Gabriella was woke up the next morning to a knock at her door. She sat up to see Rosy poke her head in. "Miss Montez?"

"Yeah," Gabriella squinted as the sun poured into the room and she looked over at the woman standing there.

"Mr. Bolton has a delivery for you it's waiting downstairs."

Gabriella flipped back the covers, "What time is it?"

"Almost noon," the woman said as she opened the door wider. "Would you like me to make your bed?"

Gabriella looked back at her bed and then around the room. "You know, what if I just clean up after me." Gabriella said with a small smile. "You have enough to worry about and I don't want to burden you."

Rosy arched her brow and then lifted her hands. "Amen, knock yourself out. I love you already." She turned to walk down the hall and Gabriella smiled a little as closed the door to her room. "Once crisis diverted, last thing she needed was someone going though her things.

Gabriella was wearing a adjusted her pjs and begun to make her way down the stairs. Her hair was braided and she still had the sleep in her eyes. Once she got to the main floor she stopped in her tracks. "Holy shit,"

Rosy looked around the room full of racks and clothing. "So you know I consider this you mess." She handed Gabriella the card and Gabriella took it as she looked around at all the clothing.

"What is this?" she said opening the card, her eyes squinted as she read aloud. "I know you don't have much, so feel free to take anything you like, pick out something nice and wear it this evening. Someone will come by later to pick up the rest." Gabriella looked up at all the clothes hanging from racks and folded in piles. "I think I'm dreaming,"

"No you're awake," Rosy crossed her arms. "Some temporary guest you turned out to be," she muttered as she made her way to the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"

"No, not really,"

Rosy turned around and looked at Gabriella. "Look at you, under nourished, not an ounce of proteins and fat." Rosy walked over and wrapped her hand around Gabriella's arm. "It's worst than I thought, I make you a plate of bacon, and some pancakes."

Gabriella raised a brow towards Rosy, "I don't want to be trouble, I mean you don't have to-"

"Are you kidding, and let you keep walking out that door looking like we don't feed you." Rosy waved her arms. "Nonsense, you'll eat what I cook you."

Gabriella smiled as Rosy left the room and went into the kitchen. Gabriella looked around the room, shock and amazement still streaming through her. Gabriella began looking through the clothes her eyes lighting up at each find her head spinning. "These are all my size?" she said flipping some of the labels. Gabriella let out a low giggle, "So this is how the other side feels."

Troy sat at the table listening back and forth to the couple arguing over the custody of the family dog. His mind traveling elsewhere as he wondered if she was happy about the clothes. He needed her to look the part if she was going to convince his family. He also wanted her to be happy, he found it hard to believe going through life with everything you own fitting into two garbage bags.

"You never even wanted the dog, you always forget to feed it." Mrs. Fickle shouted across the table.

"That is a man's dog, Betty, I've walked him, I've taken him to the vet, I was there when we picked him out too." Mr. Fickle shouted back.

"You're not getting the dog!" she placed both hands on the table. "The children would be heartbroken."

"And what about me?" he said tossing his hands up. "You get the house, the kids, the alimony, and the stinking dog!"

"You're the one that slept with my mother Phil not me!"

Troy stood up. "Alright, that's enough."

Both parties looked at him and he placed his hands on his waist. "The family pet aside we have divided all things equal, Phil you want the business, Betty you want the house and alimony. You both get the kids every other weekend with the ruling that Betty has full custody, Phil you have full right to remove all your belongings from the house, Betty you may have a police man present at his arrival to make sure he doesn't try anything funny." Troy reached for his pen and looked at both of them. "May I suggest that whoever has the children also have the dog, it only seems right that the ownership would belong to them anyway seeing as how it is the family pet? It might offer a steady constant that the children are going to need now more than ever."

Betty was silent for a moment and then she let out a sigh, "Alright by me."

Phil nodded as well and crossed his arms. "Fine."

