Chapter 544: Your Room

After his display of 'affection,' Ian noticed how the chatter between certain individuals at the table had died down. Not just with Mina's friends, but also Zane. It was a sure sign that she had told them her version of past events, which was probably horrifying to them. Ian also noted that Willow West was no longer trying to be his wingman. She kept staring at him in a way that Ian knew meant she disliked him, but she had probably been warned by Mina not to act on her emotions.

Truthfully, Ian was okay with Mina's friends disliking him, it told him that she at least had a few people who cared about her. It had once worried him that no one came looking for the girl when he had her held captive, and he later found that the one 'cousin' who was snooping around was his own nosey little sister; Ellie. He half wondered how Mina felt about knowing she went unmissed, but it was a conversation he would rather bring up in private when she trusted him more.

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Ian was nervous, he had seen the Carson man whispering to Mina, and he had seen her face drop with whatever the man had said. As much as she said she did not want to be in a relationship with Carson, Ian knew it was a half-truth. She had grown attached to the man and his daughter; maybe even developed a small crush on him, and it was painfully obvious in the way she reacted to Carson's words before he left. She did not look relieved by whatever he said, but saddened instead.

Ian wanted to pry, he wanted to ask Mina what comment made her look so downcast, but he was trying to stay far away from her. He wanted to allow her friends to speak freely around her, but when Cylus Rue went to say goodbye, he made his presence known. He listened as Cylus tried to coax Mina into leaving with him instead of staying back in the Lee mansion. She denied his offer and reminded him that he was still on probation; something that made Ian's brow furrow. He did not know what had caused a rift between the two, but he was happy that it was there. To Ian Cylus was his main competition, and somehow the man had eliminated himself.

The last to say goodbye to Mina was Willow, who asked Mina if they were still reading the same book. Ian was almost positive it was code for something, but his suspicions were placated when Mina shrugged and said she had been too busy to keep up with the reading. Willow gently stroked Mina's cheek and gave it a kiss, telling her that they should go back to the first chapter. Mina nodded enthusiastically, and Ian could not tell if they were talking about reading or not.

When everyone was gone, Ian questioned Mina about the conversation, and she told him that it was one of Emma's works. She had been reading the book, but was unable to finish, and because of it, the plans that Willow and Olivia had made were put on hold. It was such a plausible story that Ian forced himself to believe Mina was not lying to him.

"I don't know if your cousin had my things sent here, but If I do not have Emma's works with me, I may have to have Willow bring me another copy. Is that okay?" Mina was relieved when the man nodded, sensing that she had successfully diverted his attention. "President Lee, I am tired." He stood behind her wheelchair and pushed her to a part of his mansion where she had only been a few times. He summoned the lift and once they alighted, he pushed her past 'her' room. "Where are you taking me?"

"To your room," he whispered.

"We just passed it."

"That is the guest room. Nan refused to let me put you back in there." Mina felt her body shiver as they approached President Lee's study. She knew he had a bed in the room, and she was terrified he may have wanted her to sleep there. "Just trust me," he said, making Mina realize she had been panting. President Lee stopped at a door just after his study and pushed it open. He wheeled Mina inside, and she gasped at how beautiful it was. "Do you like it?"

The room was gorgeous and if Mina were asked to put what it looked like into words, she would say it reminded her of the beach. It was decorated in creams and browns, with sky blue accents, which was her favorite color. She loved it, but she could not accept it. She could not appreciate the beauty, because nothing but fear engulfed her. Without meaning to, tears spilled from her eyes, and she started to feel the onset of a panic attack.

"Just tell me what you want," she sobbed, clearly catching President Lee off guard, because the smile he had been wearing morphed into an expression of confusion. He gently tugged on her arms, pulling her hand away from her face as he kneeled to eye level with her.

"This is nothing to me. Compared to what I owe you, this is just a small gesture to help you feel comfortable. I didn't want to put you back in the other room, because I didn't want this to happen." Ian watched Mina try to choke back her emotions, but she was failing. He pushed her deeper into the room, trying to distract her by pointing out things she did not have in the guest room. It was similar to Luna's room, only the bed, while hidden from view, was not behind closed doors and she did not have a bar or office. "Is there anything missing?" Mina shook her head.

"I don't think I could ask for anything even if there were." Mina paused and sighed. "Please deduct the cost for doing this from the money you owe me." President Lee's eyes lit up, and for a moment Mina thought he was going to agree.

"Let's talk about that later. For now, shower and bed." Mina flinched and President Lee grimaced. "Let me rephrase. My sister will come in and help you shower." Mina flinched again and he massaged his brow. "Ellie. Not Luna." But both people were a horrible suggestion, President Lee seemed to sense this, so he threw out an even worse proposal. "I could-"

"NO!" Mina shouted louder than she meant to. The sound was so great that Miss Ruby came into the room, not at all missing Mina's red nose and eyes.

"My goodness Ian, it has only been a few hours and you are already making the poor girl cry." Mina looked at President Lee with a guilty expression, surprised to see he wore the same. "What did you do to her now?"

"She is overwhelmed by the room." Ruby's face twisted into one of concern. She asked Ian to leave, which he did, and she took the opportunity to address Mina directly.

"Mina, I don't know all that happened between you and Ian, but I have never seen him more apologetic in his life. Do you know how much he is doing to make sure you are safe?"

"That is what scares me. Why would he want to keep me safe after wanting me dead not too long ago?" Ruby sighed.

"Mina, Ian has his own trauma. Maybe seeing you shot triggered something in him?" Mina snorted. She could not help but to wonder if she would have become as cold and heartless as President Lee if someone as optimistic as Miss Ruby had brought her up. She was starting to think that maybe it was a good thing her parents treated her like a monster.

It took Mina a full hour to calm down, another hour to settle in after her shower, and Miss Ruby stayed with her the entire time. Showering was still difficult for Mina, so she was grateful the woman was around to lend her aid.