Hey lovelies. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think :)
Moving in the cold Hanna could deal with. However, moving in the cold and the rain was a bit much, even for her. Hanna's car was already in Philly so she was thankful that she borrowed Spencer's SUV since she didn't trust anyone with her antique mirror but herself. Unfortunately now she kept thinking of Caleb and Spencer in Spencer's SUV and it was making Hanna just a little stir crazy. Hanna talked to her mom a little on the ride. She needed her mom to let the movers in and other than Emily and Lucas, Ashley was the only one with a key. Her mom asked why the girl's weren't helping and Hanna asked her about Ted. Every question Ashley Marin asked about Hanna's friends Hanna asked a new one about Ted. Ashley eventually got the point and told Hanna that the movers were at the loft so she would talk to her when she saw her. With the end of that conversation Hanna was already finding ways to get rid of Ashley so she wouldn't have to lie to her. Hanna still didn't know how Ashley knew when she was lying. She assumed it was a mom thing so she didn't harp on it. The best thing about Hanna's loft is that it was right above her store with an extremely awesome view of the city.
"How the hell did the movers get there so quickly" Hanna asks herself since she is still stuck in New York traffic, in the rain. Then again the movers left a good two hours before Hanna. Hanna had to clean up what she didn't already have spotless and roll all five of her suitcases to the parking deck. Neal helped Hanna with the mirror. She didn't understand why she didn't ask the movers to take it down for her.
The movers probably didn't take the tunnel. Hanna knew she shouldn't have taken the tunnel but Hanna was so out of it she just listened to the GPS without looking at all the stops on the route. "Damn it" Hanna says to herself as she turns up the music and tries to relax as much as possible.
"Finally!" Hanna yells as she pulls up to her store and lodgings for what Hanna considers to be a somewhat final move. After all Hanna does own both places and this strip was a very good area for clients, nightlife and great restaurants. Hanna sees Ashley as she parallel parks almost hitting her mother's car.
"Jesus Hanna" Ashley says as she rushes out the opened door. At least it wasn't too wet here.
"Stop worrying so much mom. I wouldn't have hit your car." Hanna says as she rolls her eyes. Truthfully Hanna was fully aware that she almost hit her mother's car but she was going to take that secret to the grave.
"How do you like the space mom?" Hanna asks after asking the movers to take the mirror and suitcases upstairs. She made sure she batted those lashes and gave them one hell of a nice look with her baby blues. It worked and because of her skills the movers were practically eating out of the palm of her hand. Hanna unlocks the front door of the Boutique.
"I love the design in here Hanna. The uplifting quotes written in gold on the black walls about beauty is a great touch. The Chandeliers throughout. The ability to draw on the dressing room walls that way every young lady has their own personal experience and let's not forget the runway for your customers to show off their outfits. There are also so many eclectic designs that your whole store pops with color yet everything remains tasteful. All in all Hanna your boutique is very welcoming and authentic. You did good baby and I am so proud of you." Ashley says as she hugs her daughter. Hanna hugs her back just as tightly.
"Thanks mom." Hanna says as Ashley releases her. Hanna remembers when her mom had to steal to keep a roof over their heads. Ashley never truly finished paying off that money but once Hanna graduated and worked under Sybil she spent most of that money paying off her mother's house. She never asked her father for anything. Tom was useless in Hanna's eyes.
Caleb didn't understand why Hanna just didn't find a new job and work somewhere else. Caleb hated how Sybil treated Hanna but Hanna saw Sybil's behavior as just being Sybil. Maybe it was Hanna's fault for not explaining to Caleb how much Sybil actually paid her for all that she did which was one of the reasons she couldn't just leave. A nice portion of her paychecks helped pay off Ashley's house and the day Ashley found out she only had to pay taxes she cried and wouldn't stop hugging and kissing Hanna.
When Caleb left Hanna, Sybil treated Hanna a lot better. Supposedly Sybil knew exactly what it felt like to be left. The same thing happened to her when she was Hanna's age, Sybil explained. However, through that breakup and with the way Sybil's boss treated her Sybil got stronger until she became someone who Sybil felt mattered. Sybil admitted she wasn't happy but she knew she was somebody.
