Chapter Thirty One

I'm so so so sorry!

Wednesday 22nd June

"She's engaged to Grey, that's the only way she got that job."

"I bet it's a sham relationship."

"She's so under qualified."

"I wonder who else's dick she sucked."

I have a spare five minutes to breathe, I look around my new office in wonder. New office. Yes, Gerry asked me to take over Jacks job on a temporary basis. Or if the other editors think I'm doing well it could become permanent. Christian is completely adamant he had nothing to do with my promotion, he was shocked himself. I naively hope that maybe my work will speak for itself and everyone being mean will shut up.

Happy thoughts, Ana. Christian, dream job, Christian, wedding, engagement party Friday, falling flat on my face in front of everyone, Christian catching me, engagement party, Ray and moms reactions to me being engaged.

"I thought we had a bit longer before I lost you, but you've always marched to the beat of your own drum." Ray says gruffly.

"I'm not going anywhere, we'll ever change there's just an extra person with us." I reply smiling.

"I'm proud of you, baby girl. Have you spoken to Carla yet?"

"Nope, I'm going to call her next."

"I'll let you do that, love you."

"I love you too."

I wince remembering moms high pitched screech, and that's why I called her after Ray. I wince again looking at the clock, this isn't going to go well for work if I keep daydreaming on the job.

Mia

I tap my foot anxiously in the elevator up to Christians apartment, we're having dinner just us. Just the two of us. Alone. Brother and sister, not brother brother and sister. It's been so long since we've had one on one time like this, it's all because of Ana. She's made this change in him. There will never be a moment when I don't love her for giving me back my brother.

"Mia!" Christian greets, his arms open wide for a hello hug. He's wearing a pair of black sweat pants with a light blue tshirt and fluffy socks. Purple fluffy socks. I turn my head to the side looking at his feet.

"They're Ana's, I made fun of her for wearing them the other day so she made me wear a pair now I love them." He blushes.

"I love Ana." Is all I can reply my smile wider than ever before.

"Me too." He grins putting his arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side leading me to the dining room where the table is set up for dinner.

"Are you sure you're ready?" He asks once again.

"When you started GEH were you one hundred percent certain you were ready? I know it's different circumstances, Christian but this is what I want right now. I'm a fully qualified beautician, and where I'm working now sucks. The guys working are losing their love of the job, and so am I. If I was able to open my own salon, I know it would be great. And I'll have you as my backer to stop me making huge mistakes."

"I'm not going to be able to hold your hand all the way through." He warns taking a mouthful of pasta.

"I know." I huff.

"Let's talk technicalities." He continues his master of the universe persona taking over.

"I had an idea for revenge on Elena. We buy Esclava." I smirk. "She has sent out rumours that she sold them off so she can go on a long holiday without worry for her staff." I say using a terrible impression of the bitches voice.

"Continue." Christian pushes his smirk matching mine.

"We know she can't afford to go on a long holiday, but we have her salons and make them better than she ever did. We hire back the talented staff who quit after not taking her shit, we get back the high class customers she ran away with her attitude. We take her dreams and do it better than she ever did."

"The best revenge is living well." Christian smirks clinking his wine glass to mine.

We continue with happier topics, like his impending nuptials.

When I'm in the elevator leaving, I smile the widest I ever have. I've never had to worry about Elliott, he's always been an open book, whereas Christian has been the complete opposite. Now though, I have just spent three hours with my brother talking openly and not once did he try to close himself off. The second I get home I'm going to write down everything we talked about so I never forget this day. And plan my outfit for Friday! I let out a girly squeal thinking of how wonderful Ana and Christians engagement party will be. Anas mom and step dad are planning it themselves as their wedding gift to them. With Christian being able to buy anything they need giving them a party, time for both sides of the family to meet and get to know each other before the big day while creating wonderful memories is such a beautiful idea.

Kate

I still think of this as our apartment, even though it isn't really. She spent more time at Christians than she did here, and now she actually lives there. I guess I'm having a hard time accepting that she's moved on from me. I miss her.

"Kate, what's wrong?" She asks in that melodic voice.

"Train of thought." I try to deflect.

"Katy Cat I went to the bathroom and you were laughing your cute ass off, I come back and you look like you're about to cry. Tell me what's wrong." She pushes.

"I miss you. I'm so happy for you and Christian, but I know your life will revolve around him more than me. I thought we had more time together." I sigh.

"Ray said something very similar." She laughs before turning serious again. "I promise you, I won't just forget about you. You're my best friend, my first real friend, my sister, my ... so much. I love you and will never leave you behind. I know we dreamed of us coming to Seattle arm in arm and taking it by storm, and I have moments when I wish we lived together. But being with Christian just feels so right."

"I know, and you're completely perfect for each other. When I see you both together it makes me feel as though you were broken..."

"I was broken?" She interrupts.

"Let me finish."

"Okay, go on."

"I feel as though were broken without anyone realising it, and now with him you've been pieced back together."

"We are so comfortable together, last night I was on the toilet when Christian came in to brush his teeth. It wasn't until ten minutes later I realised he could have used another bathroom but neither of us cared. I never imagined I'd ever feel this comfortable with a man. He's my other half." She finishes dreamily.

"Please don't leave me behind." I whisper. She runs towards me hugging me around my waist with her head in my lap.

"I'll never leave you behind, I've said this. But I promise that I'll try my best to keep you as involved in my life as possible, and I know you will too." She implores, I slide onto the floor as we hold each other a rainstorm falling down both of our faces. We grin before looking to each other.

"Best friends forever."