A few days had passed since Ben's conference regarding Mal and so far they had found nothing. It baffled him, how could a woman who is so well known just disappear? It's not like she can blend in with everyone else, her hair is kind of a giveaway. It might come across as a shocker but very few people in Auradon have naturally vibrant purple hair. It was almost like Mal had fallen off the face of the earth. He was certain, she was hiding from them. That was the only logical explanation that they had to go on at the minute.

Today, they were heading down to South Riding and searching through the kingdoms and villages located here. The sooner they found Mal, the better as in only a matter of time the council would have a word or two to say about Ben blowing off his responsibilities to find the girl that dumped him.

It was quarter past six in the morning, Ben was up for hours at this point. He saw no effort in even trying to sleep as he had become reckless since her sudden departure. He knew he wouldn't get a proper night sleep till Mal was back in his arms safe.

There was something about Lynn that Ben didn't particularly admire. Yesterday afternoon, she swung by the castle to apologise for her behaviour the other day. They hung out for a bit but it was like she wanted Mal out of the picture. She was encouraging him to give up on her and start 'window shopping' for a new consort and lady of the court which Ben did not appreciate. In moments like these he knew who his true friends were. Very few people understood what he was going through, it was only Jay, Carlos and Evie who really got it. Besides them, only Lonnie and Jane had offered him some support. Chad and his friends from the tourney team advised that he should just let Mal be as it was very clear that she didn't love him like he loved her (which was not the case). To be honest, some of his 'friends' were hoping that he would mess things up with Mal so they could make off with her even though realistically they didn't even stand a chance even if Ben was out of the picture. She would never go running to them. Mal would never settle for those lady chasers.

Evie arose early that morning as well. Her phone was going off, she hoped it was Mal but instead it was Lonnie. She offered to come to South Riding with them to provide some assistance.

Evie accepted as the more the merrier, right? She got her things and headed to Castle Beast where the gang were meeting Ben before heading off with his driver.

" Lonnie? I didn't know you were coming " Ben exclaimed slash questioned when his eyes met with her

Lonnie Beamed " We're bringing Mal home. Thought you could use some support even if it's just emotionally "

Ben greeted her with hug. Ben and Lonnie had been friends since they could walk. The group of friends followed Ben down to one of the many limousines and headed off to South Riding.

" I'm so glad your here " Ben smiled " There's no way we won't be able to find her with the four of us plus all of the Auradon Palace Guards "

" Someone's feeling optimistic today " Evie pointed out

" I have a good feeling, that's all " Ben nodded

" Good! Positive vibes is what we need, you were bringing us all down with you moping around " Carlos added

" That is very...poetic " Jay commented

" I read it in one of Jane's magazines... it seemed appropriate " he laughed

The four friends shared a laugh before returning their focus on today's objective.

It was just Mal's luck that she was landed the night shift again at Ryder's diner. She hated it but what choice did she have and realistically she had no other choice then to suck it up and accept it as unless she got a better job after Baby Beast was born then this was going to be her life for a long while.

Baby Beast was the nickname she chose for the unborn baby. She was going to call it baby Fairy but her gut feeling told her this baby was going to be very like its father and even though Ben won't be present in the child's life she's not going to ignore the fact that Ben is the dad. Also it makes her feel as if she isn't completely alone. Almost like he is emotionally here supporting her.

Her break finished three minutes ago, her boss (Ryder's Mother), Elisha ordered her to deal with some new customers. Mal walked out to where the customers dined and her eyes fell onto a familiar figure. Her jaw dropped when she made eye contact. It couldn't be. It's impossible but he's here. Ben! Of course he'd be here. He would never just give up on her like that. All Mal wanted was to run into his arms and let him take her home alas she already screwed up his life enough and she couldn't risk causing any more damage. She saw the news, the council hated her for leaving. Truth is they hate that Ben won't give up on her and move on.

Ben was sat alone in the corner. He had been drinking quite a lot evident by the several empty glasses in front of him. She would never say it to his face but he looked horrible. She didn't understand how her leaving could do this to him. She presumed that he would've just moved on and started seeing someone new by now. His hair was a mess and he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked thinner then the last time she saw him. She shivered at the memory, the last time she saw Ben was when she dumped him. Mal wondered when was the last time he slept properly but she feared his answer.

