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Gabriella stretched her back, which was now tight from the rehearsals that she and Chris had gone through earlier that Saturday morning. It was now the third week of August and Rodger was more than anxious about the fate of this season's ballet. He seemed to have faith in them and their abilities but Gabriella hadn't realized until the past few weeks what a perfectionist Rodger was when it came to the technical moves and the overall feel of the performance.
Chris chuckled as he closed the door of his own car and sauntered over, leaning against Gabriella's car that was parked next to his in the parking lot next to the teen center. "Aww, is Ella actually sore?"
"Yes, she is, and of course that is also in large part due to her partner dropping her none too gracefully," returned Gabriella, sticking her tongue at him. "If you aren't careful Chris, I'll make sure you and Tessa never hook up again."
"Hey!" protested Chris, embarrassed as he felt a blush on his cheeks at the mere mention of the girl he met in New Mexico that lingered in his mind. "Not that it really matters. I bet she has already moved on with some other guy that's in the same city as her."
Gabriella shook her head as she giggled. "And confident and cocky Chris went where just now? I can tell you that Tessa asks about you as you ask about her every time I talk to her or see you. If nothing at all, it is somewhat comforting to know that you are suffering as much as I was."
"Was?" questioned Chris, raising an eyebrow at this as they began walking towards the teen center for their Saturday volunteering that Chris now joined her on between their practices. "What is with this 'was' that just came from your lips? You seriously only left Albuquerque two or so weeks ago with him freshly living in your heart."
"I just, well, I think I've managed to finally make myself realize that the past is the past, there's nothing more to do about it. Troy is somewhere in New York talking about wedding invitations with his fiancé and is happy. That's the way it should be. And before you even say it, I'm not just talking this time. All that time you accused me of not being fully in rehearsals when you got back, you were right," said Gabriella, smiling at him as he opened the door to the center. She greeted Mina, the volunteer that always was there as a receptionist type role, before Gabriella continued. "Troy was on my mind, a lot, after Taylor and Chad's wedding but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was for naught. You out of all my friends besides Paul and Emma know my entire situation. No one back in the US does because I can't bear to make it even more of a reality."
Chris nodded his head, showing his understanding of that. "And yet, not voicing it, has not prevented the continuous flow of suitors at your door. I think the only consistent one I've seen you with is Patrick. Even Toby has managed to drop off. Eventually you will have to tell them Ella."
"I know, and I plan to, but I want to do it on my own terms, when I was sure this is what I was going to fully embrace as my reality. Before, I think I was also afraid he would know and get hurt but I realize now that he's truly moved on and so must I. To be honest, Patrick really is starting to look like the one too," admitted Gabriella, smiling instantly as she saw Iyana, Selena, and their friend, Brandi Suarez, all sitting next to Claudia and a few other teens. "You know, they really have made a lot of progress, in particular Selena, over the past weeks."
Chris smiled at the look of pride on Gabriella's face. "This is definitely true and you are the main reason for their success you know. Those three girls and many others here have seemed to brighten quite a bit by having you here, at least from what I can tell since I started coming. They seem to have more confidence in themselves and honestly seem to adore you."
Gabriella blushed at these words as she turned her gaze back to Chris. "I don't think so but Emma has remarked on the same thing. If that's true, then I'm just glad that I could help, especially with Selena. You know my history back in Albuquerque but not many really know that version. They only know the version the media put together. I think seeing all these teenagers really respond to our pilot sibling program also made me realize the need in expanding it. Thank you by the way for agreeing to do those spots with me. I really didn't want to be on camera by myself."
"Aww, is the princess shy?" teased Chris, winking at her before he spotted his own little brother, Michael Stewart, or Mikey for short, heading their way. "Hey my man!"
"Hey Chris," greeted Mikey, doing a little hand shake unique to just him and his older brother. "Good morning Princess."
"Mikey," Gabriella half scolded with a smile. "Gabriella, remember?"
