What happens when all the dreams that were supposed to come true end up being ripped away at the seams? Will there be a happy ending or will it just stay as all fairytales should be; make believe?
201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutnZ0pR1fW
It was a slow; no let’s rephrase that, a very slow Thursday night at the Tavern. The locals had already been there and gone, and since there was no game that night the bar portion was pretty dead as well. It didn’t help that the weather had been pure crap this past week even for New York. Normally this time of year the weather would be nice and sunny, with occasional showers here and there. But this was all okay for Jade, as she didn’t really care much about it anymore. Although she was grateful that her previous boss gave her job back to her, it didn’t go over without a fight. He was upset with her that she up and left him but when she practically begged to have her job back he gave it to her on condition that she would be working every weekend until he could “trust” her again. So on nights like tonight it was ideal, as she knew that ever since she landed back in New York from Cordonia, she has not been herself at all. As she looked over to Scotty, a regular that was happy to see her back, made sure that he was topped off she informed Carter that she was going to take a quick break. As she removed her apron that was tied around her slender waist she left it right on the end of the bar as she headed out the back towards the alley. Not caring that she might get wet, she needed to get some air and as she stood against the brick of the building and closed her eyes it went right back to that moment that her life was ripped at the seams.
“JADE” she heard her name being called by the two men that had won her heart and as she was being escorted out by Bastien she tried to fight him but she just wasn’t strong enough. She knew in her mind that the news that was being spread was a lie. She never did anything with Tariq and now she was being kicked out of not just the coronation ceremony but out of Cordonia. After getting her things and going to the airport she boarded the plane letting the tears go as she realized just all that she was losing. It wasn’t long that she was sitting there crying that she dozed off for the remainder of the flight. Once she landed and hailed a cab she went home and immediately tried to contact Hana, Maxwell, Drake and even Bertrand with no success. She was no longer welcome there and because of a lie she was now back home away from the people she cared about. As she plopped down onto her couch she thought back to everything that happened. All the sweet moments with Liam, the friendship that she built with Hana, the bond of a brother with Maxwell and of course the tender but passionate moments with Drake, making her fall asleep again with tears flooding her eyes.
Jade knew that it had only been seven days since she got home and she was staring to realize that she was never going to go back, she wasn’t ever going to have that time with her friends again and she was never going to be able to tell the man that she chose, that she wanted to be with him. This was her life now and she was going to have to accept that fact and start to move on. Her lower lip began to quiver as she tried to fight back the tears. This last week has just been torture for her as she knew that she never got to say goodbye and that is what hurts her the most. As she wiped her eyes and took a few deep breaths she started to head back into the bar looking to the clock as she saw that she only had a few hours left. She knew that she could do this and then it would be back home to bed where she would be left alone with her thoughts and sometimes that would lead to crying herself to sleep. Knowing that she would never get the chance to go back and she would never get the right that she wanted to prove that she didn’t do anything. But it was too late, Liam was going to marry Madeleine and Jade was basically banished to New York. Drake would move on and find someone that would be able to show him what a great guy that he is and Hana would learn from her past and continue to build her future. Though as she thought about all her friends and the two men that had her heart and thought about them moving on in life without her caused her to slide down to the floor behind the bar bringing her knees to her chest and letting the tears flow.
About an hour later after composing herself she told Carter to go home and also told her boss that she would close up. There were literally two customers in the bar and one was Carter’s girlfriend who would be leaving when he did. As Jade started to clean up knowing that she only had an hour to go she started to get the trash together and restocking the shelves knowing that she was going to be back there the next night and she hoped that it might be busy so she could get home faster. As she was stocking the shelves she reached into the box and pulled out a bottle of Whiskey and as she ran her fingers over the bottle she started to feel sad again knowing that if Drake was there he would be telling her to lift her chin up and face it head on. But he wasn’t and as she looked down to the bottle again she swore that she could hear him say ‘You got this Morgan, you’re a fighter and I know that you will pull through this’ and as she took a deep breath trying to relax she headed out to the floor to clean up some of the tables knowing that she would be closing down soon.
