3 months later

The alarm rang loudly and she groaned slamming her hand on the snooze. She wasn't ready to face the morning just yet, but the sun shining in her spacious room didn't seem to take an interest in what she wanted. Letting another groan part her lips she buried herself further under the warm embrace her blankets had provided, trying to block out the disrupting light and get as much darkness as possible. It was just one of those mornings.

She remained still in her roomy bed keeping her eyes closed peacefully. She was almost in the state of sleep before the alarm went off for a second time. She whimpered loudly before urging herself to get up. With her words of encouragement, she slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows and rubbed her eyes tiredly before turning off the alarm, making the noise cease.

Today was her and Troy's first year anniversary. Usually she'd be up in a flash, feigning shock as she woke up to an already made breakfast because that's just how sweet her boyfriend was. She'd coo as he pulled out her chair and grabbed her a big stack of pancakes. At first she'd refuse the idea of closing the shop to spend the day with him but as he continued to persuade her that people would live without flowers for one day, she'd slowly began to give in. He'd seal it off by looking at her with his beautiful blue eyes and saying how it wasn't any anniversary, it was there one year, and it should be special which making her weak in the knees.

But instead he was in stupid Philadelphia.

She missed Troy. Too much sometimes. She'd close her eyes and see him walking into the shop, coffee in hand. Or she'd imagine the time he took her to the gallery opening for their first date, or her favourite: Their first time in his photo room. The electric shade of red made their first sexual experience so much more intense and sensual; she'd give anything to relive that experience.

She hated how she could only see him once a day over a tiny camera, and she hated only being able to speak to him for maybe an hour on the phone, and she absolutely hated living in house too big for one person. A house that was supposed to start their life together. Another whine parted her lips and she found herself slamming back into the mattress and curling back under the blankets.

She really loved the idea of just staying in bed all day and sulking. She thought she deserved it. But then again she detested those girls who pitied themselves and fawned over a man so much that they couldn't possibly function without him. But that's what she turned into. And she hated it.

As she scolded herself for turning into the girls she mocked and rolled her eyes at, a sudden realization hit her. So powerful and prevailing it made her shoot out of bed. She suddenly remembered that she had a surprise waiting for her downstairs, and she was stupid enough to waist her time in bed. With that, she ran into the shower.

-

-

The mirror was fogged over as the steam billowed from the shower and the sweet smell of shampoo lingered in the bathroom. Her hands massaged her scalp, working the shampoo in her long spirals of her hair hastily.

She couldn't help but wonder what it could be. For some reason she didn't think he'd send her pictures. Even though she'd only been seeing him for a year she knew that when Troy said surprise he meant the biggest shock of your life. So she chose not to believe that she had pictures coming her way. Maybe something for the house? She considered but shook her head, erasing the thought soon after it was conjured. Nah, she already had everything she needed for her home. Then it hit her:

Jewellery.

Of course it would be jewellery. Something breath taking. Maybe earrings or a nice necklace to match the bracelet he got her for Christmas. That sounded like something Troy would do. Whatever it was she was sure it would be something magnificent and beautiful. Something that told a story and would capture her heart just like everything Troy gave her. Just like Troy himself.

She seemed to pick up her pace slightly as she raced down the wooden steps, watching her feet, being careful of tripping. She barely bothered doing anything with her hair, leaving it in curls blow drying it with haste before slapping on some eyeliner and a pair of blue jeans and racing down the stairs. As she reached the bottom stair her ears rang with delight and she froze.

"It's about time you got down here. Your coffee's getting cold."

She fidgeted in her seat holding the bland coloured folder in her hand that was full of her designs. She looked at her boss's door with a looming eye and cowered at the thoughts of rejection. Taking in two deep breaths she shakily rose from the uncomfortable chair and tiptoed to the glass doors with Stella Worth's name written in bold making Sharpay feeling slightly intimidated.

She brought her tiny fist to the door and knocked lightly, hearing the thick British accent accept an entrance.

"Um Ms Worth?" Sharpay called and watched her look up from her papers, her thick framed, designer glasses resting at the tip of her pointy nose.

