A/N: We are terribly sorry! We know this update is friggin late…but u gotta understand…right? School takes SO much time and we can hardly squeeze in any social life, let alone FFN. But here it is and enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, we STILL don't own anything.

Chapter 21

Previously:

"Troy Bolton, I think I am falling in love with you…" the whole house was quiet and Gabriella held her breath.

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"Honey, I love you too." He said with a smirk

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"…arrange and interview for you and Gabriella, you could deny all the rumors then…"

Since the very beginning of civilization, women were always the ones to do house chores. They cooked, cleaned and took care of children. And men? They just brought money into the house and watched TV with a beer in their hands. Was there a reason for this? Why couldn't it be all the opposite way? Maybe it was because women were always good and multitasking or maybe because men felt lost when they touched a broom.

Troy felt lost too. How the hell did you use this thing? He looked at all the equipment nervously. When he promised to do chores for Gabriella in exchange for her doing the interview, he thought it would be one, two, three easy. Guess he was wrong.

He didn't know where to start, what to do first or what to use for what.

"You know, even if you stare at the broom longer, it's not going start cleaning the house itself." Gabriella's voice startled him and he turned around to see her smirking, with a bowl of popcorn in her hands.

"Haha, very funny. Now where do I start?" Troy asked her and looked around with hopelessness.

"Well, the bathrooms are clean." Gabriella said thoughtfully. "so you just have to clean the windows, do the laundry and clean the floors." She listed off.

"That shouldn't be a problem…" Troy said.

"Hey! You just missed a spot here!" Gabriella called after him from the couch where she was sitting and watching TV. Although, she soon found out that watching Troy cleaning was far more entertaining than the movie.

"What are you talking about? I didn't miss anything! It's all clean here." Troy said with frustration. This was the 20th time she told him about a spot he missed and from what he could see, she liked doing it far too much.

"Yes you did! See that spot? It's dirty!" Gabriella pointed to the corner of the living room.

"How can you know it's dirty! It's so far from the couch, there is no chance you would be able to see even a speck of dirt from here." Troy snorted and started wiping the table.

"It's called laser eyes. Don't you know? All females have it." Gabriella informed him casually.

"Are you serious?" Troy asked impressed. He didn't know that!

"Yes, now start cleaning." She answered and rolled her eyes. Idiot.

Gabriella was still excited even though she knew the real reason behind all of this. It was a fucking interview for crying out loud! Tons of people will read it! How exciting!

"Hello Gabriella, I am so glad you could make it here." Harry greeted her with a big smile.

"Hi Harry. Yes, I didn't have anything else to do seeing as all of my work at home was done." She nodded and smirk at Troy who growled quietly.

"Let's get to the interview shall we?" Harry said and the couple nodded. All three of the took the elevator and arrived at a room that had many comfortable couches and seats.

"This is the interview room." Harry informed Gabriella "the reporter will come soon and we also need you guys to pose for few pictures ok?"

Troy nodded and sat down in the nearest seat. He looked at Gabriella and rolled his eyes. She was still standing and looking around the room with awe. He didn't know what she saw in it. It was just a room with a lot of sofas. No big deal. Reaching over, Troy grabbed he hand and pulled her down to the seat next to him.

Gabriella opened her mouth to say something, but the elevator opened and 2 men stepped out.

"Hello Mr. Bolton, Mrs. Bolton." One of the guys said. He was the reporter as the other guy hand an expensive looking camera in his hands. The photographer.

"Hi. So shall we start?" Troy asked. He wanted this to be over as soon as possible. Not only was he getting a bit hungry, but he also dreaded all the questions that were to be fired in their way in the next few moments.

"Of course." The reporter nodded eagerly. The sooner he gets gossip, the better. "We want to take few pictures of you two first though. Is that ok?" Troy looked at Gabriella and she nodded.

"Great!" the reporter said with a clap.

After posing for few photos, all four of them sat down.

"So, Gabriella, tell me. How does it feel to be Mrs. Bolton? This was the position millions of girls and women around the world dreamed of since forever." The reporter asked while holding out a recorder towards her.

"Uhm, I guess as feel special that Troy had chose me instead of one of the millions of women around the world." She mumbled out and Troy squeezed her hand.

