Going through the motions was the only way to describe the month that followed. They ate dinner separate unless they were out with Chad and Taylor. Troy stood at work all day while Gabriella went on shopping trips with Sharpay or meeting with Taylor and Chad to learn political terms and Troy's forums. Which she make copies of and send off to Anthony whenever she had a moment to herself. Slowly she noticed a friendship beginning which brought on more guilt and strain to her conscious. Sitting in an office late into the hours of the night she joked with Taylor and talked about her memories of home. At the sound of him entering a room she'd leave it and vice versa. Distance was a good thing, she just had to keep her distance as long as she could. This was just another job, something that didn't require feelings, despite that the feelings about those feelings were beginning to change.
Time magazine was a success despite their argument. She was sent pictures from Natalie that now sat on her mantel. Chad came over with drinks to celebrate and Taylor took her out to a small café so they could talk. It was night and day hanging out with Sharpay and Taylor. With Sharpay she could space out and talk about mindless crap for hours, with Taylor it was different. Taylor knew what was going on, talking to her about what she was feeling helped her put things in perspective. As bent as that perspective may be.
Gabriella took a breath as she looked out the window, it was rainy. Her birthday was this weekend; she'd gotten a card in the mail from her mother along with pictures of her cousin new baby. She ended up in a 4 hour phone conversation talking to her mom. Answering questions about her new life and how wonderful Troy was to her. When she hung up she only cried for a little, convinced more now than ever that she would have been better off if she never took the job with Troy.
If she never had lunch with Anthony, he called her after she sent her resume to a few staffing agencies, she was under the impression that he was living in Washington. She was under the impression that she be in an office doing research on a computer. Had she known he'd had the photos of the crash, questions about her father? Gabriella let out a shaky breath, blackmailed by a stranger in a strange new town. Gabriella rubbed her arms as looked back out the window.
The door opened and Troy walked through it his coat dripping wet and shaking his umbrella. Putting his suit case down, he shrugged out of his coat. After hanging it up and putting the umbrella in the rack he turned and paused. She was asleep on couch, her hair in dark curls around her face as she slept peacefully the faint puff of her eyes. She'd been crying. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain green shirt the contrast of her skin glowing. Troy looked at the vacant side of the couch to find her wedding ring off along with an envelope and the house phone. Quietly he reached for throw blanket and held it over her making sure he didn't wake her. He reached for the phone and put it back in the charger leaving the ring and envelope alone.
Walking into his bedroom he loosened his tie and let out a breath, he'd given a speech today at one of the hospitals. Spent the afternoon discussing health care and benefits, what he thought about the laws already in place. A long day finally over and the security of votes locked away.
Out of habit he opened the top drawer to place his watch inside and stop. It was no longer his dresser. It was hers, his eyes rested on a drawer filled with lingerie. As soon as he shut his eyes to look away he pictured her wearing them, her supple tight skin against the silk, her breast poking out from lace and satin. He pushed the drawer closed and placed his watch on top of the dresser. His mind had been drifting to sex at any given moment. Thoughts of her naked underneath him, on top of him, on his desk, his couch… Troy walked out of the room and to his office to pour himself a drink.
She was trouble. She was distracting. She made him drink. She made him lay awake alone at night wondering what was going through her mind. He had to get away, but how do you run from your own wife, how do you disappear when you live in a three bedroom flat with the same person.
The next day Troy did his tie in the mirror, taking his time to get it just right. He didn't hear her walk into the room, didn't notice her sit down at the vanity mirror. It wasn't until she spoke that he was shocked about her appearance.
"This charity is for the D.E.L.T.A. Rescue?"
Troy jerked as he turned to see her putting her earrings in. "Yes," she was beautiful, he'd decided that no matter what she wore she was beautiful. Her dark mass of chestnut curls were pulled back into a pony tail, the sight was enough to make a man want to nibble on all the tender parts of her neck.
"And we're donating 10 thousand," Gabriella said standing up and walking towards the door.
"Yes," Troy watched her as she moved in her yellow gown. "You look beautiful."
She didn't say anything she simply left the room he let out a sigh and finished putting in his cuff links. When he was done he walked out into the living room and seen Gabriella sitting in dining room chair her leg slipping from the slit as she tied her heal. Troy turned away from her, trying to shake the view of her honey creamed skin running on for miles until it disappeared under the dress. "Are we ready to go?" he said.
"Yes," Gabriella stood up and shook out her dress.
Troy turned to see her dress shimmered but his attention was shifted to her bare shoulders the dress was a halter top. She wasn't wearing a bra, Trouble. "You really do look amazing." He mumbled.
Her brown eyes finally met his and it was as thought the air left the room. "Troy, I'm fine. Just knock it off, once we're in front of the cameras I'll smile ear to ear but right now I just," she paused, "I just don't want us to deal with each other if we don't have to?"
"Why?" Troy said raising a brow. "Am I that bad?"
Gabriella let out a breath, "I just … this is a business deal, it's not real."
