Sorry about the lack of updates, I've been so busy making the video version of my story "How Can They Not Tell" but I promise to update more frequently.

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CHAPTER THREE

Troy looked at his reflection in the mirror. He pulled a crisp white button-down over his well-defined chest and smoothed the creases in his black dress pants.

"Tonight's the night."

Looking at the mirror again, Troy noticed Gabriella walking in the room.

She was wearing a red spaghetti strap formal dress with v-cut neckline with ruche rhinestone embellished decor down the center front. It also had lace-up ties and pleated back.

Troy turned around, stuttering and staring.

"It's not much, is it?" Gabriella asked, nervously.

"Of course not!" Troy went over and kissed Gabriella on the cheek, "You look absolutely stunning!"

Gabriella blushed and went over to grab a matching purse.

"Are you ready for tonight?" Troy asked, opening a drawer in the corner of the room.

"Yes, Troy. Where are we going and why is tonight so special?"

"It's a surprise."

"Okay," Gabriella said, leaving the room to go to the bathroom, "You know how I love surprises."

Making sure Gabriella had left the room, Troy pulled out the box again. He opened it and inside was a center set ring on a gold band with side-stones. He pulled out the ring and looked at it admiringly.

"I've had this ring for three years. Three long years. I'm finally going to ask her."

Troy placed the ring back in its case and put the box in his pocket.

Gabriella walked back in, a coat folded over her hand. "Troy, I'm ready to go."

Getting up, Troy walked over and placed his hand over Gabriella's shoulders. "Come on, let's go," he said, tapping his pocket to make sure the box was safe.

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Pulling up the restaurant, Troy mentally prepared himself. "You can do it. Chad's got faith in you. You just have to have faith in yourself."

"Troy, is everything alright?" Gabriella asked out of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

They both got out and headed into the restaurant. It was a fancy place. Chandeliers hovered over them, the walls covered in ornate paintings, and the tables set beautifully.

Troy pulled out Gabriella's chair and motioned her to sit.

"So chivalrous," Gabriella commented as Troy blushed slightly.

Rushing over to take his seat, Troy smiled as his heart started racing. "Gabi, this place looks marvelous, doesn't it?"

"Of course, anywhere you take me is marvelous," Gabriella answered.

Troy blushed slightly. "Why are you so nervous? You've taken her out on dates before. Why so nervous now?"

"Troy, are you alright?" Gabriella asked, placing her hand on top of Troy's, causing his heart to race.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Then why are you so nervous tonight?"

Just then, the waiter came by and asked for their orders. As he wrote them down, Troy wondered when would be the best moment to ask her.

"Troy, would you come back to earth?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have a lot on my mind. Well, anyway, how is your demo looking?"

Gabriella leaned against her seat, unconvinced that Troy was fine, but she let it go. "I just recorded this song called 'Afraid.' It's a great song about how a person is afraid to take the risk to love someone. I'm in love with it."

Leaning over the table, Troy placed a gentle kiss on Gabriella's lips. "And I love anything you do."

Troy's kiss felt different to Gabriella, like there was something more tonight.

The food came by and interrupted Troy and Gabriella's lovely moment, but they didn't mind.

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After the main course, Troy got up. "Gabi, stay here. I'm going to get you a sweet surprise."

"Troy, you don't need to get desert. I honestly couldn't take another bite."

"I didn't say that it was just desert, did I?"

This left Gabriella in a state of confusion. "What else could Troy do for me? He's given me everything I need."

Leaving the table, he went over to one of the waiter and asked them to do something special for him.

"Hey, I was wonderin'. Do you guys have special deserts for someone who would pop the question?"

The waiter turned to Troy. "Why, of course we do! Who is the special girl?"

Troy pointed to Gabriella sitting at the table.

"I'll got tell the chef," the waiter answered, rushing to the kitchen.

As the chef prepared the desert, Troy returned to the table.

"What was that all about?" Gabriella inquired.

"Oh, nothing. Anyway, Gabi, have you talked to any of the gang recently?"

"I was IMing Trevor the other day. He says that he's happy with Christine. He says he coming up to New York to take her to see a Broadway show, you know, the one Sharpay and Ryan are in."

Coming out of the kitchen, the chef tapped Troy on the shoulder.

Gabriella watched as the chef whispered something.

"I'll be right back," Troy said, getting up and following the chef to the kitchen.

Resting her head on her palm, Gabriella leaned forward and sighed. "What's he up to?"

A sudden ringing caused Gabriella to sit back up. She searched through her purse for her phone.

"Where is that thing?"

Realizing that it wasn't her phone, Gabriella looked around. Troy's phone was lying on the table, ringing.

"Troy, where are you?" Gabriella looked up to find that he was still gone.

Hating to leave the person on the other line hanging, Gabriella picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Troy, is that you? It doesn't sound like you."

"No, it's Gabriella."

"Oh, hey Gabi. It's Chad, where's Troy?"

"He's escaped somewhere."

"What!"

Gabriella listened to Chad whisper to himself. "He hasn't asked her yet?"

"What hasn't Troy asked yet, Chad?" Gabriella asked.

"Um, I think Taylor's calling me. Got to go. Talk soon, Gabi. Bye." Chad quickly hung up.

Gabriella closed the phone and sighed. "What's going on?" She looked around to find that Troy was coming back.

"I'm sorry Gabi. I had to make sure it was perfect."

Confused, Gabriella asked, "Made sure what was perfect?"

"This," Troy answered, smiling.

The chef appeared with a covered silver platter. Once he placed it down, he left, leaving Troy and Gabriella alone.

"Troy, what is this?" Gabriella asked.

Smiling, he answered, "Open it."

Gabriella lifted the cover to discover…

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Once again, sorry for the lack of updates!
With much love,
Kat