When you're busy, time flies. It's not only the work at Tachibana Productions but also at home. Father is getting better so I make sure to keep him up to date. Every night after dinner, we go to his studio and have small meetings over green tea. Because I have this responsibility at home, I can't stay overnight in the office, no matter what. But I don't really mind, because Father is recovering even faster than before.

"I could've gone back to work sooner," he says one day as we take a stroll in Grandma's garden. "But I thought you had to finish this on your own. Yet now you're entering the last stage in the production, so it's okay for me to step in."

"I could've used your help, though," I murmur, thinking of how different things would've been with Father around.

"But you wouldn't have grown so much," he refutes. "You've become such a beautiful and wonderful woman. And you did it on your own. That is even more praise worthy."

"What if I had ruined it all?" I ask one of the things that has tormented me the most.

"I think you still misunderstand me, Ann. You are far more important than the company. If ruining one production was the price to help you growing up, then it would've been a cheap price to pay."

Maybe it's because Father sees me as an adult now, because he doesn't feel that need to shelter me like when I was a kid, now he is telling me things. He believes I can handle decisions now, and that has torn down a giant wall between us. Still, even if he's been doing this for a few months already, it still is overwhelming every time he makes me know how dear I am to him.

However, this isn't something I can get used to, because if I do, then it means I'm taking it for granted. I want my father's words to always mean the world to me.

"Then I guess we're lucky my coming of age wasn't that expensive," I try to joke and Father chuckles lightheartedly.

"We're lucky indeed." He smiles brightly, his eyes always looking ahead of us. "Now that the promotion stage is coming you need to be even more prepared for the criticism. But don't worry, I'll be next to you."

That is true, now the promotion part is coming. According to the contracts, the actors need to come back to start the interviews, talk show appearances, conferences, and more. All in preparation for the big premiere, firstly in London and then in other five countries we've chosen.

And on a completely personal note, it means Gareth has to come back and I have to deal with him.

I'm doing better, or I think I am. Maybe it's just because I haven't had time to focus on my own broken heart. I can't tell I got over him and I magically forgot about him. My heart still longs for him and I miss him terribly, but getting over those feelings will take a long way. I'm not delusional to think that if I work hard I'll speed up the process, but I stay hopeful. My only wish is that for when we have to see each other again I can keep myself together and don't make it uncomfortable for the two of us.

A few days before we officially start with the promotion work, I receive a call from Japan, which surprises me a lot. I've been having video conferences with businesspeople in Japan, because Tachibana Productions also has a small broadcast station there, so I've been trying to reach out to them and understand that branch. I've even talked to father about going there for a year or so to learn more about the business. An internship of some sort.

Regardless of that, if any of the people from that broadcast station called, they wouldn't do it to my personal mobile number. But I pick up in case it is still someone important.

"Moshi moshi?" I answer in Japanese, expecting someone to reply in the same language.

I'm surprised when I hear a familiar voice I've missed way too much calling my name, "Ann."

He doesn't need to say anything else for me to know it's Gareth, calling me from Japan. I guess he's still there, or maybe he went back. According to his manager, the shooting of his new film should be almost over.

"Gareth," I call out his name.

I've seldom spoken about him, only to Cece a few times just to tell him it was completely over and that I didn't want to bring up the subject again. I realise saying his name out loud after what seems so long, when in fact it's only been three months, brings a new type of ache in my heart. I assume it's longing.

"How... how have you been?" he asks next, so unbearably awkward I have to swallow hard to make the lump in my throat go down.

"Much better. Father is doing well, he'll be joining me soon, and we're about to start the promotion, as you must be aware of," I reply, keeping it about work.

"I'm glad your father is doing well," he adds before it's just silence. I don't know how to break the ice or what to ask next. I don't really want to know how he's been doing or anything else; the more I know about him, the more I hear his voice, the more it hurts. I wasn't ready for this call, I couldn't prepare beforehand. "I... I wanted to call before. Many times. I just... I didn't know what to say and I..." he can't finish the sentence and the fact his voice sounds so uncertain and embarrassed only makes things worse for me.

"You've been busy, too," I supply. "And it's awkward. No need to explain. I'm touched you called, but it wasn't necessary. We'll see each other soon. You have to be here by next week, right?" Work, if I focus on work I can do this.

"Yes," he replies, sounding somehow deflated.

"Quite right too. I'll see you then," I try to cut this before it gets awkward again.

"Ann!" he stops me, this time his voice is almost desperate, scaring me. "I... I was hoping that by then we..."

"Don't worry," I reassure him before he can finish, stepping in before my mind can fill in the blank his hesitation has provided. "We agreed to stay as friends. I'm sure we can leave everything behind and act like before. If not, you're an actor. It'll be fine."

"I didn't mean that..."

"I know it's not ideal, but it can't be perfect, right? An unrequited love is always awkward, especially after rejection. But rest assured, I know how to be professional, too. Anyhow, I've got work to do so see you next week."

"See you next week," he agrees, although he sounds disappointed, even exhausted.

I hang up before he can say something else, taking deep breaths to calm down my erratic heart. I really need to prepare myself before I see him again. I think I did quite well now, but it left me breathless, and I can't be like that when he comes back.