"What is his favorite meal right now?" This was an easy question and Gabriella smiled at the memory.

"Mac and Cheese." She answered without hesitation. Right next to her, Troy chuckled and nodded.

"Interesting. But now, enough of these questions. Let's jump to the main topic." The reporter said and the pair tensed up.

"What, uhm, what do you want to know?" Troy asked while clearing his throat.

"Gabriella, would you say that your husband and Ms. Sharpay Henney are close?" the reported asked.

"Of course, they had known each other since they were small kids. They help out each other and when things get rough, they give each other advice. It's great to have a friend like Sharpay." Gabriella answered and Troy stared at her in shock. Since when was she such a great actress and liar?

"Impressive… So you don't feel threatened at all by Sharpay?" the reported asked with raised eyebrows. Gabriella laughed and shook her head.

"What is there to be threatened about? She was there before me and I am the one who came in later. I accept the fact that she will always have a special place in Troy's heart. But I know his heart is big enough for me as well, that's all I am asking for." She answered and looked at Troy who was also staring at her.

"Well, Gabriella, what do you think of the rumors that are flying around then?"

"When I read about them, I laughed. They are best friends, of course they will meet up a lot or is there a rule now that when you are married you can't have friends anymore?" she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Touché." The reporter laughed and turned of his recorder. "Well, as nice as it was talking to you, I think we have enough information. Thank you so much for your time." They all stood up and shook hands.

"No, thank you that you had the time to go and meet us." Troy said. The two man walked towards the elevator and left. When they were finally alone, Gabriella fell back into the sofa and breathed out deeply.

"Wow, I didn't know you were so good in acting." Troy said impressed and sat back down next to her.

"Shut up." Gabriella said and closed her eyes. Who knew lying could take so much of your energy away?

"Thank you." Troy said and Gabriella opened her eyes. This time, however, they were blazing with fire.

"You know, it's okay for you to continue seeing Sharpay but please do it more discreetly. I don't want people ending up feeling sorry for me because they think my husband is cheating on me." she said with venom in her voice.

"If you ask me to cover up for you again." Gabriella threatened, "I wont make dinner anymore!" she said after a lot of thinking. "How annoying!" she called out and hit the cushion next to her. "It's so pathetic that I cant even threaten you with anything else!" Troy just sat there for a moment before bursting out laughing.

"Besides, it's not true. You still have that I'll-pack-my-bags-and-leave thing." He added after a while.

"Nope, that doesn't really threaten you." Gabriella shook her head.

"No, the house seems dark and lonely without you." Troy said with a small voice and his eyes softened. Gabriella looked at him with a goofy smile.

"Really?" she asked in whisper. Troy went to agree but then remembered what he was doing.

"I mean, there is no one else to turn on the lights and the heater for me." he retorted and Gabriella just glared at him.

"Hey! Come over to my house! I am so bored." Sharpay whined into the phone and Troy could immediately picture her pouting.

"Sorry Pay, but I can't. I am too busy this week. Maybe some other day though?" he said while looking out of the window in his house. The view here was spectacular and he was glad that Stacy actually found this house for him. She wasn't that useless after all.

"Mac and Cheese is ready!" Gabriella called him from the kitchen.

"Mac and Cheese huh? I see how busy you are." Sharpay snorted.

"Pay, listen, I can explain." Troy said.

"Yes you can, meet me now. I will be waiting. Unless, Mac and cheese and that girl are more important to you then me." the line went dead.

Troy stared at the phone and slid it shut. What the hell?

"Troy! Come on! Are you eating or what?" Gabriella called again.

"Uh, no, I have an appointment I forgot about. I have to go now." Troy said when he came into his kitchen to take his car keys.

"Oh, ok."

"Are you avoiding me?" Sharpay asked bluntly the moment Troy sat down in her living room.

"No." he mumbled.

"This is about the rumors isn't it?" when Troy didn't respond, she carried on. "Just deny the rumors, not a big deal! It's not as if this was your first scandal." She said with annoyance.

Troy still didn't react and with a sigh, Sharpay sat down next to him. Touching his shoulder she willed him to look at her.