With her towel in hand she started to clean and wipe off the tables around the bar area and as she was doing this, she was thinking about that first night that she met all of the guys starting to smile thinking about how they all were having so much fun, but as her mind started to recognize Tariq in her memories she shuddered as she remembered what he did but knew that it was too late, nothing was going to change now that she was never going back. Though as she started to get to the side tables and her back was to the door she heard the chime to the door go off. Though she was a little annoyed as she knew that the person walking in was now going to get mad as she said “Hey sorry we are closing soon buddy, so please leave” and as she was leaning over a table trying to wipe it down she stopped immediately as she heard a familiar voice say “Well that’s not going to work for me” that same voice that woke her every morning, the voice that taught her so much, and the voice that belonged to someone that became like family to her. Though as she stood up straight and her lip quivered believing that she was dreaming the voice spoke again “I just wanted to talk to the best damn waitress in New York” and as she started to turn around and felt the tears pool in her eyes she brought her hand up to cover her mouth as the tears fell.
Though in an instant, she felt Maxwell’s arms around her hugging her to him, as she cried into his chest and her arms went right around him. She couldn’t believe that this was real, that Maxwell was standing right there holding her in his arms, at her job, in New York but as she realized this she pulled back and looked up to him “Not that I am complaining, but what are you doing here?” she started to wipe away the tears that were streaming her cheeks as she started to feel her heart racing in her chest. She never thought that she would see any of her friends again and here was one standing here in front of her. But was something wrong or was it good that he was here and as he smiled to her he said “God it’s good to see you Jade I mean I know it’s only been a week but it feels like forever. I am sorry I couldn’t come sooner, we wanted too but we had to make sure that it seemed as though you were gone until we could get you to come back. I mean Bertrand was just incredible with the King he was so fierce and didn’t back down once” and as Maxwell went to continue she brought her hand up to get him to stop talking “Whoa what do you mean we, and what do you mean to bring me back” and as she looked to him her green eyes widened as she looked up to him.
“Well doesn’t this seem a little too familiar? What I am saying is after you were forced to leave, we, well Hana, Bertrand, Liam, Drake and of course myself wanted nothing more than to get you back. Well here I am and I am here to bring you back to Cordonia. King Constantine agreed with Bertrand that you could come back to try and clear your name. Although under one condition that you would have to be a part of the engagement tour, and that does mean that you would have to deal with Madeleine, but not really. It would just be the image that would be given as you of course try and find a way to clear your name. It was put very hard into stone that you will probably not get to be close to Liam as everyone thinks that you turned against him with Tariq. I know that you didn’t do anything wrong but this is your only chance to set it right. I don’t know what happened but Jade…you need to come back. You need to clear your name before the end of the engagement tour if you still want to possibly be with Liam. If you can do that before than there is a chance that you could still marry him. But, if you don’t want to be with him, at least come back and clear your name. You deserve this chance, even if it’s just that” and as he looked to her and she looked to him as if she was pondering everything.
Jade started to turn away from Maxwell and as she did she felt the tears come back again “What if I can’t clear my name? What if I get all the way there and nothing changes? I will still end up back here, back in this town and alone” and as Maxwell placed his hands on her shoulders and started to turn her to him and he cupped her cheek with his hand “But what if you come back, clear your name and free yourself from any wrong doing? You get to come home, well your other home” he stated starting to look at her and as she hugged him again he held her close. “So, is that a yes?” and as she laughed a little bit against his chest she said “Yeah, I mean what do I have to lose?” and as she started to pull back from him she took off her apron and got Scotty to leave as she locked up as Maxwell waited outside for her. She left a note for her boss explaining that she had to go back that something urgent came up and she walked out of The Tavern for the second time but this time it was for her own future and to get her life and reputation back, as well as finally hopefully tell the man she was falling for the truth, but the biggest thing was settling this once and for all that she was innocent.
Maxwell drove her back to her place and the moment that they got up to her apartment he was able to see that it was rather empty besides a couch, a TV and then the bedroom “Didn’t you have a roommate before?” he asked as she started to head to her bedroom to get her suitcase packed again, although it didn’t take long as she really hadn’t unpacked since getting home. “Yeah my cousin was living with me but she moved in with her boyfriend. She paid about six months in rent not knowing when I was going to be back and if at all. Most of my things are in storage so it’s literally just this suitcase, my bed and what you see out there” she explained to him as she started to grab what little she did unpack. As she brought her suitcase out to the living room and started to sit on the couch she looked to him “Do you think that this is going to be worth it?” and as she looked to him and he started to sit next to her she rested her head on his shoulder “I believe that you have a fire in you and whoever framed you for this is going to end up cowering in fear because I know that you are a badass when you want to be and you are going to beat this. Just like I know you have so many other things” and as he looked to her he said “You’re a Beaumont so I know that you have that fight in you” but as he looked to the floor he started to look sad “Jade, how did that picture happen?” Maxwell asked as he looked at her the worry hitting his eyes.
