"Why... why me.... Seriously. Why now.." 

I bit my bottom lip, afraid to take a step closer to the engine of my vehicle, which had broken down, and now I was parked on the side of the road feeling hopeless and clueless to what I could do to fix it. 

Not to mention, I was in the middle of nowhere. Earlier, I had been scouting the lands of Seattle trying to find my way to a client, and one, mindless quick turn into the backroads eventually got me nowhere. 

By the time I had come to the frustrating realization that I must have remembered the directions wrong, I was already in too deep. On top of that, the engine to my car seemed to lose its purpose, as I could see the smoke from the back rising due to looking in the rearview mirror. 

Standing on the edge of the road, with an unreliable map, and a feeling of animosity, I silently waited for anyone, absolutely anyone that would come down from heaven and save my poor, wretched soul. 

Of course, maybe I was just overreacting. But who wouldn't? 

I'm literally stranded in this place right now, and it doesnt help that I can't see any sign of humans from a distance. Not even a gas station. Geez. 

I was totally bummed out. And disappointed that I would have to send a telegram to my client later today and tell them that I had  reached... an unfortunate event and would have to schedule for another time. 

I stood in front of the open bonnet of my car as the smoke slowly curled up from its engine. My faith had given up on me, and I had given up on it too. I sighed shakily and ran my fingers through my hair in a fed up manner, before deciding to ignore the situation altogether. 

At least it was real quiet here. 

Could have some time for myself. Maybe reflect back on things I should have done before this trip, like taking my car to the mechanics for a quick touch up. 

Just when I thought I could zone out and numb myself to the anger I was feeling, the sound of another engine could be heard not too far from where I was standing. It was behind me. Honestly, I was relieved more than ever, but I was also a young girl when my mother told me not to take rides from strangers. 

Well, it was either that, or I leave myself to die here. All alone. 

I turned around, and waved my hand crazily in the air as I tried to get the attention of the driver that was controlling the other car. I wanted to laugh at myself for how much of a fool I probably looked, but again, this was better than nothing. 

"Here! Please. Over here."

I was sure they couldn't hear my pathetic screams, but my lips were moving at a very fast pace. Conveniently enough, a sudden blow of wind swept past me, and lifted the hem of my skirt up just a tiny bit, enough that my face went completely red.

I widened my eyes in embarrassment and put my arms back down from the air so I could pat my skirt down hurriedly.

"For fuck sake!" I hissed.

Lucious was on a drive with some of his bodyguards. They were armed and for good reason, a guy like Lucious always needs protection since you never know when a family might get greedy and try to make an attack one of his owns, either way he wasn't expecting anything bad to happen but sometimes people are unpredictable. Lyon got out of a business arrangement discussing the moving of heroin through Seattle, both for family and personal profit. The dealer had a few goons of his own but nothing they couldn't take.

The ride was long on the way back to the family headquarters though he couldn't help but spot that was there a broken down car, whether there was anyone near it or not was yet to be seen. Though, someone stepped out on the road and the face was familiar; to his own thought, it was Mei and thoughts decided to cycle around in his head; "What is she doing out here?" "Car trouble?"

"There's someone up the road, boss."

Lucious looked through the windshield.

"Yeah. I'm pulling up."

Lyon made an unscheduled stop and looked at Mei.

"Having a bit of trouble?"

"Lyon, is that you? Oh my gosh. What a relief. Dude my hecking car just broke down!" I smooth down my skirt one last time as I invited him to take a closer look at the engine. 

I knew he wasn't going to be of any help, and well.. he was the other half with the brains. I wanted to smack my hand on my face as I realized just how worthless I really was to the situation. 

The smoke continued to rise up from my engine, and oil was already starting to leak underneath. No doubt, this car was done for. 

I was kind of saddened by the fact that I would have to go to the car dealership in Seattle and find myself another cute, little roadaster that doesn't break down every so often. This actually wasn't the first time this has happened before. 

From my first day of settling down in Seattle, Lyon had been my main point of contact and shoulder for guidance. I must have been too energized from the start, and thought it would be neat to drive alone with a useless map. 

I was wrong. Terribly wrong. This was a first bad impression to my sponsor, I thought. I continued to assess the smoke in the air, and waited for his next moves. 

"Car broke down huh? Well, nothing we possibly couldn't look at... But, I don't think we have the tools to really get this fixed, especially because I wasn't expecting to find you on the side of the road."

They didn't really have the tools and Lucious wasn't really a car mechanic. While he valued cars, he would have the money to get it fixed, just not the skills to fix it himself.

Lyon parked up the car right behind the broken down Roadster. They all stepped out, but kept the heavy weapons inside of the car, anyone would be able to get a view of them from up-close. 

Lucious went over to the car and looked at the engine, there was smoke coming up and he decided to wave his hand through the smoke ti disperse it. He shook his head and began to get down on his knees to look under the car, there was a puddle of oil underneath so obviously something busted.

Lyon stood back up and shrugged at Mei.

