A/N

I saw him.

He saw me.

I said something that he couldn't ever hear.

I was being dragged away from him. A pain panged my chest.

That's my friends, how I felt, when my parents pulled me away from the Burger Kinge and dragged me into a vegetarian family restaurant last Sunday.

I was left with water, not in my eyes, but in my mouth.

I am hella weird. Let's read!

"What?"

"What, What?" I retorted, fixing my eyes on the face of the guy who sat next to me on the passenger's seat. He grunted, passing a hand through his jet-black hair. His face was sweaty. His blue eyes seemed blood-shot. It seemed he hadn't had good sleep from a day or two.

"Look, Chase-"

"That's it." I said, cutting him off abruptly. He waited impatiently for me to complete saying whatever I wanted to. "That's it. I don't want to see anything. They have him and we'll do anything to get him back here safely." So, that I could get this heaviness off my chest, I mentally added.

"We?" he asked arching an eyebrow with his voice hinting a tone of disbelief. He let out a bitter laugh. "We?" he reconfirmed, as if I was mad. "I shouldn't be here. Neither should you!" He snapped. Talk about mood swings!

I gritted my teeth and decided to look away, out of the window to be precise. There was not a single trace of normal civilians around us. My eyes landed on the deserted land laying a few feet away from where my car stood. The rusted gate, which was the way to Christian's base, was guarded by two men in dressed in blue security uniforms. There's no way they weren't armed.

"Yeah." I spat suddenly turning back towards him. "Despite Christian's warnings I would've ditched the meeting and give him another reason to hunt us down." I observed his face draining colors as he probably recalled some bitter memories of past. "Actually, you're so intelligent, Zachary Thompson. Let's throw ourselves away to die! Let's betray him and get ourselves killed! because that's what we were born to do! to get killed!" I panted, realizing my voice had been raised way too much. He looked me with a fearful expression.

"What? Choked to death on your Shakespearian?" I snapped.

He rolled his eyes and sighed as if it was very difficult of him to hold onto this conversation anymore. "So, you're saying this time it's not for your Walker guy but your own benefit?" he laughed yet again. Now it was becoming infuriating. "That's new."

As much as I wanted to knock his teeth off his jaw at the moment, his words ended up hitting me. I was bit embarrassed at admitting that I thought of putting myself over Finn. It wasn't wrong, not at all, but for being someone who turned his life into a living hell, I had to be little less selfish.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them. "He-" I gulped, feeling a lump in my throat. "is not my anything, Zach. I want to find him so that I-"

"So that you could apologize. Yeah, I have got enough of that bullshit." He replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He was right. Well, not completely wrong to be precise. When, Finn, at the back of my mind asked me about the first thing I'd do if he ever came back, I fell quiet. I didn't have an answer. Despite the fact that I missed him and my guilt conscious was consuming me from inside, a part of me always knew that I could never forgive him for playing those stupid games with me.

"And you ask me why I'm helping you." He sighed, immediately gaining my attention. "I mean, after whatever that happened with Violet, I felt like a piece of trash for doing all those things that I now know that I shouldn't have done."

"So, you're saying that it's your way of an apology? By helping me?" I rolled my eyes letting out a laugh. "And I'm supposed to believe that stuff?"

He sighed deeply this time. "I don't care if you believe me or not. But that's the truth and so is the fact that we shouldn't be here."

"If you were really that worried about my well-being, Zachary Thompson, then you shouldn't have taken me to Christian Davis that night!"

"It's always easy to blame others for something you did, Chase, isn't it?" the coldness in his voice made me motionless. "It always is. No matter how far you try to run away from all the wrong things you ever did in your life, they all come back in the most unexpected ways and hit you harder than you could ever imagine. I lost violet forever and you as a friend, that was the karma for me. Finn had to flee for hurting you and you, Evans? It's your guilt that's eating you alive for reporting him." he lowered his voice, concern flashed in his eyes.

"See, Evans, you were the only one who knew that the Walkers had a contract with Christian's company and Arthur couldn't involve his own blood in the racing business according to the deal. That would give him illegitimate profit. That's the reason why Finn wove the entire Samuel thing. You asked me to help you, remember? I just had the evidence." I gritted my teeth, to stop the water fall off my eyes. The tears weren't because of Finn. It was because of all the foolish things I did in the past few months.

"But he says they have found him." I complained.

"And he's probably calling you up again to recognize Dave Holland. They might've found their location but they might want to use you to lure them back to Rockville." He said giving it a thought. He wasn't wrong. Dave had no record in the books that Arthur ever owned. He was the most loyal and cleaver member of his team. "Chris would try to hurt you, Chase. He might hold you hostage. Frankly speaking, he could do anything to me too. I care about my life! Besides, we don't even know if your mighty Finn Alex Walker gives a damn about you to return."

