Sometimes, I get the feeling that I spoil you guys with how often I update this story, lol. However, I felt that leaving you guys where I did, wasn't good enough. I wanted more drama first! Ya! WoO! ^-^

This is dedicated to fallenbabybubu, because I really want you guys to check our her story A and D, because its amazing, though I'm sure the majority of you already are reading the awesomeness!

btw, my friend just told me i might get the chance to meet paolo montalban because his friend knows him. that would be the most amazing thing ever cause i LOVE paolo montalban. he's the prince in the video at the side -------->

Okay, enough rambling, on with the chapter, lol.

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Chapter 17

I felt Ian shaking me, trying to wake me up. It was so difficult trying to open my eyes. I was so sleepy. Stupid medicine. “Lana, please wake up.” Ian grumbled.

“I’m sorry.” I yawned, opening my eyes a little. “Too much cold medicine.” I was lying back in Ian’s arms and he was leaning over me. He gave a small smile.

“Don’t scare me like that.” He pushed a strand of hair from my eyes and leaned down, kissing my lips gently.

“You’re going to get sick.” I pointed out and he chuckled.

“I already am. I’m paying for the other night when I kissed you.”

“You just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?” I teased and he shook his head, a serious look on his face.

“I really can’t.” I sat up and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

“Come on, we should head back inside.” I said, going to get up.

“What is this?” came a smooth voice from down the path. We both jumped and looked to see the last person I ever wanted to see, especially at a time like this.

“Lana asked to come out for some air. She’s not feeling well. She fainted on me I’m afraid. Too much cold medicine.” Ian explained calmly as he slowly helped me up.

“Of course.” Logan replied, a smirk on his face. I inwardly felt my stomach twist. I was in trouble. “Allow me to escort her back inside, Prince Ian. I’m sure you need to get back to your girlfriend.” Ian cleared his throat and looked back at me. I was certain he could see the panicked look in my eyes as I silently begged him not to leave me with Logan. But then I knew from his gaze that I didn’t have a choice. We had been caught, and this wasn’t going to be easy to weasel our way out of.

“Thank you, um…”

“Logan,” he filled as Ian gave my hand over to Logan. I hated that. It was like I was an object to be passed on. Ian gave me one more reassuring look before heading inside and leaving me with Logan. I was suddenly terrified. Logan scared me more than I ever let on. Our relationship ended for more reasons than just that he and I had differences of opinions. I remember not being able to do anything without permission. I couldn’t see my friends, I couldn’t talk to my mother for too long, I had to tell him where I was going, who I was with…in the end, yes he broke up with me. But only because he knew I was planning on breaking it off, and he wanted to do it first.

I wasn’t one to be controlled, but it still had taken the help of some friends to get up the courage. However, when dating the friend of a friend, secrets are not easily kept. He knew what was coming and broke it off before I had the chance. Why he suddenly thought I wanted him back puzzled me, but now he had something against me. I was afraid of how he planned on using it.

“So, what are we going to do about this?” He asked and I looked at him dumbly.

“What do you mean?” I replied, innocently. Maybe I could play it off. Maybe he didn’t have real proof.

“What are we going to do about these photos? They’re just so suspicious…” He said, taking his camera out from the bag on his shoulder. I should have known he would be here. His job was to document the events the royal family attended. I shouldn’t have been so reckless.

“Logan, there’s nothing going on between Ian and I.” I snapped and Logan let out a snort.

“These photos say otherwise, Lana. Kissing is usually proof enough, and I have a lot of proof.” He pointed out. I went to grab the camera and he pulled it out of reach. “None of that, Lana. I already took out the chip, so no matter what you do to this camera, I still have the pictures. But I’d really rather not have to buy another camera.” I let out a long breath.

“What do you want?” I asked, defeated.

“I thought that would be obvious enough.” He said, pulling me closer by my hand. I yanked it back and furrowed my brow in confusion.

“I don’t understand…”

“I want you, Lana. I want you to leave that pretty boy and come back to me.” He cornered me against a wall and I gulped.

“Blackmail usually isn’t a good start to a relationship.” I whimpered and he smirked down at me.

“I don’t care what you say Lana. You’re coming back to me. If you don’t, I show these pictures. They’re dated; everyone will know what you were wearing tonight and it will be tough to argue your way out of. All you have to do is break it off with Chad and leave Ian alone. That should be easy seeing as you both shouldn’t be together in the first place.”

“Why should I listen to you?”

“Because if you don’t Lana, you’ll lose your job. You’ll also lose your credibility as a political advisor. No one wants to hire someone that sleeps around like that. Ian will also have a lot to deal with. Cheating on his girlfriend? That’s bad publicity for our future leader.”

