This is just an old story I typed out years ago. Didn't want to go to waste.

Warning: First few paragraphs, kinda overdid myself. And I don't own HSM only the characters I created.

Got a video for you too if you're not certain about this story. It's a little trailer I put together. Just follow these directions written below.

Directions:

1. go to YouTube

2. type "Heal Lee" in the search box

3. click on "Filter" and click " channel" before clicking search

4. when you find me you'll find the video titled "Sorry, I'm Engaged" (I know I wrote the title wrong sorry)

Hope you enjoy. Peace :)

It's been nearly three years since Troy's career continued the path of success. His freedom in his teen years has been ruined from all the practicing and man-hunting for a proper agent. But it was worth it by the time his mother found him an agent and he recorded his first song in a decent studio. In less than three months, his name was known everywhere and the future can only tell how far he'll go in the long run.

Now twenty-six, the studio is practically his second home. With the fame he has that lifts him above in fame, there is still a problem, he's not fully happy. There was always two types of happiness the way that Troy sees in his eyes. When he was a boy, he saw the future he's currently living in as a dream, an achievement that could prove his own father - it was not easy for him to accept his own son's decision for such a career - and friends wrong, that he could truly accomplish such a life. However, a second definition of that so-called happiness was developed from his own point of view as a changed man - no more of that clueless boy wearing jersey shirt.

As a beloved singing star, it is a not free life where you can go on by your own. Privacy and hatred are deadly combinations that can overcome very closely in fame, which Troy has experienced over the short years. His parents and friends, however, supported along the way. Yet, another problem - still can't be resolved or handled - is pulling him down that his loved ones apparently cannot help with.

The president of the company Troy is contracted with has a daughter named Sharpay Evans who is also a rising star like himself, along with her twin brother, Ryan. Sharpay is described simply, in all cliché written in the book, a terribly spoiled young woman and embraces the advantage to intimidate others by the use of her own rank and the connections that protect her very name. In the other hand, she is very beautiful, according to the numerous boys who catches her eye when she's seen in public, and adapted to a high quality level of fashion and a strong passion of theatre.

She had one goal the minute she met the shiny, handsome Troy Bolten: make him hers. However, it has been quite a challenge for her. After one dress after the other and numerous deliberate accidents when he's present in a room, Troy only grew strongly uncomfortable with her and can't even swallow the idea of at least being friends with her. But Ryan is far different from her sister, and Troy respects for his fine gift of choreography and classy tastes of music and clothes, after all, Ryan may be an Evan yet also a victim who Sharpay uses for her own benefit.

The hour is now 1:00 in the morning. Troy removed the headphones and stepped out of the recording room. The strict Ms. Darbus who constantly stops by to check on every one of Troy's recording songs, scribbled down something short in her professional notebook. Troy sighed for her manicure sharp fingernails and her owl-eyed spectacles has always made him tense. But the worst would have to be that voice - shortly famous for her ascent that is a great challenge to determine if it's British, Welsh, or..some what other.

"Well, Mr. Bolten, that fifth take went quite smoothly."

"Thanks."

"But..."

Troy sat right on an available chair, leaning his back against the cushion. He's got used to her advises and lectures over the short years. But that doesn't mean he learned to like them.

"..your voice needs a little tuning. And the speed you're going to is a little off. The recording you made just now may seem unnoticeable of the mistakes I pointed out. But any professional with a good ear can identify the problems instantly."

"I see. I'll try to work on that."

"In your spare time after lunch, go to the usual room where you practice with Kelsi. And come back here by the time you do things right, did I make myself clear, Mr. Bolten?"

Her eyes finally lifted away from her notebook. Troy nodded, his hands lightly gripping on the armrests. His conscious can only scream at him to get out of there other than warning him not to be rude and wait patiently.

"Will that be all, Ms. Darbus?"

"Yes. You're dismissed."

"Thank you."

He happily stood from his chair and walked a little too quickly out the door.

~ Gabriella opened her tired eyes. She blinked a few times as her heavy eyelids managed to remain open. Familiar arms tightened around her when she was about to pull herself to sit upright. She rotated her head to find Dean still asleep.

She took both his arms with each hand and slowly pulled them off her. But his arms wrapped around the same positions as before.