"That's not true." I muttered defending him. I shouldn't have said that. There was nothing left between us.

"Yeah. You would know." He remarked sarcastically. "Do you want to be followed again?" I jerked all of the horrific thoughts away from my head.

Yes, it was true. Christian had sent someone to follow me. I still don't know the reason but it happened like a week prior to dad's arrival, after the last time I met Chris at his place. Zach informed me beforehand. He even talked off the matter. I was horrified for a few days. How didn't I notice something on my own!?

"So, what do you want me to do?" I questioned, skeptically.

"You go back home." I stared at him to check whether he was serious or not. "I am serious. I'll go in." Just a second ago he was worrying about his life. RIP logic.

"If you're wondering my present mental condition, I must inform you something. What Christian wants is you, not me. He won't hurt a hair on my skin if you'll not be there with me. He'd always want me to bring here and the other way around. I'll talk to him about Finn. Don't worry. I will make sure he doesn't hurt either of us."

"But why are you still doing this?" I asked dumbly.

He passed me a small genuine smile, before getting out of the car and walking towards the gate, leaving the heaviness of his words hanging in the air.

"I told you, I'm mine most humble apology for ever hurting thee."

***

Even after hearing the contrary from Kev, I was adamant over the fact that my driving had become a hundred times better. Apart from starting the car, parking it efficiently and driving on inclined planes, I had pretty much aced everything about driving cars.

What the Fax machine, Char? You pretty much summed up everything about driving.

After leaving Zach alone in the lion's den, I drove back to the market, to grab something to eat. I actually forgot that I had left Kevin with Blake. However, he was the one who offered to drop him at my place after work. Anna told me that she'd be back by nine and my dad, who was apparently had no work going on till he was staying with us at home, happily agreed on keeping Kevin. More to my embarrassment he even displayed his wish of Kevin being my own son! My dad is impossible.

Suddenly I heard my phone ringing. Pulled off the seat belt before pulling out the phone.

"Stephen calling....."

Oh my god! Why was he calling me now? I pulled the phone onto my ear. 

"Hello Sir? I swear, I didn't do anything wrong today. I know I left ten minutes early but I asked Blake to inform you. So that means he didn't? Oh my god I'm sorry. It won't-"

I was cut off by the sound of his laugh. "Oh Charlotte." He mumbled between his laughter. "it's okay. You're like my own daughter. Don't call me sir, just Stephen is fine. Besides, I'm not calling to scold you or anything. I just need your help."

I sighed in relief. Stephen was Olivia's husband. He's a lawyer and I had heard that he was pretty strict but he had always been cool around me and Blake. It was true that he treated me as a daughter but I was still afraid of him, probably due to his appearance which was the only reason I screamed "Burglar! Burglar!" on my first day at work when he came back home. Olivia ended up laughing for fifteen minutes straight, Stephen not talking to me till the next day and Blake convincing me straight for all those minutes during our ride back home that he wasn't a burglar.

"You still there, Charlotte? Will you help me?" he asked. I pulled my thoughts together before replying with a yes.

"Great!" he squealed. Squealed? "Meet us at the Burger King."

He informed before the line went dead. I lifted my head to look at the restaurant in front of me.

I had already parked in front of the Burger King. Perfect!

***

I pushed the glass door of my favorite food chain, stepping in and letting the door close behind me. The strong smell of chicken and cheese hit my nose, made my stomach growl. I closed my eyes and inhaled the aroma, letting it consume me.

Whoa, hold on Char.

"What's thirteen times twenty-nine?" I heard a familiar voice coming from a table on my left. I spotted a boy with brown hair with his back towards me. I expected him to be Blake. My suspicions were confirmed as my eyes landed on Stephen sitting at the same table, with a concerned look on his face and his hands placed against his forehead. A boy, probably Kevin, sat in front of Blake but his face was blocked by Blake's head. I marched towards them, overhearing the conversation. Stephen passed me a thankful grin.

The little guy, obviously my Kev, turned back towards me and passed me a blank look. "Don't scold me later on, mom, but I was right about the first impressions thing. He is dumb. I'm five and not a calculator." he sassed yet again and Blake's face drained colors. I drew a seat and sat, comfortably.

"Then what's twelve times six?" The brown eyed Park boy asked, his voice was challenging.

"Seventy-two, duh."

"I'm not sure what duh means." Blake reverted. Seriously? He was going to fight a little boy now?

