Chapter 25

Mira's POV:

To say I was surprised seeing Ellen in my study was an understatement. I was gobsmacked. I immediately started thinking, was she here to steal something? But I've known her for quite a while now and Ellen isn't that kind of person. So why is she here?

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I went closer to her, collecting the files she was holding. She resisted at first but eventually gave in. I took a good look at them.

"This are Lila's files, what are you doing with those?" I asked as I flipped it out.

She breathed in and began speaking.

"I'm… I'm sorry ma'am, but it's not what you think"

"What am I thinking?"

"Although this might be the wrong time—I'm honestly probably doing the wrong thing—there's something you need to know."

"I'm listening."

She sighed." I've never told anyone this before but before I came to work but… I actually have a daughter."

That's new." What? You do?"

"Yes ma'am, really long time ago. But something happened and we got separated and I've been looking for her ever since."

"What has that got to do with Lila?"

"Remember the time you showed us a picture of a girl with a mark behind her ears?"

"Yes."

"My daughter has that same mark. I do too, right behind my left ear." She said and showed it to me. The marks were familiar, I noticed.

"So you're saying…"

"I'm saying Lila is my daughter. Lyric."

***

Ellen's POV:

After explaining everything to her, the look on her face softened.

"Why didn't you tell me this before? I could've helped you make contact with her."

I smiled ruefully. "It's not that simple ma'am. Besides I didn't know how you would take it."

"Ellen." She drawled, holding my hands. "It's your daughter we're talking about. Of course I would help."

"I'm really sorry ma'am." I apologized. She smiled gently.

"So what do you want to do now?"

"I really want to see her. You said this evening that she had been disqualified from the contest. It would mean she was back to her guardians. I want to check on her there."

"Okay. Tomorrow we'll go there and see her. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Now go on and rest and please don't do it again. If you need anything just tell me. I'll do whatever in my power to help you out."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

"Don't mention it. Go on and have a good night rest."

"Okay ma'am."

***

Lila's POV:

After dinner, I waited until Chad came back. The boys had already spent some time in the dance room rehearsing their dance steps and they were all in their respective rooms. I tried not to sneak up on any of them after the warning I got from Dean. I didn't want to upset anyone else.

I saw his car drive in from the window and waited till he walked into the living room. Once he was in and went over and greeted him.

"Good evening Lila, you're still awake?" He asked surprised. I nodded.

"Wanted to wait for you." I replied.

"Hey, that wasn't necessary," he said as he hit me playfully in the arms. I chuckled.

"It was no big deal, there was really nothing to do here anyway. They are all in their rooms." I said. "Wait a second." I said and walked to the kitchen to get him a cup of water. He collected it and nodded thanks.

"So…" I began, fiddling with my fingers. "How did it go?" I asked.

"Negative." Was his straight out reply. "She said there was nothing she could do." He replied, a bit angry. I was disappointed but I tried to cheer up.

"It's okay. At least you tried, I'm really grateful for that." I said.

"I'm not giving up though, I'll still go back and see if there's anything I can do. Such talent of yours doesn't deserve to be in the house but out there."

I beamed at that. "Aww, thanks Chad."

"You're welcome." He said and grinned. I collected the cup from him and went to return it. When I got back to the living room, he was already seated.

"Chad, am about to go to bed now, but one quick question: You're not planning to do whatever it is you want to do now, are you?"

"No, I'll let it simmer for a week or two, and then we'll go back."

"Okay. I'm off to sleep. Have a good night," I said and made to leave.

"Oh and one more thing…" Chad called out and I turned to him. "I'll be taking you out tomorrow, you need some extra clothes," he said.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Have a goodnight." I said and he nodded. I smiled gleefully and skipped all the way to my room.

Once in, I collapsed on the bed and giggled softly. Maybe being kicked out of the Temporary Base isn't so bad after all, I thought to myself. I brought out my phone and decided to scroll through my social media feed when it rang. It was Zoey. Remembering the incident that had happened after my first call, I chuckled before picking it up.

"Hey Zoey, good evening." I greeted.

"Good evening to you too. Just so you know, I'm mad at you," she said, displeasure in her tone.

"What? Why?"

"We were on a call this morning and you suddenly cut it… And never called back!"

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry Zoey. I didn't mean to and I got caught up with everything that was going on around me. If you still want, I can still send you the pictures."

"Well of course I still want it. If I didn't, will I call you."

"Hang on a minute, I said as I brought the phone down my ears and sent her the picture Nico and I took together. Once I saw it had sent, I spoke to her."

"Have you seen it yet?"

"Hold on, I'm coming. A message just came in. Let me check it."

There was silence for a while until I heard shrieks excitement.

"Oh my gosh! You're really not lying! You're in the Sparks!"

"I do hope there's no one with you with the way you're screaming." I said worriedly.

"Nope. Paige's in the bathroom. But damn! You are in the Sparks! Come on, tell me! How does it feel like living with the Superstars!"

"It's not that different from living with normal people. They are completely different people on the stage than they are on their own."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Damn, I wish I was the one disqualified so I can get some of that action."

I laughed hearing that.

"And what makes you think you'll be staying in the Sparks? Anyways stay there, I need you to win so I'll root for you."

"I will try. I have to go now. Paige will be out any minute."

"Okay. Have a goodnight."

"You too honey." she said and I hung up.

Placing the phone on the bedside table, I sighed. Chad said he'll be taking me out tomorrow, I had better get some sleep.

***

(The next day)

Ellen's POV:

I finished cleaning the house and waited for Mira to get ready. In order to help me find Lila, she had taken a sick leave for a day even though she wasn't sick. She had said she wanted to be there when I had my first conversation with my daughter after a long time. I couldn't thank her enough.

