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Chapter Thirty-Four

EIGHT MONTHS LATER...

"To our girl and her bomb ass new title... chief editor!" Hugh shouts excitedly, holding up a glass of champagne. I grin, biting my lip as Hugh leans down to kiss my cheek.

"You deserve it, honey," he adds, rubbing my back.

"Thanks," I utter as he sits down beside me. We're dining in the Plaza Hotel event room, which easily becomes more beautiful the longer I stare at it. Everyone from the magazine is here. I'm wearing a no-name designer in a black dress that makes me feel sleek and glamorous. My friends and family are all here. It's a perfect night... well, almost.

I lean my head against my mother, closing my eyes. She kisses my forehead, softly.

"I'm proud of you, love-bug," she whispers. I look up, smiling softly.

"Thanks, Mama."

"You've had a rough couple of years but you seem to be doing alright."

I nod, quietly, feeling my mind drift to somewhere I promised myself I wouldn't take it to tonight.

"I know you miss him... the conductor."

"Maestro."

"Alright, Maestro."

"I do," I answer. "I do, but I'm not worried, you know? He seemed really in a good mindset when we ended things. I think he's alright."

"Have you heard from him?"

I shake my head. "No. I didn't expect to."

"Is that a lie?"

"No, it isn't. We left things really well. That day... I think we learned to trust each other."

"Wise," she coos, resting her chin against my head. "Wise girl."

I smile. "Are you sure you and dad don't want to come stay with me? I mean, Christmas is in three days."

"No, I don't like being amongst all those snooty rich people."

"My neighbors are actually really nice," I mutter, shaking my head.

"No, sweetie, we're not going to cramp your style."

"You're not cramping-"

"Honey, we're seeing Danny tomorrow..." she says, quickly. I look at her, blinking and she grimaces. "We've kept in touch with him. You know how close we always were."

"N-no, of course, yeah. I understand. Wow, how is he?"

"He's touring. Only back for the next couple days... I'm sure he'd really love to see you."

I look away. "No, I can't do that."

"Why? He's your friend, above all else."

"He was my fiancée."

"Em-"

"Mom, no."

She presses her lips together, shaking her head. I close my eyes, trying to control my temper around my colleagues.

"Emma, tell us about Portugal!" Veronica says, intervening enough so that the entire table hears. I smile, nodding and take them back to my vacation-for-one I just arrived back from.

* * * *

"I have to go thank Richard," I murmur, kissing my mother's cheek. "I'll let you get to ice skating."

"I think your daddy wants to see the Rockefeller tree... maybe we'll just do both? Stay up all night long."

I smile, wide. "It is New York. That kind of behavior is common here."

They turn and my dad blows a kiss my way. "I'll see you tomorrow, kiddo."

"Night, Dad."

I turn, on a search for my boss. I saw him downing a few champagnes earlier so I'm not sure if he's sleeping on the side of the stage or puking his guts out in the bathroom but he should still be here.

I search for thirty minutes before I give up, ending up where I started. I grab my coat and clutch and take a seat in an empty table.

Editor. Editor. I smile, closing my eyes, blissfully, taking in the moment.

It's taken so long to get to this place. I'm genuinely happy- despite Matteo's absence. I did what I said I'd do, I stuck to my plan.

I dove into work, so diligently that I somehow was offered the position of Editor when the former retired. I traveled, saw Portugal, Rome and Hawaii, brought Veronica along for most of them, aside from Portugal... that one I did on my own and it may have been one of the single greatest experiences of my life. The one thing I steered away from was relationships, for obvious reasons, and that was okay with me.

The puzzle pieces that went astray these past years are lining up now... it's almost complete again and that's all I can really hope for.

I stand up and turn, hearing my heels click against the hard wood as I exit the party last.

Matteo and I parted to get back on track. I can only hope he's as happy as I am, that he's moved forward as much as I have. And maybe there will be a day when I can see myself opening my heart again to someone else, but that day is not today.

For now, he has my heart. For now, I still believe in us- in what we had and what we still could achieve together.

A gentleman opens the door for me as I exit into the chilly, wonderful New York City life, putting on my coat. I smile to him. "Thank you."

He nods, tipping his hat. I feel the snow already begin to sprinkle across my hair as I walk down the long steps of the building, towards a taxi waiting at the curb. I grab the yellow door, pulling it open and then there's a hand on mine, smooth and warm and familiar.

"Emma."

And just like that, the puzzle is complete.

A/N: THE SEQUEL TO HIDDEN IS ALREADY POSTED CALLED EXPOSED. Head over to begin reading now!