"Ah Sharpay, come in." She mumbled before drawing her attention back to whatever it was she was reading. Sharpay followed her instructions and walked into the large office sitting in one of the chairs that was positioned in front of the Mahogany desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Well I was wondering if maybe you could…look at some of my designs." She suggested hesitantly, scared of getting rejected.

"Your designs?" She repeated and Sharpay nodded. She pursed her lips and removed her glasses, looking at her as if she was considering it before holding out her boney, pale hand out insinuating Sharpay to hand them over. She hastily gave the folder to her boss; surprised she'd even bother and scooted further to the end of her seat waiting to hear her thoughts. Stella replaced her glasses on the bridge of her nose and hummed and hawed as she gazed at the pencil sketches, scanning them over with her hazel eyes, she raised an eyebrow making Sharpay gulp loudly. Sharpay memorized the look on her face, staring anxiously before jumping from the loud slap of the portfolio being shut closed. "Decent." She said and Sharpay kept quiet. That was actually a compliment coming from her boss. "Well drawn. Nice detail." She smiled at her boss's words but her brow soon furrowed as Stella held out the portfolio for Sharpay to take back.

"I thought you liked them?" Sharpay said curiously wondering why she was retrieving her drawings.

"I did, they were well put together for an intern."

"Oh Ms Worth, the reason I actually wanted you to see them is because…" She paused and Ms Worth looked at her expectantly. "I was hoping they could make an appearance in the show-or even the magazine maybe." She said and Stella laughed light heartedly before she realized Sharpay was serious.

"Sharpay, you can't be serious. I mean, they're good, but they're no where near ready for the magazine and especially not the show. It's child's work!" She said almost offended that she'd think they'd make the cut. "No offence." She added and Sharpay feigned a smile. If this was anyone else she'd be ripping them to shreds for saying that about her designs, but this was her boss, and she really needed this job. "There's absolutely no way. I'm sorry." She said and Sharpay frowned sighing deeply before the phone ringing filled the room. Stella picked it up after the first ring holding it to her ear and said a quick greeting. "Oh Hello!" She cheered happily as the person on the other line started to speak. "Brunch? I would love to." She said and Sharpay tried her hardest not to roll her eyes as she slowly rose from the chair. "Oh, today?" She asked and Sharpay caught the surprise in her voice at the short notice. "No, no it's no problem at all. Of course, just stop by here at the studio. So happy to hear you taking an interest in fashion again. Can't wait to see you." After another goodbye she hung up and called out to Sharpay before she could head out into the main room of the large company. "Oh Sharpay? Be sure to have everything in order by this afternoon. A very special friend of mine is coming and I'd love for him to see what I have planned for this season. He used to be a huge icon in the fashion industry." She said suddenly happy and Sharpay nodded. "Oh, and Sharpay? Could you grab me a coffee?"

"Yes Ms Worth." She mumbled before heading out of the witches layer.

"Troy." She whispered out of pure shock and he smiled charmingly at her. She stood frozen in her spot staring flabbergasted at the sight and he shook his head at her and set the cup of coffee on the counter.

"Well are you going to give me a proper greeting or what?" He asked playfully and without a second thought she was off the step and in his arms, hugging him tightly. He chuckled quietly into her hair as she clung to him and kissed the side of her head, squeezing her as tight as he possibly could. "Surprise." He whispered into her hair and a sharp exhale left her lungs.

"You're home." She said although it sounded muffled as she kept her head buried in his shirt.

"I'm home." He repeated lovingly. "Miss me?" He asked teasingly poking fun at her desperate hold and she sniffled a tearful laugh. She slowly pulled away from their embrace wiping her eyes before slapping him abruptly across the chest. He looked at her with wide eyes, touching his hand to the wounded area.

"You liar." She said light heartedly, wiping the tears from her eyes. "You said my surprise wasn't big."

"I'm not big, I'm toned." He said and she laughed tearfully before cowering into his chest feeling his arms wrap protectively around her. "I missed you Ella." He whispered into her hair before pressing another long kiss to the top of her head.

