A/N: Okay... y'all aren't going to like her mother because I damn sure don't. That's it... I have nothing else to say lol

"Look, honey our child has returned."

Mercedes rolled her eyes at her mother's comment and let out a deep sigh, she knew this was going a conversation that either pissed her off or worse made her want to slap the hell out her parents. Her mother was the prime example southern beauty with her rich cocoa skin that seemed to always glow no matter if there was light on her or not, her hair was long and with big full curls and her make up was always done professionally. She was curvy and slightly taller than Mercedes with the same doe brown eyes and full lips. Her father was sitting at his desk giving her the same look he used to give her when she was little and she felt like she was about to get a spanking based on how hard his eyes were, he was a big no none sense man, she inherited her attitude and killer expressions from him as well as her button nose and smile. He stood at 6'7 built like the Rock with a voice so deep that him being nice even sounded threatening but one thing people knew about him was that Mercedes had him wrapped around her finger and he hated it because she knew all she had to do was smile and bat her eyes and the large man turned into silly puddy.

"Care to explain why we had to find out about you being in a wreck from Roz?" Vivian said getting straight to the point.

"You weren't supposed to find out period so you know the answer to that question." Mercedes snapped crossing her arms she hated when her parents would ask her things when they clearly knew the answer.

"Little girl, don't talk to your mother like that. Now, why haven't you been checking in or calling?" Her father said angrily.

"Because I'm a grown woman who doesn't have to call mommy and daddy every time I need something." She replied rolling her eyes and avoiding the glare her father was giving her. She knew she was dancing on a fine line but she was beyond pissed that they literally kidnapped her.

"MERCEDES IF YOU DON'T WATCH YOUR MOUTH I WILL BEND YOU OVER MY DAMN KNEE. I don't care how old you are you will show respect now tell us what the hell is going on in your life." He father said slamming his hand down on his desk startling Mercedes and making Vivian jump.

"I graduated, found a nice place and started my business all of the things you already know. I was in a wreck with my- with a friend and the next thing I know Roz is there making me leave with her because you sent for me." She replied not fully backing down but also letting some of the sass go only a little.

"Who?" Her mother said catching her slip up and looking at her with narrowed eyes.

"A friend." She replied softly.

"Either tell us or we'll call that hospital and find out ourselves."

"Fine! He's my boyfriend and he's in a coma… I wasn't even able to see him because of the both of you!"

"Boyfriend?" Her parents asked in unison.

"Yes.. now tell me why you really summoned me." She said trying to hide her blush she never talked about her relationships with her parents. They didn't even know about Shane… well she assumed they didn't.

"Who is this boy?" Her mother asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Some big lipped white boy." Roz said joining the conversation as she walked in with an unamused look.

"Excuse me?" Her father said looking at Roz then his daughter. Mercedes rolled her eyes and started to leave, she knew where this conversation was heading and she didn't have the energy to deal with her parents ignorance.

"Good night. Oh I'll be needing a new phone daddy." She aid looking over her shoulder at her father who was trying hard to keep a stern look but failed as soon as she gave him a small smile.

"Okay I'll have one here for you in the morning." He said feeling defeated but happy that his daughter actually called him daddy.

"Seriously Richard, she hasn't been home in years and you just let her leave in the middle of the conversation because she calls you 'daddy' she's playing you. Now, who is this person you're dating?" Vivian asked.

"He's my boyfriend and I have strong feelings for him and yes he's white and yes his lips are big."

"And I supposed you expect us to accept this person?"

"I don't care if you do or don't, he's doesn't need your acceptance and I see you clearly forgot that I don't want it either so this conversation is over." Mercedes said giving her mother the same looks she was giving her only with a smirk.

"Little girl you are in my house and you are my child, I birthed you and I can unbirth you if you keep testing my kindness. You will not go back until you break it off with this man you find yourself taken in by because we have standards and expectations to uphold. Your father has an image to maintain and as the women in his life we have certain rolls to play, I have the perfect young man for you because it's time you got married anyway. He'll be here the day after tomorrow and I expect you to behave because if you don't that little business you have will suffer. Goodnight and don't forget to do you skincare routine… you're looking a little dull." Vivian replied with venom and anger. Mercedes looked to her father who looked very conflicted but didn't say anything and just gave her an apologetic look before looking away. She shook her head and felt the tears burning in her eyes but refused to let them fall.