"I have to go. Let me go," she whispered.

The sound of his dry lips parting can be heard as he sneakily slipped a hand underneath her shirt. She gasped and caught his wrist before he reached to one of her breasts.

"Too early for that, Dean."

"Never too late or early for this, beautiful."

"No. Really. I have to go."

She pulled his hand out from her shirt and pulled herself to sit upright as his arms loosened his grasp on her. He too sat up. His hands laid on her shoulders, his lips planted on the side of her neck, kissing softly on the same spot. She pulled out her boots and slipped them on.

"Wherever you're going, it can wait, you know?"

"I'm meeting up with Taylor."

"She's back? I thought she was in England."

"Well she needs a break from school sometimes. Besides, I can't cancel this meeting, she's finally going to introduce me to her new boyfriend. Chad is his name, I think. So far all she told me about him was that he's an actor and they've been in a long-distance relationship since her sophmore year."

"A boyfriend? Should I be concerned?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes and craned her neck to meet her eyes with Dean's. His lips stopped, resting it against the softness of the nape of her neck.

"You shouldn't. You trust be, don't you? It's impossible for another boy to capture my heart when I have you, you handsome you." She playfully grabbed his chin and pecked him on the lips.

"Am I handsome? What else, gorgeous? Tell me."

"It's going to take a big box of pizza and a bowl of melted chocolate dipped strawberries for me to excessively flatter you with compliments."

"Done. Don't be late."

"Can't really promise that. Taylor may be a brainiac who's got her life together. But she knows how to party."

"Well, as long as no other guy's tongue gets down your throat tonight, then I'll wait with your dinner. Okay?"

"Sounds great." She kissed him again and got off the couch.

~ Gabriella got in Taylor's car after the short introduction. Chad volunteered to be the driver so Taylor can talk to her friend easily, yet she sat in the passenger's seat beside him.

So far, Chad made a good impression and earned himself a brownie point from Gabriella.

"How's England so far?"

"Pshh, forget about me. Let's talk about you. Every time we Skype it's always about me and my crabby professors. How's the wedding planning going?"

"Please, Taylor, nothing but that."

If only she knew the truth...

A worried look crossed Taylor's face. She pulled her seat belt for the strap to extend in order for her body to able to turn around to look at her friend.

"Did you guys get in a fight or something? Don't tell me the wedding is off."

"No, no it's not that." Gabriella raised her left hand, showing her dazzling engagement ring still on her finger. "Still taken."

"Then how come you never talk about the wedding?"

Because it's not really my wedding.

Gabriella shook her head, composing the depression glued on her face. "I just want things to go smoothly and very..very slowly. I mean, it's only been two years and Dean has been very patient. I'm sure he can deal with another year, I don't know, or maybe eight or six months wait."

"Gabriella, no man is that patient. He proposed to you because he's ready to have a future with you. I may have only met him in several holidays, but my God, he's a charmer and quite a hottie." She looked back at her boyfriend. "No offense, babe."

"None taken." He gave her a small nod, his eyes focused on the road.

Taylor returned her attention back to Gabriella. Her arms embracing around the head of the cushioned seat.

"Are you afraid of commitment, Gabriella? Is that what it is?"

"A little. But I guess you're right, it's about time I get myself busy for the big day."

"And I will assist every step of the day. Because there's no fucking way I'm going to miss every last detail for that special day. And don't worry, I have fabulous connections with people back at school. Oh it's going to be perfect. A huge reception, fine red wine carpet where - "

Gabriella shook her head. "No, there will be no big wedding. Just a small, private ceremony will do. I already talked to Dean about this too and he agreed."

"A small ceremony? Gabriella have you forgotten who bought that big rock that you wear on your finger? Dean Jameson is the son of an owner who owns a successful line of hotels that exists half the world."

Gabriella smiled, crossing her arms across her chest. "Someone did her homework. What else do you know about him?"

"Hey, I'm a girl with a healthy curiosity. I couldn't help myself. And for once the Internet gave me proper information about your fiancé - for God's sake don't underestimate the wealthy class. His rank is high prestigious, depending on when his bank will shorten with money."

"Taylor, you make him sound like he's some sort of king. He's not."