When Hanna finally left, the advice Sybil gave Hanna was simple. "Don't become me, never lose yourself and strive for happiness. Through happiness, love and hard work you will always be able to accomplish more than me" Sybil said. She gave Hanna one hell of a bonus and told Hanna she could use her name to get anything she wanted in regard to the line of business they were in. With that money Hanna bought her first retail space and home. She designed both spaces and because Lucas's name held backing in different circles than Sybil's, Lucas became Hanna's partner. Even now Lucas was still Hanna's male best friend. Hanna knew Lucas would do the world for her without a moment's hesitation and he did that on countless occasions.
Lucas was barely in the country but when he was, he always came to see Hanna in New York. If he was in LA when Hanna had to meet with a few of her clients they stayed together. Lucas, at times, was Hanna's strength. Hanna looked around the boutique and smiled. Talk about coming a long way.
"When do your shipments come in?" Ashley asks.
"The couches, benches, clothes racks, hangers and mannequins should arrive early tomorrow morning. The store signs, like which designer and what sales are happening, are said to arrive by tomorrow afternoon. Jewelry and clothes should be coming Thursday and Friday. So this weekend is going to be spent putting clothes on hangers, jewelry on racks and making sure my window signs are accurate for the start of business Monday morning. I need to call Lucas and tell him if I like the website design."
"No need to call Han. I'm already here." Lucas says. Hanna turns and looks at Lucas surprised before she hugs him tightly. He hugs her just as tightly and laughs.
"Lucas . . . why didn't you tell me!"
"It's called a surprise Han and plus if my best friend is opening her business on Monday I am pretty sure she is going to need her partner to help her as much as he can so I'm here until next Friday." Lucas says as Hanna squeals.
"Are you staying here with me?" Hanna asks as Lucas blushes. Lucas always stays with Hanna but this time he brought his girlfriend with him. He was thinking about proposing but he wanted to see how Hanna liked her first before he made the decision. Once Hanna approved then Hanna could help him look for a ring. Hanna was always great matching what a person would like just by meeting them.
"Uh no . . . I came to town with someone and I think it's about time you meet her." Lucas's eyebrows rise suggestively and Hanna gasps as she pushes him in the shoulder.
"The girl you've been having sex with overseas! I have to meet her like now Lucas!" Hanna says excitedly. Lucas tries to keep Hanna somewhat quiet but her excitement couldn't be contained. He was thankful Ashley had snuck out when Hanna hugged him. She probably went upstairs. Lucas remembered when he had the biggest crush on Hanna in high school and after Alison went to wherever the hell, and Hanna's relationship with Mona shifted, Hanna didn't have to pretend to hate him. Frankly she was an awesome friend. They had a few fights or misunderstanding along the way. But their friendship was solid. Regardless Lucas's love for Hanna was strong. If it wasn't he wouldn't have brought Caleb back to Rosewood after Hanna realized Caleb was being somewhat of a spy for Jenna Marshall. Caleb and Hanna got back together and Lucas knew he didn't stand a chance but he rather Hanna be happy then sad. Lucas noticed she was looking kind of sad when he arrived but her eyes seemed to find their happy shade of blue again.
"You'll meet her tomorrow. Now I need to go get a bottle of your favorite wine, then we need to get your apartment situated, then we need to order food and then we need to discuss your boutique including hiring, web-site and linking to a shipping website. You also need to open a business account." Lucas says as he continues talking about all that they needed to do this weekend. Hanna holds Lucas's shoulder, rises on the tip of her toes and kisses his cheek.
"I'm glad you're hear Lu . . . more than you know." Hanna says. Lucas smiles, holds her chin and shakes it lightly.
"You're my best friend Han. I'll always be here for you. Now I'll be back. Lock up the boutique and I'll take the lift up to the loft. Hanna watched Lucas walk out as she smiles. Nothing like having a friend like Lucas, Hanna thought.