She looked to him knowing that there was only one other, well two, that knew what happened that night, Tariq of course, and Drake and as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes she began to explain everything to Maxwell, everything from her getting to her room and showering, to being in her underwear as Tariq walked in thinking that it was his room, to him making the moves on her and the way that he was trying to push her into doing something more, to the way that he forcibly kissed her and tried to get her to the bed and then to Drake coming in and basically saving her. She then included everything that Tariq said to her and as she concluded Maxwell looked angry as he ran his hand through his hair “That means that both of you were set up, we have to try and find him so he can come forward too but first let’s get you back. We can meet with Bertrand when we get there and you will then have a few weeks to get back on your feet before the first event” and as he continued talking Jade’s mind wondered to if her going back people would be on her side, wondering if Hana was still there knowing her parents had sent for her, and wondered if Drake was still there. She knew that he said ‘we’ but she didn’t know after that if they would still be there.
After a few more moments of him explaining a few things they headed out to the airport and once there they sat and waited for what seemed like an eternity. She pulled out her phone and text her cousin letting her know that she was going back. Though as she scanned through the phone she got to Hana’s number and as she sent a text it didn’t go through. She continued to scroll back up and her phone highlighted Drake’s number and as she went to click call, they were called to board. After getting through the line and finding their seats, she pulled out her phone again and this time went to Liam’s number and as she went to text him Maxwell informed her that she really shouldn’t do that and he explained again that Liam would have to keep his distance from her as he was supposed to now be just with Madeleine and as she put her phone on airplane mode and put her head back she looked to Maxwell “Thank you for coming back for me, again. I thought for sure I was never going to see you or anyone ever again” and as she looked to him and gave him a small smile she didn’t even hear his response as her eyes closed and she drifted to sleep.
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally landed in Cordonia again and immediately got into a cab that was taking her to a rather secluded area of the country knowing that this is how it had to be for right now. As Maxwell opened the door to a small looking cottage type house he yelled in “Bertrand we are back” and as he started to head in taking Jade’s bags from her, Bertrand rounded the corner. He looked to her and though he was still stone faced as ever, there was a smirk there in his smile and his eyes showed that he was relieved “Lady Jade welcome back. I am glad to see that you decided to come back and try and clear your name and just maybe do so in a timely manner to maybe get back to where it was left off” and as Bertrand started to talk to her a little bit Jade couldn’t help but let her mind wonder a little bit and how the nerves were starting to take over her being back here again. Knowing that someone went through a lot to set her up and knowing that this was going to be a rather huge case that she was going to have to solve. “Now, I do want to let you know that this time around it’s going to be different. This time you will have to be in Madeleine’s presence almost all the time, so you will have Maxwell and I helping lead the investigation. No one even knows that you are back. Any one that was part of our talks only knows that there was a chance that you could come back and not that you are. Meaning we are going to be working day and night to make sure that you are truly ready, and prepared for anything new. The next few weeks are going to be like your first weeks again but this time, you are learning even more” and as Bertrand looked to Jade and she shook her head “Well, when do we start?”
