After the storm [Finished]

25- New Year

Even after Ryan asked Marcus to stay for New Year's celebration a hundred times, he ended up leaving the day before saying he had plans in England for that holiday. He even had the flight booked so there was no use.

"Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up?" Asked Ryan when I was picking up my bag.

"Yeah, I don't know if I'll be ready on time. I'm going by car anyway".

"You might get a flat tire tomorrow". He said out of nowhere.

"What?"

"Then, I can drive you and pick you up from work". He smiled maliciously.

"You're something else..." I rolled my eyes. "I'm leaving, I'll call you when I'm on my way to the party".

"Ok"-

"See you later". I pecked him on the lips and left to work.

The day was hectic, I had two photoshoots and there was no time to rest. My manager was harsh and unreasonable as always. While in the second shooting, I decided to call Christy to know how things were going in her new agency and see if I could go work with her anytime soon.

By the time I finished, it was almost 7 pm. I called Christy on my way home.

"Hi! Merry Christmas!". Greeted Christy from the other side of the line.

"Merry Christmas! How have you been?"

"Great, I was thinking of calling you next week".

"Really? Why?"

"Job, girl".

"Oh my, that would be awesome. It's why I'm calling you too".

"I have your place secured but you have to go through the casting process anyway".

"You serious?"

"Yeah, sorry, it's just for formalities".

"No, no. Don't worry about that. I'm happy to move with you again. I wouldn't care less about the casting".

"Are things too rough right now? I just found out who your new manager is last week".

"I can manage for now. When is the casting?"

"Second half of March". The wait was longer than expected.

"Ok, I can put up with her until then".

"Good luck, I know how is to work with her".

"No more words needed then".

"Mom, someone is at the door!" I heard Timmy, Christy's son, screaming.

"Tell your dad to open".

"He's in the bathroom". He replied.

"Sorry, I think the rest of the family has arrived".

"Don't worry. I'll call you again next week".

"Great. Let's talk soon then, let's go for a drink soon. Have a nice New Year, Alex!"

"You too". She hung off.

It didn't take long for me to get home. Ryan was meeting with some friends before the party so I had time enough to take a nap and go. I texted Ryan that I was going to see him at the party and lay in bed mentally exhausted.

I took a short nap, dress up, and took a taxi to the party. I was running a bit late but Ryan didn't call so it probably meant there was no need for me to hurry.

Once I got to the club, I started calling Ryan to know where he and the guys were but I couldn't reach him so I had to walk around looking for them. We were at the same club we met and, surprisingly or not, I found them sitting at the same table as back then.

"Hi, guys! Sorry for being late". I greeted everyone, but Ryan wasn't there.

"Ryan said you were working". It was Louis.

"I worked the whole day". I sighed. "Where is he?"

"Some girl invited him to dance. I think he knows her from a shoot".

"Ah...". I nodded processing the information.

Since when did he chat with girls? I think I've seen him with a girl once or twice since I met him. I tried calling him again but he didn't pick up.

"I'll go for a drink. Does anyone want something?" I shouted over the loud music.

"Another round of tequilas!". Jan was hyped as hell. I smiled; it was fun to see him like that. I headed to the bar.

I was waiting for the drinks when I spotted Ryan talking with a girl at the end of the bar. I kept staring at them for a while and my mood got worse and worse. She was obviously flirting with him. I took my phone and called him right away, but he didn't answer. I texted him, "I'm already here", I wrote. He took his phone from his pocket, watched the screen, and put it back and it seemed like he was making an excuse to leave but the girl hold him back.

"Your tequilas", said the bartender.

"Can I have the bottle?", I asked. He smiled and nodded.

I went back to the table and Ryan showed up soon after that. But he wasn't alone.

"Guys, she's Britanny. Can she tag along?"

"Of course!" Jan was the first to greet her.

"Hey, I've been calling you". I took Ryan's hands and pulled him to sit next to me.

"The music's too loud. I didn't hear it". He took a shot. "Did your manager bother you too much?", he placed an arm around my shoulders.

"I'm already used to it. It's been a while since I didn't see you an entire day".

"Did you miss me?" He smiled.

"I did". I pecked him. He looked surprised. I giggled at his face and he smiled, embarrassed.

Brittany was annoyingly glued to Ryan the whole night. She would keep talking to him and hogging all his attention. It amazed me in a few different ways.

First, seeing Ryan talk like that with a girl was totally a new thing for me. I have to admit I was jealous as hell.

Secondly, I wondered if they had some past together, of any kind, because Ryan didn't take interest in people or things easily. And if he disliked something, you'd know right away just by his face.

Third, he would get upset if I didn't pay enough attention to him. For example, he would be upset if we went out and I pay more attention to my friends than him or if I was out and I didn't text him at least a few times a day. The same happened when I spent days at home drawing and painting, he would be annoyed if I didn't go and cuddle him or didn't eat with him. But what was he doing now? I was completely ignored.

"Ryan, let's go dance". I asked placing a hand on his tight.

"Let's go!". He took my hand excitedly as if he has been waiting for me to ask.

We had been dancing for a while when the music suddenly came to a halt.

"Everyone!", shouted the DJ. "30 seconds left for New Year!". The huge screen behind the dance floor showed the countdown.

"Alex". I turned to Ryan. People started shouting the countdown as seconds passed. "Thanks for stepping into my life this year. I love you". I was left speechless. It was the first time he said those words.

"4, 3, 2!". I could hear the others shouting.

"I love you too". I smiled at him.

"Happy New Year!". Everyone started to scream, the music started to play again, and some were hugging and greeting each other. I kissed Ryan as if my life depended on it.