n0t3: I'm planning to finish this story before my birthday, or on my birthday, February 25. So far so good!

p.s. The spot for co-writing for me, not for this story, but for my other stories, there's still spots left. So include that in your review or PM to me. Don't forget to include your email!

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Chapter Fourteen- Precious Secrets
I had the next day off.

So I slept in late, then headed over to Starbucks for coffee.

I took a seat on the building's roof, staring out to the busy streets.

When I turned back around, I let out a shriek.

"So?"

"I don't want to talk to you."

"Gabriella, please."

"Leave me alone," I said, getting up.

"We could talk about what happened," Troy said following me.

"Talk about what? How you betrayed me? How you exposed all my secrets? How you used me?" I yelled at him.

"Look," Troy grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop, "I didn't plan to expose you."

"Yeah right," I huffed, "Like you didn't plan to remember all my secrets. How you didn't plan to tell me you even had an interview."

"Yes, you fed into my work. Yes, you fed into my thought. It doesn't mean that what we had...we have isn't real."

I glared at him, then simply said, "You humiliated me," then turned around and walked out of Starbucks.

"I didn't mean to say that much. Gabriella, you have to believe me. I didn't mean to say it all. I asked them to cut it and they had promised. I got carried away..."

"Troy."

He looked up at me with hope that I was gonna forgive him.

Not today.

Well I was gonna crush his hopes.

"You exposed every single bloody detail about me!"

"I know. And I'm sorry."

"You told them about Ken. You told them about Maggie..."

"I know---"

"You told them about high school. You told them about---"

"I'm sorry---"

I whirled around, "Well sorry isn't good enough! You ruined my life!"

"I ruined your life?" Troy said shocked.

"You don't know what it's like to be me. Everyone was laughing at me. Everyone was teasing me."

"Well how about I fire everyone who teased you."

I stared at him, then said, "You won't have a company left then."

"Well that'd teach me."

I bit my bottom lip from laughing out loud.

"Look. Can we start over again? Would you like to go for dinner or something?"

I chewed the inside of my mouth, and thought hard.

I suddenly remembered something.

"What were you doing in London three weeks ago?" I asked him quietly.

"I-I can't tell you that." Troy looked away.

"How about our date?"

"Gabriella---"

"Who were you on the phone that was so important?!" I said loudly.

This time, he didn't even bother to answer.

"I see," I said trying to stay calm, "Has it ever occurred to you that you never told me anything about yourself?"

"I guess I'm a private person."

"I told you all my secrets," I hissed.

"I think it's a little different."

"Ex-cuse me?"

"Well my secrets are personal and complicated and important."

"And mine are not? You think my secrets are less important than your's? I suppose that's because you're famous and I'm just a...what'd you call it? 'An ordinary, nothing-special girl'."

I knew I hit home run.

Troy closed his eyes.

And tears scattered down my cheeks.

"I didn't mean to use those word. I regretted it as soon as I said it. Gabriella, you have to believe that I didn't---"

"I'm gonna ask you again. Why were you in London?"

There's silence.

As soon as I look in Troy's eyes, I knew I wasn't gonna get an answer.

"Fine. I'm obviously not as important as you are. I'm just some amusing girl who entertains you on your flights and give you ideas for your business."

"Gabriella---"

"The thing is, Troy, a relationship is two-way. A relationship is based on equality. And trust. So why don't you just go and be with someone on your level, who you can share your precious secrets with? Because you obviously can't share them with me."

I turn sharply before he can say anything, and stalk away in tears.