"I am not meeting anyone and you can't keep me here. I don't care about the bullshit you and daddy have going on it has nothing to do with me! Your 'associates' don't even know I exist and the only reason I'm here is because you need some type of leverage but guess what VIVIAN, I'm no one's pawn and you won't bully me into doing anything. I will not breakup with Sam and you need to face that fact now because I will be going back to him. Goodnight." She retorted and walked out of the study and back upstairs. She knew that house like the back of her hands and knew where all the security was stationed. She looked for the one that was with her in the truck and when she found him she told him she needed to be escorted to her room, he nodded and walked her up the two flights until they reached her room. He walked in first and she followed closing the door behind them and standing there waiting for him to finish checking it.

"I know you." She said when he finally turned around.

"Excuse me?"

"I know you we went to school together." She said moving closer to him and he took a deep breath and crossed his arms.

"Did we?"

"You were a few grade above me but yes and I know you remember me." He gave her a look before grabbing her and moving her away from the door and closer to the window.

"Okay fine, I know you and yes I remember you but your parents don't know that and we probably should keep it that way because they literally ask all of the people they hire if they know about their child. No one knows about you if they haven't met you so as far they're concerned I DON'T KNOW YOU." He whispered and rolled his eyes at the amused look on her face.

"Yeah and I'm more than sure they wouldn't want to know that you were the first person to kiss their daughter now would they?" She said smiling deviously. He threw his head back and shook his head.

"Look I need this job, I have a kid on the way and it pays well and-" He stopped when she raised her hand.

"Noah, I'm not going to tell them anything I need a favor and based on the other people here you're the only person I can trust." She said sighing deeply.

"WHAT! First you push me into a corner and now you want me to do you a favor that could lose my job?"

"You won't lose your job trust me, in fact if you had told them you knew me you would've gotten more money than you're probably getting now. I need you to fly back to Chicago and get Sam here because I have a feeling my parents aren't letting me go any time soon and sneaking out isn't going to fly this time. I'm sure they already froze my accounts and made it impossible for me to go anywhere without Roz near." She said looking around her room and noticing it hadn't been touched which made her smile. She walked over to her closet and knocked on the panel hearing it was still hollow, she shot Noah a big grin and pried it open and once she got it open she let out a breath of relief. She had stashed a great deal of her allowance into a small box and there was well over a few grand in it that one spot. She took out what she figured was enough to get tickets for Sam and Noah to fly there and back without her parents knowing because they would be paying cash.

"Here, this should be more than enough for you to go there and back. Now his name is Sam Evans… this is his address and you're gonna need to convince him that you know me so here." She gave him the money and wrote down Sam's name and address and handed the necklace she was wearing. She knew Sam would recognize is because she was wearing it and luckily for her Sam was perceptive.

"Okay and if he doesn't want to come?" Noah asked with a serious look.

"Well you're not about to hurt him if that's what you're implying… if he doesn't want to come then come back." she said sadly hoping he would come. Noah let a groan and knew this was a bad idea but he was going to do this one favor for her.

"Hey, it needed to be asked… I'm sure he'll come. If it were me I would."

"Thanks Noah, can you leave tonight?"

"No, I won't be able to until the day after tomorrow, we're on strict orders to be on call and if I leave like that they'll suspect something. I'm off for a few days after though and can go without question." He replied hoping that would be okay. When she nodded he let out a sigh of relief before giving her a small hug.

"I have to get back to my post but it was good to see you again Merce." He said walking away.

"You to Puck." She said giving him a smile as he walked out of her room.

…

"Why do you always have to come down on her so hard?" Richard asked his wife as they prepared for bed.

"I wouldn't have to do anything if you just grew a backbone and treated her like the insolent child that she is, I mean did you hear her call me Vivian? I gave that child everything and she acts like I'm the worst thing to happen to the world." Vivian replied looking at her husband incredulously for asking such a stupid question.

"I'm her father not her warden, I treat her like the daughter that she is and has always been. She wouldn't have left in the first place if you acted like you loved her. She hasn't been here in years and I don't want what little time we do have with her to be spent arguing."

"She's not going back to that white boy or Chicago! She has to stop parading around like some loose woman and pay her dues. We gave her everything and repays us by leaving and now have the nerve to say she dating some person who probably beneath our standards."

