"I thought I'd find you anywhere but... here." Josh stares at the fish nuggets chiming in the deep fryer after stalking me in the kitchen.

Feeling elated for some reason, I grin widely at him. "Why not? It's my kitchen, and I love cooking, so here I am."

I've decided to make dinner. After Adrian's departure, I didn't want my mood to sink again because of Laura. As painful as it is, I think we're better off without her. In time we'll learn to accept it, to live with it, and when that right moment comes we'll tell Isla everything.

I hope it won't destroy her.

Josh gives me a hand with the nuggets as he inquires about my mom. I know he's here to make sure I'm fine, and it warms my heart. Among the people I love earnestly in the world is this Asian hunk who's witnessed my every high and low in life. He's been the best friend a girl can dream to have.

Out of the blue, I hug him.

"Oh!" he shrieks, caught off-guard.

I don't let go, and eventually, his stiff body relaxes as he wraps his arms around me, probably smiling.

When I pull back, he asks me dubiously, "What was that for? What are you up to, Linc?"

I shrug, a small smile on my face. "I just felt like hugging my best friend, and telling him that I'm grateful for being with me all these years."

"You're not sick, Linc, are you?" His face contorts into worry. "This doesn't feel right at all. Tell me you're not leaving or something."

I sigh heavily. Thinking back on the conversation I had with Adrian about an hour ago, I think I've made up my mind. I press a button on the oven to finally pull out the banana bread that Sally's baby in the womb adores. As I turn to face Josh, a grin resurfaces on my face.

"I'm thinking of leaving Las Vegas," I reply coolly. "I figured if I want to start over, I need somewhere new. So I'm going to New York and I want you to be the first person to know as I haven't told my family yet."

"New—Wow." He slowly dunks onto a kitchen barstool, shock evident in his dusky eyes. "Okay, that's unexpected. Are you going with Adrian?"

I can feel my breath caught in my throat. I know that will be the question for everyone, but the answer is clear by now since I'm positive that I want to be close to him for the rest of my life.

"It's a bit of a yes and no." My answer confuses him. He narrows his eyes down at me. "I mean, I'm not going to live with him under the same roof, but we'll be closer since he also lives there. I'll rent a house, and you're free to visit anytime!"

Some relief washes over him, and I'm positive it's because he's concerned about me.

Josh has always been a cautious man, and despising to see me getting hurt again by a man is one of the things he never cowers to say out loud. But I'm a big girl now and I've learned to accept that pain is also a part of life just as pleasure is.

There's just a thin line between the two.

"Alright, Linc. You know I trust you a lot, right? I'm sure you know what you're doing so I'll support you all the way." He smiles assuringly, giving me that avuncular tenderness that subverts my fear and doubts.

Yes! I got this.

"I've also decided to go to Stanford," Josh continues as I resume preparing dinner. I blink in surprise. "I'm tired of this place. Besides, I'll get to watch over Jake for you, so you better thank me in advance, huh?" He throws a warm nugget into his mouth.

"You sure you want Stanford? Why?" I quiz.

"Well... It's because I liked it there when Jake and I visited. They got a promising School of Law and from there, I may have a chance to work at my Uncle's Law firm while studying. Plus, it's been among the options I had so why not? It's kinda win-win."

That's the best news! I'll be more at ease if Jake is not alone in that new place. Perhaps change is all that we need so that we can take a step forward. I'm feeling very positive.

"Thanks, Josh. Thank you for everything," I murmur, and he nods rather sadly. "It'll be hard but we'll get used to it. We can do this, right? As we always did."

"Exactly. We got this." He smiles playfully.

Sally walks in, but her steps slow when she sees Josh. The air between them is still tense, for none of the two dares to face the other and fix whatever needs to be fixed. Sally doesn't want anything to do with men at the moment, and Josh wants to go away to forget her as it seems.

How does a love story end without even starting? It's very sad.

"You're here?" Sally asks him even though it sounds like a dead question.

He nods rigidly. "You good?"

"Yeah." With her eight-month-old pregnant belly, she indeed looks different from the sassy girl we used to know.

Her purple hair is almost black now, the highlights slowly fading, and her face has become a bit round. She's gained some weight, but her skin glow is still prevalent.

"Well, Linc, I better go now. I'm glad you're doing fine, and... We'll talk more tomorrow. I'll drop by the café if that's okay with you," Josh announces.

"Of course. I'll be there tomorrow," I reply.

"Cool." He smiles gently. "Hey. Good evening," he tells Sally when he turns around to leave.