"He is. And that's what the world considers him as. And with that, your guests list is not going to contain a few close people. It's going to be packed with at least two hundred or four maybe to invite all of them just to see the lucky bride walk down the aisle and say 'I do' to the pot of gold."

"Well, the more you talk of this the more you convince me that I got a lot to talk to with Dean."

"You really should. You never know if he might say the same exact thing as me, or respect your wishes instead."

"Huh. Alright, enough about my wedding. I promise I'll call you when I start planning. Okay?"

"You better."

Taylor sat right back down properly as Chad stopped when the light turned red.

"By the way, Taylor, where are you taking me?"

"Chad has a friend who's throwing a party for his next album. He's very famous from what I hear. Troy Bolten is his name. My British girlfriends urged me to get his autograph. I have over seven t-shirts in my suitcase to have his name signed. Ugh. Honestly, I sometimes hate being nice."

Gabriella frowned. The very name doesn't ring a bell to her at all. She has always been fond of singing, mostly a hobby for her. But unfortunately, this generation of the music world doesn't have a great deal of good music artists - half of them rewriting in different styles from the same ideas and concepts over and over again. Because of that Gabriella slowly shunned modernized music since high school.

"Who's Troy Bolten?"

"You have to be kidding me. You don't know him. How do you not know him?"

"It's no crime for me not to know some singer. Who is he anyway?"

"Oh you'll find out."

~ Gabriella is not dressed for a party like this. All the girls are wearing cocktail dresses, either tight to show their curves, or short with the fabric loose like a flower head. She now understands why Taylor changed into a fresh outfit in the bathroom. Taylor offered her a dress. Gabriella, however, declined her offer. Considering her attire of her Friday night skinny jeans, black shoelace boots, and her navy blue silk blouse will do. Taylor ran a hand through Gabriella's curled hair, pointlessly thinking it might do a little change. Then they exited the bathroom where Chad appeared to Taylor's side, throwing his arm around her waist.

The music is deafening and the room is almost dark. Half the people with drinks held on their hands danced on the dance floor where flashes of colorful lights flashed throughout the room. Gabriella stayed close to Taylor and Chad as they walked around the crowd of people to find the host of the party - Troy Bolten.

They stopped at an open bar. Gabriella and Taylor sat on the spinning stools while Chad stood his ground looking around to find Troy.

"I'll have a Sea Breeze with an extra shot of vodka." Taylor ordered to the bartender.

"A Screwdriver for me with a straw. No umbrella."

The bartender nodded and tended to make their drinks.

Gabriella spun slowly around to take one more look around the place. Taylor pulled out her wallet from her purse to pay for their drinks.

"This place is something."

Taylor made a face, leaning closer. "What did you say?" She asked in a loud voice.

"I said this place is something." Gabriella said loud enough for Taylor to hear.

"I know. It's been a while since I went to a party. My schedule has been a pain in the ass for a long time."

"You need to breathe sometimes."

The bartender placed both their drinks in front of them. Taylor handed him the money for their drinks, giving him a signal she doesn't want the change. The two girls took their glasses.

"I agree. Let's just have fun tonight. Alright? Cheers."

They both clang their glasses and took the first sips of their cocktails. Chad turned back around and leaned closer to Taylor's ear to whisper to her about something. As he pulled back, she responded with a nod and he left.

"What was that about?" Gabriella asked.

"He's going to look for Troy. Don't worry, he'll be back."

"Oh."

The music suddenly stopped. In the center of the room is a small wooden stage. A young man with a blue head cap came up on top of it, carrying two microphone stands. As the microphones secured on each stand he used one to make an announcement.

He tapped on the microphone. "Testing. Testing. One, two, three...Okay, guys. Now we know this party is more of a music environment. So let's have two contestants to have a little karoke going on here. My lighting man back there will choose two people by random, and whether you can sing or not, you gotta sing no matter what. Got it? Now let's start. Who do we have tonight?"

The beaming light traveled through one person after the other until it reached the bar. Gabriella frowned as a bright light shone at her. She rotated her seat, her mouth leaving her straw as she squinted her eyes from the brightness.

"Alright we got one girl. Come up on stage."

