A/N: Hey gus. Sorry for the late update, I've been busy with things.

I''ve come up with some ideas on the charater roles who I see closely looked like the character. Tell me what you think? If you have someone else in mind, please voice them out.

Anyways. Enjoy and Happy reading!

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Twenty

A week pasted by since that day. By the next day, things returned back to normal, as what others describe as reality. Andre contacted me the next day after that day. Since I was too preoccupied with what happened, I forgot to call him back about the dinner invite. To compensate for my rudeness, I accepted his proposal to dinner on Friday.

When Friday night came, I was all dress up and ready for another date with Andre. But, I wasn't myself most of the night, and my thoughts were elsewhere. Finally, Andre spoke up and asked me up front.

"Ally, is there something bothering you? You just zoned out on me again and again." He asked his voice thick with worry.

I looked up at him, staring straight at his blue eyes; eyes that are light and soft, eyes that looked dull in contrast to those Caribbean blue eyes. I wanted to kick myself after that thought. I don't know what is wrong with me. "Andre. I'm so sorry if I've been so rude. I'm just exhausted after all that has happened to me. I don't know..." I replied softly, trailing off as I came up without a word of excuse.

"Do you want to head back? I don't want you to get sick." Andre offered, after which he called the waiter for the check.

"Thank you." I said with an apologetic smile.

Andre took me back to the apartment without further questions. When we finally reached the door of my place, I was about to turn the knob of my door when Andre grab my wrist.

"Ally. If you don't want this to continue, you only have to say it. I don't you to force yourself to continue seeing me out of pity." Andre stated sternly, his face all serious.

I was caught off guard by his words. I stared back at him, slightly shock and taken back. "I'm not seeing you out of pity, Andre. For your information, I actually like you. I mean really like you. Like in an attractive way, I like you..." I said the words were a jumble as I blinked my eyes in concentration, trying to make a coherent reply.

Suddenly his lips crushed into mine, startling me into silence. It was warm and soft as it stayed in mine. My heart started to rise as the kiss continued. And without thinking, my lips started to move its own. The kissed started to get heated as our breath becomes ragged. We both pause for a second as we catch our breath. But, we both were relentless and the pull within me became instinctive. He pulled me back to his lips, which I willingly give. And, I felt myself get lost again.

I didn't know how things end and how things came to be, but when I finally got my footing with the situation. I was up against my door as I take ragged breaths as Andre's lips continued trailing kisses in my heated skin. I know I haven't gotten laid since I broke up with my a**whole ex-boyfriend, and that is too long for someone who have been in pain. I need some way of relief. But, I don't want it to be like this.

"Andre, stop. Please. I don't want this to go any further." I stated as clearly as I can since I was still breathless.

Andre stiffened and stopped his soft kisses and stepped a foot away from me. His face slightly guilty. "I'm so sorry, Allison. I don't want you to feel like I've force you on this. I didn't mean to be... You just said those words and I couldn't help but kiss you..."He said in worry but trails off as his voice became soft as velvet.

"You didn't. And, I do like you Andre. I'm just not ready for something like that." I explained with sincerity.

"Okay. I understand. I don't want to ruin anything with you." He replied as his body relaxes with relief. "But, can I ask you something?" he adds, his stance becomes confident.

"Oh. Sure." I replied with uncertainty as I straighten myself up.

"I know that we've known each other for just a few weeks. But, in those weeks, I came to know a beautiful woman, and I want to know more about her. Ally, can I have the honor of knowing you more as someone special?" Andre asked. His eyes smoldering me as it stared right at mine, like he directly stared at my soul.

I was speechless for a moment. His words were so beyond me, it sounded poetic to my ear. No man had asked me to be his girlfriend that way. "You sure know how to make a mood, Andre Pierce." I said with a sly smile.

"Is that a yes?" He asked as he smiled shyly, his eyes giving him away.

"Uhm... I'll think about it..." I stated in mock nonchalance, looking at him with uncertainty. And then, I smirked as his face slightly fell from its façade. "You easily rush things, Mr. Pierce. But, that's one of the things I like about you. So, I'll say yes." I added with a chuckled.

I grabbed his face with both of my hands and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. This time, it was me who caught him off guard. For a moment, all worries were washed away. I even forgot what I was worried about. The feeling seemed distant away as I stared at the standing in front of me. But, something was poking behind my mind as my heart suddenly jostles in pain. These weren't the exact eyes that I wanted to look at me lovingly.