Her eyebrows knit together. "So you're going to avoid me until the end? Is that it?" she demands.

I'm glad. It's about time they sort out this tension hanging around them like a mountain fog.

"I'm not avoiding you," Josh replies curtly.

I pretend not to pay attention but it's more complicated than blocking the sun.

"Oh please! For God's sake, Josh, I'm not a fool not to see that ever since you saw me in this state you've been treating me like a stranger!" Profound pain accompanies Sally's heartfelt lament. "Why? Are you ashamed of me? Do I make you feel uncomfortable because I got knocked out in a damn one-night stand and I don't even know if the father will be interested in this baby? Does it irk you that I'm so foolish and irresponsible?"

I stop doing everything and focus on her. She's perplexed, and I think she's more afraid than she lets on.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm not that narrow-minded to dwell on that sleazy detail," Josh responds acutely. He marches over until he's right in front of Sally. "If you think I mattered, you wouldn't have left as you did without telling me anything! You wouldn't have hidden the fact that you're pregnant no matter how it happened! In that case, I decided to stay away since I'm not someone you need—I probably never was!"

With that, he walks away.

Apparently, his anger has nothing to do with the fact that Sally is pregnant, but rather because she excluded him throughout the time until her return from Paris. Almost in tears, Sally pats her belly absentmindedly, and I can't tell what's going on in her mind lately.

We all have our own pain, but at times I wish I could make it all okay for everyone I care about. Unfortunately, that's not up to me.

I stroll toward her. "Hey..."

"I'm hungry. Can I have that banana bread, please?" Sally grins at me.

A heavy breath leaves me. "You don't need to pretend with me. If it hurts, say it hurts. If you miss him, say so. And if you need him, tell him so."

"And then what? Do you think he'll be what I wanted him to be when I'm already someone who's lost her chances?" she snaps bitterly.

"So you admit that you love him, don't you? Why didn't you tell him sooner?"

"I don't know, Ara! Maybe I was scared that he wouldn't feel the same way! He always had eyes for you! Ever since we were young he only looked at you so..."

"What?" I frown. "What are you talking about?"

She sighs, and regret crosses her tired eyes. "It doesn't matter." She brushes it off. "It's over. I don't want to inconvenience anyone anymore! This is my problem so I'll handle it on my own. And don't worry; I heard you're leaving so I'll find a place to stay as soon as I can."

"Will you please stop being a bitch for a second!" I yell at her. "You always believe whatever you want to believe, right? You constantly feel like the only victim of everything, Sally, but let me break it to you that you're your own enemy! You get away with everything you do because you have people around to back you up no matter how many times you screw up, so learn to appreciate them instead of making excuses at every chance you get!"

Anger shoots through her eyes but it's about damn time I give her my piece of mind.

"Did you even try to talk to your dad about how you feel other than packing your bags and leaving when he yelled at you? No, you didn't! Your aunt took you in instead, and your mom supports you with everything she has! You're that lucky, bitch! You hurt Josh when you left without saying goodbye to him, and as a friend, he has every right to be upset with you, even if I don't like what's happening. My point is, learn to take responsibility for your actions toward the people you claim you love instead of complaining and throwing tantrums! You'll be a mom soon, and I'm telling you from a similar experience that you ought to grow up as soon as you can, or else you're gonna run over the hills at the first cry your baby makes!"

"Oh, so you think you're better than me just because everything is going splendidly with your life?" she resorts disdainfully.

I let out a very annoyed huff.

Our mom has just walked out on us for the second time and she dares to think that everything is going splendidly with me. Perhaps I should rumble my problems to everyone so they can understand that I'm just trying to survive like everyone else out there!

"No, Sally, I don't think I'm better than you. But you know what I think?" I utter in a calm tone of voice despite my anger. "I think I know the cruelty of the world much better than you ever could. I'm indeed planning to leave this place, but you know wherever I may be, you're always free to stay. That includes this house, so I'm not asking you to leave unless it's what you truly want."

"No need, Ara! I'll move out as soon as I get my own place to stay," she declares crossly. Before striding away, she mutters, "It's good to have an insanely rich boyfriend, isn't it? Now you can move cities however you want. Lucky you!"

I don't respond, for I'm afraid I'd say something inappropriate. Mentally I'm prepared for any attack coming my way regarding my decision to go to the same city my boyfriend lives. But it doesn't matter. If my siblings are okay with New York, the rest of the world can go to hell.