Gabriella froze, unable to move. Taylor placed her drink down and shook her friend's shoulder. But Gabriella couldn't move. Two guys from the crowd came up and took her up the stage. As she got up on the stage, she crossed her arms across her chest uncomfortably. Never in her life have she found the courage to sing alone in public before. When she was a girl she did solo lessons in church, but it was easier then since she sang as a group. Now she has to face her fears of performing all alone with a stranger.

The bright light continued to travel to find a random boy as a contestant. The vast crowd cheered loudly as the same guys who got Gabriella up on the stage forced a boy to get up on the stage. Now Gabriella reacted in shock to hear the crowd shout out "Troy! Troy".

Troy got on the stage finally after much struggle. Both him and Gabriella avoided eye contact.

"You'll both thank me for this one day.." The guy in the blue cap looked at an angry Troy then at Gabriella. "Maybe." Then he got off stage.

A tv screen afar turned on to show the lyrics and then the song played.

Troy first started, despite his exhaustion of singing at all.

Living in my own world
Didn't understand
That anything can happen
When you take a chance

Troy rolled his eyes, not wanting to do this anymore. He stepped back from the microphone to walk away.

The tension grew for Gabriella for she knows it's her turn to sing. She's quite impressed of her partner's amazing voice, but she silenced that thought after remembering he's an experienced singer. She took a breath as the lyrics changed, closing her eyes to calm her upset stomach.

I never believed in
What I couldn't see
I never opened up my heart
To all the possibilities

Troy stopped after hearing her voice. He too took a surprised liking to her singing, wishing to hear of it more , he returned back to his microphone to sing along with her.

I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
And right here tonight

This could be the start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
Oh

Slowly their eyes met briefly, Gabriella managed a smile but quickly looked away. And so did he. But that didn't last long, and their eyes now locked with each others.

And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new

An exciting sensation build inside of Troy that boosted the energy level of the room. He removed his jacket feeling the mood of the evening, tossing it to the crowd as they cheered, mostly the girls for the black shirt Troy wears this evening effortlessly can't cover his toned muscular shape. Gabriella grabbed hold of the microphone, the smile returning on her mouth as her eyes looked at her partner.

Now who'd of ever thought that
We'd both be here tonight?
Oh yeah
And the world looks so much brighter (brighter)
With you by my side (by my side)

I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
I know it for real

This could be the start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
Oh

And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new

Troy lowered his knee slightly, tilting the microphone stand like a rock star, which earned him more than a smile from Gabriella but a priceless laugh.

I never knew that it could happen
Till it happened to me
Oh oh
I didn't know it before
But now it's easy to see
Yeah

The two removed the microphones from their stands and now faced their bodies to face one another.

It's a start
Of something new
It feels so right
To be here with you
Oh

And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart

That it's the start
Of something new
It feels so right

Gabriella, still shy but relieved to have such a confidence, shook her hips to get to the beat. But she stopped and her cheeks blushed as Troy neared closer to her. She almost screamed, the smile still intact on her mouth, when she almost fell off from the stage. But a random guy form the crowd caught her by the waist and pushed her forward.

To be here with you
Yeah

And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new
The start of something new
The start of something new

Their eyes refused to look away for a brief moment. And their smiles disappeared as well. But it returned as he extended his hand out for an introduction.

"Troy."

She took his hand and gave it a shake. "Gabriella." Responding a little louder for the crowd is cheering too loud for their performance.

~ Troy joined Chad at the bar to meet Taylor. But for the entire time his only interest was on Gabriella. She sat silently, sipping her Screwdriver.

"I didn't know you can sing like that. Seriously, where did that come from?" Taylor asked, sitting on Chad's lap.

"Took a few lessons when I was little. No big secret really. I just never sang like that in front of so many people, it's been a struggle." Her eyes met Troy's who never left his attention off her. "You were amazing up there, though. It makes sense why you're so famous."

"Thanks. But so were you, who was your teacher?"

"More like teachers. I had a few solo lessons when I was little in church. It was great singing with so many people so they can drown my singing. I was always that little girl with the big voice. How about you?"

"Well, a guy gets loose when he sings alone in the shower. With his friends present, bad luck when that happens in the boys' locker room. Before you know it they get ready with the towels to whip your ass."

Gabriella giggled, taking another sip from her drink. Troy neared where she is, taking a seat beside her.

"So what do you do?"

