ONE

I never envisioned myself driving back to this part of England ever again. In fact, I made myself a promise to never look back to this city and leave all it's remaining behind.

One could argue that this place had played an important role in shaping what my life has become. It has contributed a great deal in shaping me as the person I am right now.

That doesn't mean I was glad to be back.

I heard a soft murmur come from the back of the car. I glanced up, through the mirror and saw her gazing back at me with a glint appearing in her big brown eyes. It was her signature look. Since she did nothing but communicate truthfully with her facial expressions the most, I had it mastered to a T. Every look had its own meaning behind it. But they all somehow fell on a scale from it's-no-biggie to you're-screwed.

"What did you do girl," I drew out slowly, anticipating the worst since I saw her tiny teeth slowly poke out her mouth and graze her bottom lip.

That's when I knew she screwed up.

"On a scale from one to ten, how bad is it?" I asked her over my sigh. I had my attention back on the road and I braced myself fully for what was to come next.

"One infinity." She replied back to me carefully, slowly, making sure that I wasn't going to flip out.

I didn't say anything after that, mainly because I couldn't get a six year old to further understand the meaning of being patient. I didn't want to remind her that I told her not to open her juice until I had stopped the car to do it for her. She would just look at me as if everything I told her flew over her head.

And I didn't have the patience to deal with her selective hearing today. Not when I was less than an hour away from my city, and just an hour away from my old house.

And I also didn't have the time to stop and fix her.

"Right so listen carefully," I started to say. I dished out the instructions to her, telling her the bag next to her contained her clothes. I told her to take off her clothes and put on the Mulan shirt along with her jeans skirt.

I couldn't lie and say I wasn't impressed with the grace she carried at such a young age. And I was even more proud when, after five minutes, she managed to do everything without actually taking off her seatbelt.

"Well done!" I gushed at her. I was even more thankful that we were stuck in traffic the last ten minutes so I wasn't exactly driving fifty and instead, crawled my car barely over ten.

"Is your seat wet?" I asked her.

I saw her look down at her seat and then followed it by a shake of her head. "No. Just my clothes."

"Okay no problem then." I smiled at her before looking back to the road.

That is how my life had pretty much become. Caring for a six year old who sometimes baffled me with her words and sometimes left me in awe, took a lot of me. And that wasn't even a small percent of it. She was my Joy. My bundle of happiness that I kept safe no matter what. It was tough, probably the hardest thing I have ever done but it was the best thing for me.

All the sweat, tears and blood that has gotten into taking care of her, all made it worth it when she shot her crocked smile at me.

I let out a sigh, consumed with happiness whenever I thought about my daughter. I didn't have to look far whenever I found myself in a slum. Joy was everything.

"We're here!" I said excitedly even though I felt anything but excited. I was nervous and jittery. Chances of running into anyone clouded my mind as I crept closer to the city. I didn't want to run into anyone. Heck, with my different hair and the fact that I had a kid now hopefully made me less familiar.

Joy started jumping in her seat. "Finally!"

"We'll get you to that play centre I was telling you about and then I'll have to run out to do something. But I'll be back quickly!" I assured her at the end not that she needed it.

She was nothing like me in the sense that she didn't need me as much as I did. She could be in school all day and not give a toss whether I was at home alone and waiting for her. She was independent right now already which, from a Mother's perspective pained me. I just wanted to still be her whole world. Selfish, I know.

"It's okay," she said back. I looked back at her and saw her smiling that crocked smile of hers.

I put the music louder in the car for the last remaining minutes of the drive and happily sang to all the tunes. Joy sang alone whenever she knew the words, which was often.

We got to the house I rented out but I didn't stop there. I drove straight past it for just a few minutes when I got to the play centre. I knew about this place which was why I thankfully found - and booked - the house near it. It was easy, practical and truthfully, minimised my chances of running into anyone.

I parked near the entrance of the play centre and got out. I walked back to the passenger side but Joy was already opening the door.

"Careful honey!" I laughed as she struggled to get out. I leaned in and helped her out.

She started stomping her small feet onto the ground, a giggle escaping her mouth. Her long brown her swayed behind her shoulder and her big, brown eyes stared at me gleefully.

"Is there a beach here?" She asked me as she clasped her hand in mine. I grabbed her small bag from next to her seat and closed the door of the car

"No," I told her, locking the car. "But there is plenty of other fun things to do here." I told her even though I had no intention of actually taking her to do all the fun things. We weren't staying long here.

I was going in to the city right now and finish what I had to do. If everything was done by tomorrow, even today, we would have our asses back on the road.

