Not to be found

Chapter 27 - Crumbling

8:41am the digital clock next to the bed reads as I rub my eyes awake. I'm still encased in Noah's embrace from last night, I attempt to wriggle free but his grip around my waist just tightens. Damn it.

"Do you have somewhere you need to be?" His gruff voice startles me.

I sigh, "yes the bathroom I really need to pee."

"Sorry," he kisses the back of my shoulder, "you'll be back though, right?"

I roll my eyes at him and go to the bathroom, once I'm done I look in the mirror and see that I have the worst bed head ever. I run my fingers through my hair but it's near impossible as its so tangled. Oh well, I give up.

There is a knock on the door so hesitantly I go and answer it, opening it slightly I peer between the wall and the door. A guard stands there his eyes bloodshot and his black hair a mess on top of his head. I gulp,
"Breakfast is ready when you are," he announces and I just nod because apparently I've forgotten how to open my mouth.

I go back into the bedroom to find Noah already up and adjusting himself so that he looks presentable.
"Do you have somewhere you need to be?" I mock him, a smirk forming on my lips.

He raises his eyebrows at me and smirks in return, "I heard the word 'breakfast', I'm starving."

I shake my head and reach for the hairbrush to sort myself out, I put it in a messy bun, pull my jacket around me and fasten the laces on my boots.
We then leave the room but I have no clue as to where I'm going, so Noah just grabs my hand and takes me into the lift which takes us to the highest floor in the building.

"Good morning," a formally dressed lady says to us as the doors open, not a crease in sight on her black body-con dress, "this way."

I feel hopelessly underdressed like I usually do when I'm with this family, as I stare down at my kicked in and worn out leather boots and then across to her shiny black stilettos.

"Please do not hesitate to call if you need anything," she politely smiles as she leaves me and Noah to sit down at the long glass dining table that has a panoramic view of the city below.

I sit opposite him as I look down at all the food that has been laid out; eggs, bacon, croissants, cereal, toast, pancakes the list goes on.

I grab some pancakes, sliced banana and blueberries. I then pour some black coffee out of the cafetière and into my mug.

"Don't hold back on the food," Noah says as he grabs a stack of pancakes and puts bacon on top.

I swallow my mouthful, "oh I won't don't worry, I'm starving," I say getting some eggs.

As we're eating our breakfast the projector suddenly flicks on and a picture of Mike flashes up onto the window. Seriously, what is this?

"Good morning," his voice echoes around the room, "you two will be leaving in around an hour and will be flown back here."

Flown? I still don't know what the hell is going on.

"Lacey your phone has been taken and the data is currently being analysed, we will find them."

"I still don't know where I am or what the hell any of this is, I need an explanation," I say assertively so that he knows I mean it.

"And you will," he quickly jumps in, "just when you get back, finish breakfast and then get ready. You're both coming home."

*************************************
After finishing breakfast which I am now extremely full from and then having a hot shower, me and Noah are up on the helipad. A guard stands on either side of us, hard expressions on their faces and dressed fully in black. I on the other hand chose to opt for blue ripped jeans, blue and white stripy jumper, brown boots and a khaki beanie.

As the helicopter lands my beanie nearly flies of my head so I have to grab it and hold it down. The guards usher us forward and I duck down avoiding the blades, once inside I'm handed a headset.

"They were pushy," I state as I shuffle to get comfy in my seat.

"Dad wants us home with him," Noah says picking at his fingernails, "he's anxious I guess."

Why should he be anxious? I'm the one who should be anxious, I don't even know who these people are and who they work for. Oh my head is screwed.
I have feeling it's going to be even worse after this.

It takes us around twenty minutes to get back to the house, during the flight everyone was silent. I found it kind of awkward so I chose to just stare out the window at the scenery below, I wish I had my camera I really do. But I wasn't allowed to use it.

As we walk up the driveway from the helipad that I didn't even know existed, Bentley and Hunter come bouncing over to us. I smile as I bend down and Hunter licks my face,
"Hey!" Noah protests, "paws off!"
I giggle to myself as I rub Hunter's ears.

We then make our way into the house, I take my boots off and follow Noah into the kitchen where Mike and Julie are sitting at the bar in the kitchen. I give them both a small smile.
"Hello Lacey," Julie says.

I break into a nervous sweat and begin to shake, I can feel the tears building up in my eyes.
"I'm so so sorry," I apologise to Julie.

She inhales deeply before releasing it, "I just wish you would have told us in the first place," a single tear slides down her face, "you poor girl, so many secrets."

I'm struggling to breathe with all this. Too much information in such a short space of time. I close my eyes as I begin to feel my head pounding.

"We've got to tell the authorities," Mike states as if there will be no consequences to the confession.

"How? Do you not know what that will do?" Noah asks.

I feel like my heart is breaking, the walls that I've built up are crumbling down as they discuss exposing me. Everything that I've worked for is going to be destroyed. I'll be sent home to fade again, to blend into the white walls of the house, just another piece of the furniture.

"We don't have an option I have to," Mike says looking over at me, "she won't be made to go back home we just have to notify the authorities to call off the investigation as she is safe."

It's getting darker.

"Won't she face prosecution?" Julie questions.

The world is spinning around me. Two of everything.

"It's highly unlikely; she's 19 she's not going to be forced back," he replies.

I can feel my knees getting weak, they're going to give out.

"Dad, we can't risk anything," Noah pleads with his father.

"I've got this son, she won't be going anywhere," he reassures.

I feel like I've been whacked over the head with a hammer. So much uncertainty, so many revealed secrets. My life a lie. My life on the line.

*darkness*