The ball dropped and a clock struck 12 midnight. It was 2014. Alexandra, who was with Aubrey in Miami hugged him and kissed him. He was at the DJ booth but no one seemed to have been paying attention to the two once the countdown began.
She was able to kiss the man of her dreams on New Years. It was a huge accomplishment in her book.
Aubrey: Happy New Year's baby.
Alexandra smiled and stepped down from the DJ booth. She went back into the crowd and found Marina in the back with her boyfriend. She turned from him and looked at Alexandra.
Marina: Back together?
Alexandra (Sipping a drink): Eh, something like that. We're just...cool.
Alexandra took the last sip of her drink.
[Flashback]
Alexandra had a hard day at the boutique and came home to see Aubrey on her couch on his laptop working hard. She didn't say anything when she walked in she just sat all of her things on the counter and walked towards Aubrey slowly and undressed as she walked over to him. She stepped out of her heels and unbuttoned her shirt. Aubrey had his laptop on the coffee table and had his arm spread out to embrace her. She sat beside him and he tightened his arms around her. A glass of wine was nothing compared to quiet comfort. Aubrey's comfort. She put her feet up on the couch and laid her head on his chest. She took a deep breath and thought.
We could be in Toronto right now. Living normal lives. Together. We'd probably have a better chance, a fighting chance at love because we're normal. Surrounded by the things and people we love and need the most. No press. No lies. No being lonely.
She took another deep breath, got up and walked away. Aubrey watched her as she left the living room.
[January 7]
Alexandra, dressed in Uggs, DKNY jeans, and a huge NorthFace jacket. She was dressed opposite to Aubrey who was wearing a peacoat and a sweater. Ryan took a picture of Aubrey before he boarded the plane and Alexandra quickly ran in behind him. She sat in the seat in front of him next to the window. He looked out as someone took another picture of him. She stared out of the window too until she focused on Aubrey again. He looked at her and smiled and she turned back to the window.
When they landed they all went back to Aubrey's Toronto condo. The guys unpacked their things and packed new bags for when they went back go California. Aubrey planned to do that when America warmed up a little more. Him and Alexandra went into the kitchen because Alex was hungry. As she was walking into the kitchen, dressed in sweats with her curls pulled back, Aubrey asked her a question.
Aubrey (Sitting on the other side of the counter): Do you ever think about what happened to you?
Alexandra stopped walking and looked at Aubrey. She wasn't sure where that line of questioning came from but she welcomed it. It was a new her. She welcomed every aspect of not running from her past because her past could be the thing to save her. It could be the thing to save them.
Alexandra: You wanna know what I think about? (Pause. Waking around the counter) I think about how our lives would be. Us living here. In Toronto. (Placing her hands on the counter) How our kids would be. Who'd they be like the most, who's hair they'd get (With a faint laugh), how many we'd have. (She looked down) I died 5 times. I've been attacked. You've killed someone for me. I think about the silver lining. I think about the positive outcome in all our endeavors.
Aubrey got up. He walked over to Alexandra in the kitchen who looked fidgety. She'd given a good speech but Aubrey felt like the question was a little premature. Their relationship was in such an awkward place but they were going on like nothing ever happened. Like Alex didn't give the ring back and start dating someone else. Like Aubrey wasn't seen courting someone else. Like they didn't try to permanently erase their relationship. What made things the most awkward was the lack of drama. There was no one to kill. There was no wrench thrown into the mixture to screw everything up. Where was the excitement of a problem arising?
Aubrey grabbed her face.
Aubrey: How long can you keep this up?
Alexandra: As long as when you wake up you're still in love.
She shined her dark hazel eyes at Aubrey. The way she blinked so slowly at him was so potent. He smiled at her as if it was the first night they met.
[Flashback]
It was the first night Aubrey and Alexandra met.
Aubrey smiled at Alexandra and she still gave him a cynical look. When it didn't go away she blinked slowly and his smile never went away. She had this thing that made everything she did seem seductive. It was so captivating. He wasn't gonna walk away without at least a response. And she couldn't deny him with a winning smile like that.
Alexandra: I can be taught.
[Now]
Aubrey: I love you.
Alexandra (With a big smile): I love you too (Grabbing his OVO hat), Mr. Ambassador.
She put it on and he kissed her. Aubrey didn't wanna say I love you, though. He really wanted to tell her that they should get married but he wasn't too sure about that. He wasn't sure about putting that same stress on their relationship. It wasn't really worth it. They just had to focus on the right now and right now didn't have them exchanging vows. Not right now.
Aubrey: Are you coming to Drake night?
Alexandra: Yeah! That's why I came with you to Toronto, right?
Aubrey: You came so I could buy you stuff.
Alexandra (Wrapping her arms around his neck): NOOO. I came for this...
Alexandra kissed him. His phone vibrated in his pocket and Alexandra turned and laughed.
[Sunday, January 12]
Alexandra (Carrying her bag to the plane and on the phone): Yeah, I'm flying to New York.
Her publicist: We don't have anything scheduled for you there.
Alexandra (Boarding the plane): I know. I know. It's just some family stuff, I'll be back probably week after next.
It was Elliott Wilson's birthday Tuesday and Aubrey was hosting Saturday Night Live on of course Saturday. Alexandra didn't want to miss his first hosting for anything.
Her publicist: Well, you have a couple of photoshoots to prepare for. I can push them back for sake of a family emergency but you gotta get back out there, Alexandra.
Alexandra: I understand, Mellissa. (Finally on the plane) Um, I'm on the plane now so I'll call you when I land. We can probably work something out later.
Aubrey and the rest of the guys got on the plane behind her and sat down in their various places. Aubrey sat down in front of Alexandra as usual and looked at her. He could sense something was wrong with her.
Aubrey (With his head tilted): Are you okay?
Alexandra didn't wanna miss anything for Aubrey but she was starting to develop a reputation for putting things off. But she also picked photoshoots and events over him.
[Flashback]
Back at the YOLO mansion.
Aubrey (Yelling angrily): You missed me winning my first Grammy!
Alexandra: I had back to back meetings and a huge photoshoot and-
Aubrey: I don't want your laundry list of excuses, Alex. You weren't there for me!
Alexandra: I am there for you! I was there for you! But I had other things to do!
Aubrey: So that's not important to you? I'm not important to you?!
Alexandra: You are! They didn't even televise you winning.
Aubrey: But I wanted the one person I knew I could share this with to be there.
Alexandra: I threw you this party that we're missing. Why can't you just let this go?
Aubrey (Walking out of the door): Fine.
Aubrey slammed the door behind him.
[Now]
Alexandra smiled at Aubrey.
Alexandra: Nothing.
