"Naya!" Ryan was calling her from the outer foyer. Naya picked her way through the crowds and made it to the car.
"Let me take that." Ryan took her bag and walked towards a grey Elantra.
"Nice car." Naya whistled.
"Congratulations for you." Ryan wailed.
"Me? Why?"
"Because you own this."
"Woah," Naya exclaimed. "Wait, what?"
"They've signed for a contract with you at Fox and a few movies plus a couple of albums, that's why I almost dragged your ass back to L.A."
"Wow. Nice job offering." Naya said, her voice seemed somewhat indiscernible and silent.
"Aren't you glad?"
"I don't know Ry. Do my cast mates know that I'm back?"
"Most of them, yeah, except for Harry and Grant. They're having the last leg of a reality show around the world."
"Wow. Nice break."
"Seriously, Rivera, you need to do a lot of catching up."
"I think so." Naya looked up at the same, familiar skyscraper she once lived.
Ryan turned for the basement parking lot. "Well," he smugly mumbled as he looked up. "Welcome home."
Naya got out of the car, with Ryan following her. They took the elevator up to the eighth floor and Ryan sat her bag beside the door.
"So, I'll think you can take it from here."
"Okay. That's it." Naya smiled. "I'll take it from here, Ry."
"Let's start fresh next week. Monday, will that be fine?" Ryan looked back at her from the door.
"Of course, Ryan! Thank you!"
Naya turned to face the same living room that was once filled with too many heart-breaking and heart melting memories. Naya felt hot tears sting her eyes, but she just let them fall freely across her rosy cheeks. She could never take it as she sat on the cream coloured couch. It was the very same couch she laid and cuddled with Heather a year ago.
But it seemed like ages away…
Fourteen months ago
They were both on the couch, sipping tea splashed with milk and it was just too perfect for Naya. It was just them. Taylor was in Canada for "some inexcusably important matters" They sat there, with Naya leaning on Heather's shoulders and watching the setting sun across the Californian skyline.
"Nay…"
"Yup?" Naya answered meekly, her voice somewhat tired.
"I love you." Heather intertwined their fingers.
"I love you, too." Naya's heartbeat almost stopped. She knew Heather only meant it as best friend. But, it was more than what Naya wanted.
Naya wiped her eyes as she snapped back to reality. The reality is that she's alone and broken, and her best friend that meant the world to her is in New York, probably happily cuddling beside her husband.
She squirmed at the thought. A knocking on her door sent her to mobility again. She went into the bathroom and splashed water on her burning eyes. She opened her door and she was very shocked to see someone on her door.
"Hey, Bee!" Dianna's face beamed.
"Hi. Get in." She gave Dianna a great big hug. It was generously returned by Dianna, who gave her a squeeze in the hand.
"So, got tired of the Puerto Rican Republic?"
"Do you want any coffee?"
"You know I always love your coffee, because you make one like magic."
Naya let out a light laugh, which she laced with a little sarcasm.
"I meant it!" Dianna quipped, not successfully hiding her laughter. There was a moment of silence as Naya brought out two cups of coffee and set them on the coffee table, which was only broken by the occasional tinkling of the glass.
"She's in New York." Dianna caught her hand. Just then, Dianna's cell phone rang.
"Hello? Well, no. I'm at Naya's. Yeah. Drop by here." she listened to the person she was talking to and Naya just watched her, trying to figure out what Dianna was talking about. There was more listening.
"Okay. We're waiting." Dianna snapped her phone close. "It's Lea," she smiled widely, a twinkle in her eye evident.
"Are…are you, together?" Naya found herself asking.
"Yeah, like for almost, eight or nine months. Sorry we did not tell you."
"Wow, I missed so much."
"I wanted so much to tell you, it's just that Lea doesn't want to tell you," Dianna took her hand.
"Nay, I'm glad you're finally happy and the world had started to revolve again for you."
"Yeah, fortunately it is," Nay replied sadly.
"Do you still love her?"
Tears welled up again in Naya's eyes.
Fuck! Why can't she just forget her?
Naya slowly nodded her head. "She still meant the world to me Di. I love her so much. I wish we were just like you and Lea. It could've have been easier," she sniffed.
"Heather loves you. And she needs you."
As a response, Naya looked up at her friend, her eyes brimming with tears. "I just wish…she wasn't married. I just wish I could've told her sooner. Before it came out late," she swallowed hard as she looked at the blonde, hoping to swallow the pain and keep it locked away forever.
"For the record, Naya, Heather could've said yes to you."
"I know. That's why I could not let her do it."