Lucas sat in a closed book cafe sipping his black coffee and looked out of the glass walls. It was a pleasant sunny New York afternoon. The cafe was situated right opposite to the beautiful Central Park. The Central Park stood there in all it's spring glory. And pink cherry blossom against the lush greenery made everything around it so beautiful. He saw couples strolling there hand in hand, kids running around, families sitting under trees.
He saw a man playing ball with a little boy who must be his son and a woman who must be the mother of the child looking at them lovingly. He sighed looking at the family, it reminded him of his brother and his family. What it also reminded him was of what Lucas didn't have. It was not that he didn't like his job. In fact he loved being an author and he loved all the success he had, but what he didn't like were the tedious publicity events that came along with it. He craved for a slow peaceful day like the family in front of him. But nonetheless he was thankful for all that he had.
He took another sip of his coffee and walked around the Cafe looking through the bookshelves. He was in love with this book cafe. He had sat here for the last three hours signing books. Mostly he did those book signings in big corporate book selling showrooms, but this quaint book cafe in a quiet corner of the busy upper east side was different. This book cafe was owned by one of Lucas' college friend's father and it reminded him so much of his mother's cafe in tree hill, where he had spent majority of his life, where the air smelled of freshly ground coffee and the walls had shelves carrying his favorite books. He had spent most of his childhood sitting in Karen's cafe reading all of his favorite books . In fact that was the place where Lucas Scott, the writer was born. He had agreed to do this book signing as a favor to his friend as it would give the cafe some much needed publicity, but it turned out be more of a favor to Lucas, as he could sit here peacefully just like he did in his mother's cafe.
Garry was leaning on the entrance door of the Book cafe and typing something on his smartphone, when a little girl came.
"Kid the cafe is closed. It'll open again at five." he said nonchalantly without looking up from his phone.
"I am not even six yet. Do you think I drink coffee?" she asked.
He looked up from his phone and saw the little girl with light brown hair squinting at him.
"I am here to get my book signed." she explained slowly, thinking if this man was dense or what?
"Oh, but you are late. The book signing was over half an hour ago. Why don't you come to the rouge café tomorrow. We'll be hosting a signing there." Garry said, displaying his perfect white teeth like a salesman.
"But I'm already here. How much time will it anyways take? Please let me in" she pleaded.
Garry thought about it for a second, but he knew his moody celebrity author always disapproved of him getting fans after the book signing was over. This was Lucas' relaxation time and he would just get irritated and it would be a task to make him attend the rest of the events he had planned.
"Well why don't you come tomorrow." he repeated.
"oh c'mon how can you say no to such a cute kid? " she said smiling brightly displaying her dimples.
"because I don't like kids?" he said frowning as the kid was now getting to his nerves.
"Why? what are you? Oscar Wilde's selfish giant?" she frowned, not liking the man at all.
Lucas heard Garry arguing with someone. It was so like Garry to get into arguments. He called out from behind a bookshelf.
"What wrong Garry?"
Garry looked at the kid and frowned "Okay just wait here." he huffed.
Garry went in and looked at Lucas with a frown.
"There is this fangirl kid. She wants an autograph or something. I told her no but she is adamant."
Lucas squinted at him, "you said no to a kid? Are you insane?"
"Hey! It's always you who tells me not to get anyone for autographs during your downtime" he frowned.
"That's for those leggy blondes you bring to impress them so that you can take them to bed. Not little kids you idiot!" he huffed.
"how would I know. Who asked you to write a children's book all of a sudden. I am not good with kids you know that."
"Lindsey was right, you are an asshole" Lucas said rolling his eyes at his agent friend.
"Lindsey just pretends to not like me. She wants me dude." he grinned.
Lucas chuckled and asked him to bring the kid in.
Harry went out and found the girl still standing there, impatience clearly written on her face.
"come in kiddo, it's your lucky day." he said flatly and and girl smiled and rushed inside taking out the book from her backpack.