"Me? Oh I retired a long time ago. I used to worked as a chemist researcher in Germany. But that all went out that window until - "

"Ten!..Nine!..Eight!" The crowd shouted.

Taylor scowled, rolling her eyes. "Huh, Americans. It's not even New Year's Eve but they'll find any excuse to just make out with any available person in sight."

"You're an American too, Taylor." Chad said, kissing her cheek.

"Half, darling," faking an excellent British ascent that made the three of them laugh.

"...Four!..Three!..Two!..One!" The crowd concluded with intimate kisses from their partners.

Taylor and Chad closed with a kiss. Gabriella and Troy only stood there awkwardly. Her phone suddenly buzzed. She sighed in relief to have something distract her. She took her phone out to see who it is. It's a text message from Dean.

Still waiting for you to come home. Dinner is in the fridge. Hurry home, babe, I miss you.

She got off the stool, leaving her unfinished drink behind.

"I have to go. Taylor, I'll call you tomorrow. And.." Gabriella faced Troy who was quick enough to mask his disappointed expression. "I guess I'll hear from you soon too. Maybe from a crazy fan."

Troy chuckled. He took out his phone and handed it to her. "No need when you can just have my number. Can you give me yours?"

"Yeah, sure." She took his phone and handed hers to him. She dialed her name and number in his contacts. "What times are okay for you?"

"Twelve is good and after six at night."

He finished dialing his number and the two exchanged each other's phones again after taking a quick separate selfie. Troy stared at the image of her in his phone, so distracted that he didn't even realize Gabriella already left.

"You know singing with you has been amazing, Gabriella. So, where are you from?"

He lifted his eyes away from his phone to find Gabriella already gone. He closed the screen of his cell phone and returned it back to his pocket.

"Gabriella."

He said in a soft voice. A determination signaled in the way he pronounced such a simple name, a firm willingness he will not forget that name.

~ "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" The deafening screaming of Sharpay's voice reached to almost every room from the studio.

Ryan blocked his ears with his hands, his eyes closed. He safely unblocked his ears as his sister's voice turned the stage of breathing harshly as she fanned herself with her tan manicured hands.

He looked down at his phone again to reread the headline of the article. "Is Troy Finally in Love with this Mystery Brunette Singer? You know this headline has a nice ring to it; 'Mystery Brunette Singer' perfect gossip to catch the media."

"Oh shut up, Ryan! How can this be possible? I've tried to turn that boy's head around to look at me for once. But no, some girl attends his party and ends up nailing a perfect evening with him by getting his number. God! Who the hell is this slut?"

"Okay, you have to relax. There is a perfect logical explanation of that incident. She could have been a fan or a daughter of some other musical company for him to make some connections. And again, you don't even know if she's a slut."

"Any girl would have to be a slut to catch a guy's attention in just an hour. I need to know who this girl is. Because I'm going to make her pay for what she did." She stopped fanning herself and clenched both her hands into fists. "No one beats, Sharpay. No one."

Gabriella tossed the pillow to the ground and got on the bed, properly tucking the first bed sheet on the mattress. Her phone suddenly buzzed. She reached into her pocket and answered.

"Hello?"

"Gabriella, what the hell is going on?"

"Taylor? Hey, what's up?"

"What's up?! Have you been on the Internet lately?"

Gabriella smiled, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. "If this is about another shoe sale I'm not going."

"Oh God, Gabriella you sometimes have to get more social. You're all over the public. Everyone now thinks you're Troy Bolten's new girlfriend."

Her smile disappeared instantly and a stern look replaced her expression. "What?! Where did that come from?"

"Someone must have took a picture of you the other night. Did you do something with Troy? Like anything. Huh, what am I saying? I doubt anything happened between you two."

"No, no of course not. I can't believe that they - Oh."

A thought came in mind to her. She slapped her temple with her hand now understanding whoever made this juicy gossip was the misunderstanding of her and Troy giving each other's number.

"'Oh', what do you mean 'oh'? Gabriella, what did you guys do the other night?"

"Nothing I swear..Well, nothing intimately. We just..e-exchanged numbers. I guess whoever wrote this shit took the wrong idea."

"You what? Oh my God, Gabriella you're a engaged woman. You have boundaries when it comes to being near single guys. Huh, oh dear/ What are you going to tell Dean?"

