Wow, I'm in such an awesome mood after your guy's great reviews! You've all be amazing and you've really boosted my confidence and made me believe that I can keep writing and keep going.

Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to Sarah!

Chapter 16 – Piano Passions

SATURDAY came as quick as Gabriella had thought it would. She had woke that Saturday morning to a sickness deep down inside her stomach. She stormed out of bed and into the bathroom as quick as she could. She threw herself on her knees and felt the sick come up and down into the toilet.

A moment later, whilst she was still retching, Richard walked through and looked at her, his arms folded.

"Not feeling well huh?" He demanded.

She shook her head.

"Are you trying to get out of this dinner tonight?" Richard asked slyly.

"No." Gabriella coughed.

"Yeah well, you have my clothes to iron and my breakfast to make so when you're damn well finished faking sick, get up!" He said and he smacked her across the head and walked out whistling to himself.

Gabriella held her stomach feeling dizzy and sick. She was confused, what was happening?

She got up and walked downstairs. She decided she'd make something simple for breakfast today, two bacon sandwiches. That was something both delicious and filling and she wouldn't have to work too much. She put the ironing board up and grabbed the suit from the side that was waiting patiently to be flattened of creases.

She filled the iron and as she did she found Richard walking in with the phone in his hands and a smirk playing on his face. Gabriella rolled her eyes, disgusted, another damned Mistress!

"Hmm, well I have a meeting tonight, maybe Monday."

She heard the woman's voice on the phone and sighed as she pressed the iron down on his trousers, she hated him!

"Not Monday, well how about Thursday! That's the only other day I'm available." Richard exclaimed.

The Liar, he was available! Of course, he was seeing a whole other bunch of cheap tarts who were prepared to throw themselves at his feet.

"Great, I'll see you Thursday then."

Gabriella started to think. If Richard was away all night on Thursday that meant she could be too.

Her mind was working now as she concentrated on the ironing. She was filled with a buzzing excitement. Part of her didn't want to see Troy, she was sure if she saw him then she would try and reject him and push him away. But she also knew that Troy had turned into her weakness. She craved him now more than ever!

"I'm going for a business call on Thursday and I'll be away until Friday. Do you understand?" Richard said.

"Yes, I understand." Gabriella exclaimed, nodding.

"Also, we'll be going to the restaurant 'Snow Cottage' its one of the best!" Richard said.

Gabriella sighed, she wasn't feeling too well. She was still feeling sick but she held it down on. Richard had no time for weakness.

TROY turned to his waiters in the restaurant 'Snow Cottage' and smiled, they were all to superbly. They were always ready to do their best and serve him like good employees.

"Okay, there are going to be many wealthy customers here tonight as I have been informed and I do want everything to be perfect." Troy said.

"Yes Mr Bolton." Some of the waiters chimed in.

"I'm going to inspect the menus so please go about your business." Troy said.

Troy walked through to the kitchen and found Damien and Zeke standing there.

"Hey Uncle Troy!" Damien said throwing himself into Troy's arms.

"Oh Damien, I've missed you." Troy said hugging the little boy, he could almost imagine his own little boy in his arms.

""I've missed you too, where's Auntie Gabi! I miss her as well." Damien said softly.

"Oh, she's busy right now little man. You'll see her soon, okay." Troy told him.

Damien looked a little downhearted and when Troy set him down he walked over to Zeke and nestled into his side. Zeke gave Troy a gentle smile.

"I take it she didn't stay after all." The baker said.

"No, she left. I'm really worried about her Zeke, sometimes at night I just lay there thinking about her wondering whether she's alright or whether she's thinking about me." Troy said dejectedly.

Zeke sensed his friend's pain, he really did, he could tell that Troy was aching for Gabriella and that he missed her more than anything.

Troy looked down on Damien who was watching the adults with intrigue. He pulled one of the waitress's aside, her name was Judy.

"How about taking the little guy to get some ice cream and cake? Whatever he wants." He said.

"Anything you say Mr Bolton." Judy replied.

Troy turned to Damien beaming, "Hey Damien, this is Judy, she's really nice, 'He said and Judy waved, Damien went red and smiled timidly, "Maybe Judy can take you to get some ice cream! How about that!"

