I'll Be The One

Chapter 24:

*Author's Note; For anyone curious; I DO NOT have an upload schedule. I post when I post, it's usually at least, once a week. If I have more spare time; I do two or three times a week. But no, I do not have a specific schedule.*

=Hunter's POV=
[Saturday, 1/26/2019-11:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Safe House]

"We're in route to the safe house," I heard Cody say. "ETA is ten minutes,"

I sat there in the SUV, entirely floored by what just happened. I couldn't move, I could barely think as the emergency evacuation vehicle was transporting me to one of the three safe houses on the mainland; this was only if there was an attack on The Archian House. Otherwise, my destination is always being brought home. For me, there wasn't much to think about; I figured everything out as soon as the words Night Fury Secure left Tallon's mouth. Night Fury was my code name for emergency situations where I was being moved for my safety. The thing is; that's not public knowledge. The code name Night Fury was made by me and only known to my father, and the First Family secret service detail. Meaning only the people who directly protected my family knew it. My father's code name was Chief, and my mother's had been Chieftess when she was alive.

How did Tallon know mine? I never revealed my code name to them. And why were the cops in my friends group standing with the rest of my protection detail in formation to make sure nothing came at me as I was being transported? On that same note; I didn't see Harper, Flynn, Madison, Roxanne, or TJ in the basement with us, only the friends of mine who I knew were cops. Why was Tallon the one to instantly grab me and follow the agents to the location where I'd been taken? Also, Cody demanded Tallon get me. Tallon would need previous knowledge of all the emergency evacuation locations. Why did Tallon know my father and uncle were already safe? That information was relayed only through the radios worn by our secret service detail on a secure channel. Yes, I was confused, but I knew what all this meant.

Nothing else made sense, and it hurt me. I was currently sitting in the back seat of the SUV; Harry was next to me. Bryant and Andrew were in the way back while Cody was up front with the driver who wasn't Kris this time. I sat in silence, shock, and maybe even heartbreak as I felt a tear slip down my face realizing that Tallon and his cop friends were all part of my security detail. There was nothing I could do except sit until we arrived, and I didn't know what I'd do when I got to the safe house. I didn't know what I'd do to handle all this. I sat back, a few tears continued to fall as we moved to our destination. Arriving at the estimated time of ten minutes later; I was guided out by my four guards and entered the house. The safe house was a simple place, but all modern and up to date. It was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, one-level home about twenty minutes from The Archian House. I dragged my feet towards my room which was down the hall as my guards split off from being around me.

I saw my father come out of his bedroom, leaning on the door frame while I neared my room which was directly at the end of the hall. "Are you hurt?"

"Don't," I walked by him. I reached my room, but finally turned around and looked at him. "Did everyone know besides me? I feel so humiliated right now!"

My father got off the door frame and walked towards me. "Hunter…Do you know that every day, I get at least fifty threats against you? At least. I've already lost your mother to something I couldn't protect her from. But you…Hunter; I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too. What was I supposed to do, son? What choice did I have when you asked me to reduce your only form of protection?"

"You had the option to be honest with me as the president and as my father. Instead, you lied to me about reducing my security and assigned undercover cops to me…" I stated.

"Hunter…I know you thought they were your friends, but they were hired by me to be in your life and protect you without you knowing," Salvatore informed calmly.

"All I asked you for was a shred of normalcy, Dad. All I wanted was to enjoy my last year of college, make a few friends…Have fun. You told me not to be afraid to make friends, so I finally decided to open up, put myself out there…I was happy, Dad. I finally found people who accepted me and my life…People I could laugh and talk with, hangout…But all of that was…An illusion. It was never real…They were only there because you told them to be. Everything…Was fake," I lowered my head.

"You'll never know how sorry I am for deceiving you, but I can't afford to have anything happen to you, and this was the only way to make sure of that, son," Salvatore tried to get closer to me, but I backed up and shook my head. "I really hope you understand one day…" Salvatore said.

I took a deep breath before raising my head to look at him now. "I do, Dad…" I said as he looked at me with guilt in his green eyes. "That is what is so disappointing," I turned my back to him and entered my room. I closed the door and walked to my bed and sat down quietly before I couldn't hold in the pain I felt; I let the tears that had formed fall and I cried.

=Normal POV=

Outside the bedroom, Salvatore sighed heavily. Gregory came out of his room, leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. "Are you going to be mad at me too?" Salvatore asked.

"Sal, I love you to death and you know there is nothing I wouldn't do for you or your son in there, but I don't think you realize how bad of a decision you made this time despite your good intentions…" Gregory stated.

"What do you mean?" Salvatore asked. Gregory got off the door and motioned for Salvatore to come quietly and listen at Hunter's door. Salvatore did so and heard Hunter sobbing. After a minute, Salvatore pulled back as Gregory brought him down the hall a bit more.

