Chapter 2

AN – Hello everyone! Thank you for the wonderful response that I got to the last chapter It was really heart-warming and I really worked as hard as I could to get another chapter of this story out to you guys. Unfortunately, Fanfiction hasn't been working very well for me and I haven't been able to update my stories or review other stories, which is really strange so I'm sorry for the short delay because of that. I've already finished most of the hard work I'll have to do this year, which is really exciting!

I've also been listening to the Beastly soundtrack non-stop! I definitely cannot wait for the movie to come out on Friday!

Anyway, thanks again for all the reviews and enjoy the next chapter of the story. I have a feeling that many of you guys are going to be enjoying this chapter ;)

"What do you think?" I asked Julie, spinning around in front of her. It was the night of the Lakers party that Mark had told me I was attending, without my permission of course, and I was trying on outfits for Julie and Evelyn while they were sitting on my large king-sized bed. Dressed were laid out around them, my makeup counter in the en-suite bathroom was covered with various eyeliners, mascaras, eye shadows and lipsticks, and yet this counter was nothing compared to the jewellery that was scattered everywhere throughout the room.

The current dress I had on was a simple little black dress accentuated with a silver belt right underneath the bust line. It went down to my knees, poofed out at the belt, and was strapless. A pair of simple black pumps adorned my feet, a large silver and diamond adorned bracelet was sitting delicately on my wrist, my hair tied up in a neat, casual messy bun that my stylist had put together for me earlier this morning.

"Blah. That's the perfect word to describe that dress. Blah." Julie said, rolling her eyes. "You have a rocking body, especially considering you had a baby two years ago, and I think you should flaunt it. Don't you agree Lindy, sweetie?" Julie said, looking down at my daughter.

"Blah." She stated simply giggling. Of course, Evelyn didn't actually understand what that word meant, but she found it funny to repeat whatever her godmother said.

"It's classy." I argued.

"It's boring." Julie countered. "Sarah, please tell me you have something in there that screams 'sexy and single'!" Julie yelled towards my large closet, where my stylist Sarah was rummaging through the various dresses that I not only owned, but as well what she had brought with her.

"Of course Julie." Sarah said back. I could tell that my best-friend was getting a bit of my stylists nerves, but she was keeping her mouth shut so that she didn't insult my friend. Sarah was new to my team, and had yet to learn that when my friends needed to be put in their place, I had no objections to them doing so. "Gabriella, would you please come in here for a second. I think that I have just the thing."

Fifteen minutes later I walked out of the closet dressed in a completely different outfit. Sarah had taken my hair out of the messy bun and straightened it out so it was long. My eyes were smokey, lined with black eyeliner, my lips full and red. I was wearing a thin-strapped silver sequined dress that fell down to mid-thigh.

"That's it!" Julie exclaimed, sitting up and pulling Evelyn onto her lap. "Sarah that's perfect! Gabriella definitely looks absolutely gorgeous in that outfit, never mind sexy! The guys will be drooling all over you tonight Gabriella!" She took my daughters hands in hers and began to playfully clap them together, eliciting a cheerful giggle from Evelyn's mouth.

"Mama!" she squealed, and I learned towards her pulling her into my arms.

"Why must I look hot again? I am a mother who is perfectly content with taking care of her daughter. I don't have time to be dating and having careless flings when I'm supposed to be raising my daughter."

"Doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun once in a while" Julie replied winking. "I'm going to be here taking care of your daughter. You are expected to mingle with all the people there, especially all of the newest members of the Lakers team with their rock-hard abs and bulging arm muscles, and have a good time. There will be music, dancing, and most importantly alcohol and I expect you to take full advantage of all of this. I have already booked you a room at that hotel for the night because I know that you will be tired after doing all that until four in the morning, and there will be a limo to pick you up at the hotel at three the next afternoon to give you a small chance to sleep in before having to come home and deal with your precious princess. Most importantly, all of these things are non-negotiable and so I will not hear another word about any of this from your mouth except the words 'Okay Julie, what on Earth would I do if I didn't have you in my life.'"

"Okay Julie. What on Earth would I do if I didn't have you in my life?" I teased back.