By the weekend, the first day I had as a woman who is now in a relationship, I woke up feeling giddy as I thought about last night. I can't believe I was now off the market. Well, I felt sorry for my past, miserable self. I don't want her with me right now, she will ruin this moment.

After taking my usual routine in the morning, I walked across the street to my favorite coffee shop to get my favorite coffee. I wanted to be surrounded with everything I love in this happy moment. So, I called Annette and told her the news.

"Are you sure about this though? Did you forget what we talked about last Sunday night?" she asked, her voice had an edge of worry.

"I'm sure. Just be happy for me, Anne. I'm really happy now." I replied with a sigh, but my voice was soft as I stated the last sentence.

"I am happy for you. I'm glad that you found someone that makes you feel this way again." She says with sincerity, her worry all gone in her voice.

We talked for awhile after that, telling her some of the detail about Andre's heart-stopping questions. We ended our call when my phone beeped with an incoming call from Andre, which led to Annette's round of teasing words.

"Hey, good morning." I greeted as I answered the phone.

"Morning, Ally. I'm so sorry to call you so early in the morning. I know you wanted to be together today. My boss called me to come over to Washington. I wouldn't be back by tomorrow night." He stated breathlessly as air whooshed in the phone. It seemed like he was running around and grabbing something, or packing his clothes.

"Its okay, Andre. I understand. We can have dinner when you get back." I offered to ease his guilt.

"Thank you, Ally. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met. I promise you I'll take you to the finest dinner when I get back." He said softly as the other end of the phone started to go silent. "If I was there with you, I could kiss you right now." He adds after a few beat of silence.

"I'll meet you down stairs at the lobby for that kiss." I stated back with a smile as I stood up on my chair, grabbing my drink.

"Well then, see you there." He stated back with a chuckle.

I ended the phone, stashing it my pocket as I half ran towards the apartment building. When I got there, Andre was already outside with a huge black bag in hand. We waved at me enthusiastically with a smile as he saw me. I waved back lightly with a smile.

"That was quick." I stated as I finally reached him.

"I couldn't wait for that kiss." He replied softly, rapping his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"May, I didn't know I was going to be dating a demanding, impatient man." I said back in mock disappointment, but my lips were twitching into a smile.

"I'm only impatient when it concerns you." He confessed in a whisper as he leans close to my face, his lips inched from mine.

I smirked at that and met his lips the rest of the way. The kiss was the same as it was last night, though not as heated, but it was warm and soft. A kiss that seemed to slowly lose a certain spark, but; I was oblivious to it since the kiss was still as hot as I know it would.

After my morning routine, I went to work to check on the layouts for the next month's issue. I was half way finish with the editorial and a few fashion spread went my celphone rings. I picked it up without a seconds notice since I felt I needed the break to socialize with the world again.

"Ally, Tristan and I are going to have lunch together just a few blocks from your company. Do you want to join us?" Annette asked after her greeting.

"Sure. What time and where?" I replied and asked as I slowly clean out my desk with my free hand.

"Japanese restaurant just a few blocks, about... ten minutes from now." Annette answered, pausing for a moment before telling me the time.

"Okay. See you." I said enthusiastically as I ended the call before he pry's me about my date with Andre last night. I wanted to tell her the news personally.

After cleaning my table, I grabbed my purse and got out of the building under ten minutes. The walk to the restaurant wasn't that far, which would take me a few minutes late rather than my usual twenty minutes late prior to invitation. On my walked there, my phone beep for a new message, which I was about to get out when something - well, someone - caught my eye.

Logan was crossing the street towards me, giving me a good enthusiastic wave. I felt suddenly self conscious. I wanted to ignore his greeting and pretend that I didn't see him. But, I couldn't do that. He already knows that I've seen him. So, I gave him a small smile in return.

"Hey, where are you going?" He asked as he reached me. He was slightly out of breath.

"I'm going to have my lunch with Annette." I replied sternly, yet taken off guard by his clothing. I've seen Logan in his work clothes before, but I never seen him wear it outside of work before. "Why are you in a hurry? Are you meeting someone?" I asked bluntly out of curiosity. Before I could stop myself, the words we out of my mouth.

"I am. I'm meeting your brother and sister." He replied with a secret smile.

"Oh. They didn't tell me you were joining us..." I stated absentmindedly and trailed off. I wanted to kick my brother's a** this moment, and I need to have a good one on one chat with my bestfriend. Then, before my thoughts lead to other revenge plans, it suddenly clicked on me. How am I supposed to tell Tristan about Andre and me while Logan is with us?

