I know I'm bad and so sorry for the long wait in chapters. With the holidays coming to a close end I'm hoping to update more often.

I also wanted to say Thank you to everyone who's been with me from the start and I hope you'll stay with me till the end.

Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Pretty Little Liars

Hundreds of people crowded the Golden banquet hall as they waited for Ellie Fitzgerald's autograph. A few dozen reporters hounding her with questions after questions on her success. Aria sat a few tables away not able to get away from this mess. All she wanted to do at that very moment was run away and hide.

It wasn't that she didn't care. It was just that there were so many things do to with her project that she didn't have the time to just sit there and act like's an authority.

Letting out a frustrated breath she looked at her phone as it went off for what seemed like the hundredth time within the last few hours. Ever since she left Rosewood Carol has been calling her nonstop. But Aria not caring about her worries ignored her.

"I know we ask you this question so many times, "The reporters said, "But please, once more. How did you come up with the concept of Secrets and Lies?"

Ellie let out a girly giggle, "As cliché as it sounds. I thought about the two characters in my first book. Andy and Jane, and although my first book spoke for itself. I wanted to do something about what Jane had to go through with her friends." She smiled, "I mean. She wasn't with Andy all the time. I just thought with her and her friends, she was in a click. You know those types"

The reporters laughed and that caught Aria's attention. She looked around the room for Ezra as he was given a pass to come right on in. But there was no sight of him and to think about it she knows Wesley is in the building but not once have seen him either.

"These five girls lived a wonderful life. But-"Ellie froze when she noticed Aria standing up from her spot in the room, "But even the best of friends have those moments." She finished and that's when Aria called the room to order. It was well over an hour of interviews and there were even more people lining up.

As the reporters hounded for more answers to their many questions Aria packed up her laptop and notes that she had written and walked out of the room. She handed her walkie-talkie over to one of the employee's and headed back up to the room.

After getting into the elevator her phone rang again. But thinking it was Carol Aria just answered the phone with a bad tone. "Stop calling me."

"Aria," a soft worried voice came through, "Where are you?"

Taking the phone away from her ear she hung up; not wanting to hear what Ezra had to say at the moment.

Aria got off on her floor and walked the long hallway to her room. It was a simple suite with two queen beds, but her room separated from the living room with a diving wall. It made it better when Aria was working late nights, the lights didn't interrupt Lacy or Jay when they were asleep in the room.

She opened the door and tossed everything she had on the desk. She opened up the balcony doors and walked out, taking a deep breath and letting it out. 'Secret and Lies?' she couldn't help but think that the book was all about her and her friends. She couldn't help but think that Ezra had the nerve to spill everything that she had confined with him in.

If it was so, why would he do that? Why would he announce all the secrets that she has ever told him?

Letting out a few tears Aria pulled a chair closer to her and sat down. She hasn't even read the book to even determine if it's about her and her friends. She hasn't even read the first book 'Our Love' but know for a fact that it's about she and Ezra. And that was only based off of Carol.

Letting out a few more broken chokes of cries, Aria wondered what Ezra would say to defend him of this. Maybe that's why Ezra tried to get her out of the Hotel. But when she excused herself Keith Liberty wanted Aria to sit in on that interview.

Aria looked straight ahead when she heard the door to her room open and then closes. "Aria," Ezra called out and then walked out onto the Balcony, "I've been calling you. Why did you hang up on me?" asking as he sat down opposite of her "What's wrong?"

Aria wiped her face and licked the salty tears off her lips, "I'm just so over whelmed and I needed my space."

"Everything is going to be okay." He grasped her hands

"Where were you?" she questioned

Ezra smiled, "Well after Keith pulled you aside I ran into Peyton. We had coffee before her shift."

Aria knitted her eyebrows, "Really?"

Nodding quickly he responded, "Yes, but rest assure there is nothing going on between the two of us. I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have."

Aria bit her lip thinking to herself if she should ask him about the book. She wanted to know answers. Ezra tilted her chin so she was looking right at him. It was as if he was reading her but she knew he couldn't at this very moment. "What?" she whispered

"What do you want to know?" He questioned flatly, "Ask."

"Is Secret's and Lie's about me and the girls?"

Ezra looked down ashamed before he looked back up at Aria to see more tears forming in her eyes, "Most of it. But I swear you have to read the book before you judge me on it. I've worked so hard turning things around."

"You told the world things that I've told you not to repeat." She pushed his chest, "How could you betray me like that?" she yelled, "Why?"

"Aria," Ezra sighed, "I just wanted to be heard. I swear no one will know who the characters in the book are!"

Aria laughed harshly, "Besides everyone who reads the book in Rosewood." She shook her head, "I don't get how you could just publicise mine and my friend's dramas. I don't get how you thought it was the right thing to do."

Ezra stood up and followed Aria back into the room, "I didn't publicize your dramas Aria. I just simply turned things around."

"How?"

