The Daughter Extraction

A New Tomorrow

•LUNA•

Turns out, Alec had stayed true to his word. He did try a few ways to keep in touch with me, whether it was a secret note delivered by the pizza guy or a letter flown in through my window by a small drone.

I'll admit that I underestimated his capabilities for a while, but I admire how creative he got in avoiding detection by my father's security guards and the cameras around the mansion.

I've been feeling much better these past few days. I kept taking my meds and getting regular checkups from my doctor, so it was now safe for me to get back on my feet and move around.

It took some time to convince Dad to let me move back into my apartment, but with a little coaxing from Uncle Danny, we managed to get a yes out of him.

I understand he only wants to keep me around to look after me, but I have a life of my own that I need to get back to. I also have school, so there's a lot on my plate, and I needed to get out of that house and get my life back on track.

Starting with the internship at Dad's office that I had been putting off for a while. I figured the only way to regain some normalcy in my life was to begin anew, doing something I'm good at that can guarantee a future for myself.

I dealt with campaigns and paperwork in the office. My doctor advised me to avoid jobs that come with stress and anxiety, and although this job wasn't on the list of options he provided, I still picked it.

It was safer for my mental health, to say the least, when my role was just to clip some papers and accompany my father to social events.

I was mentally prepared for the workload, but my father warned his assistants and everyone else not to give me too much work that could strain me. It felt unfair, but on the other hand, a bit enjoyable for the time being.

Dad finished his grand speech in front of the dozen reporters and journalists crowding below the stage, and a loud applause broke out through the room. I joined in, celebrating another successful campaign and the early announcement of his 5th annual party tomorrow evening.

I felt proud of my father. Although we don't see eye to eye much these days, I'm glad he's still doing everything he can to be the governor people look up to. Personally, I don't think the presidency would be better for him; it would only stress him out and make him age faster.

Being a governor was enough. It was simple, and he excelled at it.

My eyes scanned the room until they briefly stopped at a familiar pair of dark blue eyes staring back at me from the farthest corner. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as Alec and I made eye contact.

Since he came back, Alec decided to push his main job aside and do something simpler. By that, I mean being part of my father's security detail, accompanying us everywhere we go and always keeping an eye out for danger.

We talked about a lot during the small periods of time we saw each other, but he never shared why he didn't want to return to being a CIA agent. I can only assume it was still too soon for him to jump back in, given how he abruptly ended his leave when they called him back to work.

But whatever his reason, I understand. He was a good CIA agent, but if this is what he wants, then I'll be more than happy to support him.

He slowly returned my smile, and I looked away, focusing my attention back on my father's speech. After he finished the press conference, the main highlight of today's event, we left the venue, escorted by Alec's security team to our transportation waiting outside.

Alec's coworker opened the car door for me and Dad, but the minute Dad got in, I paused outside, and he turned to look at me with confusion.

"Aren't you getting in?" Dad asked.

"You can go ahead without me. I still need to run some errands before I head back to the office."

Alec's eyes met mine while he stood by my side, and my father cast a wary glance in his direction before exhaling a non-audible sigh.

He knew that Alec and I had started seeing each other again, and he still doesn't approve of our relationship, but he was coming around day by day. Besides, there was nothing he could do about it since we'll be seeing each other more often because he works for my father and I work with my father.

There's not much we could do about it.

"Stay safe," Dad said before the security guard closed the door. I followed Alec to his car, which was parked right behind.

He opened the front seat door for me, and I got in while he closed the door and slipped into the driver's seat. He started the car and followed the rest of the government vehicles out of the underground parking lot.

"Where are we headed?" he asked as we hit the high road.

I leaned forward and typed in the address on the small screen in front of us, and the GPS was immediately activated.

"Hmm," Alec hummed. "Are you meeting someone there?"

"No, I'm just going to pick up my new dress for tomorrow night," I answered, smiling at him.

"The annual party," he confirmed, and I nodded.

"I guess you're about to get busy preparing for all that, huh?"

Ah, crap. He was right. After picking up my dress, I'll have to check up on the venue, the catering staff, and make a few other arrangements, so heck yeah. I was about to get busy.

And that means there won't be any spare time to spend with Alec. Even after everything is done, I'll be too exhausted to do anything with him, let alone talk on the phone.

An idea suddenly occurred to me, and I licked my dry lips, sitting up straight in my seat.

"Do you wanna go to the party with me?"

Alec's head slowly turned in my direction, his eyes showing more confusion than his face.

"To your dad's annual party?"

"Yeah," I replied excitedly. "You can be my plus one."

He suddenly chuckled and released one hand from the wheel to rub the back of his neck.

"I'm down with the idea, but I'm not sure how I will work that out with my boss since I know I'd have to be there, but I'll be working, not attending as a guest."

I gently reached out and grabbed his hand in mine while propping my elbow on the small console between our seats.

"It'll be fine. I can talk to Jerry. You'll still be working as our security detail, but you won't have to stand in one corner of the room looking around. You'll be by my side the entire time, making your work much easier. Don't you think?"

He glanced at me, and a smile lit up his face before he started nodding in agreement.

"Alright. I'll go with you, but leave out the part where you're going to talk to Jerry for me. I'll take care of that myself."

I grinned and leaned over to place a quick kiss on the side of his face. He smiled and tightened his fingers around mine.

This would be our first time showing up at a social event together as a couple. It's not as romantic as some people might see it, but as long as he's by my side, everything will be perfect.

Granted, our relationship started rocky, but we're working together to smooth out the rough patches from the past and hopefully develop a much stronger and deeper connection in the future.

Tomorrow's party will be the starting point, and I simply can't wait.