"I don't know. I'm not even sure if he already knows."

"Well figure it out fast before things go overhand."

"Okay. Thanks for calling. Bye."

"Good luck."

~ "Troy, do you have something to tell me about?" Troy's dad asked.

Troy took a bite of his burger, licking the ketchup off his finger. "What are you talking about? I have nothing to tell you, dad, other than this burger is damn good."

"Your mother came up to me before she left for shopping about some article about your party last night. We both were shocked that it was about you asking a girl out, exchanging each others' numbers. Is it true? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Baby steps dad. Nothing happened yet. But she was really something... I couldn't resist when she had to leave for some reason the other night."

"But you're interested in this girl?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, if things work out, bring her home so I can meet her."

"I will."

~ Gabriella nervously paced back and forth in her room. Pondering over and over of how she's going to tell Dean what happened the other night. Dean has always been overprotective over her when other single suitors, who doesn't bother to look at the ring on her finger, approach her. The last thing she wants to see is Dean angry.

The door opened and she stopped in her tracks. Dean walked in. He took her in his arms and gave her a kiss.

"I got some bad news."

"O-Oh, me too."

"Okay, you first." His arms captured her waist, pulling her body closer to hers. "Tell me what you have to say."

"..You first."

"My mother invited us over for tea. She wants to show you off in public again."

"How sweet of her," she nervously complimented, uneasily accepting his second kiss.

"We're heading there in a few minutes to that private club she's in. My father, surprisingly will be attending there too."

Oh shit. Not his father.

Mr. Jameson praises his reputation like a second life. He uses his power to keep things clear, such as scandals, rumors of bankruptcy, or unpleasant debates with other hotel companies. He was actually the one who pushed Gabriella to date his son for he considered her education and past life suitable and agreeable to his standards. He must have heard of the news by now. He'll be absolutely disappointed when she meets him.

"Dean, I..I have to tell you something."

"Tell me in the car. We have to get ready."

~ Dean and Gabriella walked in the room, passing by a few women settling down with their hundred dollar per cup of tea. They whispered, judging them, envying them for almost all the high class women there know a Jameson when they see one.

When the couple walked into a private, reserved room, a fine table filled with refreshments and pastries and cakes was the first thing they saw. The two greeted Dean's parents and took their seats. Gabriella took a seat beside Mrs. Jameson and Dean sat opposite from her.

"What a lovely blouse."

Gabriella looked down at her floral short-sleeved blouse. Her eyes lifted back up with a smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Jameson. I love your outfit this morning."

"Well, thank you, dear. It's Channel. Thought I might show off a little from all those stubborn air heads out there."

A waiter in a fine black suit poured the tea for Gabriella and Dean. She whispered a 'thank you' as he finished filling her tea cup. She took the handle and blew before taking a careful sip. A strong pang hit her heart as she realized Mr. Jameson is staring at her real hard, and worst of all, angrily. She swallowed hard, burning her tongue. With shaky hands, she placed her tea cup down.

"Gabriella, I can guess Dean doesn't know yet."

Dean scowled at this, pushing his tea cup back. "What do I not know?"

"Explain to us, Gabriella, of last night." Mr. Jameson continued.

Gabriella rested her hands on her lap, playing nervously with the beads sewn on her skirt. The three waited. By her guess, Mr. Jameson seems to be the only one who knows.

"Last night, I went to a party with my best friend. She's been studying to earn her Doctrine degree in England for nearly two in half years. She returned back to America to see me and her boyfriend. The three of us later on went to a party that some celebrity was hosting. I had fun. And they even had a singing competition and I was chosen by random and I ended up singing with the host of the party himself, Troy Bolten. In the conclusion of the evening, we talked and then Dean texted me which signaled me to call it a night and head home. But uh..Troy asked for my number and I gave it to him and he gave me mine. Someone, for careless reasons, took a picture of us and it ended up in the media."

Dean's face hardened. Gabriella closed her eyes, her eyebrows knitting together in discomfort. Her hands clenched to the fabric of her skirt, bracing herself for what Mr. Jameson have to say next.