"Or Ella," volunteered Chris.
Mikey nodded his head. "Sorry, Gabriella. It' still a bit hard to remember to do that and not feel like I'm disrespecting you."
"I appreciate that but trust me, if you disrespected me, I'd let you know," replied Gabriella with a smile. "So, what is the latest around here?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure. I was just going to challenge Chris here to a game of air hockey to give him a chance to win his five bucks back from last time," replied Mikey.
Gabriella let out a little laugh. "Guess you better go defend your reputation Christopher."
"Haha," got out Chris before he followed Mikey to the table, leaving Gabriella to wander over towards the girls. "Hi everyone!"
"Hi Gabriella!" they all exclaimed, bright smiles appearing on Iyana's and Brandi's faces especially as they saw the brunette standing there. Selena, despite the connection she had with Gabriella, was still a bit more on the reserved side and just gave the woman a smile with a wave of her hand.
Gabriella smiled back and sat down on the chair nearby around the coffee table. "How's everyone?"
"Great," answered Iyana, always the most talkative of the three girls, being the most energetic thirteen year old Gabriella had known to date. "Claudia was just telling us about the responses coming in to help out with the big sibling program you started. That's so cool of you."
"Thanks but it's really about you guys, all of you," replied Gabriella, looking especially at Selena. "I know sibling programs are usually focused on the younger kids but I think that teen years are even harder, at least mine were."
"Plus it has put more attention on the center which is much appreciated," commented Claudia with a kind smile at the young princess. "You've really done a lot for this place and the homeless shelter you also work at on the weekends. It means a lot to all of us here, there, and in Copanvy in general I think to know that you genuinely care about the people of the country, especially in the little time you've been here."
"Meaning that I was imported in," kidded Gabriella, causing the girls to laugh along with Claudia. "How could I not? This country is amazing, just as I was telling an old friend from high school while I was in New Mexico. The people especially make me proud to be what I am here."
"Aww, you're making us blush," joked Brandi. "Oh! Speaking of! Is it true that your high school boyfriend was there at the wedding too?"
Gabriella visibly paled at this, not knowing how to respond. "Brandi, hold your tongue," scolded Selena, knowing from her own conversations with Gabriella as her older sibling that her high school boyfriend was a bit touchy sometimes.
"No, it's okay Selena. Brandi is just curious. Yes, Troy was there, along with his fiancé," replied Gabriella praying that only a few more questions would come out of the thirteen year old's mouth.
"So it is the truth and not a rumor made up by the tabloids this time," remarked Brandi, causing a confused expression to cross Gabriella's face. "You haven't seen the latest?"
Gabriella shook her head. "No, what are you talking about?"
Claudia and Selena both looked on nervously as Iyana helped Brandi look for the magazine they were just looking at an hour ago when they first came in. "Ah, here it is," exclaimed Iyana as she handed the magazine over to Gabriella.
Gabriella took it from the girl and opened it to the indicated page by the earmark and felt herself pale even more at the spread in front of her. There, in front of her, were two pages with pictures of her and Troy from the wedding picture session, arms around each other, along with one taken of them at the diner the night of the bachelor/bachelorette party, and the last being of the two of them kissing through French doors. The last one caught her attention as it was out of place and she instantly placed it as the picture that was stealthily taken years ago when they were playing Sardines in the mansion with the rest of the gang. Gabriella's brown eyes quickly skimmed the article and the picture captions, feeling her throat tighten at the overall image the article painted. 'Princess Gabriella of Copanvy got rather cozy this weekend with a somewhat known basketball pro in the US…seen wrapped in each other's embrace…is it possible that this princess could be settling for her old high school boyfriend while she's been seen dating Patrick Diaz among many other men belonging to Copanvy's upper class?...they looked awfully cozy and relaxed together…even shared a kiss.'
"That's a lie, we didn't kiss! That picture is years old!" exclaimed Gabriella, unaware she had spoken aloud until she looked up and saw all three girls and Claudia looking back at her before she felt Chris' calming hand on her shoulder.
