The Administrators (1st book in the Dilemma of the Decade series)

Chapter 15: "Sugar"

"You're sure this is the right way?" Leah asked. As a celebration for her rise in the ranks, Jacques insisted on taking her to what he described as a 'lovely mountaintop within Administration borders.' She trusted him but wasn't exactly sure how much to trust him. Jacques had also refused to tell her anything about the place except that it may be chilly. In response to that, she wore her pale blue trench coat with a beret of the same shade, along with white lace gloves.

"We're almost there," Jacques led the way, his hand holding onto hers. He had planned this walk since they had gotten out of peril.

The forest was much calmer than the last time they had been there, the gravel crunching beneath their feet as the wind blew past the mighty pine trees as they walked farther and farther from headquarters.

Leah became mesmerized by the gleeful chirping of the bluebirds as they flew past in groups of two or three, their voice echoing through her heart and mind. She hadn't been this relaxed since she was a child.

"And we're here," Jacques had stopped walking and raised her hand up into the air as she looked at the magnificent sight before them.

A comfortable silence filled the air, the chirping became background noise as she stared at their surroundings. Long blades of grass peppered with raindrops from the previous rainfall dancing in the wind, lilies sprinkled all over, shades of violet and mustard glowing in the dew.

Perhaps the most breathtaking view of them all was the dusk. Oranges and reds blending together into one beautiful harmony, floating away from the setting sun.

Her attention was drawn back to Jacques when he placed the most beautiful lily around him into her inky-black hair. The sight of the world around all paled in comparison to the sight of him.

"We never did talk about what happened at the Monarchy," Jacques commented, holding both her hand in his. "You know after I knocked out Carter."

Leah grinned. "No, I suppose we haven't."

They both blushed when Jacques pressed his lips to hers, hands bringing her as close as possible.

A conversation he'd had with Daisy came back to him.

"You like Illiris, don't you. Like, like like her." she'd said.

Yes.

But did she think the same of him? He desperately hoped so.

"Jacques," Leah whispered the moment their lips lost contact.

"Leah," He whispered back, brushing his fingers through her hair as she wrapped her arms around his neck, their foreheads just barely touching.

"Do you like it?" Jacques gestured towards the scenery. "Did- did you like it?"

"Yeah, almost as much as I like you."

Question answered.

_________

Late into the night, just as Quin was about to leave Haven for the night, his hat and brown coat already on. He had been looking forward to simply sleeping in his actual bed instead of on a chair in the janitor's closet during the day whenever time allows.

His hopes all went up in smoke when he saw Kit pound on Haven's locked glass front door, one of her hands aggressively fiddling with the lock, shouting "LET ME IN MY BOYFRIEND MIGHT BE DEAD!"

Quin tried his hardest to not flop over onto the floor as he ran with the key in his hand.

"YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!" Kit grabbed Quin's hat and ran towards the elevator.