"As an engaged woman, doing something rashly like that with a well-known celebrity is an absolute disapproval. However, it is fortunate the media considers your relationship with my son as a possible engagement. So I've arranged a way to die down this ridiculous gossip they've created overnight. I called the studio this Troy Bolten works in and apparently, a company they are allied with asked for you to make an audition for an upcoming musical film, if possible. Some of the guests in that party posted a video of you singing a duet with your friend and received a heavy deal of reviews. What I want you to do is to take that audition. If they accept you, work for them. But my limit is participating in that film only. That way the media will assume your relationship with Mr. Bolten is only for business matters. Understand?"

Gabriella's eyes opened. A flush of relief washed her worries away. But an exciting feeling of happiness blossomed inside of her. Mrs. Jameson had to nudge her to respond to her husband.

"I-I will, Mr. Jameson. And I'm so sorry I made so much trouble. I didn't mean to cause such a ruckus."

I'm glad I did though. Now that I have a little freedom to be away from home before the upcoming wedding.

"Apology accepted. After all, during your filming, you should start planning for the wedding. It'll confirm your new name if this plan goes well. Publicity is the key to inform everyone you are a taken woman in a immediate period of time, which I presume will take one day for the whole world to know of your engagement."

~ The day of the audition arrived. Dean drove Gabriella to the studio. He hasn't spoken to her since the tea party. But he abandoned the silent treatment and assured her with his forgiveness.

She was so nervous for this day that she couldn't even put her makeup on or put on some proper jewelry. The only thing she managed was a pair of pants with a dark sleeve shirt, comfortable high neck converse and a green neckerchief tied loosely around her neck. But no ring on her finger. After the tea party, Dean's father took the ring from Gabriella, informing her to wear it when she starts going to the premieres in the end of the film. Also commenting poorly of how simple it looks, so the plan to renew it with a bigger diamond will be arranged also.

She unbuckled her seat belt, taking an uneasy breath. Dean looked at her in concern, he reached out and took her hand, giving it a kiss.

"You'll do fine. Don't be nervous."

"I'll try. Bye."

"I love you."

Gabriella smiled uneasily at that.

Don't say that like you mean it. Because I can never say that to you back.

"I'll see you later." She opened the car and stepped outside.

~ Inside, an assistant escorted Gabriella to a private room where inside sits Ms. Dabrus and Kelsi, who's sitting on the piano chair with a large piano in front of her. Gabriella slowly stepped inside, stopping in the center.

Ms. Dabrus looked down at her resignation paper, to quickly go through Gabriella's background. "I've watched a video of your singing from a few nights ago. I was quite impressed, Miss Montez. But my only hope is that you'll give me the perfect performance again at this moment. What song will you be singing for us?" Her intimidating eyes met Gabriella's,

Gabriella cleared her throat, searching for the confidence trapped inside her. "You Raise Me Up."

"You may begin when you are ready."

Kelsi started a slow speed of the song and Gabriella waited, listening to the song carefully to be ready when it's her time to sing. As her time came, she sang with her eyes nervously closed. The performance continued with her voice in a neutral level but it grew stronger and more powerful as the song continued. Ms. Darbus sat back with her back properly straight. There is still no sign of significant difference in her plain expression. But on the other hand, Kelsi is blown away by Gabriella's performance, it took her a second to have her focus back on the keys. She added an extra key as Gabriella finished the song to squeeze in a catchy last minute tune.

Ms. Darbus pushed her spectacles forward. Gabriella opened her eyes, holding her hands together to hide the trembling. She watched with hesitate eyes as Ms. Darbus rose from her seat.

"Let's start a scene from the film." She handed Gabriella a thick script and returned back to her seat with an extra copy in hand. "I take it you are auditioning for the part as Heather."

"I uh didn't think about it. I was never informed about what the movie is about."

"So you came all this way, gave me an exceptional performance with no knowledge of what you're getting yourself into? Miss Montez, you are most disagreeably unprepared. Filming movies such as this is a serious matter, not a hobby."

"I'm sorry, madam."

"Ms. Darbus." Ms. Darbus corrected with her red painted lips pouted.

"Ms, Darbus, I apologize for not being prepared."

"Then as a producer, would you like my advice on what part you should audition for?"

Gabriella nodded.