“Why do you want to be with someone that so obviously does not want to be with you?” I argued, trying to push him off me and Logan pushed back just as hard, pressing against me.

“You want me back, Lana. You just don’t realize it yet.” He kissed my cheek and went to whisper in my ear. “I’ll call you later this week. We’ll go out somewhere.” He left me standing there alone and shaking in the garden. That’s when I fainted again.

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I woke up in the car, my head on Christine’s lap. “What’s going on?” I murmured, drowsily. My throat was scratchy, so I suppose the medicine was wearing off.

“Just taking you home.” I heard Chad’s voice as he stroked my forehead. “You’re getting an awful fever. Why didn’t you just tell us you were still sick?”

“Because it wasn’t important.” I argued and went to sit up. I looked over to see Ian watching me with an unreadable expression. I met his eyes and he put a finger to his lips as if to say “Shh…”

I wanted to scream at him just then. He had left me at the mercy of Logan, and now he had no idea what I had to deal with.

“Where’s Amelia?” I asked while looking around for the familiar sneer I had grown accustomed to.

“She took a car home. The benefit was pretty much ending, it’s really late.” Ian said, his nose sounding stuffy. I knew he was getting sick. I wonder how suspicious it would be that he got sick and no one else did…It wouldn’t matter though, if those pictures got out.

“Did I fall asleep?” I asked, looking over to Chad. I felt so guilty looking up at his handsome face. Not only had I been planning on ending it with him to be with Ian, but now I had to end it to protect Ian and myself. Chad had done nothing to deserve this, and yet I was going to treat him like garbage. At least I had the opportunity to break it off gently.

“I guess so. Ian said you wanted some air so you both went out to the gardens and you just fainted on him. He brought you back inside.” He answered and I looked to Ian. He did a good job covering that up, though I suppose that it was partially true.

“Yes, of course.” I cleared my throat and Chad pulled me against him to relax. I saw Ian stiffen and turn to look out the window. If Ian was jealous now, I just wondered how he’d react when I told him what had happened with Logan. Would he act irrationally? That was the last thing we needed. We both needed to lay low, and pretend last night didn’t happen. We also needed a plan to deal with Logan…

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I didn’t sleep well that night. I couldn’t with all the sudden stress that was weighing on my chest. After about two hours of tossing and turning, I got up and walked over to Ian’s room, knocking lightly on the door. It opened a moment later, a shirtless Ian behind it rubbing his eyes. “Lana? What’s wrong?”

“Can I come in?” I asked, meekly. He nodded and opened it wider for me to come in. He lay back down on the bed and indicated for me to join him. I rested my head on the pillow and faced him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked again and I let out a sigh.

“Why did you leave me out there with him?” I breathed, not able to fight the tear escaping, running down my cheek. He gave me a confused look as he wiped it away. “He took pictures of us, Ian. He threatened to release them.”

I could see the sudden rage in Ian’s eyes. I knew he was holding back though so I could finish. “What is he going to do then?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“He said if I date him again, then he won’t release them.”

“No.” Ian bit. “Not a chance.”

“We don’t have a choice Ian. He could ruin both our careers and reputations.” I pointed out hopelessly. “I’ll have to do as he says. At least until we have a better plan.”

Ian wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. “I don’t want to share you.” He groaned and I giggled, nuzzling into his neck. “Mm, this is the way it’s supposed to be. Being with you just feels so right.”

“I know what you mean.” I paused and let out a sigh. “I don’t know what to tell Chad.”

“We’ll tell him the truth. Together.” Ian offered and I let out another groan.

“It just seems so cruel, no matter how I do it.” I griped and Ian started to rain little kisses down my neck.

“He’ll understand though. I know Chad, believe me.”

“Why are you so good at distracting me?” I grumbled as he moved further down.

“I told you, fighting your true feelings leads to problems Lana. Now you’ll never be able to resist me.” He teased, nipping at my neck and I let out a squeak.

“If I have to end things with Chad, when are you talking to Amelia?” Ian froze at that.

“Ugh. This isn’t going to go well.”

“Ian, I’m not going to be the other woman.” I started to pull away from him and he held me fast.

“I’ll speak to her by the end of the week. Deal?”

“Hmph.” was my only response and he continued at my neck. I slowly felt myself falling asleep, thanks to another dose of cold medicine I had taken when we got back.

“I love you Lana.” I heard him whisper and I smiled.

“Mmm, me too.” I replied before drifting off to the sound of his chuckling.

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Sigh...I love those two...they're in my head arguing all the time tho...*grumble grumble*

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