018

HER

We stopped at the house so I could change even though what I'm wearing is casual. I swapped my outfit for something sporty 'cause you could never go wrong with joggers and sneakers.

I added a face cap just cause.

The car ride was spent catching up on stuff at home, Edward still lived in the house because we didn't feel okay leaving dad alone in that big house although he tells us not to worry we sometimes catch him staring at my mom's number on his phone and spacing out.

The ride was short and we eventually pulled up in the parking lot of a club that just opened up and judging by the number of cars parked inside must be packed. Ed offered me his arm to walk inside (Force of habit from all the gala's, he didn't mind attending) and I accepted. Edward usually used me as an excuse not to bring any girls to those kinds of events and it was impossible to be mad since I was doing the same.

A blast of the Air conditioner met us at the door as we entered. It was a wonder how this place remained cold with all the body heat being generated on the dance floor alone. The band - broken rubber was already on the make-shift stage playing one of their numbers and that's when I started looking around noticing the familiar faces. I spotted Holly in a booth with a drink in her hand along with more faces I couldn't put names to.

I lost Ed on the way to the bar, a few people (everyone that saw her face) stopped me to say hi. I had to admit, most of the people I remembered by name were the ones that had made names for themselves. There were a few actresses, some from commercials, some from movies, chefs with popular restaurants, big name journalists and many others.

It was kinda hard holding a conversation with people you hardly knew and managing not to seem bored when they wanted to know about my company or make business deals with their upstarting ones. I get that it's hard to make connections in the business world but that was the exact reason I practically ran away from work. I was in a conversation with someone, one that did not revolve around work when I thought I saw Shelia so I excused myself and went in the direction I thought I saw her going.

When I turned the corner I was beyond shocked, it was Shelia that I saw but that's not what surprised me, it was the person she was with. I sincerely never thought I would see him again Luke Snow.

We dated through high school and college, I was undeniably in love with him and he knew that. He knew that and he still left without saying goodbye.

Flashback

Luke missed another one of our date nights because he had work to do, this was the third time in two weeks. Amy kept saying that I shouldn't trust him but I had no reason to doubt him, we are the perfect couple, we've been together for 3 and a half years. The next date night came and he didn't show so I decided to take the date to his apartment off campus. I had a spare key, why wouldn't I?, he was my boyfriend and future husband.

I walked inside and dropped the burgers I had gotten on the way in the kitchen. He would be in the study so I put the burgers and fries in a plate, then poured two glasses of juice. He still had the strawberry flavor - my favorite, even though he hated strawberry flavored anything, that made me smile. I was excited as I walked to the study, I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw me but I had to wait 'cause he wasn't there and half of his books were missing from the shelf and there were some boxes on the floor. I dropped the tray and went round the house but I just saw the same thing everywhere, half packed boxes .

I called Luke's number but it went to voicemail, the first, second, third time. Come to think of it I hadn't heard from him since the last time he cancelled on me. I sat down and ate the burgers thinking of where he could be. I was washing down the food with my juice when I heard the door open. I jumped up and went to interrogate Luke on why he wasn't piking his calls but it wasn't Luke.

"Who are you" the guy asked dropping a wallet on the chair

"I should be asking you that, this is my boyfriend's apartment"

"Umm, I moved in here 3 days ago, if your boyfriend did live here he's long gone. Now I need your key, I can't have people showing up in my apartment all Willy nilly."

I called Luke a million times after that. I checked with his professors and I was told that he had made a permanent transfer but they could not give me any more information. I was beyond heartbroken but that wasn't the worst of it. 7 months later I saw Luke again in an interview for business minds talking on how the greatest decision of his life was finishing his degree prematurely and taking over his grandfather's business as CEO. He left me without a word of goodbye.

Flashback over

"What are you doing here" I asked the venom dripping from my voice making it sound unfamiliar

Shelia looked like she was already talking his ear off, she was one of the people that helped me pick up the pieces after he left and she looked pissed. "Adriennna, long time no see" he said looking almost regretful which received an eye roll from me

"I wonder whose fault that is" I couldn't let him get to me again. I gave Shelia a hug ignoring him then told her I'll be leaving early. She gave me a pitiful look but I brushed it off, I was way over him....... I think.

I said bye to Ed before calling an Uber so I don't leave him stranded. Her phone rang halfway through the drive, it was Phoenix

"Hey, I'm sorry for missing lunch, I was in a meeting" he said bringing a smile to my face, we had really grown closer this past 2 weeks

"No problem, how was your day?"

"Boring without you"

"Such a flirt, are you home yet?"

"No, I'm not with you and Ava"

*swoon*

"Phoenix, I'm serious" I replied feeling the blush rise on my cheek

"Yeah I am, Tristan just dropped Ava off. Are you almost here? "

"Yeah"

"I was thinking we could have dinner together"

"Can you make some popped corn, let's do a movie"

"Ok, can Ava stay up"

"Sure, see you in 5"

"See you"

I ended the call with a smile on my face, All thoughts about Luke left my mind.

Well....... until I had that last thought

Paxton was already putting in the movie when I entered

"Hello darlin' how was school?" I asked Ava and she dived into her whole day. Paxton wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and placed a kiss on my neck once Ava left to the living room. "You know, you've gotten really touchy this past weeks" I said stepping out of his grasp

"Is there something wrong with that?" he asked going for innocent

"I know I've said this a lot but I prefer this Paxton to the one I met initially" I replied placing a peck on his lips. We went to the start of the movie - Despicable Me 2. Ava fell asleep halfway through and Paxton took her up, when he came back down he noticed he sat down and put his head in my lap. "I know you don't like me bringing work home but we have a meeting tomorrow with a potential partner" he started.

"Paxton is there any reason we can't talk about this tomorrow?"

"Are you okay? You've been acting off since you got back"

"I just had a run in with someone I'd rather not see"

"Wanna talk about it?"

"I'd rather not, let's head to bed"

"Babe, are you sure?"

"hmm....? Babe? When did that start?"

"You don't like it?"

"I don't mind either way"

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

The meeting was at 1:30 so we were gonna have a late lunch. It was 1:25 and I was power walking to the meeting room with Hermione on my heels debriefing me again. Paxton's assistant was already there but he wasn't so I took a seat. It was a good thing we were having it in my company or I would have been late. The door opened and in walked the last person I would want to see here - Luke Grant. He seemed not as surprised to see me as I was to see him. "Good afternoon, Miss Donovan," he said, taking a seat. I was about to say something when Paxton came in and placed a kiss on my lips.

"Sorry for the delay, let's start"

Hope you enjoyed this chapter

sorry 4 the late update. Writers block

See u next time