"Read the book. I think you'll like how it went." He smiled, "Just please, I think when people in Rosewood read the book they will understand about what you and your friends went through with Alison. And then her missing and having this crazy stalker mess up your lives."

"How is that not publicising our dramas? Ezra, you basically told everyone that-"

"That you and your friends are a bunch of strong and wonderfully people." He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, "That no matter what you went through; all of you are stronger and independent than the next person. That no matter the drama, the fights; the constant teases from the town. That you, Spencer, Hannah, and Emily Broke out free and are standing tall living your dreams."

Aria looked at him broken, "My dream was to work as an educator. Not in a Hotel and you know it."

"I know." He whispered, "But your dream isn't out the window. You still have plenty of time to decide what you want to do."

Closing her eyes Aria took in his words. She opened her mouth to speak but fell short when Ezra's phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the caller. "It's Malcolm."

"Answer it." Aria urged him, "I have to do a few more things before this dinner and I have to call Carol."

Ezra answered his phone and listened to Malcolm as he talked about not wanting to see his mother. Ezra told him that it was going to be fine and all she wanted to do was have a weekend with her son.

"I promise she's not going to do anything stupid."

Malcolm let out a sigh, "She called me and I answered,"

"And what did she say?" Ezra asked with full concern.

"That she wants me to spend the summer with her and her husband"

Ezra fell in silence as he walked out onto the balcony and closed the sliding door, "Is that what you want?"

"I'm thinking about it." He replied with pure honesty, "But how is that going to make you feel?"

Ezra looked out onto the busy streets and shrugged his shoulders, "I just want what makes you happy. Malcolm this should be your decision not mines. I will support whatever you do!"

"I have math so I will talk to you later." Malcolm sighed, "I can't decide right now."

"Alright, I will be home tomorrow. Hopefully before your mother gets there and the three of us can talk about this." Ezra turned his head to see Aria in the sitting room, "I will see you soon!"

LINE BREAK

Aria and Ezra walked hand in hand into the Liberty Grille. Now when most people think about Grill they think about a coffee shop or a small little restaurant that sold varies of Grilled Bar bee que

Items. But although in this situation it was true, Liberty Grille wasn't just that. It was a fancy suit and tie kind of place, where the cooks are actually at your table making your food in front of you. All but seafood.

Aria smiled at the entrée hoist as she walked up to him and gave him a hug. It was a long time since she had last seen her friend. He was one of the first people she had meant when she started working in Vegas. "I thought you moved?"

He shrugged, "My wife wanted to come home. So when I got back I asked Liberty for my job back." He answered looking at Ezra, "I'm Mike" he stuck out his hand, "You must be Ezra?"

Ezra looked at him confused before he asked, "How'd you know?"

Mike laughed, "A lot of people love to tell stories. They actually think that you stole Aria from Jay Parker."

Aria looked down at her feet. She somewhat might have thought it was true. It hasn't even been a month and yet here she was walking about the building hand in hand with his best friend. She looked up to see that Mike was looking directly at her. "It's not what you think" she defended himself, "Jay left for Texas"

Ezra looked at Aria in disbelief before speaking, "I think we better get to our table."

Aria nodded, "Yeah"

Ezra and Aria followed Mike to their table. Wesley and Ellie weren't there yet and Aria closed her eyes to thank god for that. She knew about what she had just said that Ezra would have a few words. They both sat down in the booth with Ezra sitting at the end. He picked up the menu and looked over towards Aria to give her hers. She avoided eye contact.

"You still think about him?" Ezra asked after a few minutes of silence "Are you still thinking about the two of you together?"

Aria dropped her menu, "We were together for three years Ezra. I did spend most of my free time with him and Lacy."

Ezra licked his lips, "I have to ask" he turned his attention towards her, "When we kiss. Who do you see?"

She looked at him in shock. Never would she imagine him asking such a thing, "Where did that come from?"

Shrugging his shoulders Ezra looked into her eyes, "I've thought about it." He sucked in a breath before continuing, "When the thought about us getting back together. The question always lingered in the back of my mind. But I just pushed it to the side." He turned away, "After hearing you talk about Jay, I had to question this."

"Us?" Aria hissed, "I thought about you more than you know."

"That's it Aria." He looked at her once again, "I really don't know if you did or didn't." Ezra stopped and pressed his lips into a thin line, "Ever since you got back things have completely changed. I feel like I'm in a place where I can't control my surrounding."

"What?" she asked confused, "What are you talking about?"