"Great," Troy bent over to write up the arrangement and then offered it to Phil for his signature and then Betty. "With this agreement, we have a court date set two weeks from today, Merry Christmas, I will see you in court." With that Troy picked up all his paper work and put it in his brief case. "My bill will be in the mail, post court's pending approval."

Making his way down the hall Troy rubbed the side of his neck pain running down his neck. Walking into his office he placed the suit case to the side and went to sit at his desk, despite his body's protest it sank into the chair, cracking and fighting back the whole way down. "I'm getting to old for this."

"Son,"

Troy looked up to see his father standing in the door way. "Yes dad," Troy sat up and placed his hands on the desk.

Jack walked in and closed the door behind him. "You mother is excited about dinner tonight,"

Troy nodded. "That's great," he opened the drawer to his left and took out a bottle of pain relievers.

"I thought it might make things easier on everyone if I offer my apologies about what I said at the wedding."

Troy looked up at his father. "What's the catch dad?"

"No catch,"

Troy opened the bottle and took out two pills. "I'm a lawyer, you're a lawyer, let's not beat around the bush. What do I owe this apology?"

"When are you going to stop fooling around and really get out there and show us your potential?" Jack placed both his hands on the desk. "Troy I want you with me on this, I want us to be partners, take over the legal hemisphere, sell the theater, let Sharpay have it."

"No I will not just let, Sharpay have it and it is clear to everyone that we don't get along or have anything in common so taking over anything would be farce." Troy took the pills and put the bottle back in his drawer. "I already told you when I'm ready to step up I will until then I like it better down here."

"This is foolish, renovation is going to cost you an arm and leg you know that, you might as well just let it be her problem, all you're doing it letting it drag you down."

"Have some faith." Troy stood up and placed his hands on the desk, "I don't scratch my head unless it itches and I don't dance unless I hear music. I will not be intimated to sell or drop kick all my childhood memories because you want the picture perfect family."

Jack let out a breath and made his way to the door. "For your sake I hope you know what you're doing." The door shut and Troy leaned back in his chair. "I wish I did."

Gabriella came down the stairs and into the living room where Rosy was dusting. "Rosy?"

"Yes?" she said looking up for a moment.

"This Christmas thing, is it a big deal to the Bolton's." she asked fidgeting with her hands.

"It never been big with Troy, ever since his grandmother passed he hasn't been a Christmas kind of guy. In fact this is the first time I've seen a tree here since she died."

Gabriella attention was caught, "This is his Grandmother's house?"

"Yes," Rosy looked around and smiled. "Troy was her only grandson; she treasured him, so much that she left him everything."

Gabriella looked around the house. "What did she do?"

"She own a theater down town, she loved it so much, most of her life revolved around that place. In fact that's the theater that he currently working on, Mrs. Evans is the director slash producer."

Gabriella nodded her head; this would explain the tie he had to Sharpay and the money he seemed to blow around. "How important do you think tonight's dinner is?"

"Oh I don't know about that?" Rosy tilted her head, "Is something wrong?"

"I don't know what wear," Gabriella bit her lip and shrugged her shoulders.

"Is that all," Rosy let out a laugh, "Well come on Mr. Bolton will be home soon, let get you dress up and ready."

Troy opened the door and walked in to hear laughter coming from the kitchen. It was a rich sound something he'd never hear coming home to an empty house, his lips pulled back in a smile as he made his way to the kitchen where Rosy and Gabriella were standing by the counter.

"Alright I get the bigger stuff, but you're telling me that this tiny little thing is the salad fork?" Gabriella said holding up the fork. "I've never had a salad with tiny leaves," she added. "Then again with the amount of dressing, are you sure this is going to hold up?"

Rosy placed her hand over her mouth to hide her laughter. "You're so crazy."

Troy chuckled himself and instantly slid his hands around her waist. "I remember when my Grandmother thought me all this stuff," he said placing his chin on her shoulder.

"God, you're freezing," Gabriella said leaning away from him.

