Hehe I believe all of yall were shocked. XD I had felt so giddy posting that chapter. Well, like I said, this chapter will explain everything...hopefully any and all questions yall had silently asked yourselves. Lol. And thank you to the 48 reviews on the last chapter! ...Wait, what?! 48?! O.O THANK YOU!

I still can't believe all of yall read this, especially with the first ten or so chapters being so crappy lol. I wonder if I should revise them a little or something... What do yall think? I had to reread the story for this chapter and those chapters just made me feel...ugh. XD

Disclaimer: *is currently still in shock, but if you looked at my other chapters, you'd know that I DON'T own Ghost Hunt*

Mai's POV

My eyes widened considerably as I could feel a tightness in my chest, my heart skipping a beat at her words. I felt my whole body freeze. 'What...what did she just say?'

Slowly, I lifted my head up from her chest. My eyes were still completely moist and some tears were still left on my cheeks from my previous crying fit, which came to a halt now for obvious reasons. I saw Luella's eyes soften as she looked at me.

"Wh-what?" I practically whispered. I don't know why, but I really felt like crying all over again. All of this—all of the emotional pain I've felt throughout this for Naru, it...was all for nothing? Luella already knew the truth...?

Luella's eyes were still soft but now they also turned sad.

"I'm so sorry, dear..." She reached out and wiped away the stray tears. "I never thought things would turn out this way..."

I stared in shock.

"Wh-what are you saying?! Y-You've known all along?" Unfortunately, my voice cracked as I spoke. Didn't Naru say that his parents and Madoka had believed us—our fake relationship? Did-did Lin tell them?

"Well... It hasn't been all along, but...yes, just about."

"Sin-since when then?" I swallowed thickly. I needed to know. Why didn't she ever say anything? Shouldn't she have been furious that Naru and I had been lying to her?

"Since the first night we all had dinner at the restaurant. After we had gotten back to the hotel, I told Madoka and Martin about my conclusions." Luella offered an apologetic smile. "To be honest I had had my suspicions not long after Martin, Madoka, and I arrived at the office." She added. When she saw my questioning look, she continued. "I had thought it was very odd how you acted before Noll and Lin had come back. I knew that you were confused from our sudden arrival, but I thought once we explained our reason for being there you would've understood... However, you didn't, and I could tell the confusion grew."

I looked down at my lap as I bit my lip. That was before Naru told me what was happening. Of course I was confused; my head kept spinning at that time.

"And there was also the fact that none of your friends knew. I know good and well that my son would never truly tell you to keep your relationship a secret. He might withhold the information, saying it's none of their business what happens in his personal life, but he'd never keep it a secret. He would just wait until they found out on their own." Luella admitted. I couldn't disagree, after all Naru wasn't that cruel... but from the past two weeks I've learned he's not cruel in the slightest. He just acts like it so people won't get close to him. "And then there was that boy who is claimed to be a stalker..." She alluded, trailing off. I groaned, feeling like smashing my head into a wall.

"I'm so sorry about that..." I whispered. I still feel awful about dragging Hiro into all that. He didn't deserve it one bit.

"Not to be rude or anything, but it was quite funny." Luella let a chuckle. "Especially at your graduation ceremony when he actually pretended to be your stalker!" She chuckled again. 'She's laughing about this?!' Though when she saw the look at my face, she quickly stopped and cleared her throat, placing a hand on her collarbone

. "I'm sorry, dear. However that was the point where I knew everything was a lie. At the restaurant, that boy had said you were suppose to be working. Even if he was a stalker, he shouldn't have known if you'd be working or not unless you had previously spoken with him. And then you said it was a 'business dinner'. Before you had said that you already told him that you had a boyfriend, so really, this was no reason to lie unless you were trying to keep something from him."

A small grimace crossed my face. Why is it that I never noticed how many flaws was in this whole thing? Did Naru ever notice them, or was he just hoping his parents and Madoka would over look it all?

"Why didn't you say anything then—that you knew we were lying? And why would you ask me to come to England, if there was no need to?!" I suddenly became more demanding. I don't understand why she would prolong it even more than what it already was. I felt the tightness in my chest grew. 'Stupid anxiety.' I mentally growled.

"Oh, Mai..." Luella began softly, cupping my cheek momentarily. "When I look at you and Noll, I can tell you two love each other dearly." She muttered, making my eyes grow wide. She can't be serious. I mean sure, Naru cares about me—I know that much, I won't deny it—but he doesn't love me. Suddenly Luella's expression turned stern. "I know that look and don't you dare think my son doesn't love you."

"B-but, Luella, I—"

"Mai, I have never seen Noll like this, especially after Gene died." She interrupted, silencing me. "When Noll looks at you, I can see his eyes soften and it doesn't have that 'coldness' in them—whether he realizes it or not. When you're in a room with him, he's more aware instead of trying to block everyone out, and he is always listening to you. Noll doesn't say much; it's the little things you have to look for to know what he's thinking or feeling because God knows he's not going to voice them out loud." Luella gave a small laugh. "The reason I decided to play along with Noll's whole 'scheme' was so you two would get closer together, hoping both of you would realize the feelings you held for each other were mutual. The reason I invited you to England was to push you both together without either of you knowing it was me doing it."