"Can I have pop too?" Damien asked Judy.

"You can have whatever you want Cutie!" Judy said and she held out her hand and Damien took it and he allowed her to lead him to the freezer, filled with frozen deserts and treats.

Zeke watched his son walk off before he turned to his friend and gave him a soft, sad smile. The two men walked off through the restaurant. They didn't want anyone to hear their current conversation, there was much seriousness in their voices and firm looks on their handsome faces.

"Where's everyone?" Troy queried.

"Oh well, Taylor and Chad have their final scan today so they couldn't come down and see you." Zeke exclaimed.

"Oh…and what about Sharpay?" Troy asked.

"She had to visit her grandmother." Zeke said.

"Hmm, okay, how long are you here for?" Troy asked.

"A few hours. Damien was really looking forward to seeing Gabriella and I was too but I guess…Troy what happened?" Zeke said quickly.

"She just ran, I really miss her." Troy answered.

"I know you do. You haven't known each other that long but you've grown so close. Perhaps you should try and convince her to be with you again." Zeke said.

"I don't think she wants to be away from Richard, I feel like she has this security there." Troy lied.

"Don't say that! You know it isn't true. You're just scared." Zeke said.

Troy rounded quickly on his friend until he was towering over him.

"I'm not scared! I've never been scared! She's scared, she's got all these doubts and I can't help her." He said clenching his fists.

"Troy, calm down." Zeke said, fear imprinted in his handsome voice.

Troy felt himself breathe deeply and he stepped back, "Sorry, I'm just frustrated."

"Look, just sort yourself out, alright." Zeke ordered and Troy sighed, he had no idea what was around the corner…

GABRIELLA seated herself down beside Richard that evening in the 'Snow Cottage' restaurant. The sickness that she had experienced that morning was gone and she tried to ignore the thoughts that swirled through her mind as she shook hands with the occupants of the table.

"What a wonderful young partner you have Richard." An elderly, wealthy lady named Mrs Margaret Benson exclaimed beaming at Gabriella.

"I don't know what I'd do without her." Richard said touching Gabriella's hand on the table.

Gabriella forced herself not to roll her eyes; she looked at Richard and gave him a big fake smile. He looked across at her with a smile also but there was coldness in his dark eyes and only she saw them.

"You seem a lovely couple." Mr Benson said softly.

"I only live to serve my Richard." Gabriella lied.

"Well you know the reason we're here, 'A young man named Phillip Watertake said, "We are here talk of the possibility of a business deal."

"Yes, the Summer Getaway if I'm correct?" Richard queried.

"Well we were thinking of a getaway close to the –"

"AH!" Gabriella screamed and everyone fell silent and looked at her, Gabriella had caught sight of someone very familiar and he was looking directly at her.

"Are you alright my dear?" Mrs Benson asked worriedly.

"She's fine. She's not very well if you know what I mean Mrs Benson." Richard lied winking at the old lady.

Mrs Benson raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Oh I see."

Gabriella was not paying attention at all to the people around her. There he stood, her Troy, smirking at her and eyeing her up in her soft silky red dress.

She watched him disappear into a door across the hall and she stood, aching to see him.

"May I be excused for a moment; I'm not feeling too good." Gabriella said.

"By all means Miss Montez." Some of the business men said.

"I'll order for you." Richard said turning to her, his face grim, his eyes hard on hers.

"Thank you." Gabriella said and she made her way across the hall and she slowly and hesitantly opened the door.

She stepped inside the room and looked around. It was big and hollow. There were tables and chairs, it was empty and she stepped inside and walked towards the large ivory piano in the centre of the room. She heard the door lock and she twirled on the spot breathing heavily. Her frightened face softened as she saw Troy walking towards her smiling.

"You scared me." She said holding a hand to her chest.

"Sorry, I'm so glad I've seen you." Troy said taking Gabriella in his arms and attempting to kiss her.

"No! I can't!" She said moving away from him and pressing herself tight against the piano, its cold surface shot through her body like a bullet to the flesh and she gasped.

"Why not?" Troy asked taking her hand as he moved closer to her.

