"Oh my God, you're dating finally, " Tanya exclaimed next to her best friend.

"I just hope this doesn't turn out to be a fling or a short term relationship. " Estella opened up with her, carrying shopping bags in her arms as Tanya helped her dumping them at the back seat of her car. "I strongly feel about him and I have a feeling he is the one."

"Duh, we all think he is the one until we realize that he is not, " Tanya joked and Estella shook her head with a small chuckle. "Anyways I'm no one to tell you who you should or shouldn't date. It's your choice and I fully support you."

"I always knew you will be next to me every time I need you." She meant her words, "and that is why you're precious one to me, T."

"Such big words! I'm honored " Tanya laughed, sliding inside the car as Estella followed the suit. "So what do you think about having some snacks? I know a place with the best kebabs, taco bells, and my favorite beverages provided with top-notch services.  And the best part is that they have a perfect view of the sunset."

"Who am I to say no to that?"

"Wise choice." she nodded and hit on the gas, turning the car on the road, blending and navigating her way to the place she was taking Estella to.
'cool girl' by Tove lo played faintly.

"So tell me more about Edward."

"There is no more to tell you. Everything you know is what I know."

"Okay, but I was asking about what changed?"

"You have to ask?" Estella was surprised because Tanya knew how supportive and caring Edward had been since her father passed away. As much as she loved Tanya for staying by her side, Edward erupted feelings inside her that she had welcomed unknowingly and she was now glad she did. He made her forget the pain without ever talking about it. It was just the way it had been and the pull was strong and unbreakable and she was not going to let go.

"Okay, I didn't want to ask that question but guess I have to come straight to the point." Tanya was buckling up as if she was going to either play who wants to become a millionaire or ask a rapid-fire question.

"What is it?"

"I know you have been in love with Tessa once and the way you've decorated your rooms with her pictures, I suspected you haven't forgotten her completely. "

Estella's brows went up at the comprehension made by her. Indeed, Tessa was a part of her even after they broke up and it was unforgettable for so many reasons. It was her experience at first love and first heartbreak. Keeping her picture was a reminder that not only how beautiful and magical love was, it also was capable of inflicting heartache and insecurities other people only laugh about. When love happens, I
our senses flooded with their memories, and you are neither completely awake nor asleep.

"She is a good past, Tanya," Estella muttered, diving into her good old days. "And about moving on, as I said, Edward makes me forget everything else. With him, I feel calm and genuinely happy."

"Don't tell me I'm getting my invitation card for your June wedding."

"Oh shut up, silly girl. I mean, seriously, marriage? No, I haven't gone that far."

"What if he had? I mean you guys know each other for almost a year now. Your business is doing well."

"Well? It is going to take another two years of revenue to recover our investment and expenses and only then after we could decide if the business is successful or not."

"That I understand but two years is really quick. I mean it takes more than just two years for a lot of firms to recover their preset up expenses. "

"What can I say, the guys I'm working with, are skilled and talented. And Edward, he is so fine with business skills that I sometimes wonder if he is naturally gifted or there is something about him I'm still unaware of."

After parking in a convenient parking space, both women made their way to a building complex.

"If that is even the slightest case, then be aware. " For the first time in the whole day, Tanya became sharp. "And I think the best way to get assurance about him completely is to mingle with his family. No one can tell much better than them about him. "

"Family?" She glanced at her in understanding. It also reminded her of the conversation that was left unspoken in the holi party. Edward had told her his father was not the kind of father a child should have. What was that supposed to mean? Still, just for the sake of privacy between her and her boyfriend, she didn't disclose that information to Tanya. Moreover, she had to find the meaning behind Edward's words.  "It's just him and his dad. And he lives in Arizona."

"Dude, don't tell me you have never met him even now? Don't they meet to have a nice family time?"

But the way Edward described his father, there was hardly a possibility of nice family time.

As the elevator to the terrace opened, both stepped out and strode upon the furnished and tiled but narrow hallways with chandeliers hanging over their heads. Beautiful and artistic painting decorated the sidewall and before they had time to admire them, the hallway ended, revealing an opening for the terrace.

The restaurant was plain with minimum accessories to decorate the place yet it was extravagant at the same time. There were round tables encircled by four chairs placed around with an adequate distance between them. Ivy vines crept upon the pillars that pointed their naked head at the sky, and the huge pots garnished ornamental plants and fairy lights lit around them.

