Ch. 10 Pt. 1: And so we meet Again

Chapter Ten: And so we meet Again

Part One

It has been two and a half months since Abrielle reported her boss, and there have been a lot of changes in Abrielle’s life, the most significant being the new man in her life. Ryan Stone.

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Abrielle met Ryan at the local art gallery one day after work. She and Jenesis were walking past the different displays looking at things that appealed to them when Jenesis nudged Abrielle in the side.

“What?” Abrielle grunted taken by surprise.

Jenesis waggled her eyebrows and nodded her head towards the man standing in front of a painting a few feet away, and he definitely had is eyes on Abrielle. “He’s been checking you out for the past five minutes. God woman, you’re oblivious to the world!”

Abrielle blushed and glanced in the man’s direction. He smiled and gave her the typical guy nod, and she smiled back.

“Abrielle! Go over and talk to him for God’s sake!” Jenesis shoved Abrielle in the direction of the smiling man, and surprisingly, Abrielle complied.

“Hi, my friend thought that maybe you needed to talk to me.”

“Well, she saw you staring – well not staring like in a creepy way, but she just noticed –”

“Oh goodness. Hi, I’m Abrielle.” She was blushing like crazy but the man just laughed.

“Hello Abrielle, I’m Ryan. Nice to meet you.”  

Abrielle and Ryan talked for a while. She found out he had just moved to Sunset Valley and knew absolutely no one. Abrielle offered to show him around the town, and Ryan said that they should make a day of it, and that day should be today.

Jenesis urged Abrielle to go, and so she left with Ryan. The two spent the entire day exploring all the popular places in Sunset Valley, and ended their day with an informal dinner on the beach.

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Ryan has been Abrielle’s boyfriend since that night, and they were crazy about each other. He was such a kind person, and always put Abrielle before himself (much unlike Jadrien who was very narcissistic).

Ryan adored Abrielle, he would do anything for her, one might even go as far to say that he loved her, and although Abrielle cared about Ryan very much, she couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. So she refrained from saying those three small words too early, when they still didn’t mean all that they should.

Aside from that “something’s missing” feeling Abrielle would get sometimes, she felt as though her life was back on track. The depression had lifted, and she rarely found herself thinking about her assault. With the support of Jenesis and Ryan, Abrielle was truly happy with her life again.

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“We’re runnin’ with the shadows of the night so baby take –” Abrielle was laying on the couch one afternoon watching TV when her phone began to ring. She felt around the floor until she found her phone and then glanced at the picture on the screen before picking up. “Hey Ry. What’s up?” she said cheerfully

“Hello Beautiful. So, you know that our two and a half month anniversary is coming up in a few days, two, to be exact. Well, I couldn’t get reservations for that night, but I ended up getting them for tonight at the Restaurant de Amour. So I know we were just going to do pizza and a movie tonight, but I’ve planned something else really special. So be sure you’re ready by seven tonight ok?”

Abrielle laughed. She never was the type of person that thought celebrating an anniversary every month made sense, let alone every month and a half, but Ryan was a hopeless romantic who thought these things were essential. “Alright, hon. I’m all yours.

“Great. See you then sweetheart.”

Abrielle shut off her phone and placed it back on the floor. She had just snuggled down into a comfortable position when the doorbell rang.

“Abri, can you get that? It’s probably the pizza guy. Cash is on the counter.” Jenesis yelled from upstairs.

Abrielle grabbed the money and opened the door. “Hi –” Abrielle stopped short and gasped.

“Hey Abri.”

“KYLER!” Abrielle flung her arms around her best friend and pulled him into a huge hug.

When she pulled back she smiled at him and then noticed how run down he looked. “Wanna come in?” She opened the door wide and stepped back so he could walk inside the house. He went straight for the living room and plopped down on the couch, head in his hands.

“Ky, what’s wrong?” Abrielle sat down beside him and waited for his response.

“She’s gone.” He whispered.

“Who? Maylee?”

Kyler nodded. “Sh-She left me.” His voice started to get louder and Abrielle could hear the anger behind his words. “She left me for her Pilates instructor! I’m so stupid that I didn’t catch on sooner, that I didn’t see it coming!”

“Oh God, Ky. I’m so sorry!”

“I’m not! I’m glad she’s out of my life! She obviously didn’t love me and I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t love me!”

There was a long pause and the only sound that could be heard was the music that Jenesis was blaring upstairs. Finally Kyler spoke again.

“Abri, I have a big favor to ask, and it’s totally fine if you say no, I’ll understand, but I don’t really have anywhere to stay, and I’m sick of cheap motels. So could I… could I stay here for just a few nights?”

“Oh goodness Kyler, of course you can! You didn’t even have to ask, you should know you’re always welcome.”

“Just wanted to make sure. So, what’s new in the life of Miss Abrielle Ainsley?”

“Oh boy, are you sure you’re ready for this?”

 Kyler showed a small smile, and Abrielle launched into all the things that had happened since he’d left. The good and the bad. At six their catching up ended because Abrielle had to get ready for her date with Ryan, but her and Kyler planned to talk much more when she got back.