He wanted girls? Fine. He could have them. I would show him I didn't care. He had no right to treat me like that and escape. I too could give him the cold shoulder if I wanted. Till now, I had not uttered anything as he tortured me these few weeks but enough was enough. I wasn't saying anything until he apologized.

But he wasn't my boyfriend, he didn't need to apologize. Why would he say sorry to me for something he didn't do?

He better not lead me on then. He acted like a sulky boyfriend if I spoke about Wade and took care of me like I mattered. I had no doubt if it was someone else, he would take that person to the hospital and pay his/her bills.

He wouldn't burden that person with hundred files in the first place.

As I examined myself, I realized I looked like a bombshell. Thank god for parties because I had a reason to splurge on myself and dress to my satisfaction. I also needed to shed my glasses this time. Just as I wore the contacts, I heard the bell. I opened the door to find the Devil standing.

He stood their in all his glory, with his perfect black Armani suit and crisp white shirt. Add to that a black pants and a rolex watch. Voila! You get a handsome mouth watering Jared Grey.

"Your hair," Was the first thing that came out of his mouth.

"What about it?"

"Its open. I have never seen it open till now. It has grown longer," He blinked.

"And?"

"Nothing . You look nice," He said softly, taking in my attire.

Did I ask for his compliment?

Instantly, I regained my cold composure, "Can we go?"

"What about your glasses?" He asked, subtly strolling inside as if it was an everyday thing.

"I am wearing lens."

He frowned, "Glasses suit you. You should wear them."

"I don't think so. Can we go?" I asked impatiently.

His frown deepened but he didn't argue further. He wasn't fooling anyone.

You might tell me what to do for work, but you are not telling me if I could or could not wear glasses. If this attire reminded him of Alice, let it be. I was more important than his thoughts.

~¤~

"How come your parents allow you to stay with a guy?" Jared asked as we headed towards the party.

I didn't reply, maintaining few inches gap between us as I pressed myself against the door of the car.

"Allison, I am asking you something," He persisted.

"And I am choosing not to answer. You can fire me if you want," I gave him a sweet smile.

He blinked, scrutinising me before a snicker escaped his mouth, "No, I won't fire you. You know that very well."

"Then, don't ask questions," I snapped.

"And what if I say sorry? Will you give me an answer after that?" He tilted his head, giving me a boyish full blown smile.

That smile. The contagious smile my old Jared used to give. Shit, he was using his most dangerous weapon.

"Say sorry then," I narrowed my eyes, not showing him how that smile was making my insides do bungee jumping.

"Sorry," He said instantly.

"Give it a bit more meaning," I said.

He rolled his eyes, but nevertheless said, "I am sorry I went and picked up a girl that day because you said you were going to be busy with your guy 'best friend' over an important work. I won't do that again," He pressed his mouth in a thin line.

That was one of the worst apologies I had ever heard.

"Thats the best I had. Now will you answer my question?" He asked.

"No."

He gave a small groan, "I am sorry, Allison. It was a misunderstanding and I apologize for giving you such a disturbing sight."

Maybe that was the best. What a poor human of a person.

"They didn't allow at first. I fought with them. Now they are okay," I immediately replied, feeling protective about Wade, "He is a good guy."

He scowled, looking at front now, "He must be. He seemed a lot close to you."

"He is. He knows me better than Alice, Naomi or anyone in that case," I said, "He understands me."

Better than you ever did, Grey.

He kept quiet and looked out of the window, clenching his jaws as his hands balled into fists and his knuckles turned white.

Weird. He didn't ask about Alice. Maybe he was thinking about her once I mentioned her name.

I guess it would hurt him more. But it wouldn't hurt to ask once.

"You won't ask about Alice?" I asked casually.

"Huh?" He turned, looking a bit unprepared.

"Alice? You won't ask about her?" I asked perplexed.

"Um...yeah... how is she?" He paused, looking a bit flabbergasted at my question.

