Chapter 150 - Just A Week.

Lance. 

This dinner seems like an eternity.

I don't even want to be here anymore.

Listening to this old fart talk about Ford like he is some sort of sick person is getting to me. I know he has his flaws. He is battling his demons but I also don't think he deserves to be locked in that facility.

He hasn't done anything to deserve that.

In the past month, I have spent the most time with him. I know him more than his father thinks he does. Ford is not dangerous. He is not a monster. He is not a danger to himself. He just wants to be free. He wants the right to love me. he wants that happiness that we can get together.

"What are you saying?'' I ask.

I have been watching him eat for a couple of minutes. He seems hungry. I mean, he could have just eaten something instead of dragging me for this dinner. Whatever he has to say could've been said in the car.

"Give me a week to sort things out. Let us see how he responds to the treatment.''

I furrow my brows "Why does he need treatment? What exactly has he done that warrants him being locked up.''

"Did Brad ever tell you about me?'' he asks at the same time taking another bite.

I look away from him and my food. The chicken is untouched. He is not going to get me to eat this meal. Slowly, my eyes dart back to him "He never had the chance."

Ford left for a week. He left me alone to see this man. This was the man that was supposed to be our saving grace. I don't want to think it because Ford probably trusted him enough to believe that he would help. Seeing things now, I know I am the only one that would do anything for him. I am the only one that genuinely wants to protect him. I am the only one that truly loves him unconditionally and irrevocably.

He nods after my answer. He drops his cutlery on the table and wipes his mouth with the napkin, slowly taking a sip of his red wine. I watch him, trying to be as patient as I can. It is almost like a part of me knew that things would go wrong. I made up my mind on getting him out of the mess he is in. I am going to break him out of that hospital. I will not let him suffer. So no matter what this man says, I will do things my way. He will not convince me to sit back while Ford dies slowly in that place.

Never.

"I love the kid so much. You have no idea how much.''

I roll my eyes. If he really loves him, he wouldn't let him suffer the way he is. He wouldn't listen to John. he would fight for him.

"Brad's mother was just like him. She was just as emotional and temperamental." He tells me. The only thing I know about his mother is from the journal. Ford never told me about her. now I know why.

The whole thing with his mother is messed up. Her death now seems suspicious and like I said to Ford. He is the only one I believe.

He is the only one I will ever believe.

"Brad is not a lost cause like her. there is still a chance to save him.''

Lost cause?

How do you call someone a lost cause?

"Save him from what? He hasn't done anything." I defend him because that is my job. To always defend him against people like this. people that stop believing in him.

"Save him from himself.''

He is not a danger to himself. He hasn't done anything that makes me think he is. There is no proof of all his words.

"He won't hurt himself. He promised me,'' I try to give him an assurance but from the sigh that leaves his lips, I know he has already made up his mind. He didn't come here to get my opinion on anything. He wants to convince me to do nothing. He wants me to sit back and watch things play out like he is doing.

"His father will never stop. He will never let him be free.''

"John is not the best person on the planet. I don't even trust him right now but I trust the evidence. I trust the things that I see and from everything, I know brad needs the hospital."

"What exactly do you see? What evidence?" I sit up on the chair with my elbows on the table. I want to know what makes him think he is right about this.

"Lance, I know you are a reasonable person. Listen to me and listen to me well. Do not interfere in this. I will handle it. I will make sure nothing happens to him. I will make sure he is safe."

His voice is firm and stern. This is basically his warning. Now he is not asking me to back off. He is telling me not to get involved.

"I can't.''

He sighs "I know you love him. I know he loves you too. I just need him to be well before whatever you people have can continue. His safety is paramount to me."

He sounds so believable. Almost convincing but I can't back down now. I won't let them continue to hurt him. I will not give up.

I look up at him and he is still watching me. waiting for me to agree with him or at least tell him that I will obey his commands. I will do no such thing but I can also act as if I will.

"Okay sir,'' I manage, giving him the lie that he craves.

All through this meeting, he hasn't told me anything sensible. He said he had evidence. What evidence.

"Can I know what he did? The proof that made you see that the hospital was the best bet?'' I ask him because I need to know.

There is a part of me that actually feels like he genuinely wants to help him. He might be misguided but it seems like he is sincere. He wouldn't lie to me if there actually wasn't any evidence.

John must have planted something, that got him on his side. That is the only way. I mean this man came all the way, to help Ford. He wouldn't just switch sides so easily.

"Brad was trying to run away.''

I raise a brow "I was going to do the same thing; does that mean I am crazy too?''

He frowns "Let me finish please.''

I nod.

"The CCTV in their house caught the interaction. Brad didn't take his father's refusal well.''

"What do you mean?''

There is a video?

"You don't need to know the details. I don't want your views of him to change. He needs you to keep seeing him the way you have. All you need to know is, the video didn't shed him in a good light."

"What if it was doctored? It is possible. Video editing.'' To me, this doesn't make any sense. They can't just mention a video and just expect me to go along with them. I won't believe this.

He sighs "I had the video analyzed. You need to understand that I love Brad. He is like a son to me. I will not let anything happen to him. Once you grasp that you will believe all the things I am saying.''

What the fuck does that even mean.

If he loves him, he will let him come home.

"Okay.''

I have already made up my mind. I don't need to listen to them and everything they have to say. Mr. Maxime genuinely cares about Ford but he isn't handling things the right way.

He isn't doing what is best for him.

"Promise me you will give me a week," he pleads. I nod, even though deep down I know I wouldn't do that. A week in that place can make him worse. I won't let them kill him before his time.

"Thank you." He smiles and gestures to the food on my plate "Will you eat now?''

I nod and grab the fork, slowly taking a bite of the chicken. Once we finish our food. He drives me back to my apartment, assuring me that I can visit Ford as much as I want. I smile and nod, making him think all I will do is obey all his commands. That is far from what I have in mind. I must get him out of there. I have to make sure he is safe and happy. He said I am his only source of happiness and they have kept him away from me.

I need him back in my arms.

I need him smiling again.

Once inside my apartment, I dial Eren's number and he answers on the first ring.

"Remember when you lied to your mom about her car and I took the fall for it?'' I start with that immediately.

"You are about to bribe me,'' he settles.

I sigh "You said you would pay me back in tenfold. Well now is the time.''

I have to break him out.