"Hailey will really get a shock. Mark is here too along with the kids," Jared said as we entered through the gates.

"Mark doesn't live here?"

"He actually got transferred to Seattle but Hailey couldn't go due to her business and the children are also settled here. He is trying hard to again transfer back. We think he might get a transfer in another year or so."

I nodded in understanding as we rang the bell and one of the maids opened. Sometimes, I still forgot how rich they were.

I was feeling a bit tensed. I had no idea what to do. Hailey had always been an unpredictable person.

What would I say to her after five years? How would she react? She would recognise me, right?

Oh by the way, did I tell you I loved Jared and he confessed he wanted more? You bet I did.

"Hails! Look who is here!" Jared shouted from downstairs.

"Jared, thank god you are finally home. We have been waiting for so long. I swear if its your lousy clients, I-" Hailey came down the stairs but froze when she saw me.

Wow. She looked the same. Gorgeous and totally a diva. She had put on some weight but motherhood suited her. That same sparkle in her eyes and the mischievous look. It wasn't as if we were meeting after so many years. Everything today was feeling so normal. Like it did back then.

"Oh, my god!" She clasped her mouth, "Allison Marshall?" Her face held pure disbelief.

"Hi Hailey," I grinned, "You look gorgeous."

"Oh my god!" She ran down the rest of the stairs and engulfed me into one of her breath taking hugs. Literally breath taking.

"Ah! Five years! Its so good to see you after so many years!" She shook me, making my teeth rattle, "God, I have missed you so much! Things have changed a lot and I want to say-"

"Hails, you are crushing her. Let her breathe," Jared rolled his eyes, hands in his pockets.

"You didn't tell me you met her today! How unfair! I would called earlier!" She shot him an accusing look.

"Well, don't kill me but she kind of works with me. For almost four months now," He said very quickly, twisting his face and expecting a hit, "I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

Hailey's jaws dropped. And then she gave him a tight slap and pulled his ears.

"Ouch! Are you crazy?! Leave my ear!" He jerked off and rubbed his cheek.

"You bastard! You hid it from me! I don't believe it! Does Mom and Dad know? Mark will be so glad to see you, Alli! Mark!" She shouted as she clasped my shoulders and scrutinized me thoroughly.

"If it helps, nobody in my family knows Alli works for me. I think they have a hunch but we haven't spoken directly. I was going to tell later someday but you came earlier than expected," Jared explained, "My family could create a lot of unnecessary drama."

She gave him a glare, "You don't speak a word, Mister! I am terribly angry at you. Just you wait. I will tell mom and dad now. They too will give you a thorough scolding."

"I am not a kid. I am not afraid of them," He made a face at her.

"Oh, you will be. Mom and dad missed Alli too and when they get to know that you have been hiding her under your wing for months, you are dead meat," She gave a cackle, "I can't wait to see you getting slapped some more."

Jared let out a snort of disbelief, "What kind of a sister are you?"

"Nasty," She gave an evil smirk.

Both of them seemed to have forgotten I was here but I was happy being in the background, watching them squabble.

Few seconds later, I heard Mark coming down.

"What happened- Woah! Allison? Allison Marshall?" He rubbed his eyes.

"The one and only! She freaking works under baby bro for almost four months now! Can you believe it?" She glared at Jared, "I hate you, dumbass."

"As if I care," Jared retorted.

"Oh my god, its so good to meet you after so many years," He gave me a hug, "Have you been in New York this whole time? How come you are working under him now?"

"We will talk about this later. Come on. Lets introduce her to the kids first," She squealed like a child.

"Are you sure you are a real mom and the kids aren't adopted?" Jared snorted.

That earned him a punch in the stomach, "Didn't I say not to open your mouth!?"

"Kids! Come down for a minute!" Mark shouted.

I heard scrambling and running footsteps and a boy and a girl came down. The boy was sandy blonde with lots of freckles and brown eyes while the girl was a brunette with grey eyes.

"Kids, meet Allison, our friend. Allison, this is Luke, four years old and Rachael, three years old."

The kids waved shyly as I crouched down to their heights.

"Hello, Luke and Rachael. My my! You both are so cute," I waved at them.

"You shouldn't call a boy cute," Luke said, hiding behind Mark.

"Why not?"

"Uncle Jared says you shouldn't call a boy cute. He should be called hot or handsome."

"Jared!" Hailey shot a look at Jared.

"What? Its the truth," He smirked, "Kid learned fast."

The kids ran back, not bothering to stay any longer. I could understand them. I still acted like them now.

"Come on, Alli. We have lots to catch up on," Hailey grabbed my hand.

"Not again! Why do you always drag her away?" Jared groaned.

"Because she is my best friend. Not yours," Hailey stuck out her tongue.

This is what I loved about her. She didn't hold grudges. Even though we hadn't been in contact since a long time, she still called me a best friend. She was ready to even spill her secrets. She might be a bit ditzy but she had a big heart filled with only love and madness.

Jared rolled his eyes, "Yup. The kids are definitely adopted."

