I finished helping Kathleen move into the apartment, and by the time I got home, I was exhausted and annoyed. All I wanted to do was get some sleep, but I knew that wouldn't happen because someone was waiting for me at the front door.

I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes in disgust, not knowing why Cupcake was there.

"Shall I send him away?" Wally asked from the driver's seat. He glanced at me and frowned, and I knew that he was worried because I rarely let him drive the Jeep, but I had let him drive me home because I knew that if I drove, then I would have caused an accident.

"I don't think he will leave," I muttered, and Wally nodded his head in agreement. "Not until I heard what he had to say."

Again, Wally nodded his head. "Then, I hope he has a quick word with you because you do need sleep." He gave me a pointed glance, and I rolled my eyes. "You are not to worry about anything else after you finish your conversation with him. Do you understand?"

I bit back a scoff and pursed my lips. I knew that Wally was right, he usually was, but I didn't want to go to bed. I still had a lot of homework to do and set up some appointments for a "representative" of the Caprien company because some people had asked to have their dresses made for homecoming and were willing to pay the fee.

"I'm serious, Miss Christina," he said, and I pursed my lips in disgust. He was serious; I knew that because he had used my "title" and my full name.

"Why do you call me "Miss," Wally?" I asked, changing the subject, and he scowled. "We both know that I don't like it because it makes me feel stupid and "superior" over you only because my parents have the title."

Wally didn't reply and shrugged his shoulder. He turned off the Jeep and looked at me with knowing brown eyes. "Because," he said, finally. He winked and offered me a smirk that I rolled my eyes at. "You are also of power and money. You were born to the title and are female."

I shook my head and sighed. "Whatever, Wally," I said, and he chuckled. I opened the car door and looked at him to see him already staring at me. I gave him a sly smirk, and he raised an eyebrow amused. "Just don't forget your place," I said, sticking my tongue out at him while I closed the door.

Wally didn't reply but shook his head. There was an amused smile on his face while he drove the rest of the way to the garage, and I knew that he was grateful I was teasing him.

After all, I was still hurt about his message, even though I knew it wasn't true.

I'm not worthless, I silently told myself, not believing it. I am not a mistake...

***

Drew noticed me walking towards him and stood. He moved a hand through his hair and nodded his head in greeting. "Chris," he said, and I raised an eyebrow at the lack of use of a nickname.

"Cupcake," I replied, raising the eyebrow higher. "Why the lack of a nickname?"

Drew shrugged his shoulder and stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. "What if I didn't want to use it?" he asked. He raised an eyebrow. "You are using it for both of us."

I didn't reply and shrugged my shoulders. "Why are you here?" I asked, changing the subject. I folded my arms across my chest. "On my doorstep, waiting for me?"

He cleared his throat and looked down before he looked at me. "Well, I was coming to check in on you," he said. He was lying; I could tell. That might have been part of the reason, but it wasn't the full one.

"Ok, what is the real reason?" I asked. "And where is your buddy?" I glanced around and noticed that Marcus wasn't with him. "He's your shadow."

"There are times when he doesn't come," he replied, not answering the question about the "real reason" why he was standing here. He shrugged and acted indifferently. "He went to visit some family members that came into town."

I nodded my head. "That didn't answer my other question," I pointed out, and Drew scowled. "So, are you going to answer it or not?"

"I'm trying to get away from my father for a bit. Ok?" he snapped. He glared, and I looked at him unimpressed. "Is that what you want to hear? Or did you want to hear something else?" He grimaced and moved a hand through his hair. "So, can you open the fucking door and let us in?"

"Ok," I said, shrugging my shoulders. I walked past him and unlocked the door to see Wally standing there already. I shook my head and silenced the older male, indicating that I would tell him something later. "Wally will show you to the entertainment center." I walked into the house and Drew followed me into the house close behind.

"Why can't you?" Drew asked, and he raised an eyebrow. He studied me, and I saw something that looked like concern fill his eyes before it disappeared.

"Because," I turned to look at him and blinked, "I'm going to bed like I was planning on doing when I got home. Have fun, and do whatever, but don't wake me up. You won't like seeing me upset."

Drew smirked and nodded his head. "Of course," he said. "Have a nice sleep."

I nodded my head and walked to my room, deciding that I would lock my door. I had no idea what Drew had planned, but that smirk didn't sit well with me.

However, I wasn't going to kick him out because I knew how parents could be, and I knew when someone just needed a place to crash until they were ready to face them again. I knew because I had felt it before.

So, he could stay as long as he needed. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too long.

I didn't need my "mother" to come and find him here. I knew that would lead to questions I couldn't answer...