"I missed you too." She replied before pulling her face from his chest to look him dead in the eye. "So, so much Troy. I still can't even believe you're here."

"You didn't think I'd miss our one year anniversary did you?" He asked with a charming smile and she grinned back before nudging him playfully.

"I wish you would have given me some warning. I would have spent a little more time getting ready." She said running her hands through her messy hair trying to tame the curls.

"You look beautiful." He said and all she could do was smile widely at him. She felt herself kick excitedly before jumping right back into his arms unable to do much else. He laughed as they hugged again and heard her giggle loudly as Troy squeezed her to his chest, lifting her from the ground as if she was lighter then air.

"Troy, I can't breathe." She giggled.

"Too bad," he mumbled into her hair, "because I'm never letting you go again." She sighed content into his shoulder and smiled widely before a sad thought struck her.

"When do you leave?" She asked and he laughed lightly setting her back on her feet.

"What, I just get here and you already want me gone?" He asked playfully and she giggled, shaking her head cutely.

"No, of course not. I just don't want to think I have all this time with you and find out you leave tomorrow." She said and he smiled sadly.

"Let's not think about that right now okay?"

"Okay." She agreed smiling happily at him. "So you said something about coffee?" She asked teasingly and he laughed grabbing her coffee and handing it to her just like he used to do every morning. She smiled at the flashback brought to life and proved her happiness by finally kissing him straight on the mouth after six long, kiss-less months.

Their innocent and sweet kiss was forgotten as the door to the apartment opened with a slam and Gabriella was pressed forcefully against the wall, her legs tightly around his waist as she moaned into his mouth. They tugged onto each others lips hungrily and their hands went wild, exploring every inch of the other person.

The "I love you's" spilled from their mouths uncontrollably as if it was vile and they pulled at each others clothing; nuzzling one another's noses together adoringly before rejoining their lips in a heated kiss.

His hands danced across her collarbone, brushing the hair away from her glorious skin before kissing down her chest which was exposed by the V neck and she moaned his name in his ear. She had missed the passion and heat that came along with their relationship. She was so caught up in missing the simple things like holding hands and simple kisses, she almost forgot what it felt like to have Troy look at her that way or touch her that way or make her feel that way. But the taste of his lips and the sultry stares were bringing it all back, and she loved every minute of it.

She had heard that no matter the addiction; gambling, alcohol, drugs, you could never feel the same high as you did the very first time. No matter how many times you win the jackpot or feel the smoke fill your lungs, it was never the same as that very first high.

Making love with Troy that night, felt like their first time.

-

-

He walked into the office and looked around with a blank expression and before he could even blink the tall and skinny women was by his side like a dog. Sharpay resisted the urge to roll her eyes, although she secretly loved the sight of her obnoxious, high and mighty boss following him around like a child needing recognition.

"Mr Garavani." She greeted in an over exaggerated coo. "It's so nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you as well." He muttered his French accent clashing with her British tongue making Sharpay feel like it was culture day at the office. She snickered to herself at the bad joke.

"Are you happy to be back in New York?" She asked her voice higher then usual and Valentino just shrugged simply making the fashion designers eyes grow to the size of moons over the fact he wasn't as happy as she needed him to be. So she put her ass kissing skills into high gear. "Right, New York is so busy, you must have been much happier in Italy."

"It's beautiful there. Not some concrete jungle. Although I must say the art is magnificent in New York. But fashion is all the rave in Italy."

"Um I'm sorry but, weren't you leaving the fashion industry?" Sharpay asked quietly from her tiny desk and she was rewarded with daggers shooting from her boss in a deathly glare.

"Ignore Sharpay, she's just an intern." Stella advised with a laugh.

"But she's right." He said eyeing the blonde slightly impressed by her courage to speak. Most interns at the large industries he visited didn't have the backbone.

"I just remember your show a couple months ago is all."

"Ah yes. What a great show." He said smiling at the memory of his final-and most accomplished designs making their last appearance on the runway.

"Oh yes magnificent. Beautiful designs that night." Stella said quickly. "How about we go for lunch? I know a beautiful spot, you'll just love it."