"Oh I'll let you know Blakey boy. The Du stands for dumb and H stands for head. Just like you." he replied triumphantly.

Blake was about to say something because I saw him gritting his teeth but I beat him to it. "Drop it Blake, he's a kid."

"So, you're taking sides now?" he complained childishly. This boy. 

Why don't we take this perfect opportunity to mock Mr. Vector? I thought.

"Why won't I? He's my best friend, my brother you on the other hand..." I trailed off without completing the sentence. Blake squinted at me. He studied my expressions carefully. I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from laughing at his face.

"It's supposed to hurt, you know." he said blankly and I nodded in agreement.

"Supposedly."

"I'm offended. I'm supposed to be the best friend." He mumbled.

"And I'm happy. Anyway, you didn't stand any chance." Kevin said.

"Yeah, I don't because she said she's already my girlfriend. Right Cherry?" he winked as he completed.

Heat rose up my neck and red color flushed my face as soon as the words left his mouth.

Why did I have to say that? Idiot.

"Aw you guys are cute." Stephen said, interrupting the moment and I was kind of happy. "But I can't let you be 'cute' anymore because you are supposed to help me here."

Kevin had a nerve to laugh.

"Oh yeah right. Back to the main topic." Blake said.

"So, It's my and Olivia's ninth wedding anniversary next Friday." He informed us.

"May tenth?" I inquired excitedly and he nodded in confirmation. I pulled out my phone again and set a reminder. "That's cool."

"So you want us to help you plan a party?" Blake willingly asked.

Stephen nodded, crossing his arms to his chest, while I snatched the ice-cream sundae from Kevin, having a bite and returning it to him. He glared at me. "Sort of" he said. "but I want it to be more significant to her than a party. Do you have any idea about something she might need at the moment, since you guys spent a lot of time together?"

"There's one thing." I clapped my hands together. Stephen's eyes lit up in excitement. "She said she's sometimes tired of the kind of life she has. She says she has a pretty annoying husband." I laughed and Blake looked at me disapprovingly while Steph's face went pale. 

Geez, Char.

"Yeah, so divorce is the best gift." Kevin replied.

Stephen started coughing and I immediately closed Kev's mouth with my hand. "No, Steph he's joking. You're joking right, Kev?"

"If you say so-"

"I meant, take her on a vacation, Stephen. She'll be happy. That husband part was a joke." I reassured him. Blake shook his head. The two of them seemed to be suffering from a post traumatic stress from the conversation we just had.

You should be more careful around Kevin, Char. He's picking things from you.

"It better be joke." Stephen said clearing his throat. "Anyway, A trip isn't something she'd approve of at the moment. She has the whole thing with the children going on now." He was right. Olivia couldn't leave the day boarding.

"Isn't there something she missed in life? Or something you always wanted to do for her?" Blake being the smartest guy at the table asked.

"I don't know..." Steph thought. "We didn't have this perfect relationship thing since forever." He informed and I was quite shocked. Olivia and Steph were like the perfect made for each other couples, the ones we see in movies. "Olivia is a strong woman. She has seen a lot in her life. Her life was already a wreck when I met her. We didn't even have a proper marriage because whatever she'd been through. We just got our marriage registered in court and that's it."

"That's perfect!" I squealed for the second time in the day today, clapping my hands together.

"Trust me there's nothing perfect, Charlotte." Stephen muttered.

"No there is! Why don't we arrange a wedding ceremony?" I suggested and the look on Blake's face let me know that I didn't sound like an idiot this time.

"That's a pretty good idea." Blake joined. "You can get her a ring and we'll make sure to prepare you a perfect proposal. What do ya say?"

Stephen was still unsure of our idea. "I don't know."

I rolled my eyes. "Geez Stephen, don't think that much. We are here. We'll make it happen."

"But-" our gaze traveled to Kev, who had lots of ice cream around his mouth, "Make sure that you inform her beforehand. She can even be uncomfortable doing it in front of everyone."

"He's right." Stephen commented.

"Then get her a proper ring and ask her first. That way it would sound romantic!" Blake said, his brown eyes almost shining.

I narrowed my eyes. "You seem to know a lot Blakey Boy."

"That's because I love Romance!" he replied almost immediately in excitement. The three of us—Me, Stephen and Kevin—looked at him with a blank expression. "What? Isn't it normal for a guy to like all these stuffs too? Come on people, don't be sexists."

"That's not it. We just didn't take you to be that type of guy." I mumbled. We spent a couple of minutes talking and discussing the plan. Blake was really the kind of a guy who knew a lot. he happily took most of the responsibilities.