"Ella, what's wrong?" asked Chris, concern in his voice.
Gabriella silently handed the magazine over while she struggled to control her breathing while reigning in her emotions. She shook her head slightly but that wasn't enough to destroy the feeling she had that this article would be waiting for her when she got back to the palace and that she would be in even bigger trouble than before over a tabloid story that used an old picture of them kissing to make her time with Troy seem long and drawn out and romantic when it was in actuality short but special.
"I'm sorry Gabriella, we didn't mean to upset you," apologized Selena, glaring over at her younger sister and their friend.
"No, it's okay, I know you didn't," replied Gabriella, forcing herself to smile. "I guess I still don't have a tough enough skin for this public scrutiny and lies that seem to never end."
Claudia gave her a sympathetic look. "I don't think many people would be able to either. I read that article too and anyone who knows you even a fraction wouldn't believe the image of you that is painted in that article. Whether or not you met up with an old flame, it doesn't make you a wild liability to the crown or whatever rubbish it said. If anything, I think it's a bit of a romantic story."
"Well he was there but so was his fiancé. Troy and I spent some great time down memory lane together but I think we both have adjusted to the fact that we're destined to be friends from now on, which is fine with both of us," returned Gabriella, her eyes going from one girl to the next until she was looking at Claudia again.
"But you look so cute together!" expressed Iyana, being supported with a nod of agreement from Brandi.
Gabriella just smiled at this. "Thank you Iyana and Brandi but Troy and I both know this is what's best for both of us. And you'll learn too as you get older that looking cute together isn't everything."
"That's true otherwise I would have swept this princess off her feet years ago," teased Chris as he attempted to ease the mood for his friend as he placed the magazine back down on the table. "Anyone up for some DDR while Gabriella and Claudia discuss boring adult stuff?"
"YEAH!" agreed Iyana and Brandi as they jumped off the couch, running towards the corner where the DDR mats were set up. "Come on Chris!"
He chuckled before he yelled, "I'll be there in a second!"
Before Gabriella could get up and follow Claudia and Selena into Claudia's office, Chris stopped her as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder. "Are you really all right? Clearly that was out of context bullshit and even the writer knows it. Don't let it phase you."
"I'm not but I know when I get back to the palace, you can bet it will be the one thing that will hit me hard. That type of publication, well it never seems to fall off the radar of my royal grandparents. I guess it is a good thing I have their good graces as far as ballet otherwise they wouldn't have a single reason to really care for me," stated Gabriella, sighing a little at the end.
Chris clucked his tongue at this. "That's not true Ella and you know it. Your grandparents have a lot to be proud of you for and I am willing to bet that although they may not show it, they love you just as much as your parents do."
Gabriella let out a loud scoff before she could control it. "You don't know the true Queen and King of Copanvy then. Chris, how could they really care for me, love me like a granddaughter as they should, but force me to go through this arranged meeting of sorts? Granted, yes, I probably wouldn't have met Patrick without it but it's not the most loving thing to do to your own blood."
"True but I think your grandparents are set in the old ways, the traditions. Don't get me wrong, I'm angry whenever I hear of them mistreating you but I can't see anyone knowing you and not loving you Ella, and I say that as one of your closest friends. Keep your chin up all right? You have nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, even here, after most of these teenagers got over their awe of royalty being among them, they've really opened up to you, and I know at least three girls who love you to bits. I also know for a fact that Claudia is very appreciative of the attention you have brought this center. Gabriella, you may be what you are but you use it for the best to benefit everyone, and a woman with a heart like yours, well you just attract that reciprocal love back," stated Chris, a grin on his face. "Now come on, relax, enjoy your time here after you deal with business with Claudia regarding the public relations bit of the Big Sibling program. You can worry about family later, when it happens all right?"
She gave him a grateful smile before nodding her head. "Thanks Chris, I needed that."
