Troy loved to ride horses. He just loved the feeling of such a powerful and strong animal beneath him running free and taking him along for the ride. It was as if the amazing creatures were inviting him to enjoy freedom with them. Troy would always savour every moment he had on top of a horse, the wind blowing against his face as the animal galloped across the fields and if he closed his eyes it was if he was flying. Throughout his whole life he didn't think there was anything else in the world which could make him feel like that. That was until he met Gabriella Montez.

The past two weeks he had spent with her were by far the best days he had had in his entire life and he would always count down the seconds until he would see her again. She made him feel like he could be anyone he wanted to be and not just be seen as a poor stable boy. Like when he rode a horse he felt like he was flying with her, his heart just soaring at her every smile, every kind word, every touch...

They had continued to meet in secret, down by the woods every night and would be sure to return by the morning. It was their own moment of freedom and they were sure to savour every second they could spend together. No one else had become aware of their arrangement and Troy and Gabriella hoped it would remain that way. Nobody could find out about their meetings, if so it would indeed be disastrous for all.

For Troy, his friends would surely never wish to speak to him again, having felt betrayed and their own jobs put at risk. Sharpay, however, was becoming a little too suspicious and each day Troy worried she would eventually figure it out. Also, if Gabriella's family were to find out he would face the worst consequence of all, and he would be forced to never see her again. He knew that would indeed shatter his heart.

The person Troy was also very anxious about was his father. He was to return in two day's time and although Troy couldn't wait to see Jack Bolton again he knew he'd have to be careful. His father, being groundskeeper, knew of everything which occurred on the estate and always kept an eye on its running. Troy knew if his father discovered his secret he'd discover he was breaking the very rule he'd been taught to obey and be very disappointed indeed. Disappointment was one thing Troy couldn't possibly stand to see reflected in his father's eyes. H e loved his father and would never want to let him down.

He just hoped he and Gabriella could keep this up for as long as possible.

----

Gabriella sighed, caught up in her own thoughts as she looked down at the needlepoint in her hands. She was sitting opposite her mother in the sitting room and was in the middle of a lesson her mother considered to be 'an excellent way to pass the time'. Needlepoint. Gabriella, however, could safely conclude it was one of the most tiresome and boring activities she would ever come across. She sighed yet again.

"Must you continue to sigh like that Gabriella? It is most annoying."

"I'm sorry mother." Gabriella replied with a fake smile and looked over what she had created. It was not at all what her mother was doing, it was actually a mess with thread everywhere, all different colours of blue thread all tangled in knots.

Gabriella smiled to herself as she thought how the blue of the thread was quite like the colour of Troy's eyes. Such a serene ocean blue colour which could make her legs melt from underneath her whenever she came across it.

"Ouch!" She squealed in pain as a sharp point poked her fingertip, causing it to bleed. It was her blasted needle.

"Oh Gabriella, use the thimble."

"I am." She grumbled, sucking on her sore to cease the blood.

"Please don't use that tone with me. If you were concentrating on your needlepoint instead of daydreaming you would not have hurt yourself."

"Yes mother." Gabriella disdainfully replied and pretended to continue with her work yet there was a question plaguing her.

"Pardon me mother..."

Anita sighed in exasperation, looking up. "Yes?"

"When will father be returning?"

"In two days his latest letter informed me."

Gabriella nodded in response excited about the prospect of seeing her father again yet there was this anxious feeling in her stomach. She was anxious about the fact she and Troy were keeping their relationship a secret. Her father would be most disappointed in her if he found out so she would have to ensure it never happened. She couldn't bear to be taken away from Troy...

----

Jack Bolton smiled widely to himself as his heart swelled. He was home at last. Home to the luscious fields, the New Mexican sun, the beautiful horses and his son Troy. He didn't realise, until he arrived back home how much he missed the estate and being groundskeeper. It was now sunset on the grounds and from where he stood he could make out all the workers cleaning up and returning to their cabins, Jack decided he would join them and surprise Troy with his early return.

Slowly he led his horse for the trip, a brown stallion into its stall making sure to brush him down and feed him. Before leaving the stables, however, he visited his favourite horse that whinnied upon seeing him.

"Hey there Tobey..." Jack chuckled, patting the old horses nuzzle and made his way down to the employee's cabins. Before he could even make it to the door though a high squeal came from behind him which could only belong to one unique woman.

"Mr Bolton!"

"Sharpay." Jack smiled at the glowing, pregnant blonde as she bounded over, embracing him tightly. "How have things been?"

"They've been going good. Troy has been looking after us all in your absence."

"How about Ezekiel? The baby?"

"Well I'm sure the baby is fine considering it's probably the size of a teaspoon right now and Zeke is pining for the cook's job." Sharpay grinned and Jack chuckled.

"Not to worry. As soon as I see him I'll give him the job. Tell me, how has Troy been?"

Sharpay stopped and smiled warmly. "You've raised a good kid Jack. He has literally been running things since you've been gone but..." She faltered, looking down and Jack frowned.

"But?"

"He has been a little distant lately. A bit secretive...perhaps it's just me..." She tried to grin but Jack looked her over thoughtfully.

"I'll talk to him about it." Jack replied and went to open the door to his cabin and he jumped back in surprise at who he saw trying to run outside.

"Troy!"

The young boy stopped, halfway through putting on his coat and Jack noticed him falter before grinning widely.

"Father!" The eighteen year old exclaimed and pulled him into a hug. Jack relaxed, glad to be able to see his son again and patted him on the back affectionately.

"You're early." Troy pointed out and Jack chuckled.

"We managed to find a shorter route home. I hope I'm not interrupting your plans or anything son..." Jack noticed the anxious look on his son's face and Troy laughed it off.

"Who, me? No...uh...I don't have plans..."

"Good. I want to hear about everything since I've been gone..." Jack flung his arm around Troy's shoulder and escorted him inside the cabin. Troy complied but Jack could sense his reluctance.

----

Carlos Montez carefully prodded past his bedroom door quietly. He had already informed the staff he didn't want his wife, Anita, to know of his return but wanted to see Gabriella first. It wasn't that he didn't love his wife, it was just she became so tiresome at times. In fact, he hadn't really missed her at all, he missed his daughter Gabriella the most.

He couldn't wait to see her smiling face again, he had missed it when she was away at school and when he went away for business. It was now late evening and he was sure she'd be tucked in bed, asleep. So he would just come in, kiss her on the cheek and tuck her in snugly. He always used to do that when she was a little girl.

Slowly he opened the door to her room, careful not to let it squeak. Carlos looked over to the bed and gasped in astonishment to find his daughter not in it. His eyes drifted over her room, and landed on her open doors which led to her balcony.

"Papa!"

"Gabriella?!"

There was his daughter in her nightgown, coat and riding boots; one leg over the balcony railing.

A/N: I'm sorry for how long this update took. I've started school again and it's my last year so it's pretty hectic. I also apologise for the lack of quality this chapter has, I don't like how I wrote it at all.

UP NEXT: How will Gabriella explain herself to her father? How will Troy and Gabriella be able to see each other now with their parents back and Sharpay sees someone from her past.