"Hunter was led on and truly believed those people were his friends, Sal. The lot of them were always hangout, talking, laughing, drinking casually…They made him happy again. Did you not see it? How utterly miserable Hunter has been since Jay died two years ago, all the shit with Cassandra, his mother passing away…Hunter was finally smiling again, happy. And you took that away from him," Gregory informed.

"I only assigned the cops; his roommate was still his friend and those others who go to Hunter's school…" Salvatore attempted to defend his actions.

"That may be true, but the cops were actual friends with the others, except for Tallon; he was actually secret service, but undercover. You ordered those people to protect Hunter…But they became friends on their own, Sal. You picked them because they were cops and had an easy in with Hunter's roommate and all lived in the building," Gregory mentioned. "And now your son is crying because he feels like none of it was ever real; that they were never his friends, and worse…I think you might have inadvertently broken his heart…"

"How?" Salvatore looked at his friend.

"Hunter was falling for Tallon, Sal…" Gregory stated as Salvatore's eyes widened. "The day Hunter wanted to talk to me; it was about his growing feelings for Tallon. Finally moving on from Jay, from Cassandra…Hunter feels hurt and betrayed by them…And you,"

"Me?" Salvatore asked.

"You promised to reduce his security. You told him he would have his freedom; that he wouldn't be under constant watch. You should have left things at two guards per shift, keeping to a distance. You lied to your son. Hunter is hurting bad right now and it's your fault because you didn't trust Hunter as you told him you did. And I don't know how long it's going to be until he's okay again, or what will happen to the relationships formed that you might have destroyed," Gregory walked back to his room. "I'd leave him alone for a little while; you're only going to piss him off if you try and talk to him now," Gregory went in his room, closing the door.

Salvatore went to his room quietly; he closed the door and sat on his bed. "What have I done…" he let his face fall into his hands.

. . .

[Sunday, 2/3/2019-1:30 pm]
[The Archian House]

It had been a day over one week since everything happened. The threats had been cleared by Monday, January 28th and deemed safe for the First Family to return home. Hunter had not spoken to his father since the night of the inauguration when he learned that his dad put undercover cops on him as security measure after promising to reduce the protection detail. Hunter felt hurt and betrayed by his father's lie, and also by the people he thought were his friends. Maybe they were friends, but Hunter told them about his big secret of being the president's son. Why could they just come out and say; we're here to protect you, but want to be friends too. Hunter could have taken that, but a straight up lie with no regard? Just acting like it wasn't an assigned job for them? Hunter didn't agree with that. Gregory also tried to speak to Hunter, but he asked to be left alone and Greg respected that. Hunter spent a lot of time walking the gardens or sitting in his room; trying to figure things out.

Hunter didn't know if the others were his friends or not; it felt like they were only there because they were ordered to be. And then there was Hunter's feelings to consider regarding Tallon, was any of that real? Hunter didn't know how to deal with this, where to even begin. Right now; Hunter was just confused and upset, maybe even mad; it was hard to put a name on what he actually felt because there were many emotions involved. However, something was weighing on Hunter's mind; what did he do now? Hunter had worked his three days over the vacation week, but now, school was starting up again tomorrow. Hunter could grab his car and make the drive every day, or he could return to the apartment and just ask to be left alone. Hunter didn't want to go back to the apartment, but he was technically on the lease until September 2019; one year.

Hunter could just pay Flynn his half of the rent and bills, but that was pointless to pay for something you weren't using. Plus, Hunter had to think about work and all the research he'd be doing for his dissertation too. Sighing heavily, Hunter knew he had to go back to the apartment, at least until the lease was up in seven months. After graduation in June, Hunter would start looking into other options for residence; he wasn't sure if he wanted his own place or to live at The Archian House again. Hunter checked the time; it was thirty minutes to 2 pm. Hunter took a deep breath as he grabbed a duffle bag and packed up a few things such as clothes, his computer, and chargers. Making sure he had everything; he exited his room and headed to the main exit; he'd already messaged Kris for a ride back, and his guards were with him.

"Son…" Salvatore panted, hurrying towards him.

"What?" Hunter asked.

"Y-You're leaving?" Salvatore inquired.

"Not gonna leave Flynn to deal with all the rent and bills on his own, nor will I break the lease I'm under until September. So yes, I'm going back to the apartment and settling in before school starts tomorrow," Hunter informed.

"Hunter…Please? I'm sorry for what happened; I feel awful," Salvatore tried.

"Good…I'm glad you feel what I do right now. But you know…Maybe I should thank you. You doing what you did showed me that no matter what I do, who I meet, or where I go…My life will never be normal. It never has been and now I accept that it never will be," Hunter remarked. "Oh, and don't worry about reducing my security this time. I'll deal with it that way you can have your assurance that I'm safe and sound at all times. I gotta go," he left the house and got in the car that was waiting out front for him. Salvatore just watched as Hunter's four main bodyguards loaded up into the vehicle and then the SUV drove off.

