A/N: The updates might not come as quickly as before unfortunately. I just started my freshman year of college so I'm super busy, overwhelmed, nervous, and every other emotion possible. So I appreciate yall's patience. Happy Reading! Post a review if you want an excerpt of the next chapter!

Jasmine sat at the table in the coffee house, disappointed and a little pissed off. Zane had asked her to meet him, and he was half an hour late. She wouldn't have minded as much if he would have let her know that he was running late. But he wasn't answering his phone. And her text inbox remained annoyingly empty. She glanced at her cellphone to check the time. 7:05. He was over half an hour late. She sighed and looked around the place in boredom. Where was he? Was he in some sort of trouble? The dark haired girl found herself worried for the boy who had quickly piqued her interest. She hadn't had a boyfriend in a long time due to her Mai duties and her dictator of a mother. Honestly, Valentina expected her to give up having a life just because she needed to protect the Uniter. Jasmine didn't resent Chloe though, it wasn't her fault she turned out to be the super-important Mai. And she did want to help her fellow Mai and guard Chloe, but not a the expense of her own life. She didn't want to give up everything like her mother expected her to. She had taken a freaking dagger to the back to protect the Uniter, shouldn't that show some dedication? But no, she brings Zane back to her house one time and her mother completely freaks.

The thought of Zane sent a thrill of anger through her. Why hadn't he called to say he'd be late? She picked up her phone and sent him a text, asking if he was on his way, and leaned back in her chair. She would wait thirty more minutes. If he still didn't show up she would just go back home. Dejectedly, she watched another couple across the room staring arguing heatedly and disturbing the ambiance of the coffee house…at least they were having a worse time than her.

Chloe entered her house, feeling rejuvenated and content. If she had known a little trip away from home would help her so much she would have gone a lot sooner! With a careless laugh she plopped down onto the sofa in her living room. Things almost felt normal today. It reminded her of her pre-Uniter days, when she could just have fun and not have to think about duty, training, and evil people trying to kill her. But, she knew that pretty soon Valentina would send Alek or Jasmine banging on her front door, demanding a reason for her departure. But, she was okay with that. She knew she probably should have told someone where she went, but she just wanted a day to herself. One day. She didn't think she was asking for too much…

The blonde's phone chimed from her bag and she scooped it out, eagerly opening her email page. She had a reply from her dad. As she read the words on the tiny screen she would hardly believe it. He was here. In San Francisco. Her mouth parted in surprise and she nearly dropped the phone out of her hand. He wanted to meet her tonight.

"Chloe, I'm leaving now!" Her mom called as she walked down the stairs in heels and a black dress. "I should be back by eleven. Is Amy coming over?"

Chloe shook her head. "Nope. It's just me."

"Are you going out with Brian tonight then?" Meredith questioned, saddened at the thought of her daughter sitting around the house alone. She was worried she might be upset because of all the issues with her absent father.

"No mom." Chloe sighed, "I don't want to talk about it." Her impromptu trip today had allowed her to gain some clarity. What she had felt for Brian hadn't been love. Sure, she liked him. He was attractive, nice, and easy to talk to. But the reason she had clung to fiercely to him was that he reminded her of being human. He reminded her that before all this Mai business she was just a girl who wanted to have fun. Instead, she had gotten powers, danger, and late-night training sessions with Alek. But…the last one she didn't mind so much. The human Chloe would not have even been remotely interested in Alek. He was arrogant, cocky, and sarcastic. But the new Chloe didn't mind his flaws. She had gotten accustomed to him and found herself discovering another side of him she hadn't known he possessed. The British Mai could also be very protective. She had realized this when he tried to save her from the group of Jackals that she had foolishly and naively trusted. He was trustworthy, which he proved when he didn't give Valentina the location of the Jackal's hide out. Jasmine had told her that Alek had refused to send the Mai leader the location, and the knowledge had left Chloe shocked. She hadn't known why he would do that for her; risk his own life to honor a promise he had made to her.

"But I thought you liked him?" Her mother prodded, confused as to why Chloe would change her mind so capriciously.

The young Mai remained silent, unsure on how to answer the question.

"Well, it is obvious that he likes you. So if you still like him you should try actually going on a date with him."

"Don't you have an investor to meet?" Chloe asked pointedly, wanting the conversation to end.

"The investor can wait. I know that dating is confusing, especially when two boys like you. But you have to be honest, kiddo. Especially with yourself." Meredith advised, watching the conflicted look overcome her daughters face.

"I don't know what I feel." The blonde murmured, her voice soft.

