p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c62c73f55cbd2afce868455e596609fa"It was now a Sunday, and Chloe and Riley are currently having lunch with Ash, Grace and Gary. They are still temporarily living with Ash as it had only been a week since the break-in, but Ash was more than happy to lend a hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e0a811e1a0fbead19a681834eb32a51c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Ash P.O.V/em/u/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3d04cd8c158f97a3086dd405ae8fef3""Why didn't you tell me?!" Chloe was now standing, towering above the table with her hands firmly on her hips. It was a hot day so she wore a loose t-shirt and some shorts, which was rather similar to what me and the others were wearing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a7132e2a1b29a2600480bb29e7e45f82"My hands waved in front of my face while I wore a sheepish grin. "I didn't think you cared. Its not a big deal"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c52235b3a94ee41125c23f5487148d79""Not a big deal, it's HUGE"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="82f681146b5048749759b8bd2edefb83""Now you're being dramatic" I nervously laughed and looked at Grace, Gary and Riley who constantly moved their heads from side to side. It was like they were watching a game of tennis. Chloe finally took a deep breath and breathed out, sitting back into her chair and gave me a look which I couldn't quite figure out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="25110806daafbc809fa0b7fcbea0be35""I can't believe my boyfriend is the CEO of the biggest tech corp in Kanto! You were in the magazine a couple of weeks ago as one of the most promising businessmen. How did I not recognize you?!" She slumped into her chair and looked at the ceiling, then back to me. My palms suddenly felt sweaty and I decided it best to not say anything back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="02c4645ea25fddc7fa434abf6f4f726e""Magazine? What magazine? Wait a sec...Was I in it? I hope they got my good side and the lightening better have showed off my good looks" Gary held his head high and we all just sighed, but after a while we began laughing. It was a good thing in the end and we all finished lunch in good spirits./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0f883eefcfe75ff724f29097afd156f1"Chloe was washing the plates while I was drying and she still had a slightly upset aura around her. Feeling bad I broke the silence "Hey sorry for not telling you earlier. I just didn't want people to know that's all. How about I take you to dinner to make up for it?" I had a wishful grin on and had my fingers crossed. She gave out an exasperated sigh and stopped washing up, turning off the running water in the process. She spun on her heel and she looked at me, with a straight face she walked a little closer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c37de738e257c96ba5dad1baef44a4a9"We stood in the exact same position for what felt like weeks but then Chloe suddenly broke the silence and gave a wide smile, "Sure!". My eyes widened at how her attitude and demeanor took a complete 180 degree turn but I regained my composure./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cdd599560ed8e9c46ab025005eef07a2""So what time are you free?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f883e658cfc584e63b9235f71571a34c""Well I have work from two to six so maybe after that. Oh by the way I have some boxes of dresses and stuff in my room so can you help me take them?" I remembered when she moved in that she had loads of boxes of stuff but initially thought it was all hers or Riley's toys or something. I nodded my head in confirmation but then gave a puzzled look./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b35d2c0851c94522b4ca6ce9611de74e""Sorry you never said what you work as?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f372d69e2d5dc32016d3e94c1c802213""Ohh must've forgotten to tell you. I work in a luxury dress shop. We're the best in town and my boss is really nice. Actually come to think of it...she once said she lived in Kanto like you. Maybe you know her or something."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="68733ff90fa4af1802070727200e6b22""Very fancy I must say. What's her name?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="be4e554552ab0604d3558bac4a55ec05""S-" She was interrupted by a scream in the living room. We both looked at each other and ran into the room only to see Gary and Riley playing with the pillows and Grace looking on while drinking a glass of wine, still sitting at the table, a smile adorned on her face. We immediately thought the same thing and scrambled to get extra pillows and joined in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e09ba657eaddaae25bc83f7d29c45f2f"The sounds of screams and laughter erupted from the room, for we were all lost in the moment. So much so that all of us failed to notice the phone in Grace's hand, recording the events that were currently taking place. To be honest none of us actually cared for we were living in the moment. A short while after and after all the mess and 'debris' as Gary called it was cleaned up, Chloe left for work and Grace went out for groceries, leaving me Gary and Riley all alone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0480b77dba06fb30741413c9b802f46b"We decided to watch a film in the