"Your standards, not mine. Didn't you see how happy she looked? She looks healthy and like she's really living. Why do we need to interrupt that? Why can't we just let her go back?" Richard said looking at his wife hoping he was getting to the point across.

"I want her to get married and have beautiful chocolate babies but she can't do that if she's with this Sam person. That reminds me we need to get Roz to look into him so we can know what we're up against. As for healthy she could honestly lose a few pounds, she has such a beautiful figure but refuses to tone her body."

"NO! She is happy and we're not intervening any longer. I'm letting her know she can leave if she promises to stay for the weekend. I just want to spend time with my baby girl forreal this time."

"You can do whatever the hell you want but she's meeting with Bryce when he gets here and she will like it. Now I'm going to sleep and I suggest you do the same, you know how much our child likes to cause drama when she has to do what's expected of her." Vivian said laying down and closing her eyes smiling. Richard sighed and looked at his wife before laying down his self, he hoped like hell this wouldn't drive Mercedes away again. Which is exactly what happened the next day Vivian kept talking about Mercedes and Bryce's meeting that she locked herself in her room and wouldn't come out to eat or speak to either of them. The only person upset was Richard because Vivian felt her daughter could miss a meal or two so her tantrum had an upside, she swiftly walked up the stairs to her daughter's room and knocked before shouting loudly.

"Better get some beauty sleep because tomorrow is the day you meet Bryce and I hope like hell you can behave!"

…

Mercedes was woken up by several people walking in and out of her room. First was her mother opening her drapes and blinds shouting that it was time for her to get up, then there was the stylist her mother hired to pick a few 'appropriate' dresses for her to wear for her meeting with whomever her mother was planning on setting her up with and then came the hair and make up team who didn't hesitate to let her know she needed a facial and her hair needed some much needed TLC. Then her father came with a new phone and some breakfast and after being poked and prodded then made up, her mother finally returned to see the final results.

"Mhm… now you look like you belong here. I'm so happy you chose the white dress it looks really good on you and it shows off those God given curves. Before we go downstairs I am going to say this once and if I have to even remotely say anything to you again you will never pick another camera. You will be on your best behavior and act like the lady we raised you to be and you will interact with this young man because I can see him being my son-in-law. Okay?" Vivian asked looking at her daughter with demanding eyes.

"I will entertain this clown and then when he leaves I will tell you that I'm going back to Sam." She replied with a smirk as she began to walk away but her mother snatched her back to where she was and gripped her arm tightly making her wince.

"You will behave and you will make a great impression or so help me you won't remember what that damn boy looks like." Her mother barked through gritted teeth.

"Ow… you're gonna leave a mark!" Mercedes said looking at her mother wide-eyed. Vivian released her and let out a pleased sigh before walking towards the door.

"I hate you." Mercedes mumbled causing the woman to stop and turn around.

"What did you say?"

"I said I HATE YOU!" Mercedes said back with so much anger in her voice it scared her and before she could move towards the door her mother's hand came across her face with so much force.

"You listen and you listen good, you may have your father wrapped around you little finger but you have never fooled me. Your father wanted you not me, I never wanted kids and I made sure after you we would never have anymore. I really tried with you Mercedes I did but you made it so damn hard to love you. Always running off, sneaking around I'm surprised you haven't had any kids as wide as your hips are there's no way you haven't been sleeping around. You walk around like you're the belle of the ball but we both know better, we both know you spread your legs to any man who looks your way. So why not capitalize on it? Bryce is handsome and I know he'll give you plenty of babies once you get married because that is not something you can wiggle your way out of little girl. It's time you pay your dues and with your father planning to run for Governor we need you here being the doting daughter with her black husband and black kids. Sam doesn't fit into that picture and if you're not careful you will come up missing playing with me. No fix your face and smile, love awaits you." Her mother said before walking out of the room. This was the woman she was waiting for, she knew her mother never wanted her but to finally hear it made her heart sink. She pushed whatever emotion that was coming and threw her shoulders back, held her head high and walked out with the fakest smile she could muster. She would play her mother's game but she wasn't going to do it without a fight.

When she finally made it down the stairs she saw her mother and father talking to who she figured was Bryce she walked over to them only stopping when she heard his voice. She moved a little closer and felt her breathing increase, she had to get out of there but before she could turn and walk – run away her mother grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the living room.

