A Ride

Kade's car car slid to a stop in front of Raelynn's apartment complex. Raelynn looked out the window, till processing everything that had happened that day. She hadn't refused when Kade had offered to drive her home. Honestly, she didn't trust herself to take the bus. Not after fainting twice in one week. The spinning, the way her vision had blurred before everything had gone black—she wasn't going to risk it. Not with the baby.

Raelynn unbuckled her seatbelt, her fingers lingering for a moment on the latch before she pushed it free. The door creaked open, and the cool evening air hit her.

"Thanks," she said, offering a tight smile as she slid out of the car. Her legs were still a little wobbly, but she steadied herself, adjusting her jacket and glancing back at Kade.

To her surprise, Kade followed her. He didn't get back into the car. He didn't head back to the driver's seat like she expected. Instead, he stood beside her, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his dark eyes watching her as she made her way to the entrance.

"What are you doing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly confused.

Kade just shrugged, his lips curving into a soft smile. "Boss's orders," he said casually. "He wanted me to make sure you got home safely."

Raelynn rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small, dry chuckle that escaped her lips. She turned away from him, walking toward the front door of the building, her boots tapping lightly on the concrete as she went. She could feel Kade beside her, his footsteps matching hers in quiet sync.

"Aww, I didn't know Mr. Vaelorian worried about me," she teased, glancing up at Kade, her lips curling into a small smirk. Her hands slid into the pockets of her jacket as she continued walking.

Kade's smile softened, and he gave a slight shake of his head. "Elion might look tough," he said, "but he's actually pretty kind, in his own way."

Raelynn scoffed, but it wasn't a mean scoff. More like a skeptical one, tinged with amusement. "Kind?" she repeated, looking at Kade as they approached the elevator doors. "You're only saying that because he's your boss."

Kade just smiled wider, giving a subtle shrug of his shoulders. "Maybe," he said, his voice light. "But it's true, in a way. You'll see it, too, if you give him a chance."

Raelynn shook her head, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. She didn't believe it, not yet anyway. Elion was difficult, stubborn, and seemed to want to pretend like everything that had happened between them didn't matter. She wasn't sure he even knew what kindness was. But then again, maybe Kade was right. Maybe she was just seeing him in the wrong light.

When they reached the elevator, Raelynn reached out to press the button. Her fingers brushed the panel lightly, the soft click of the button echoing in the small hallway. The door slid open smoothly, and Raelynn stepped inside, her boots echoing on the metal floor. Kade followed her inside, standing a few feet behind her. She hit the button for her floor and leaned back against the railing, her arms crossing over her chest as the elevator made its way upward.

Inside the quiet elevator, Raelynn turned her head slightly to glance at Kade. He stood there, looking as relaxed as ever, a faint smile still tugging at his lips. She couldn't help but notice how calm he seemed, the way he carried himself without hesitation, without the same tension that seemed to linger around Elion.

"You only say that about him because you work for him," Raelynn said again, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "But you're not the one who has to deal with him."

Kade's smile didn't falter. "True," he admitted. "But I've seen him help people, even when it wasn't convenient for him. He's got his own way of showing it, but it's there."

Raelynn didn't respond right away. Instead, she just stared at the elevator doors as they passed the floors. She wasn't sure how much of that she believed, but she also didn't know how much of Kade's words were based on the loyalty he had toward his boss. The elevator dinged as they reached her floor, and Raelynn straightened up, pushing herself off the railing.

The doors slid open, and she stepped out, with Kade right beside her. They walked in silence for a few moments, passing several doors in the hallway.

Finally, they stopped in front of her door—apartment 96. She reached into her purse, her fingers brushing against the keys as she pulled them out. She glanced over at Kade, who was still standing beside her, watching her with that same quiet calm.

"Well," she said, turning to face him fully, "we're here." She gave a small, appreciative smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes, but it was there. "Thanks for the ride, Kade."

Kade nodded, his hands still in his pockets. "No problem," he said with a smile. "Glad to know you got home safe."

Raelynn hesitated for a moment, glancing over her shoulder at her apartment door. The thought of being alone in her apartment, in the quiet, felt a little daunting after everything that had happened. She wasn't ready to face the silence yet. But at the same time, she didn't want Kade to feel uncomfortable, lingering around any longer than necessary.

"Hey," she said, looking up at him again, her voice a little quieter now. "You want to come inside for coffee or tea? I don't have any alcohol, obviously," she added quickly, her hand subconsciously resting on her stomach. "Pregnancy and all."

Kade's lips twitched into a small smile, but he shook his head. "No, thank you. I've got to head back. Boss's orders," he said with a small grin. "And since my job here is done, I'll excuse myself now. But thanks for the offer."

Raelynn smiled slightly, a bit of warmth in her expression despite herself. "Alright then. Good night, Kade. Have a good rest."

"You too," Kade replied, giving her a slight nod before turning and walking back toward the stairs. "Take care of yourself, Raelynn."

Raelynn watched him disappear down the hallway, his footsteps growing quieter until they were gone entirely. She stood there for a moment, her hand still on the doorknob, staring after him.

With a sigh, she pushed open the door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of her apartment hitting her immediately. She threw her bag onto the couch and made her way into the living room, sinking onto the cushions with a soft sigh.

Raelynn looked down at her stomach, her fingers gently rubbing over the small, invisible bump that was barely there but felt so significant to her. She closed her eyes, her mind replaying everything with Elion, everything that had been said, everything that was yet to come.

"Your father is one stubborn man," she mumbled to herself, half-laughing, half-annoyed. She leaned back against the cushions, letting out another breath as she tried to relax. For now, there was nothing she could do but wait.