MARCH 31ST

I taped the box that we just filled shut, my hands hurting from doing this for the past few hours.

"Here, let me do it," Aero offered after seeing me struggle.

He finished taping the box shut and I walked over to the couch, laying down on my back. We now have everything besides our couch and bed packed, which are being moved by movers tomorrow morning. 

And I still have to go tell Reid.

Aero came over, taking a seat beside me. He said, "It's 4 now."

I let out a sigh. I told him to drop me off at Reids at 4 so that I could tell him before I go and tell my mom. I pushed myself to be sitting up and said quietly, "I know. I'm just nervous."

"What are you so scared of?" he asked me. "You know Reid will come to visit us all the time."

I nodded, "I know. It's just, in our 6 years of being best friends we've never been less than a few minutes from each other. I guess I'm just scared he won't want to be my friend anymore."

Aero was quick to put both of his hands on my cheeks. He spoke gently, "Hey. Reid will always want to be your friend, I promise."

I took a deep breath before smiling at him. I nodded my head, "You're right. I'm ready to go and tell him now."

Even though I was still nervous, I thought that speaking positively might make me feel better. Aero said he was just going to load the boxes into his car while I'm telling Reid and my mom, and to text him once I'm done to come pick me up. 

Aero drove me to Reids and I had to take a few deep breaths before getting out of the car. As I approached the door Aero rolled down his window and yelled, "You got this baby!"

I smiled at him as he pulled out of the driveway, heading back to our apartment. I tried to walk right in, but to my surprise, the door was locked. I knocked a few times, waiting for Reid to come and answer.

The door swung open, but it was his dad standing there. He looked surprised to see me, "Hailey. What can I do for you?"

"Is Reid home?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No, he's hanging out with a friend. Want to come in and wait for him?"

I sighed to myself mentally. I shook my head, "That's okay, I'll just give him a call."

He nodded and I turned around to walk to my moms house. He stopped me, "Wait."

I stopped walking and turned around. He said, "I want to thank you for being such a good friend and girlfriend to my sons. You mean so much to them and Reid is always so happy whenever you're over here. You also brought them back together, which I'll never be able to thank you enough for. It makes me so happy seeing my boys be close again."

I felt my heart grow at his words. I smiled at him, "You've raised two amazing sons. I know doing it on your own must've been tough."

The mention of him doing it on his own made a sad look come across his face. No matter how many years its been, losing your partner must never get easier. He suddenly took a step forward, pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back and he whispered, "Thank you so much."

He pulled away, running a hand through his greying black hair. I gave him a smile and wave before turning and starting to walk to my moms house. I had no idea if my dad was home or not, I just had to hope he wasn't.

I felt relieved seeing that his car wasn't in the driveway when I approached my house. I knocked on the front door before entering. As I entered I called out, "Hey mom, it's Hailey."

I saw her laying on the living room couch, asleep. But when I shut the front door behind me her eyes opened and a smile formed on her face seeing me, "Hailey hunny. I'm so glad to see you."

She pushed herself to be sitting up, and I walked over to take a seat beside her. I asked her, "How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, don't worry about me," she smiled, although I could tell she was not fine by the amount of medicine she has on the table in front of her.

I took a deep breath, "I'm moving to Philadelphia. I know it's super random, but I think it's for the best. I'm still going to come back here and visit all the time, but I still wanted to tell you. Just please don't tell Dad."

Her brown eyes widened in surprise, "Wow. You have to do what makes you happy, dear. And if you think that moving is what will make you happy, then go for it."

"I'm still going to pay for your surgery, so you'll be back on your feet in no time," I assured her. And it was true, no matter how long it takes for me to get enough money, I will pay for it.

She pulled me into a quick hug. After pulling away she smiled, "You've grown into such an amazing woman. I'm so proud of you."

She started to yawn before laying back down on the couch. She smiled up at me, "Sorry. I get tired very easily lately."

"Don't worry about it. Take your nap, Aero will come pick me up."

She nodded her head before shutting her eyes, and I pulled out my phone to text Aero. He said he was on his way, so I sat on my front porch while waiting for him. I called Reid, wanting to know when I could talk to him.