Lucas looked up from his book and saw the little figure approaching him.
"Hey, I know you! You are the Jane Austen kid" he smiled.
The girl giggled displaying her dimples "My name isn't "Jane Auténtico girl" it's Abigail. You, the library man are Lucas Scott?" she asked excitedly.
"I guess so" Lucas chuckled.
Abby looked at Garry disapprovingly and said.
"what was all that starry tantrum about? He roams around openly in public libraries, if I knew he was Lucas Scott, I could have got my book signed there. And who are you by the way?" she rolled her eyes at him and Lucas almost spit his coffee out.
"I am his agent" Garry answered flabbergasted by the little firecracker in front of him.
"what does an agent do?" she asked Lucas.
"An agent helps to get the book published and then arranges all the publicity work managed." Lucas explained with amusement.
"Oh like a Publicist and the PR team? " she asked. Abby had spent plenty of time in her mother's office to know all the designations and their job descriptions.
Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yes, exactly like a publicist." he grinned.
Abby huffed looking at Garry.
"sorry to say, but this sir here is a terrible agent. I am client and a fan of yours and he was shooing away your client. How is that good for publicity? You definitely need a new agent Mr. Scott." she suggested seriously.
Lucas snorted as Garry's mouth fell open.
"I was thinking the same. Thank you so much Abigail. I'll definitely take your suggestions seriously." he joked looking at Garry who growled.
She looked back at Lucas and smiled brightly.
"Sir, will you please sign my book?"
"with pleasure sweety, but I thought you don't like fairy tales" he asked raising an eyebrow while taking the book from her tiny hands.
"No, I said I don't like reading Fairy tales because I have already read them all so many times that I know each of them by heart. Your book is new and different so I love it. I love how in this book the princess is so cool and brave and she saves the prince in the end." she smiled and Lucas laughed softly seeing her blue eyes sparkled once again talking about his book like it had while taking about Jane Austen.
"Thank you sweetie. I'd have to say it's a huge compliment coming from a Jane Austen fan."
"May I please ask you something Mr. Scott?" she asked politely.
"Yes Abigail, but only if you call me Lucas. All my friends call me Lucas." he smiled.
"oh wow! Are we friends?" she asked wide eyed.
"Yes Abigail, all Jane Austen fans are my friends." he chuckled.
"Cool! Then you can call me Abby coz all my friends call me Abby" she beamed.
"Cool then Abby, so what did you want to ask me?"
"Oh yeah! Well, sir.. I mean Lucas, you always write old people books, right? So, What made to write a children's books?" she questioned.
Lucas laughed looking at the bright little child and how she had asked a question like a professional journalist.
"I have a sister who is as old as you. She once said to me that because I always write boring books for old people she couldn't read it. So I thought I'll write a children's book for her." he smiled remembering his conversation with Lily.
"how nice." she smiled.
"But you read old people books, right? So have you read any of my books?" he asked, loving the conversation with this cute little kid. There was something so familiar about her, but he just couldn't put a finger on it.
"No, I haven't." she said wrinkling her nose.
"My muma doesn't allow me to read them. But when I grow up I'll read all of them. Pinky swear!" she said poking up her tiny little pinky finger in front of him.
He hooked his giant pinky finger with hers and laughed.
"I'll hold you to that"
Lucas looked at his watch and saw it was time for him to leave.
"come let's find your mom and dad and then I'll leave too"
"My muma is in office and I don't have a daddy. I mean of course I have a dady, because my friend Tina said you cannot be born without a daddy, but I don't know him." she rambled.
Lucas looked at her sympathetically.
"Oh come on! Don't look at me with sad eyes. Look, some people have both mommy and daddy, some have two mommies, some have two daddies and some just have a daddy or a mommy. It's how it is. So I just have a mommy… And my mommy is awesome!" she explained him with a smile.
Lucas chuckled at the little girl's maturity and handed her the book back.