He gave her a quick hug before Chris left to join the teenagers currently on the DDR mats, chuckling as Mikey and Iyana were currently battling it out with what looked like Iyana having the lead. Gabriella took a few breaths in and out before she was able to fully clear her mind, well as much as that was possible. As she walked towards Claudia's office, she gathered herself to discuss the next phase of the Big Sibling program public relations blitz that she and Claudia were planning and stayed there in the office for the rest of the time, working all the details out with both Claudia and Selena, who was contributing where she could, grateful for the distraction.
Dinner back at the palace that evening was nothing but silent and full of tension as Lauren, Edward, Stephen, Annette, and Gabriella all ate their dinners with little conversation between them. Gabriella's parents had been part of a rather large fight with her grandparents not an hour before dinner and neither set of parties walked away with any sense of resolution having been agreed between them. For her part, Gabriella just looked at her family and wondered if she really wanted to be the one to start a conversation. 'Maybe I should finally just clear the air, make this easier for everyone,' she thought before resolving to do just that.
She softly cleared her throat after taking a sip of her water goblet. After she saw she didn't get anyone's attention besides her mother, who gave her a curious look, Gabriella took in a deep breath and cleared her throat again, this time louder. "I may not know exactly what you all argued about earlier but I do know that if my suspicion is correct about the subject matter, none of you have anything to worry about. The article that appeared in the tabloid today is a complete false story, as are many others that have passed this entire family by, and I would like to say for the record that Troy and I did not kiss in any shape or form while I was in New Mexico."
When Gabriella finally looked up again from her plate that she found so interesting, she gulped as she saw the sympathetic looks her parents were throwing her while her grandparents were both blatantly staring at her. "So you deny that you were in his arms, in the open, in New Mexico?" asked Edward in a stern voice.
"Grandfather, that was for a set of professional pictures for Taylor and Chad. You know those magazines cut and crop those pictures to whatever they want people to see. You can even ask Paul about this," offered Gabriella.
Lauren shook her head at this idea. "He'll protect you with his life Gabriella, something that is good and bad. We realize that these magazines lie, this family has been subject to rumors and untruths for many generations but the citizens of this country does not. Those outside of Copanvy know even less of the truth of our family. All we have Gabriella is the reputation and respect given to us by our blood lineage."
"Which I respect Grandmother, honestly I do. That alone is reason enough for me to be well aware of what my actions mean. I know when I first came here all those years ago I was a young girl who still had quite a bit to learn, but I would like to think I'm not so green around being a part of this family now," replied Gabriella, finding herself curiously opening herself up as the conversation went on. "Grandmother and Grandfather, I have nothing but utter respect for our country, its people, and above all this family. Troy is an engaged man and we did spend time together but we're nothing more than good friends. That alone is enough for me to be happy right now."
"And what of you and Patrick Diaz?" asked Edward in a much calmer voice, glad to see his granddaughter speaking openly but in a controlled manner. "He seems to be your one constant of all the suitors you have seen."
Gabriella paused, trying to truly assess her feelings for the black haired man who had become a regular part of her life in the past few weeks. "Patrick is sweet and very caring. I keep seeing him because he treats me as a woman and not some pampered princess. I guess to answer you Grandfather, I like him, far more than any of the other men I have seen who are either too shy to talk to me or too hormone driven for my liking."
"Good because his father has already approached me in regards to a possible future between our families," revealed Edward with such calmness that it unnerved Gabriella even more.
"His father has spoken to you?" got out Gabriella, her voice quiet. "Mom, Dad, is this true?"
Stephen nodded his head slightly to confirm this new development. "Raul Diaz paid us a visit while you were in New Mexico. He talked to me and your grandfather but I chose not to say anything to you because this is your choice. No one is making you marry Patrick, regardless of what Raul may think his visit means."
