When dad called me later from Washington, him and Liam had already made plans for a party with his associates. I took his credit card and bought me a nice dress for the occasion. A couple of hours later, I was in Washington in a limo heading to the mansion the party was being held at. I adjusted my dress, the folds of it clinging to my legs slightly, as the car came to a stop and I was helped out by a footman. I spotted dad and Liam heading inside and fell in step beside them.

"Well, don't you clean up nice, college boy," I eyed him, smiling.

He turned to me, hazel eyes taking in my red dress and heels. He blushed scarlet at my compliment and nodded, at a loss for words to which I just laughed.

"So, uh, who are all these people?" he asked me, changing the subject.

"Congressmen, diplomats, Heads of State, Heads of Corporations," I told him, "So pretty much everyone who's anyone so that makes you anyone,"

"Oh, I'm honored," Liam bit out sarcastically to my dad then, "And this is all apart of your big plan, right?"

"I'm here to make certain connections and uh...you're here for the free food," he said, shrugging, "Enjoy,"

"Great. I'll go visit the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs," he scoffed.

"Try not to spill any wine or national secrets." dad winked as he faded into the crowd.

I rolled my brown eyes before glancing up at Liam, linking arms with him.

"Just stick with me. I'll make sure you don't get lost or tipsy," I grinned, lightening the mood.

He chuckled and let me pull him off to introduce him to everyone. After a few minutes, he excused himself to make a phone call. I stayed close by so he wouldn't get lost...okay, and to eavesdrop. After all, I still didn't know him very well. Plus, for a billionaire with million-dollar security, my dad was way too trusting. And I, on the other hand, had watched way too many spy movies to not have picked up a thing or two from them.

"Hi, Jillian, it's Liam. Uh...I'm sorry I disappeared. It's a long story but, uh... I've been thinking about you a lot-" he stated to say when voicemail cut him off.

"Disappeared on a girl?" a feminine voice interrupted him, "What does one make of that?"

"Uh...one makes nothing of it unless one is eavesdropping," he said in a clipped tone.

She faked a laugh but I saw right through it from my hiding spot on the other side of the wall, "Well, that's what makes these parties go 'round. So who are you?"

"Me? I'm just a nobody," he shrugged.

"That's a lot of tuxedo for a nobody," she flirted.

"Alright, you got me. I'm Darius' new Head Security,"

"More dangerous with weapons or just your bare hands?"

"You don't wanna test it, trust me," he shook his head and she giggled.

I rolled my eyes, suddenly making my appearance known as I stepped out from behind the wall. Both eyes turned to me and Liam was about to say something when she cut him off.

"I'm Amanda," she held out her hand and he shook it.

"Liam. What brings you here, Amanda?" he asked.

"Oh, I just snagged an invite from a friend," she admitted.

I scoffed, stepping onto the stairs beside Liam, albeit a little protectively.

"Now that's not really true. Is it, Amanda?" I challenged, arching an eyebrow.

She pursed her lips angrily just as Liam's phone went off. We'd known each other since childhood but never really grew out of our rivalry. She always had wanted what I had. Not that Liam was mine but still, he was my dad's ward for the time being and therefore, mine not hers.

"Uh, our ride's here." Liam told me and I nodded.

I began to pull him away but not before Amanda the she-beast handed him her phone number. Yeah, like he'd call her. When we got back to the house, dad explained everything to Grace - his business partner - and Liam. How he could save over a hundred people with his Ark idea. I thought it was very The 100-ish but didn't spoil dad's fun. After all, he thought he'd been the one to invent it, might as well let him think what he believed. But Grace wouldn't have it and Liam either.

"Look, man, I, uh, I wanna help you but there's this girl up in Boston and if this is really the end, I guess, I, uh, I wanna live before I die," he admitted.

Dad started to call for his assistant to get the plane ready when Liam cut him off.

"I'll take the train, thanks," he told him before turning to me, "And thanks for showing me around, Marnie."

I nodded, faking a smile even though I was upset he was leaving, "No problem. It was fun."

He smiled at me before leaving. I let out a sigh, watching his back as he faded from view. Darius walked over and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry. He'll be back." he told me and I nodded in response, not quite believing him.

And after a few days, I'd certainly begun to believe he wouldn't. I was sitting in a corner reading Percy Jackson whilst dad was sketching when Grace burst in.

"You're right, Darius. The government's plan won't work. They need you. You said the technology doesn't exist yet. If you're so smart, invent it. You've got the resources, the talent, the money - don't save 160 people, save them all. Every last one. Come work with us. Let's do this together. I will do whatever it takes, I'll roll through red tape, whatever you need from me. But my daughter deserves a future," she told him, barely pausing to take a breath as her eyes briefly flitted to me, "And so does yours. They all do. And I'm not ready for all of this to end-"

"Grace," my dad interrupted her, "You had me at 'You're right'."

She smiled just as the elevator doors slid open. I turned my head to be met with familiar hazel eyes.

"Hi," Liam greeted us as he walked in, suitcases in hand, "Where can I put my stuff?"

I grinned and he smiled back.

"Told ya." my dad whispered to me, winking as he bumped my shoulder lightly with his.

I rolled my eyes playfully. College boy was back.