CHAPTER 2

She couldn't believe her own eyes. 'Am I imagining things? how could he be here? Am I hallucinating. Just a few moments ago I was thinking about him and here he was before her standing tall and strong like a prince charming that he has always been in the school. He was always chased by girls except her and Emma which made him get comfortable around them and became besties.'

"Hope …. its you right… why are you not answering me? " he grabbed both of her shoulder and shaked her to get her attention to him.

"Ah… yes. How have you been? " she said unconsciously.

The moment she said that he hugged her and she couldn't process what was happening right now. "Hope... how can you do this to me? Do you know much I missed you all these years?"

He has not changed even a bit. His eyes were clouded with tears threatening to fall any moment contrast to his tall and strong build. she can sense his genuine happiness in meeting her even after seven years.

" Ummm���. Sorry Alaric, I have also been missing you. How are you? what are you doing here…" she has a lot of questions for him. She couldn't believe that she met him and she doesn't want to miss this chance and regret later for not spending a bit more time with him if this was a dream.

Before she could ask any more questions, Liam came there shouting. " How can you walk around in this thin piece of clothing in this severe cold ? do you have a death wish or do you plan to protest like this to avoid the meeting" without realizing that someone was staring at him intensely he wrapped the coat around her which did make her so warm.

Only after rubbing her palms and making sure that she was no longer cold did Liam realized that Alaric was sending laser beams from his eyes behind him. "Boss. Who's this man? he looks like he is going to kill me with his eyes. Did I do something wrong" Liam whispers in her ear making sure that Alaric cannot hear him.

Seeing a man being this close with his Hope made him angered. Its not that he liked her but the fact that she has a man in her life and he doesn't know that is what angered him more.

"Hope, are you married? is this your husband?"

She just laughed out loud. "No you stupid, I'm not married and this is not my husband"

"then is he your boyfriend?" he was impatient to know about the man standing before him.

"Alaric, can you please stop your investigation and spare me some time so that I can introduce you two" reluctantly Alaric stopped with his questions and waited for me to explain.

"Liam this is Alaric, my childhood best friend. We were very close that we even lived in the same house with another friend of mine for almost 3 years."

"and Alaric this Liam my assistant and he is also my friend from university who started to work for me after graduating. He is very much concerned about me not getting a fever and that's why he didn't even realize you were here. Sorry he was not being rude."

Only after the short introduction does both parties calmed down. "I can relate to him. I was also like him in the past running behind you begging you to wear extra coats to protect you from cold. When seeing him it looks more like I have been replaced by someone that's why I was acting childish. I'm sorry Liam and thanks for taking such good care of her. She means a lot to me."

"It was not a big thing. You don't have to thank me and more over she was like a sister to me. I owe her a lot."

"By the way boss. Do you want to get dinner with your friend alone? I can go have mine in the hotel, I don't want to be a disturbance to you two. After all you were meeting after a long time."

Even though Liam says that she can sense the disappointment in his voice. He has always been by her side and insists to eat together at least a meal together a day as he doesn't have a family to share meals. she knows that he has not eaten anything since morning as he doesn't like flight food and he was looking forward to this dinner.

When she about to suggest eating together, Alaric's phone started ringing. "I'm sorry Hope. I was on the way to an appointment, when I saw you, I just left without even saying anything. We have a company dinner today. I don't want to be rude to cancel at the last minute. If you don't mind, you can join my company dinner."

"It's okay Ric. I have also promised to buy dinner for Liam. And It will be uncomfortable for both me and your colleagues. I will be here for a while; we can arrange an meeting for another day."

"okay then. Don't disappear out of nowhere like the last time. If you did so, I will never forgive you this time. Here, this is my card call me once you make arrangements."

"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere this time and I also have a lot to catch up with you. I haven't purchased a new number. I still have my American number so I will call you once I get my hands on the new number."

Ric leaves reluctantly and boards his car.