"Although we do favor him quite a bit," threw in Lauren. "However, as a compromise with your parents earlier today, we agreed to give you some more time without interference. I do want you to know Gabriella that seeing you deal with all of this maturely and with your famous open mind means a lot to this family. I know your grandfather and I can be tough on you but I want you to understand we are not only your grandparents but the heads of the royal family that rules this country, even if it is at a lesser influential role during these times."
Gabriella felt shock fill her body even more at this and looked to her mother, who gave her a smile. "I think what your grandmother is saying, for the first time in a very long time, is something I actually agree with. You are facing this old expectation of you to be arranged in sorts to a man for the rest of your life rather well, much better than I would have at your age, even possibly so compared to me now. Your grace under pressure is honestly one of those traits I admire most about you Gabriella."
Lauren watched as mother and daughter just smiled that much more warmly at each other and felt her heart tug a little, knowing that bond the two shared was ever so strong and was something Lauren would never begin to touch, as much as she had longed to all these years. 'Maybe that is one of the reasons seven years ago I decided to take on the role of strict guider on royal life instead of doting grandmother.'
Edward cleared his throat, gaining his family's attention again. "Well, shortly after our, discussion, with your parents Gabriella, your grandmother and I decided we should give a ball to help you meet more candidates and to in some ways make it clear to the Diaz family that they are not the per se winners of your hand quite yet. It should be fun for you and also productive. We have our yearly balls in each season but we haven't had one specifically for you since you were introduced so it would be great timing to have it in October with our annual Fall Ball."
"Everyone who is everyone will be there Gabriella, even if they don't know about this search you are on. If it is something I have learned about our people and you is that they really do hold you in their favor," added Lauren, a small smile on her face.
"And who can blame them? Our daughter is not only stunningly beautiful on the outside but gorgeous on the inside as well," commented Stephen as he smiled back at Gabriella and then at Annette.
"I couldn't have said that better Stephen," replied Annette, squeezing her husband's hand with relief that Gabriella was getting it easier from her grandparents than she may have before Stephen and she had talked to them earlier on. 'I guess this time around, the yelling match not to jump down her throat actually paid off.'
"However, we do need to make sure you use this time at the ball to meet whatever bachelors there are that are still eligible that you may not have seen," added Lauren, wanting to make sure Gabriella kept her focus. "It isn't public knowledge about what is going on, the upper class families who know are all discreet, as comes with our social rankings so we'd like to provide an avenue to meet more of the elite that may not know."
"How did this group of men come to be chosen Grandmother?" asked Gabriella, finally voicing a question she had wondered on for quite some time now.
"Recommendations from the council, many of which are related to the members in one way or another or in good standing with the men and women who make up the other half of the ruling party of Copanvy," answered Lauren.
Stephen predicted Gabriella's next question and answered it before she asked. "Patrick is the son of Raul Diaz, the elected head of the council. The youngest son was chosen, I have no doubt, because he is closer to your age."
Gabriella nodded her head in understanding. "That would make sense. Speaking of, I must go, I have to get ready for a date with him tonight," said Gabriella, scooting back her chair to stand up after looking at her watch and realizing the time. "Thank you for your own open mindedness tonight and for answering some key questions for me."
She made sure to kiss the cheek of every family member around the dinner table before Gabriella left the room, somewhat feeling better than she had before about her fate which was starting to be known to her as Patrick Diaz.
Troy sat back on the couch of the apartment he and Celeste shared as he threw the game controller onto the coffee table, sighing in defeat as he managed to get killed again in the latest war video game he had bought the other day. Celeste was at work still and Troy had found himself completely free for the day. Instead of doing something more productive after his morning workout at the gym, Troy had decided to try to master the video game. 'Instead, I think it has mastered me,' he thought to himself as he pulled out his cell phone to look at the time. '3 PM, that means it is 9 PM there. She should be up, right?'