Ms. Darbus lowered her eyes and flipped a few pages of the script. As she stopped at the page she was looking for, her leg crossing over the other, pushed her spectacles forward again.

"You may leave now, Kelsi. I wouldn't be needing your assistance for now."

Kelsi nodded in reply. She quietly got off the piano chair and walked toward the door. It was now just Gabriella and the almighty Ms. Darbus.

"Turn to the page to Scene 1, Miss Montez."

Gabriella did as she said. In the first page for the character is written italicized Heather.

"So far, your performance of singing has reached to my expectations. But this movie is still a movie and I need to make sure you can also act as good to the closest level of your singing skills. The character I see will fit your charisma is the supporting character, Heather."

"And who is Heather, exactly, according to the movie?"

"The film is basically about a marine soldier who's in love with his longtime sweetheart. But their upcoming wedding is on hold when he's drafted in the last minute. When he returns from his duties, he discovers his girlfriend has forgotten about him and is engaged with a wealthy man. He goes off to claim her back by getting engaged with the man's cousin. All in all, there needs to be innocence and a sense of sweetness that builds the character and I think you are capable to play her."

"Oh. Well, thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." She examined through a few lines one more time. "Thank me, Miss Montez, if you get the part. Now, enough of discussing. Let's begin."

~ The audition ended and Ms. Darbus dismissed Gabriella for it is time for Troy to start his recording. She said a quiet thank you and left the room.

She started down the hallway in silence. A few of the employees of the studio walked passed her - key chain necklaces around their neck with an attached ID card and paperwork or cell phones held on their hands.

Troy started his way down the hall to get to his private music room. He stopped when he spotted Garbiella. A smile curved on his mouth as he waved hello at her. When she saw him, she gave him a weak smile and walked up to him.

"Hi."

"Hey. What are you doing here? Do you work here too?"

Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "I might, actually."

"Really? That's great."

"Well, it's more of a possible yes or no. You see, I just had my audition for this upcoming movie. I thought I was supposed to go to some film making company but it turns out the person who judged me was the only producer."

"Ms. Darbus. Yeah she can be intimidating sometimes."

"More like every time." She said with a sigh.

"But I hope you get the part, that way the two of us will be working together."

Her smile dropped to a thin line. "Together? What do you mean together? Did you already get a part for that movie?"

"A few weeks ago. I got the leading role. Which part did you audition for?"

"I..Uh..."

Gabriella is lost for words. Her conscious shouted at her to properly answer. But she can't. All she can think of is how Dean will react when he finds out about this catch his father arranged.

Her engagement is no ordinary affair. It is something far from ordinary and normal. Whatever mistakes she makes or the wrong crowd she gets into targets the media to trigger Dean as a disapproved "black sheep" from the uptight Jameson family. His family has always had a clean reputation. The idea of her ruining it won't just pull her down from guilt but end her relationship with the man who is the only one financially capable of taking care of her ill mother.

"Gabriella?"

"I'm sorry. I have to go. Um..and I really need to talk to you about something very important. Do you suppose we can meet for coffee or something?"

"Sure. Starbucks?"

"Oh no, no. I meant like here, in this studio. I'll bring the coffee at about an hour or so. Is that okay?"

The last thing I need is for the media to tag along.

Troy smiled, nodding in agreement. "Make it an Americano with an extra shot. I need that kick after I'm done with that woman in there."

Gabriella wrinkled her nose. "Isn't that too bitter for you? Why not something sweet?"

"Ms. Darbus may be an artist genius but being in the same room with her for two hours is not easy to do. I don't hate her - don't get me wrong - she's just a pill."

She laughed at that, but a small one. "Done, then. But for me it's going to be Pumpkin Spice. I like my sweet friends in the afternoons."

"That's one thing I'll remember about you. I have my quick breaks in precisely in an hour from now, come by then. See ya."

"Bye."

I'll explain the issue Gabriella is trapped in that with deals with her fiance and his scary, conservative father. Any hoo, review and tell me what you think.

Like all writers I like positive reviews. So if you hate it, that's fine, just keep your comments to yourself b/c I know this story is not unique and probably isn't a cup of tea for you, but having no respect of how any negative review can hurt my feelings is a big deal that should be avoided - that goes for all authors. I'm an amateur not an experienced, professional writer.