"Not as freezing as my hands are," he said bringing his hands to her neck.

"Oh my god, get away from me I got a salad fork and I'll use It." she said playfully jabbing him.

Rosy smiled as she glanced at the two interacting with each other. Never had she seen him so happy, and her face was glowing with joy as she laughed and leaned into him. Rosy began picking up the place setting to put it away. "I'll be leaving now; you too have a good time."

Troy took a step back and smiled. "Turned around let me get a good look at you,"

Gabriella did as she was told; the white simple dress hung down to her knees and revealed her shoulders under the thick but elegant straps. Her hair was in a braid going down her back and around her neck his heart. If only she knew how true that was, his eyes glanced up and down her body. "You look amazing."

"Rosy helped."

"Rosy I'm giving you a bonus," he said looking over at her with a smile.

"I'll settle for a weekend off."

"Done." Troy smiled and Gabriella smiled back.

Gabriella walked into the living room while Troy made a quick call in his office. She had to be perfect tonight, she had to get this job, and some form of income, anything really at this point. Gabriella bit her lips as she paced back and forth. She couldn't keep stealing from him, she couldn't even deem taking the 10 grand. Rubbing her forehead she closed her eyes, new plan, that's all she needed, a new plan. Her new deadline was new years. She needed to have the money and a plan by the New Year; otherwise she might as well hand herself over to Victoria and save everyone the trouble.

Once they arrived at his parent's house Gabriella took in the mansion. "Are you aware that the deep into your family we go the bigger the house?"

Troy chuckled and took hold of her hand. "You're going to be fine, it's me they don't like."

Gabriella let a small frown pull at her lips. "I'm sure they love you a lot."

Troy parked the car and they were silent for a moment. "I think they love the idea of me more than the actual me,"

"Well I know you love them," she said with a smirk. "Otherwise you wouldn't have had to go looking for me,"

Troy got out of the car and opened the door for her. Meanwhile Taylor watched from the window. "You think she's for real?" she said looking at Chad who was eating a piece of pie.

"Why wouldn't she be?" he asked with his mouth full.

Taylor let the curtain slipped and rolled her eyes. "You do know your suppose to eat dinner before dessert?"

"Well this way if I die before dessert at least I wouldn't have missed out." Chad said after swallowing his pie.

Taylor rolled her eyes and walked into the next room where Sharpay and Zeke we're going over colors samples. "I think this curtain will be great for the stage." Sharpay held up a red sample and looked over at Taylor. "What do you think raspberry or burgundy?" Sharpay held up another red sample of the same shade.

Taylor shook her head and covered her eyes. "Was I the only one who deserved their diploma?"

Lucile came in with a grin as she went to get the door. "I already saw them pulling up, I am so excited." She opened the door and greeted the two as they made their way inside.

"Merry Christmas," Troy said as he gave his mother a kiss.

"Gabriella, I'm so happy you came quick come with me we have so much to talk about." Lucile grabbed Gabriella by the hand as she led her into the kitchen.

Troy watched with a raised brow as they disappeared. "Sometimes I don't think she even remembers I was in the hospital room when she delivered."

"Oh stop complaining." Taylor said as she walked over and swung her arms open to hug him.

"I thought you two were doing Hawaii, what happened?" Troy looked over at Zeke and Sharpay.

"No, we decided to spend Christmas here, instead." Sharpay stood up and held up the two samples. "Which one?"

Troy eyes looked at two pieces and then at Sharpay, "Is this a trick?"

Zeke shook his head and Troy tilted his head. "I say that one," He said pointing to the left.

"It for the new curtains at the theater," She said pulling it closer to her to examine. "I like this one too."

Taylor rolled her eyes and looked over at Troy. "So are you and this girl getting serious?"

Chad smiled, "Or is the sparkle in your eyes just from the lights on the ceiling?"

Troy narrowed his eyes at Chad, "less than a week ago everyone thought I was gay now everyone thinks I'm in love."

