Chapter 31: chapter 31

"Dylan, what a surprise! How are you?" I asked him, unbelieving."I'm fine, how are you?""Good" I replied.Dylan Felician, famous quarterback of our high school and also a straight-A student. During my high school days, I was in therapy and trauma remained unhealed. So, I used to be alone and ignored boys when they came near me. I never went to prom. Dylan tried to help me, but I always remained distant from him. On the last day of our school, he proposed to me. I was not ready for it, so I turned down his proposal. After that, we lost contact."So, what are you doing?" He asked."Umm...Have you heard about 'New Era'?""Yes, an entertainment magazine, right?""That's mine" I winked.He looked at me proudly, "Wow! I knew it"."Thanks, what about you?""Umm...Have you heard about J&K Law enterprise?""It belongs to you?"He chuckled, "No, I wish" he shook his head, "I work there, Criminal lawyer"."Great! I've heard it's one of the famous law firms. So, if I kill someone, you'll save me?""Of course, my dear friend. I can bring you out within a day" he boasted."Ok then, I'll collect as many dead bodies I want".We both chuckled."Umm...sorry, but I can remember that you were residing in LA, right?""Yup, I'm still there. I came here to meet my client for a case. I met him, but..." He stopped reluctantly."But, what?"He sighed deeply, "I forgot to book a hotel room, now everything was booked and I need to be here for a week. I don't know what I'm gonna do".It lighted me an idea, "Umm...If you don't mind I can afford you a place here"."Where?" He asked eagerly."My apartment is just a few blocks away from here. You can stay there"."Umm...I'm sorry, Ana. I don't want to be a burden"."Don't be silly" I stopped him, "Come on, I don't have a boyfriend. So you are not interfering with anything".He gave a thought, "Ana, it's for a week"."Just a week" I shrugged, "It's not a big deal".He thought deeply, "Dylan if you can't find a hotel, where you'll stay? Look it's getting Dark. Muggers and mafia will surround the area soon. So don't overthink. Besides, you are saving your money".He sighed, "Okay, let's go".We started to walk in silence. After few minutes, he spoke disturbing it, "How's your Grandpa?""Umm...he passed away when I was 22"."I'm so sorry" he apologized."No, no it's okay. How're your parents?""Good, they are residing with my brother, Joshua. He made them grandparents a month again"."Aww...good...what about you, any girlfriends?""Had one in college. But, things didn't work out. So we broke up two years ago and you?"I sighed softly, "Same here. Things didn't work out" I replied thinking about him.We reached our apartment talking and I unlocked it. Now my apartment has more space than my old one. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, study room, living room and a balcony.I showed him his room, "I'm sorry, it's not cosy as a hotel room"."Are you kidding? This is perfect. I can fit here" he went inside revolving his eyes around the room. The room had a small bed which is in the centre of the room, near it had a study table. Cupboard rested against the west side of the wall, windows behind the pink curtains located on the east side of the room and a bathroom to the right of the bed."Sorry, if the room is girlish. Are you okay with this?""Cool," he replied, "Thank you so much"."No problem, freshen up. I'll prepare dinner for you"."No thanks, actually I had it in the hotel where you bought your dinner"."You sure? You don't need anything?"He nodded, "Sure"."Okay then, My stomach is growling. I'm gonna inhale my food".He smiled. I came back to the living room, turning on the television. I sat on the couch with my noodles. He came out in his nightwear, "I'm sorry, but can I...ugh...Watch some shows until I can get some sleep? Cause this is a new place and ugh...""Sure...sure..." I moved to make space for him, "You don't have to explain".He took a seat near me. We watched some random shows played on the TV."Umm...I'm sorry but you'll kinda meet celebrities, right?""Yup for interviews, movie promotions and photoshoot"."How do they look like?""Like us, normal people"."I'm sorry again, but I can't control it. If you meet Brian Cobler can you get an autograph from him for me?" He asked like a five-year child, "He is my favourite".I smiled, "Sure, will do"."Thanks" he sighed, "You are not like in school" he squinted his eyes."I'm sorry, what?""You used to be alone, less expressive. Now you are umm...how to say...you speak more frankly without any anxiety"."Time changes everything"."One thing didn't change, You are still beautiful" he looked into my eyes.I cleared my throat "Umm...thanks" I changed