"Do you have a boyfriend Lea?" asked Ivana cuddling up to Randy as he sat back next to her. I stared at the two, despairingly.

"Lea has no time for boys" Dad interjected.

"I do have time!" I handed them their drinks then sat on the couch next to Dad, away from the couple. "I'm just waiting."

Randy chuckled.

"What?" I glared at him.

Randy looked at Ivana "She reads too much into fairy tales, she thinks he'll come to her, on a horse and all." I shot him another glare; I hated how he was always so cynical about romance.

"Lea does have a point, you found me, maybe someone special will find her" said Ivana. She then returned this kind smile at me, I could only smile back. "Why did she keep taking my side?" I thought "she was making it hard to hate her."

"Actually, I know this guy, he's a great guy, might be just the one for you" said Randy "actually he would be perfect for you."

"No...I'm not going on another blind date that YOU set up; you're the worst match maker in the world" I said. Randy laughed.

"I've been telling her for years to find someone to settle down, you don't want to be living with your Dad forever" said Dad putting his arm around my shoulders.

"I wouldn't mind that at all" I said kissing Dad on the cheek.

"That's sweet" Ivana said watching us.

"You should definitely check the guy out, you would love him, he's really good looking, funny, smart... he's the whole package and he's a nice guy" Randy harassed.

"I told you... NO!" I said.

...

"Thanks for picking us up and taking care of my things" said Randy as we walked outside.

"Glad to" I said handing him his keys.

He grinned holding the keys in his hand. "I have my baby back."

I laughed "yes, you do, she's back with her owner."

Dad opened the garage door and there was Randy's beautiful black, silver chromed hummer, awaiting him. Randy's smirk turned into a grin.

Ivana stood next to him. He put his arm around her "meet the other woman in my life."

She stared at the car, in confusion. I chuckled.

"Well take care, get some rest" said Dad after putting their luggage from my car into Randy's.

"Thank you Paul, another beer night is required" said Randy starting his car.

"It was nice to meet you Lea" said Ivana, hugging me again.

"Nice to meet you" I said returning a kind smile. She then sat in the car.

"See you soon Lea" said Randy kissing me on the cheek. I almost blushed, putting my hand on my cheek.

Dad and I watched as the couple drove off. Once they were out of sight, I ran inside and upstairs to my bedroom. I shut the door loudly and stood in front of my mirror. I stared back at my own reflection. My heart felt like it had been bruised. My eyes were stinging and then tears flowed down my brown eyes. I took off my jacket and threw it on my bed; I couldn't believe how stupid I was for thinking he would like me, as more than a friend. I had only ever been that to him. Here I was thinking about how we could have been together, while he was enjoying himself with some gorgeous Italian model. I had been so stupid to let my heart feel this way for him. I sat on my bed then cried into the jacket, using it to wipe my tears and my runny nose. My eyes felt tired and I lay on my bed, sobbing until I had fallen asleep.

...

I heard the sound of knocking; I then shot my eyes open. I was feeling drained and my eyes felt very sore. The sky was now a dark navy, as I glanced outside my window. The light in my room was turned on and Dad walked in. He had a sympathetic look on his face.

"Sorry Dad, I didn't realise I had fallen asleep" I said sitting up.

He sat on my bed, putting his large arm around me. "It's fine sweetheart."

I looked at him, his sympathetic look and tears began flowing again. "Why is he with her?"

Dad pulled me into his shoulder and he rubbed my arm.

"Why isn't he with me? Am I ugly or something?" I said, still crying into his shoulder.

"You are the most beautiful woman on this Earth, luckily you didn't get my big nose" he said, as he lightly kissed my head.

I sighed "I wish this never happened... why did I have to fall in love with him?"

"You can't help it."

"Everything was fine, until he left... then I started missing everything about him, but come on Dad he'll never think that way about me, look he brung some beautiful woman with him, I was the last thing on his mind."

"Lea, why don't you tell him how you feel? Maybe if you do, he would reciprocate. Some guys need a push first."