" Hey, can I help you? " Mal asked, mainly as she wanted to make sure he was okay. He was too drunk to even see straight and with the magic she used, there was no chance of him recognizing her.

" Nobody can help me " he said depressingly

" My girlfriend, s-she left me " he slurred oversharing his life problems to this woman he thought was a complete stranger.

" I'm sorry to hear that " Mal said feeling uncomfortable in this particular situation. Ben looked at Mal from head to toe and shrugged his shoulders. He was definitely too drunk to see that she was stan

" Alcohol won't help " she said taking the glasses away

" Its the only option I have " he slurred " nobody understands so I need to distract myself from thinking about her "

" I'm sure you will see her again and sort things out, until then you need to take care of yourself but you are going to kill yourself if you keep going this way " she added scolding the young king

" you're not my mother " he replied coldly

" I'm well aware but you have a kingdom to run and you're doing nobody any favours by putting yourself in jeopardy like this...besides your girlfriend wouldn't like to see you like this...she'd want you to take care of yourself, I bet " Mal said before leaving Ben to himself

" You're right " Ben slurred " You're so right "

Mal turned around and faced him.

" I'm a mess and I can't do anything about it. This is all my fault " he sobbed

" Hey, that's not true. You will see her again, I promise " Mal comforted her former lover whom she was still in love with

Before arriving in Auradon, Mal had never really experienced feeling sympathy for others but Ben really changed her for the better. Mal will always carry a torch for Ben, no matter how much time passes.

" I got to go but trust me everything will work out. Stay safe and make sure someone gets you home safely " Mal gave him a small smile

" Will do " he nodded lazily

Mal returned to work and stayed in the diner until shortly after midnight. Her shift ended an hour before hand but she wanted to make sure Ben was picked up. Mal hid in the back and watched as her friends picked up her ex boyfriend and brought him out to Jay's car.

She was still in disbelief about the events of last night and she was lucky that he could barely think straight otherwise she would've been forced to tell the truth long before she was ready. Even though she kind of wished he recognised her. Mal sighed before going to bed. She had the place to herself again as Ryder was out drinking with his mates. It made Mal think of her friends whom she missed very much.

The following morning, Ben woke up with the worst hangover he could've ever imagined. He had never drank alcohol before let alone be drunk like that. He could hardly remember what he done or didn't do last night.

" Your lucky we came and picked you up " Evie said with her hands placed appropriately on her hips

" You would've died " She scolded

" Now why does that sound familiar " Ben thought before the realisation hit him " Shit " Ben cussed

" Ben? "

" I dumped everything on that poor waitress last night "

Evie raised an eyebrow

" What are you talking about? "

" I wasn't thinking straight...clearly and I dumped all my problems onto her. I need to apologise " Ben sighed

" Don't beat yourself up, it's not a big deal "

" yeah...no big deal " Ben nodded .

Ben couldn't take his mind away from the incident so he made it his duty to apologise. Easy, right? No.

He walked into the familiar diner, he analysed around and she didn't appear to be on shift (well he could barely remember what she looked like but he knew she was a girl. The only employee that seemed to be on shift was a young man whom Ben was guessing was no older than 21 )

" Hey " Ben said approaching the male worker

" What can I get you? " The worker who's name tag read 'Ryder' said

" Um... I was here last night and there was a girl on shift. Is there any way I could speak to her? I kinda dumped all my issues on her and she deserves an apology " Ben sighed

" Right, wish I could help but last night was her last shift before moving on outta town " Ryder lied " I'll pass on your message now if you aren't going to buy anything...get out "

Ben nodded and said a brief thanks before leaving. He mind swirled back to Mal. He just hoped she was okay and safe. He felt hopeless in this whole situation and he just wished he didn't let her go, he should've talked things out and realised how broken she was feeling and maybe just maybe she'd be home safe with him and they'd be working together through her issues until they were just a distant memory.

Did Ryder feel guilty about lying? no. He probably should but he felt he was doing the best for Mal. He recognised Ben immediately as King Benjamin of Auradon, Ben was basically treated like a celebrity here so you must be hiding under a rock if you didn't know him. Ben had obviously come to find Mal, which Ryder couldn't let happen. It would ruin everything that he and Lynn had worked to make happen. Their plan wouldn't be going down without a fight and nobody not even Mal or Ben will see it coming...