"Well are you?" Taylor asked with a smile. "We're all friends here, we've seen each other through the worst and half of the this room as seen the other half naked." She said glancing at Chad with a shiver.

"You know you like me," Chad said as he ate the piece of pie on his plate.

"Really because the morning after it seemed like you were the first to choke."

Chad rolled his eyes. "You try waking up and finding you in bed next to me,"

Sharpay raised a brow at Chad then shook her head. "I'm going to go save Gabriella from your mom."

"Thanks," he said watching as she left.

Chad pulled him to the side. "Are you alright, I mean I thought Gabriella was a one night thing?"

"She's staying with me for a while, she's been evicted and I think something else is up, 200 dollars disappeared from my wallet yesterday and she's been different." Troy whispered as he leaned in. "I want to go over the documents you have on the club."

"If you're looking for her contract, it isn't there I've already looked." Chad said with a small hint of annoyance.

"What do you have?"

"A few other girls contracts and the legal documents of the building," Chad shrugged his shoulder, "What are you looking for?"

"I want to shut them down; I'm looking for probable cause. I don't know, you mentioned that the bank wants to buy her out, I'm thinking if I call in a favor I can beat them to it."

"You want to buy the club?"

"In theory I think the idea of it all is genius, but the escort service has to go."

"I'll keep you posted."

"Thanks," Troy shook his hand and walked over to the living room.

Taylor leaned in to Chad as Troy shook Zeke's hand. "Do you find it funny that they didn't go on their honeymoon when weeks ago that was all she could talk about?"

"I think she worried about Troy's relationship with Gabriella," Chad whispered back. "She's being obsessive a little."

"She called me yesterday looking for the same information Troy called about last week,"

"What's that?"

"Information on Gabriella background,"

"Do you know what she's up too?" Chad said crossing his arms.

"I wish I did but you know how Sharpay is, she's ruthless and when she wants something.."

"I know, I went to high school with her too." Chad looked over as Gabriella and Sharpay reentered the room with food in their hands. "Can't believe Zeke doesn't find any of this strange?"

"Zeke not the bright crayon in the box," Taylor said looking at everyone talk around the food. "And Troy's blind to it all."

"He's in love." Chad chuckled as he looked over at Gabriella who was smiling at him. "And I think she is too."

"Question is will it go anywhere if Sharpay has a word about it," they both took a deep breath.

Gabriella was seated at the table next to Troy her hands folded in her lap as she listened to stories of their high school days float around the table. "God remember that time that Troy and Chad ran though the school in nothing but their towels." Taylor said as she lifted her glass of wine. "That was comedy."

"Sharpay and Taylor ran off with their clothes." Zeke said with a small smile. "It was pay back."

"They hung are bras up the flag pole."

"With name and number…" Chad said with a chuckle. "Think of it as extreme personal ads."

"God I had to change my number," Sharpay said leaning back in her chair.

"I must have been called into that school more times than I can think," Jack said as lifted his fork. "These two swore they were untouchable,"

"Basketball stars till the end." Lucile smiled and leaned back in her chair. "In some ways I feel like I raised all of you."

"And fed them," Jack added.

Gabriella laughed and she let out a sigh as she looked around the table at his family. Troy was lucky to have them, she never had anyone. No one was ever there to tease her, to laugh with, no one left to share memories. Gabriella blinked back a tear that treaded on the edge of her pride. In her life people were never kind, once they realized you had nothing they'd either use you or abuse you. She always provided for herself and got by on her manipulative skills, she'd always be a loner looking into the fishbowl instead of being in it like everyone else. Troy hand reached under the table and he took her hand in his, the act was gentle, unnoticed by the rest and needed.

Gabriella looked up at him and he smiled, his blue eyes sparkling with compassion. No one ever really cared about her before, she almost gotten use to being someone merchandise, another side effect of Victoria's contract. She was a material object acquired by men to show off, and then get there rocks off later. At one point she actually thought she had it made, party after party, meeting people and hitting all the latest clubs, truth be told it only made her emptier, bitter, and more afraid of the unknown.