"What are you so afraid of?" she asked in a soft voice. Suddenly, Troy stood up and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"What am I afraid of?" he asked in a raised voice. "I am afraid of strangers bothering you! I am afraid of the rumors and scandals possibly affecting you! I am afraid that you will get hurt because when you are hurt, I hurt thousand times more!" he yelled while she just sat there staring at him.

"If I leave Ryan and get over him, will you come to me then?" Sharpay asked in a low voice. Troy stopped pacing in shock. Would he? Million thoughts ran around his head. He knew that if she had asked him few months or even weeks before, he would have said yes right away. But now, when he opened his mouth to say yes, he couldn't. Nothing came out. Only one picture came to his mind.

Gabriella.

"You have to keep your promise." Sharpay whispered but Troy heard her very clearly. "You told me that you wont let got of my hand until I let go of yours. Remember that." She said with tears in her eyes.

The movie wasn't that bad. Yes, Troy was in basically every scene and yes he showed of his six pack constantly. But it wasn't bad. She actually quite liked it. (You know G.I. Joe people! Think of him as Duke!)

"You liked it?" Ryan asked her as they walked out of the theatre with a left over bag of popcorn.

"Yea, I didn't get to watch it properly during the premier so that was great." Gabriella said with a smile and reached for the munchies.

"You know, I am a busy man. Yet I always make time for you." Ryan mused and looked at her. Gabriella didn't know what to say to this, so she looked at the floor.

"So what do you say, we eat dinner now. You hungry?" Ryan offered with a smile as if the previous words haven't been said.

"Sounds great. Even with my stomach full of popcorn, I am actually starving!" Gabriella exclaimed and he laughed.

"Good." Unknown to the couple, there was another couple standing near by that was watching them.

"Oh"

"My"

"God!" Taylor breathed out.

"Hey! Why is it always you who says the "god" part?" Chad whined.

"Shut up! Gabriella is there and with the guy from the premier!" Taylor said in excitement but Chad frowned.

"That's not her husband. Why is she going out on dates with other men when she is married?" he mumbled and took his phone out.

"Who cares? He is hot!" Taylor said, oblivious to her own husband dialing a number. Chad couldn't let this happen. If something went wrong, the two of the broke up, Chad would get fired. And the last time he got fired, it took him 2 years to find a new job. Meanwhile he had to sell his best friend's house and con her so badly. He didn't wish to repeat all of that.

"Talk to me."

"Hey Troy, It's me Chad."

"Ah, Danforth, what do you want?"

"Me? Nothing. But I thought that you might want to know that Gabriella is on a date with Mr. Evans right now."

"With Ryan?"

"Yes."

"Alright, thanks. I will take care of it." Troy said and hung up.

Gabriella was about to order her food when her phone rang.

"Yes?" she answered.

"Where are you right now?" Troy's voice came out and Gabriella frowned. She didn't like his tone at all.

"I am about to eat dinner now. Why?"

"Go home." He ordered simply.

"No." Gabriella said with a firm voice and looked at Ryan who was seated opposite of her.

"Actually, grandma is very sick right now so we have to go and visit her." Troy said and Gabriella immediately began to worry.

"Really? Oh no, what's wrong with her?" she asked.

"I don't know yet. We need to go there now." He answered.

"Alright, I will meet you at home in 20 minutes." She said and shut her phone. Standing up, she smiled at Ryan apologetically.

"I am so sorry, but I have a family emergency right now. I will make it up to you some other time though." Ryan just smiled at her warmly and shook his head.

"No, it's okay. It's an emergency. Of course that has to come first. Don't worry about it."

"Thanks." Gabriella said in hurry and practically run out of the restaurant, leaving Ryan sitting there.

"I cant believe you!" Gabriella yelled at Troy in the car. "How could you do that? Make up something like this!" After Gabriella had come back, the two of them set of to the Bolton residence. Upon arriving, Elizabeth herself greeted them and Gabriella was more than surprised that she was alright.

"No my fault! I must have dreamt it all up when I fell asleep on the couch and then forgot that it was just a dream!" Troy defended himself.

"You are such a jerk!" Gabriella huffed and crossed her arm.