meantime and, of course Riley got first pick. "Im telling you if I have to watch another unicorn get saved by a stinking princess I'm going to flip" Gary groaned as I chuckled in response, we both were currently sitting on the table behind the sofa where Riley sat and it was far away enough for us not to be heard./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="44cb8e27b8f4c5c70c98c43305129526""C'mon man she enjoys that stuff. Look at how happy she looks" We both saw Riley with a massive grin plastered on her face and her laughing at a character getting hit with a pan. I doubt anyone could've argued with my statement and we both shared a genuine smile of affection towards the little girl./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3bc3ad3fbbd64686e6ca18eb239aa7b0""Yeah I guess you're right. Besides, when did you become such a father figure? Already thinking about the future are we Ashy-boy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ca7cf68344c8b460ca911c928463a1d2""S-Shut-up Gary. We're taking it slow" I became flustered but in reality my mind had pondered over the thought a couple of times. "She's special to me though, I can't deny that but something always feels missing, you know?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="02828ee339d7a75c97af631137cccf83""How so? You never mentioned anything before" Gary gave me an inquisitive look/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1537b0e7d42696b8cfe1a11298715d05""I don't know, I mean when we go on dates and stuff it feels nice and we really connect with each other, but I'm not getting the same thrill or excitement as when I was..." I trailed off/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1807f6aba6b37e56ea44230fb7c3ecdd""When you were what? With...Wait! You're seriously not telling me you've still got feelings for Serena! She walked out on you and that was almost five years ago!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="de4fd86cffb78d132d9c7a99807a7680""She was only doing what she felt was right. I know its stupid but I can't seem to forget her"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="008de7f73ba0034619a8dc102dd58f50""Ash you need to tell Chloe. You should't string her along like this"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="91b334ab143bd9f191dd75c168a286fb""I could lose everything then. And I don't even know where Serena is for that matter. I'll tell her but not today. She already knows about Serena because I told her a days ago but still, it can wait."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e8b3bdd16ef82a30ec1e86a70c212a5a""She's good for you Ash. You may not notice it but you've changed since she's come along. You seem more full of life and less depressed and me and Grace are both happy for that. Don't let her go man."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c18823ceddf33590a1f91738327bcd7a""Alright thanks. I still need time to figure this all out" Gary gave me a sympatetic look and put an arm on my shoulder. We hadn't even noticed that the film had finished and Riley flicking through the channels for something else to watch. Gary got up and went to sit beside the eight year old girl, but I stayed at the table, still lost in thought./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0b69ddcbdb1e1691140b6e63eaa8f9b5"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3554a961d0db9557fe436ca20e5cbb4"I grabbed the boxes from Chloe's room and put them in my car. The journey there all I could think about was whether not telling her about me feelings for Serena. Sure I hadn't seen her in around five years but there was always something about her that I loved. The day she left was the day she took a piece of me with her and I came to the understanding that a part of me will always be with Serena. But if I can forget about her enough, maybe something can blossom from the relationship that me and Chloe have./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9635a0b4bc3142c94d9d05537e796ed4"I pushed the thought out of my head for the time being and parked my car in a side road. Since the shop was on one of the most popular streets of the city, I decided to not take my chances finding a space nearer to the shop and just carried the boxes in my hands while I walked there./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2221e80269dad16264b5f9cb34575a23"This was something I immediately regretted doing. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"How heavy are these dresses?! Are they made of gold or something?! /emI managed to reach the shop without stopping but by the time I had got there I had built up a sweat on my forehead and the heat of a humid Sunday evening didn't help. Chloe came out the shop and took one of the three boxes, I flashed her a grin and watched her deposit the box inside the shop. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"She wasn't kidding when she said they were a high-end shop./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4d6ee2c90335ffcc5493ada009b83825"I peered through the window-frame and saw dresses with shiny jewlerry which were very elegent and stylish. But the price tags made me wince a little. