"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.

JEWEL's POV

 "Do you think you did the right thing? I mean, you left your father alone. He's the only family you have. I think you must fix things between you and your father before this conflict between you two becomes worst" I heaved a sigh.

 We were still on the bed. My head was resting on his shoulder while my arm and leg draped over him. A while ago, I forgot about what happened between me and my father but now, he reminded me about it and I felt anxious.

This is the first time that I ran away from home but I know for sure that dad will be mad if he discovers that I ran away.

"I don't know, love. Maybe I just need a little bit of time away from his claws. I feel like choking in that house because he wants to control my life"

"If that's what you want, I won't force you to talk to him. But I hope that one day, everything's going to be alright between you and your dad" I looked up at him and smiled sweetly. 

He really is a nice guy. One of the things that made me love him.

"Thank you for always be here whenever I need someone to talk to" He smiled back and kissed my forehead.

"Of course. I love you after all" I giggled and tightened my arms around him. With him beside me, I know everything's going to be alright.

****

Monday came and I was reluctant to go to school. I knew my dad would be there. I didn't want to go but Zander was so persistent that he managed to convince me. He dropped me at school. I was about to go inside when I heard Tony's voice.

"Ms. Jewel, your dad asked me to tell you to go home today" I glared at him. 

I knew he's just following my father's instructions but I couldn't help but to get annoyed at him too.

"I'm sorry Tony but I need to go to my class" I answered coldly and left him there. 

I was expecting my dad to be here but I guess even at times like this he's too busy to even give a little bit of his time and talk to me. I admit I feel disappointed but at the same time relieved.

Maybe I am just like a normal daughter like everyone else who seeks attention from my father and to dream how to be loved by a mother even just for a second. I can't blame my mother that she died but sometimes I am asking questions like why she had to die and leave me with a father like my dad. I heaved a sigh and quickened my steps.

I couldn't concentrate on what the teacher was discussing in front of us because my mind was occupied with something else. I felt happy that I was with the man I love but I couldn't understand myself because I have these feelings that I couldn't pinpoint that kept bugging my mind. Am I that vague?

After our classes and lunch break came, Hannah and I went to the canteen to eat.

"Hey! What's happening to you? I've been talking and talking here but you keep on zoning out. Do you have a problem?" She asked me worriedly. 

She even stopped eating as she stared at me. I tried to smile at her and put a spoonful of food in my mouth, trying to appear happy but I guess I failed to appear one because she looked like she wasn't convince.

"Spill it. I know something's bothering you" She insisted and I chuckled softly.

 I can't really hide something to her. She's very observant and she knows me that much to tell when I have a problem. I leaned back to my chair and decided to tell her what happened.

"I ran away from home last night" She gasped and her eyes widened in astonishment. She looked around us but nobody was paying attention to us. They were all busy with their own world.

"What the hell happened? Why didn't you come at my place then? Don't tell me you went to Zander's house?" She whispered exasperatedly.

"My dad discovered about my relationship with Zander and he was so mad that he told me he would send me to Switzerland. And yes, I went to Zander's place. Sorry if I didn't go to your house and didn't tell you earlier. I just don't want to bother you" She shook her head with disbelief and sipped on her drink.

"Jewel, I think you better go home" I was shocked of what she said. 

I knew she was never opposed about my relationship with Zander but she never said that she's approved too.

"No! I don't want to go back! I know dad would insist for me to go to Switzerland and that's the last thing I want" She shook her head but her face mellowed a little bit.

"Do you think that your dad is not doing something now to get you back? You know him Jewel. What if he would do something to make Zander suffer?" I got alarmed of what she said. 

Yes, I know my father very well. He would do anything to break us apart but the worst thing that could happen was for him to make Zander's life hell.

"I won't let him do anything to Zander" I muttered with determination. She looked at me with concern in her eyes and held my hand. I looked down at my food and I already lost my appetite.

"Hey ladies! You look so serious huh? Is something wrong?" We heard a voice and when I looked up to see who it was, it was one of our classmates, Jordan. 

He was one of the few good guys at our campus that's why we hang out with him sometimes. He's also funny and intelligent guy.

"No. We're just talking about something that you don't have to know" Hannah said in her usual cold tone when she talks to him.

 I wanted to smirk at her but I knew very well that she's not in the mood for it. My mood lifted a little bit upon seeing him.

"Why don't you join us?" I offered and I saw Hannah's eyes widened before she glared at me with a warning but I ignored her.

 Jordan gladly sat beside me and Hannah was across us. I wanted to laugh at how red her face right now but I concealed my laughter. I knew from the very beginning that Jordan was just hanging out with us because he likes Hannah but she seemed to hate him for an unknown reason and oblivious of his feelings for her.

****

When my afternoon classes were finished, I quickly gathered my things then Hannah and I went along with the sea of students walking out the school. We were busy talking about something that I didn't look around me and noticed someone waiting for me.

"Do you want us to drop you off?" I heard Hannah said. 

We were already at the school's parking lot. I looked at their car and I saw her driver waiting for her. I smiled at her and was about to answer when I heard a voice behind me. Hannah's eyes widened as she looked passed me. I slowly turned around and saw my father.

"Jewel, I think I'll go ahead. See you tomorrow" she said hesitantly. I nodded to her.

"Do you think this is enough? Let's go home right now and I will forget this ever happened" My eye brows knitted together as I stared at his serious face. 

He looked intimidating that's why all my friends were afraid of him. When he warned my previous friends to leave me alone because they were bad influence to me, they didn't say anything and just complied. 

They knew how influential my father was so they just shrugged their shoulders off and never bothered me again. Thankfully, my friend Hannah's family was a business associate of my father that's why he never bothered about our friendship.

"I'll come home with you if you promise to accept Zander" He shook his head in anger. I felt scared of what he might do but I tried to calm myself down. His eyes squinted in anger.

"I told you, I would never accept that guy! Come home with me and I won't do anything to that boyfriend of yours. Choose, come home or I will make him suffer" He warned. His voice was full of venom and rage that I shuddered with horror. I felt my eyes watered.

"You know I can arrange him to be blacklisted and never going to finish his architectural internship and would never take the board exam or find a decent job" He warned. 

My tears fell and I looked at him with rising anger in my chest. I wanted to yell at him and hit him but I couldn't. He is after all my father. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I can never change the fact that he is my father.

"Please don't do anything to him dad. Leave him alone" I begged and I saw him closed his eyes for a moment as he heaved a sigh.

"Then come home with me this instant and I promise you that I'll leave him alone" He said sharply and I couldn't do anything other than cry and agree. 

He tugged my hand and led me to the car. Tony was there and when we entered inside, he started the car and drove off. To my surprise, the car stopped in front of Zander's house.

"Get your things quickly" My father commanded. I went out of the car and went straight inside the house. I knew Zander wasn't home yet so dialed his number when I reached our room.

"Hello" I felt relieved that he answered. I knew he's busy in his internship.

"Love, dad is here and he wants me to go home" I said. He was silent for a few seconds before he spoke.

"So you're going home now?" his voice has a tinge of sadness. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from sobbing again.

"Yes. Don't worry. It's going to be alright. I love you" I said and before he could answer, I hang up on him.

I quickly got all my things and went back to the car where my dad and Tony were waiting. My heart felt so heavy as I looked at the house one more time before the car took off.

"From now on, I don't want you to ever talk to that guy" I heard my father said with a dangerous voice and I couldn't do anything other than cry as my hands covered my face.

****

This update is a little short because my eyes were suddenly sore. Lol. Anyway, i hope you like it! Please don't forget to COMMENT, VOTE and SHARE this story! Thank YOU!