"I just can't, I told you. We shouldn't be together." Gabriella exclaimed firmly.

Troy raised his eyebrows and took her hand in his, he moved closer to her so she was pressed between the piano and Troy.

"Hmm, interesting but if we shouldn't be together then why are you wearing the necklace?" Troy queried and Gabriella went red. She looked down on the necklace feeling stupid and when she looked back up at Troy he crashed his lips hard down on hers taking her by surprise.

She was breathless as their tongues battled each other for dominance; he picked her up sliding her onto the piano and brought his hands across her thighs, caressing them gently.

"I've missed you." Gabriella whimpered as she felt the dampness of his tongue licking at her neck.

She lay back on the piano and let Troy's fingers weave up her body. She felt her dress tug over her head as Troy nipped and sucked at her bare body.

"Hmm that's nice." She said softly and she removed Troy's shirt quickly and expertly.

They were lying beside each other now, holding each other close and kissing so hard that their lips became sore. They did not falter; they had missed each others kisses so much.

Gabriella watched nervously as Troy started to unbutton his trousers, she put a hand on his and looked around nervously.

"We can't, people will hear." She said desperately.

Troy silenced her with his lips and when they pulled apart he looked at her softly and smiled.

"The door is locked and this room is soundproof. I know you have to get back so we'll make it quick." Troy said and Gabriella kissed him and started to unbutton his trousers feeling excitement stir up inside her.

When their bodies were completely naked Gabriella felt Troy's body shudder above hers, his lips found her neck quickly and their hands travelled together in a frenzied hurry.

"Please Troy, 'Gabriella begged, "I want you now."

Troy smiled and brought her close to him, the thought of them moving together was utter madness but he wanted to be near her so much…

IT had been mere minutes later and Troy and Gabriella lay gasping together, naked on the large ivory piano in the 'Snow Cottage' they could hear the people outside but that didn't dare discourage them.

"You're amazing." Troy said softly kissing Gabriella's bear shoulder.

"Hmm, so are you. I love you." Gabriella said smiling into his chest.

"Gabriella, 'Troy said as he played with her hair softly, he knew he only had a few minutes to try and contrive her to stay with him for their piano passions were over, "Why don't you stay?"

At those words Gabriella sat up and shifted off the piano. She sighed as she searched for her clothes, once again, the pressure of staying with him.

"I can't." Gabriella exclaimed.

"You always say that! Why?" Troy asked.

"Because it's wrong Troy, I'm supposed to be faithful, I'm supposed to follow my father's wishes but I haven't been doing!" Gabriella said as she slipped her dress over her head.

"Do you think you're father would want you to be upset or uncomfortable with a relationship?" Troy asked, he too was now searching for his clothes.

Gabriella turned to him and gave him a gentle smile. Of course she didn't believe that but she didn't want to disobey her father, he had always honoured every commitment he had made and it didn't seem right if she didn't with hers.

"How's Lupin?" She queried.

"Fine…I was hoping you'd come over for him." Troy replied.

"Look, Richard's going away on Thursday, 'She said making for the door, she snatched the key from Troy's hand and looked at him fondly for a moment, "If you want to see me then I can on Thursday. Maybe I can have my cat back too."

Troy shook his head, he still hadn't been able to say her, "You can stay for Thursday?"

"Yeah, 'Gabriella nodded, "Until Friday."

"Sure, come over." Troy said and he kissed her head, let her open the door and watched her walk off, guilt written on her face as she approached the table filled with Business men and women and Richard.

"It was nice while it lasted!" He said dejectedly and he walked off unaware that Gabriella held something very dear to him close by and she didn't even know it either!

AHH! There you go! Another chapter from xoxMusicalxox!

Lol, some of you may have already guessed what is going on here but hey, I'm not going to spoil it! Also, for those who read 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' another chapter, chapter 2 has been posted so check it out!

And also, thanks once again guys for your support, you've really lifted my spirits! Reviews please and I can't believe it, high school musical 2 is coming out on the 21st September! That's just a month away! WOO! TO MY FELLOW UK – IANS lol and to all of my other reviewers DANCE! Get up and DANCE! Lol