Chapter Twenty Four - Clever

One week later.

I smile up at the billboard on the street opposite me. It's a photo that I took for a popular brand and I didn't expect it to be here at all. Ever since my photo shoot campaigns with Mystique became a hit many companies have been reaching out to me to shoot for them. I accepted as many as I could and am enjoying every second it. Sometimes I still can't believe that my dream is coming true.

"Will you be okay, Zoe?" Zeke asks and I turn to him.

"Of course, you can take the rest of the day off Zeke. Thank you." I grin before hugging him.

Waving goodbye, I make my way inside and towards the lift. The elevator music fills the silence as it takes me up to the thirtieth floor before the doors open. I unlock the door to the apartment before stepping inside. Kicking it shut behind me as I glance at my phone I throw my keys in the dish by the table before making my way into the bedroom.

I put away all my camera equipment before taking a quick shower to relax my aching muscles. I'm starving so I hurry up with moisturizing my body and blow drying my hair before walking to the sitting room. What should I cook? I think to myself as I peer at the food in the fridge.

But when I hear the doorbell ring I frown in confusion. I've just come back from a long day of shooting at different locations and wasn't expecting anyone. A flicker of hope rises within me over the thought that it could be Hunter but I push it down immediately, not wanting my hopes to be crushed again. Walking over to the door I open it and the sight before me makes my eyes widen in surprise.

"Hi honey!" Michelle gives me the tightest yet comforting hug with Theo behind her who waves in greeting. "Have you eaten yet? We brought food."

"Uh...no, not yet." I let them in and watch as Michelle heads straight for the kitchen. "What are you guys doing here – did you hear something from Hunter?"

"No." Theo sighs and I catch the flicker of frustration in his eyes. "Nothing. Roman's been trying to track him down but Hunter keeps moving from place to place."

"Apparently he traveled to the UK first but never went to Judah. He left the same night and was in two locations in France yesterday but flew out early this morning. Roman's still trying to figure out where he landed." Michelle explains before joining us on the couches with the heated food. "He only took out cash once in the UK and hasn't touched his account since. I'm guessing he's doing some meetings with clients."

"But his boss told me he doesn't know where Hunter went or what for."

"Hunter probably asked him to lie." Theo sighs as he takes a sip of his drink.

"Oh..." I whisper with a nod. "As long as he's okay."

"I hope so too. Anyways, we just wanted to check on how you're doing so we came. I hope you don't mind?" Michelle asks and I shake my head vehemently.

"Of course not! I really appreciate you guys checking in on me and you're welcome any time. It's Hunter's place more than it is mine." I smile gratefully and she hugs me tightly.

"That boy is going to get a good smack from me when I see him! Sometimes he never uses his brain properly!" She huffs which makes Theo chuckle and almost choke on his food.

"Remember the time he almost wandered off with someone else at the mall just because he found a woman who looked like you?" He asks and Michelle huffs playfully.

"Wait – what?!" I laugh in disbelief before looking to Michelle for confirmation.

"I told him to stay put while I tried something on but he wandered out to the shoe shop he had been dying to go to. Silly child couldn't find his way back and thought it'd be fine to just get kidnapped!" I burst out laughing at her words. "He's always kept me on my toes and I'm certain he's the reason my hair started turning grey early!"

I grin widely as they recall more memories of Hunter. Apparently he's always been an adventurous yet reckless child. He also nearly got kicked out of school too because of how cheeky he was and that certainly hasn't changed.

"Are you going to be with Ella for the delivery?" I ask Michelle who nods in excitement.

"Evan and I are flying out in two days. The baby's upside down right now so hopefully they manage to turn him or her around before the labor starts." She bites her lip worriedly.

"I'm sure it'll be okay." I smile reassuringly as we finish the food. "I can't wait to find out what the gender is."

"Me neither! They kept Isaiah's gender a surprise too and it nearly drove me up the walls!" She rolls her eyes playfully as I clean up and bring everything to the kitchen.

"Any guesses?" I ask as I throw the takeout boxes in the trash.

