It's been two days since Brendan and I spoke. It feels like a month since I've seen him.

I had caught Aria up on our situation, and she didn't really have much to say. "That's so weird." She widens her eyes. "Everything seemed perfect while I was here." She laughs. "More than perfect, actually."

I sink my face into my hands. "It all happened so fast, I don't really even know what happened."

Aria places her hand on my back, comforting me. "Hey, let's not get down about it." She says. "I have an idea..." She begins. "That gala thing is tomorrow, so why don't we go get mani-pedis?"

"Aria, I can't go outside." I tell her. "I literally can't. That's why I already called my dad and told him we can't come."

"You did what?" Her jaw drops in disbelief. "I'm surprised he didn't kill you."

"Yeah," I sigh. "Me too."

I lay down on my bed and shut my eyes. I had no intention of falling asleep, but I find myself waking up the next day to Aria throwing a new pair of clothes at me.

"Get up, Victoria." She demands. "We're going to that gala."

I groan and almost feel as if I could cry at any moment. I don't feel like doing anything.

She keeps screaming at me, so I eventually get up and start to do my hair and makeup. Once that's done, we get into our dresses.

I check the time and realize that the event had already started, so we'll be a little late, but that's okay. I'm sure my father will be surprised to see me, but everything will work itself out.

He has always taken these events so seriously. He would always lecture me about the "correct" way to act during a gala and tell me what I should and should not do. I've learned a lot from him and hopefully I can teach Aria these tips too, but maybe in a nicer way than I was taught.

We walk into a giant ballroom and Aria's eyes go wide. "Wow, this is insane!" I laugh at her amusement.

"Yeah, this was the most important event of mine growing up. It still kind of is..." I look around the room and several of my father's colleagues greet me.

They ask about Aria and I's college experience so far and what we are majoring in. I leave it quite vague since they would be shocked to know I am not very keen on following in my father's footsteps.

I excuse Aria and I from the conversation in order to go find my father. He has to be around here somewhere.

"We can check on the second floor." I suggest to Aria. She just nods her head and follows close behind me.

As I walk slowly next to the railing, I spot my father speaking to a young man in a nice tux. "There he is!" I tell Aria. Once I glance down again, the young man turns his face to the right; revealing his identity.

Brendan?

"No way." I breathe.

"What?" Aria asks. She comes right beside me and looks down. "Is that— is that Brendan?" She shouts. "Why is he here?"

"Let's go find out." I move quickly down the stairs and over to my father and Brendan.

"Victoria!" My father looks extremely shocked, but I can tell he is trying to keep it under wraps. "I thought you weren't coming this evening?" He kisses me on the cheek.

"Aria and I decided otherwise." I smile and glance over to Brendan. He looks nervous as well; or maybe caught off guard?

"Ah, yes." My father starts. "I tracked down one of your closest friends at school and invited him."

"Why would you do that?" I ask.

"Well, he is your friend... Isn't he?"

"I suppose..." I raise my eyebrows toward Brendan and my father excuses himself to give us some privacy.

"Victoria," Brendan starts. "I need to speak with you."

"About what? I thought you made it clear that you didn't want to speak with me after that day." I cross my arms as Aria watches us. "Why are you here anyways? This is a little weird..."

"I came to apologize. It was a stupid mistake... I completely overreacted. Please, forgive me." He takes my hands into his and gives them a gentle and reassuring squeeze.

"Fine, I forgive you." He smiles and presses his lips to my cheek. "When did my father invite you?"

He looked around before speaking. "It was a last minute thing. He told me that you hadn't been in the best mood, so he t-tried to think of a way to cheer y-you up."

After I forgave him, something in the air just wasn't quite right. I felt as if something was going on... Something that I didn't know about. Why would Brendan have come to this gala to apologize? Why couldn't he have just showed up to my dorm with some flowers or chocolates or something?

I tried to push it to the back of my mind. It wasn't something I needed to worry about at this moment. The night went on as it always does and Brendan, Aria, and I hop into a limo and get driven back to the campus. I thank my personal driver, Stephen, and return to my dorm.

Aria walks in before me; leaving me and Brendan out in the hallway alone.

"Tonight was fun." He smiles. "Why hadn't you ever told me that your father owned a huge company?" He furrows his eyebrows.

"I don't know..." I think about it for a few moments. How come I never brought it up? "I guess it just isn't a good thing to talk about for me. He has always put his business before me, so it's kind of depressing to talk about. You know?"

"I'm sorry." He looks down at his feet. "Maybe I could take you out somewhere tomorrow? Help you cheer up?" He smirks.

"I'd like that." I smile and give him a quick peck on the lips.

Once I get into my room, I change into a t-shirt and shorts and completely crash. It has been an exhausting day...

At least I can look forward to a great day with Brendan tomorrow.

•

Brendan insisted that he take me to breakfast the next morning. I had Stephen drive us since Brendan was going to treat me.

We had a great time and Brendan was his usual, funny self. It was incredible how good he made me feel about myself. He always compliments me when I need it the most and always knows how to cheer me up.

Who knows... He might be the one?

I know it's crazy to be thinking about marriage, but I can't imagine finding anyone better than him? Maybe I'm moving too fast... I don't know just yet.

"I would love to spend all day with you, but I have to go to practice now." He pouts while snaking his arms around my waist. "I'll miss you, though."

"I already miss you." I kiss him softly, running my hands through his hair. We stay like this for a few moments, but Brendan pulls away.

"I'm sorry, Victoria, but you're gonna make me late!" He laughs before kissing me one last time before exiting the limo.

I watch as he runs off to the rink, leaving just me and Stephen in the limo.

"Thank you for your driving today, Stephen. You're always the best." I smile and grab my purse before going to open the door.

"Miss Wolfe, I have something I need to tell you before you leave."

I look up at him. "Is there something wrong?"

"Well," He begins. "You know I always keep your father's personal matters private, but now that I see your relationship with Mr. Gallagher is... progressing, I think there is something you should know."