Prologue

Because I don't want or care enough about Devon's relationship with Mariah, this story picks up after they break up. How they break up is irrelevant as they should have never been together in the first place. Also, Jordan is out of the picture because snooze. Both Hilary and Devon are single/divorced.

Chapter 1

"As always GC, keep buzzing!"

"And cut!"

"Good show everyone," Hilary said as she gathered her notes and hurried from the stage.

"Aren't you in a rush," Mariah snarked.

Hilary did her best to ignore her smart mouthed costar as she had way more important things to do. Tonight was the night of the Hamilton Winters Charity Gala. Though the event was closed to the press, Hilary knew there was nothing keeping her from making an appearance. Especially not the lack of press credentials. Any reason to be close to Devon, she was going to take it. Even without a formal invitation. Hilary had talked herself into enough exclusive events to know how to sashay her way past security. It also didn't hurt that the event was being held in the ballroom of the GCAC where she was still staying.

"Lest you concern yourself with my social activities. Just make sure this episode is edited before you leave and the tomorrows line up in on my desk first thing in the morning." Though Hilary had never felt any real threat from Mariah, keeping her busy at the studio all night was done purposely. Hilary hadn't gotten all the details about Mariah and Devon's break up so she assumed it was him how dealt the final blow. Last thing she wanted was Mariah trying change his mind. The coast was clear for Hilary to get back what was hers.

Driving back to the GCAC, Hilary went over what her strategy was going to be. Should she play coy and act like she was just there to support the cause, or should she do what her heart was telling her and make a beeline for Devon the moment she saw him?

"The gala was tonight? Oh, it completely slipped my mind.' No, that's not believable" Hilary shook her head trying to find the right thing to say as to not come off desperate. Ever since he split from Mariah, Devon hadn't been randomly stopping by the GC Buzz set and despite living in the same building as his company, Hilary hadn't run into him in the halls. She missed him. Everything about him. From the scent of his cologne to that silly half smile he gave when trying to stop himself from flirting with her. But the thing Hilary missed most was the way he looked at her. No one had ever looked at her the way Devon did. It was so intense and so filled with love that it often gave her chills. That look faded away briefly after his car accident but it was never completely gone.

Hilary wasn't sure exactly how fast she was driving but she found herself in the GCAC parking lot in what felt like 2 minutes flat. She hopped out of the car, through the revolving doors and up the stairs so fast, there was a streak of lightening that followed her. Once in her room, she rummaged through her closet to find the perfect dress. Nothing too sexy but eye catching enough to stop Devon dead in his tracks.

"Red," Hilary said to herself. "He's always loved me in red." Hilary went to the back of her closet and pulled out a red strapless floor length gown that hugged her body in all the right places. She walked over to mirror, held the dress up to her and smiled as she pictured Devon's face when she walked into the room. The same looked that she missed so desperately. After months of anger that turned into an awkward truce, that then turned into longing from afar, Hilary was done pretending she didn't want her husband back. She was done playing the sidelines while he palled around with someone she knew wasn't worthy of him. And she was done with Jordan who was no more than a boy toy to take her mind off the daily pain in her chest.

"This ends tonight."

"Everything looks great, son."

"Yeah it does," Devon replied as he did a final walkthrough of the ballroom with Neil in tow. "We clean up pretty well too."

"Yeah well," Neil said playfully adjusting his bowtie, "I have over 20 years more experience than you at looking dapper."

"Is that so?" Devon chuckled.

"In all seriousness, it's going to be a great night filled with great music and hopefully generous donations. It was a great idea partnering the company with the rec center. This is going to bring a lot of attention to those kids."

"Here's hoping."

"You don't sound so sure."

"No it's not that. It's just… you know what that place means to me. How it saved me."

"Yes, I do."

"I just hope everyone sees the potential and hope in it that I do." Devon had long wanted to bring more attention to the center that was more like a safe haven to him before Drucilla Winters took him in. And tonight would do just that. Sure, Devon could just write them a check. He actually already had, but he wanted to do more. He wanted people to know it wasn't just a place for unwanted kids. He wanted all of Genoa City to know their worth.

"Hey, I'm going to check out everything backstage. Make sure there are no mishaps like at Nikki's concert. Relax, tonight is going to be perfect." Neil patted Devon on the back and left him in his own thoughts.

Devon wandered around a bit more before he spotted Lily coming in. "Hey" he said as he greeted her with a hug. "Didn't think you'd be able to make it."

"Of course I'm here. The avalanche that is my marriage wasn't going to stop me from being here for my brother." Lily said through a forced smile.

"I would have understood, you know?"

"Yes, I know. But I'm fine. I promise. Where's dad?"

"He's backstage. What about the twins?"

"Well Mattie already had plans but Charlie is around here somewhere. Trying to get that boy in a tux is not something I ever want to do again." Lily snickered.

Devon laughed. It was nice to see that despite everything she was going through, Lily was still able to smile.