"You are very intelligent Abby"
"I know!" she kinked her eyebrow making Lucas laugh loud.
Garry raised his eyebrows at him. In the past six years, he had hardly ever seen Lucas smile properly let alone laugh like he was laughing now.
"Okay kiddo! Come I'll give you a lift to your home then." Lucas said picking up his Ray-Bans and his laptop bad from the table.
Abby bit her lips and contemplated on the author's offer.
"We are friends but technically you are still a stranger and mommy says you should never get into a car with a stranger. And anyways I just live nearby."
"Hmm… Good call. You should always listen to your mommy. I can walk you to your home. That ways you won't have to get into a car." he said, not wanting to leave the child alone on the busy streets of New York.
"That's a great idea! Let's go." she beamed at him as they walked out of the book cafe.
-x-
Lucas walked Abby to her building which was actually close to the Cafe. As they reached the front door the old doorman dressed in bottle green uniform came running to her.
"Miss. Abby, Where have you been? Miss. Jessi has been worried sick." he frowned.
"I was just around the corner Ray." she smiled guiltily at him.
"one of these days I am going to lose my job because of you." Ray muttered
"Oh of course not! I love you too much to let that happen Ray" she said showing the cutest dimples at the grandfatherly man and her chuckled shaking her head, clearly melting at the girl's smiles.
Ray looked up at Lucas and smiled.
"I am sorry for the inconvenience, sir, but Thank you for bringing her home. She is one little firecracker." he chuckled.
"oh no, there was no inconvenience." Lucas smiled and looked at Abby.
"Abby it was very nice to meet you again." he said offering his hand.
"it was nice to meet you too" she smiled shaking his hand.
-x-
Brooke hurried out of her walk in wardrobe with a c/b dark fuchsia one-shoulder couture gown in her hand. She unwrapped the towel from her wet hair and started blow drying it. Abby sat on Brooke's bed admiring her mother's beautiful gown.
"honey have you done your homework?" Brooke asked running her fingers through her wet hair as she blow dried them.
"Yes mommy, all done" said Abby playing with the earings Brooke had kept on the bed to wear with her gown.
"So, what else did you do today after school?" she asked like she always did every evening after getting back home.
Abby was dying to tell her mother about her new friend but she had Promised Jessi she won't tell her mother that she sneaked out of home again.
"Nothing much muma, just read a book."
Abby felt guilty. She didn't like lying to her mother , but she didn't want Jessi to be in trouble because of her too.
"mmhmm.. Okay ! so hair up or hair down?" Brooke asked Abby trying to decide a hairstyle.
"Up! That cute flowery curly bun you make on the side. That one" she said with enthusiasm. Abby loved it when her super stylish mother asked for her advice.
Brooke laughed softly "messy side bun?"
"Yes! That one and with a braided crown" she said playfully jumping on the bed.
"excellent suggestion Miss. Davis" Brooke winked.
"and no jumping on the bed" she said lovingly by sternly.
"oopsie! sorry mommy" said Abby immediately sitting down and melting Brooke's heart.
Abby was a very lovable child. She was very bright and obedient but had a playful and sassy streak to her which she had clearly inherited from her mother.
"so what have you and Millie planned for the evening?" Brooke asked slipping into her Fuchsia gown and turning around for Abby to zip her up.
"Aunty M and I will have milk and her homemade macaroons and chocolate chip cookies and watch pride and prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey" said Abby with big sparkly eyes as she zipped up Brooke.
Brooke laughed at her daughter's current obsession with Everything Jane Austen. She turned around and kissed her cheeks.
"Sugar at night? Not a great idea but love the Pride and prejudice part. I wish I could stay too" Brooke pouted playfully while wearing her earrings.
There was a faint sound in the living room downstairs and Abby ran excitedly.
"that must be Aunty M"
"no running on the stairs!" Brooke shouted behind her.
-x-
"Hey Aunty M!" Abby ran towards Millicent.
