The rest of the day flew by for Cress. Kai and Cinder had helped them put the things back they had used for their presentation (aside from the stuff Thorne had - unfairly - brought from home). They had then all left for a nice bistro to catch up. Thorne had recounted their journey from Inyokern Airport, including their pretend relationship when Jina's group had picked them up (which earned him a reproach about how dangerous that had been from both Kai and Cinder). He had also told them about the onion-smelling owner and Señora Santiago and how she had fixed the Rampion. Cress had been dreading that he would reveal her inebriated state, including her embarrassing singing. But he easily skipped those parts and for that, Cress was grateful. She knew the story would have been funnier with it but he never touched about her less glamorous moments from yesterday.

Kai had asked her about Vermont and any new developments in her life but Cress hadn't been in the mood to talk about herself. She had briefly talked about her business, but was quick to steer the conversation to other things. She liked learning about Cinder, though after she had apparently put her foot in her mouth during her pitch, she refrained from asking too many questions.

She had also learned about some behind the scene moments from Kai's campaign and work in politics. It had been harder than Kai had expected. While his ratings had been good throughout, there had been severe backlash from the other party and especially their leader, a one Levana Blackburn. It had been a dirty campaign from her side and it was clear how much Kai had detested all the unnecessary media circus, instead of focusing on actual problems. But apparently, Levana Blackburn loved the attention of the media, especially if she could use it to drag one of her opponents. Cress was glad that Kai had won despite her scheming.

But Cress could hardly concentrate on the light conversation or the great food. She didn't want to be a sore loser either. Cress wasn't even mad at Thorne (okay, maybe a little) but mostly at herself. She knew she could have presented something great. Something stunning and personal you couldn't just find in any magazine.

And worst of all, she hadn't just failed herself. She had failed Kai too. Kai, who had been so generous and trusted her so much. What would he think of her now? Would he regret paying her when he could have just let Thorne do the whole thing himself?

It all boiled down to one question: Did she really need to be here?

Thorne seemed to be doing well on his own, which was something Cress never doubted before. He ran a successful business after all. But it felt like he didn't want her to be here. Wasn't interested in working with her. And that was what Cress had been hoping for.

Not trying to show her inner turmoils, she hoped everyone thought her somber mood was due to jetlag and a lack of sleep. Which wasn't completely wrong either. She was exhausted. Who knew, maybe after a good night's sleep things wouldn't look as grim as they did right now?

Kai and Cinder eventually left, both needing to work even though it was Saturday. Cinder needed to visit a property to take measurements and Kai had to attend a conference. They would meet again tomorrow at Artemisia Hall. Before they left, Kai once again reminded her which neighbor had kept Huy Deshal's keys so she could enter the apartment.

Cress would have to return to Thorne's apartment first though; her luggage was still there after all. She and Thorne hailed a cab since neither of them had a car.

Thorne's chattiness was gone now and an uneasy silence settled over them. Cress half-heartedly checked her emails and answered some on her phone. She could feel his eyes on her but he didn't say anything until they reached his apartment. They told the cab driver to wait, so Cress didn't have to hail another one to take her to her temporary residence.

"So, that went well, don't you think?" He leaned against his kitchen aisle with the kitten purring happily in his arms. From his cooing she had made out that its name was Boots. Which she had to admit was awfully cute. "One session and we have the concept. That leaves us plenty of time to organize the rest. I already worked on some ideas for the invitations so we could go over them on Monday."

"Hm," was all Cress said. She didn't doubt that he had already planned out more details though she did startle at his use of "we" and "us" since he had made it abundantly clear that there was no room for both of them.

He talked a bit more about the things "they" would need to do but Cress couldn't bring herself to join in. Instead, she focused on stuffing her belongings back into her suitcase, which she laid strewn around from her frenzy morning routine. When she was sure she had everything, she grabbed her suitcase before making her way towards Thorne.

"Thank you for letting me stay. And for picking me up." Feeling it was safer not to talk about anything that happened today, she instead leaned forward to scratch Boots affectionately behind her ears - which, as she was close enough, earned her a familiar nose boop. Despite her glum mood, Cress couldn't help but laugh. Nothing like a tiny playful kitten to lighten the mood. "And thank you for waking me," she cooed.

When she looked up at Thorne, Cress thought she saw a glimpse of guilt on his face. But then he quickly bent down to release Boots.

Cress turned to leave, with Thorne jogging two steps ahead of her to open the door for her, Boots weaving in and out between their legs. She was about to step into the hallway as Thorne held her back by her elbow.

"Cress, wait."

He waited until she turned around to face him before he let his hand fall to his side. Without his blazer and the hair losing some of its gelled-back shape, he looked less the professional wedding planner as he did at Regolith Décor. Less like someone who forced her out of a competition but more like Kai's charming friend who had been gallant enough to pick her up from the airport when she had no one to ask for help.

Cress had liked him way more then.

She waited for him to say something when he gave her a rueful smile.

"Listen, I know it probably didn't go how you expected but the main thing is that we have a concept, right? I wouldn't want you to be disappointed because Cinder and Kai didn't pick your idea."

Cress couldn't help but sigh. "Thorne, I'm not disappointed that my idea didn't get picked."

A raise of an eyebrow told her that he was surprised to hear that. "You're not?"

"No." Cress was tempted to leave it at that, to play along nicely. Leave it at an apology that she was just tired. But somehow actually being tired sapped her of the strength to do that. She settled for the truth. "You didn't wake me. You prepared things ahead. We were in a store you were familiar with but I wasn't. I only had twenty minutes and no chance to actually develop an idea how I usually would. I didn't do my job well and I love doing my job as well as I can."

He looked as if he wanted to say something but when Cress held her hand up, he let her continue.

"I love my job. I know you don't but it means a lot to me. I came here because ...," Cress trailed off for a second, not sure how to voice her decision to come to L.A. in a way he could understand. "Because Kai asked me to come so I could help you. I know I'm not as experienced as you. You're way ahead of me career-wise, I always knew that. But Kai told me that he wanted you to be his best man and hoped I could support you. Take over while you were occupied being the best man so you could be there for Kai."

Cress felt her throat tighten and hated the idea that she was close to tears. She didn't want to be emotional but she forced herself to say what was on her mind.

"I ... Thorne, I really hoped I could work with you. Learn from you. I thought you were someone whom I could relate to."

She took a long breath, releasing all the tension in her body. "But it's obvious that you don't need me here. You don't even want me here. And now I'm asking myself if I even have any reason to stay?"

There was a long silence. She didn't know why but she had hoped he would tell her that no, of course she should stay. That he needed her help. But he didn't say anything. He eyed her with a seriousness she hadn't seen from him before and that she couldn't place. But it helped her make up her mind.

"I just think maybe it would be better if I go back home."

And with that she turned and left.

A/N: Hi everyone. From the reaction (or lack thereof) to the last chapter, I guess that people were bummed about Thorne winning the competition instead of Cress. Please, believe me when I say: Trust me. You don't have to trust me with the whole fic (I don't trust myself with the whole fic) but trust me with this. I do have a plan. That said, despite this gloomy chapter, the next one will be more fun. After all, Thorne has a surprise planned - what could go wrong with that? ;)

As always, a big thank you for lovelunarchon for betaing my fic and encouraging me so much to write.