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"That dress has a price tag with 5 digits?! Its only ONE dress. /emI was brought back to reality when Chloe came back out the shop and stared at me looking at the dresses. "You know, that one really suits you Ash. With some heels and makeup you could be the perfect bride"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="bd8c1eb3d4e098eb825a6051cc574deb""HA HA, very funny" I sarcastically replied as I picked up the remaining two boxes and walked inside the shop. Behind the counter was a logo imprinted on the wall 'Serenity's Styles'. Something about the name of the shop sounded familiar but before I could think more of it Chloe spoke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="47e4f2563a72b2bdc720a2709caa65c6""You can just leave them on the counter. I need to go tell the owner that the new dresses have arrived, it's only me and her today because it's Sunday. I hope you don't mind waiting for a bit?" After telling her it was okay I waited by the counter for a while before getting bored, so I decided to wander around the shop and browse a little. It was quite a big shop and there even was a collection of suits and ballroom gowns for both genders. I heard Chloe talking to another woman, who I concluded was the owner from what she said earlier, but decided to leave them to it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4caa341f9e9002896654070b50134326"After a couple of minutes Chloe went into the kitchen at the back of the shop to get her stuff out the lockers and so I found myself waiting again. That was until someone spoke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e83e053f472a637ccfc2506253f31e3e""May I help you sir?" A gentle and polite voice asked and so I turned around to see its owner. A woman who was around a 2-3 inches shorter than me stood in a blazer and skirt. She had blonde hair and wore glasses that finished her look, one of sophistication and elegance but maintaining an air that made her approachable by customers. However something caught my eye, hers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="120b50f0638167c616d802f26a76f718"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Her blue eyes, they remind me of.../emMy train of thought trailed off as both of our eyes widened in shock. "Ash!?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4304c53f3a86b62fbc99fd2c685aa75c""Serena?!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30216b04cce30dcb0388a90ab46d4778"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"Author's Note/u/em/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c43a0861422c3bf0bd990576f8ec4260"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hi guys! Sorry for not updating for so long, I was busy with things but now I'm back with Chapter 14. As always feel free to comment, vote and PM me if you have any feedback, good or bad and I'm waiting to see your reactions upon Serena's return. I'm open to any ideas as to how you guys want this to unfold so PM me with those. Thanks!/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e0a811e1a0fbead19a681834eb32a51c"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Ash P.O.V/em/u/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3d04cd8c158f97a3086dd405ae8fef3""Why didn't you tell me?!" Chloe was now standing, towering above the table with her hands firmly on her hips. It was a hot day so she wore a loose t-shirt and some shorts, which was rather similar to what me and the others were wearing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="a7132e2a1b29a2600480bb29e7e45f82"My hands waved in front of my face while I wore a sheepish grin. "I didn't think you cared. Its not a big deal"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c52235b3a94ee41125c23f5487148d79""Not a big deal, it's HUGE"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="82f681146b5048749759b8bd2edefb83""Now you're being dramatic" I nervously laughed and looked at Grace, Gary and Riley who constantly moved their heads from side to side. It was like they were watching a game of tennis. Chloe finally took a deep breath and breathed out, sitting back into her chair and gave me a look which I couldn't quite figure out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="25110806daafbc809fa0b7fcbea0be35""I can't believe my boyfriend is the CEO of the biggest tech corp in Kanto! You were in the magazine a couple of weeks ago as one of the most promising businessmen. How did I not recognize you?!" She slumped into her chair and looked at the ceiling, then back to me. My palms suddenly felt sweaty and I decided it best to not say anything back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="02c4645ea25fddc7fa434abf6f4f726e""Magazine? What magazine? Wait a sec...Was I in it? I hope they got my good side and the lightening better have showed off my good looks" Gary held his head high and we all just sighed, but after a while we began laughing. It was a good thing in the end and we all finished lunch in good spirits./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0f883eefcfe75ff724f29097afd156f1"Chloe was washing the plates while I was drying and she still had a slightly upset aura around her. Feeling bad I broke the silence "Hey sorry for not telling you earlier. I just didn't want people to know that's all. How about I take you to dinner to make up for it?" I had a wishful grin on and had my fingers crossed. She gave out an exasperated sigh and stopped washing up, turning off the running water in the process. She spun on her heel and she looked at me, with a straight face she walked a little closer./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c37de738e257c96ba5dad1baef44a4a9"We stood in the exact same position for what felt like weeks but then Chloe suddenly broke the silence and gave a wide smile, "Sure!". My eyes widened at how her attitude and demeanor took a complete 180 degree turn but I regained my composure./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="cdd599560ed8e9c46ab025005eef07a2""So what time are you free?