A/N: Hello! So I've been gone for a few days now and let me tell you, I missed writing! I've been so busy with everything going on with my life though that I haven't had time but I did finally finish this chapter. I'm not really that satisfied with how it came out because I feel that it was written in a rushed manner but at least I did it. I hope you guys think the opposite!

Stress is something that can either drive you insane or drive you to your own death. It's not taken lightly because it's something that shouldn't be. It's normally caused by a series of events or pressures that one simply can't handle that well at the moment.

Gabriella was under some serious stress.

There was so much pressure on how tonight would be that she nearly felt sick just thinking about it. Each time she looked at the clock, the clenching feeling in her stomach only felt tighter and as though she could throw up from the tension. There were six hours left until it was time for the event to begin. Six hours for her to get ready and make sure that everything was set up properly. Six hours for Gabriella to try and contain her cool and look relaxed – something that she was finding hard to pull off.

Truth be told, she was mentally preparing herself for the worse. If the night didn't go well, she would at least be able to say that she saw it coming. If it did go good, then she could feel surprised and more successful about the situation. Looking at the clock again, she became anxious. Five hours and fifty-seven minutes until it was time.

She was sitting on her sofa waiting for Taylor to make it to her house so they could head over to the salon and beautify themselves. Her leg shook furiously as she bit her bottom lip.

'Come on, McKessie! What's taking you so long?!' Her mind was a jumbled mess and she couldn't even think straight. Suddenly, the ring tone that she had been anticipating for over a half hour was finally ringing on her phone.

"Tay! Where are you?" She picked up her phone quicker than you can say 'cup'.

"I'm outside your house. I just finished parking-" Taylor spoke calmly, sensing the anxious tone in her best friends voice.

"Don't get out your car! I'm coming right now." Gabriella frantically grabbed her keys and locked the door. She ran down the steps that led to the door and down the walkway, meeting Taylor at the very end. Walking around to the passenger door, she slid in and greeted her friend.

"What's got you all worked up?" Taylor asked.

"I'm just so stressed out. Between this event and making sure that I look perfect for press that's sure to be there plus I been having this bad sickening feeling that something is going to go wrong; all of that is making me feel like I'm insane!" Gabriella replied. She strapped on her seatbelt as Taylor pulled out of her parking and made way to the salon that she and Gabriella were infamous for going to.

"Don't worry so much…you're going to get wrinkles by the time you're thirty if you keep on." Taylor scoffed.

"Gee, thanks. That was quite comforting." The sarcasm dripping with each word she spoke.

"Anytime. So changing the subject to make you stress free, what are you going to wear tonight?"

"It's a surprise. You'll see it later. What are you wearing?" Gabriella said with a smirk.

"It's a surprise." The driver replied with a smirk of her own.

"Touché."

The girls continued speaking animatedly and Gabriella soon forgot her worries. It was time to just relax and enjoy the afternoon of pampering and styling with her best friend. She figured that she might as well think of it as a regular girly afternoon rather than preparations for a night of work.

They were quickly attended to once they arrived and fell into the realm of relaxation as they sat side by side in the chair of each of their stylists. Gabriella was having her hair pinned up in a unique hairdo while Taylor was getting her hair straightened.

"I still don't understand why Chad didn't come up early with you…it makes no sense…" Gabriella said while the stylist continued pinning up her hair.

'You'll understand why later…' Taylor thought but knew she wouldn't be able to say it out loud. "He thought he would be bored while we had our girl afternoon time."

"Yea but you guys are wasting double the gas."

"He's a guy. You know how guys are so stubborn and never want to listen…especially Chad." Taylor said while fumbling with her fingers. Gabriella was staring at Taylor through the mirror and she noticed Taylor avoiding her gaze.

"Tay? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" she shifted her eyes to the mirror and looked back at Gabriella.

"No reason. Just askin'." Gabriella bit her lip and sat silent for a moment before another thought crossed her mind. "Hey, do you know if he's going be staying with us? You know, so I could set up the other guestroom really quick when I get home."

"Um, not that I know of. He didn't confirm his reservation to me about staying with you." Taylor was moving slightly in her chair, obviously feeling uncomfortable. She silently hoped that Gabriella wouldn't notice because if she did then the plan was going to go downhill.

Gabriella chose to ignore Taylor's change of mood and pretended to not notice. Something fishy was going on and she was going to figure it out. Or was it just her?

"Who knows what's going on with that boy…"

"If I'm correct, he did mention having a few things to take care anyway." Taylor replied.

"Really? Like what?" Gabriella furrowed her brows. A huge question mark was written all over her face.

"Not sure." Replied the darker beauty.

The girls fell right back into a comfortable silence that Taylor was more than thankful for. If Gabriella asked more questions then she wasn't sure what she was going to do.