Troy closed the distance between them slowly as if he was drawn to her, her brows furrowed. "You could leave at anytime if you're not happy, nothing is hold you to me?" his finger tips brushed against her skin.
"Why would you do that?" Gabriella looked at him questioningly. "You paid off all of my debt?"
"I would have made sure you were paid off before leaving my office, I'm not ignorant to money issues and the economy pitfall." Troy shrugged his shoulders, "I want to help people, I've always wanted to help people, it's why I take my job so seriously because I already have everything I need. I work to make sure others can say the same." Troy fingers lightly came up to her chin and his thumb touched her lips softly.
She felt her own knees shaking as he stood there with honest eyes, her heart was a goner; her fairy tales had been out done. Gabriella let out sigh, "That said I don't think I could leave even if you wanted me too." A small smile came to her lips.
"Well let's get going shall we?" he grabbed her coat and held it out for her. Gabriella slipped into her coat felling warm, sad to see the moment between them over.
The dinner was like all the others, people mingling around talking about politics. Gabriella did her best to keep up and was actually making progress and getting more interested with the conversations Troy was having. Except once the doggie fashion show started she quickly excused herself from the duchess of somewhere or another to get a front seat. Troy held the brochure and he read the back of it.
"They're so cute," Gabriella giggled as she watched the puppies on stage and waved.
"Funny, I pictured you more as a cat person?" he said not looking up.
Gabriella let out breath and rolled her eyes, "If I'm going to shell out cash to feed and take care of you, I expect a little appreciation in return. Don't get me wrong I'm sure cats are everything and more but I prefer a good old fashion slobbery tongue and tail wag."
Troy could stop the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Slobbery tongue?" this was nice, laughing and talking with her. Troy smiled as he watched her giggle, she was so beautiful.
"Cats have scratchy tongues," Gabriella shrugged and then waved as a small Puggle puppy walked by. "This is the best charity event ever. Just look at how irresistible she is,"
Troy looked up at the puggle puppy being walked by a random man in a suit. The puppy stopped at the end of the runway and got up on its hind legs. Looking back at Gabriella he noticed she had a dopey grin on her faced. He wanted to make her smile all the time, he wanted to see her giggle and make her happy. She deserved it. Troy raised a brow, "You know they're holding adoptions tonight?" He didn't even realize the implication on his voice until after he said it. Luckily she didn't hear him.
Gabriella smiled as she waved over at Sharpay who was dragging some guy behind her. "Your sister has a date?"
"What?" he said actually looking her way for the first time in a while, mistake number one, Gabriella turned back to him and their noses bumped. "Oh, sorry."
Gabriella stilled her eyes going to her lips and then back up to his blue eyes.
"Troy, Gabriella you have to meet Zeke," Sharpay's voice broke the moment and spell casted between severed. Gabriella got up and held out her hand. "Hello, Gabriella Bolton."
"Zeke Baylor," He said taking her hand and then Troy's. "You're a lot more intimidating in person." Zeke said nervously as he let go of Troy's hand.
"Thank you?" he said raising a brow.
Gabriella giggled to herself and then let her shoulder fall a little. "Troy's a softy, I'm the one you have to impress."
"Good to know." Zeke smiled and looked at Sharpay.
"You look fucking awesome, I knew the earrings would be perfect." Sharpay said nudging Zeke, "Tell me how does she look, she's a walking billboard for my stylistic skills."
"Beautiful," Zeke said placing a small kiss on Sharpay's check and giving her a hug, which lead into another kiss that lead to a full on French kiss.
Gabriella blushed a little and looked back at Troy with a small smile.
"Right," he said with an eye roll. "I going to get a drink, want one?"
Gabriella shrugged. "No thank you, I'm alright."
He hesitated not sure if he shoulder kiss her or simply walk off. Taking a breath he used the moment to his advantage and did something he'd been dying to do all night. Using to fingers he moved a curl from the nape of her neck and placed a small kiss there. Mistake number two.
He could feel the shiver and seen the goose bumps on her skin. A smile came to his lips and he walked off to the bar.
Gabriella watched him go a small smile on her lips. Looking back at Sharpay and Zeke who were in a nose rubbing fairy tale she excused herself and walked over to the further part of the stage smiling as the next dog came out on a diamond studded collar and a bedazzled tutu.
"You always mange to leave the sky starless whenever I look at you,"
The voice was familiar and Gabriella smiled as she shook her head and looked up at Anthony. "How long have you had that one in your back pocket?" he smell like a forest, something Gabriella wasn't even aware could smell so good, but it was triggering a response in her senses.
"Since I saw you in that fabulous dress," he said holding out a glass of champagne. "For you," he said offering her the glass.
Gabriella smirked as she took the glass; she held it in her hands feeling the weight. "So how's the campaign going?" she asked keeping her eyes on the dogs now coming out in various hats. If she looked at him she'd be lost in his grey eyes.
"Well enough," he paused, "How the married life, has he bored you to death yet?" he said the last part in a low voice and Gabriella mentally kicked herself for getting a shiver in her small of her back.