"You alright?"

Gabriella gave him a small nod, and he returned it with smile.

"I know a certain girls who reported to have the voice of an angel said she sing for us," Lucile said with a sing song melody. Standing up she pointed at Gabriella and smiled. "Come on dear, don't be modest."

"I don't know," Gabriella looked around the table, at all the bonds and connections. This was a job, not her family, not her life, this was a temporary deal, and once the New Year came she'd be gone. "I don't know what to sing."

"Sing what come to mind," Sharpay said with a smile, "I listening to live music, especially around the holidays."

"I say we gather by the piano!" Taylor got up and winked at Gabriella, "I want to see what the fuss is about."

Troy got up first and then offered his hand to her. "Do you know the piano?"

Gabriella glanced at his hand and then at the people around the room. After a moment she nodded, "I'll sing a Christmas song."

They gathered in the living room and Troy lead her to the piano. Gabriella sat down and looked at the keys. Her fingers settled on the keys and she looked up Troy who smiled back at her. She hit a few notes to begin and then she closed her eyes, letting the melody take over.

It's always the same at every Christmas
When love comes alive around the world
We open up our hearts when love is in the air
It seems such a shame to me
It's a season that comes only once a year

Sharpay leaned forward, anger already building inside her. She's worked hard for everything she's earned in life and here comes this little hooker who thinks she can get all if she just keeps fucking Troy. Sharpay smiled attentively as she watched Troy looking at her with that glow in his eyes. If only men didn't think with their dick this wouldn't be a problem.

So let's make a Christmas wish together

Let's hope the best of dreams come true

Let's make the spirit last forever

This is my Christmas wish for you

If I could give any gift I wanted

A present to every boy and girl

I'd make it a miracle that came from God above

A picture of peace on earth

Where each person is judged by the power of love

Gabriella opened her eyes to find Blue looking back at her, a smile on his lips and that twinkle in his eye. She smiled as she looked back down at the keys. So this was love? The thing in fairy tales, what she been running from? Her heart leaped and she smiled as put everything she had to into words.

So let's make a Christmas wish together

Let's hope the best of dreams come true

Let's make the spirit last forever

This is my Christmas wish for you

It seems such a shame to me

It's a season that comes only once a year

So let's make a Christmas wish together

Let's hope the best of dreams come true

Let's make the spirit last forever

This is my Christmas wish for you

Troy clapped as she removed her hands from the keys. Instantly Sharpay was up from her seat and she held out her hand. "We need to talk."

Troy's eyes followed them as they went into another room. "I knew she had talent," Lucile said as she stood up. "I knew,"

"Relax, Lucile, the girl isn't god." Jack said lifting his drink.

"Jack she fits right in… I mean details are details right?"

Troy nodded as he finally became all too aware of what his mother was doing. His father didn't like Gabriella because of her status; his mother on the other hand wanted grandchildren. Troy let out a sigh, at least they were trying to make it work even if it meant trying to change her. Troy looked in the direction they disappeared, he like her just the way she was…. different.

Sharpay smiled as Gabriella shrugged her shoulders. "I'm getting my degree in theater but I really don't know what I'm going to do with it."

"Well with a voice like that you'll be a wanted woman really soon." Sharpay leaned forward and placed her hand on the table. "I know about you and Troy, I know about the arrangement." Sharpay said slowly. "Unfortunately this lifestyle your living could have some damage on your reputation."

Gabriella sat up. "Troy told you about me?"

"I'm just saying, you might not be right for my theater; however there are places you can still find work. I'd be willing to help you out, I mean with that voice…"

Gabriella stood up, "That's not why I'm here."

"Isn't it?" Sharpay said looking up at her. "You current have no address, no family and you happen to just end up escorting Troy who just so happens to be my ex-fiancé and best friend?"

