New York City was mesmerizing. The night sky was aglow with bright city lights. I've only been here once before in my life, long ago. I was in high school with my dad. But everything felt and looked new again.

Patrick was kind enough to purchase us tickets for tonight's show. Luckily, we got seats all together. Poor guy, he was really trying. It made me smile at the thought.

Sassi took the opportunity and booked her and me at a hotel for the weekend in The City. She was determined to have her girls trip, just us girls having a bit of 'harmless' fun.

We stood in front of the Royal Hall Theatre. It was grand and huge. The opera house where the concert was held last year had nothing on this place. I hugged myself in my light pink coat. The breeze in the night air was chilled and blew my loosely hung hair in the left direction. My bare legs were getting cold from the cool breeze. I wished I wore skinny jeans instead of this beige dress. I wanted to get inside the theatre asap.

I urged the others along. I walked in after my mom, Patrick, and Aunt Louis, Sassi and I lagged behind. The Theatre was beautiful inside. It looked Victorian, with a royal tone to it.

"Are you going to look out for him?" Sassi asked, nudging me on the side.

I was determined to ignore her. She continued to look at me, and I just cleared my throat. Obviously, I was going to look out for him, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

We entered the opulent doors and walked the red carpet to our seats. I frowned, noticing we were some distance from the stage. The orchestra usually is placed at the bottom in front of it. Disappointment crept in, realizing I wouldn't be able to catch a glimpse of Arthur.

I sighed.

Sassi, seated next to me, strained her head forward, trying to catch a glimpse herself. We glanced at each other and I knew what she was thinking. We snuggled in our seats and I slowly accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't see Arthur tonight.

The lights turned low, showing the play was about to begin.

The Phantom of the Opera was surprisingly pleasant, that held danger, mystery, and passion. The phantom reminded me of Dimitri in some way, and his undying love for the leading lady. I loved musicals, and the orchestra was magical. It gave me nostalgia, playing my violin in the quartet with Arthur playing his cello alongside me. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

The play finally ended, and we made our way out the doors with the swarm of people. Sassi was close behind as we edged closer to the open space. Gosh, we could breathe again once in the great hall. The cluster of people became suffocating.

Sassi and I waited near the main entrance for my mom, Patrick, and Aunt Louis, who walked out through the opposite theater exit. I spotted my aunt and waved her over. She strolled by alone. I frowned. Where were mom and Patrick?

"Where's Mom?" I asked.

"She got held up chatting to somebody that she recognized." Aunt Louis replied.

I nodded absentmindedly.

Sassi looked bored out of her skull and was itching to get to the hotel. The entrance was still full of people just standing around, as if something was still going to happen, including us, I guess. I just hoped my mom and Patrick wouldn't take too much time.

Sassi rolled her eyes, chewing her gum. I scanned around, trying to spot my mom, and Aunt Louis kept glancing at her watch. We waited for a good twenty minutes for the engaged couple.

"Where are they?" I huffed out loud.

Sassi looked over my shoulder, annoyed, stared out and squinted. Her expression turned from annoyance to a broad grin filled with pleasure. She looked at me.

"There's your mom?" she said, pointing in their direction.

"Finally." Aunt Louis sighed.

I turned around in a huff. And almost lost my stepping.

There was my mom and Patrick walking towards us, with a very familiar cellist with sleek blonde hair next to them. My breath caught in my throat and I couldn't believe it. My mom brought Arthur with her. What the hell?

I suddenly felt very, very nervous.

"I'm so sorry we're late everyone." My mom said, giving an apologetic smile. "But guess who we bumped into on our way here?"

She held Arthur's arm gently and looked my way. All of a sudden, everyone's eyeballs landed on me, including Arthur's, whose gaze I was trying to avoid. I swallowed hard, my mouth feeling dry. Sassi snickered. I looked into Arthur's blue eyes, I remembered well, observing me. I was stuttering when he spoke up.

"Lillie, it's wonderful to see you again." He said and moved forward to give me a hug.

I hugged him, and it felt warm and tender like before.

"It's nice to see you again too, Arthur."

He smiled. "Did you enjoy the play?"

I nodded.

We exchanged words back and forth, catching up over the last six months, as if we were alone. I simply forgot we weren't, and four other people were watching our conversation with interest. Sassi grinned as usual, biting her bottom lip, nodding slowly. Mom seemed to beam, too. Patrick and Aunt Louis just looked confused.

"Congratulations again to you Judy, on your engagement." Arthur said.

My mom gave her appreciation.

A woman with blonde hair and highlights jogged over to us.

"Hey Arthur, there you are." She said, her hair bouncing behind her. "I've been looking all over for you. You're ready to go?"

Arthur nodded quickly. "Where's my manners? This is Cameron, she's a..." Cameron looked at Arthur, dissatisfied, as he hesitated. "... a good friend of mine."

She rolled her eyes lightly and nodded to us.

"Well, I better be off then, see you soon, Lillie." Arthur said, giving me a wink.

I waved goodbye to him with everyone else.

I turned to my mom, confused.

"What does he mean? See me soon?" I asked, frowning.

My mom looked at me and pulled a tight smile.

"Mom! What did you discuss with Arthur for 20 minutes?" I asked, feeling heat rising in my face.

"Well, hun, we talked about the play, what he was doing now, and the wedding." She said innocently.

"and..." I dragged out the word.

My mom sighed and then squealed excitedly. "I invited him!"

My face dropped.

My mom took my hand in hers and squeezed tight. "You officially have a plus one to the wedding!"