Time was still ticking and the girls finally got their hair finished. Both looked absolutely stunning and radiant and they weren't even dressed yet.

Three hours left.

The ride back to Gabriella's house was filled with the females speaking enthusiastically about the celebrities that they would finally be able to meet.

"Oh please! You're the editor in chief so I'm sure you've met quite a handful of people already!" Taylor exclaimed

"So? Do you know just how many more will be there? Plenty! Just the thought of that part excites me. I can't wait to actually meet Zac Efron."

"And I can't wait to meet Corbin Bleu! That man can light my fire anytime he wants. Besides, it doesn't matter if you meet Zac because isn't he still with that Vanessa girl?"

"Yeah, so? I've already dealt with a married man before so this one wouldn't be as bad since they aren't even engaged." Gabriella said with a giggle. She knew that it sounded bad but decided to try and convince Taylor that she was moving on enough to joke around about it.

Although Taylor knew she was just joking, she couldn't help but to tense up and what Gabriella was referring to. Instead, she let out a forced chuckled of her own. "Right…Gabs, you don't have to try and make light of the situation."

"Why not? I might as well. It's not like I have to be upset about it forever or hold onto a grudge."

"So are you trying to tell me that you're moving on from the situation and forgiving Troy?"

"Forgiving Troy? Are you kidding me? I'm not forgiving him that quickly…he doesn't deserve my trust just like that anyway. I'm doing the whole forgive and forget thing, just without the actual forgiving. Besides, its not like it matters if I forgive him or not. He's in New York living his perfect life with his perfect stupid freakin' wife."

"He aint there no more…" Taylor mumbled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"I swear you do a lot of mumbling these days."

'And I must admit that I'm getting pretty good at saying things without you catching on.' She thought as she glanced over at Gabriella. "You do know that he still loves you, right?"

Gabriella looked over at Taylor and gave her an incredulous look. She wasn't expecting her friend to say that at all and it kind of took her by surprise. "Maybe. But he's married…"

"Just because he's married doesn't mean that he cant still feel something for you…because he does."

"How would you know?" the olive toned asked with annoyance in her voice.

"I just do. I mean, you should've seen the way that he looked at you when we were in New York. It wasn't a 'brotherly love nice to see you kind of look', nor was it a 'lets just hurry up and fuck' look either. It was the 'love of my life' look. Lets put it this way, even Chad noticed and he's usually oblivious to these things."

"I don't know…"

"Maybe you guys should talk out your differences." Taylor suggested. Gabriella scrunched up her face from the mere thought of communicating with Troy.

"How? He's nowhere near here and I refuse to go back and make an ass out of myself again."

"Who knows, maybe it'll come to you." Taylor said with raised brows, her eyes still focusing on the road ahead.

"But when? I can't just keep waiting around for something that isn't going to happen – especially now! He's already happy…I don't want to be a home wrecker…"

"We don't know the whole story. If Troy were truly that happy then he would've told you that it was a marriage and not just an involvement. Plus, he'd be the home wrecker for allowing such things to happen.

"Yeah…whatever." Gabriella undid her seatbelt as they pulled into her driveway. It was now time to get ready. "Let's see if you're right…"

"I have a really bad feeling about all of this man." Troy was nervous. He could feel his palms sweating like mad and his heart beating beneath his toned chest. The little voice in his head was taunting him with laughter and remarks about how stupid he might be to think that this could possibly work.

"Just relax. Everything is going to be alright…" Chad tried to show some reassurance. Truth was, he knew that everything wasn't going to be alright but what else are you supposed to say when your best friend who is freaking out in the passenger seat when you're already driving to the thing that they're scared of?

"That's a crock of shit." Troy obviously saw through the bullshit but he did shoot an appreciative smile in Chad's direction.

"Can't say that I didn't try to help your pussy ass out. What more could you look for in a best friend, huh? He asked cockily.

"Better hair."

"Don't even go there! Don't you dare diss the hair, Bolton." Chad left one hand on the wheel and pointed his index finger in Troy's face with his other hand with an exaggerated look of annoyance.

"Sorry. Its fun getting a reaction out of you...So what is it that we're doing?"

"Hello? We're going to the magazine party…duh."

"I knew that part already but I meant like what are we doing when we get there. Are we going straight to the party or getting a hotel first…"

"We're going straight to the party. Afterwards, if Gabriella isn't so freaked out by your presence and decided to blow over the situation, then we'll see if she'll be willing to let us stay at her place. If not, then we get a hotel." Chad said nonchantely.

"We? Dude, you could stay with her and Tay if you want. It's really ok. I'll get the hotel alone if anything."