Bertrand wasn’t kidding, the next few weeks were filled with learning new dances, new wines, catching up on the news, daily jogging sessions, deeper etiquette training and more. Knowing that this was her chance to finally prove that she belonged here and she was more determined now more than ever to find out who set her up. As she rounded the bend leading from the fields behind the little cottage home as she finished her jog, she started to enter the house again as Maxwell and Bertrand were getting their luggage to the living room. “Are we finally going somewhere?” and as she started to stretch from her jog Bertrand looked to her “Yes, why not get a shower in and then get your things” and as she went to ask him where they were going he urged her again to get ready. Though as she got upstairs and out of hearing range Bertrand looked to Maxwell “How do we tell her our first stop is Fydelia?” A few moments later Jade was in the bathroom getting her shower ready and as she finally stepped into the warm shower she let the water beat onto her neck and back and run down her body. She started to think about the last time that she was here and how everyday was another day that she let her heart fall more for not just one, but two amazing guys. Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to really talk to one she hoped and prayed that the other was still there. She hadn’t really asked about anyone or anything in the last few weeks of being back knowing that she didn’t want to hear the truth that Hana and Drake could be gone. Though as she started to wash her hair and close her eyes her mind started flashing memories of everything from the moment that she met Drake, to the night of the bachelor party, to being in Cordonia, and then from there out just memories shooting off like a fourth of July firework. Seeing flashes of memories just flooding her mind she tried not to let the tears go as it hurt knowing that this may be for nothing in the end. Soon though she started to know that she had to get out and get ready. She dried her hair and started to pack up getting into jean shorts, flats and an off shoulder sweater she started to head down.
Upon getting back to the brothers she announced that she was ready “Alright, who is ready for the biggest mystery to be solved starting today?” and as she laughed a little bit at her own joke she looked to Maxwell who chuckled little bit and then to Bertrand who just stood there “Alright, what did I miss? Do I have something in my teeth? Did I accidently use Nair instead of shampoo and I am going bald, what is it?” and as she looked to them both again Maxwell stepped up to her and gestured that she should sit down. Jade looked to him as worry started to grow inside of her and as she looked to them both she immediately started to think that something had happened to Hana, or Drake or Liam even and as she started to wonder Maxwell took a deep breath “We really didn’t want to have to tell you this, but you’re not going to like our first event stop to kick off the engagement tour” and as he looked to her, Jade started to look right to his brown eyes “No. You’re kidding aren’t you?” and as her mind started to swirl he nodded his head as he already knew that she understood now why they were knowing she was not going to like this “Jade, our first stop is Fydelia, Madeleine’s Fydelia” and as Jade started to close her eyes knowing that all this is now resting on having to play nice with Madeleine her first night back. “Well as much as I don’t like it, I know that this is what I have to do in order to even start to get on track” and as she stood up she took a deep breath “Let’s just get this done and over with” as she started to head out of to the car that was out in the front not even looking back with her favorite pillow and her suitcase. “She took that rather well don’t you think Maxwell?” but they soon heard her yelling into her pillow in the back of the car. “Oh yeah, totally well” Maxwell stated starting to head out with his brother.
After sitting in the car for complete silence for about forty-five minutes they finally stopped in the back of Madeleine’s estate and as Jade got out she was shown by Maxwell and Bertrand to her room that she would be staying in…farthest away from most of the people there. But soon Maxwell ended up coming back to her room with a beautiful blue dress that was perfect for her return. It was around knee length and was cut in just the right amount of places to really cling to the features of her body. The shoulder straps were decorated with sequence in a flower pattern. “It’s beautiful Maxwell, thank you for getting it for me” though as she talked her voice was soft and subtle, sad sounding. “Hey, why the long face?” and as Maxwell started to kneel in front of her as she sat on the edge of the bed she looked to him and tears were in her eyes “I just, I don’t understand that week, I didn’t hear from anyone, not you, not Bertrand, Hana, Liam, not even Drake” and as she started to remember that pain of going from having everyone to having no one in an instant she let a tear drop. “Jade, we all wanted to reach out to you, but Liam thought that it would be best not to right away, this way the person that did this would think that they won. Both Drake and Liam thought that it would be the best to protect you that way. We all decided then that we would wait about a week for the news to die down and we could plan. Now it’s been almost a month and I know that this is going to be hard for you, but it’s something that you have to do. Your name was run through the mud and now that I know what happened you need this moment. I know that you are not going to like giving in to Madeleine and having to see them together but I know that you can do this, we all know you can. I know that if they were here right now, Hana, Liam and Drake would be saying the same thing” and as he smiled to her and she leaned to him hugging him she felt her heart breaking thinking that when he said the if they were here part, it got her thinking that maybe Hana was back in Shanghai and that Drake left. But she couldn’t let that stop her and as she pulled from Maxwell she stood up “Alright let’s get the road to redemption started” and as he left her to get dressed he soon joined her about ten moments later to escort her down to the ballroom.
