Come Running [Season 1 Completed]

Chapter 54

**********Carlson Whyte Residence Austin********
The Engagement Party
In the gardens

"Anything you'd like to offer your knight in shining armour, Petal? I'd like to try everything you made please." Kaiden requested politely.
The rest slowly slipped away.

Seriously guys?

I ushered him back inside the dining hall. There was still so much food on the table. He took a seat and I laid down all the options.
"So what are you having?"
"Which one of these did you make?"
"I helped out with basically everything."
He gave me a rude blank stare and repeated his question.
"So which one did you make?"
I rolled my eyes in annoyance and he chuckles.
"Okay, so your options are..."
"Oooh, options...
"I already regret this. So yes your options are shrimp fried rice, pasta, charcoal-grilled salmon and baked pork chops."
"mmm... does sound delicious but I think I'm having the shrimp fried rice and some charcoal-grilled salmon please."

After being served, Kaiden started munching on his meal and I got up to leave.
"Stay... please."
"You want me to watch you eat?"
"I want you to stay. Jayla..."
"I think you should finish up first. I'll go get you dessert."

He sighed and wondered.
'When will she quit punishing me? I said I was sorry, didn't I? Like her being away for two years or her being with Eli wasn't torture enough.'

She returned with a piece of lemon tart. He had just finished eating.
"You didn't give me options," Kaiden whined
"Stop being a baby and just taste it." I lifted the spoon and stuffed his face with a piece of the tart.
"Hey!" Kaiden protested.
He slowly took in all the delicious flavours.
"How is it?"
"mmm..." he nodded and I laughed out loud.

"Ahem"
I turned.
"Eli." I smiled but he didn't look pleased.
I walked up to him.
"Can we talk?" I pleaded.
He looked disheartened.
"Sure, lead the way."

In the living area,
"Elijah, I'm sorry-
"I want to know what's going on. I want to know how you're feeling. Please talk to me."
There was a pause.
"I'm d, Eli. I, mean, I like you a lot but..."
"Jayla, it's ok. I understand. I want us to take a break. I understand that my unavailability has contributed greatly to the stale nature of our relationship. We hardly talk these days and so I understand you."
"But Eli-
"Jayla, I love you. I want to be with you. It's my heart's desire believe me but above that, I want you to be happy.
I have another mission in Tanzania and I wouldn't be back till after six to eight months. If it's God's will, when I'm back we'll take it from there... If you're not already taken that is."
He winked at me and he headed out.

I turned and noticed Kaiden who just came in.
Elijah patted him on the shoulder and then whispered something to him.
"Take care of her. She's one of a kind."

*********The Next Day********
Two hours to midday.
My phone rang.
It was Kaiden.
"Petal."
"H-hey."
"Wait, are you still in bed?"
"You think. Guess who had to make sure everything was in place last night before going to bed."
There was a pause.
"How are you feeling?" Kaiden asked with concern.
"I'm fine."
"That's not a good enough answer."
"I know..." I muttered almost as an afterthought.
"Wanna hang out?"
"Kay, I don't know...I'm worn out."
"It's settled then I'll pick you up in two hours."
I didn't even have the strength to fight him. I just ended the call and went back to sleep.

Midday.
There was a knock on my door.
"Can I come in?"
It was Jason.
"Go away!"
He stepped in.
"Do you have to do the opposite of everything I tell you?"
"Yep."
"What do you want?"
"Rude much."
"Kaiden's here. He's waiting downstairs. Now if you don't want mum giving you that cringey face when she notices you and Kaiden leaving together, I suggest you head for the shower right now."
I suddenly became alert.

I jumped out of bed and raced to the shower. Mum'll never let me hear the end of it if she gets here before we leave. She's going to keep giving me those creepy looks and get me to talk without seeming pushy.
Seriously, I don't even know how she does it.

"They arrive in half an hour," Jason informed and shut the door gently behind him.
"Got it!"

I was all dressed up and downstairs in less than 30 minutes.
"Kaiden."
"That was quick."
"No time for chitchat, let's get going already."
I dragged him out.
"Well, someone's hungry."

We got into his Bentley and we were just exiting through the gates when he spotted my parents' G-class a couple of metres away.
"Isn't that your mum and dad?"
"Yep. Now drive!"
Kaiden steered out of the mansion in the opposite direction.

Phew. I passed on my seat.
"What did you do?"
"Me?... pff... nothing."
"Jayla..?"
"Okay okay. I may or may not have broken my mum's favourite vase while cleaning yesterday. She's going to freak out."
Kaiden laughed.
"She's bound to notice it at some point and you'll also have to go back home at some point. There was no point in running away."
"Right. About that... I also ran because I didn't want them to see us leave together."
"What? Are you ashamed of being seen around me, Jayla?"