To: Gabriella

From: Ryan Evans

Date: 30/8/09 9:36

Subject: My birthday

Hey! It's my birthday today and I was thinking: How about we go for that lunch you owe me? Ryan.

Gabriella read the message and smiled. Flipping her Nokia N97 to her keyboard, she began typing.

To: Ryan

From: Gabby

Date: 30/8/09 9:40

Re: Subject: My Birthday

I owe you dinner, not lunch but ok. Happy Birthday! Meet you at 12.30 in La Brasserie. Gabby x.

"Who was that?" Troy asked curiously while eating his eggs. Gabriella glared at him and put her phone down.

"Not that it's any of your business, but that was Ryan. It's his birthday today and we are going out for lunch." She informed his and Troy almost chocked on his food.

"Oh I don't think so. You cant go." Troy said

"And why is that?" Gabriella challenged him, leaning closer over the table.

"You have to do chores. Besides you cant go if I don't allow you to go." Troy told her with an equally challenging look while also leaning towards her.

"Oh yea? Watch me." Gabriella whispered with a smirk, their faces few centimeters apart, and stood up with her empty plate.

"You wont go." Troy called after her when she went up the stairs.

"We will see who's right!" Gabriella answered playfully and laughed.

"Women." Troy mumbled and took a forkful of scrambled eggs.

Quietly, one foot, then the other… Holding her breath, Gabriella made her way down the stairs, he high heels in her hands. 5 steps and she would be out. 4, this was easier than she thought it would be. 3, speaking of easy, where is Troy anyway? 2, shit she didn't have a present for Ryan yet. 1, she took the handle and began opening the door…

"I don't think so!" Troy said right behind her. Gabriella jumped up and spun around, her right hand right on her heart.

"You almost gave me a heart attack! Can you not be a creep and appear normally?" Gabriella said with a nervous laugh.

"Where do you think you are going?" Troy asked with a smirk. Shit, Busted.

"Uhm, I am going to throw out the trash." Gabriella said. Yes, good answer.

"Trash? But I don't see any. Unless you mean these shoes you are holding." Troy pointed at her Jimmy Choo's. Gabriella looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Are you stupid? These are Jimmy Choo's they cost…" Gabriella began but her eyes widened with realization. Troy had tricked her.

"They cost what?" Troy asked triumphantly. He was so winning this argument hands down.

"I mean… they are last season after all. I am throwing them out. You are right, this is the trash." Gabriella said while wincing. If Troy knew how much these words hurt her…

"Really?" Troy asked in surprise.

"Yea, so now if you will excuse me. I have some trash to throw out…" Gabriella said while taking the set of keys from the table and walking out of the door. Suddenly, she turned around and slammed the door shut. Locking it fast, she ran off onto the street and to the bus stop where, luckily, the bus was just pulling over.

The set of keys she took were hers, but she knew that Troy always kept his upstairs so by the time he would be able to open the door, she would be long gone. Thinking about her genius plan, Gabriella giggled and looked out of the window.

The date was going really well so far. Gabriella came to the restaurant and Ryan was already sitting there. After they ordered food, they made a small talk.

"You look great today." Ryan complimented her and Gabriella blushed.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." She smiled and looked at his Armani suit. Ryan looked at her with a smile for a while and Gabriella began to feel self conscious.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" she asked him but Ryan shook his head with a small laugh.

"Why don't you like me?" Ryan wondered out loud and Gabriella chocked on her water.

"Excuse me?" she asked with wide eyes.

"I am actually very popular with girls." He continued "I am good looking, rich and have many talents…" he trailed of and looked at Gabriella.

"Do you have a prince complex?" she asked bluntly. Why did she always run into men that had this problem? First Troy, now Ryan. Instead of answering, Ryan burst out laughing.

"You were joking?" she exclaimed in shock.

"No, no, I am actually serious. Troy doesn't appreciate you enough. He doesn't know what he has and how lucky he is." Ryan said with a serious tone.

Gabriella didn't respond to this and just looked at her hands. Ryan took her chin and lifted her head up so she was looking at him.

"Will you like me?"

A/N: This was long! We hope you like it! Review! Until next time…xoxo