"Hi Abby bear!" Millicent went down on her knees and hugged her niece.
Millicent had know Abbey since birth and was her honorary aunt. She loved Abby like her own. How much ever time she spent with Abby was never enough and it was the same with Abbey.
Brooke glided down the stairs looking like a stunning in her Fuchsia gown, diamond earrings with a silver beaded clutch in the band, her silver strappy heels clicking on the Italian marble staircase.
"Wow Brooke you look great" said Millicent pushing her black-rimmed rectangular glasses up her nose.
Brooke was not only her boss but also a friend, sister and the person she admired and respected the most.
"Thanx Millie." Brooke smiled.
"And thank you so much for babysitting her tonight. Jessi wasn't free. That girl is never free when I need her the most." she rolled her eyes.
"that's all right Brooke. You know I love spending time with Abby. We are going to have so much fun tonight, right girl?"
"Right Aunty M" jumped Abby giving her a high five.
"okay but not too much fun." Brooke chuckled.
The intercom ringed. It was a call from the front desk informing her ride was here.
"Okay Neal is here. Come on pumpkin give muma a kiss." Brooke bent down and Abby kissed her, then walked towards the elevator.
"bye girls! Don't do anything I would do" she winked as the elevator door closed.
-x-
Brooke took Neal's hand and climbed out of the limo. Flashes of camera blinding her. She placed a pearly-white "paparazzi" smile on her lips and walked inside the Empire hotel, which was owned by the Caffrey's .
It was an opulent fundraiser gala for the charitable trust run by the Caffrey family. They were working for the rehabilitation of Haiti earthquake victims. Neal had devoted himself in the rehabilitation work. It was a welcomed change from his womanizing ways. His ideas were refreshing and very helpful. Seeing Neal's capabilities and interest Walter Caffrey. had handed over the trust to him and thought it was one of his best business and personal decisions.
Brooke was famous for her activism, charitable and philanthropic work. So when Neal approached her to be his partner in the Haiti relief program she was more than happy. The Caffrey's were powerful people with contacts in the right places but with Brooke's involvement they had gained the immense support of the fashion and film industry they couldn't have imagined, in publicizing their work.
The Empire's Royal ballroom was bustling with entrepreneurs, socialists, famous people from different lines of work, senators and congresspeople alike.
Brooke and Neal separated and went in different directions of the room socializing with different people. They both had a lot of things common between them, one of those was charm. They both were extremely charming people, which was one of the reasons why people happily made huge donations towards their charity.
Brooke was talking to a senator when Neal came and greeted the Senator.
"Senator Adam, it's so kind of you to take out time for us from your busy schedule." Said Neal extending his hand.
The Senator said shaking his hand, "Neal I have been to each of your fathers fundraisers. I have to say you surpass him. But please don't tell Walter I said that, I still need his support for the campaign." he winked jovially.
"thank you so much. Don't worry I'll take that to my grave" joked Neal.
"and honestly I have all the time in the world if I get to spend it with this beauty here." he said looking a Brooke who gave him a polite smile.
Neal laughed and placed a hand on the small of her back "then I am really sorry, I'll have to steal away this beauty for some time."
He looked at Brooke "it's time for the presentation."
Brooke looked at the senator and smiled politely as Neal directed her away from him.
"thanks. What a creep he is." she muttered still holding the smile.
"anytime sweetheart" Neal chuckled.
-x-
The presentation began with photos of the massive destruction caused by the earthquake followed by the photos of victims of the fateful earthquake. Then came the pictures of the relief work done there,the homes built for the refugees, Neal working in the soup kitchen, Brooke posing with children wearing c/b t-shirts, while Neal talked about the poor conditions, loss of families and damage of properties.
"Whatever little work we have done in a year is not even a fraction of what is needed. I would like to call Miss. Davis and share some of her brilliant plans for the future work."
Brooke took the stage and thanked Neal.