My gaze slid down to my lap and away from Luella's face. I really didn't know what to think. I want to believe what Luella says is true, I really do, but I can't. With something as important as this, I want—need—to hear it from Naru himself and not second-handedly, though I doubt I ever will. Though no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get rid of the feeling in the pit of my stomach that said she wasn't lying at all. But if what she says happens to be true then why would he practically storm out the house after I accidentally confessed to him again—even if I did run away first? Why would he... why would he ask if I loved him or Gene the first time I had confessed—even if it was a horrible time to confess?

...I choose the worse times, don't I? Maybe it's all my fault... Naru's not to blame in the slightest... but still, he could've said something other than what he had if he didn't felt anything towards me—romantic-wise, I mean.

"Luella..." I slightly shook my head. "I already told Naru how I felt once before." I said quietly. In the silence the woman frowned deeply.

"What?" She asked, surprise lacing her voice as she looked at me with wide eyes. I flicked my eyes up to her before looking back down. "And you're still not together? Oh no... what did my idiotic son say?!" She questioned worriedly. Humorlessly, I let out a laugh, though the tears started to form again in my eyes.

"He asked me if it was really him, or Gene, who I loved." I smiled sadly while Luella looked appalled. "Although I guess I'm the one to blame. Being right after he found Gene's body in the lake and all... But he was leaving and I didn't think I'd ever see him again, so I felt like I had to tell him. I guess I—I guess I stupidly thought that if I finally told him how I felt that he'd stay in Japan. I didn't want him to leave, as selfish as that sounds. I didn't like the idea of it, even if he just always ordered me around and called me an idiot. Since I met him though, he's always saved me when I was in trouble and just being around him always made me feel safe."

"But Noll did stay, Mai." Luella told me gently, giving me a comforting hug. "Back then, before we had left Japan to come back to England, Martin and I were shocked when he said he wanted to come back and open up a permanent SPR office in Japan. Of course Noll being Noll convinced Martin into letting him. But now I realize the real reason he wanted to stay, Mai. It was because of you." Luella looked beside us at my suitcase on the bed and most of my things in it. "Please don't leave, Mai." She begged as I followed her gaze. I shook my head a bit.

"I think I need to..." I confessed absent-mindedly. It'd be good for me, I think. "Naru had told me we'd leaving Sunday anyways, so he and Lin can just come back then. Right now I just want to go home." I nodded to myself. I want some kind of normalcy in my life after the past two weeks. "I'll have a few days by myself, to get my thoughts and emotions in check, before I have to go to work and face Naru again." I stated.

Perhaps by then, I can just pretend the last couple of weeks never happened. ...What a stupid wish. I'll have to tell Monk and the others the truth when I get home. I mentally sighed.

"I can...understand that..." Luella said slowly, frowning. Then after a few moments it disappeared and was replaced by a look I was immediately wary of; I just hoped she wasn't planning something again. I don't want to be on the receiving end of her schemes again. In this family, I honestly can't tell which person has the most deceitful schemes—although I guess I'm not any better. "I'm guessing you would like to leave before Noll returns?" She asked and I replied with a nod. I'm not sure where Naru had went or why he left... but I guess it's not really any of my business. "I'll have Lin drive you to the airport."

"Thank you." I smiled in gratitude before she left. Wiping my eyes, I stood up from the bed and finished packing. I know Luella will tell Naru that she knew about our fake relationship and that I went back in Japan once he comes back—there's no reason for her not to. I just hope he won't be mad that I left and fire me or something, though I don't guess he has a reason to be mad. I did my part in all of this; it's not my fault his parents and Madoka knew all along. I can't believe Lin couldn't have told us that they had known. Maybe he hadn't though? Did Luella even know that Lin had figured it out too?

"Mai." I turned around at the sound of Madoka's voice and at the soft knock she did on the open door. She gave me a guilty look as she walked into the room with Martin and Luella behind her. When she reached me, she quickly pulled me into a hug. "I'm sorry, Mai."

"It's okay." I said, knowing what she was referring to. "I'm the one who should be apologizing for trying to trick you all."

"Oh, don't be silly. Noll is the one at fault here, not you." Martin murmured as Madoka released me. Not knowing what else to do, I bowed slightly.

"Nonetheless, thank you... for allowing me to stay here even though you knew."

Luella walked up to me and made me stand back up straight. "Of course we would. Any time you want to come visit—and I certainly expect one—just call and we'll buy you a ticket. No matter what ever happens between you and Noll, you're always welcomed here."

Surprised, I looked at Martin and Madoka to see them nodding in agreement. 'They want to see me again...' I smiled brightly.

