Arizona was stood to the spot for a good few moments and I was looking in every direction but at her. I felt I had betrayed her and my self. There was nothing I could do to take back the last five years and so many things I had practiced to say but then I saw her and all of that just went away. I want to jump over this dressing table, take her in my arms, and let her know how much I have missed her and that I have regretted my actions every day for the past 5 years. I wanted her to know I couldn't be away from her another second, that I loved her and I had never stopped loving her. Then kiss her tell her to run out of the kitchen, Take her to my room, we would make love all night and pick up where we left off. But I don't think that that is how this is going to work out. One because I'm not sure she still cares and two, by the look on her face id say I'm a long way off a kiss and not so long away from a smack around the face. My hands are clammy, I can hear my heart in my ears again, I swallow back the lump in my throat urging myself to talk, begging myself to find words that will make all of this okay again. Begging myself to take control, wishing with all my might that I could make all of this over with nothing but a kiss. Her mouth bobs opened and closed a few times, my heart stops when she finally makes a noise, my whole body stiffens.

Arizona: Hi

She said almost in a whisper… I was about to say something when I noticed that she shook her head hard, raised it then looked me dead in the eye.. It may have been 5 years but I could still recognise that face from a mile away and I wanted the world to swallow me up.

Arizona: HI?

She shouted it this time.

Arizona: HI CALLIOPE… 5 years and all you have to say is Hi

I went to open my mouth to say something.

Arizona: Oh no you don't! You don't get to say anything right now.

She started to wonder around the kitchen cleaning up the mess she had made and muttering ramblings of frustration. So I thought it best I leave and I started to slowly back out of the kitchen just to give her some time to calm down when she spotted me.

Arizona: OH NO. YOU stay right the FUCK there. You don't get to leave not again.. Not this time.

Callie: I didn't le-

Arizona: Shut right up… ohh I cant do this, with the raven hair Latina in my kitchen, quiet night, no such luck, and mark, and teddy and now calliope ohh.. And what about the job and this? This is all too much how dear she. HOW DEAR YOU… then mum and dad and home and this home and the other home and scary and hard and now calliope and calliope ahh Callie she isn't calliope anymore.. Is she, but she looks so... ahh no don't do this… STAY

She pointed her finger at me and then at the floor. I dear not say anything or move a muscle. She opened her eyes widely as though expecting a reply. All I could do was nod in reply.

She disappeared out of the kitchen for a short while and then reappeared and started to prepare some food, mostly ignoring me and then every once in a while looking over shaking her head and then getting back to what she was doing. She kept checking back at the clock sending out the food. Whenever Amelia walked in to pick up some food she looked at me with pity as though she wanted to help but I just stood and smiled lightly at her.. She left her order pad in the kitchen at one point and I wrote a message just saying "Tell Owen I'm sorry" I put my room number so he could get in contact with me if he wished.

After 25 minutes of this a tall slim lady walked into the kitchen.

Arizona: hey you okay? I'm sorry about this.

Other Chef: Don't worry about it babe anything for you, you know that.

She said with a smile walking over to Arizona and pecking her cheek. I know I had no right to be but this made me jealous and I stood up from my leaning position clearing my throat. They both looked over to me.

Arizona: Teddy meet Callio.. Callie meet Callie.

She shakes her almost physically scolding herself for calling me by my full name, almost as though I didn't deserve for her to call me by my full name anymore, my heart shattered a little knowing that she didn't want to be that familiar with me anymore.

Teddy: Oh I see. Ill get ready.

Teddy disappeared and then returned a few minutes later. Dressed in fresh clean and pressed chef whites bonding into the kitchen she slapped Arizona's bum, gave her another peck on the cheek and gestured for her to leave what she was fussing over.

Arizona: I owe you one.

Teddy: Don't be silly, what am I here for if not to take advantage of…

She winked at Arizona and Arizona let out a little laugh. Music to my ears, I've missed that. Then looked at me and her whole demeanour changed, her shoulders fell, she pitched the bridge of her nose and an audible sigh left her lips. She excused herself to go and get ready and gestured that I stay put and quiet once more. As she left and a door clicked behind her Teddy looked at me through the top of her lids, needless to say she did not look impressed with me. What had she been told, what did she know, what didn't she know, I wasn't in any position ask questions I stay quiet, my thoughts broken by the slender women's words.

Teddy: So you're the famous Calliope Iphigenia Torres then.

I just nodded scared as to what she might know about me.

Teddy: Don't look so scared it's all-good.

She said as though reading my mind.

Teddy: Well almost, mainly, except its not really good, like the relationship stuff is good, it's the rest that's a bit rocky.

Callie: I don't really know what to say.

Teddy: If she gives you the chance to don't break her again. I don't think shed survive that.

This gave me hope as though maybe Arizona had told her that if I just show up that there could be a chance for us eventually. Maybe. I hope.

A click of a door knocked us out of the conversation we were having.

Arizona: Don't worry; she won't have that chance again. Not any time soon.

I was going to come to my own defence but decided against it.

-FLASHBACK—

I was just about to walk through the door and tell her everything when something stopped me.

A hand clasped around my arm and pulled me out of the sight of the door through the restaurant and to the back ally of the restaurant

Callie: What the fuck Alex.

Alex: You can't do this you can't stop her from going.

Callie: I'm not here to do that I'm here to go with her.

Alex: What about your family, you haven't spoke to her in 2 days she's devastated. What do you think you are doing showing up here? It's her last night here, she leaves in 2 weeks.

Callie: I know that, its now or never I have to tell her.

Alex: Tell her what.

Callie: I gave up the business the money everything. I tried to tell her the other night when she left but she never gave me a chance. I didn't speak to her because I was waiting for her to come home.