"The people of Haiti have seen loss which is beyond our imagination. They have lost their families and loved ones and whatever we do we can never make up for that loss. But we can try and give them a normal life that they deserve. When we went to Haiti we met so many children who were not only orphaned but lost any relatives they had too. We built an orphanage for them and provided them with food. But is that enough? Is just providing basic amenities, clothes, food, shelter enough for a normal upbringing of those children? No it is not. It is a sad truth that they might never have a normal upbringing but those children, even after facing such terrible losses haven't lost their spirits and their dreams and we would like them to never ever lose it." she said as photos of smiling children, boys playing football with a soda can, little girls happily playing with broken dolls flashed on the screen behind her and she looked at them fondly remembering the time she spent with them.
"These children could grow up to become great people. This is Emmanuel, he is 10 years old and plays soccer. He wants to grow up to become an astronaut. He could have discovered a new planet. This is Ana, she is very intelligent, loves playing with her doctor playset. She could have cured cancer. There are many such kids with big dreams, but unfortunately now they might never because their school crumbled to the ground on that fateful day. Education is the most important part of shaping a child's future and we want to give these children an opportunity to a better future. We want to build them a school." she said as the technician projected a picture of the model of a school and its blueprint.
"This is the model and the blueprint of the school we plan to build. This is will not only provide the kids with education but it will provide some adults with jobs too. The best way to help someone is to help them stand on their feet. This is a very small initiative but it's a start, right? It's a small milestone on the long road to rehabilitation. I would request you all to help us achieve this small milestone." she smiled as the guests applauded.
-x-
Lucas stood in a corner of the ballroom, dumbstruck as he saw the pictures of Brooke on the large screen, smiling with kids, serving food to them, she looked exactly like she did in high school. Then as Neal announced her name, Brooke took the stage and started speaking passionately about the cause, Lucas froze.
It was the first time in more than six years that he had seen Brooke. When he found out she had up and left Tree Hill, he was heartbroken. They had broken up and they weren't on good terms with each other but he had hoped they could eventually become friends. He had never imagined she would just leave. He had asked Haley about her but Haley too had no idea that she was leaving town. Haley guessed she would have gone to LA to live with her parents. He even spoke to Rachel who just spat venom at him telling him what a fuck up he was and how much she hated him for driving her best friend away. She had no idea where Brooke was and was freaking out as much as everyone else. Soon after their altercation she transferred schools and that was the last he ever saw of her too. Initially he had mailed Brooke as that was the only way to contact her because no one knew where her parents lived in LA and she had changed her phone number too, but he never received a reply. Eventually he stopped mailing.
When c/b started gaining media attention, she was on the cover of every magazine, there were news about her in newspapers. He would ignore them when passing through a newspaper stand. When her face would pop up on a channel he would immediately change it. There was a bitterness in him towards her and he didn't want to know anything about Brooke Davis. As she got famous, it was more and more difficult to avoid her. Billboards had her face on them, airport had advertisements of clothes over bros, but he tried his best. He frequently visited New York and he knew she was here but he never tried to find her. If she didn't want to keep in touch then why should he bother, he always said to himself. Today seeing her again after six year brought back every memory, all the bitterness.
"Luke.. LUKE!" Lindsey shook him pulling him out of his trance.
"huh! Yes" he said shaking his head.
"where the hell are you lost?" she asked knitting her brows.
"oh nothing" he said trying to act normal.
"okay whatever, can you please get me a drink?" she asked and he didn't answer.
"Lucas!" she shook him again.
"yeah sorry you said something" he asked focusing on Lindsey.
"what the fuck is wrong with you today? You are alright Lucas?" she asked, her voice laced with concern looking at him as he went pale.
"nothing.. I need a drink! Do you want one?" he asked as his heart raced and his vision head clouded with thoughts.
"that's what I have been asking for the past 10 minutes" she said frustratedly.
"oh I'm sorry. I'll get it" he said as he walked towards the bar lost in his thoughts.