"No can do. We did everything together when we were little and never left each other's side - except for when you left." Chad said with a smirk at Troy. "Oh, and even though you let Kelsi be your best person at your wedding, I'm still man enough to accept that and look past it to not leave you hanging...although I should…"

"Thanks…for everything."

"What are brothers for?"

The two fell into a comfortable silence with Troy looking at the car's radio clock every so often. He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't nervous about seeing Gabriella. Truth is, he was nervous, excited, anxious, and impatient. He would finally be able to see the face of the angel that he's been dying to look at and be in her presence once again even if he didn't deserve it. He believed that he didn't even deserve to breathe the same air as her but he wanted to change that. It was up to him to make things right and he was willing to do whatever it took for that to happen.

"How much longer until we get there?" Troy asked.

"Roughly, about another thirty minutes or so if we continue to not have traffic."

"A half hour? We're almost there already?" his voice shook and became a tone louder.

"Would you just freakin' sit still and calm down…geez, you're such a girl sometimes"

"Like you wouldn't get like that if the situation was about Taylor."

Chad took awhile to contemplate it but knew he couldn't deny that. Troy knew the truth so there was no use in lying. "Yeah, you got a point."

"Exactly. When do you plan on making the moves on our little Ms. McKessie?"

"I don't know. Who's to say if she's even interested?"

"I do because it's painfully obvious."

"Shutup."

"Can't handle when I'm right?"

"No, you're just being a pain in my ass. By the way, did Pam ever call you?" Chad asked. The mood in the car suddenly became more serious rather than the playful banter that they just had.

"Nope and I'm hoping that she doesn't have bad timing and call me this weekend. I've been here since the beginning of the week and if she hasn't called now then I'm guessing that she might not. She's probably in denial and is waiting for me to come back to talk about something that just isn't there.

"Are you going back?"

"I don't know. Like I know that going back is the responsible thing for me right now but it's not where I want to be at all."

"I see…"

"Look, not to be an asshole or anything but I really don't want to talk about this right now. Especially right before I try to spill my heart out to the true woman of my dreams…"

"Don't get all sappy and romantic on me."

"Sorry…it's in my genes."

"Holy crap! This place looks awesome, Gabs!" Taylor exclaimed upon their arrival.

"Thanks…I have my fabulous entourage aka employees to thank for this one. They really did a great job." Gabriella was never the one to fully take the compliments for herself. She always accepted them with gratitude but would mention how it wasn't always her work for such masterpieces.

"Whatever. It looks like its going to be a great night. Shit, is that Kelly Clarkson sitting over there?" Taylor asked as she pointed her finger in the direction of the opposite end of the room.

Gabriella stood on the tips of her toes and lifted her head higher to get a view. "Indeed it is. By the way, your table is the VIP one next to hers."

"Seriously…who's sitting at my table anyway?" Taylor eyes widened as she asked.

"Besides you and Chad, a few celebrities…"

"Like who?" she nearly jumped up and down with excitement.

"I can't remember. You'll see later anyway. Listen, I got to go and do some work and tons of mingling so I'll walk you to your table and be on my way." Gabriella said and Taylor nodded her head in response. The females walked to the table and Gabriella left to take a few photos for the photographers. Taylor played with the hem of her black mini dress before fidgeting her fingers.

She suddenly felt bored and lonely. Where was Chad when you needed him?

As if on cue, Chad pranced right through the door with Troy right behind him. Taylor's eyes widened with surprise that Troy seriously had the guts to come and didn't chicken out. She felt proud yet scared for him since she knows that he has quite a lot in store for him.

Troy's eyes frantically scanned the room for the ebony hair of the one he wanted to call his. Chad noticed this and put a hand on Troy's arm.

"Dude…relax…breathe." Chad instructed and continued to walk in the direction that he spotted Taylor.

Troy followed close behind. It was painfully obvious just how nervous he truly was. His eyes didn't stop darting around the room and to avoid fidgeting, he stuffed his hands in his pocket. The guys finally approached the table and sat on either side of Taylor.

"You guys finally decided to show up." She said with exaggerated annoyance.

"How long have you been here waiting?" Chad asked as he glanced at his watch.

"About ten minutes or so." Taylor replied with a smirk. "Hey Troy."

"Hey, Tay. Sup?" he nodded his head in her direction before searching the room again.

"Not much…you feeling okay? You look like you're about to pass out." Taylor looked slightly worried for a moment. She knew better than to ask if he was all right especially if she knew that he wasn't and why he wasn't.

"I'm fine…it's just a little hot in here…" Troy was dabbing his forehead with a napkin and pulling at the collar of his button down.

Chad looked at Troy and decided to maybe mess with his head a bit. "Or is it because Ms. Montez is looking pretty hot right now?"

"What? Where?" Troy turned around in his and began to scan the room just like he did when he first arrived. His friends giggled with amusement as they watched his anxious reaction from Chad's lie.