The brunette gave her daughter a knowing glance as she replied, "I think you know exactly how you feel." Chloe's lips parted in surprise. Her mom thought she was in love with Brian, but she couldn't be farther from the truth. There was someone else that had crept into her heart without her noticing. Someone unexpected.

"I'm not in love with Brian, but I think I might like someone else." She admitted, her blue eyes bright with emotion. It seemed that while she was preoccupied with all the changes in her life, she had unknowingly let Alek in. Usually, she was pretty guarded with guys like him. He was popular, cocky, and obviously attracted a lot of attention from girls with that freaking british accent. But for some reason she grown close to him. She trusted him, and even cared about him. "Aren't you going to be late to the meeting?"

"Oh no sweetie I can cancel it."

"No, It's okay. I know this is important for your job. You should go, me and my heart will be fine."

"You're amazingly resilient." Her mom said admiringly, immensely proud of her daughter. "Okay, I'll be home later tonight. There are leftovers in the fridge."

Chloe watched her mom leave and remained seated after the front door clicked shut. Her colored eyes filled with tears as a smile overcame her features. She had feelings for Alek. The relief that filled her at the realization made her feel lighter. Then, fear overcame her. Alek wasn't the type to have a girlfriend. Sure he dated girls, but as far as she knew he had never had a steady relationship. That thought frightened her. Chloe knew that if she gave Alek a chance she would only grow to like him more, and if he didn't want to be with her…she would be crushed. Resolutely, the blonde Mai decided to keep her romantic feelings a secret. If Alek ever found out he would probably go running the other direction. She knew he was attracted to her, he had made that obvious, but she wasn't sure he wanted to be with her. And what she wanted more than anything was for him to want her for her. Chloe wanted to be sure he liked her for other reasons, not just the physical.

With that decided, Chloe trudged upstairs to her room; planning to check her email again before going to meet her father. As she opened the door to her bedroom, her eyes were drawn to a pair of warm brown ones across the room. She froze in the doorway, jaw dropping in surprise. "Alek." How long had he been in her room?

"How long have you been here?" She asked finally, barely able to keep a calm exterior.

"Awhile." He answered simply, enjoying her frustration at his vague answer.

"And why exactly are you in my room?" She questioned accusingly, raising an eyebrow at him. She sincerely hoped he had not heard what she revealed to her mom.

His trademark smirk overcame his face. "It probably has something to do with the fact that you disappeared all day."

"Sorry for wanting one entire day without someone following me around." Chloe replied sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest. The truth was she kind of liked the banter between her and Alek…as much as she was ashamed to admit it. And if it distracted from the fact that she basically admitted to liking him five minutes earlier, then that was great too.

"Apology accepted." He said, ignoring her sarcasm. "So…I hear you're finally over your human."

Repressing the urge to groan in annoyance, the girl rolled her blue eyes. "I should have known you were eavesdropping."

"It's not my fault I have super-sensitive hearing." He defended light-heartedly, getting amusement out of her discomfort. "Now, you didn't answer my question."

Shooting him a glare, Chloe bit back a growl. "I don't have to answer it since you clearly already heard the answer when you listened in on a private conversation."

He glanced at her from under his hair and took a step closer. Reflexively, she took one back, putting distance between them. A predatory gleam shone in his dark eyes, and he approached her again. Narrowing her eyes in response, Chloe took another backwards step. She felt her back come in contact with the closed door behind her. Shit.

Alek leaned forward so that there was barely two inches of space between them. He loomed over her, and it was then that she realized how freaking tall he was.

"Alek." Chloe stated warningly, a slight tremble in her voice.

He leaned forward even closer until she could feel his warm exhale against her neck. "Who's the guy?"

"W-what?" She asked, pretending no to understand his question.

"Who's the guy you like?"

"I don't know wh-"

"Chloe."

She sighed in defeat and let her forehead come to rest on his shoulder. "It's you. I want you okay? Happy now?"

"Immensely." And then there was a hand under her chin, lifting her face to his. Blue eyes met brown, and she could see the passion and satisfaction in his. The look of longing and insecurity that he normally wore had been replaced by happiness and triumph. Then their lips met. Chloe moved into the kiss, pressing closer to the tall boy in front of her. The same boy who had somehow found his way into her heart. His hands moved from where they had rested on the door, one cradling her face as the other curved around her hip. Finally, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. Chloe exhaled deeply, her eyes remaining closed.

For the first time in a long while…she felt safe.

A/N: Review if you want a preview of the next chapter!