"Well then, Thank you for the idea Charlotte, Blake. I'll have to leave now. Its late and you three should be home too." Steph said with a persistent smile. He got up from the seat. "And oh, Charlotte? Where's Eleanor these days?"

"Honestly, I don't know. She's rarely with us." I sighed. That was true. Since the day El informed me about her dad's old childhood friend returning back to the country from the U.S, she'd been busy with the family meetings. The thing that hurt me the most was the fact that she wasn't even sharing anything with me. Not that I was a nosy person but still, I wanted to be the one to help her if she was in any trouble. I noticed that she looked a bit down at school too.

"Okay then. I hope everything is fine. See you guys later."

"So, do you want to eat anything?" Blake questioned, positioning his chair, pulling it closer as soon as Steph left.

"It's not something to ask." I said almost immediately, much to his amusement because I caught him grinning. The boy's mad. I looked away to some other direction. What was with the sudden mood swing, Char? Hunger?

"Hey Char?"

"Hmm?" I questioned without looking towards him.

"Say cheese!" he abruptly said. Before I could comprehend anything, the light from the camera of his phone flashed before my eyes. Much to my confused embarrassment (note the use of dual adjectives here), he had successfully captured my startled expression in his phone. He grinned like a maniac.

"What the hell, Blake?" I questioned.

"What? I realized I never had a picture of yours. You are my girlfriend after all." God, this boy never infuriated me more. Could he just stop with that girlfriend thing? I agree that wasn't the best thing to say but he shouldn't make a fuzz.

"Blake Grey Vector!" he laughed at my expression.

"I thought you said Black Grey Vector, mom." Kevin said giggling, which was more like mockery. "No wonder why he has a dark personality."

"Come on bud, I at least try to be civil with you." Blake childishly pouted at Kevin who blankly glared at him. Soon a smile crept upon his face, lighting his brown eyes up, perfectly complementing the brown strands of hair falling over his forehead. They seem like starlight to me. He was always happy and I liked someone so happy around me.

Whoa. Hold on Evans.

"Yeah because asking a five-year-old, the answer to thirteen times twenty-nine, is exactly the first step of trying being civil." Kevin said sarcastically. The pair stared at each other. I grabbed the perfect opportunity to grab out my phone and click a shot.

"Aw! Kev and Blake are goals." I fake-squealed. Kevin started complaining immediately followed by a scowl on Blake's face.

"Come on, I ship you two. You  guys are so sweet together. Kevin plus Blake is Kake. Well, with a different spelling. Hahaha! I am so funny." I laughed like there was no tomorrow. If I had known how I looked at the moment, I swear I would've personally filed a public interest litigation for never letting me laugh ever again, in the court. Besides, I had the audacity to call myself funny! I swear my subconscious is smarter.

I immediately stopped when I realized the one and a half people sitting in the front started judging my mental stability.

"Now, enough of those looks. Come on let's take a picture together." I suggested out of nowhere. Kevin excitedly got up from his chair and walked towards me. I sensed Blake smirk as he casually put his arm around my shoulder that made the hair on my skin stand. Even though, the material of my t-shirt separated the direct contact between his and mine skin, I definitely felt something. He took my phone from my hand and clicked a picture of us.

"I knew you always wanted to have a picture of me." The idiot commented. I should've been prepared for that one.

"You are so full of yourself. I wanted to post something on my Instagram which, for your information, was last activated ages ago." I commented honestly, rolling my eyes. Suddenly my eyes lit up in realization. I took it as a perfect opportunity to throw it back on Mr. Vector. "So, does that mean you wanted to have a picture of me too, Blakey boy?"

"Yes." He replied honestly. The smile on his face wasn't mocking. I was taken back by his answer, the honesty in his voice.

"Oh." I said. Just oh? Really Charlotte that's all you could come up with. "Why's so?" I was probably looking like a dead zombie.

"I don't know." He chuckled. "Maybe, because I like you."

Oh boy, you went 1-100 really quick.

And so, did the red color on my neck for the second time today. What on earth is wrong with him?

Maybe, because I like you

Maybe, because I like you

Maybe, because I like you

MaY bE BeCaUsE I LiKE yOu?!

"You know what? I'll get us something to eat." Blake offered, cutting off the tension between us. he stood up from his seat. "You coming or should I order for you too?" he asked.

"I'll just have a chocolate milkshake. Thank you." I said, pulling my thoughts together. I was still flustered. No one had ever said that they liked me. Well, if you don't count Mr. Zachary Thompson.

"But I'll select on my own." Kevin said getting up and walking way to the counter with Blake.

Maybe, because I like you.

If someone told me that stepping into the washroom of my house, would transport me to the outer space, I would've thought of it as a most likely happening event than Blake saying that he may be liked me.