-x-
Brooke and Neal walked down the stage together and were surrounded by guests congratulating them on their project and its success. They talked to everyone they met as they walked away from the stage to the corner of the ballroom.
"Miss. Strauss, it's a surprise to see you here." said Neal as he reached Lindsey.
"Where is Sean?" he asked.
The Caffrey's owned the building that resided the publication house.
"hello Mr. Caffrey.. Dad is in London. He couldn't make it so he asked me to personally attend your fundraiser and I'm glad I did, you are doing some really good work." said the impressed Lindsey.
Lindsey had always been a bookworm and that's why she loved her job. She never liked socializing much so it was always her father who attended such events. She had contemplated on whether to attend the fundraiser or not, but her father had sternly told her that there was no backing out of it, she had to go and she was genuinely glad that she came. It was nice to see that their company had played a small part in this great work.
"thank you so much." Neal smiled.
"oh! By the way Brooke, this is Lindsey Strauss, daughter of Mr. Sean Strauss of Warren and Co. Publications and Miss. Strauss this is Brooke Davis of clothes over bros." he said introducing the two ladies.
Brooke looked at the beautiful honey blonde woman looking gorgeous in an simple but elegant Alyce Paris black sheath dress.
"Who doesn't know Brooke Davis. Hi, Miss. Davis, it's a pleasure meeting you." Lindsey smiled.
"Hi Lindsey, please call me Brooke. I feel like 50 year old when people call me Miss. Davis." she laughed politely making Lindsey like her instantly.
"I hear your star author is in town" Neal asked
"Oh yes! Lucas is in town for the last round of his book tour. In fact, he is staying here in your hotel and is my plus one today." she chuckled.
"he should be here somewhere. He went to get me a drink." she said looking around for Lucas.
Brooke froze on the mention of Lucas. She had successfully avoided him for the past six and a half years and now he was here. For the past six years, he had released four books in New York and she had avoided being even near the places where his promotional events took place. She knew he was in town as she had seen his book signing banner at a book cafe near her apartment and had meticulously avoided going there and every cafe and bookstore where he could have been.
Her stomach twisted and heart raced at the thought of seeing him. She was sure he knew she was here, he must have seen her when she was on stage. Fear gripped her and she felt a bead of sweat running down her neck. Suddenly she felt claustrophobic. She had to get out of here.
She took a deep breath and placing a fake smile on her face.
"Oh I see a friend there, please excuse me." she said to them as she casually touched Neal's arm to act normal, hoping he didn't feel it shake.
"It was very nice meeting you Lindsey" she smiled and shook her and before walking away.
As she walked away from them Neal furrowed his brows in concern. He could swear he felt her hand shiver but the calmness in her voice and the confidence in her strides said otherwise, so he discarded the thought.
-x-
When Neal was out of site Brooke almost ran towards the coat room frantically looking for her coat. She was breathing heavily, she felt nauseated, she had to get out of there as soon as possible.
The bar was overcrowded and Lucas waited for his turn lost in deep thoughts. The bartender had to ask for his order thrice before Lucas heard him. He apologized and asked for a chardonnay for Lindsey and a double Glenfiddich for himself. He definitely needed something strong and a lot of it to get through this evening. He thought maybe he could hand Lindsey her wine, make an excuse and go back to his room. Yes, that's what he'll do, he planned.
As he turned around with the drinks in his hands he saw Brooke come out of the coat room and walk out. All his rational plans of avoiding her left him, bitterness forgotten. His heart raced at the site of his ex-girlfriend leaving again. He had to talk to her. He left the drinks on the bar, scurrying through the crowd towards the exit.
Brooke requested the valet to call her a cab and in less than a minute the cab was there. Her heart raced as one of the guest stopped to talk to her. She politely expressed her hurry and said her goodbyes to the guest and quickly got inside the cab. Her breath hitched as heard a very familiar voice calling her name as the cab slowly drove away.
-xx-