After bidding her husband goodbye, she came to meet me.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I said ruefully. I was really nervous.

She smiled reassuringly, and we walked out of the house. Locking the door, we walked to the car, where the driver was already waiting. He opened the door for us and we got in.

"You see this address?" she said as she passed the driver a note.

"Yes ma'am."

"Take us there."

"Okay ma'am." The driver started up the car, and we drove out.

***

Lila's POV:

It was breakfast in the Sparks penthouse. This time Dean was present on the dining area. We all ate quietly as there was nothing to say.

After a while, Chad spoke up.

"I'll be taking Lila out." He announced. I looked up from my meal.

"Where?" Nico asked.

"Shopping." He replied simply. Dean glanced at Chad.

"Why?" He asked. "I thought you said she wouldn't be staying for long." My face fell hearing that.

"Just because she wouldn't be staying long doesn't mean she shouldn't be comfortable. I just wanted to let you all know where I would be." He said and turned to me.

"You ready?" He asked and I nodded. I wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible as Dean stares weren't doing any good.

"Okay then. Let's go." He said and I cleaned my mouth and stood up.

"Bye guys." I muttered before going out with Chad. As always, his car was already prepared for him and I noticed it was another one he was using today. How many cars do they even have?

"Where exactly are we shopping?" I asked him as we got into the car. He turned to me and smiled that cute smile of his.

"You'll find out," he said.

***

Ellen's POV:

It took us some time, but eventually we got to the place. It was a small town but at least it was decent. That gave me a good feeling. When we found the house that matched with the address on the file, the driver stopped the car.

We came down and walked up to the porch. I took in a deep breath as Mira gave me a go ahead look. Then knocked gently.

"Who is it?" Came a voice from inside. Not knowing how to reply, I knocked again.

The front door creaked opened and a grim looking woman head popped out.

"Who are you?" She asked, her voice curt.

"Hi, am Ellen. I'm looking for a girl, young lady I mean. Her name is Lila Walker, I was told she lives here."

She scoffed hearing Lila's name.

"Yeah, she lives here but she's not in at the moment."

"She's not in at the moment?" Mira asked. "Where did she go?"

"How am I supposed to know? She ran away a long time ago and hasn't come back yet," she said.

I was taken aback. If she didn't come back home, where did she go?

"Uhm…may we come in?" Mira asked and the woman stared quizzically at us.

"Who are you exactly?" She asked icily.

"We're so sorry for not introducing ourselves. I'm Mira Kentucky, a dance instructor in the Beamlights Entertainment, were Lila used to stay and this here is Ellen, her biological mother." Mira said.

"You're her biological mother?" She squeaked as she stared at me. I nodded.

"Oh well, that explains everything. Please come in." She said and opened the door wider. We stepped into the small house. I looked around and noticed there wasn't any picture of Lila hanged around, she must've taken them down when Lila left.

"Do you know where she might be?" Mira asked, as I looked around.

"No idea."

"Who are you to Lila really?" I asked the woman.

"Lila is my daughter too, my husband adopted her a few months after we got married."

"If you're her foster mom, how come you don't know where Lila is?" I asked.

"Because I don't care. The girl was supposed to be in the house but she decided to grow wings and she left. I'm not surprised she got kicked out of the program."

I wanted to talk back at her but her restrained myself. What I planned to say was no good for a woman who had been keeping custody of my daughter for a long time.

"Thanks for your time. We'll go look for her elsewhere," I said, smiling tightly.

"Oh please do and make sure you find her."

"Oh I will." I said. Mira glanced at me and we made to leave. From the corner of my eyes, something caught my attention and I stopped.

"Who is that?" I asked as I pointed to a picture with a man in it.

"That's my husband," she replied.

"Well, where is he?" I asked carefully. I saw the look of sadness that flashed through her.

"He's late."

"Oh… I'm sorry. We'll be leaving now." I said and walked out the house. Once we got to the porch, we stopped.

"What are you going to do now?" Mira asked me and I stared at her.

"I don't know."

***

Mira's POV:

"Lyric didn't come home, where could she be?" Ellen said worriedly. I looked at her for a while before an idea clicked in.

"Wait a sec." I said as I brought out my phone. Searching for Zoey's number, I called her.

It rang for some time but eventually she picked up.

"Hello who is this?"

"Hi Zoey, this is Mira, your dance instructor."

"Mira Kentucky? Oh hello ma'am, I didn't see you in the base today." She observed.

"Well I didn't come. I wanted to ask: do you know where Lila might be? She's your friend, right?"

"Yes, she is. I actually do know where she is. I spoke to her last night. For some weird reason, she's staying with the Sparks."

"The Sparks? As in the boyband?"

"Yeah, Chad took her there."

"Chad?"

"Yes. Ma'am, is there a problem?"

"Oh no… Not at all, thanks for helping out."

"Anytime ma'am."

I told her goodbye and hung up. Ellen looked at me.

"Who did you call?"

"A friend of hers. She said Lila is staying with the Sparks?"

"The Sparks? You mean the boy band that has Chad in it?"

"Yeah. I'll just call him and ask for where he is." I said and dialed his number as we walked into the car.

He picked it up.

"Hello Mira."

"Good morning Chad. Where are you?"

"I'm out. Not at the penthouse."

"Do you know where Lila is?"

"Yeah…she's with me."

"Where are you exactly?"

"A clothing store. I'm helping Lila get some clothes. Is anything the problem?"

"No… But I want to see you. Is it okay if you send me the address of where you are so I can meet you there?"

"Okay…it'll be done in a minute."

"Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome."

I hung up and faced Ellen.

"I know where she is. All we just have to do is wait for the message and go see her."

"Thanks a lot ma'am"

"Don't mention it. Now let's go meet your daughter."