Alex: And how does that help. She's about to start an adventure with no money and nowhere to live in a foreign country. Do you really think she needs to know that you're broke too; she needs to concentrate and get on in this competition she needs to do and be the best she can. How can she do that if she's always worrying about you and what you gave up? You're selfish.

Callie: I'm not being selfish, this is what she wants, what we both want. This is our lives were talking about here, it's not your choice Alex its hers.

Alex: I think as her best friend I might just know what she needs right now. She needs a clear head she needs focus, she doesn't need you to up end her life and make everything confusing. In 2 weeks she leaves and in 3 she will have got onto master chef and paving the way for herself why can't you just leave her be.

Callie: Because I can't Alex she is the love of my life and I need her. I want her, I need to be in her life and have her in mine. I have just given up my entire family for her. Everything I am and was so that I can be with her wholly and truly.. Don't you dare try to stop this Alex, we both need each other. Can't you see that?

Alex: No I cant, I see someone who took her away from me for the past 3 years, I see someone who is selfish enough to make her worry about you when she's supposed to be focusing on her career right now.

Callie: You never fucking liked me Alex. Just let me see her for two minutes that's all I need, if she says no then I will leave and you will never have to see me again.

Alex: Says no to what, you? She would never say no to you but I know that this is for the best for her. She doesn't need you. There's plenty of time for romance after she gets back.

Callie: But when she wins the competition, which we know she will, she will be out there for at least 5 years and I can't do that. I can't wait that long she will never forgive me.

Alex: All me, me, me again aren't you. Why don't you just see that you're no good for her?

Callie: I want to fucking marry her Alex get out of my way. She is the love of my life and I deserve the chance to tell her and she deserves the chance to decide whether she wants to do this with or without me. NOT YOU.

Alex: Fine ill go in there and ill talk to her and tell her your intentions. I'm not letting you manipulate her into this.

Callie: I'm not like that Alex and you know it.

Alex: I refuse to take any chances.

Callie: Fine, but hurry up and tell her because I can guarantee when you tell her that I want to marry her she will run out here into my arms, its all we've both ever wanted.

Alex: Fine ill go but I wouldn't hold your breath.

I watch through the outside window as Alex went in and spoke to Arizona. At first she seemed happy and then her face changed, she cried and I could she that she was screaming no no no over and over hitting Alex on the chest. I broke down in a heap on the floor, I couldn't watch this. I cried for what felt like hours when I noticed all the lights go out in the kitchen, I scrapped myself of the floor and made my way home. When I got there, I tried to call her again and again, ill never understand why she didn't run into my arms. But after 6 months of calling I decided things had to change. I thought myself into my own business, raising money and starting the AriT line of kitchen equipment. Hoping one day she would she that name, know that that was what I wanted for us and she would come back to me.

-END OF FLASHBACK—

I was still stood at the spot I had been commanded to stay on whilst I watched Arizona speak through a few things with Teddy. I felt awkward but I was in no place to just leave or say anything to be honest. I had just dropped back into this beautiful woman's life after being out of it for 5 years. As I was trying to distract myself form the conversation Arizona was having with teddy I started to really notice things around the kitchen. Only after a few moments did I realise that this kitchen was filled with everything from the AriT line. I dear not say anything but it brought a sly smile to my face… I was rudely awakened from my thoughts.

Arizona: What do you have to smile about Callie?

Callie: Nothing I was just…

I let out a deep sigh.

Callie: Nothing.

Arizona: Right!

She moved her gaze back to Teddy.

Arizona: Okay so that's everything set for the night then, there's only a few hours left so you shouldn't run out, if you do I'm sorry but you'll have to make your own and if you cant be arsed just take the special off.

This surprised me, had she shared her recipe with this Teddy person? How dear I judge? That was ours, our meal for two, mine and hers she promised she would never share that. That's a little like a knife to the heart. Again, I suppressed my feelings; I have no right to say anything. Not only have I arrived unannounced, what's to say that she hasn't moved on? That Teddy isn't her new all? She knew all about me, you talk about ex's with your current. Just because my candle never stopped burning for Arizona doesn't mean hers didn't stop burning for me.

She lent across the table and pecked Teddy on the lips. I swear I heard the sound of glass shattering that's my heart, I deserve it I know but I always hoped that she hadn't moved on. My mind was going ten to the dozen, I couldn't feel anything but I could feel everything at the same, my body ached to the very core of me, it took everything I had to hold back the tears that were threating to scatter, I steady myself on the wall it felt like I had been hit with a brick, but there was nothing I could do, she isn't mine anymore, I have no right to feel anything about her life now, no right to an opinion. Doesn't stop the pain though.

Teddy: If you need me to cover tomorrow let me know?

Arizona: We'll see how it goes.

Teddy: Love ya sweetie.

Arizona: Love ya too.

An emotional stab to the heart, I almost cry out in pain but stop myself. Arizona walked out of the kitchen holding the door for me to follow. I've never felt as little in my life as I did in that moment, and never so heart broken.

Callie: So erm… What... er, what are we doing now?

Arizona: You staying here?

Callie: Yes.

Arizona: Then I suggest we go to your room. Making a scene in public isn't something I want to do. Letting you into my personal space isn't an option.

Callie: Ok… whatever you want.

Arizona: I'd like to go back 5 years and undo everything that happened.

Stab to my heart once more. I'm not sure if she wants to remove me from her past or to place me back into where we lived happily ever after. I can't read her like I used to, her guard is up but I can't blame her. This is harder than I expected.

Callie: I'm sorry.

Arizona: I hope you have more than that up your sleeve.

Me too. I think to myself as I press the button for the elevator.

Bell boy: Penthouse Miss Torres.

I smile and nod my head.

Callie: Thanks Jimmy

Arizona: Still living the high life with daddy's money?

Wait… She doesn't even know?!