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f883e658cfc584e63b9235f71571a34c""Well I have work from two to six so maybe after that. Oh by the way I have some boxes of dresses and stuff in my room so can you help me take them?" I remembered when she moved in that she had loads of boxes of stuff but initially thought it was all hers or Riley's toys or something. I nodded my head in confirmation but then gave a puzzled look./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="b35d2c0851c94522b4ca6ce9611de74e""Sorry you never said what you work as?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="f372d69e2d5dc32016d3e94c1c802213""Ohh must've forgotten to tell you. I work in a luxury dress shop. We're the best in town and my boss is really nice. Actually come to think of it...she once said she lived in Kanto like you. Maybe you know her or something."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="68733ff90fa4af1802070727200e6b22""Very fancy I must say. What's her name?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="be4e554552ab0604d3558bac4a55ec05""S-" She was interrupted by a scream in the living room. We both looked at each other and ran into the room only to see Gary and Riley playing with the pillows and Grace looking on while drinking a glass of wine, still sitting at the table, a smile adorned on her face. We immediately thought the same thing and scrambled to get extra pillows and joined in./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e09ba657eaddaae25bc83f7d29c45f2f"The sounds of screams and laughter erupted from the room, for we were all lost in the moment. So much so that all of us failed to notice the phone in Grace's hand, recording the events that were currently taking place. To be honest none of us actually cared for we were living in the moment. A short while after and after all the mess and 'debris' as Gary called it was cleaned up, Chloe left for work and Grace went out for groceries, leaving me Gary and Riley all alone./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0480b77dba06fb30741413c9b802f46b"We decided to watch a film in the meantime and, of course Riley got first pick. "Im telling you if I have to watch another unicorn get saved by a stinking princess I'm going to flip" Gary groaned as I chuckled in response, we both were currently sitting on the table behind the sofa where Riley sat and it was far away enough for us not to be heard./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="44cb8e27b8f4c5c70c98c43305129526""C'mon man she enjoys that stuff. Look at how happy she looks" We both saw Riley with a massive grin plastered on her face and her laughing at a character getting hit with a pan. I doubt anyone could've argued with my statement and we both shared a genuine smile of affection towards the little girl./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="3bc3ad3fbbd64686e6ca18eb239aa7b0""Yeah I guess you're right. Besides, when did you become such a father figure? Already thinking about the future are we Ashy-boy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="ca7cf68344c8b460ca911c928463a1d2""S-Shut-up Gary. We're taking it slow" I became flustered but in reality my mind had pondered over the thought a couple of times. "She's special to me though, I can't deny that but something always feels missing, you know?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="02828ee339d7a75c97af631137cccf83""How so? You never mentioned anything before" Gary gave me an inquisitive look/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1537b0e7d42696b8cfe1a11298715d05""I don't know, I mean when we go on dates and stuff it feels nice and we really connect with each other, but I'm not getting the same thrill or excitement as when I was..." I trailed off/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="1807f6aba6b37e56ea44230fb7c3ecdd""When you were what? With...Wait! You're seriously not telling me you've still got feelings for Serena! She walked out on you and that was almost five years ago!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="de4fd86cffb78d132d9c7a99807a7680""She was only doing what she felt was right. I know its stupid but I can't seem to forget her"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="008de7f73ba0034619a8dc102dd58f50""Ash you need to tell Chloe. You should't string her along like this"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="91b334ab143bd9f191dd75c168a286fb""I could lose everything then. And I don't even know where Serena is for that matter. I'll tell her but not today. She already knows about Serena because I told her a days ago but still, it can wait."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e8b3bdd16ef82a30ec1e86a70c212a5a""She's good for you Ash. You may not notice it but you've changed since she's come along. You seem more full of life and less depressed and me and Grace are both happy for that. Don't let her go man."