Chapter 49: The Article I strode out of the shopping complex to where Reed waited for me close to the car, and the moment he saw me, his eyes never left me, following my every move. The wind got in my face, so I tucked the strands behind my ear. My hair had gotten more volume after getting it done. "Please tell me I don’t look like a clown," I asked because that was the only reason he would stare. "N-No..." he stuttered before a lovely smile crossed his lips. "I think you look beautiful, Mrs. King." "Aww, thanks. With that, I can face anything without a thing to worry about." "Cat!" Athena called. "Hop in." "Actually, I’ll ride with Reed." "Aww... I was hoping we would spend more time together." I have spent enough. "It’s late, and I’m tired. Raincheck?" She didn’t look too pleased by that. Her phone rang and she answered. "I’ll be there in a few. No! Don’t..." I looked back at Reed and stuck out my palm. He gave me a dumbfounded expression. "Keys... I’m driving." "I don’t think that’s—" "It’s an order." He blinked before he replied. "Yes, ma’am." "You’re a darling." I took the key fob and stepped into the car Today, we didn’t drive the Rolls-Royce but the Bugatti. I let my hand take in the smooth wheels as Reed got in. "Are you sure you can drive this?" "Can’t be worse than riding a horse, am I right?" Reed’s mouth hung open, and he suddenly rethought his decisions. I giggled. "I’m joking!" "I think it’s safer that I drive." "Relax, I know how to drive, just not one of these. Aren’t they all the same thing?" I think I tapped into Reed’s fright factor, and I exploded in a laugh again. "You should see your face..." I said between laughter. "Are you scared, Mr. Cross? Don’t worry, I’ll protect you." He cleared his throat, adjusting in his seat. "What made you decide to drive?" I rolled my eyes. "I just wanna do something different, been in a tight space recently, and it’s... suffocating." "Do you wanna talk about it? I mean, if you want to, I’m all ears." I sighed, pressing the start button, and the engine picked up, and I drove out. I maintained an easy pace, taking my time and not in a hurry to get anywhere. "Mrs. King?" I could feel his eyes on me, as if begging me to say something. I don’t know, but it kinda felt easier talking to Reed. "Marriage is hard," I began. "And that’s coming from someone who has been married for just a month. I know it’s laughable that I’m already at my wits’ end." "No, it’s not..." He said with too much understanding, and his next words proved why. "You’re a King." He said it as if that title justified all my worries. It’s always about the King’s name; that term held more meaning than life itself. Years ago, I only knew it as the apex of this city, but now I had a nagging feeling it could mean more... What? I don’t know, but I was dying to find out. "I wish I felt like one, you know." I cast him a brief look. "But I’m not..." The silence stretched between us, and my confession left a heavy statement, but more to me, and it was the truth I had to face. I’m not a King. I pulled up at a coffee shop. "Guilty pleasure. I don’t think I can wait longer without a boose." "Alright, I’ll get you one. Just tell me what you need." "A vanilla latte, with extra cream." He raised an eyebrow. "What? I love my sweetness." "Understood." He stepped out of the car, and I quickly fished out my phone, trying Dan’s number again, but it was switched off. I was beginning to get worried; his phone’s never been off for long. Or maybe he changed lines and moved on with his life. I rubbed my forehead. What was I even doing? I can’t believe I still care about that piece of shit. He could be out of Midnight after Piper dumped him. But I know Dan... he’s not the type to just vanish. A notification popped up, and I tapped against it. Ever since I opened social media, I have been getting a lot of trending news. I opened the article that seemed to be the latest hot topic. Odd. I thought the "Midnight Pair" was the hottest. First sighting of Noel Voss, CEO of Real Estate Corp, after a freak accident. Freak accident? Suddenly, Dan’s last words flashed through, so I read the full article impatiently. It wasn’t as detailed as I expected, but apparently, he lost his tongue in an accident. A cold chill grasps my spine. Dan said he was mutilated. Could it be that he was telling the truth? I jumped when a knock came through the window. It took a second before I could collect myself and pressed the button for the glass to go down. "They don’t have that specific order. Want something else?" Reed asked. My mouth went agape until I said. "E-Erm...S-Surpise me." "I’ll do my best." He ambled back to the shop. I dragged my gaze back to my phone, still overwhelmed by the article I just read. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into, Dan? Reed was back and dropped my phone, fixing my smile. "Thank you!" I took the cup and sipped from the straw. "Hmmm, mocha!" "You said I should surprise you." "And you did." I sipped again, moaning at the taste. "Now that hits the spot. What did you get...?" He showed his. "Something less sweet." "Hmm... that’s no fun." I took one last sip before placing the cup in the cupholder. "You should really try this." "I’ll pass." "What? Have a thing against sugar?" "I never said I did." "Well, you won’t know until you—" "LOOK OUT!" It happened so fast. A van collided with the car’s rear. We jerked forward, wheels screeching, the world spinning rapidly. The seatbelt locked tightly on my chest as I lurched forward, and the airbags hit me, everything flashing in white.