"Learn To Accept Fate"
6. Midnight Discovery
Abruptly, Gabriella broke away. Troy looked at her surprised that she pushed away. But then his expression turned into a mischievous grin.
Gabriella didn't seem to share his amusement.
"It might be funny for you, but I'm the one who's marrying the tyrant. He won't take this lightly."
"Who says he has to find out?" Troy said exasperated, "Anyway, why are you suddenly all serious. It was you who didn't want to stop before."
"That was before I realised what the consequences were! I wasn't thinking straight." She said stubbornly. Troy gazed at her bemused. Finally she managed a small smile.
"Well, I guess if he doesn't find out. I mean, I was searching for love before I got here. I never thought I would find it here."
"I guess you did." Troy whispered and wrapped his arms around her.
1 month later, Gabriella was sitting outside in the garden. It was the middle of the day and Gabriella was spending what little free time she had in her favourite place in the whole castle. It seemed to be the only place that wasn't dreary or tedious. The sun was high in the sky and blazing hot. Gabriella was smiling contentedly to herself. No matter how tired she was from her nightly outings or annoyed she was at Ryan's lack of care for her; she just wasn't gloomy. All she could think about was Troy.
She had finally found true love; even if she could be punished for it. She didn't care; her happiness seemed to drive her doubts away. But even though she was cheerful, Gabriella was also very vigilant.
First of all, Sharpay seemed to be acting very maddened around Gabriella, for she thought that Gabriella was acting very secretive and was constantly asking her what she was thinking.
Also, she was constantly worried that Ryan knew about her and Troy. She knew this was impossible since Ryan would have said something if he knew. But this thought still did not settle her completely. What Gabriella did not know however, was that some other people were getting close in knowing her and Troy's secret…
It was midnight. The moon illuminated everything in the room, giving it a supernatural radiance.
Sharpay had just woken up. She hadn't been able to sleep for long. Her thoughts kept turning over why she had not been able to figure out what Gabriella was hiding. And there was that odd comment made by Troy a month earlier. He had said something about a 'midnight meeting'. She knew Gabriella had been lying about it meaning nothing. She also knew that the comment and Gabriella's hidden secret were connected. She just couldn't figure out how.
What if she is having secret meetings with Troy at midnight? Sharpay mused.
This was not the first time she had thought this. Other times she had immediately dismissed it. But now she was hesitant.
It wouldn't hurt to check, Sharpay thought, I can't get to sleep anyway.
Sharpay pushed herself up with her hands and let her eyes get adjusted to the darkness. As soon as they did, she slipped out of bed and edged over to Gabriella's bed.
She felt herself freeze with shock.
Gabriella wasn't there.
What do you know? Sharpay thought stunned, she is out having a secret meeting!
Sharpay felt angry. Very angry.
This was why Gabriella seemed to be so tired all the time. She was out in the dark somewhere and Sharpay was determent to find out where.
Her mind flashed back to when Troy had made the midnight meeting comment. She and Gabriella had been sitting in a garden when Troy had come across them.
Is that were they hold their secret meetings?
Sharpay was glad it was not raining as it had yesterday night as she threw open the balcony doors.
She didn't want to wake anyone else up and besides, the castle was probably crawling with guards. Sharpay knew Gabriella would have thought this to. Now all Sharpay needed to figure out was how Gabriella got down from the balcony.
Sharpay knew her suspicions of where Gabriella could be were confirmed when she saw the garden from the balcony. She also saw some thick vines and knew that was how Gabriella had managed to get down and back up. She remembered she had seen a few rips in the princess clothing.
Sharpay halted when she thought she heard voices floating up from the ground. Gingerly, she peeked over the edge of the balcony. Sure enough, Sharpay saw Gabriella and Troy come out behind some of the bushes surrounding the garden.
Troy grabbed Gabriella around the stomach and swung her around, causing Gabriella to let out a high pitched squeal and then to giggle uncontrollably. Troy seemed to grin at this and both of them disappeared back into the shadows.
So this was what Gabriella does most nights, Sharpay thought astounded, she goes out into the dark to frolic around with another Prince!
Sharpay didn't know why this made her outraged, all she knew is that tomorrow morning, she was getting Gabriella up bright and early to have a chat.