"The car's fucked, really. We'd need to get somebody to bring it to a shop but there won't be one within a mile of here, there's oil leaking from the bottom of the car and the engine seems toasted."

"Where were you going anyways?"

"Car broke down huh? Well, nothing we possibly couldn't look at... But, I don't think we have the tools to really get this fixed, especially because I wasn't expecting to find you on the side of the road."

Understandable. It was stupid of me to be even driving out here anyways. I came to a disappointing agreement with myself not to drive for the next few days, and actually find a reliable person to give me directions before I start heading off to places unheard of by me. 

Once Lyon parked his car just on the side of the road behind mine, he was able to get started, and I watched his men carefully hop out the vehicle as their gaze landed on me. I turned away and put my attention back on Lyon, who was now bent over the engine, before squatting down to the floor to assess the oil spill. 

"Convenient, isn't it?" I said out of spite for my lack of direction and preparation into this. Next time I'm coming with a driver. Lyon lifted his shoulders then they went back down again as he shook his head at me in a hopeless manner. It seemed that he wasn't particuarly all about the mechanics either. 

"The car's fucked, really. We'd need to get somebody to bring it to a shop but there won't be one within a mile of here, there's oil leaking from the bottom of the car and the engine seems toasted."

Nevermind that. I would have to just leave my car here and maybe catch a ride with Lyon back to the family HQ, and call someone up to tow my car later today, or tomorrow at the least. 

"Where were you going anyways?"

"Ermmm. Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere." 

I was too tired to say I had to go meet a client for a business proposal, and opted for the easy way out. "Can we go home now?" I asked in desperation, though I cringed at myself for the lack of politeness. 

"Please?"

"Ermmm. Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere." 

Lucious tilted his head, usually you wouldn't be out on the road or anywhere really if you didn't have plans to go somewhere. Hell, even saying that you were going home would've been a reasonable answer unless they suddenly didn't live somewhere, the headquarters are pretty much the homes for a couple of people unless they have apartments or houses of their own would be justifiable, but still. Lyon could see through a lie from a mile away if they made it obvious.

"Why were you out on the road if you weren't going anywhere, would've taken home as a reasonable answer. So that definitely means you're hiding something from me, sorry, but I could see through bullshit if it was obvious enough. The answer and your face gave it away, somewhat."

Lucious' bodyguards turned away because the comment made them smile, it was a little bit more humor to them than seriousness. They turned back around when they were done being silly.

"But yeah, get in the car."

His bodyguards got in without even needing acknowledgement. They took both the backseats so the only seat was the passenger seat, Lucious got inside and waited for Mei to enter.

"Why were you out on the road if you weren't going anywhere, would've taken home as a reasonable answer. So that definitely means you're hiding something from me, sorry, but I could see through bullshit if it was obvious enough. The answer and your face gave it away, somewhat."

I rolled my eyes in a playful manner as I noticed the guards behind Lyon snicker as they heard of his harsh, yet somewhat amusing response. Not gonna lie, I felt the sudden urge to laugh as well, but the seriousness in his eyes made me think otherwise. 

Defeat entered my body, and I silenced myself as I mademy way into the car. Unhappy with the outcome of my silly endeavour. When Lyon finally realized that I wasn't going to reply to what he said out of discomfort and disappointment, he ushered me into the car as his bodyguards walked around the other side. 

We all hopped in. 

I sulked in the passenger seat, shoulders hunched forward as I fiddled with my fingers on my lap. I felt like someone had just scolded me, and was ordered to sit in the naughty corner. Memories from the past rushed into my mind and I winced slightly. 

I refused to look his way. I intended to not say a word for the rest of the car ride. Even though my body was turned away from him, I could sense that he was getting annoyed at my sudden bitterness. 

He wasn't my dad, and definitely not my bodyguard. Does he have to know my every move? Half of me wanted to slap myself for being so inconsiderate, and the other half of me felt slightly irritated by his intruding manner from before. 

"...Can we stop at a gas station later. For snacks." 

What ever happened to giving him the silent treatment, I thought to myself. This was going to be a loooong ride. 

Lucious started up the car and began to make his way out on the road, they'd have to leave a car behind but sometimes you just have to go out and get another one especially if you're stranded out in the middle of the nowhere. He may have been serious and his bodyguards weren't but sometimes taking pleasure in what your boss does makes for a better work environment, it is times like these that makes life enjoyable while it lasts. Life is short after all, for some.

Scolding anyone wasn't exactly his intention, but when you lie to someone that's important, it makes them trust you a lot less. Suspicious behavior only makes it worse.

Lyon looked over at her a couple of times during the car ride. She was giving him the cold shoulder, but technically she did start it. He shook his head in disappointment.

"...Can we stop at a gas station later. For snacks." 

Lucious looked at her, his left hand was pretty much fidgeting. He drove one-handed which just makes more for appearance, then again he has been doing this for a while.

"...Fine."

"You're still gonna have to tell me where you were going."

