As expected, the bathroom wasn't just a bathroom, rather, it was as spacious as a bathroom in a restaurant. After confirming that there was no one in the bathroom, I went into the last one and let the tears fall down my face freely. I couldn't believe I'd allowed something that has been my principal interest go to the back burner. As if that wasn't ridiculous enough, I had fancied myself liking Jonathan.

I cried for betraying my father, cried for how much pain my mother would be in if she knew how much burden this was on me and what I was putting myself through just to find a hint. Anything at all that could help solve the mystery. I cried because I was beginning to see his murder as something I shouldn't be that invested in. Finally, I cried because as soon as my secrets and his explanation about the pen were out, and I finally got a hint to my father's murder, whatever camaraderie had begun to form between us was going to be destroyed. I was positive he would want nothing to do with me, and I couldn't imagine being allowed to work for him after that.

When I'd exhausted myself and knew I looked like crap, I flushed the toilet and came out, sighing. I hadn't even bothered to bring my purse or my phone, so I couldn't tell how much time I had spent here. Hopefully, my soon-to-be ex-husband's siblings had kept him occupied. The only problem was going to be trying to explain why all my makeup had been washed off. I looked at myself in the mirror and shook my head. I tried my best and used toilet paper and water to make myself fairly presentable, thankful I had settled for mainly eye make, and my goal had been to make my makeup as natural as possible. Hopefully, even if someone noticed, they would be sensible enough not to mention it.

I washed my hand, applied the lotion to try to calm my nerve, took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door.

I jumped and glared at Jonathan, who was leaning against the wall and looking like he had probably been waiting for me with my purse held with his two fingers. Like he was escaping whatever estrogen could be gotten by carrying a woman's very girly purse. I collected the purse from him. "What are you doing? Why are you standing in front of the bathroom like a creep?" I asked harshly to distract myself from my heart that was breaking. I should have put a boundary on my stupid heart.

He leaned away from the wall. "You were in for a while. Is something the matter?" He asked, and the concern in his voice made me want to start bawling again.

"Something entered my eye." I lied, but he looked unconvinced, so I simply shrugged. "Something came up. Didn't your siblings take my excuse?"

He shook his head. "They did, and it made things easier for me. They've still not forgiven me, but they will soon. But you didn't need to make an excuse for me. It was of my own will that I didn't let them know."

I nodded knowingly. "Because it won't last long anyway."

Jonathan started saying something, but we heard footsteps and conversation coming closer, so we kept quiet. Steph and Kannie, I think, came to meet us. "What happened? You left in such a hurry."

I smiled at them and shook my head. "Sorry for causing you all to worry. Something entered my eye, and I also needed to use the restroom."

The triplet I though was Kannie looked at my face. "Do you need to retouch your makeup?" She suddenly turned to Jonathan. "Not that I'm saying she doesn't look beautiful like this." She turned to me. "You look gorgeous even bare faced, but I was wondering if you wanted some makeup. We can get something for your color. I'm sure you'll see something that goes with your color." She finished with a deep breath.

Steph took her hand and I noticed she was patting it rhythmically in a comforting motion. "I'm sure she has hers in her purse." She said, looking at me, and I nodded, lifting my purse.

"You're right." I turned to Kannie. "Thanks for offering. I was coming to get my purse anyway to retouch my makeup. And thank you for the compliment."

She glanced at Steph, who nodded with a smile. "Of course."

After a few seconds of awkward silence where four of us were just standing in front of the bathroom, Steph cleared her throat. "We'd better go and help Mom set the table. It's almost dinner time and the little gremlins will soon start flocking in."

I didn't miss the relieved expression in Kannie's face as they both left Jonathan and me.

"Let me retouch my makeup." I said and escaped into the bathroom again. Less than five seconds later, Jonathan opened the door and I stared at him in shock.

"This is the women's bathroom." I reminded and he simply nodded.

"I didn't forget. Mom asked us to stay for dinner, but I declined, moving it to tomorrow night. What do you think?"

I frowned. "Why? Did anyone oppose my staying for dinner?" Now, that totally wasn't my insecurity talking.

"Nobody said anything, but the kids will soon come back, and they will come with noise and stress, I can assure you of that. Plus, we've had a long day and I declined mainly because of me. I need to rest, and I don't think I can deal with a lot of kids curiosity this night." He replied, and I knew he was lying. The Jonathan I knew never needed to rest. He was just saying it to make me feel better.

I cocked my head, already done with my makeup. Unlike earlier, I just left my eye natural. I didn't have the strength to spend a lot of time on something that was going to be wiped off in less than an hour if Jonathan's plan of ditching dinner worked. "Hope nobody is upset about that? I don't want to leave a terrible impression with your family. It's enough that I've already convinced them I was the reason you weren't able to tell them about the marriage,"

Jonathan shook his head. "Mom actually suggested it, especially since we were able to eat before we were kidnapped here." He said with a teasing expression. "Plus, Mom is packing us some cookie that you made with her. She claims yours are one of the best she has ever tasted."

I laughed. "I doubt it. Everything was measured following her recipe. We should say our goodbyes then if we don't want to be here when the kids come, since that's our reason for leaving early."

Jonathan searched my face. "Are you sure you're okay with it. If you want to wait for the dinner, we can. I know we planned to see the city tomorrow, so joining the dinner might be a stretch."

I shook my head, a little confused about why he was catering to my mood. Could he tell that something was up with me? "No. That's really okay. I'm fine either way, and Camille is a great person to spend time with. Tomorrow will be even more fun since I'll be more relaxed."

Jonathan smiled. "Alright. Then let's go say our goodbyes."

We walked together to the kitchen where Camille, Steph, Karlie, Kamzi, Kannie and the woman that was with Camille earlier were preparing something on different gas burners. They all turned to us.

"Thanks for having us." I started and thankfully Camille took the words from there.

"Oh. You agreed to come tomorrow, right? That's much better." She said, wiping her hands on a clean towel. She lifted a box and gave it to me. I collected it and accepted her hug as she held me tightly to herself. "Thanks for being with him, dear." She whispered after releasing me. I gave her a smile. If only she knew.

Jonathan hugged her next, and she also told him something I didn't hear. He nodded and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." We both waved at the girls, who said their goodbyes from where they were cooking.

Jonathan collected the box from me and we headed outside. I looked for the limo, but what was there was a royal blue sports car. Jonathan opened my door for me and I gratefully got inside. He dropped the box on my lap and closed the door, going to his own side and closing the door,

The engine roared softly, and I stared at the box going through my day. I felt eyes on me and turned to Jonathan, who was staring at me. "What are you thinking about?" He asked, seeing my sentimental look.

I smiled and shrugged. "The box just reminds me of Michelle. And that makes me miss Eleni more. I was also just going through everything that happened today in my mind. It has been a whirlwind of emotions."

Jonathan smiled softly. "Tell me about it." He started the car, and we softly drove out of the driveway. I turned my head and sighed as I watched the street we passed, wondering what my next step was going to be. One thing was sure, I needed to ask him about the pen without telling him about my father and sure enough, when I got the answer I needed, go back to my apartment and my old life. Along with searching for a new job. I should even consider moving away to a different state. I sighed again as different scenarios ran through my head. I needed to be strong enough for my dad.

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