Without giving it another thought, Troy flipped open his phone and hit send after selecting her name from his contact list. A smile appeared on his lips as he listened to the romantic ballad that was her current ringtone. It had been two weeks or so since they had last seen each other and Troy was happy to say that he and Gabriella had kept their word and stayed in contact with each other. If it wasn't talks on the phone, they'd been able to trade emails here and there, leaving Troy feeling excited at the idea of just having her in his life again.
"Hey Wildcat," greeted Gabriella, a smile in her voice. "How's it going?"
"Bored, totally and utterly bored," complained Troy, making sure to use his whiney voice for her amusement.
Gabriella laughed on the other line. "Well, that just makes me feel wonderful. I'm just the person you call when you get bored huh? I thought that was what your best friend is for."
Troy shrugged as he settled back into the couch more. "He is but he and Taylor just got back from their honeymoon. I don't want to pull a him and be the one to ruin the moment for them."
"And here I thought you would want payback for all the times he interrupted us back in high school," teased Gabriella, laughter in her voice. "So whatcha doing?"
He looked at the game menu that was still glaring at him from the TV and grabbed the remote to turn it off. "I was trying to beat some war game I bought only to find that my killing skill isn't all that up to par."
"It's because your heart is too good to be that cold, calculating killer," replied Gabriella, earning a chuckle from him. "It's true though, totally."
"Well what about those fights in high school? Those were pretty bloody and violent," stated Troy, knowing he was right as he ran his left hand over his scarred eyebrow.
Troy could almost see Gabriella reluctantly nod her head as there was a pause in the conversation. "That very well may be but you've never killed someone and as much as you had the temptation to torture Riley at the time, I don't think you could finish it."
"You don't think I could have killed that bastard for what he did to you? Gabriella, he raped you!" exclaimed Troy, instantly regretting his words as silence now hung between them. "I'm sorry, I should not have said that."
Gabriella let out a slow breath before she spoke again. "No, it's okay. Yes, Riley did rape me but I could never see you killing him and not feeling remorse after. That's really what I mean Troy, that you have a conscious and wouldn't be able to live with yourself after."
"All right, you have a point," conceded Troy as he got up and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "Although in Sutton's situation, I may have made an exception."
"No doubt you would have, you and Paul both," replied Gabriella. "How's New York City life?"
Troy shrugged his shoulders, leaning now against a kitchen counter. "It's life. I'm thinking I may pick up some volunteering or something, maybe teaching kids how to play basketball or something."
"I'm sure those little kids would love to be taught by someone in the NBA," replied Gabriella. "See? There's that big heart I was talking about."
"Whatever you say Brie. Besides, I'm not all that big in the NBA anyway. Only a few people really recognize me," stated Troy. "I think that is probably what I'm going to do. It'll solve my boredom and more importantly be helping out our community."
"And the big golden heart wins again," teased Gabriella. "Hang on a second."
Troy held the phone to his ear as he walked into the living room again and sat back down on the couch. He heard her voice murmur something and a male voice return, going back and forth before she finally came back on. "Sorry about that."
"No worries. Was that Chris?" asked Troy.
There was a slight pause before he heard Gabriella's answer. "No, he's actually out tonight with some of his friends at a bar or something. I actually should get going Troy."
"Ella, come on, we're going to miss the movie!" called out a faint male voice, one that Troy didn't recognize.
"Hang on Patrick, I'll be right there. Besides, if we're late, it's all your fault since you just had to talk to your old college buddy," teased Gabriella before she got back to her conversation with Troy. "Sorry Troy."
"Hey, no worries. I guess I better let you go. Talk to you soon?" offered Troy.
"Definitely. Great talking to you Troy. Night!" returned Gabriella before Troy heard a definite click before the line went dead.
Troy stared at his cell phone for a few moments before he scrolled to his picture gallery and pulled up the picture that he and Gabriella had taken for their caller ID pictures, one on each phone. He felt a smile tug back onto his lips as he gazed down at the picture, thinking back to a time where it was just him and her. After letting his gaze linger for a little while longer, Troy snapped his phone closed and put it on the coffee table, instead picking up his laptop that was on the coffee table next to the discarded game controller.