"Bryce sweetie, this is our darling daughter Mercedes. Mercedes this is Bryce Washington, Roz's son." Mercedes eyes grew as the man turned around and she tried like hell to move away but her mother's grip only grew tighter.

"Well, it's certainly nice to put a face to the name. I'm Bryce nice to meet you Mercedes." He said smiling and holding his hand out for her to shake, Mercedes looked at him then down at his hand then her mother hoping that she would sense her panic instead she just threw her closer to him. Tank leaned over pretending to give her sweet hug and whispered into her ear.

"Don't do anything stupid I know something about your father that will ruin your family's life. Oh and you can forget about Sam, I threatened him within an inch of your life and if he comes near you I will make sure to follow through. Now give me a sweet smile and offer to show me around, I've been dying to see your bedroom." He said pulling back waiting for her to do as he said when she didn't he gave her a warning look but she didn't budge.

"Mr. Jones I hear you're running for governor is that correct?" He asked not taking his eyes off of Mercedes.

"Yes, I plan on announcing my candidacy on Monday actually."

"Well that's going to be-

"Why don't I show you around? Huh? It's such a beautiful day out and we can talk about this over brunch right daddy?"

"Oh that's a wonderful idea sweetheart. You two go have fun!" Vivian said smiling and surprised her daughter was actually doing as she told. Tank shot her a grin and grabbed her hand but allowed her to lead.

"I thought you'd see it my way, also that dress looks amazing on you. I bet it looks better off too." He said winking at her and laughing when she rolled her eyes.

"Don't think I don't know the secret you were about to spill the only reason I stopped you is because I actually love my daddy."

"Well then you just let me get away Scott free for no reason. I'm starting to think you might actually like me" He said looking around the large kitchen then back at her.

"So you're real name is Bryce huh?" She asked walking to the back yard and trying to figure out how to ditch him before making her escape. She was good a pretending and she was even better at making men who were crazy think she was interested.

"I prefer Tank but yes." He replied looking at her ass as she swayed slightly while walking. She turned and looked at him with a sexy smirk that made him bite back a low groan. She knew what she was doing and he liked it.

"Come here I want to show you something." She said in a sultry tone.

Tank smiled and rubbed his hands together as he walked closer to where she was standing. He looked and saw a small pond that was neatly decorated and there was a small pathway leading further away from the house. He looked up and saw that she had removed her shoes and was walking towards the path, he quickly walked to where she was headed.

"My mother wants me to impress you, you know?" She said when he caught up to her.

"Then I would hate for you to disappoint her."

"My mother's version of impressing you and mine are two totally different things." She said making a sharp right turn on the path.

"What's her version?" He asked once he caught up to her again only to see her turn left and when we saw her dress on the ground he picked up his pace to find her and once we got a glance of her in a just a slip before she made another right turn. He was getting turned on by her antics and was about to pounce when he realized he wasn't sure which way she had turned after she made the right turn. He knew he could easily go back but then he looked down and saw her lace panties and couldn't resist going after her.

The further he went the more convinced he was that he was getting closer to where she was but he was very much wrong. She quickly pulled out her phone shooting Puck a message to have the car waiting for her on the far end of the property and circled back around making sure to be as silent as possible. She knew he would get lost on the path because it was a giant maze that her mother needed to mimic the one she saw on a vineyard somewhere. She went back to where she left her dress and quickly slipped it back on and went towards the guest house where she could get around without being seen. She heard Tank yelling her name and knew she had to hurry, she ran until she reached the paved walked way and saw Puck standing beside the car. She motioned for him to get in and quickly ran over to hoping into the back and shouting at him to drive and to go fast.

"Jeez what's the rush?"

"Just go to the location I texted you please and after you drop me off you have to go. Bring Sam there and no where else… okay?" She said trying to catch her breath. Noah nodded and continued to drive where the GPS was taking them. It was an hour drive and her phone hadn't stop ringing whenever she assumed her parents found out she ran. When they finally pulled up to the she was certain her mother was sending out a search party for her and when she did finally find her she was going to be in it deep. She got out and went down the long walkway and froze when she saw someone standing there she looked back and saw that Noah had already pulled off. Shit!

"Well, well I think its time we had a little chat."

Welp... Cliffhanger again but it's gonna be worth it! It's about to get even more muddier and I can't wait! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next will answer MANY question as well as some happy moments! Until next time XOXO!