We walked inside and were greeted by a smiling woman with silver hair and metal rimmed glasses perched on her nose. She came around from behind her desk and beamed at Joy.

"You must be Joy!" She smiled at my daughter and I decided I instantly liked her. I had called yesterday to let the play centre know about Joy coming.

I stuck out my hand. "Hi, I'm Orianna."

The woman placed her warm soft hands in mine. "Hello, so nice to meet you. I'm Mrs E."

Mrs E filled me in with all the relevant information regarding Joy's stay. Mrs E had already prepared Joy a quick snack of carrots and other things until I'd come back. I gave Joy a massive kiss and a hug before waving good bye to both of them and going back to the car.

I know my daughter. She would be okay. Her jumping on the spot and getting slightly annoyed at how long the adults were talking was clear enough that she wanted to go and play.

I got back in my car and drove into the city. I didn't have to have GPS. I knew all the roads and nothing has changed in the past six years.

"Damn," I muttered as I caught a glance of the road that lead towards my old house. That was one place I was definitely not going.

I drove swiftly, making sure to not attract any attention to myself. I had two stops. One was inevitable since it was the reason why I was here. The other stop... I just added to my list when I got in my car.

A stop at the petrol station didn't count. I paid at the till after grabbing a quick chocolate and walked back to my car. My steps were quick, what with two cars waiting behind mine but came to a halt when two bulky men blocked my path.

"Excuse me." I tried to get past both of them but I knew, with how they were slightly blocking me that they were doing this on purpose.

I looked up at them and saw they were scary looking. As simple as that. They were both dressed in dark clothes, no expressions on their hard faces expect a small scowl.

"Yes?" I asked impatiently.

"Are you Orianna Shea?"

I reared my head back. Shit. Fuck this shit.

"No." I said hurriedly. I rounded both of them quickly, this time both of them not side stepping me. Then I hauled my ass into my car, kept my eyes on the road and purposely ignored those stupid men.

****

I had a nagging thought of mine for the past few years that I hadn't thanked the right people at all. The ones that I owed my life to. I just wanted to slip in their office, thank them for saving my life all those years ago and slip right back out.

As easy as anything.

Was I wrong when I got there though.

First, I pulled up to the impressive building and thought to just make a U-turn. These men probably saved so many lives there would be the chance that they didn't even remember me.

"Sod it." I muttered. Before having second thoughts, I got out my car and walked quickly inside the building.

There was a young woman at the desk and standing with her was a massive, scary looking man. I gulped as his eyes cut to mine. Why the hell was he giving me that look?

"Hey, how may I help?" The young blonde haired girl smiled at me.

"I was wondering if I could see Lucian?"

I didn't have much interactions with Lucian but I knew it was him and his men that got me out that fucked up place.

The man standing next to the girl was still looking at me as if I was ruining his day. I wisely decided to ignore him and pretend he wasn't there.

I mean, what could I do to him? Flip him off? He would probably squash me with one of his boots.

The girl was looking around on the computer perched on her desk, clicking around before she replied to me. "I'm sorry... do you have an appointment?"

I shook my head. I hoped I didn't have to make an appointment. I just wanted to slip and say thank you-

"Don't worry, I got her." The man spoke, his voice low and deep.

I frowned at him. He got me?

"Sorry?" I said to him. But he ignored me and started walking towards the double doors.

"He means he'll get you to Lucian." The girl filled me in. I looked back at her, a frown on my face.

"But I don't have an appointment?"

What was I doing? Just flipping go with that guy and go to Lucian. The girl seemed to have the exact same thought as me as she didn't say anything else.

I walked over to the man who was now standing at the double doors, looking back at me impatiently. If I had a brave cell in me, I probably would have retorted something rude at him. But I wasn't dumb. So I kept my mouth shut but made sure my distaste towards him was as clear as his was to me.

I walked behind him as he lead the way through a corridor. I couldn't stop to admire the decor of Lucian's whole office building since I was jittery all over again. All I could say was, it was flipping cool.

The man lead me towards a door that I assumed was Lucian's office. I was right when the man pushed me inside, surprisingly gentle with his hands, and closed the door behind me.

"Hello," a deep manly voice came from my right and I snapped my head to see the man himself sitting on the couch pressed against the wall.

His hair, still the incredible length I remember it to be and equally luscious was flowing way past his shoulder. His golden skin seemed to shine and I knew, any sane woman would swoon at the sight of him.

"Lucian, hi," I breathed out. Yeah, I was a sane woman and I wasn't eighteen anymore.