the topic immediately, "So, when I moved to college, a monkey named Jamie made me come out of my little bubble and he helped me to make friends"."Good for you" he smiled, "It's still in my mind when I said I have a crush on you"."On your knees holding a chart paper with letters 'Will you be my girl?'' I chuckled."Hey! Don't blame me. I was a teenager" he said that with embarrassment."Sorry" I raised my hands, "But it was cheeky".He smiled shyly, "Can't believe I did that, I would now call it cringe"."It's not a big deal. If we didn't do that type of thing, we are not teenagers".We talked about our other classmates for few hours and went to sleep.Next morning,     While I was changing my dress, the doorbell rang, "Dylan, can you answer it?" I asked him."I got it" he went to open the door. After a minute, I heard Jason and Jamie's stunned voices, "Who...who...are you?" "Are you sure that we are in the right apartment?"I came out before he can answer, "Guys, this is Dylan, my high school friend. He is going to be here for a week" I explained what happened."Dylan, this is Jamie and I think you know Jason, my friends" I introduced them."Oh, Jamie!" Dylan shook his hand with him, "Ana told about you and Jason, Wow! You are the New York editor-in-chief, right? I saw you on the TV"."Yes" he nodded, "It's good to meet you, Dylan. So...uh...what are you doing?""I'm a lawyer" he spoke.While they were talking, I went to prepare coffee. Jamie came near and asked me in a husky voice, "Is he just a friend?"I stared at him, "Why? What do you think?""Nothing... Nothing..." He went back.I came back to them with coffee, "What brings you here, Jason?"I asked him.He sipped his coffee, "Umm...I and Amy decided to move our wedding date ahead"."Why? I'm sorry, it's good news, but why all of sudden? Is there any problem?""No...Nothing at all. Actually, Amy is going out of America for few months. So we decided to do our wedding in a simple manner with our closed one and the grand reception when she comes back"."Nice, I'm happy for you. When is the wedding?""Two days later"."What? Are you kidding? There is so much work to do"."Yeah, I know. Already everything is started. We made this decision this morning"."Okay," I nodded, "Then, I'll help you too"."I appreciate it...Umm...Dylan if you are okay, can you make it?"He looked at us in confusion, "But...but...you just said it's a simple wedding with your close ones"."Oh...that you are a friend of Ana. So you are welcome to the wedding"."Well, I try then" he shrugged, "Congratulations on your wedding"."Thanks" he stood up to leave, "Okay then, I have some works to take care of"."I'll join you afterwards" I replied.He nodded and left the room. After he left, Jamie spoke, "Ana, we got a situation in our office. We need to be there" he urged me."What? Why?""It's urgent" he replied, "I'll tell you on the way. I just waited for Jason to depart, not to spoil his moment"."Okay...umm...Dylan" I gave him the duplicate key to the house, "Food is inside the fridge. Can you manage it?""Yeah...Yeah...I can...Don't worry" he assured.I came out of the office. There our new employees George and Marina stood inside my cabin. Jamie explained everything on the way."George" I called his name angrily, "Did you misbehave with Marina? Don't lie cause we have CCTV footage".He lowered his head, "I'm so sorry, Thomas. I was drunk and I apologise for my behaviour".I went near and gave him a tight slap, "That is not an excuse for misbehaving with her. How dare you to lay your hands on her? I won't tolerate this kind of behaviour. You are married, then how can you think of taking advantage of her?""Mam, I'm sorry...""Ugh...cut the crap" I shouted, "Get out of this place, you are fired"."No...Mam, please give me another chance. My wife will divorce me if I lose this job too" he begged."Too late for it. Take your stuff and get the hell out of here. Your punishment is the warning for everyone".He sighed and stared at me, "You gonna regret this" saying that he left the room.I turned to Marina, "I'm so sorry, Marina" I spoke gently, "Trust me, I know how you feel now. I promise you this won't happen again".Her eyes showed respect for me, "Thanks, Thomas. Thanks for immediately taking action".I hugged her, "I can't stand when someone was sexually harassed".Meanwhile Jason,      "Chris, so can you come to the wedding?""Umm...yeah...thanks for the invite, Pal"."See you, Buddy"."Jason...umm...Is she is coming?"He sighed, "Of course"."Okay, thanks again" he hung up.Jason smiled, this is going to be fun. When Ana comes with Dylan, Chris gonna lose his shit. I think this will help to clear their differences, fingers crossed!