Hey everyone! I'm back with another update. I hope everyone is still enjoying the story. I know last chapter spiced things up a little, so let's see where everyone goes from the press conference!

Annie

I just — I have to get out of here. Please, Johnny, forgive me for this.

Annie pushed through the old wooden door at the back chapel, glancing around for any signs of guests arriving. Inhaling deeply, she hiked her wedding skirt up and sprinted toward the road, her bare feet hitting the rough concrete. Tears pricked her chestnut brown eyes as she looked around wildly, searching for someone — anyone — to take her away.

A long, black limousine pulled up to the curb, stopping Annie in her tracks. The window rolled down slowly and the driver, a familiar face, looked up at her curiously.

"Miss Baldwin, what are you doing? The ceremony —" said Nathanial, an older gentleman with jet black hair peppered with flecks of gray and silver. Annie exhaled a sigh of relief as she opened the passenger door and slid into the leather seat. Her heart was pounding against her chest as she sat frozen in the seat. "Miss Baldwin, is everything okay?"

Annie rolled the limousine's window up, hands shaking as she shielded her face from any potential guests. "Please, Nathaniel, you have to get me out of here. I can't … I can't do this anymore," she said, voice shaking. She had come so close — too close, really — and she couldn't pretend she was happy anymore. Dropping out of college, the proposal, planning the wedding and now … She couldn't go through with the plans.

The good wife. The sad wife. The no good, bad, rotten wife. Annie watched too many young women, many she went to school with, settle into lives of luxury after their father's married them off and then what? Live a life pretending she was happy, pretending she was doing what she wanted when she really wasn't in control of anything at all … Where did that leave her?

Every second, every moment, every aspect of her life was meticulously planned by her parents for one thing: marriage. Whether it was for power or money, her father didn't care. He just wanted the ties that came with it.

Growing up, she never really understood the power her father had in the city. She really was a daddy's girl. When she was a child, she would often attend the meetings he would have in his office, sitting on his lap, playing with the papers on his desk. He wouldn't yell as much if she were with him, and he seemed genuinely happy back then. But, as he gained more power, acquiring more and more properties and businesses, something changed. He stopped letting her in, he stopped listening to her … it was as if she were invisible. She was only there for his game.

"Nathaniel, please …." Annie said as a tear fell down her cheek. "Make me disappear."

Nathaniel frowned as he started the limousine's engine, "Miss Annie, I will take you anywhere you wish to go, but you should know that, once you leave, this is not something you can easily fix."

…

"I am … home," Minori said, breathing a sigh of relief as the words left her soft pink lips. Johnny tighten his grip on her hand as her throat began to close, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. The reporters stared at her, mouths agape. Minori could see the cognitive wheeling starting to churn as they processed her confession, raising their recorders to their lips and focusing their cameras on her face.

The incessant flashing of cameras returned just as Johnny slowly began backing away, pulling Minori aside while shielding their faces from further assault. "We have to get out of here," he said, glancing toward a small taxi driver waiting by the curb of the court house. "Follow me."

Minori squeezed his hand, staying close to his side as the pushed through the sea of reporters and people gathered at the steps of the court house. She ducked her head, willing her legs to keep moving out of fear of collapsing if she paused for too long.

She was shocked.

Numb.

She questioned her impulse and judgment — taking the spotlight from Elise, Nadi, and Abigail was the goal, but not like that. Exposing herself like that was idiotic at best and damn near self destructive at worst. It wouldn't be long before her parents caught up with her now, especially with her stupid face plastered on prime time television and the front page of every major newspaper in the metropolitan area.

Johnny opened the taxi door, ushering the brunette into the car while glancing over his shoulder. The reporters were still on their heels, their cameras flashing and questions flying. Minori choked back a sob as she slid into the car where Nadi and Fritz were waiting with worried looks plastered across their faces.

"Minori … " Fritz said, turning around from the front passenger seat of the car. His brown, puppy dog eyes were wide as he reached for her cheek. Minori swatted his hand away,

"Don't," She said, trying to hide the bitterness in her voice. "I made my choice."

Johnny ducked into the car, slamming the door behind him as he did. He leaned forward, gesturing to Nadi, who was sitting behind the drivers seat. Nadi rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders,

"It wasn't … that bad," the silver-haired man said.

Johnny shook his head furiously. "Bad? No, that was utterly catastrophic — Min-Annie, what were you thinking?" Johnny leveled his deep blue eyes with her own as the taxi driver started the car. Minori bit her lip, wringing her hands in her lap as she averted her eyes.

The taxi driver motioned to Fritz, who still wasn't strapped in his seat and was practically facing the wrong direction. The redhead apologized sheepishly before turning around. Minori shook her head, meeting the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror.

"Miss Baldwin, it's been awhile," he said, flipping his turn signal. He was a tall older gentleman with a greying beard and a distinctive twinkle in his eye. The once grey flecks peppering his jet black hair had nearly taken over, leaving only just a few streaks of black. Minori recognized him immediately. "Shall I take you to young Blackmore's apartment?"

