Fresh Start, New Beginnings

Chapter 1

"I think that's it" Abigail exhaled as she stood up from the floor. She had been kneeling down to tape up what was left of the boxes.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Harriet-Abigail's oldest and most trusted friend- sighed as she watched Abigail writing on the side of each box with a black sharpie.

"Yes, like I said before Los Angeles is my home, I need to be close to my Mom and dad so Freya has the best care possible when I am working" Abigail had tired from telling people the same thing over and over again . She knew in her heart that leaving New York and moving back to Los Angeles to be closer to her parents was for the best.

"Could you load these last few boxes onto the van please Terry?" Abigail handed the box to one of the removal men and pointed at the other two which were on the floor in the corner of the, what now looked enormous, room.

"Right are you sure that's it" Harriet smiled as she reached the front door "You haven't forgotten anything?"

"No but can you just give me a minute please" Abigail hesitated at the door, before turning round. Harriet waited outside as Abigail walked around the house, absorbing all the memories from each room.

As Abigail finally reached the kitchen she closed her eyes, she could see her and Nick standing cooking food, then she remembered Nick standing in the kitchen holding their newborn daughter. Abigail felt her eyes fill up as she was brought back to reality by her iPhone vibrating in her purse "Hello" she answered quickly "No I haven't forgotten I'm on my way now"

Abigail took a deep breath before she unattached her key from her key fob and left it with the other key on the kitchen side. She gently ran her fingers across the table top before finally making her way to the door.

Harriet was waiting for Abigail in her car, a nice little Audi tt, the registration plate was personalised Ab1J3N. Abigail slid gently into the drivers side of the car and turned the key in the ignition "Ok so we have to pop in to Antonio's to pick up your dress, then we need to go to Lara's to get your hair and make-up done, then you should have about an hour with Freya before the car comes to pick you up" Harriet reeled off a list of things that were still on her to-do list, being Abigail Jenson's personal assistant was not exactly the easiest job.

"Great, did you remember to find out who was sitting on my table?" Abigail asked as she glanced over to Harriet for a split second.

"Yeah, erm...Alex Noble, he's one of the Ambassadors of the new charity you are working with, Daniel Hopkins, Martin Bayford, Stan Cotton and Ryan Tedder" Abigail's attention had been captured instantly at the mention of a name.

"Ryan Tedder?" She repeated as she returned her glance to the road.

"Yeah the same guy you sat with last year" Harriet explained "You know the singer from OneRepublic"

"Yes thank you Harriet I know exactly who he is" Abigail frowned "I just can't believe I am sitting at the same table as him again this year"

Harriet's silence made Abigail suspicious "What did you do?" She could see through the rear view mirror how awkward Harriet looked "Harry don't lie to me"

"I didn't do anything, I swear" Harriet defended herself "Apparently Ryan asked to be put on the same table as you, he said you had a great chemistry last year and it was a lot of fun"

"He really said that?" Abigail was taken aback by the thought of Ryan asking for her personally "Wow"

The rest of the car journey was in silence, Abigail had driven to the other side of New York, she parked up opposite Antonio's and got out of the car "Let's go and see what he has come up with for me" Abigail exhaled as she walked across the road.

"Abigail darling" A very over the top male voice reacted to the ring of the door opening. He rushed towards Abigail and air kissed her cheeks twice "What on earth are you wearing?" He stuttered in disgust as he looked at her outfit.

Abigail blushed as she glanced quickly at herself in the mirror, she had left the house in that much of a rush she had forgotten what she looked like.

Abigail was wearing a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, an oversized cream jumper that slipped down off one shoulder, a pair of Nike air max pink and white trainers. Her long chocolate brown hair was scraped back into a messy bun with a few strands and a sweeping fringe. She had hardly any make-up on and if she was being honest she knew she looked a mess.

"The tabloids would have a field day if they saw you dressed like this" Antonio scolded "Star left in tumoil over her marriage break up"

Abigail chuckled gently at Antonio's mock tabloid headline "Oh I doubt they would even print a story about me, not now"

"I wouldn't bet on it" Harriet interrupted "They are dying to capture something juicy, anything for a story"

"Ok Ok I will dress better" Abigail laughed as she followed Antonio into a small dressing room, he walked slowly toward a manniquin. Both Abigail and Harriet were astounded by what they saw...hanging on the manniquin was a beautiful light blue floor length gown "Oh my gosh it's beautiful"

"You like" Antonio was happy his hard work had been noticed.

"Like, Ant this is incredible" Abigail ran her fingers over the silky fabric, she could feel the roughness from the beading and crystals which had been embroidered in "I can't wait to try it on, thank you so much"

"You are welcome" Antonio replied humbley "It is my pleasure to make something so beautiful for someone so beautiful, I just hope the dress does you justice"

"No I hope I do it justice" Abigail smiled "Oh wow are they the shoes" she rushed over to a pair of pale blue highness Louboutins, almost like a child in a sweet shop after being told they could have whatever they wanted.

"They're gorgeous" Abigail gushed as she picked them up and slipped her foot out of her Nike Air Max, she gently placed the shoe on her foot and put her foot on the floor.

"These are perfect" Abigail smiled "How much do I owe you?"

"$1200 for the shoes, the dress was my pleasure" Antonio walked over to the cash desk.

"Really are you sure?" Abigail was moved by Antonio's gesture.

"Of course, but on one condition" Antonio blushed "You tell people I made the dress if they ask where it's from?"

"I can do that" Abigail smiled as she took her shoes off and put them back in the draw string cloth bag, she reached into her purse and pulled out her credit card, after making the payment Harriet reached in and took the zipper bag from Abigail - which Antonio had transferred the dress into and the box with shoes in it. She carried them out to the car as Abigail followed closely behind her.