Once Troy logged into his laptop, he opened his email and sent a quick reply to Chad to let him know that he was fine and expected to see pictures of their trip. After exploring the internet for some time, absently looking at the latest news, Troy's mind sharpened as he recalled the name Patrick being used by Gabriella for the guy that called just before she left. His jealousy over the unknown guy also crept back making him curious as to whether she really was seeing someone named Patrick. 'He could be another dancer like Chris though right? Only one way to find out.'
Doing something he had never done before, Troy opened up a new web browser page that defaulted to his preferred search engine and entered "Princess Gabriella Montez" before he hit the enter button. A number of hits came back including some fansites. 'Wow, she is quite popular isn't she? I wonder if she's ever seen these sites.'
Resisting the urge to go to some individually driven and opinionated sites, Troy clicked on News and then sorted by most recent. His blue eyes scanned the titles as he felt himself slowly pale upon finding quite a number of recent stories including a name of Patrick Diaz linked with Gabriella's. He clicked on a random, credible looking news website and froze as he saw a picture of Gabriella with a male arm wrapped tightly around her waist. It was night time and Gabriella was smiling as she looked up at the guy who looked back down at her, adoration clear in his brown eyes. Troy just sat there, staring at the picture, for literally minutes before he forced himself to read the caption. "Princess Gabriella out on the town with Patrick Diaz. Could this be a friendly date or finally something more for the two after months of dating?"
He again sat there utterly speechless while his heart started beating even faster as he gazed at the picture of the two together again. Troy swallowed hard as he tried to get himself to breathe normally again, feeling as if he could hear his blood rushing through his veins with each rapid heartbeat. Lastly, Troy became very aware of a sharp pain in his gut and knew then, if it wasn't apparent already, that Troy Bolton was jealous, something he hadn't felt in several years, a feeling he had never felt unless it involved Gabriella Montez, his Brie. Troy thought back to his last trip to Albuquerque and heard all the words that were spoken by his buddies to him while he focused on memories of Gabriella smiling at him while she walked down the aisle and the sound of her laughter at the diner the night of the bachelor/bachelorette party. Almost as if a light bulb was literally turned on in his head, Troy sat up straighter, realizing how very intense his suppressed feelings for his first love still were, finally understanding the true extent with which they went.
Before he could examine them any further though, he heard keys in the front door and instantly closed the laptop, putting it back on the coffee table quickly, knowing he looked a bit guilty just then.
"Troy, I'm home," called out Celeste as she slipped her high heels off her feet. "Where are you?"
"Umm, the living room," called out Troy as he quickly picked up his game controller and had it in his hands before his fiancé came into the room.
Celeste walked in and paused as she saw him sitting on the couch with the game controller in his hands, looking at a blank TV. "Troy, sweetheart, don't you have to have the television on to play?"
"Oh, umm," stumbled Troy, slapping himself in his mind for not turning the TV back on. "I'm challenging myself, seeing how many points I can get without the visual assistance."
"Uh huh, okay then," returned Celeste slowly, not sure if she really believed him but willing to let it drop. "I've had a really long, stressful day at the office. Do you mind if we skip cooking and just go get some dinner?"
Troy tossed the game controller next to him on the couch and nodded his head. "Umm, sure. Where do you want to go?"
"How about that new chic Chinese/Thai cuisine place? It's only a few blocks away but that does mean you have to dress Mr. Sweats," teased Celeste, a smile on her face. "You game?"
"Sure, sounds good," replied Troy as he got up and kissed Celeste on the cheek before going to change. 'I'd rather just have some cheap greasy burger right now but fancy Chinese/Thai it is.'
Within a few minutes, the couple was out the door of their apartment and hitting the busy streets of New York, one thinking of nothing but the perfect man beside her while the other had only one thing on his mind, a perfect brunette who currently was out with another man thousands of miles away.