He picked up, "Yo broski."

"Ew. Don't call me that."

He laughed slightly, "Okay, fine. What's up?"

"I need to talk to you about something, in person. I stopped by your house but you weren't there. When can I come by to talk to you?"

He replied, "I've got plans for tonight, but I should be home around 12 am probably. Is that fine?"

I doubt we'll stay at Alessandro's party for that long so I told him, "That's fine. I'll come then."

I hung up and after a few minutes, Aero pulled into the driveway. I got in the passengers' seat and saw that the back of his car was now filled with boxes. He told me, "That's all of them. Everything is packed now besides the things that the movers are moving tomorrow. What did Reid and your mom say?"

"Reid wasn't home, so I'm going to go back after the party and tell him. My mom took it pretty well, but it just hurts my heart seeing her like that," I frowned.

He quickly said, "I'm paying for her surgery once we're done with the move, don't worry."

I smiled at his offer, but I wasn't sure if he would be able to. I'm not even sure what the price of it is, all I know is that it's a lot.

Once we got back to the apartment, the sun was starting to set. I asked Aero, "What time are we going to Alessandro's?"

"He said his party starts at 7," he answered.

I looked at the oven clock and saw that it was 5:30. I told him, "I'm going to shower then. You're going to love what I wear!"

As I walked into the bathroom he yelled, "I always do, even when it's nothing."

I laughed to myself as I turned the water on. I took a long warm shower before getting out and putting my favourite robe on. I brushed my wet hair and started to blow dry it, realizing after a few minutes that this might take longer than I expected.

Once my hair was completely dry I straightened it before putting on some makeup. I quickly grabbed my dress from my closet, not wanting Aero to see me until I was completely ready. I pulled my dress on before putting on a few sprays of perfume.

I exited, putting my shoes on before walking into the living room. Aero was already completely ready, wearing black slacks with black shiny shoes, a white button-up shirt, and a black tie.

He scanned me up and down, a smile forming on his face, "Your lilac dress."

"I thought it was fitting," I smiled, walking over to him as he got up off of the couch.

I looked at the clock and made an 'oh shit' face seeing that it was 7:15 pm. Aero shrugged, "I don't think he'll care about us being a little bit late."

We got into his car and drove to the party, and I smiled to myself knowing that this was the last thing Aero needed to do before being done. When we pulled into the parking lot, my eyebrows lowered seeing a line of people waiting to get in.

"The fuck?" Aero said under his breath after noticing the line.

We got out and walked to it, standing at the back of it. Once it was our turn to speak to the person letting people in he said, "Arms up, please."

"Why?" Aero asked.

The man said, "I'm making sure nobody is entering with a gun."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Aero complained.

The man went to pat Aero up and down when Aero quickly pulled a gun out from his waistline, handing it to him, "Here. Don't fucking touch me. And she doesn't have anything, so don't fucking touch her either."

The man nodded, taking the gun from him and gesturing for us to enter the party. We entered and it was full, people everywhere. It was a very elegant party, which I expected. Some people were standing and talking, others slow dancing, and others sitting on couches laughing.

Aero looked around and said, "I want to find Alessandro as soon as possible so we can leave."

We walked further into the party, looking around for him. After a while of searching, I sighed, "Why don't you just call him?"

"He won't be on his phone while he's throwing a party. He's probably making sure all of the weapons get dealt with. He might've taken my gun, but I still have this in case anything happens," Aero lifted up the side of his shirt, revealing a pocket knife in his waistline.

I laughed and shook my head as we started walking through the dance floor. Aero slowly stopped walking when Je te laisserai des mots started playing. He held his hand out and asked, "May I have this dance?"

Memories of when we danced to SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK came into my mind as I nodded my head yes, taking his hand.

We started to slow dance, my arms going around his neck. He smiled at me, "Alessandro can wait for a little."

I laughed as he made me do a spin before pulling me back into him. He whispered, "I'm so fucking thankful you're mine."

He softly kissed my lips, his blue eyes staring into mine. He confidently said, "You are my soulmate."

He made me do another spin, both of us laughing as he did so. A familiar voice suddenly said from beside us, "May I cut in?"