"Girl." Theo grins just as Michelle replies with, "Boy."

"I agree with Theo." I laugh as I make my way back to them.

But just before I can sit down the bell rings. Again, I haven't been expecting anyone so I'm confused as to who could be at the door. I walk over and open it to see Cory and Jordan standing there. Hugging them with a bright smile I let them in and they greet Michelle and Theo excitedly.

"I haven't seen you two in years! How are you?" Michelle smiles as she congratulates them on the wedding.

Only me and Hunter had been able to attend as the rest of the family was busy. Noah had gotten a case of food poisoning too so both Michelle and Evan had been staying at the hospital with him.

"We're great and we really missed you at the wedding." Jordan smiles as she takes a seat beside me on the couch. "How's everyone else doing, especially Noah?"

"He's perfectly fine now, wreaking havoc as always." Theo rolls his eyes in amusement.

"It's a good thing you're here because we have some news." Jordan grins excitedly as she takes Cory's hand. "I'm pregnant!"

My jaw drops before I hug her tightly. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two!"

"Thanks Zoe!" She laughs before receiving hugs and congrats from Theo and Michelle.

I do the same to Cory before we all finally calm down. They glance at each other again but this time with a more serious expression which makes me wonder if something is wrong. But I don't have to wait long because I catch Cory's subtle nod to Jordan before he takes a deep breath.

"We have a plan to force Hunter back to New York." He states and I perk up in interest. "I got it out of our boss that he's going to finish up with the European meetings in three days."

"How will we get him back here?" Theo frowns thoughtfully.

"Well, Cory and I are throwing a party to announce the pregnancy. Hunter can never say no to him so Cory's going to try and force him to attend." She grins mischievously with a glance to her husband. "You're all invited by the way but I understand Ella's close to her due date?"

"Yes, she'll hopefully be delivering in two days. Evan and I won't be able to make it but I'm sure the others will." Michelle looks at Theo who nods in response.

"Great!" Cory smiles before his eyes lock with mine. "Don't worry Zoe, I'll get him back. It's been far too long."

"Thank you so much." I hate the way my voice trembles but it's been difficult to keep the pain at bay.

Jordan hugs me tightly and I wipe away a tear hastily. I quickly compose myself before Cory tells us the plan. He's going to call Hunter using their boss' phone and convince him to come back to New York. After he arrives at the party Jordan will text me to hide in the study of their home and wait for Cory to lead him to me. Once he's inside Cory will lock both of us in until I text them to let us out.

It's a clever plan and I pray that it'll work. Now that I know I'm going to see Hunter again I can't stop the anticipation from coursing through my veins. Butterflies flutter in my tummy once more after a very long time but this time they're nervous ones. I can't wait to see him and explain everything.

"Is it a good idea if we're there? He avoided Judah in the UK so he might bolt if he sees us." Theo asks and I nod in agreement.

"You guys can hide in one of our guest rooms until Cory's left Hunter in the study?" Jordan suggests and we all agree to go with that.

"Don't worry, darlin. Just a few more sleeps and you'll be back with Hunter soon." Michelle smiles as she pats my cheek. I must've looked super stressed.

I follow her advice.

When I slip into bed that night I look over to Hunter's side of the bed with a soft smile. I just need to be patient a little longer before I can see him again. This time I won't let him go. This time I won't let there be any secrets or doubts between us. We need to learn how to communicate better and work on it.

I think about what I'll say to him when I see him again. I'm sure my nerves will be frayed on the day because it'll have been a whole month since I last saw him, felt him. He's caused me so much pain but so have I. I hope that he listens to me and we can be together again because I truly can't live without him.

These few weeks without him have been hell on earth and I've struggled to appear stronger than I am to everyone. I broke inside every day and would often end up crying myself to sleep over not having him beside me anymore. But no more. I'll have him back soon.

So, with a content sigh I finally slip into a slightly peaceful sleep this time, filled with dreams just as sweet as the blonde-haired blue-eyed devil running circles in my mind. 

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