"I rest my case. It's not hot in here…you're just super nervous." Chad said while placing his elbows on top of the table.

"So? Can you blame me for being so nervous?"

"Guess we can't. What you're doing is pretty much like being suicidal." Taylor quipped. Troy sent daggers in her direction, causing Taylor to hold her hands up in defense.

"Funny."

"I didn't mean it offensively…" Taylor said.

"I know, I know. Just cut me some slack, will you guys?" Troy pleaded with his eyes. The guilt was apparent on Chad and Taylor's faces that they dropped that part of the subject entirely. "So where is she?"

"She's out mingling and taking care of stuff. You know, making sure that everything is in order. I swear she looked kind of like a headless chicken when she left me here at the table." She giggled from the memory from about fifteen minutes ago.

"I bet she's going to be stressing this whole night out more than necessary." Chad scoffed.

"Of course. It's one of the things that our Gabs does best." Taylor said.

Troy felt some anxiety from just sitting there and still keeping the topic on Gabriella.

"I'll be right back…I'm going to get some fresh air." he stood up from his seat and walked towards the doors that led to the outside terrace. All the while, he kept his head low but moved it from side to side to see if he could catch a glimpse of the olive toned angel anywhere.

The room just felt too stuffy for him that he appreciatively stepped outside and enjoyed the sea breeze that hit softly against his skin. He let out a long-winded sigh and stared out into the sunset along the ocean. It was vision unlike any that he has seen before. It was just utterly beautiful and at that moment he knew that he did the right thing by coming. Watching that sunset made him realize that he wouldn't want to watch it with anyone else but Gabriella. She was somewhere around but he wasn't sure where. He would find her though. That was for damn sure.

Troy's thoughts suddenly flipped onto a different woman who went by the name Pamela. She still hasn't called and he was starting to wonder if he should do it to clear things up. They needed to talk about their problems because avoiding them wasn't going to solve anything. Just because the subject isn't being touched doesn't mean that it isn't there.

Troy was standing outside lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that it had nearly been ten minutes since he was last inside. Nothing seemed to matter that much at that moment. He was finally at ease and embraced the calmness that was being presented because he knew that it wouldn't last long if he finally got to see Gabriella.

Suddenly, he felt a presence that knocked him out of his thoughts. The hairs on the back of his neck rose and his cheeks felt flushed. His palms began to sweat and his heartbeat accelerated with adrenaline. A soft laugh filled his ears and he knew just where she was now. He recognized that voice and would be able to pin point anywhere. It was the sound that he considered to be music to his unworthy ears.

At least he didn't have to spend the night searching for her. Gabriella was only a few feet behind him. He no longer felt calm.

He panicked. Should he turn around and approach her? Should he just stay there and hope that she greets him thinking he was a stranger? Should he just leave and go back inside like nothing happened and avoid her the whole night? What was a guy to do when the one he loves doesn't even know that he's there yet he knows that she doesn't want to see him?

Troy knew that he couldn't of just left because he didn't travel this far for nothing. If she had the balls to try and get him back then he couldn't chicken out. It wasn't part of the manly image. Trying to maintain his composure, he slowly turned around and scanned the direction that he heard her voice. He gasped as his eyes landed on her slender figure.

There she was, dressed in a mid thigh black and gold dress. He was able to see her back since the dress allowed for it to be out and her long tresses was pinned up. Gabriella looked undeniably beautiful and sexy yet sweet and serene. The last few rays of the suns dying sunlight glistened on her skin, giving a goddess effect to her. Her bright smile was breathtaking and she just glowed. Troy was amazed by how gorgeous she seemed to have gotten since he saw her last; something he thought was impossible.

He smiled goofily as he watched her from afar while she was chatted to Hollywood's former party girls, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ricci. They were beautiful woman but had absolutely nothing on Gabriella.

Just as quick as his smile formed, it fell off his face. She was glancing around the terrace and her eyes stopped through his path.

He was caught.

She saw him.

Did she even realize who he was?

Gabriella narrowed her eyes and stared at the dark outline of the figure before her. She furrowed her brows from not instantly recognizing him and they suddenly widened. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? Did she have too much to drink already?

Troy watched and read her lips saying 'Oh my God'. Yep, she noticed him and knew just who he was. Unsure of what to do, he just stared there staring back at her. He instantly regretted that as he saw her excuse herself from the conversation she was having and retreat back to the party.

Tonight was going to be way too interesting and he was the center of the drama.

What did you guys think? Did it suck that bad? I hope not because I really did try but I didn't want to make you all wait any longer for an update. Excuse whatever typos I had; I read over it twice but I could've missed a few.

Cliffhanger! What's going to happen next chapter? You'll have to wait and see. Please review! Thanks!