Never Again

Chapter 8 - Between two Friends

Bianka was unable to get a one way ticket straight to Richmond. She wasn't happy about the layover in Los Angeles but she enjoyed Annika's company. It had been a while since the two of them really spent time together. They laughed and talked all the way to Los Angeles. It really helped Bianka to keep her mind focused on moving forward.  She had been stuck in the past for way to long.

As she listened to Annika, she was reminded of why she was her best friend. Annika had a way of making her feel like everything was going to be ok. As they talked the stewardess stopped and asked them if they wanted a drink. They declined with giggles as they sat in first class enjoying the VIP treatment extended to them by Ethan. He paid for their tickets to New York and back to California. He surprised Bianka and Annika with first class tickets on the way back. They were not sure why triggered the upgrade but enjoyed it.

Bianka enjoyed spending the weekend with her and Ethan despite all of the drama. She still couldn't believe that her two closest friends were I love with each other and unable to see it. Annika didn't mention Ethan on the way home and Bianka decided not to bring it up. As they talked Bianka remembered that there was a topic that needed to be discussed concerning Annika's newest business venture. Bianka had a smirk on her face as she brought it up.

"So later has come"

"Annika looked puzzled and said, "later???"

"yes...later...restaurant broker??? tell me about this restaurant venture that you are pursuing...you know, the one that everyone seems to know about but me

"Bianka you don't forget anything. And you know I didn't leave you out intentionally. You have been through a lot lately and every time I tried to tell you, you were going through something and that was more important to me.

"Yeah...yeah...don't let it happen again." She smiled sarcastically "What you are going through and doing is important to me...so don't make decisions for me about what I do or don't want talk about...ok?"

"Ok Bianka..." she looked at her and smiled and she paused briefly

"Well...spill it Annika."

"Patience...you are so impatient Bianka."

"Whatever...start talking"

"Ok, so remember I told you that I ran into Ethan about 5 minutes after I found out about the investigation and that he came by after the premiere and we talked."

"Yes...I remember"

"Well I told him everything that was going on with DWTC, and..."

"Wait...you didn't finish telling me what happened with DWTC"

"Well like I told you, I was called into the office and was told that and I was being investigated for fraternization. He said that they received pictures along with the allegations that were inconclusive but suspicious. I knew at that moment that it was a done deal. I wasn't sure what pictures they had, but I knew that it was possible for them to have received pictures of me and the guy out eating, maybe a hug or a kiss or of me getting in his limo."

"limo...wow! So this guy was wealthy?"

"uhh...Bianka..they all are...they are CEO's"

"well that does make sense I guess"

"I knew that it was nothing more than that, but those would be enough for them to say that something was going on because he was not my partner."

"But your partner wouldn't be kissing you..."

"well sometimes they kiss you on the cheek, and if it were a picture of us eating out, a hug or me getting into the limo...that could have been explained with weekly practice meetings...that is if he was my partner. But partner or not it didn't matter. The policy was no involvement with a contestant, partner or not"