Johnny sighed, running a hand through his sandy-blond hair. "Actually, Nathaniel, can you take us to Abigail Montgomery's home? It's downtown. The car before us was heading there," Johnny said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe we could stop by a liquor store on the way?"

"Ah, a Montgomery and a Blackmore under the same roof? Times are changing," Nathaniel said, smirking.

Johnny chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "That's what the liquor is for, my friend," he said, letting the car fall into an uncomfortable silence.

…

Nathaniel turned down a tattered, dirt road as wooden lamps flickered to life. He sighed as they pulled into a driveway of a small farmhouse before killing the limousine's engine.

"This is my house," He said, nodding to the old one-story white house. The lights were on, and Annie could see a woman moving around the living room. She frowned, feeling strangely guilting for intruding on her family's personal driver's home life. Annie would be lying if she said she remembered the last bit of detail Nathaniel told him about his life. She knew he had a wife, but she didn't now much else.

"You're parents most likely already know that you ran off, and when they can't find me, they'll have an idea of how you got away."

"I can't stay here," Annie murmured, lightly touching the glass window as she stared at the warm, inviting house. She imagined Nathaniel and his wife eating a hearty stew in their tiny kitchen in the summertime, leaving the windows open for a cool breeze. She imagined that they would talk and laugh for hours before turning on the radio and listening to classical music.

And, when they were done eating, they would dance slowly in the dim lighting of their dining room. She would wear a yellow cotton sundress and he would still have his suit and tie on after working all day. The house would smell good and warm, and they were happy because they weren't worried about money and power. They just had each other, and really that was all they needed.

"Annie, you're parents will find you if you stay in the city," Nathaniel said. "Ellen and I can help you, but we need to get you out of that wedding dress, and we need to take a different car."

Annie nodded her head as she opened the car door. A woman stood in the front window, watching curiously with a worried look plastered across her face. Nathaniel waved as she moved to the front door and welcomed them into the home.

…

Minori inhaled deeply, breath shaking as she tried to calm her nerves. The sun hung low in the sky, filling the cab with a golden light as streaks of purple, red and orange peppered the sky. She ran a hand through her hair and glanced over her shoulder, watching the traffic race behind them.

Yes, what she did was impulsive.

But, she wasn't one for thinking things through. How could her friends not realize that? They really don't know me. Not the real me, anyways. Minori squeezed her eyes shut as her thoughts began to spiral. She could feel Nadi's eyes watching her curiously as she rested her head against the leather seat. What does he think of me now? She wondered, bitterly.

The gardener sighed, reaching for Minori's hand just before stopping himself and retreating. He was never good at comforting his friends, but she was different. It felt like the night they spent dancing in the fading moonlight beside the mountain lake happened eons ago.

He could still feel how her cool wet skin clung to his clothes, soaking him as they moved in slow circles … The way she placed her hand to his cheek, the look in her eyes when she asked if he would stay the night — Nadi couldn't get it out of his head. Dancing in the moonlight, the trip back to her house, and the promise he made all flashed before his eyes.

She wanted him there reminding her of everything she would forget.

But, there was still Johnny. Drunk, sober, rude, and kind — the charming doctor could talk a big game, act like he didn't care, but Nadi knew he was struggling. They were best friends. And, as much as Johnny would like to pretend he didn't care about Minori, that he didn't care she was moving on, and that he was only there to repay a favor, Nadi knew better.

Nadi swallowed thickly as he covered his mouth and turned to stare out the window.

He can never know what we did.

…

Annie pulled the heavy cotton skirt to her waist, layering it over a light green peasant top with puffy sleeves that Ellen gave her. The fabric was different from the silk dresses and party gowns with fine lace that her mother always forced her into wearing. No, the top was something rougher. It was well worn, but thick and heavy. The amber colored skirt was pleated and flared at the waist and long enough to reach her knees. A light cotton apron pulled the outfit together, flowing out from beneath the top, but laying over the skirt.

Ellen, a tall skinny woman with short brown hair, pursed her lips as she handed Annie a pair of green tights and a pair of well worn brown boots. Her bright blue eyes shone brightly against her gaunt face, distracting from the heavy bags beneath them. Annie wondered what the woman did in her free time, where she worked and what she thought about helping her husband's boss' daughter run away.

"Sumthin's missin'," she said, turning her back as Annie slipped into the remaining garments. Ellen moved toward the dresser at the corner of her small bedroom and began shuffling through several pieces of clothes. "'Ere," she said, eyes lighting up with excitement as she held out her hands.

Annie looked down and gingerly took a small pink bandanna with a yellow flower clipped onto it from the woman's hands. She wrapped the bandanna around her head, pulling back her long brown curls from her face.

"Ya look like a real farm girl now," Ellen giggled, placing her hands on her shoulders. "I know these ain't nuthin' like yer fancy city girl clothes, but n'one is gonna question ya twice when ya end up in the valley lookin' like that."