As they walked the halls and Bertrand reminded her of a few last moment things, she nodded her head knowing that this was it, she was going to be showing everyone that she was back and with a purpose. Though as they got to the doors to head in, she stopped Maxwell trying to take in deep breaths but finding it super hard as she could hear the music playing behind the doors “Hey, Jade look at me” and as she looked to him he said “Kick it in the ass, you got this” and as he smiled to her, her worries seemed to fade a little bit as she gripped Maxwell’s arm a little bit tighter. As they entered the room, soon following her low breathing there were gasps and whispers all around ‘I can’t believe she is back.’ ‘What is she doing here?’ ‘I wonder if she came to confess or find out the truth’ and as they continued to walk ignoring most of the banter that was being said they soon were greeted by Adelaide – Madeleine’s mother who expressed that she was happy that she was there and as Jade shed light that it was an honor to be back in the good graces of her family and home, Adelaide began to talk to Jade as if nothing had happened “Oh believe me dear I don’t believe everything that the news tells me, you have no worries to play proper with me, I mean who else is going to actually have a good time with me if it’s not you or Maxwell” and as she smiled to them Jade felt a wave of relief crash over her but soon that feeling was gone as she heard that stone like concrete voice “Well, hello Lady Jade welcome back to Fydelia” and as Jade turned and came face to face with Madeleine she could see the smug smile on her face and as she held it together she swallowed what she really wanted to say and uttered “Countess Madeleine, thank you for allowing me to come celebrate with you. I do congratulate you” and as she looked to her she saw her reach behind her a little bit and said “Oh well thank you we are happy and very content…” and as she turned towards a man behind her she said “Isn’t that right darling” and as Jade realized what was happening she felt the air catching in her lungs.
Liam turned around to be next to Madeleine and immediately locked eyes with Jade and in an instant she felt as though her heart stopped beating right there as his piercing eyes looked right to her as he exclaimed “Jade! I…” and as he stumbled a little bit as he knew that there was a slight chance that she would come back he didn’t know at all that she was for sure back “I mean Lady Jade, it’s a wonderful surprise to see you here” and as he looked to her and she could hear the stutter in his voice and knew the look that he was giving her that he wanted to reach out to her and take her in his arms she gave him a slight nod as he said “You look stunning as always. You have been missed around here. I believe that we..” and as he went to continue Madeleine was getting irritated by the longing look that was in their eyes as she cleared her throat “Darling we can’t leave out our other guests that are here to celebrate the beginning of our engagement tour now can we?” and as she looked to Liam giving him a little smile he looked to her and smiled “Of course we can’t” and as he looked to Jade he looked right to her eyes “We are glad that you are back, we will talk to you soon” and as he looked to her, Jade knew that he didn’t want to walk away but knew that he had too and as they walked away she felt her heart beating faster and her heart strings being snapped at the seams knowing that this, this was going to be harder than she thought.
Over the next few hours she was reminded by Maxwell that she had to be careful, that it couldn’t be known that Liam was really happy with her being back not until things really calmed down and as she went to head out to the balcony to get some air she ran into Penelope and Kiara who were just as stunned to see her back. Penelope more-so was very happy but Kiara reminded Penelope almost instantly that they were now ladies in waiting and on Madeleine’s side and that they shouldn’t even be seen with her. Though as Penelope looked to her there was sadness and she could sense that Penelope didn’t seem too thrilled as she apologized to Jade and then walked away with Kiara. After stepping outside for a few moments it was rang out by bells above that it was time to sit for dinner.
During the meal Jade couldn’t stop thinking about the interaction with Liam and how cold that he was having to be with her but she understood that this is the way that it had to be for now, and boy did it seem to familiar now to her. Though as she sat towards the side of the room with Maxwell and Bertrand all alone to themselves they discussed what the next plan was, that she was going to have to get to Tariq and get him to make a statement that this was all a set up and that this might be the only way. Though she was listening she found herself looking up to the head of the room where Madeleine and Liam were sitting with his parents and her mother. She felt sick to her stomach the moment that she saw Madeleine feed Liam a piece of fruit from her plate. Though as she was looking up she then saw Liam look over to her and there was that look in his eyes again that he wanted to just go to her and she couldn’t stand it as she saw Madeleine lean in and kiss his cheek she looked down to the table to her untouched food. She knew that she had to stomach all this and more but as she started to feel her heart breaking more and more realizing that this could all come crashing down, she knew that there was one person that she wanted to see but as she scanned the room she didn’t see this person at all.