After dinner, I tell Jake about it, and his immediate answer is "I thought you'd never ask. I'm so sick and tired of this place!"

"Really? You're not gonna fuss or something? Or ask me why?" I quiz, unsure if he's being honest or merely understanding about my wish.

"Why should I?" He wheels his chair around, backing away from the big computer Adrian bought him. "I know you want to be close to your boyfriend, and you're sick of this place just as I am, so yes, let's move to New York! I was gonna leave anyway once I get back to college. I might as well leave for good."

I had no idea this place held some memories he also wanted to get rid of until now. Relief spikes at the thought—at least I'm not forcing him into this. We're together in this.

"But wait!" he suddenly snaps, giving me a stern look. "We're not going to live at Adrian's house, right? If that's your plan, I'm not going!"

Jeez, this boy and his pride!

I laugh hysterically. "What do you take me for, huh? Of course not!"

I can rent us a place with some savings I have, and then I'll find another job. I can still make money from the café, even though I won't be able to oversee things myself.

I hope Mr. Wang can now manage the business in a modern way. I feel like we've made some improvements together, but maybe we should hire a new manager.

Ugh, I don't know!

"Do you think Isla will agree? I mean, we'll have to find her a new school and all, but—"

"As long as we get her a ballet school, she can go anywhere in the world!" Jake encourages. I smile exuberantly at the idea. "We can find her the best school there. I can afford that."

"You? Stop bragging now, you punk, I'm still the one calling the shots!" I recoil.

He rumbles a very loud laugh, and it's been ages since I last heard the sound of it. "Why? You can't accept that I'm richer than you now?"

"Rich? Shut up!" I throw a pillow at him.

He dodges it; it lands on his desk. "Yeah, I'm going to be super rich and buy you a bigger house than this! And Isla... I'll take her to the Julliard School of Ballet! Just wait and see, I'll make you super proud!"

His determination leaves me in tears. It's the first time I'm hearing him say this with a smile on his face, as though something has changed inside him since our mother's momentary return. He sounds reborn.

I pull in my composure and snap, "Okay, punk! Study hard and don't slag at Stanford! You don't need to buy me a big house, but make sure you live in a bigger mansion later. And of course, send Isla to Julliard if she's into Ballet even when turns fifteen. Got it?" I throw another pillow and he catches it laughingly.

"Of course, I will!" He throws it back.

The door bursts open and Isla jogs in after a few seconds of stupor.

"Are we having a pillow fight?" she asks excitedly, fully dressed in her pink pajamas and bunny slippers.

"Of course! Let's beat Jake to a pulp!" I throw another pillow, urging him up to his feet.

"Oh come on!" he grunts, pitching it to Isla who's jumped into his bed.

Laughter and giggles fill the room, and this is my home. Whether in Las Vegas or New York, we can make it through as long as we're together. I'm no longer afraid of the future, for I have them, and I have him.

Adrian calls before I turn the lights off before I go to sleep, with Isla occupying the other side of my bed. She was giddy but exhausted when we left Jake's room, and she begged me to let her sleep with me tonight.

"I'm gonna have to fly back to New York for two days. Something came up," Adrian informs me in a hushed tone of voice.

"Oh? Is something wrong?" I sit up.

"Just some urgent business that needs my attention. Can you come with me?"

"Huh?"

"You're not going to live with me, Arabella. I just want to help you decide whether you want to live in New York or not. Come with me, please. It'll take just two days. Or three. I'll get you back anytime you wish."

Jeez, this guy!

"When are you leaving?" I ask him.

"Tomorrow. In the evening."

"Alright. I guess I have until tomorrow to decide, right?" I mess with him because my decision to move is already a done deal.

Why not have a pre-visit before I move?

"I suppose so," Adrian answers.

"Okay, Sir. Have a good night."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah?" I chuckle.

"I wanna see you right now. Put in a video call."

"What? I... I'm not alone in bed, Adrian!" I whisper while glancing at my sleeping beauty.

"What do you mean you're alone? Who are you with, Arabella?" He's suddenly snappy, jealousy oozing out of his thick voice.

I giggle subtly. "Do you really have to know, Sir?"

"Yes! Now! Talk!"

"How about I show you then? Will you stop being jealous and hot?" I tease.

"Video call, Arabella. Now."

I laugh brightly. God, I love him.

________________

A/N: Are you ready for the two days in New York? Hell, I am. Let's finish the book with nothing but pleasure.

But hey, you can't separate Pain and Pleasure if the Dom and sub are involved, can you?

Playtime!