The next few minutes were a blur to Elena. She had been bracing for a lecture Harry looked ready to deliver when they were suddenly surrounded by people. People who didn't look like they were there for the food, judging from their focus on their table. The sheer number was too much for her to process.

When she was next aware of her surroundings, she found herself inside an opulent car, wondering how she got there. She only had impressions of being guided, Harry's arms around her with a coat over her face, bright lights and loud voices. Blinking owlishly at Harry as he barked orders into his cellphone, she was startled into the present when her stomach growled loudly into the otherwise silent interior.

Her face flushing, she turned away from Harry and towards the window, hunching over her offending stomach. Apparently, the brief lunch she had not been enough to satisfy the ravening beasts that were her sons. This was a fine time to want food, she scolded them in her mind. The last few months they had rejected any food she'd consumed. She hoped that Harry hadn't heard her.

"I'll call you back, Jase." Her luck was working against her today as she felt Harry's presence at her back. "Are you hungry?"

"Y-yeah,"she responded softly, refusing to look at him. Her eyes were fixed on the window, looking unseeingly at the passing scenery. She couldn't believe how famished she was. It felt like her stomach acid was trying to get out and devour anything and everything in sight. It had been so happy at the diner, she thought with a morose sigh. Why did she have to leave?

"Elena, I'll get you something to eat when we get back,"Harry said, his arms coming around her, pulling her to his side. She went willingly, missing his heat, but she was still wondering why she had to be parted with her beloved food. "I don't know how I feel about losing to food-" Apparently, she had said those words out loud- " but to answer your question, the paparazzis were ready to hound you. It was for your safety that we had to leave. April's whining to Jason now so they are going to get something to eat and we'll meet up later."

"Huh?" Elena heard what he was saying but her mind was not comprehending anything. It was still filled with the plethora of food that had filled her sight before she left. Irritation inched in when Harry just looked at her in amusement and his words finally penetrated her mind. "Why would the paparazzis care about me? I was just there to accompany April." The guilt in Harry's face made her straighten up and lean away from him so that she had a clearer look of his face. "Harry? What aren't you telling me?"

"Well, they weren't when we came in. They were wondering about Jase and April's presence in the city which is why they followed the both of you to the diner. But they had more interesting fishes to catch and were, in fact, leaving but stayed when they saw us. Then when some of them were overzealous in their questions, we left and I might have punched one of the paparazzis,"he said, making it sound like a big admission.

"Might have?"she asked archly. "Harry!" She still didn't get it. When he seemed even more reluctant to continue, she punched his side. A rush of remorse filled her but she held it back, wanting to get the entire story out of him. Not even his slight pout moved her. Not much at least. Although she had to admit that he looked very adorable. Finally, he gave in.

"He was pushing you aside to get a better picture of Jason and April. What was I supposed to do? Let him think it's fine to push a pregnant woman?"

"I'm sure that's not all,"she remarked suspiciously, folding her arms and resting them on her distended abdomen. He was acting too nervous for it to just end there.

"Oh, look. We're almost here,"he said, looking away. This brought her attention to the world outside and her scowl deepened. She didn't recognise the surroundings, having never really left and explored the outskirts of the city. She had no fascination with those inhabiting the world of the rich and famous. Having moved in that world before, she was very aware of how contrived and manufactured everyone was. But despite never having travelled out this far, she knew they were on the road to the homes of the rich and famous.

"Where are we going?"she demanded crossly. She had had control of every facet of her life ever since she had left her family. She had to or else her brother was going to suffer. Notwithstanding the obstacles and events that were out of her control, she had made the decision. So being in Harry's presence, she was feeling closed in. Like now. And the more he hesitated, the more irritable she was. "Harry, why are we out of here? I want to go home."

"Elena, you can't go back now. They know who you are and they're not going to let you off as easily as they did April,"he responded, taking ahold of her hands, his eyes trying to pull her in and make her understand. The tension left her briefly, feeling as though she was drowning in their depth and darkness but she shook her head and snatched back her hands.

"Your concern is nice and all but you still haven't told me why they even care. It's not like they know about my family. They've effectively disowned me when I ran away." The moment the words left her mouth, she felt like recalling them. She blamed her hunger on her loose lips. Because, although some would overlook the remark, she had a feeling that Harry was not going to. And from the way his focus sharpened, her supposition was confirmed.

"What do you mean? Why would you family be newsworthy?"he asked, his eyes practically stripping away her defenses to get to the truth. Not knowing what to say, she turned away, towards the window. She had to think fast. With the cat out of the bag, she had to decide what to share. Should she tell him everything? Or should she keep the cards close to her chest? But what was the point? If he wanted to, he could find out everything about her. Maybe she should think about how her answer would change them. Or, better yet, she should define what it was exactly between them.