Key word, may be.

Eleanor would be so proud. I sighed.

But I didn't want him to like me.

Why?

I decided to scroll through my camera roll to take a look at the couple of pictures we just took. I couldn't help but smile at Kevin's scowl and Blake's blank expression as the two quarreled. The next was the picture of the three of us. My expression was quite laughable. What can I say? I was meme material. I don't know whether my camera hated me or something but it had 'beautified' the pimple on my forehead and made it look even more redder.

Now what could've been worse?

I swiped through the screen to find a couple of more pictures. My heart skipped a beat when my gaze landed on the picture that Kev sent me a few weeks back from Anna's phone.

Me and Finn.

Asleep.

Our foreheads touching. 

Blue paint smeared across his face.

And suddenly my heart ached once again. It's kind of funny that I tend to completely forget about this guy's existence at some instances. I tend to forget that we shared some good moments too.

I tend to forget that mostly when I am at work or with Blake and Eleanor because school had always been a constant reminder of Finn for me.

But why did remembering him always bought back bad memories? Why did I usually avoid thinking of all the good things we shared?

Probably because you'd been in a lot of trouble because of one person, lately.

I sighed.

I don't know what crawled upon my mind all of a sudden but I tapped the white, trash can icon on the top right corner of the picture on the screen.

'Do you want to delete picture 1722CFW.jpg permanently from your phone?'

It didn't take more than a couple of seconds for the image to disappear permanently as I tapped 'Ok'. It was deleted from my phone. Hopefully, from my memory too.

I kept my phone on the table and passed a hand through my hair, eventually rubbing my face too, when a feeling rose within me. The feeling which you get when you feel someone's eyes on you.

I snapped my head in all the directions.

I found nothing but I knew I was being watched.

***

F I N N    A L E X    W A L K E R
__________
____

Same time,
London.

My eyes traced every single detail in the picture carefully. My mind, without wasting a single moment, played all those moments trapped within the picture in front of my eyes in form of a slideshow, one after the other, making me relieve those moments. 

Nah, it wasn't just a moment. It was a memory of a lifetime, or as I thought while in reality, it was a mere illusion.

Me and her.

Closed eyes.

Smeared paint.

Good intentions.

My fingers brushed the screen of my phone, just over the picture. My attention was drawn towards my hands. There were cuts, there were scars. My face was pretty much in the same condition as my hands. A little bit blue too at some specific places and the weird thing was-the wounds didn't hurt as much as my soul did. Thanks to a certain someone.

Always be grateful to the scars on your skin. They are a reminder of all those things you've been through. They are a reminder that you've learnt to heal yourself. They are a reminder of a greater motive.

My eyes were darted on her face. A smirk automatically crept upon my face.

The things, I've planned for you, Love.

My phone rang. It was exactly the person I wanted to hear from.

"Hello?" my stern voice echoed inside the empty room, killing the silence.

"Mr. Walker? I can see her." Finally! I closed my eyes for what that seemed to be a moment. My expressions became stiff.

"Good. Keep a track. Don't lose her." I commanded. Before I could cut the call, the guy began to speak. I bought the phone near my ear again.

"If you don't mind, I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm. Speak."

"Who's she to you?" I stopped on my spot. "I mean don't get me wrong. Since you've been so concern-"

"Her?" I looked at my free hand. The same hand with scars. The hand that was forced to pick up guns. Forced to shoot. Forced to do the weird shit.

My lips curled into a smirk for a second time in the day. "I just happen to owe her something. Just keen on returning the favor."

A/N

Back back back!

I'm back with a new update. Thanks for reading and sticking with me <3

I should be studying. But one, I have lost all my chemistry notes I ever made. (oblivious people problems) and two, I don't want to.

Question time, love. Answer them if you're feeling like.

1. Who the fax machine is Christian? Any ideas?

2. By any chance, are you guys trusting Zachary?

3. Can you now put a finger on what Char did? To Finn? Supporting her?

4. Who's in team Kevin? I just love him.

5. MAY BE I LIKE YOU? What the hell Blake? Team Blake anyone? Fangirling? No?

6. Finallllllly........ My boy is upto something. Any guesses? Omighadddd 'returning a favor?' are you all hating him?

7. If you could bring back a character in this book, who would that be?

Random: What is your favorite food chain? What do you suggest on its menu?

My answer: The Burger King is my lifeeeeee. Its BAE and I recommend every chicken burger on its menu.

Thank you once again. I would be nothing less a pig in dirt if I didn't have you. Now I'm just a kid in love. (The Shawn mendes in his mansion inside me is screaming)

I love you all.