"When you left I fell into this simple routine. I would wake up, get ready for work, come home and have a few drinks. When Malcolm needed me I was there, regardless of my stage." He nodded his head a few times and then looked at her before looking back down at the rip napkin, "When I saw you again; I have to admit I am pissed off. But then I found out that you left to keep me safe and I hated you even more. No matter how many times I would tell myself that you had good intensions. I would walk around kicking myself." Aria felt her eyes becoming heavy as Ezra explained himself, "At first, when you first told me about Lacy. I thought I could just be around to be around. I thought that if I pushed you, you would take Lacy even further away from me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you need to know the truth Aria," He hissed feeling the built up hate inside of him, "You need to know that I am hurt and angry that you left. You need to know that I love you, despise everything that had happened that I truly love you. And I want to know if you truly love me? Or am I just fighting a lost cause? I need to know that you'll still be here; when Jay comes back?"

"I'll always be here!"

"That's not what I meant" He shook his head "Are we going to be together or are we going to be distance?"

Aria stayed silent for a few seconds and then opened her mouth, "I would like us too-"

"I'm so sorry were late. Wesley was on a winning streak" Ellie cut her off as she took off her jacket and sat down next to Aria in the booth. Wesley smiled at Aria and then sat down in front of Ezra in the booth and looked down at his ripped napkins, "Did we miss something?"

Aria shook her head, "No, I just can't stop yawning." She replied wiping her tears, "It's just been one busy week"

Ezra nodded and looked over at Aria for a brief second before looking at his brother. "So who's hungry?"

Feeling a little uncomfortable Aria stuck to her ground. She made small talk with Ellie while Ezra and Wesley talked about his next book. Even though Ezra thought Aria wasn't paying any attention to their conversation. She was listening to everything that he was saying.

Ezra sipped his water and took a bite out of his Lobster before looking over towards Ellie who started to crack the shell of her crab. He then looked at Aria who moved her tomatoes from side to side. He closed his eyes before looking down at his plate. He never thought he would feel so bad for telling her the truth. But he doesn't regret it. He knew that at some point in time the truth about how angry he felt about what happened would come out.

"So what made you decide about printing Ezra's book?" Aria blurted out

Ellie shrugged, "It wasn't so much Ezra, but Wesley. He's the one that came to me with the idea. It's how we meant."

Aria looked at Wesley in disbelief "You sold our story?"

"Well it was just sitting there." He smirked, "It's not like Ezra didn't get a cut from it. Do you really think you can buy a huge house like his on a teacher's salary?"

"Shut up!" Ezra said kicking him under the table.

Aria nodded, "So Secrets and Lies? Was it your idea to take the book to print too?"

"No," Wesley licked his lips, "Ellie really wanted a spin off and Ezra came up with the idea. It was in process for over six months."

Ezra sucked in a deep breath before speaking, "I'm sorry"

Aria dropped her fork and wiped her hands before looking over at Ellie, "You were the publisher right? I mean before you decided to do all the smiling and signing?"

"Aria," Ezra tried to stop her.

"No, I think I have a right to know. After all this is my story too right?" She hissed, "So tell me what you thought about the book before you even thought about making it public?"

"I thought the girl was selfish," Ellie said looking into Aria's eyes, "I mean here is man willing to stop his life in order to be with this woman. And yet she turned him down without looking back."

Aria smirked, "So you got everything from the man's perspective?" she looked at Ezra, "You didn't tell them did you?"

"Tell us what?" Wesley asked, "What?"

"No, Aria I haven't." Ezra sighed

She laughed harshly, "I think you should move." She pushed Ezra so she could get out of her spot. Ezra opened his mouth to stop her from causing a scene but it was a little too late when he didn't move the first time. "You want to know the real story." Ellie arched her eyebrows in shock, "How about I was pregnant and blackmailed to leave. I saved a life from ending up in prison just so he could take care of his son. I left what I have known for years and just so the man that I love would be able to be free."

"I didn't want that Aria," Ezra fought back "I would have been happy behind bars knowing when I got out you would be there to greet me."

"You really wanted that to happen?" Aria's whipped towards him, "What monthly visits with your daughter. Letting her see what's it like from the inside." She cried

"No," he whispered answering her question, "Of course not."

"So don't you think that I did the right thing? Getting you away from all of that?" she turned to Ellie and Wesley who looked shocked, "I bet none of that was in the book." She sucked in a breath, "People see me as a bitch, or a person with no heart. They read this book that Ezra so happily shared and think the girl was a heartless soul for leaving her soul mate out in the cold. But no one ever stops to think that maybe she did it for him."

Everyone looked down at their food thinking what Aria said is true. The book is based off of true love in the beginning but towards the end. It's all about what Ezra went through. No one thought to think about what the girl aka Aria went through.

Ezra sat there in silence feeling like a jerk. He didn't know what to think. But he knew for a fact that from this place in time. Things were going to be completely different. Everything that he had hoped for with Aria is going to change.

Dramatic much? I think Aria had it bubbling inside of her and since Ezra let out his hearty frustrations, it was only fair that Aria let out hers.

Now for the next chapter I am going to do a little bonding time with Keith Liberty and Ezra, and than the following chapter after that will have Lacy entering Rosewood... (Spoilers)

Please don't forget to Review, I know you have it in you!