"Well isn't that why I'm here?" He asked and she nodded quickly a fake smile plastered across her face as she quickly scurried towards the door, twisting the knob, although she paused when she saw him stop. "Perhaps you're sparkly friend would like to come." He suggested and Sharpay quickly looked down at her pink sequence top and back up at the duo with wide eyes.

"Oh of course. Sharpay is my favourite intern, we're great friends. Right Sharpay?" She asked and Sharpay looked at her confused. As a second set of daggers were sent in her direction she took that as her bosses way of telling her to agree. She looked in between the two before smiling mischievously to herself. She nodded her blonde, straight hair before spinning around to the tiny table and grabbing her portfolio.

She was tired of fetching coffee and being treated like a secretary rather then a designer in training and she was sick of being polite and fake smiles and "Ms Worth this and Ms Worth that." She didn't want to run around, kissing her ass just like her boss was doing to the famous Valentino Garavani. It was time she let the bold and frank Sharpay free from her cage and start fighting dirty.

"Wonderful friends. In fact we're so close, I've been getting Stella's opinion on all my designs, and she just loves them." She said and Ms Worth glared venomously before the giddy grin flashed back on her face as he glanced up at her.

"Oh really?" He asked her and Stella laughed nervously.

"Well I didn't say I love them."

"Yes you did. Don't you remember Stella?" She asked eyeing her with one eyebrow raised. "You said you were going to make my designs part of the show next week. You wouldn't go back on you're word to a friend would you?" She asked putting her hand over her hand and batting her eye lashes. Mr Garavani raised an eyebrow at the London born designer waiting expectantly for her answer which would determine her judge of character. With that noted, Stella threw one last secretive glare to Sharpay before smiling a tight lipped smile.

"Oh, right. Now it's all coming back to me."

"Oh? You promised her a spot in the show?" He asked and Stella looked at Sharpay who just but her lip hopefully, staring at the man in all black.

"..Yes." She finally croaked out and Sharpay held back the scream she was dying to release.

"Well that's a wonderful idea. It's very brave of you to let an intern take part in such a respected show." He said and Stella just nodded stiffly feeling the rage of being blackmailed. Sharpay saw her shake and her fists clenched but she didn't care. She could fire her if she wanted; all she knew was that her designs would be in a real fashion show.

She was hypnotized by her own fingers as they swayed back and forth through the thin, blonde arm hair. Her nails lightly scratched tanned skin as his arm laid over her stomach. She rested on her back, the black oversized T-shirt covering her, the familiar scent filling her senses. Troy laid on his side, one arm under her head and the other being massaged by her fingertips as the sheets draped over his hip.

"You know I'm proud of you." He said teasingly watching her eyebrows scrunch.

"Why?"

"Well you haven't even brought up the shop once." He said and she rolled her eyes laughing lightly.

"Oh be quiet."

"Seriously, I thought I was going to get here and you'd put me to work." He joked making her laugh. "But look at you; actually spending time with me, you must have missed me a lot." He continued to tease her, although a part of him was being slightly serious. He didn't think there was such a thing in the world that would make Gabriella keep the shop closed for a whole day willingly. He had to admit, he felt pretty special.

"I did miss you." She giggled and he smiled pressing another kiss to her head. "I was so sure it was jewellery." Gabriella told him with a giggle.

"What was?"

"My surprise." She said and he smiled before pressing a long kiss to her shoulder. "You're better then earrings." She told him and his eyes locked onto hers before he pressed a hard but loving kiss to her lips. She ran her fingers gingerly through his hair as a teasing smile slowly crept up onto her face. "But I guess this means I don't know you as well as I thought I did." She said with a jokingly dramatic sigh. "Being apart has my perception of you all out of whack. You go away for a few months and all of the sudden your unpredictable." She told him teasingly and it was his turn to sigh playfully.

"Well I guess I'm not that unpredictable."

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously and watched as he rolled away from her, digging in the small bag he brought with him and fishing out a blue velvet box. "Troy!" She gasped. "You didn't."