"See! That's exactly the mentality that I'm looking for." She replied back, taking Evelyn out of my hands. "Now go, your limo is already waiting outside and we wouldn't want you to be late. I know the whole thing about being 'fashionably late', however and this rate you will be more than that and they won't even let you in." She turned me around, managing to do so with Evelyn in one arm, and began to gently push me out of the bedroom.

"You remember what you have to do tonight? Evelyn's dinner is – "

"In the fridge; Her bottle is there as well and must be heated up for thirty seconds before being given to her. Her favourite toy is right now lying on the floor of her bedroom." Julie responded, a sparkle in her eye.

"You have to remember to give her a bath." I replied, heading into the main entry closet and pulling out my faux-fur black coat.

"Oh goodness however could I have forgotten? I mean, it's not like it's written down in that large encyclopaedia that you call 'simple instructions'."

"Fair enough."

"Gabriella, I've done this lots of times. Don't worry about your baby girl, she will be absolutely fine. Maybe she'll miss her mother for a little bit, but then that will make the reunion tomorrow that much sweeter!" I turned around, grabbing my purse of the counter and faced my best friend.

"Thanks so much Jules. I don't know what I would do without you."

"You would be lost." Julie said smiling. "Now go have a good night. Just make sure you don't have too much fun."

The hotel party room was covered with purple and gold banners, balloons, and streamers. Adorning each table was a purple or gold flower in a small vase, surrounded by glitter. Each table cloth was white with and overlaying cloth that was either, you guessed it, purple or gold. After having gone through an initial red carpet (the one thing that did not seem to match the colour of the night) and taking token picture with any other celebrities that have attended, major movers and shakers in the film industry, or anybody else that was necessary, I was content to just take a seat in the main room and wait until the new team roster was announced.

I found myself sitting at my designated table, sipping on my champagne (that goodness that was not purple) and chatting with the latest 'in' celebrity brother-sister team, Sharpay and Ryan Evans. They were designers, many of their fashions things that I have actually worn and enjoyed, and had taken a small dip into the musical industry, performing in a couple of Broadway shows before officially retiring and beginning their clothing line. Sharpay was a perky, stunning blonde with a dark Californian tan, and Ryan was paler of the two, as well as the calmer, quieter one.

"So you see Gabriella, you just must come by our studio and we can show you some exclusive designs that have not been revealed to anybody. I'm sure that there will be some event that you will find that you can wear it to." Sharpay encouraged animatedly as she took a long sip of her champagne.

"It's true, we have some wonderful designs just waiting to be used." Ryan affirmed, nodding his head.

"I'll definitely tell my stylist and we'll see if we can work something out." I said genuinely. I would love to get a first-hand look at some of their exclusive styles and see if it's something I would be willing to wear. "So what brings you here tonight?"

"Ask her." Ryan said, pointing towards his twin.

"Well you see my newest beau has just been recruited to the Lakers! I know it's supposed to be top secret who is on the roster, but well, I like you so I don't see the harm. His name is Zeke Baylor and he is just the sweetest person that I've ever met. Who knew that such a muscular, fit man could make such a mean Crème Brule but he can and the second I tasted it I knew he was destined to be mine. The second they announce the roster then I'll make sure to introduce the two of you. There's also one of his best friends Chad Danforth, he's also on the roster though his wife was unfortunately unable to make it tonight because she was taking care of their son. It seems that, even though the majority of the team are fairly young, my Zeke is one of the only team members who don't have a child. Him and the newest superstar to make it, Tr – "

Sharpay was quickly interrupted by the announcer telling everyone to take their seats because the newest roster was about to be introduced. The murmuring slowly began to quiet until the room was completely silent, and it was at that time when the coach of the Lakers stepped out.

"I know that traditionally the team roster is just announced through the local news stations or a public statement from me, however due to the success that the Lakers have been having with finding these talented young people to fill up the remaining spots we decided to take a special evening to hold a party for these special gentlemen. So please, keep your applause to the end as we announce the newest members of the team.

As the various names were announced I tried to make a mental note of some of them in case I was asked to take a picture with them later in the evening. Of course when Zeke Baylor was announced Sharpay Evans could not help but let out a squeal, screaming 'I love you babe' and earning a slight scowl from the coach, and I finally got to put a face to Chad Danforth's name as well. If I was to remain friends with Sharpay Evans, as it seemed she wanted me to, then that might be an important name to remember as well.

