Author Note: Hey guys, I just write you this little note to thank you for your lovely comments. You really brought a smile on my face. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Take care, Stef.

---------------------------------- Los Angeles ---------------------------------

Peyton was in a bar in Los Angeles. A band was playing some rock Music.

" They're pretty good!" Said Peyton to a women at her table.

" You really think so?"

" Yeah, they made me think of Nada surf at the beginning of their career. I'm sure that if someone sign them up they'll make a real fortune." Said Peyton passionately.

" You really know what you're talking about don't you? Each time you're talking about music your eyes just light up. I don't understand why you're working as a sketcher for the journal. You should work in the music industry!"

A shadow passed in Peyton's eyes. " Well Gloria… You see sometime you make some choices which you finally regret but…." She sighed. " I loved someone and somehow I still do. I really thought he was my soul mate. When we left High school I did an internship for Sony Records. They offered me a full time position and I was about to accept it when my boyfriend asked me to marry him so…" Peyton cleared her throat. " So I had to make a choice. It was my career in music or a life with Lucas. I did enjoy music but I loved Lucas way more. He was the only person on hearth who made me truly happy." Peyton Sighed.

" He made you choose between him and the music?" Asked Gloria disgusted.

Peyton smiled. " No! Lucas wouldn't do something like that. He didn't know about the offer. He was studying in North Carolina and I knew deep down that we would have grown apart if we were separated for four years. I made my choice and I choose love."

Peyton shook her head. " Well...I guess it wasn't the idea of the year!" Peyton added with a sarcastic laugh.

" Aww I'm so sorry to hear that! What did happen next?" Gloria redden. " Oh I'm Sorry I'm maybe too curious."

Peyton shook her head. " No you're not. I don't really know why but it feels good to tell you that. It actually make me feel better to share that with someone. I've been keeping this inside for almost two years now and it's devouring me slowly." Peyton took a deep breath.

" So you want to know what happened? Well, everything was just fine till Lucas' brother Nathan and his wife Haley had a serious car accident. After that day, Lucas was not the same anymore. He built a wall between us and I tried to break it down with all the strength I had. He was closing up to me day after day till the day he decided to call off the wedding. I was crushed." Added Peyton with tears in her eyes. " It felt like my heart just stopped beating. The pain was unbearable so I decided to leave Tree Hill for good. I took a small bag, closed my bank account and bought a ticket for LA. I never heard of anyone from Tree Hill since. I thought it was better to just disappear. I didn't have much saving so I took the first job I found and… Well I'm still doing it today. That's about it." She added with a sad smile.

" Oh gosh! It's just terrible!! I'm so sorry to hear that Peyton." Said Gloria putting her hand on Peyton's. " I'm sure your regret your choice. But you know it's not good to live with regrets."

Peyton was looking at her drink. " Well… I do regret it in some way but I get comfort by thinking that I gave love a chance. I'm sure I'd feel worst today if I did the contrary. I mean I would not stop thinking about what could have been. You know I think it's better to regret something you did than to regret something you didn't do."

Gloria just nodded.

In fact, Peyton was trying to convince herself that she did the right choice when she choose Lucas but this thought made her constantly regret her flight. Maybe she should have waited, fight for love. Maybe Lucas needed more time, she probably should have stick around a bit longer. Because who knows maybe Lucas regretted his choice afterward but he had no way to find her. This thought was frightening and comforting her at the same time. She really hoped that Lucas was missing her as much as she was missing him.