"Well don't act surprised I mean you did predict it and all." He said light-heartedly.

"But I thought you were the present." She said smiling cutely at him.

"Surely you didn't think I'd show up empty handed. A gentleman never arrives without gifts. Especially for his insanely beautiful girlfriend."

"You're company is enough Troy, you don't have to do all this for me." She told him clutching the sheet as she slowly eased herself into a sitting position making Troy sit up as well.

"I'm really not that interesting. Besides I think you'll really like it." He said and she looked at him feeling slightly guilty. Not only did he surprise her with a visit but he also brought her a gift, and here she was empty handed.

"I don't have anything for you." She told him sadly and he smiled shaking his head.

"You're companies enough." He mimicked and she smiled at him as he shoved the rectangular box into her hand.

"You're too good to me." Gabriella told him and he just waved off her comment nodding his head to the box laying lifelessly in her hands eager for her to see what was inside. She glanced up at him before slowly opening the navy case and she gasped at the sight. She breathed his name and held a hand to her heart as she gazed at the necklace sitting neatly on the silk cushion. The ivory pearl sat in a small silver heart, the right side covered with small diamonds in a row. It hung gracefully from a silver chain and Gabriella marvelled at the beauty making her speechless.

"Do you like it?" He asked her and all she could supply was a nod. "When I was a kid, one of my nannies used to tell me this weird story about a guy who was so madly in love with a woman he combed the beach searching for a pearl to give her. It was known then that if you present a pearl to a woman she'd be yours forever and you'd never have to go a day without her. It's really corny but I saw the necklace at one of those little jewellery booths they have downtown in Philadelphia and I thought of you and the story. I don't know, I just thought you might like it." He mumbled sheepishly and she smiled handing him the necklace and turning away from him, holding up her hair. A smile lit up his face and his complexion turned from the embarrassed red back to normal as he happily clasped it on and watched it lay gracefully against her collarbone.

"Thank you." She whispered and he smiled tugging at the oversized T-shirt and bringing her back into his arms. He found himself hugging her tightly and felt her hot breath against his chest as she let out a sad sigh. "I don't want you to leave me again Troy." She whimpered quietly and Troy sat still not saying a word. He had to tell her, he just had to. Would she be mad? Would she call him crazy? Probably. But he had to tell her.

"Ella-"

"I know, I know, we're not talking about it." She said with a quiet laugh. She closed her eyes peacefully and her hand wrapped around the necklace letting her thumb trace over the smooth pearl and the rim of diamonds. At that moment she wasn't sure if she wanted to know when he had to leave-at that moment she didn't care. She just loved the feeling of having him home. Where he belonged.

"Happy one year Ella." Troy sighed quietly. It could wait a little while longer.

Oooo what does Troy have to tell her!? You'll have to wait and find out :) so it took me almost a year but I finally updated! You guys must be so angry with me, I'm sorry for the long wait but the longer I left it the more pressure I felt to write it, which made me put it off even more. But I promise I won't be too long posting the next chapter. There's probably only going to be two or three chapters left. Four tops.

I really hope you don't think this chapter totally sucked! Because I'm actually pretty nervous to hear what you guys think. And because I was so stupid and lazy by ignoring this story for so long I decided to reunite Troy and Gabriella just for you guys! So please review tell me what you think. (Be nice please) and if you read my other stories your probably wondering about Murphy's Law. The poll was a great way to see your opinions on the matter and the outcome was a landslide, here it is. Drum roll please. I will…

NOT be deleting Murphy's Law. You all seem to really like that story which I found surprising. I didn't think that particular story had so many fans because it doesn't get a lot of reviews. My idea though, because I've started a first chapter for the new story I was going to write if I deleted Murphy's Law is I'll finish this story pretty quickly and catch up with Murphy's Law (maybe add a surprising twist) and post it anyway lol just because I'm so eager to write it. But thanks to a lot of your ideas I found a pretty good way to do both. Anyway! I'll stop taking up your time but one last thing. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW. I love hearing your thoughts on my stories.

Sorry if theres any mistakes.

Love Dani.