There was an awkward silence as Logan and I walked side by side towards the restaurant. When we reached there, I was glad that Tristan and Annette were already there with a table. I gave my best friend a light kiss in the cheek and a hug to my brother before seating down beside Logan. You can assume that I was prolonging the inevitable.

There was a short silence between us as we all sat there silently. You can almost feel the slight tension between the three, it was almost palpable. I glance at Tristan, who was looking at Logan with intensity, like he was trying to tell him something. And then, I turn towards Annette, who was also looking at Logan the same way. So, I turn to look at him. Logan wasn't looking at any of the two, his eyes were focused somewhere far away.

For a moment, I was lost. I think they are hiding something from me. But, I didn't dwell on that; I had my own problems to deal with. So, to have it done and out of the way, I started the conversation with my news.

"Guys. Andre and I are officially dating." I announced with passion as I broke the silence.

"What??!" Tristan exclaimed in shocked at the same time Annette said, "Are you insane?" she asked in rage.

I didn't get Annette's reaction since she already knows about this. Though this wasn't anything near when I told them I was dating a douche bag, but this reaction was too much. They haven't even met the guy yet.

"Really, guys? Don't judge him just yet. I promise he isn't anywhere near like my A**whole, whore, Ex. You'll like him. Beside, Logan can back me up with that... Right, Logan?" I stated as I rolled my eyes from their reaction, and turned to Logan for help.

Logan looked slightly taken back for a moment as he looks at me for a second. But, he was able to recover himself as he replied to me. "Yup. Andre is a fine man. I can vouch for her on that."

I beamed at Logan, which he replied with a small, sad smile. I didn't understand why he had such an expression. I wasn't able to contemplate on it since Tristan and Annette got my attention as they both shook their head in disagreement. I didn't get why they were acting that way.

"Why are you shaking your head? Did I say something wrong?" I asked at both of them in confusion.

"Obtuse, I told you, Bunny. She is just useless." Tristan stated in a whispered as he tsked and shook his head again.

"Give her time. She'll get it one way or another." Annette replied him softly as she eyes me sadly.

"Why are you both whispering like that? Are you plotting something?" I asked, eyeing them both deadly in accusation.

They just gave me a sad smile and shook their heads again. Before I could asked them further on their weird actions and whispers, our food finally arrived. As we ate our meal, we picked a comfortable topic to talk about, which Annette picked. And if you guess it, she talked about her pregnancy.

Before long, lunch time is almost over and we're heading back to work. Tristan is going to drive Annette back home since the woman's workplace is her home. That would leave me and Logan alone as we walked back to our workplace.

As we reach the intersection, the same place we met before going to the restaurant, we both paused and look at each other. Not one of us spoke for a second until Logan broke it with an unexpected question, which was unlike him. He wasn't one to pry.

"So, when did you guys make it official?" He asked softly as curiosity plastered on his face.

"Oh. Uhm... Last night, after our dinner." I stuttered in reply.

"Good for you. And, congratulations." He stated with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Thank you." I said softly, unsure on how to react to his words.

He looks at me for a moment after that, staring at my eyes directly. Then, swiftly, he turned around and started to pace away from me. I stood there for a moment, trying to process my surrounding. I looked away from Logan's retreating figure and walked opposite from him.

"Ally?" Logan called, making me stop on my track and turn back. "Are you happy?" he asked after a moment.

"Pardon?" I asked as I walked towards him to hear his words clearly.

"Are you happy?" he asked again aloud.

I stared at him for a moment, unsure of a decent reply. Though the question is simple, a simple answer is not enough to give justice to what you truly felt. But, I didn't have the time to make that long speech, talking about my happiness. So, I went with the simple answer. "Yes. I am." I replied with a soft smile.

"Good." He stated with a curt nod, like I just assured him something. "I'll see you later." He adds, turning back towards the direction of the hospital.

"Okay. See you." I replied with a short wave and turned to the opposite direction.

As I reach to the other side of the street, I quickly glance back to Logan's direction. His tall, back figure was to me as he slowly paced away from me. For a moment, I felt a sudden tightness in my heart. Then, suddenly, Logan turns around and glances back at me. His eyes were wide for a second, and then his face break into a sly smile. I shook my head at his actions and smiled back. Then, he turns away and continued walking in the same moment as I walked further away from him.