Chapter 543: Mixed Signals

Ian did not know what was wrong with Mina, they had been fine, even becoming friendly with one another while she was recovering, but suddenly she was unapproachable. She had been treating him like a friend for the past few days; speaking to him without reservation, but she was now weary of him. He knew he did not deserve her openness, but it was something he craved.

Due to Mina's healing injury, Ian decided not to ask her about it. He had something planned for her, and he had hoped she would appreciate it. The last thing he needed was for her to read too deeply into his actions and flee. Maybe then she would see that leaving the facility did not mean that things had to change between them. He had tried to kill her with pettiness, and she had tried to kill him outright; they were square in that aspect, but he felt he still owed her so much more.

When Mina had first suggested that Ellie help carry her inside, Ian thought she was joking, but her face held no hint of comedy. He questioned her, and she repeated the warning that Dom gave her, while simultaneously apologizing if she had ever made him feel 'uncomfortable.' Ian burst into laughter; the only way she could have made him uncomfortable would be if she flirted with him in a public setting, and even then, Ian was not sure he would care.

"Mina, I think Dom is right, but you haven't given me mixed signals. I know exactly how you feel about me." Ian pointed to his head, making the woman smile before she grimaced, realizing she should not be smiling. She held her chest and she exhaled dramatically, making Ian roll his eyes. "Can I carry you inside now?" She nodded, allowing him to scoop her up bridal style and carry her into his home. Mina was at once startled by shouting that almost made her jump out of President Lee's arms. All her friends, except Ash, were waiting for her.

"What is going on?" Mina's voice cracked, as President Lee slid her back into the wheelchair that someone must have brought in behind them.

"They were worried about you." He whispered into her ear. "I invited them so that they could see you were alive and well." Mina looked behind her, fear had rooted itself in her heart, and she could not believe there was no hidden motivation in the man's actions.

"Can we talk in private?" Ian flinched at the seriousness of Mina's tone, and he worried that she was not ready to see anyone. He wheeled her into an area where it was just the two of them, leaving Zane to escort the concerned guests into the dining room.

Mina was calm, and her face held no expression, but when she looked up at him, he could see nothing but fear in her eyes. He intuitively knew that she did not trust him, and he regretted having not told her what he planned. Before she could even speak, he was apologizing to her, careful to let her know that he had called the gathering for the sake of her friends, who had been harassing Dom with requests to see her.

"They don't know anything," she whispered. She obviously still did not trust him, so President Lee dropped down to her eye level, and rested his hands on her shoulders as if he were giving her a pep talk.

"I did this for myself, as much as I did it for you, and them. Ashlyn is good with her words, and the last thing I need is to end up like that Vanya woman." Mina stared at the man, slightly shaking her head in acceptance of his speech, but her posture remained guarded. "Mina, if you keep behaving like that, the people here are going to think I specifically invited them as a threat to you. Cylus Rue has tried to strike me twice on your behalf. I will not tolerate a third time." Mina stiffened. She was angry with Cylus, but not to the point of wanting to see him get hurt.

"And why is Carson here?"

"That one is only for you. You said you needed my help, and I am giving it to you. All you have to do is follow my lead." Mina's fists bunched and President Lee sighed. "I am just going to put a few pieces of food on your plate and encourage you to eat. It will seem intimate to him, and hopefully he will get the wrong idea and leave you alone."

"It will seem intimate to everyone. Not just him."

"You can explain it to them later. I'm quite sure that your friends know more than they let on." Mina stiffened. "I'm not angry about it. I did a poor job of explaining what happened between us that night, and my actions afterward led you to your own conclusion. Things between us are complicated right now, but I hope to use this day, as well as others, to show you that you will be safe here."

----

Mina's meal was served to her, and she frowned at it. It was basically the same thing she had been eating at the Lee facility, it just looked prettier. The wild salmon was crusted with some sort of crushed nut and spice medley, and instead of kale, she was given spinach with sliced avocado. Everyone else at the table seemed to have been given a choice, because while there were plates that were identical to hers, a few of them held beef tips with mushroom gravy.

Mina's face turned sour as the chatting at the table turned mocking to her. She answered questions politely, but soon, Willow could not hold her worry and had to ask what was wrong. Mina pointed at her plate like a spoiled child, and President Lee added a few pieces of beef onto her plate with a smile.

"You know what Doctor Witt said. I tried to add some variation, but he insisted your diet stay consistent. You can try the steak, but I can't switch your meal." Mina did not have to act, because she was genuinely excited by the prospect of eating just one piece of beef. It was so good that she gushed over it, not realizing the looks she was getting from her friends.

Feeling the weight of the overwhelming silence, Mina turned to face the people at the table, locking eyes with Carson, who wore an expression of defeat. She whispered her apology, telling everyone that she had been eating the same thing for too long. That seemed to work for Olivia, Jay, and Emma, but Willow, Cylus and Carson looked unconvinced. President Lee's little sister Ellie also wore a suspicious expression but remained silent.

The meal ended without much fanfare, and Mina yawned from the exhaustion of having a full day for the first time in weeks. President Lee noticed, and not too politely let everyone know that it was time for them to leave. Carson approached, giving Mina a slight frown as he bent to whisper into her ear.

"I see your feelings have changed. I hope you are happy." Mina was not at all surprised Carson got the wrong idea, but she was surprised by how bad she felt.

Cylus and Willow were the last to leave. Mina had decided to forgive the man, but not forget. Something about knowing you were minutes away from death can put things into perspective for a person, and with her life still in the balance, Olivia would need someone to lean on. He tried to coax her into leaving with him instead of staying in the Lee mansion, but Mina reminded him that he was still on probation.

"You know you can tell me if you need help, right?" Mina looked up at Cylus, no longer as comfortable with him as she had been.

"Well, if you could call your father off, that would be great."