"Mum, let's go out," Kay said to Delilah, "I'll take you to your favourite restaurant, okay?"

Delilah sighed, closing the book she had been staring at for the past few minutes without really reading. Her sad eyes landed on the eyes of her worried daughter. The rejection that was on the tip of her tongue died and she nodded.

Kay smiled brightly, gleefully taking her hand and tugging her along.

"What? Now?" Delilah stammered, hastily putting down her book.

"Yes, now!" Kay said, "Before you change your mind."

"I'm not ..." she started, then saw Kay look at her knowingly and embarrassed, she bowed her head, quiet. It wouldn't be the first time she had done so, thus, Kay had every right not to believe her.

It's just that she didn't have the mood, or energy, to do anything right now. She knew she wasn't being fair to Kay, but she truly could not get out of the depressive thoughts that seemed to be prevalent nowadays.

She felt she needed time. Time to come to terms as to what had happened.

Seeing her daughter though, she realised belatedly that her daughter was under a lot of stress herself. She had lost her twin, and now, her mother was withdrawn within herself. Both of them needed each other, now more so than ever.

Both were having cold wars with Patrick and as usual, he would just go and work rather than deal with the mess he had created. Instead of talking it out, he'd shut himself out for he felt he was doing the right thing.

Stupid Smith Stubbornness.

✿.✿.✿.✿

"What do you mean, he's gone?!" roared Patrick over the phone.

"By the time we arrived, he's discharged himself from the hospital, Sir," came the polite voice on the other side of the line, "And also checked out of the hotel. The bills were paid by credit card and they left on the same day you flew back, Sir."

"Credit card?" Patrick muttered. There had been no notification by the bank that the card had been used, and he frowned at the thought.

"Where did he go? If even Sam and Xing Han left, perhaps they went to the second interview place early?" Patrick asked.

"We do not know, Sir. The airlines will not release the information of its passengers, and their original tickets are for next week."

"Contact Remy," Patrick said, giving him a number, "Tell him I sent you. He should be able to help you get the necessary information from the airlines."

"Noted, Sir."

Patrick put down the phone, visibly upset.

"Just where the Hell are you, Kyle?" Patrick cursed, though he was not truly worried yet. After all, knowing that the interview was still pending, Kyle would turn up there eventually. With Sam and Xing Han with him, there was no possibility of him doing anything stupid.

He was just upset that Kyle slipped off. More importantly, how did he pay the bills?

Patrick picked up the phone again, calling up more people.

✿.✿.✿.✿

Kay had booked the private room in the restaurant, even though there were only two of them. The restaurant did not care that the room normally for ten people were only seating two - so long as the room was paid for.

Delilah sighed, staring at the menu blankly, her mind not really thinking about the dishes but she made an effort to concentrate.

She heard the door open and close, ignoring the server that had entered. She needed to think and focus now, for Kay was making such an effort to cheer her up. When the server poured the water into the glass, she automatically looked up to thank the server when she froze.

"Hi, Mum," Kyle said gently, putting down the jug of water he had taken from the server.

Delilah started crying as she stood up, and Kyle hugged her tightly while she sobbed.

She hugged him back, hardly believing that her son was right here, standing in front of her. Suddenly remembering that he was injured, she let go and wanted to step back but he didn't let go, "I'm fine, Mum."

Nodding, she stared at his face as if memorising it into her mind. She brushed his hair off his face, touched his face all over and asked, "Are you really okay?"

Kyle nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. The injuries were not serious."

Then he looked at her sternly, "But what is this? You're so skinny and haggard-looking now. You should take better care of yourself."

Delilah hadn't had much appetite nor could she sleep well, thinking about Kyle so it was natural that she had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was rather pale.

"I - I ..." Delilah stammered, seeing the serious expression on Kyle. She had never seen him so stern before and she was both flustered and warm inside.

Kyle made her sit down and ordered a few light dishes, all her favourite. She just sat there, staring at him and holding his hand while he did so. It was as if she was afraid that he'd disappear if she let go of his hand.

Kay had been silent all this time, letting Kyle reunite with their mother. Now, however, while Delilah was holding Kyle's left hand, Kay was hanging onto Kyle's right arm. The servers that came and went did not bat an eyelid at this scene.

The meal was pleasant, with lots of small talk and Kyle paying extra care and attention to his mother. The elephant in the room* was not addressed, as if there was a tacit agreement not to spoil the moment.

At the end of the meal, while waiting for dessert, Kyle took both of his mother's hands in his and said to her seriously, "Mum, I'll be away for a while but rest assured, I will be fine."

Delilah bit her bottom lip, her eyes wet with tears again, "Where are you going? What will you be doing?"

Kyle smiled at her, patting her hand, "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. I don't want Dad to know."

"You think I'll tell him?" Delilah said, upset to think that her own son doesn't trust her.

Kyle shook his head, "No, it's not that. I just don't want to put you in the position to lie to your own husband. This fight is between Dad and me, and you have your own battles with Dad. I will not put you in a position where you have to choose between me, and him."

Delilah gripped his hands tightly, her heart in pain.

The depth of his concern and understanding of her made her feel even more inadequate as a mother.

When she thought about it, he had always done this, taking care of her feelings and thoughts. She had never truly seen it until now, for he had done it all so subtly that she never realised. It should have been the other way around!

Putting her hand on his cheek, she smiled and said, "You're always like this. Taking everything upon those shoulders of yours. Why do you do this to yourself? You should rely on other people more."

Kyle smiled, nodding, "I am the Smith Heir, Mum. This is just a fraction of the responsibilities I bear. Rest assured Mum. I have been truly lucky and blessed, Mum. I have you, Kay and the Elite Five to keep me grounded and I have never lacked love."

Turning serious, Kyle said firmly, "But ... the fight with Dad just showed me how much stress I am truly under. I need to find myself. I've lived my life working hard and trying to please Dad but now, it seems like it's all been for nought. I need this time away, Mum. Please understand."

Kyle wasn't lying about the reasons. It's just that those were not the only reason.

"I will keep in touch and email you every week," Kyle said, "I can't tell you not to be worried for me, for that is impossible. But I can tell you that I have everything covered."

"You'll really keep in touch?"

"Of course, Mum," Kyle said, "Just be prepared. I don't plan on letting Dad know where I am."

"He can find you," Delilah said confidently.

"Oh, he can try," Kyle replied, equally confidently.

Kyle gave his Mum and Kay one final hug before walking out.