He seemed to realise that too as his eyes trailed up and down my length. I wasn't dressed to impress. But I had changed my entire self after I had my daughter. I found something alluring, feminine and sexy in wear heels and insanely, I was comfortable in any pair.

I was wearing a pair of kickass nude pointed toe heeled boots that had lace covering the front. With it had my favourite pair of denims - they were comfy and did my fuller figure a massive favour. And to top it off, I wore a simple white blouse that was visible from under my jacket.

"Hi Orianna." My heart skipped a beat. He remembered me. Even with my different hair and different self image he still knew who I was!

I smiled at him. "Hope I'm not intruding or anything." I said for lack of anything better to say.

I wasn't dumb. He clearly checked me out and I did it right back.

"You're not." He said, lifting his incredible self off the couch. He walked slowly towards me and I fought my knees from buckling. His presence was heavy and strong in this room and the vibe he emitted.

Damn, Lucian.

He stopped when he was in front of me, enough space between us but he still engulfed me, leaving me momentarily breathless.

"What can I do for you?"

I recovered after that and slapped some sense back into me. I wasn't blind, Lucian was probably the most exotic looking man I've ever seen but that doesn't mean I had to be fawning over like that right in his office!

Get a grip Ori!

"I'm not here for anything except to say thank you." I said quickly, watching him as he kept his eyes trained on me.

"What you thanking me for exactly?" He asked me slowly after a while of just looking at me.

"For saving me." I told him.

If he was confused, he didn't show it. Instead, he walked towards his desk and sat in the chair behind it. He motioned for me to sit down at the other chair in front of it and I instantly moved.

My ass was firmly planted on the chair when he spoke again. "How have you been?" He asked me.

I was surprised at that question. "Pretty good. Yourself?" I replied.

"Pretty good." He said back, his lips twitching.

"Anything big happened? Anything interesting?" He continued with the questions, although I didn't like these ones. What was he implying? About Joy?

"Nope." I shook my head. "Just getting by."

Lucian smiled at me again. He probably caught my fib and found it amusing but screw him.

"So yeah, thank you for saving my life those years back. I left without saying anything to you and your men and all these years that has been bugging me. I know it's stupid considering you probably didn't lose sleep over my lack of gratitude but I kinda did."

Lucian had a long finger placed on the side of his jaw. "Not sure you should be thanking me." He said.

I frowned at him. "What?"

"I think we both know I'm not the man you should be thanking."

Damn. Crap. Crap. Crap. Shit!

Yes, we both knew who I should really be thanking but screw that. That was someplace I wasn't ever going back to.

I forced a fake smile onto my face, hoping that it seemed convincing. "Thanks for saving me Lucian." I said still.

I pushed myself up off the chair. "And thank you for making time for me even though I didn't have an appointment."

"Don't mention it." He drew out.

I took in a large breath. "Right." I turned on my heel and walked to the door. I had my hand on the door knob when his voice stopped me.

"Orianna," he called out my name which I just couldn't ignore because, damn, he really could make my silly name sound sexy.

"Yeah?" I turned my head over my shoulder, pretending to not be fazed by him at all.

"If you need anything, and by that I mean anything, come to me."

He placed something heavy on the word anything. I did the polite thing and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

I walked out the door, trying to get out the whole place as quickly as possible. I knew there was no chance of coming back to Lucian to ask for any sort of anything. Tomorrow, I had my ass back on the road and Joy firmly strapped in her seat behind me.

****

Lucian picked him his phone the second the door slammed behind Orianna's back.

He punched in one number and heard one of his men's voice answer. "She just left my office. Get a man on her now."

His man complied instantly without asking any questions. Lucian put the phone down and waited before he made his big move.

The call he was waiting for came a few minutes later and his man told him all he needed to know. When that phone call was done, he went to make another call.

"Yeah?"

"Where are you?" Lucian asked into the phone.

"Near base. Walking up the steps."

"Right. Straight to my office." He hung up after that, not waiting for another reply.

Five minutes later, the door opened and Lucian lifted his head up to see Link walking in. He couldn't help but smile which confused Link.

"What's up?"

Lucian continued to smile. "Oh nothing big. Just that Orianna is back in town and thought I should let you know."

He saw Link physically react to that. His whole body stilled at Lucian's words. "What?" He managed to growl out.

Lucian, still smiling as if this was the best thing ever, filled Link in further.

"And she's not alone. She got a kid."

////

> long first chapter! Mate, I'm so excited to get going with this story!!
> comment what you want to see happen!! <3