Mark burst out laughing.

~¤~

"So, tell me. How are you? Where do you live? Have you got a boyfriend? Are you and Jared cool with each other because you both seemed comfortable," Hailey passed me the coffee cup as she rattled on.

"Woah, slow down Hailey. Too many questions. Let me say from the beginning. I am fine. I live in a rented apartment now. No boyfriend at present. And yes, Jared and I have come to an understanding. A friendship pact," I said, snickering at her over excited expression.

Though that kiss on the cheek and afterspeech can't be included.

Hailey looked at me, trying to stifle a smile.

"What?" A smile was threatening to escape my lips too.

"You and Jared friends? Biggest joke. We both know you guys can either be enemies or lovers. Not friends," She shook her head.

"No, Hailey. We are friends..." I trailed off.

"So, he forgave you?" She asked, not bothering to argue about it.

"Yup. Guess so. At least I hope so," I shrugged.

"You know he still feels for you. It's so evident. I have seen him change so rapidly throughout these years, it's quite scary. But, after many days I am seeing him in casuals instead of formal suits. Already showing signs of change, huh?" She winked.

"I seriously don't know what to say except he is doing it all by himself."

"That's correct. I am glad he is doing it."

"Yes, he changed too since last few months. I am seeing a lot of positive signs."

"Oh yeah, you still like him?" She asked directly. That was another one of the best things about her. She never beat around the bush.

I just realized I loved him. But, I didn't want to say this to anyone yet. Not even Hailey. I wanted to tell him first.

"Yes, I still like him," I blushed, deciding to go for the milder version.

"A lot?"

"More than a lot," I was looking anywhere but at her.

"Thats perfect! You guys can get back after so many years. Its just like a movie," She clapped her hands.

Thank god I didn't mention love, she would scream the roof down.

"No, its not that simple. I mean, I don't know. We both have moved on-" I just tried giving a vague attempt.

"Not," she added.

"I-I...uh..."

"Look, Alli. Jared hasn't been in a serious relationship after you. Literally. He is a bit promiscuous. I know he sleeps with girls sometimes just for having sex. I mean that's so stupid. Neither me nor our parents like it at all. We were angry, we scolded him but he wouldn't listen. But I can tell you one thing, he hasn't slept with a girl in recent months,I can tell. He isn't "busy" anymore when I call him. You know, I always call at the wrong time. Now, I get it why he hasn't. I knew something was wrong by the way he was acting. He would be pissed off but not depressed. Its because you have returned," Realization flashed through her face, "I should have joined the pieces."

My antennas shot up, "He hasn't? But one day I walked into him, not exactly walked but-"

"You didn't see them, did you? He told me back then. Just the part where he couldn't continue further one day because he was so guilty, not the details though, that's gross, just that he was ready to let go of his habits and start a new chapter. I didn't understand at that time but now I get it. He was feeling guilty. Alli, you are the only one who can handle that douchebag. I can see him smiling more often now. Last week, he even offered to take us out on a family trip. He never does that. Jared Grey is changing and its all due to you again. I feel like an idiot for not understanding earlier!" She shook her head.

"I don't know what to say..."

"Have you been doing alright?" She asked gently, changing the high pitched tone to a gentle one.

I nodded, "Yes. I dated a guy and didn't work out. I went on some blind dates, again didn't work out. I can say I am happier now."

"Oh so you hooked up?" She laughed.

I nodded, "You can say that."

"Call me old fashioned but I never really got the trend of hooking up like young people do nowadays. For me, sex has always been about love. I never understood how could Jared do it without loving someone. Its such a loving tender act and you do it just for passing time. I mean, I would rather stay celibate than fulfill my biological desires with someone whom I don't love."

"I wondered the same thing too about Jared. Though with my ex, I thought I could grow to love him, but I didn't," I shrugged, "I don't regret that though."

"And you shouldn't either. Experience makes a woman perfect," She laughed out loudly.

Before I could say anything, she spoke again.

"Goddamn Alli, why don't you guys understand you both are perfect for each other!? What's stopping you? I admit Jared might take some time to be that old Jared again but still, you can do it!" She reasoned.

I stared at her, "But I broke him, Hailey."

"And you yourself can fix him up. Make him listen to the entire thing. Make him realize it was a misunderstanding," She said.

"Misunderstanding? No, I was selfish so we broke apart," I said.

"Selfish? How?" She frowned.

"I-I...l-loved Jared...I mean I do...no, I don't...I, leave it," I sighed.

"If you love or extremely like him, then first clear all misunderstandings. Tomorrow itself," She ordered.

"He has meetings almost everyday. Even tomorrow he is meeting a new client. And then day after tomorrow he has a dinner meeting with Schoff, his biggest project partner till now," I said.

"Fine. Tell him whenever you get time. You are the mature one here. You will do it. Promise me. I don't care if it's five years too late. I would tell you guys to get back together even if it was ten years or fifteen years."

"Hailey..."

"Promise me."

"I p-promise."