feel like I have an edge over the rest of them," I said sincerely.

"Uh, no need. And if you need any help of any kind, just know that I'll be there."

"Really?" I asked, and he nodded. "Oh thanks so much sir!" I said while hugging him. "Sorry, I meant Chad." He looked stunned at first but used his hands to pet me like a small child. I disengaged from the hug and looked at him.

"Thanks a lot Chad, talking with you has been a lot of fun but I have to go in now."

"I have to get going as well." He said, and I chuckled.

"Can I keep this?" I asked about his coat around me. He nodded in affirmation. I hugged it even more, and he chuckled. I blushed. He then brought his hands to push back tendrils of hair that were all over my face behind my ear. When his hands left my face, I resisted the urge to touch it.

"I'll get going Lila. See you later." He said, and I nodded. He stared at me for a while before walking away the way he came. I stayed there a bit before dancing in happiness. Oh gosh! I can't believe this! Chad gave me his coat and even touched me! This is going to be my sacred possession, I thought as I walked in. On my way to my room I saw Zoey. She looked drunk. I quickly hurried over to her.

"Lila…" she drawled. "Where are you coming from?"

"Outside. Did you drink?"

"A bit." She muttered and hiccupped. "I have low resistance to alcohol." She said and I frowned. If she had low tolerance for alcohol, why did she drink?

"Were you talking to someone? I think I saw a person leave that place just now."

"Um… It's nobody. Just a friend. Here, let me take you to our room."

"Oh yeah! Our room." She drawled and went limp. "Lila, I think I'm going to be sick."

"Oh no, you won't be. Not when we're still out here. Come on, rest on me so I can drag you to our room." I said as I helped her to our room.

***

Mrs. Stella POV:

I guess the sentence that Tessa said rang in my head like a million times. Lila left? How? When? Where did she go to?

I felt myself slumping to the chair lost in thought.

"Mom, are you okay?" Tessa asked after a while but I shunned her.

I know what you're all thinking: now that Lila's gone, I should be the happiest woman in the world. But that's not the case, is it? Even though I never really liked her, her leaving is a much too dangerous prank to play.

"Tessa, do you know where she went to?" I asked.

"That, I don't know." Tessa replied.

Oh my gosh. "But you tell each other everything!"

"She didn't tell me that."

This is so not good. My late husband specifically warned me to keep Lila safe in all circumstances and now that's she's gone she just breached that rule. I heard my husband's last words replay in my head and I almost shed tears. But the deeds already been done and Lila has left.

"Mom, if this is about Lila… Please calm down. She's not a kid anymore. She's twenty-three now. She'll find her way." Tessa said as she sat beside me. I glanced at her.

I sure hope that's true.

***

Chad's POV:

I drove home and parked my car at the garage. By now I had expected the boys to be asleep. So you could tell I was surprised when I still saw Dean awake and from the looks on his face, you could tell he is not in a good mood.

"Hey D. What are you doing up?" I asked as I walked in, determined to ignore his foul mood. He was having none of it.

"Nothing. Just waiting for you." He answered, his voice cold.

"Waiting for me? Why will you be waiting for me?" I asked as I turned to him. He looked at me.

"You went to see this 'Lila' again, didn't you?"

I was stunned. How did he find out? "What do you mean?"

"You know what am talking about. You left the penthouse to visit her, didn't you? Don't even try to deny it cause I saw it."

"Wait, wait… WHAT!? You were stalking me? Since when!?" I said aloud and he shrugged. By now, the rest of the boys had woken up and were already walking to the parlor. He shrugged.

"I wouldn't call it that exactly but if you think it like that, well yes, I guess I was stalking you."

"What? So now you find it hard to trust my decisions!?"

"I didn't mean it like that…" I cut him off.

"How else did you mean it then? So I can't see anyone without having to talk to you first? Well, if you had cared a little more and noticed everything around you, YOU would have been the first to know!"

He rubbed his foreheads his forehead with his hands as if tired of all o was talking about. The boys just kept staring at the both of us.

"Are we seriously going to start a fight because of a girl?" He asked, and I scoffed.

"A girl? Hearing you put it that way actually disgusts me now. Lila isn't just any girl!" I stated and made to leave but stopped and turned back, this time raising my voice so everyone would hear.

"And yes, maybe I have a crush on Lila. I hope you can all understand that now and leave me alone." Before walking to my room and slamming the door behind me. Seriously!?

***

Unknown POV:

I drove over to her house and parked in front of the gate. Staring at the building, I checked the time. By now her daughter would be asleep but she'll still be awake. Yeah, I know her that well.

I got down from the car and walked up to the gate. The security man tried to stop me from gaining access, but I showed him my card.

"Do you have an appointment with madam?" He asked gruffly.

I don't need an appointment to see her, I thought to myself but answered, anyway. "Yes."

"Please come in." He said and opened the gate. I walked in and took in the environments. Still the same as before, but with more cars and flowers. She had always loved luxury. I walked up to her doorstep and rang the doorbell.

A maid opened the door. "Excuse me, but who are you."

I smirked. "Just tell your madam, an ex-friend." I said, and she grimaced, looking over me.

"Please wait a moment," she added and closed the door. I waited there and stared at the security camera that was positioned there.

Eventually the door opened and the maid was behind it.

"Please come in." She said, and I walked in. She led me to the living area and stopped.

"Please wait here, my madam will join you shortly." She said and left me there. I stayed there for a while until I heard footsteps approaching. I decided not to turn.

It stopped and then hurried over to me, stopping right in front of me. Damn, she looked terrified, but that's not the only emotion on her face.

"Mason? What are you doing here? I thought I told you not to come over! What if?

"Shh…" I motioned and I pulled her into a kiss. She seemed stunned at first and tried to pull away, but I only tightened it. She soon melted against me and we were soon kissing deeply into the night…