"I can't do that Dad; it would just ruin our friendship."

"You never know?"

"Forget it Dad."

"Ok, if you're hungry there's some take away, I bought you some Pad Thai."

"No thank you, I'm just going to go back to sleep, I'll take some to work."

Dad simply kissed my cheek and left my room.

...

When I got into the office, I was always one of the first people there and it was always empty. I made myself some tea and settled at my desk checked my emails, they consisted of all the usual stuff; the work emails, Facebook notifications and then the folder named 'Randy' which consisted of all the emails we had ever sent each other. Normally, they were jokes, but I kept all the emails he sent me about his trip, and every day I would go through each email while I thought about him, at least work would get my mind off. I felt pathetic.

"Hey Lea, how was your weekend?" said this petite young woman, with long black hair who approached my desk. She was my best friend at work.

"Hi Adele, it was alright."

"Well... you've only been talking about this for six months, how was seeing you boyfriend?" She winked at me happily.

I sighed "he brung some model from there, here."

"What!"
"Yeah... he has a girlfriend and she's beautiful".

"They always are... but you should still tell him, maybe if he knows the truth he'll become aware of his own feelings."

"I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders and then both our eyes were glued to someone else.

A young man walked into the office, he was incredibly cute, with his short hair combed back and even though he was dressed in a suit, he had tattoos peering around his neck, which gave him an edge. "Good morning Lea...Good morning... Adele."

"Hi Phillip" said Adele as he walked by. She was blushing in the face.

"Speaking of... letting him know the truth, "maybe you should ask Phil out."

"What? Why would I do that?" She acted surprised. She and Phil had this obvious attraction to each other, yet they did this circling around each other for at least two years.

"You and Phil obviously like each other, why don't you guys have a date?"

"You think he likes me?"

"Yeah I'm positive, he watches you all the time and he always asks about you"

"He does?" She grinned.

"And I even have an easy way for you" I said giving her a piece of paper.

"The Christmas party... isn't that a little lame?"

"Isn't your fear of not asking Phil out for two years, a little lame?"

"Alright I see your point, but when do I do it?"

"Do it at lunch, now I have to go shopping with Bethany to buy her son a birthday present."

"Alright, I better go before the boss kills me." She looked at the front door opening.

"See you later" I said watching her run to her desk.

I watched as this tall, masculine yet disgruntled man walked past my desk, he had dark hair which was gelled and parted to the side and he had green eyes. This was my English raised, boss; otherwise known as my adversary. He was very strict and intimidating; I was always timid around him. I grabbed my notepad and followed him.

He walked into his neat office; I had everything ready for him.

"Good morning Mr Barrett."

"How is the DiMera case?" his deep voice groaned as he sipped his coffee looking at the files on his desk.

"Mark, Hugh and Adele are working on it, sir"

"That will be all."

"Alright." I turned around to leave the room.

"Wait!" he called.

I turned to look at him; he was actually looking at me, we were making eye contact. I was sure he probably didn't even remember my name.

"Are you coming to the Christmas party?"

I was quite taken back, in all the time I had worked there; he never cared to ask me about anything. "I was actually thinking about missing it this year."

"Missing it, I wish I could do that" he admitted "but the boss has to be there."

I just looked at him smiling; it was rather remarkable that he was having a conversation with me.

"Anyway, I need you to write out the names on the invitations and write the addresses; they come in at 3pm" he said sternly.

"Yes Mr Barrett."

...

My cousin, Bethany had met up with me at the toy store around the corner from my work, while I was on my break. She was blonde with big blue eyes and always looked angry, I thought she could have been a perfect match for my boss if she wasn't married. "I can't believe little Henry, is going to be three."

"God me neither, the kid is a nightmare!" cried Bethany.

"That's a little cruel to say about your own son."

"Oh just wait till you have an annoying husband and two kids."

"James is a saint, and Henry and Kate are perfect."

"You have them then, listen Lea, you have it easy."

