Roommates

Chapter 17

Hannah P.O.V.

Today was a pretty chaotic day. The fitting took up the rest of my morning. Instead of focusing on it and the fashion show that was scheduled later in the week, my mind was occupied by what happened last night. Amanda came in like a tornado and threw every sense of normalcy we had into a loop and then there was Cara.

I don't know what caused me to be so bold and say that it was a date. Was it because I felt threatened by Amanda and her suspicious intentions? Oh god, I must have frightened Cara. She looked like a deer caught in headlights when she heard the word date. It didn't help with the way she ran to her room.

I don't know what I was doing. I need to control my emotions better. Maybe Amanda was right. I should try to keep my feelings in check because there was no way that Cara would reciprocate them. She came a long way from when I first met her. She stopped trying to avoid me and she was now more comfortable with talking to me. I don't know why I had a little bit of hope that our relationship could grow into something more. I couldn't help but think back when she held my hand. I could feel a smile form on my lips.

"Okay, Hannah you're all set."

"Thanks, Michelle," I answered. Michelle was the coordinator for Fabio Garza. He was a Milan based designer that was having his first show in New York. He was known for his combination of classic and modern ready-to-wear clothes.

As I was about to leave the studio, I received a text from Cara.

Cara: What do you think about getting sushi tonight?

Hannah: That would be great.

Cara: There's this place called Fugu that's really good. Do you want to meet there at 6 or go together?

Before I could answer, I heard a voice that I thought I would never hear again.

"Hannah." Her voice was low and smooth like velvet.

"Adalene?" I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat as I turned around slowly to face her. My heart ached when I saw her. She hasn't changed since I last saw her two years ago. Her short dark hair was curled in the ends. Her chocolate eyes were just as mesmerizing as the first time I laid my eyes on her. She wore a sleek black dress that hugged every curve on her body and an ivory colored suit jacket hung loosely on her shoulders.

"You look ravishing." Adalene dark eyes traveled up and down my body, making me feel like I was completely exposed.

"What are you doing here?" I coughed uncomfortably at her intense gaze.

Adalene reached her hand toward my face and I flinched.

"I don't bite." She chuckled at me. "Most of the time."

I tried my best to remain as calm and collected in front of her. She was my first real love. When I first met her, it was my first time in Paris and I was a naive nineteen years old. She helped me navigate my way through the City of Lights. It was hard for me to not fall for her. She was just so elegant, smart and beautiful. She commanded a certain presence when she walked into a room. She made me feel safe and loved and that was something I was missing at that time.

"Fabio is a friend of mine and I'm in town for his show," Adalene explained. "He did a good job in choosing you."

"Thank you." I really didn't want to talk to her right now.

"It's been a while," Adalene said slowly

"I'm sorry, I have somewhere I need to be." I turned to leave, but she grabbed a hold of my arm.

"Please give me a moment of your time," Adalene whispered.

"I can't," I answered bitterly. I tried to shake her hand off, but she held on firmly.