Aeros face looked as confused as mine as I asked, "Reid? What are you doing at Alessandro's party?"

"This party is Alessandro's?" Reid said with a confused expression, "I didn't know. Tomas invited me and I love to get drunk so I said yes. This is what my plans were that I was talking about earlier."

Why is Tomas getting invited to Alessandro's party? And why is Tomas inviting Reid?

Aero suddenly spoke up, "Speaking of Alessandro, I'm going to go find him so that we can leave this thing. Reid, stay with Hailey."

Reid nodded his head as Aero walked away. I started to slow dance with Reid and I asked him, "How does Tomas know Alessandro?"

"No idea," he shrugged. "I just agreed for the free alcohol."

I shook my head while smiling and he asked me, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

I stared into the eyes of my best friend and knew that I couldn't delay it any longer. I told him, "Aero and I are moving to Philadelphia tomorrow."

His eyes widened and his eyebrows raised. I quickly said, "I know I should've told you earlier, I'm sorry. But it's only two hours away and Aero said you can come stay with us every single weekend-"

He cut off my rambling, "I understand, Hailey. Being 2 hours apart would never end our friendship. I'm not going to act like I want you guys to move, but if it's the best thing for you guys, then I understand. I love you Hailey, you're my best friend and that's never going to end."

I smiled widely. I told him, "You are seriously the bestest best friend in the entire world."

He laughed, nodding his head, "I know right?"

I rolled my eyes and hit his chest slightly. He looked behind me and said, "Want to get us some drinks while I go pee?"

"Sure. What do you want?"

He smirked, "A peach cocktail. Duh."

I laughed as he turned around, walking away to go and find the bathroom. I walked over to the table filled with alcohol and grabbed two cups, starting to make the drinks. A voice spoke from beside me, "I've never been a fan of peach."

My eyebrows lowered at him, "How do you know Alessandro, Tomas?"

"Who the fuck is Alessandro?"

"The guy who's throwing this party," I said in a 'duh' tone.

He shrugged, "Oh. I don't know who that is. My dealer invited me, and I invited a couple of my friends so I had people to talk to if I got bored."

"Who's your dealer?"

Instead of answering my question, his eyes fell on the necklace around my neck that Aero got me. He said, "Shit, that looks expensive."

"Um, yea. Aero got it for me."

He nodded his head, "Ah, that makes sense. I've known he was loaded from the moment he gave me that 10k."

"Why'd Aero give you 10k?" I asked through a laugh, imagining Aero casually giving him 10k for his birthday.

He took a sip of his drink before saying, "He paid me to bring you to the party on March 1st."

Confusion flooded my brain. Why did Aero pay Tomas to bring me to that party? And why didn't he tell me about it? Tomas must be lying. I look around for Aero to ask him about it, but can't find him.

Before I could ask any more questions, Tomas' eyes fell onto a brunette girl that walked past us. He kept his eyes on her as he said, "Excuse me."

He walked away, leaving me with many questions. I put the cups down and started walking around, looking for Aero. I opened the door to an empty room, making me sigh. When I turned back around Alessandro was standing there, making me jump slightly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he smiled. It wasn't a genuine smile.

I crossed my arms uneasily as I asked, "Have you seen Aero?"

"No. I know he's probably around here somewhere looking for me, but I haven't ran into him yet."

I nodded my head and went to take a step past him when he stopped me, "I want to apologize for how you were treated at my fathers funeral. I had no idea that would happen, I was under a lot of stress so I wasn't thinking very clearly."

I smiled slightly at him, "I understand. Must've been a difficult change going from an assassin to the don."

"Assassin?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yea. You were an assassin, remember? Had a hit on a different Hailey Romano?"

"Ohhhh. Right, yea no. I was never an assassin."

My eyebrows lowered. What is he talking about?

He suddenly got very close to me, pulling something out from behind him. My eyes widened seeing it was a gun, but I didn't understand why he was handing it to me. He told me, "I know about the deal offered to you to kill Aero for 50 million dollars by midnight tonight. Blah blah blah you love him and shit. But theres something else you should know."