After the festivities wrapped up and the goodbyes were said Jade was brought back to her room that she then found out was on the opposite side of the house from Liam as Maxwell found out that Madeleine purposely made it that way. She sat on her bed kicking her heels off and pulling her hair back starting to feel defeated inside. Though as she heard a knock on the door as she started to get her pjs out to change she then walked to the door to open it but came face to face with a thing of roses “What in the world Maxwell, let me guess Adelaide sent them to you” and as she laughed and headed back to the bed to get ready to change she started to think badly at her own joke knowing that tonight was terrible and she wondered if she was going to be able to make it through this. “Well to be honest, I need to find a way to sway her away from me as I have deep feelings for another, whom I miss” and as he set the flowers down he handed her the card and said “This might make you happy” and as she looked to him she took the card and started to read it ‘Jade, I can’t believe you are really here and I won’t until I can feel my arms around you. Please meet me tonight I have to see you, I have to talk to you and I need to hold you’ – Liam and as she started to hold the card to her chest she started to reach over to her PJ bottoms and slipping that on under her dress and doing the same over the top of the dress with her shirt to her pajamas “Wait…you are not going to go are you? Madeleine would be furious if she finds out” and as she started to turn her back to quick change like she used to for soccer when she played she said “I have to Maxwell, I have to talk to Liam about everything. I have to meet him. I just don’t know how to get to him besides…” though as she started to look to the window she started to smirk walking over to the window and looking out. Though as she started to think about if it would be possible she slipped the dress off completely leaving her in her PJs and started to head to the window.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You can’t be serious Jade you could slip and fall, you could get caught. Are you really going to try this?” Maxwell said starting to try and pull her back from the window. “How else am I going to get to him? I can’t just not go” and as she looked to him and he could see the pain that was in her eyes though she knows that she wants to see Drake as well she didn’t even know if he was still around same with Hana and as she looked to Maxwell he sighed “Come to my room we are about two windows down from Liam, it will be shorter and much safer than going around the whole damn estate” and as she smiled to him she hugged him close as he started to lead her out of her room and started to sneak her across the way to his room and once there Maxwell shut and locked his door so that there was no chance of someone coming in and finding her there about to do the craziest thing. “Are you sure about this I mean, if you get caught you may end up going home” and Jade looked to him and said “If you are worried then don’t look but I have to do this” and as she started to head to their back room that had the balcony she looked over and just as Maxwell said she looked down the way and saw the end of the estate with a light on and a candle on the patio table and as she smiled starting to lift herself up and over the railing “Just please be careful” Maxwell said starting to help her over a little bit and as he explained that he would be here when she was ready to come back she thanked him and started to head around on the ledge.
After a few moments and luckily not slipping or getting caught, which she was really scared of but she knew that she had to do this she got to the balcony quietly and swiftly and found Liam standing outside and looking into the room and as she slipped over the balcony she smiled and said “You know when you are waiting for someone you should be looking out instead of in” and as he turned immediately to her she saw the happiness shoot through him as he approached her wrapping his arms around her and lifting her up spinning her around “Thank god you are here Jade! I seriously thought that I was dreaming when I saw you earlier. I knew there was a chance that you would come back but I still just, god I missed you” and as he brought her to him again he held her close with no intention of letting her go. In his arms she felt a small relief to be back and as she was holding to him she let the tears go “I….I didn’t think you wanted me back here” and as she started to let the tears go a little bit more he pulled back and looked right to her stroking her cheek “Are you kidding, we were all trying to get to you. That night, I wanted to go to you, Drake was trying to get to you, Hana was trying and so were the brothers. We all knew something was off cause we know you and we know that you didn’t do anything” and as he was looking to her he began to wipe her tears away. She let out a little sniffle as she started to look to his blue eyes that were staring right back to her “I regret that we had to wait so long to get things in motion but I am so happy that you came back, even if not for me right away but to clear yourself I am going to stand by you as much as I can. But as you know I…” and he looked down to the ground. Jade knew what he was trying to say and as she brought her hand up to his cheek she made him look back to her “I understand Maxwell explained it pretty well that we have to keep our distance, and I promise you I will hold true to it. I would never want to bring problems to you, is it going to be hard, yes because there is so much that we have to talk about and I know that I don’t want to say a few things here, not just yet. But I will not bring confrontation to you. I know me meeting you is already a huge risk” and as she looked to him he leaned in pressing his forehead to hers “Well with what I want to do next maybe was should step inside” and as he smirked a little bit to her he started to take her hand and though her heart was racing knowing about what she did have to tell him soon she followed knowing that she did miss him and right now this was calming her down.