"Troy is treating me just fine," Gabriella said looking down at her glass again and then back up.
"Trouble in paradise?" he said gently using his finger to touch her arm lightly. There went that sexual tension that seemed to rear its ugly head. Gabriella shrugged her shoulder and looked down at her glass. She didn't know what to say. When she didn't speak he did, he leaned in closer whispering in her ear. "I need you to figure out what his tax plan, he's keeping it a secret and I need to know what I'm up against."
"How am I supposed to do that," Gabriella lightly let her eyes flutter.
His hand slowly crept up the side of her dress, "There is nothing closer to a man than his wife, figure it out." he said with a smile. "Unless you're not as close as the media portrays you to be?"
"How do you want me to get the information back to you?" Gabriella said looking around the room, Troy was nowhere to be seen.
"Put it on this," gently he slipped a flash drive into her purse. "You know where to mail it."
"Fine," Gabriella said looking down at her glass. "Did you get my message about the donation?"
"Already wrote a check for 15 thousand." Anthony said with a smirk.
When he walked away Gabriella let the cold on her skin seeping in she felt it like a darkness that was taking over her body and squeezing any good that was left out of her.
Troy lifted his glass of Champaign to his lips and let the bubbly liquid soothe his nerves. He was having a hard time not thinking about his wife. Looking over to the dogs in the pin, he noticed the puggle from earlier. "What weird breed?" he said out loud, a beagle and pug mixed together. It had a pink bow around it's neck and a two mini hair bows, one for each ear. She was jumping around like the others or laying there motionless like some of the older dogs. She was still a puppy at 8 months and she tilted her head almost as if examining him as much he was examining her.
"Thinking about a dog?"
Troy looked over to see Zeke standing beside him looking into the pin as well. Troy looked around for Sharpay and spotted her holding a tiny yorkie in her hands. "Well my wife's birthday is coming up," Troy said truthfully, he been struggling over what he should do for her birthday.
"A puppy is an awesome idea, nothing makes a woman more smiles and giggles than a puppy?" Zeke said tucking his hands in his pocket. "I volunteer at an animal shelter, you wouldn't believe what guys bank on getting their girl a puppy."
Troy was silent for a moment as he watched the puggle stand on her hind legs almost as if she was aware they were talking about her. A puppy wasn't horrible, besides it was better than any diamond or car he knew she wouldn't wear or drive. This way she wouldn't be alone when he wasn't around. Troy smiled as he thought about it, watching her face lit up at the sight of a puppy, her smile. "You know I think I'm going to get one," Troy said with a smile of his own. "She'll be thrilled."
"Yeah not as thrilled as you'll be when she thanks you," Zeke nudged him and winked.
Troy eyes narrowed as he looked over at Sharpay holding the yorkie then at Zeke. "You know, I've never been good at this big brother thing," Troy said in low voice, "But if you hurt her, just remember," Troy paused as he walked around him and leaned in, "I'm a politician, with cop friends, and a few judges who owe me a favor."
Zeke nodded vigorously and took his hands out his pockets the smirk falling from his face as he sobered up.
Troy padded him on the back, "She likes pink orchids." Troy continued on his way to the adoption table.
Gabriella stood there in the crowded space looking for signs of Anthony or Troy and dreading the sight of them both. Her eyes looked down at the glass Anthony had handed her earlier and she placed it down on an empty chair. Drinking was what got her into this mess in the first place. If only she just stayed home, if only she hadn't snuck out of the house. Gabriella bit her lip, she did a lot stupid things in but getting in that car that night was the worst idea she ever had. She fled the scene leaving her father's truck on the road the sound of the horn from the other car blaring under the motionless body in the front seat.
Gabriella brought hand to her temple as she tried to rub the sound of the horn from her dazed mind. She was still running from it. That was when she felt the cold nose on her toe, jerking in surprise she looked down to see the puggle from the show looking up at her with a pink bow tied to her collar. She was brown with a patch of white on her chest and she melted instantly from the cuteness of the puppy. Her eyes followed the leash up to a hand that lead to blue eyes.
"Happy early birthday," Troy said holding out the leash for her.
"You got me a puppy?" Gabriella felt her heart melt she didn't deserve a puppy; she deserved to be locked up behind bars. To waste away for what she'd done. Gabriella looked down at the eyes of the puggle puppy. "You really shouldn't-"
"Her name is lady," Troy said cutting her off and looking down at the puppy, "We sort of had a stare down and I caved." He said looking back up at her. Before he had a chance to explain further she jumped him, waving her arms around him and hugging him tight. Troy looked wildly around the room, was she hugging him for real? Should he hug her back? She reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek jumping a little as she took the leash from him. Troy who was still in shock from the hug remained still as she bent down to give the puppy a good tummy rub. After a moment Troy took a breath and shoved his hands in his pocket and smiled as she began talking baby talk to the puppy.
Gabriella looked up slightly at Anthony who from a distance staring at them both a smirk on his face. He was standing next to a photographer, looking back up at Troy she smiled and then let the puppy lick her face. What else could she do?