Lyon's behavior ends up becoming relentless when someone lies to him, it was only fair since she was in the family.

"...Fine."

It was clear that there was a dull mood in the car, yet there was a playfulness in the air that one could keep poking at for some great reactions. I could have taken any opportunity to ignore him more, but after much driving, I became bored out of my wits by looking at the window. 

There wasn't even anything to look at really, just fields of wheat. And dirt roads where up ahead were the ocassional speed signs. 

I felt insanely bad for lying, and though I had been showing hostile behaviour to him in the past few minutes we had been driving, I longed to redeem myself and gain back his trust. 

Tiredness was a poor excuse for lying.

And rather than love, money power, and fame, give me truth. So I could understand where he was coming from when he said he could see through my 'bullshit'. I pouted, breaking away from my cloesd off mood before turning my body to him. I was cross-legged in the seat, and I looked at him to see if he would oppose to it. It was too much effort to be properly seated. 

His initial response to my gas station request picked at my heartstrings, and I felt a sudden rush of guilt. My eyes stayed on him for a moment, and it went lower as I noticed his one hand on the steering wheel. I wanted to smirk at his passive-agressiveness. I could be mad at him for however long, but he was still family, and nothing would change that. 

"You're still gonna have to tell me where you were going."

"A client. That's literally it. Can we let go of this now, thank you." 

Still in my cross-legged position, I rested my elbow on the armrest console, turning away from his direction as I looked out into the open road. There were no cars behind or ahead of us. 

"Boy, put your foot on the damn accelerator. I know you're excited to get some food too." 

The sudden change of my tone was an attempt to lift up his spirits, and I hoped I had succeeded in doing that. 

"A client. That's literally it. Can we let go of this now, thank you." 

"A cilent, huh? Relax. You should know better than to lie to me, really... So I'd buck up that attitude while you still have a seat in my car."

The bodyguards in the back look at each other. Even they were disappointed with rebellious behavior, it's almost like if she didn't know who she was talking to. Eventually they'll learn their place one way or the other, just enough scolding and they'll sort out their attitude or well, you know what happens to people who don't listen to the people who actually are in charge.

Food wasn't gonna distract him from actually knowing more about what was going on.

"Boy, put your foot on the damn accelerator. I know you're excited to get some food too." 

Lucious sighed.

"I'm not really hungry. What about you two back there?"

The bodyguards instantly replied with...

"No, boss."

Lucious continued driving. They were getting within city limits and would be around a gas station soon.

"A cilent, huh? Relax. You should know better than to lie to me, really... So I'd buck up that attitude while you still have a seat in my car."

I didn't know what I despised more, his blank expression at my attempt to lift up his spirits, or how he just brushed me off so casually as he dismissed my attitude. I guess this was karma for starting my sulking act in the first place. 

My ass wasn't in gear, and I was afraid that if I kept up my act, I would get a very bad mistreatment later. Well, who knows. Maybe he was just blowing off steam. 

My sense of professionalism was poor. I was afraid that I had ruined my chances of showing my sponsor that I was a trustworthy and well-mannered person, and that my hopes of becoming a light in his eyes was extremely thin. 

But again, he underestimated me. I had a feeling that would happen often.

 At first glance, I was a poor excuse for a lady, and I wished this whole situation had turned out differently. His expressed invitaton to his men for some food earned a haste 'no', and I sighed uncomfortably. 

There's a place where vulnerability and lack of awareness for one's actions hides, and I was deeply buried in it. No words were said for the rest of the ride, and I eventually drifted off to sleep. The last thing I saw was Lyon, and the first thing I woke up to was him again. 

What a sight. 

I knew he wasn't completely mad at me. I think I was just being taught a hard lesson. He was still my sponsor after everything, but it was up to me to show him that I was a reliable person. 

We were parked next to the entrance of a gas station, and I sighed in relief as I reached the doors made my way into the snacks aisle. I settled for a bag of jam biscuits, and four bottles of water. They didn't ask, but who knows what would happen for the rest of the ride. People get dehydrated. 

When I walked back out, my eyes twinkled in amusement as I saw Lyon, taking a nap on the steering wheel. I approached him at his side, and knocked lightly on the car window before he suddenly jolted and peered his eyes open a tiny bit. 

"I can drive, if you want. You're tired. Shuffle over."

Lucious had finally reached the gas station so Mei could get something to eat. The bodyguards just relaxed in the back, was probably good for them to not be so tense, nonetheless her cold shoulder pretty much spoiled the afternoon especially because Lucious was the one who decided to sponsor her but he wasn't gonna go talk to Fio about her troublesome behavior, eventually it'll fix itself or she'll be doomed somewhere down the line.

Lucious had to wait a while. She must've really been picky on what she wanted to eat, it's been a long day so he took a nap on the wheel. A couple minutes passed until she knocked on the window and surprised him. 

"I can drive, if you want. You're tired. Shuffle over."

"I'm fine. Get in so we can get to this so-called cilent of yours."