He suddenly went to my ear and whispered, "There was never another Hailey Romano."

I could feel the confusion on my face as he continued to hold the gun out for me. I asked him, "Is it you who wants him dead?"

"Well I definitely want him dead, but not for 50 million dollars. That is somebody else's doing, I just caught word of it. After he ruined my fathers funeral, he became dead to me."

My phone suddenly vibrated, and it was a text from Aero. It read, 'Meet me upstairs in the last room on the left. Talked to Alessandro and got all of the information I need.'

What? Aeros texted me saying he got information from Alessandro, but Alessandro is standing in front of me telling me that they haven't spoken yet. I impulsively grabbed the gun before heading up the stairs, needing to get a lot of answers from Aero. This entire situation didn't feel right. I felt I was drowning in a sea of lies, and every lie was coming from Aero.

It didn't make any sense. He's lying to me. Why?

He paid Tomas 10k to bring me to that party. Why?

He knew Alessandro was never an assassin, but told me he was. Why?

There was supposed to be a hit on a different Hailey Romano. 

I'm choking on the water in the sea of lies as I get closer and closer to the room. 

I walked to the room he told me to go to quickly, desperate for answers. I opened the door and Aero stood alone in the room, waiting for me. His eyes fell onto the gun and he asked me, "Why the fuck do you have a gun? And how did you get it?"

I walked straight up to him, ignoring his words. I was too angry. My heels echo against the floor until I stop directly in front of him. I ask him angrily and bluntly, "Why did you pay Tomas to bring me to that party?"

His face changed like he wasn't expecting me to ask that. I could see on his face that I had caught him in a lie, making me clench my teeth. I added with my voice almost breaking, "And how come you told me there was another Hailey Romano?"

He stood there, remaining silent. Tears started to form in my eyes as I demanded, "Answer me."

The man I love, the man I trust, has been lying to me. His blue eyes avoid mine.

When he didn't I felt my skin start to grow hot in anger. I pressed the gun against his chest and almost shouted, "Answer me!"

I wasn't thinking clearly. My heart was pounding out of anger. I deserved answers. 

He stood there, as still as a rock. No emotion was on his face as he looked down at the gun I had pressed against his chest. He asked me, "Are you going to kill me?"

I stared at the gun. If I fire this gun, I get 50 million dollars and I could pay for my moms surgery. She would be able to walk again and go back to living a pain-free life. His eyes move between me and the gun as I hold it there, thinking of all the lies he told me. 

My hand started to shake a little bit as I whispered, "No."

I lowered the gun. I could never hurt the man that I love. No matter what lies he has told me.

He took a step towards me, closing the gap between us. He ran a hand through my hair as he asked, "Why not?"

"Because I love you," I quickly answered, my eyes still glossy as I looked at him. 

A sweet smile formed on his face and his hand that was in my hair moved to be resting on the side of my face. He leaned his face towards mine, pressing his forehead against mine.

I thought his lips were going to connect with mine, but instead he spoke in an emotionless tone, "That's a shame, because I never loved you."

My eyebrows went down when a sharp painful feeling came from my stomach. I looked down and saw the knife from earlier inside of my stomach, before he pulled it back to remove it.

I pressed my hand against it as I fell to the ground, looking up at him with tears falling out of my eyes. I whispered as everything came together in my head, "It was always me, wasn't it? You always had a hit on me?"

He looked down at me before kneeling down and moving some of the hair out of my face. He nodded, "That's right."

I felt sick, and I couldn't tell if it was from my stab wound or his words. I cried while I asked him, "So our entire relationship was just fake to you?"

"Exactly. I'm the best assassin for a reason."

His tone, ice cold, unlike how he had been speaking to me when he told me he loved me. He was always playing me. 

I wanted to ask him more questions but it started to become impossible to talk. I laid back, my vision starting to turn black from blood loss. 

I shut my eyes and I heard Aero yell, "She's dead now. And she died painfully, now come give me my 50 million fucking dollars."

Silence came after, nobody responding to him. He yelled again, "I know you're watching on the security cameras, they aren't as hidden as you think. Now come give me my money before you die."

I still couldn't open my eyes, but I heard