live classical played throughout the venue. tonight, everyone was out to celebrate giorgio's birthday tonight. he invited all of his family, friends and colleagues

the evening went by smoothly. "i'm going to go to the ladies room." alexandra whispered into hannah's ear alerting her. "i can come with you."

alexandra smiled appreciating the offer, "no! it's okay! stay here with zade. i'll be right back." she assured tapping hannah on back gently

she then maneuvered her way through everyone exiting out of the venue immediately. she honestly just needed some fresh air. she was met with velvet red stairs that led up to the restrooms.

alexandra picked the bottom part of her dress up practically running up the steps making sure not to fall down in her heels. she looked around noticing how silent it was, not a person in sight.

just as she turned the corner, she could hear arguing from familiar voices. from afar, she could see grant and lily bickering back and forth. she immediately hid behind a huge statue that hid her perfectly. lily sounded really upset about something

"why do we have to do this right now at my grandfathers birthday party, lily? seriously this can wait until we get home!" grant raised his voice

lily cried out, "you won't talk to me at home. then we come here and suddenly you want to act like we are the perfect couple!! it's not fair." she stated with seriousness

alexandra frowned hearing them argue. to be honest she began to grow sad. from what grant and lily have told her, everything seemed to be going well for the couple. of course couples fight and have disagreements but it seemed there something deeper going on with them

"lily, please not right now." grant begged with pleading eyes but lily couldn't take the constant cold shoulder from him anymore

"just talk to me. i want to be here for you but that won't be possible unless you tell me what's bothering you." emily said on the verge of tears. grant didn't want to see her upset and it has never been his intention to hurt his girlfriend

he couldn't say anything, silence was amongst him which frustrated her. "something has changed within you this past year." she brought up

"are you cheating on me?" lily asked not even caring at this point if he has. grant scoffed, "God, no lily!" he quickly responded

"then what is it? we don't cuddle anymore. you don't kiss me anymore nor do you touch me. it's been a year since we've been intimate. you have turned so cold when it comes to me. have i done something wrong?" she asked with patience which killed grant because he knows she deserves better than what he is giving her right now

grant exhaled placing his hands on his hips turning away from lily. he couldn't bear to face her knowing the pain he is bringing her right now. he placed his hand over his mouth before turning around walking past her, "i'll see you back in there." he quietly whispered to her before walking straight past her

he didn't see alexandra luckily. lily sunk into the floor not even paying attention or caring where she was right now. her heart felt so heavy. it felt like she was losing her lover and bestfriend all in one. alexandra could hear her silently crying to herself, she immediately came out from hiding running over to lily.

she bent down with ease seeing lily crying hiding her face into her arms. "lily honey, c'mon."

she continued to cry suddenly falling into alexandra's chest. her cries sounded like she was in so much pain. alexandra did her best not to cry with her. lily caught herself tightly holding onto to alexandra not letting her go.

both girls comforted each other throughout the night. alexandra was eventually able to get lily up and talk to her. lily let her know everything even things that she has never told anymore

alexandra just had this energy about her that made people feel like they could tell her anything. people felt safe around her and felt like she actually listened to them and made them feel seen and heard

she was able to distract her and get her mind off things. they eventually went back into the venue and danced the night away with hannah and zade. a few hours later, they were back in their suites at the five star hotels they were staying at for the weekend

alexandra invited lily along figuring she didn't want to go back home with grant tonight. she happily accepted the invite. as soon as they were in the hotel room, alex immediately ran into the bathroom putting on some sweats and a tank top feeling more comfortable than ever

everyone sat in the living room that separated the suite rooms drinking glasses of champagne together while smoking a couple of cigarettes. zade decided to go get some ice, alexandra tagged along with him.

as they walked down the long hallway, he looked over at her nervously. "i'm thinking about proposing to hannah." he suddenly announced making alexandra stop walking

her eyes widened due to excitement, she gasped aloud but not too loud to the point where it would wake anyone else on the floor, "are you serious?!!" she asked grabbing his wrist

zade blushed nodding quickly, "yes. you're the first person i have told." he admitted with shyness

alexandra flashed him a warm smile, "this is amazing zade! i'm so happy for you guys!"

zade could hear the happiness running through her voice which made him feel relived. he has never been this head over heels for a girl but he felt like hannah is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

the two continued walking towards the fancy ice machine again after zade let her know the big news, "do you know how you are going to propose to her?" alex asked looking over at him

"i'm thinking of taking her out to a nice picnic. live music and then just going for it." he shrugged then added, "i know it has no thought to it but i think-"

"no! hannah will love it. we both know she loves simplicity and nothing too over the top. that sounds perfect to me." alexandra assured with a nod. zade sighed, he was so nervous even talking about this all right now...

"i don't want to sound annoying but do you think you could help me find a fancy chef making us a nice picnic lunch or dinner for the proposal?"

alexandra was happy hearing that zade would want some assistance, "you don't sound annoying at all. i will happily find the perfect chef for you."

zade chuckled glancing down at her before placing his hands into his pockets, "you know alex. you genuinely are an amazing human being. oliver is lucky to have you."

butterflies appeared in her stomach hearing his name, "thanks zade." she playfully elbowed him

"how are you guys doing?" he asked with ease. alexandra could feel herself smiling, "we're actually doing really good. yeah, this all is new to me but i love him being a new addition within my personal life." she stated with happiness

"long distance doesn't make you guys want to stray away from each other?"

alex nodded her head as they made it to the ice machine. zade got three cups of ice handing one cup to alexandra, she quickly thanked him then answered his question, "no. if anything it makes our relationship stronger."

he nodded as they made it back to their suite. "you seem happier now that you both are dating." alexandra didn't even have to sulk upon hearing him say that

"i honestly am." she blushed missing him so much. it was overdue for her going to see her boyfriend. due to their different schedules, they see each other normally every two or three weeks which is just too long but they make it all work out perfectly

as they stopped in front of the door, zade turned around making sure to stare alexandra in the eye. "i can tell you are just a great person all around but it has been so good to see you flourish even more in this life after everything you've been through. you genuinely are so inspiring to many of us." he just had to let her know that. zade then went inside leaving her there speechless for a second. she smiled heavily before returning to her friends

they laughed the night away and had some nice conversations with each other before separating going into their suites. lily stayed with alexandra of course. alexandra took a shower then got into some fresh clothes before hitting the huge bed

she let lily borrow some comfy clothes to sleep in. they both laid beside each other looking up at the ceiling, silence was in the room.

"thank you for tonight." lily expressed causing alex to turn her head. she chuckled, "you don't have to thank me-"

"no. i do. i was a mess and you picked me right up off the ground and made my entire night. i appreciate that more than words could ever describe. thank you alex." lily looked over at her with a small smile

alexandra smiled bright, "you're welcome. don't stress about anything. everything will work out in the end and you'll be okay no matter what." she reminded lily who needed to hear that

the two girls then went to sleep. while they both were knocked out, oliver sent alexandra a text message

'i miss you and your presence so much'

he figured she was asleep but it's the thought that counts. it still didn't feel real that alexandra is now his girlfriend. he never expected to even have a girlfriend especially someone as amazing as alex

there are no words to describe how much he loves this girl. nobody was going to take her away from him, no one

just trust the process guys. more stuff is on the way within this book. 90K reads is incoming!! thank you all i love you guys :)