"Mm!"

"Are you ready?" We suddenly heard Lin's voice from the doorway. As I scanned the room for anything I might have missed, I let out a breath.

"Yeah, I think so." I grabbed my suitcase and went to him. The five of us walked downstairs and to the front door. Naru's parents and Madoka each gave me a hug and said our goodbyes, with a promise to Luella that I'll call her when I land to let her know I got there safely, before I followed Lin outside. "You." I glare at the Chinese man as we walked to the car. "I have a lot of things to ask you about!"

Lin grimaced.

Luella's POV

I glanced at the clock as I sat in the living room, playing with a small object in my hand. Mai's plane should be taking off by now. I really hate to see that sweet girl leave, but if the new plan I have goes well, I'm sure I'll be seeing her again soon enough. Noll hasn't come back yet, but I'm waiting for him so I can finally put my plan into action. It might be 'wrong', as Martin always says about my plans, but if I tell Noll the truth about why Mai left then he might not run straight after his damsel in distress! He would probably just wait until his appointed time to leave as he had scheduled. So, to save those two the trouble, I decided to...bend the truth a bit.

After a while, I finally heard the front door open and close. About time my idiotic son came back. Really, doesn't he know any better than to just leave Mai like he did? Instead of coming into the living room, Noll quickly went upstairs, most likely to his room where he thinks Mai is. As I counted down to ten, I heard him racing back down the stairs after a few moments. I had to hide a smile.

"Mother, where is Mai?" My son immediately demanded once he caught sight of me. I, of course, avoided his question.

"Where on earth have you been?! You shouldn't have walked out like that you know!" I exclaimed sternly. He really shouldn't have.

"Where is Mai?" He asked impatiently, avoiding my question also. When he saw the look on my face, he sighed in exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I just had to go on a walk. Now tell me where she is."

"She left."

Noll instantly dropped his hand and narrowed his eyes into slits. "What?"

"She left." I repeated. Noll's eyes widened a fraction. I held back a grin. "She's going back to Japan. Her plane should have just left."

Noll moved closer to me. "Why would she lea—"

"I know everything, Noll. About your fake relationship with Mai." I said. I decided to just come out with it, after all he'll know sooner or later so might as well break it to him now. "Before you say anything, no, Mai did not tell me—I've known since the first night we arrived in Japan."

Noll stopped in mid-step, stunned. Well, as stunned as that stoic façade he wears lets him. Oh ho! It seems I've rendered him speechless! Oh, Madoka, I wish you were here to see!

"What?" He sharply inquired. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I sighed.

"Noll, did you really think you could fool your parents?" I asked. As he was about to speak again, I cut him off. "But never mind that. You should be more worried about what Mai's going to do once her plane lands."

"...What do you mean?" Noll hesitated on asking. Again, I repressed a grin. He's worried to death, he's just trying not to show it.

"She thinks you hate her since you walked out like that, Noll!" I feigned anger. And this is where my wonderful plan comes in. 'Sorry Oliver, but I'm a much better actress than you are.' I mentally smirked. "The poor girl said she didn't think she could stay around anymore knowing that you didn't love her like she loves you...and once she gets back home she said she was going to sign a resign form... She's quitting SPR, Noll! Quitting!" At that moment I take back what I said earlier about leaving him speechless. That doesn't compare to right now. I almost felt guilty. Almost, but not quite.

"She..." Noll cleared his throat. "Mai wouldn't do that..."

"Well, believe it!" I huffed. I then stood up and walked to him. I clutched the small, metal object in my hand and gave it to Noll. "She wanted me to give this to you." I added as I gave him Mai's key to the SPR office, wiping my eyes for extra measures too. I might have dug into her suitcase and stole the key off Mai's key ring while she was saying her goodbyes to Martin and Madoka and wasn't looking. But it's for a good cause, really. I needed something as proof that Mai really would've meant what she said.

Noll seemingly recognized the key in an instant. He clutched it in his hand, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared down at it. His eyes flicked up to me for a moment before he turned around, walking out the door, and raced upstairs once again.

"Like hell she's leaving." I heard him growl under his breath. This time I did grin once he was out of sight. Ten minutes later he was hurrying down the stairs with his suitcase in hand just as Lin walked through the front door, finally coming back after dropping Mai off. "You're driving me to the airport." Noll told Lin, passing by him and walking out the door. "I have to go speak to a certain idiotic girl."

Lin's shoulders sagged a bit as he let out a tired breath. Then he followed Noll out. Poor Lin. He drove all the way to carry Mai there, then drove back, and now he has to go again. I couldn't help but feel giddy. I clapped my hands together and laughed.

"Go get her, Noll." I whispered happily.

Lol oh, Luella... she just doesn't stop, does she? XD But it's for a good cause...really. Haha! Writing Luella was fun!

Please review! ONE CHAPTER LEFT!