I shook my head; Bethany was always a little insensitive and tactless. "Will Henry like a Transformer toy? Doesn't he love the movies?"

"Does it make noise?"

"Yeah."

"Then no."

I put the toy back and continued browsing with her.

"So what's been new with you Lea?"

"Well Randy came back yesterday from Italy."

"How was my annoying neighbour's trip?"

"He hasn't been your neighbour since he moved out when he was 20."

"Yeah well... I don't like him and I wish his plane would have crashed" she chuckled wickedly "anyway how was his trip?"

"It was fine... he met someone."

"Who would be stupid enough to want him? They must be blind."

"Anyone would be lucky to have him" I answered.

"Alright, alright don't get your panties in a knot, unless... of course you're not happy about it."

I was silent, telling Bethany that I was in love with Randy; she would give me hell about it.

She just smiled at me slyly. "It's about time, Lea... why didn't you tell me, I'm your family."

"I don't want to tell anyone, he doesn't feel the same way" I said sadly.

"Lea, you two have been friends since you were kids, I'm sure there was romance brewing between the two of you, everyone that knows you two think you guys are supposed to get married."

I ignored her. "I think I'll get him the Transformers Toy."

Bethany scowled at me.

...

I returned back to the office and my desk had about seven piles of invitations and envelopes, awaiting me. I sulked as I sat in my chair, putting my head on the desk, I wouldn't be home for hours. I put my head back up and there was Adele, looking at me.

"I hate my life" I brooded staring at the piles.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I just asked Phil to the party and he said... YES!" She jumped up and down.

A smile grew on my face. "I'm so happy for you guys."

"Thank you, but I know you may feel like your life sucks, but it will get better."

I appreciated her positive thinking. "Thanks."

Phil then came towards us. "Are you ready Adele?"

"Yeah I'll just be two minutes." The two looked adorable, speaking to each other.

"Ok, I'll just be waiting at the car" he said "see you tomorrow Lea."

"Bye Phillip" I said as we watched him leave.

Adele was gleaming "he is going to drop me home!"

I laughed "well go have fun, with your handsome new boyfriend."

She smiled at me and left.

I looked back at the pile on my desk and began writing out the names.

...

It was now 6:30pm and I was still in the office, everyone else had left. I then heard the creak of a door and was slightly frightened. But it was none other than my boss, approaching me that was scary enough.

"I apologize about making you have to stay back" he said sincerely.

"It's fine sir."

"Did you change your mind about the party?"

"No... I'm still going to miss it."

"Is your friend Adele going?"

"Yes she's actually going with Phillip."

"With Brooks?" he said surprised, he seemed almost disappointed.

"Yes sir" I continued writing the invitations.

"Well it would be nice to see you there, Lea" he said leaving.

I was smiling at myself, feeling a little better that my boss was talking to me and he actually used my name.

...

It was 7:00pm and I was still in the office, I heard someone stomping through the room. I decided to ignore it, my stomach was grumbling and I was almost done.

"Lea! What are you still doing here?" shouted a familiar male voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to hang out with my best friend, who I haven't seen in six months."

"Alright Randy, I just got to finish two more of these and we'll go."

"Why are you the only one still here?"

"Because they all finished and Mr Barrett, asked me to do these invitations."

"Man that guy is a dick!"

"He's not that bad; I think he's kind of nice."

Randy rolled his eyes "you know he's a piece of shit!"

"Shut up! I'm done" I said getting my things.

"What's up with the Transformer?" said Randy noticing me carry it.

"It's for Henry, it's going to annoy the shit out of Bethany, but he'll love it."

"You're hilarious Lea" he said messing my hair.

"Stop it" I said fixing my hair.

"Ivana is asleep; I think she's still on Rome time."

I was then alerted when he mentioned her. "Oh she'll adjust."

"Yeah... anyway let's get some sushi."

"No... I'm hungry, I want pizza."

Randy grinned "alright, whatever you want...anyway I kind of need to talk to you."