She was so caught up with her thoughts that she was not expecting the hand on her shoulder nor the push that would turn her back to face him. She moved along with him, recovering from her absentmindedness, but, having braced herself for his questions, she was surprised when he said,"I know that you are very closed mouth about your past. I respect that. When you're ready to talk about, I'll always be here for you. But you have to let me know whether this will fan the flames and affect your safety. The boys' safety."

At the reminder, she couldn't help but cover her belly with her hands. She had not thought about that. Her family had left her alone all these years and she didn't think they would want anything to do with her sons. But, her muscles freezing, wealth was not the only currency they traded in. Power was something they collected as well. When she had renounced them and moved away, she had effectively thrown their powers back into their faces. What if they suddenly decided to strike back at her by taking away her kids?

"Elena, Els, what's wrong? Baby, please. Please talk to me You're being too quiet. Tell me what's wrong. Is it the boys? Are you in pain?" Elena found herself in the present, in Harry's arms, her head resting on his shoulders. He felt so warm and safe. Comforting as his hand rubbed her back The very antithesis of her family. She couldn't help but wrap her arms tight around his waist. And relief filled her when tension left him.

They were quiet, both not knowing what to say. Not even the clamors from the paparazzis and flashes from the cameras outside disturbed the silence. Adjusting herself slightly to be even closer to him, Elena realised that she was no longer alone. He would always be in her life, their sons' lives.

Now, she had to determine whether he could be trusted.

----@@@----

Harry was worried. Elena had been quiet for the past half an hour. She had settled in his office resting area, lying down on the sofa while he began setting up her security detail. She had followed him even though he had left her at one of the bedrooms but, as he liked her presence, he allowed her to stay.

Back to her security and safety, the paps were not going to leave her alone now that he had let the cat out of the bag. And she, unlike all of those women whom he had dated, didn't care for the barnacles. He wanted to hit himself from the way he had just announced to the world that she was his. But he couldn't regret it that much since he felt a sense of satisfaction at that pronouncement. That now left making sure she was safe from them when she was away from him. As he was sure she would balk at being told to stay at his side all day long.

Looking at her after a call confirming everything, he knew she was deep in thought; she hadn't even responded when he asked what she wanted to eat. And her stomach had been vocal in the car. It couldn't be healthy for her and the boys to forget about sustenance just like that.

However, when he had walked over and asked her if he could help with anything, she had said nothing was wrong. That's when he knew something was wrong. He, who had not been in a serious relationship since high school, was aware of the perils of a quiet woman. Things were brewing in her mind. And he wasn't exactly sure it was good.

Finally, after an hour of silence, nervewracking silence, he instructed his cook to whip something up and hoped it would entice her. But when he re-entered his office, he found her asleep, her head propped on the arm of the sofa. Letting out a sigh, he set down the omelet on the side table. He was at a quandary. Should he wake her up? She did look tired. There were shadows under her eyes that weren't there even a week ago. And her skin was paler than usual. He should let her rest.

But just as he was about to leave, her eyes suddenly shot open and she sat up. Or she tried to. She was having trouble with her midriff. Coming to her side immediately, he helped her up. But she didn't acknowledge him. Her attention was on the omelet and she devoured it in the next minute.

Harry was taken aback. She had been asleep just moments ago and now she was looking sad as she prodded the last tiny piece of egg on the plate. He wasn't even sure she was even awake. He didn't know whether this was just another facet of sleepwalking or she was in the process of waking up. The loud growl from her stomach spurred him to action though.

"Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"he asked, taking a seat beside her as he grabbed the empty plate and placed it on the side table again. He was surprised when she tucked herself against his side. But he had to admit that he liked having her so close to him. He'd missed her presence during their fights of the past few days. Looking down at her and how she fit so perfectly against him, he couldn't help but run his hand down her hair.

"Yes. But I have to talk to you about something. About my family." He was surprised. She had been so reticent in the car that he hadn't wanted to push her. For some reason, he trusted her. As much as she intrigued him, she had a core of integrity that made him reluctant to investigate further. He had hoped that there wouldn't be any need for him to do so. But from the way she was opening up to him so fast, he had a feeling that things were not as simple as they seem.

AN: Hey guys. Hope you liked the chapter. What do you think? And can I get your opinion on the whole book right now? is there anything you'd like to be changed? Or expanded upon? Let me know, let me know :)

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Next update: 9 Sep