"Hey, I see Victoria over there. I have to speak with her about an upcoming photoshoot," Lily said before making her way across the room.

Devon watched as the towns who's who began to fill in wearing their best designer attire. He mingled with everyone he could. Told them all about the work he was doing at the center and how it was being transformed into so much more than it was before. From recreational activities, to afterschool programs, tutoring, counseling, you name it. If Devon could prevent one kid from falling through the cracks of system he would.

After an hour of chop talk and performances from his streaming artists, Devon finally found a moment alone in the corner of the ballroom. He looked around at all the couples dancing together and wished he was one of them. He and Mariah hadn't been broken up for that long, but he missed being important to someone. It was clear to Devon that he wasn't in love with Mariah but he had become accustomed to the convenience of her being by his side.

He wasn't sure what it was that told him to look over at the door but when he did, he saw Hilary walking in looking as beautiful as ever. The red dress, her red lips, her hair perfectly curled at her shoulders. Devon's heart practically stopped. Hilary saw him too but pretended he wasn't her target. She walked over to the bar and made small talk with Jack all the while keeping Devon in her sights.

Devon watched as Jack excused himself from whatever conversation he was having with Hilary and over to Neil. Hilary stood there for a while pretending to be immersed in her drink. Daring him, damn near taunting him to come close to her. Devon surveyed the room first. Lily wasn't in sight and Neil was preoccupied. If Devon was going to speak to Hilary without judgmental eyes, now was the time.

"Funny, I don't remember your name being on the guest list" Devon said as he walked up behind Hilary.

Without turning to face him, Hilary shrugged her shoulders "We both know that's never stopped me before."

"You don't have a hidden camera on you, do you?"

Hilary finally turned around to those eyes she missed so much "Of course not Devon. You said no press, I'm not here as press. I just wanted to support the cause. I know how much it means to you."

Devon cocked his head to the side. "Ok" he relented. He knew when Hilary was being genuine. "You look… beautiful."

"Thank you" Hilary blushed. "You look amazing, but then again you always do" she said as she reached up and adjusted his tie.

Devon shifted his weight from one foot to another and looked around the venue as if he was scared of who would see them in such close proximity. Sure enough Lily was a few feet away giving them the side eye as she sipped her champagne. Devon took a step back and anxiously began to fidget with his hands.

Hilary followed Devon eyes and was met with the same scorn look on Lily's face. "Some things never change I see," she huffed.

"Lily's disdain for you? Yeah, that won't change anytime soon" Devon replied.

"No, not that. I'm fine with that. It's the fact that you let it control you so much that bothers me."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean," Devon asked offended.

Hilary took a deep breath and swallowed the words she wanted to say for fear of scaring him off. "Nothing. It's not important. So how are the renovations at the rec center going."

Devon saw the deflection but decided to go it. Not only did he not want to argue with Hilary, he also didn't want to end their conversation. "Good. We're almost done actually."

"That's great. Maybe once its finished, you'll give GC Buzz the exclusive tour?"

"You're always working" Devon smiled.

"Not always" Hilary replied matching his smile. There it was. That always present, always intense connection. They both felt it. The question was, who would be the first to act on it?

"Excuse me, Ms. Curtis?" a voice invaded the moment.

"Yes," Hilary answered as she turned and faced Bethany, the GCAC assistant manager.

"I'm so sorry to bother you but there's a man downstairs looking for you."

A pang of jealousy ran up Devon's spine. "Well, aren't you popular?" He said under his breath.

"I wouldn't have interrupted your evening, but he's being a bit combative. He says it's an emergency."

"What man? I'm not expecting anyone. Did he say who he was?" Hilary asked.

"No, he wouldn't." Bethany answered.

"Ok, thank you." As Bethany walked away Hilary turned back to Devon with a look of confusion on her face. "I should probably go check this out."

Devon's jealousy quickly turned to concern as something about the situation didn't feel right. "Ok, let's go."

"What?"

"I'm coming with you." Devon proclaimed.

"Devon, I'm sure it's nothing. I'll be fine."

"I'm sure you will be. I'm worried about him," Devon joked as they walked out of the ballroom and down the steps to the main dining room. Devon looked around the restaurant for this mystery man causing a scene. "I guess he left."

Hilary stepped in front on Devon to scan the area and didn't see anything either, "I guess so."

"There you are" a voice rose from behind Hilary. A voice she knew all too well. A voice that made her heart sink to her feet. No, she thought. It couldn't be. Hilary was frozen in her fear unable to face the man standing behind her. She thought maybe if she didn't move, it wouldn't make it real. Just a figment of a painful past she longed to forget. "I've been looking for you" the voice continued.

Hilary closed her eyes, clenched her fists and slowly began to turn around. With her head down, she opened her eyes and started at his feet. Working her way up she was hoping, praying that her ears and eyes were forsaking her. But they weren't. It was him. Hilary eyes began to well up with tears as she stood face to face with the devil.