Annie's eyes welled with tears as she suddenly felt the urge to hold in a sob. "Ellen … thank you." Ellen pinch her brows together, smiling sadly at the young girl.

"Don't fret, Dear Heart," She said, pulling her into a tight hug just as Nathanial knocked on the door.

"She's ready," Ellen replied as Nathanial entered the room.

"Miss Annie, it's time," He said, holding out his hand. "Don't wait up, Dear. I'll be home sometime tomorrow."

…

Nathaniel turned the radio volume up, filling the car with quiet, melodic piano as he weaved effortlessly through traffic. Minori supposed it was all he could do to distract everyone from the silence that was building in the car. It seemed as if everyone was still trying to process exactly what had happened, inside and outside the court house. The quick trip to the city was turning into more of a disaster than she previously thought.

Fritz caught Minori's eye though the passenger side mirror and smirked. "Does anyone think we can talk Raeger into making us a nice meal? Today wasn't a victory by anyone's standard, but I'm hungry and I think we could all stand to loosen up," he joked.

Minori rolled her eyes playfully, shaking her head as Nathaniel pulled into the driveway of a tall apartment complex. Fritz whistled, looking at the marble exterior of the palace like building.

They were in downtown Mineral City now, with hundreds of apartment buildings reaching toward the sky, blocking out any signs of stars shining stars. "I guess all Montgomery's know how to live in style," he said, opening to car door. The remaining three followed suite, giving Nathaniel a substantial tip before heading for the entrance.

Minori glanced over her shoulder as she watched her old driver leave, waving out the opened window as he returned the streets. She felt a familiar pang in her chest as he disappeared, blending in with every taxi car speeding down the street. It seemed she had said goodbye to him just yesterday.

…

Dawn was approaching faster than what Annie expected as Nathaniel sped down the highway, passing any car he came into contact with. The older man occasionally lit a cigar, puffing and filling the car with smoke between sips of burnt coffee.

"I'm going to take you to the edge of the Valley," he said, tapping his cigar out the opened window. "I have friends who will take care of you from there. But, I suggest you don't stay for long. You know how your father is."

Annie nodded, barely processing what he was saying. This is … real. I'm finally … free.

"Nathaniel," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "How can I ever repay you?"

Nathaniel glanced at her, eyeing her carefully before returning his gaze to the open road. "Don't come back until you're good and ready," he said.

They drove for some time in silence. Annie watched the sunrise from the passenger seat, hands shaking as she gulped down cup after cup of coffee. She didn't want to take a chance and fall asleep while in the car, so she just watched quietly.

After what felt like hours, Nathaniel turned onto a dirt road and slowed down. She could make out a village in the distance, but Nathaniel didn't give her any sign of what was going on.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of an old, worn down inn. A middle-aged couple poked their heads out the window, grinning and waving. Nathanial nodded his head before exiting the vehicle. He walked around to the other side and opened Annie's door, helping her get out of the car.

A plump woman with black hair and rosy cheeks approached them, "Nathaniel, it's been far too long," she said.

"Ruby," Nathaniel said, taking her hand in his. "I'm sorry to drop by so unexpectedly, but can you please ensure this young woman makes it to her next destination?"

Ruby smiled, bowing to Annie. "Oh, dear, of course," She said. "Everyone is welcome in my inn for as long as they want. May I ask, what is your name?"

Annie glanced toward Nathaniel nervously before bowing her head. "Minori," she said, feeling her cheeks warm. "My name is Minori."

Nathaniel grinned before turning to leave. Waving over his shoulder, he said his final goodbyes before driving off.

Don't come back until you're good and ready.

…

The street lamps flickered to life as Minori inhaled deeply and took a confident step forward, chin high. Her friends waiting inside for her, and people were depending on her to stay strong. She couldn't fall apart now, not after the sudden media appearance. Not after revealing her identity and risking her safety. She was in the city for a reason, and it was finally time to face everything she was running away from.

"Look alive, boys. The media will catch up with us soon," she said as a bellhop appeared, reaching for her hand. Her tears and shaking voice were gone, replaced by an air of confidence her friends hadn't seen in months. She placed her hand in the bellhop's and allowed him to guide her to the door, making sure she didn't miss a single step.

"My parents will arrive soon to collect."

"She's right, you know," Johnny said, rolling his eyes. Nadi and Fritz exchanged worried glances before they followed closely behind.

Okay, I know I said I was going to update quicker. I really am sorry for leaving you hanging for four months. I'm trying, but I'm a workin' gal now with a job. If you still enjoy these chapters, if you're still reading this story, please, please, please let me know! Like, follow and review, so I know that people are still interested and having fun. I know we're getting into some of the nitty gritty dramatic scenes, which are really difficult to write since I took the characters out of the setting we all knew. I'm hoping to get through these city oriented chapters quicker so we can get everyone living life and having fun in Oak Tree Town again.

Anyways, let me know your thoughts on these last few chapters.