Gabriella went to open her mouth.

"Look, all I'm saying is, you're a smart girl and obviously you have talent, I want to help you out, but you have to stop this act you're pulling with him."

"I'm not interested." Gabriella said "When I took his offer it was because it was a job, not because I wanted one from you, I had no idea he even knew who you were," Gabriella turned to leave.

"And the fact that he owns two theaters and was left his grandmother inheritance meant nothing to you either?"

Gabriella stopped in her tracks. "I didn't know."

"I know the routine, find a rich guy with a foot in the business, coast by on his money and land a job. I see it a lot in this Business; once you have what you want you're going to drop kick him to the side." Sharpay stood up. "I'm not going to let you do that to him."

Gabriella looked at Sharpay and her blood began to boil. "I'm not doing anything to him."

"You're just taking his money and putting on a show for everyone hoping I'll hire you and make you a lead as a favor to him."

Gabriella bit her lip. "You have no idea what I have been through, and yeah granted I came because he paid me and I sang because you asked, but I have a very clear understanding of hard work and effort, I have never expected anyone to hand me anything. Truth is come May I would have been on your stage any way, a graduate of Columbia College with a degree in music and Theater, auditioning like everyone else."

"Guess we'll never know," Sharpay crossed her arms. "I don't hire hookers."

"You can go fuck yourself." Gabriella left the room, brushing past Troy as she made her way down the hall.

"Gabriella?" Troy turned and looked at Sharpay then at Gabriella as she continued for the front door. "What the hell did you do?"

"She's a whore Troy; she's only using you for your money." Sharpay said in a low voice.

"And you're an Ignorant bitch." Troy took off after Gabriella, leaving Sharpay mouth open and in shock.

Gabriella walked down the steps in her dress and heals feeling the bitter cold of ice and snow pierce her skin.

"Gabriella?" Troy raced down the steps to catch up. "Wait, wait, wait,"

"What!" she said turning around.

"Come back inside it's freezing out here," Troy offered his hands.

"Who else did you tell?" Gabriella said crossing her arms. "I mean what's the point Troy? ask me to pretend to be your date and turn around and tell everyone I'm a hooker!"

Troy opened his mouth and Gabriella cut him off.

"You're a real class act, showing me off to everyone and then laughing at me behind my back," Gabriella picked up snow and threw it at him. "You've made a fool of me and in the process destroyed my only dream."

"I swear I only told Sharpay!" Troy blocked himself from the snow. "I'm sorry, I didn't know"

"You didn't know?" Gabriella pushed her fingers in her hair. "Didn't know telling her I'm a hooker would make her think I'm a hooker?" Gabriella arms flew out in frustration. "Sorry doesn't make things go away Troy. I don't live in the world you do, I live out here in the real world, where second chances don't exist and people could care less if they step on you in street."

"Gabriella please come back inside your going to get sick." He said reaching out for her arm.

"Don't touch me," Gabriella pulled away. "I'm made it through my life this far without you."

"Gabriella please."

"Keep your money, keep your friends, shove it up your ass for all I care." Gabriella yanked the chain from her neck. "The only reason I came back was because I owe Victoria money and without it I'm stuck in this grim brother's fucking fairy tale."

Troy lowered his arms and watched as she tossed the necklace into the snow.

"I felt horrible about taking money from you," she said with a scream. "For some fucked up reason I thought I was different with you, not just some mail order fuck." Gabriella paused and she let out a laugh. "Silly me, I forgot, you're so disgusted by who I am that you won't even fuck me." Gabriella let out a laugh. "That should have been the first clue that something was wrong, why else would you pay me all that money and ask me to stick around. You just wanted a laugh."

"It wasn't like that!" he yelled back.

"Because I'm just a charity case, someone you could pay for and make yourself feel like you made a difference in their life!"Gabriella turned and walked down the drive.

"Gabriella at least let me take you home."

"What home," she muttered over her shoulder.