"He's not gonna be so easy on just forgiving and letting this go, Sal," Gregory said, coming beside Salvatore now. "You think your job as president is hard, running the islands? But have you ever stepped back to consider what your family has to go through? Vanessa and Hunter made all the sacrifices for you to be president, even back when you were the mayor of Berk. Consistently watched, paparazzi, the extreme protection? Hunter is right; his life will never be normal, and it never has been. The boy was born into the limelight, Sal…And despite all he has to suffer, give up, or do…He's done it for your happiness because he loves you. So, let me ask you this, my friend?" he paused as Salvatore's eyes were on the car which just turned and went out of sight. "When does Hunter get to be happy?" Gregory walked away, leaving Salvatore to ponder the question.

. . .

[2:00 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

"I'm sure he'll come back," Flynn tried to assure Tallon.

"Flynn…You didn't see the look on Hunter's face when I called in that he was safe in the extraction vehicle," Tallon sighed.

"He looked heartbroken…Betrayed. The same look when he found Cassandra kissing Tallon, only worse," Avery reminded.

"He was betrayed," Drew stated.

"We were assigned to watch and protect him, by the president himself…" Elijah said….

"I was assigned to watch and protect him..." Tallon mumbled. "You guys were more or less extra because of the gang work we do…"

"Not true, Tal. I'm secret service too," Trevor remarked. "We were both assigned as undercover protection,"

"It doesn't matter; we were all part of this. We stood with Tallon and Trevor when it came to protecting Hunter last week," Drew looked at them. "And we hurt him,"

"Because he thinks we aren't really his friends," Tallon looked down. "I wanted to tell him; I was going to before everything happened. I don't…Like lying to him because I know how much he likes his freedom. I didn't want things to end up like this; it's exactly what I was afraid of when I was offered the job…" he groaned. No sooner than he'd flopped back; the apartment door opened as they all looked to see Hunter standing there.

"Hunter…" the group whispered. Tallon was up first, facing him. Hunter sighed and closed his eyes as he closed the apartment door behind him and started for his bedroom.

"Hunter, wait…Please?" Tallon tried.

Hunter paused, only a moment; he kept his head turned. "What's there to wait for?" Hunter asked now.

"Just…Give me a chance to explain…" Tallon attempted.

"I know everything. You were hired to protect me, undercover that way my dad could still have full protection on me without me knowing. To give me the illusion of happiness, friends, and freedom. Believe me…I don't need an explanation, Tallon, if that's your real name…" Hunter stated. "I came back because I start my second semester tomorrow morning, and I'm under lease until September in this apartment. I'm not going to break that agreement or screw Flynn on rent and bills over what happened. I don't want apologies. I don't want excuses. I don't want lies. I don't want to talk right now, alright? I just need everyone to leave me alone for a bit,"

"Don't feel that this is all targeted towards you because my father has also been warned to back off for a while. If you want to assume this is personal to me, feel free to do so because you would not be wrong," Hunter continued calmly. "Flynn, they are your friends and regardless of where things are right now; I'm not an asshole. I don't care if they come here to hang out with you, and you don't need to warn or ask my permission before allowing it to happen. You don't need to worry about me, okay? I'm just the roommate. Now…If you don't mind; I need to go settle into my room, make sure things are ready for tomorrow, eat dinner, shower, and go to bed," Hunter opened his bedroom door and walked inside, closing it behind him.

"I guess…We do what he's asked and leave him alone until he comes to us…" Seth stated.

"He hates us…" Harper said.

Hunter poked his head back out of the room. "For the record; I don't hate you. I never hate anyone, despite what wrong may have been done to me. I understand you were just doing your job, but that doesn't erase what and how things happened. I am upset, I am hurt, and I need time. Alright? That's all I'm asking for. I do hope that if nothing else…You can respect my wishes for the time being and when I'm ready to see or talk to anyone; I'll let you know," Hunter said, returning inside his bedroom.

"Let's just leave this alone," Flynn suggested quietly. "We don't want to upset him further," the others nodded in agreement.

"It's obvious, by him, that he's hurt and needs time with everything. We can more than give him that, and hope that when he's ready; he'll talk to us and we can be forgiven…" Avery suggested.

"Let's move down the hall to my place," Tallon suggested. The friends packed up and left the apartment; they moved Tallon's as Hunter remained in his room; unpacking and taking everything in. Did he hate the others? No. Would he forgive them? With time. Did Hunter still have feelings for Tallon? Yes. Would he pursue them? Hunter wasn't sure because he didn't know how Tallon felt and things would need to be discussed if Tallon felt the same. Would Hunter be friends with the others again? Maybe, if they could prove that is what they wanted, genuinely. But for right now, Hunter just needed time, and from what he heard on the other side of the door; the others were more than willing to give him just that.