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c18823ceddf33590a1f91738327bcd7a""Alright thanks. I still need time to figure this all out" Gary gave me a sympatetic look and put an arm on my shoulder. We hadn't even noticed that the film had finished and Riley flicking through the channels for something else to watch. Gary got up and went to sit beside the eight year old girl, but I stayed at the table, still lost in thought./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="0b69ddcbdb1e1691140b6e63eaa8f9b5"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d3554a961d0db9557fe436ca20e5cbb4"I grabbed the boxes from Chloe's room and put them in my car. The journey there all I could think about was whether not telling her about me feelings for Serena. Sure I hadn't seen her in around five years but there was always something about her that I loved. The day she left was the day she took a piece of me with her and I came to the understanding that a part of me will always be with Serena. But if I can forget about her enough, maybe something can blossom from the relationship that me and Chloe have./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="9635a0b4bc3142c94d9d05537e796ed4"I pushed the thought out of my head for the time being and parked my car in a side road. Since the shop was on one of the most popular streets of the city, I decided to not take my chances finding a space nearer to the shop and just carried the boxes in my hands while I walked there./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="2221e80269dad16264b5f9cb34575a23"This was something I immediately regretted doing. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"How heavy are these dresses?! Are they made of gold or something?! /emI managed to reach the shop without stopping but by the time I had got there I had built up a sweat on my forehead and the heat of a humid Sunday evening didn't help. Chloe came out the shop and took one of the three boxes, I flashed her a grin and watched her deposit the box inside the shop. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"She wasn't kidding when she said they were a high-end shop./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4d6ee2c90335ffcc5493ada009b83825"I peered through the window-frame and saw dresses with shiny jewlerry which were very elegent and stylish. But the price tags made me wince a little. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"That dress has a price tag with 5 digits?! Its only ONE dress. /emI was brought back to reality when Chloe came back out the shop and stared at me looking at the dresses. "You know, that one really suits you Ash. With some heels and makeup you could be the perfect bride"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="bd8c1eb3d4e098eb825a6051cc574deb""HA HA, very funny" I sarcastically replied as I picked up the remaining two boxes and walked inside the shop. Behind the counter was a logo imprinted on the wall 'Serenity's Styles'. Something about the name of the shop sounded familiar but before I could think more of it Chloe spoke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="47e4f2563a72b2bdc720a2709caa65c6""You can just leave them on the counter. I need to go tell the owner that the new dresses have arrived, it's only me and her today because it's Sunday. I hope you don't mind waiting for a bit?" After telling her it was okay I waited by the counter for a while before getting bored, so I decided to wander around the shop and browse a little. It was quite a big shop and there even was a collection of suits and ballroom gowns for both genders. I heard Chloe talking to another woman, who I concluded was the owner from what she said earlier, but decided to leave them to it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4caa341f9e9002896654070b50134326"After a couple of minutes Chloe went into the kitchen at the back of the shop to get her stuff out the lockers and so I found myself waiting again. That was until someone spoke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="e83e053f472a637ccfc2506253f31e3e""May I help you sir?" A gentle and polite voice asked and so I turned around to see its owner. A woman who was around a 2-3 inches shorter than me stood in a blazer and skirt. She had blonde hair and wore glasses that finished her look, one of sophistication and elegance but maintaining an air that made her approachable by customers. However something caught my eye, hers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="120b50f0638167c616d802f26a76f718"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Her blue eyes, they remind me of.../emMy train of thought trailed off as both of our eyes widened in shock. "Ash!?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="4304c53f3a86b62fbc99fd2c685aa75c""Serena?!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="30216b04cce30dcb0388a90ab46d4778"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"Author's Note/u/em/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="c43a0861422c3bf0bd990576f8ec4260"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Hi guys! Sorry for not updating for so long, I was busy with things but now I'm back with Chapter 14. As always feel free to comment, vote and PM me if you have any feedback, good or bad and I'm waiting to see your reactions upon Serena's return. I'm open to any ideas as to how you guys want this to unfold so PM me with those. Thanks!/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #222222;" data-p-id="d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e" /p