Princess Lea (Part 1) Eng.

Chapter 18

– I don't even want to hear that you're coming with us – she got up from the ground and let her backpack fall to the ground.

– It wasn't my idea – Samuel shrugged, approached her and picked up the backpack – besides, you figured it out smartly.

Lea took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

– It's not going to help – Samuel said, referring to the breathing technique she was using to calm down. He gave her a broad smile and walked out of the room, heading straight for the parking lot.

Lea went downstairs where Ned was waiting for her, he could see that she must have already talked to Samuel. But she didn't say anything, she just took his hand and they walked out of the building. They walked straight to the car where Samuel was waiting for them.

– Ned, sit in front – Samuel threw – the media won't follow us if they see you in the car – he explained, and besides, you won't be able to sit next to Lea, he thought.

Lea sat down in the back without saying a word. Samuel handed her his hat.

– Put it in – she started, but Ned interrupted.

– Lea – he said, wanting to stop her from joking – please.

– Your ass – she finished and looked Samuel straight in the eye.

Samuel threw the cap at her and shook his head in disapproval.

– I'm responsible for your safety, whether you like it or not, – he answered, trying to keep his tone level – just listen to me for a second.

Lea didn't answer, she was glad to be able to change into a comfortable track suit. She twisted her hair into a braid. Samuel waited for a moment for the gate to be fully open and then they left the property. She had no idea where they were going, she didn't have a clue where Ned's house was.

Should she have reason for concern?

Yes.

Was she going to worry?

Yes.

Did she want to go home because she was worried?

No.

She had a feeling that no matter what, she would be fine. It was true that she still didn't have her cell phone, and that her car had probably been wrecked by now. But since she was often on the run from home, she had some knowledge of the city. Considering the fact that Ned worked at the hospital, he couldn't have lived too far away from it. Samuel looked around him carefully, but he didn't feel any danger at all. He pulled into the underground parking lot of one of the skyscrapers in the downtown area. He pulled his ID card out of his pocket and used it to open the gate to the garage. They drove through the barrier, and a moment later, the door to the garage slammed shut behind them. There were few cars in the garage; most of the building's residents were still at work in nearby office buildings and businesses. Samuel stopped in his parking space and got out of the car with a look around.

He was easier to put up with when he was that way, Lea thought. She let out a heavy sigh, but then she put on his hat and pulled the hood over her head. Samuel opened the door for her, awkwardly trying to hide the smile he wore. She ignored him as she walked past him and followed Ned as he went to call for the elevator. Samuel took her backpack and locked the car, then joined the two of them in the elevator. Ned pushed the button for the fifth floor. They rode in silence, Lea staring down at her shoes, trying to calm herself down, a few sharp words for Samuel on the tip of her tongue.

– Get it out of your head – Samuel broke the silence with a look at Lea.

– Calm down – Ned threw when he saw Samuel smiling.