Upon getting to his room he immediately brought her to him, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers in a gentle, sweet, tender but fulfilling kiss. His lips were still so soft and the way that he held her close is the way that she did feel safe. The kiss continued as she brought her hand up to the back of his neck holding him there for a few more moments though as the kiss broke and they were both breathless she smiled to his lips before opening her eyes to look at him. He smiled back to her but then it slowly faded as his hands roamed her back starting to bring her over to the bed sitting down and bringing her to his lap starting to lay back and bringing her to him to lay there and cuddle in his arms “You know after I saw you being pulled away, I almost looked to my father and told him that I was going to abdicate if he didn’t let me go after you but then I thought about your safety knowing that it was the only thing that mattered. I never thought that I was going to see you again and knowing that you were set up it killed me that I couldn’t go after you” and as he started to run his hand up and down her arm a little bit he felt her shiver as she said “Then why did you still choose Madeleine, that is the thing that I don’t understand” and as she looked to him and he started to look to her meeting her eyes he closed his and when he opened them looking to her she could see the sadness again there.
He started to take it in what she said and he explained “Jade, someone went through a lot to set you up. I felt that if I gave them that satisfaction of thinking they won, you would be safe. I have no idea who is behind this and if it was someone with any power at all, they could take you out so easily. If I wouldn’t have chosen in a favor like I did, whoever it is could have gone after you and done even worse, they could have hurt you if not something else” and as he spoke it was like his mind was flashing back to something as he got quiet rather quickly after that. Though after a moment he continued “Drake told me about your door at the manor and if someone was able to get to you that easy I could only imagine what they would have planned if they found out I was still going to choose you. You could be in constant danger and as much as it pains me that I won’t be able to be around you, hold you, help you, I know that I am doing this for your protection. Even if it means possibly marrying someone that I will never love” and as she started to look at him and bringing her hand up and running it through his hair she was wondering what he was meaning. “Liam I know that you couldn’t come after me, believe me I understand I just wish I could have stayed to figure everything out. When I got back to New York I thought for sure that I was never going to see any of you again” and as she looked to him he leaned in kissing her again and then said “I wanted so badly to chase after you but I instantly thought about my mom, and how she..” and he started to trail off.
She could see in his eyes that he was trying to be strong and as she leaned up kissing his cheek he told her “I never told you about my mom, we thought that the security that we had would be enough and it wasn’t, she was poisoned and knowing that if you stayed here something like that could happen to you, I just couldn’t. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you would have gotten hurt just cause of me” and as he started to bring her close she looked to him “Well let’s just focus on now and figuring out who did this. I know you can’t be hands on but I know that you will do what you can” and as she looked to him he started to lean to her “You damn well better believe that I am going to do anything that I can in my power to make sure that this comes to an end and that whoever it is pays for what they did” and as he started to lean over her a little bit bracing on his elbow to look down on her he searched her eyes as if looking for her approval “I know that right now I have to put on an act that I cut all ties with you but I am still here” he said starting to stroke her cheek and then running his hand through her hair as he continued “I thought about you all the time and it pained me to know that I wasn’t with you” and as his blue eyes burned to hers he couldn’t help it and at that moment she couldn’t either. She leaned up catching his lips with hers as he started to lean over her a little bit more starting to use his leg to inch her legs open to settle between them as he deepened the kiss. Though she knew that her heart was beating faster and knew that her heart was not completely in it, it felt good to feel wanted, to feel safe and to feel back at home. He pressed his body to hers in an attempt to show her just how badly he missed her and though she knew that she shouldn’t be doing this right now her body was not cooperating as her body tingled with his touch and his lips sent shivers down her spine. What was she doing? He was now engaged to Madeleine and she knew that this could be dangerous if anyone at all found out but as his lips found her neck and his hand trailed to her side she let a small moan escape as she snapped out of it and brought his face to look at her “You’re…you’re engaged I …I don’t think we should be doing this” and as he looked to her he let out a sigh knowing that she was right.