Poor guy. I shouldn't have asked the question.

"Happy. She is with Trevor. She is in Australia enjoying," I informed.

"Oh yes, Trevor told me. I remember now," Jared mumbled, looking out and not looking interested to talk about this topic anymore.

"You gotta move on. You can't hold onto the past," I said as a matter of fact.

He nodded, "I know. I know that very well," He let out a loud sigh.

"The person you love may not always love you back," I prodded.

He nodded again, "I know that for sure," Cue a snort from him.

"But the solution doesn't lie in sleeping around. Sure, sex gives you pleasure but spending time with your family does too," I blabbered, feeling my inner lecturer come out.

I always loved giving advice, specially to those who didn't want it. He was so not over her. That was my sister's charm though. Once you met her, you usually never forgot her. Jared was no exception. Since I was a duplicate of her, it hurt him to see me everyday. I knew he didn't like me for the very fact that he wouldn't treat me so badly otherwise.

"I am sorry you had to see that," He shook his head.

"You don't spend a lot of time with your family, do you?" I asked, ignoring his apology.

He looked at me and smiled a bit, "How do you know?"

"Elle told me. How is Hailey?" I asked, leaning back a bit.

"Good, good. She is a mother of two now. A boy and a girl," His eyes twinkled as he mentioned the children.

"Really? That's awesome!" I grinned, pleasantly surprised. I was so happy for her. She was one heck of a person. To think two miniature Hailey and Mark were so cute.

The two people I missed most had been Jared and Hailey throughout these years. After I changed my number, I deliberately didn't keep any contact with her because of Jared. I knew I couldn't look at her without asking a thousand questions about him. I missed her too during all these years.

"Her business is also doing well. Pretty soon she might be opening other outlets in the city of her beauty brands."

"I heard about your father. How is he doing now?"

"He is well than before. You are settled with someone?" He asked suddenly, changing topics.

I paused.

"Its okay. You don't have to answer," He said quickly, turning away his face again.

"No. I am very much single," I said.

"And ready to mingle?" He teased but his eyes showed he really wanted to know. He was waiting for the correct answer. He was grazing his teeth with his tongue and occasionally rolling it around his mouth. Damn, that was hot.

These were the moments that confused me. Sometimes I felt he liked me when I spoke of Wade, sometimes it felt he was still into my sister when I mentioned her and he went defensive. He gave me all mixed signals.

"Not with random people," I said truthfully.

"Oh, so you can do with only familiar known persons, huh?" He pressed, a crooked smile appearing.

I didn't know what to say, "I am not sure. I don't spend time thinking about it."

"Such a shame. You should, though. You are not getting any younger, are you?" He said seriously.

"Oh, and you are?" I challenged.

"I have loads of options. You don't," He chortled irritatedly.

"Well, if you must know, Wade and I made that old pact of marrying each other if we don't have anyone by the age of forty," I huffed.

I expected him to grow angry, instead, he shook his head and burst out laughing. I stared at him in shock as he continued laughing, his whole body shaking.

"Please remember to invite me then. I would like to see that wedding," He said, still laughing.

"Sure. Everyone will come. I will invite you first," I said, my nose in air.

"Please, you think your 'best friend' is going to stay a bachelor for that long? Not everyone is you Allison," He said, rolling his eyes arrogantly.

"I can get a guy too. I know I can!" I challenged.

"I know, but I am not sure whether you will get any other guy," He said as a matter of fact.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. Use your brains a bit. They are there for a reason. Don't just use them for files and laptops. Others should get a fair chance too," He said, shaking his head.

"I am not sure what you are trying to say."

"I will explain to you someday. Not now," He said.

He smiled and shook his head, looking really happy now. I relaxed.

Okay. We were having a civil conversation after so many years.

Just like old times.

It felt both good and weird. I never thought I would be again conversing with him like this again. It seemed so...normal.

"We are here," He announced.