Good thing I still have a week left before that happens.

But that week flies by and I really don't have time to prepare before seeing Gareth again, and it happens before their first interview. I'm walking with Teru, talking about the last details for the schedule of this week, when we run into Gareth and his manager after his makeup and hair was done.

We stop in our tracks, as if we have been frozen in time, just looking at each other. Any promise or plan not to be awkward completely forgotten, because we can't act in any other way. Within one second standing in front of him my heart races just like it did at the beginning, more even. I can't believe it's like that, considering it's been three months since I last saw him. How is it possible that my feelings for him didn't lessen in the slightest? How is possible that I feel like this when we meet eyes? I should't feel this shaky or nervous, the sound of my heartbeats shouldn't be deafening me, my hands shouldn't be trembling. But they are, and I feel pitiful for that reason.

"Ann," he says first, and I nod my head in greeting, managing to break the eye contact enough to take a breath. "How... how are you doing?"

"Quite well," I answer trying to keep my eyes somewhere else. "How was the flight back? Are you still shooting? Won't that be a problem?"

I hear him sigh, deep and tiredly, and that sparks my curiosity. "It'll be fine, you don't need to worry. I'll fulfil my contract." I meet his eyes this time and his are cold, but in a different way. He looks almost hurt, a bit disappointed, and angry. "I'm assuming work will be all we talk about from now on, uh?"

I feel guilty for a second before I look away. I shouldn't feel like this because I'm using work as my shield. It's just natural that I'm trying to protect myself. Being like we were before, just friends, when I still have such strong feelings for him is just masochist.

"Work is my main priority right now," I excuse myself. "My life basically revolves around that until the production is over."

"Still, life shouldn't be just work. Especially not yours."

I want to laugh and say some snarky remark because it's him the one who doesn't even want to like someone because of his career. He is the now devoted to work and only work, so he is no one to lecture me now.

"Well, some people decide to focus only on work instead of other things. Some even close the doors to everything else but work," I state, making sure to glare at him so he can understand I'm talking about him.

"Ann," he mutters in a weaker tone. I smirk, glad that he's understood. "This is not how it was supposed to be," he mumbles to himself next, rubbing his eyes and confusing me for a second before I pull myself together again.

"You have an interview now, so I won't distract you anymore. I see you around." There's no room for any other reply, so I look away, hoping to find Teru just to realise he and Andrew have left us alone and I didn't notice until now.

I walk past Gareth, just nodding my head in a goodbye, and decide to find Teru, wherever he went. I keep my thoughts on that in order not to think of Gareth and the very uncomfortable encounter we had. I can do this, I've faced worse things, I've grown up and I won't let this failed first love distract me from what matters. I've started to believe in me, to actually appreciate myself and what I can do since Father has acknowledged me. Even if it's hard now, I know I'll overcome this bad situation with Gareth. I know I can do it, somehow, I'll manage.

"Ann!" someone calls, dragging me out of my own thoughts and back to reality. I turn around just to find Cece rushing to catch up with me. "Woman, what's up with you? I've been calling your name for like five minutes."

"Sorry," I mumble, bowing my head a little. "I was too caught up in thoughts. I ran into Gareth," is all I have to provide for him to understand. "It wasn't nice."

"Was he all detached and annoyingly cold?" Cece rolls his eyes. He's become practically Gareth's main hater since his last rejection.

"No, he was just... weird. He acted more pissed than anything, because I keep bringing up work when we talk." Cece frowns, thinking hard to understand why the actor behaved that way. "I don't really know what he expects me to do. I can't just behave like his best friend right now."

"Okay, just for the record and before I say this I want you to know I really think he doesn't deserve you. That said," Cece states, taking a deep breath. "And this is something I've been thinking for a long time, but I wasn't sure if I should tell you. Anyhow, the point is... he didn't say he didn't like you back, Ann. He said he wasn't made for a relationship, which is evident! But if I only rely on what you told me he said, then I think his words can be interpreted differently."

"What do you mean?" I ask, feeling oddly out of breath.

"I understand that after all what's happened you can only believe he doesn't like you back, but considering how he phrased things it could mean he does like you, quite a lot, but he's aware he's a little piece of shit who doesn't deserve you."

I breathe hard, my head spinning but my heart is fearful to believe such a thing.

"Did he really tell you how he feels? Did he really tell you he doesn't see you as anything but a friend?" I think back, even if that hurts, just to realise he never said that exactly. I thought it wasn't necessary. "In my humble opinion, that boy is crazy about you, but he doesn't know what to do and he just made the wrong decision. However, if you really want to know how he feels, ask him directly. Make him tell you whether he likes you or not. That's all."

"Should I?" I ask feebly, scared.

"You should," Cece affirms. "Even if the idiot doesn't deserve you. You like him too much and I don't think the war is really over. There's still one last battle."

⋙⋘

I think, and according to the outline, that the next chapter is the last one. Of course there'll be an epilogue, but I should be able to tie everything on the following chapter. AND THEN IT'S BLANCA LIKE SNOW HOLY MOLLY! (I mean my cat, BTW)

Dedication to Lintz2

Bel, xx
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~updates every Wednesday~