As the last few names were being called, I began to distract myself by shifting the sparkles on the table over and over again, droning out the names that the coach was saying. That was, until I heard the final name.

"And last but not least, our most valuable new comer. We expect a lot of publicity and success from this so far unknown face. Please welcome Mr. Troy Bolton"

Troy Bolton

Well that was most certainly a name from the past.

I must have gone pale at that name, because Sharpay immediately turned to me and asked me if I was alright. Ryan went to go get me a glass of cold ice water as Sharpay grabbed my wrist and began to take my pulse. However, all of this movement around me was completely useless as my thoughts began to go crazy in my head.

Troy Bolton, the father of my daughter, the man who I could not forget for years and continued to not be able to forget to this day, was here. Sitting in the very room that I was in. I was at a party that was celebrating the fact that he had gotten recruited to the Lakers. The very reason that he had left that night to begin with. The very reason why my heart was in pieces for a long time and only recently had healed, though there were still some scars.

My eyes were glued to him as he walked to sit at his table, laughing charmingly with a sparkle in his eye. He was in his element.

"Gabriella, are you sure that you are okay?" Sharpay asked, holding out the cold water that Ryan has just returned with. I gratefully took it from her hand and took a long, deep sip, before setting it down before me on the table. The cold liquid floating down my throat seemed to help a bit, soothing my emotions and cooling down my racing heart.

"I'm alright Sharpay. That name just shocked me, that's all."

"What, Troy Bolton?" Why did she have to continue to say that name! I'd already had to suffer through hearing it once, why did I have to continue to suffer some more. "Oh I know him very well. He's close friends with Zeke. Want me to introduce you to him?"

"NO!" I exclaimed, my cheeks turning crimson as I realized that a couple of the tables had looked over to me. "If you'll excuse me, I'm just going to go to the bathroom and freshen up."

Jumping up quickly from the table without glancing back, I grabbed my purse and practically sprinted towards the bathroom. I headed inside, rushing towards the sink and running my hands under cold water before pressing them to my cheeks. I couldn't just splash my face with water, because I would mess up my makeup, so this would have to do. Taking a deep breath, I leaned against the cool wall, thanking God that there was nobody else in the bathroom.

What am I going to do?

I could just go out there and pretend everything was normal. Mingle with a few people, and avoid the table where the Lakers team was sitting.

I had to stay until a certain time, as was dictated by Mark, so the option of leaving right now and avoiding the certain male with blue eyes was unfortunately out of the question. I could head up to my hotel room now, so I wouldn't be technically 'leaving the hotel' before my time, but Mark would find out and would kill me.

I could go up and talk to him. He might not even remember me at all. I could have just been some insignificant part of his past that he didn't even want to take into consideration ever again. He could have completely forgotten me.

Or he could have remembered who I was, and the second he sets eyes on me will try and continue things as if he never left. Could I handle that? How would Evelyn play into that account!

Evelyn!

I almost forgot about my beautiful daughter. Did he have a right to know that he had a beautiful baby girl that is currently being baby-sat while her mother is at his function? Should this be a risk I'm willing to take, bringing him back into Evelyn's life when very easily he can be gone in a flash. Is it really worth all that pain? All the fear and nervousness and unpredictability of what could happen next?

Feeling my heart beginning to race again with all these ideas, I pressed the cold water to my cheeks again, taking some deep breaths.

I just had to face it. Whatever happens is not in my hands.

And hopefully the higher powers in the world are looking out for me and protecting me.

Taking one last deep breath, I opened the door to the woman's bathroom and quickly...

And rammed into a rock hard body.

Looking up, I gasped as brown eyes met blue. My hands gripped the biceps of the man who was in no way a stranger to me. I knew ever single inch of his body, and I could remember it as if it was yesterday. Though it did seem that his muscles seemed to have become stronger and bigger. I couldn't help my stare as I looked into the warm, deep blue eyes that were staring back at me.

"G...Gabriella? Gabriella Montez?"

Shit.

AN: I know that this chapter is a little bit shorter, but it's just filler for next chapter. Believe me, you will want to read the next chapter because some interesting events are about to occur! So please, review and let me know what you think!

Xoxo,

Lar