The view around it was breathtaking as the last rays of sunlight fell upon their skin. It was a  perfect place for sunset lovers.

"Edward has mentioned a lot about his family gatherings. Whenever he isn't in Brooklyn, he is with his dad. And I can't exactly meet him if he never steps in my city. "

Estella didn't understand why she was giving any explanation about it but the mere reminder of not having met Edward's only family made her embarrassed.

"Holy shit!" Tanya half screamed and whirled Estella around, turning her back at the tables that were presented in front of her to sit. "Don't turn back, you are not gonna like it if you saw that. "

Estella, bewildered, attempted to turn and see what she meant by that but Tanya's grasp was strong as she held her firmly on the spot.

"What?" she demanded.

Tanya bit her lips nervously. Estella's curiosity only peeked. "It's your handsome boyfriend with a girl."

"What?" Shocked, she twisted her way out of her hold and turned to find his new boyfriend. Since most of the tables were occupied, Estella took the time to finally spot him. And indeed he wasn't sitting alone. 

Edward, accompanied by a blonde, had taken a far away seat as if they wished to be unseen. Their side faces were visible to her and Tanya, and as far as Estella knew, she had never seen that girl in her life before.

"He is not a cheater type, is he?" Tanya spoke behind her.

No!

"I don't think so, " Estella said, debating if that was truly the case. The sole idea of him seeing other women burned her skin and she felt another heartache.

However seeing the two of them, Estella noted there wasn't anything friendly about them. Edward had his legs crossed, seeming calm and composed and his left hand flicked his signature lighter on and off. It was something he did when he wasn't in the mood or thinking way too deep for anyone to comprehend his thoughts.

And the girl, she looked anything but interested in him. Her hair was pulled in a bun and she wore clothes that didn't suit Edward's liking. Not that she judged the girl on that basis, but one thing was true that Edward stuck to a constant styling and professionally dressing. He made sure there was not even a single crease.

Shrugging her thoughts away before they overtook her common sense, Estella concluded she must be his client. Edward was still involved in his freelancing and that was the reason why he was most of the time absent from meetings and activities. It was a surprise that no one minded and for some reason, even she didn't. She liked Edward, maybe loved him but having his all day was too much for now.

"You sure?" Tanya broke her trance.

"She is sure his client. " As she answered, a waiter approached Edward's table and he handed over his card for the payment. As soon as the payment was done, Edward muttered something to the blonde who nodded in response. Predicting their meet was coming to an end, Estella dragged her friend away from the way and hid behind a pillar without getting seen by Edward.

"What the fuck is happening Es? Why are you hiding?" she complained behind her back and she only replied once Edward had left the place.

"I don't want him to see me. It might give him the impression I was stalking him."

Tanya straightened up, walking away and glancing at an empty table. "Or you could have just met him and say 'oh, what a coincidence! I didn't know you are also here'"

"Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you were burning with jealousy."

"There is a difference between jealousy and insecurity. I didn't feel like going there, grab her hair, and smash her head on the very same table. Instead, I wished that whatever it seemed for a moment come out untrue, and thank God, you answered my prayer."

"That's maturity."

They plopped on the chair waiting for someone to take their order but unfortunately, most of their attention was taken by that girl who was still seated on her chair. Estella squinted her eyes in concentration and noticed how troubled she looked.

What was her problem?

Just a few seconds later, the blonde unhooked her hair letting them loose and cascading down her back. There was a familiarity between those beautiful locks and shade and she was instantly thrown into the time when she had met Edward in the dance club a year ago. He was sitting with a blonde and Estella was sure she was the same one. The memory was vivid.

After Tanya was finished placing the order for both of them, she followed Estella's scrutinizing gaze. The blonde dug her fingers into her head and checked her phone. 

Only when she decided to leave as well, then only both girls withdrew their eyes off her. The blonde took the way, walking past their table and Tanya couldn't resist and stole one last glance.

"Fuck, I know her," she said.

"You know her? How so?"

"Duh, I'm a journalist and I have attended a lot of seminars and whatnot. And this particular woman is none other the infamous tag along, I mean, the manager of Nicholes Morrison, Thea Collins."

And Estella had no idea who both people were.

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Thea is back!

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