“To be honest I am only engaged for show. Madeleine knows that I will never be in love with her and she doesn’t care. That’s the only reason why I picked her out of Penelope, Kiara, Olivia, hell even Hana, one I know that her and Maxwell are well…you know. But Madeleine doesn’t love me at all. So when she came to me that night after I told my father off and talked with everyone about getting you back, she basically is the one that admitted she only accepted so she could be Queen and help with Cordonia. She admitted that she knew that I was falling in love with you and regardless of her being the best pick I could still have you if you chose to be with me. We would be together though in hiding and she would lead as Queen” and as Jade heard those words ‘in hiding’ she felt her heart fall “So I would be your mistress” and as she looked to him he could see the pain that the words caused her and leaned in kissing her forehead “Jade you will never be my mistress, you are the woman that I have fallen for and the woman that I want to be with, but for right now, until you are cleared and all this is over, I have to look like I am with Madeleine. I promise you the moment that this is over, I am coming for you and there is going to be nothing standing in my way of being with you” and as he looked to her and pressed his lips to her sshe did start to feel a little bit better but as her mind raced over what Madeleine had suggested to him she started to think a little bit more about everything that happened that night.
“Liam, don’t you find it a little bit suspicious that she was so eager to allow you to be with me as long as she gets the crown? I mean when you think about it, Olivia and I got letters, but it was Madeleine, Olivia and I that were in the “top running” but she didn’t get one like we did” and as she looked to him she saw for just a moment a look of curiosity run over his face “You know I thought about that too and then what happened that night it all seemed that it would be her but right now there is no proof at all just speculation unfortunately” and as he looked to her he caught her eyes again “All I cared about was getting you back in my life, I didn’t care about who was Queen I just knew that with her it would be easiest” as he started to trace his lips over her cheek and jaw line as she felt another moan wanting to escape she stopped herself “What about the future? I mean if we don’t find out who did this or how to fix it…then what?” and as his lips graced her ear he whispered “I got engaged to give us time to figure everything out. We have a long engagement tour coming up and it should give us plenty of time to get this taken care of. But right now I just want you in my arms to know that you are really here and that we are not going to stop fighting and once we find everything out, I will end my engagement, which of course she hopes we end up getting married, but I know that I will prolong it the best that I can. But when all is said and done” and he reached down bringing her left hand up to his lips as he kissed her ring finger “It will be our turn for a happily ever after” and as he smiled that million dollar smile she smiled back but her heart was beating as though she just ran the Boston Marathon. Feeling that way again when talking about marriage she closed her eyes to stop the room from spinning.
Jade laid there with Liam for about another hour just in each other’s arms and though she felt safe there and protected, she couldn’t stop her mind from wondering to where exactly Hana and Drake were though as the time went on and they talked a little bit more she started to feel her eyes getting heavy and she tried to hide a yawn. He leaned in kissing her again “You should get some sleep, we have a long road ahead of us and I do promise you that I am going to do what I can” and as he kissed her again he started to get up off the bed helping her up to her feet as he brought her to his arms again holding her for another few moments “I am so happy that I have you back Jade, my Jade” and as he looked to her tilting her head up to him he leaned in giving her another passionate, deep kiss and as they parted he looked to her “Until next time” and as he walked her to the door he told her of the side hallway that would take her around to her room without the chance of getting spotted and as she was standing with him by the door she hugged him “Thank you for bringing me back” and as they stood there another moment he whispered to the top of her head “No thanks is needed. You belong here” and as he let her go she started to walk away.
Going the way that he told her, she ended up in her room again and once inside she instantly locked the door and collapsed onto the bed cuddling immediately to the pillow that still had a small scent of Drake and as she drifted to sleep she was restless with nightmares racing through her head. Though what seemed like only moments later there was a knock at her door and as she groaned seeing the time of 8 AM she knew that she was going to end up beating Maxwell with a stick, she went to the door and opening it right away “Maxwell really it’s….” and her eyes went wide in shock and her heart started beating faster “Oh my god! I thought you were gone!” she exclaimed as she looked to the person standing right in front of her as she started to feel the tears in her eyes threatening to fall.201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT2FFi4wnN
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