(A/N: Just so you know, I am not English nor American, therefore my mother language is not English; it is Portuguese, a language completely different from English, so please forgive me about some really bad (and stupid) mistakes and lousy grammar that may appear in this chapter and/or in future ones. Feel free to correct any mistake I may have through a review or a PM. Thoughtfully, NEREIDS.)

www (dot) poisonousimpression (dot) blogs (dot) sapo (dot) pt

Check out Poisonous Impression for more information about the Writer, the Stories and the Characters.

IMPORTANT ADVICE: If you're a new reader, I advise you to read Welcome to Heartbreak first as this story is its sequel! You can indeed read BCD first and skip WHB, but you may not understand a few things the characters may refer to. ;) Also, WHB is a fun, dramatic story, very emotionally-heavy, so give it a try if you think you can handle it!

PICS: I have put up most pictures on my website, so if you want to check them before/after reading the chapter, just go for it!

Chapter 1

"Do you ever think about the future?"

When I heard that question, I put down the glass of wine I was about to drink and looked at the man sat across the table, his eyes – a mixture of blue and grey – set on mine, but looking unusually glassy.

"The answer to that question should be quite obvious." I replied plainly.

He laughed more to himself but then said, "I guess, but tell me anyway."

I sighed and regarded him intently. "Why do you want me to answer that?"

"Do I need a reason to ask my girlfriend if she's ever thought about her future?" He cornered me. His hand slithered over mine and he squeezed it affectionately as the corner of his lips went up. "Just tell me if you've ever thought about your future."

"Sometimes." His eyes narrowed, a sign he doubted me, which made me laugh. "Okay, I rarely think about my future."

"I thought so,"

"Why would I, anyway?"

I didn't need to and he knew it. I was in my early-twenties and never did I go through any trouble that made my life a living hell or something close to it. Why? Well, money helped of course. Having a father that was quite a successful lawyer and a mother who had modelled for most of those designers only beginners and amateurs dreamed of modelling for, money was something that had never lacked in my life.

In addition to that, beauty also helped. Oh yes, I'd got it all from my mother.

I hated looking so freaking perfect for reasons people simply refused to understand.

My face was just like hers, only younger – round-shaped, blue eyes with a hint of green, flawless cheekbones and perfectly-shaped lips. My hair, which had never been bleached like many liked to think – out of spite and jealousy – was a pure blonde, long and wavy. The body, which would've been perfect to model, wasn't as skinny as hers had once been, but had all its curves in its due place. I'd never modelled in my life, like my mother so badly wanted me to, but I liked to be in shape.

"I guess having the perfect parents – rich parents – turns one into quite a carefree person, uh?" Trey uttered, shaking his head. Not in disapproval, not in envy either, but in a way that showed some people had too much.

Trey was my boyfriend.

We'd started dating when I met him through my father. Like me, Trey was a lawyer, and had entered the cruel and cold world of lawyers through my father's company.

Handsome and with a dazzling smile, he had caught the eye of many women... including mine.

It hadn't been love at first sight though. I don't think I'll ever fall in love like that, simply for the fact that I didn't believe in that kind of love. I didn't believe that I'd ever find that knight in shining armour ready to save the damsel in distress, even though my best friend and his girlfriend seemed to prove otherwise every time I saw them.

Still, Trey had been enough. Not to mention my father approved of him, and that was the most important for me. He wasn't wealthy, but I didn't care about money issues. He loved me and I loved him. That was enough.

"Tell me why you want to know," I said, my eyes raking over his eye-catching features.

At twenty-six, Trey was quite a man. His hair, brown-coloured, was cut short, and brought out those alluring eyes – not blue, but not quite grey either. His face, oval-shaped, was paler than mine, and he easily burnt under the sizzling sun. And, most of the times, his cheeks easily reddened. Not because he easily got embarrassed, but because of... well, bed issues. Well-built and about six foot and two inches tall, Trey's body could make any woman's mouth water – mine included.

I watched him heaving a sigh and leaning back as his eyes roamed over to the tables around us. I spared a glance at my watch and realized I had to be at Adam's clinic in about fifteen minutes. After all, I worked there.

"Let me put it this way, then." He uttered calmly. "Do you ever think about the future... regarding our relationship?"

No, I replied mentally. But I couldn't tell him that. It would've been like a handless slap. "Sometimes,"

"Can you picture us in, say... five years?"

"I..." I trailed off and eyed him with a new set of eyes. What was the true point of this conversation? "I guess," I lied, but no, I couldn't really picture us in five years.

"How do you picture us then?"

I swallowed dryly. "Uh... working... and happy?"

"Have you ever pictured us married?"

"I..."

"Because I have." He told me, leaning close again, and reaching out for my hand. "Quite a few times, I might add."

"Well, I... I have too."

He laughed, "Don't lie, Lex, I know you haven't considered it once."

I relaxed. He didn't look mad about it. "That doesn't mean I don't love you,"

"I know," Trey smiled, his eyes shining. "However... would you consider it now?"

I grew wary. What kind of game was he playing? "I... I don't know."

"What if I asked you the question?"

What? "Well, I guess I'd have to consider it, right?"

"In that case..." I watched him sliding off his chair and kneeling beside me. Utterly conscious of the eyes he'd drawn towards us, I tried to focus on him and what he was doing. I saw him taking out a black-velvet box from his pocket and when he opened it, the ring inside flashed at me. My heart stopped right there. "Would you consider marrying me?"

The question rocked me off my heels.

"I... Oh my God," I stammered. I wanted to speak, I wanted to say something, but I couldn't! Had he really... proposed to me? "Trey, I... I never thought... I..."

"Just give me the answer I want, Alexis." He said tenderly. And even though he was grinning, I saw his eyes flickering with anxiety as he gazed at me. "I love you,"

"I... Yes!" I squealed, but Trey didn't move.

Slightly puzzled and nervous, he questioned me, "Yes, as in... yes, I'll consider marrying you, or yes as in... I'll marry you?"

"Yes, as in, yes I'll marry you, silly!" And then, at last, he leaped to his feet as I did, and his lips came crashing down on mine, taking my breath away.

It was a devastating kiss, but in a way that made my nerves tingle at the sensation of his arms around me.

Trey had proposed to me and I had accepted.

I was freaking engaged, wasn't I?

The first thing on my mind right after was obvious.

I had to tell Adam. So when Trey pulled back to look at me, his face all lit up, I said, "I have to go," His face immediately darkened a bit. "I have to-"

"Tell Adam," He completed my sentence, still smiling, nevertheless. He shook his head, feeling my urge to leave, and added, "You really can't do anything without that guy, uh?"

"He's my best friend,"

Trey nodded, "I know," Well, at least he wasn't jealous of the relationship I had with Adam. I'd already lost count of the guys I'd broken up with just because they couldn't accept the fact that my best friend was a guy and that I simply could not live without him. Well, it was easy to feel intimidated by a guy like Adam anyway. In the end, he was hot! "I'll see you at dinner?"

"At my house?" I suggested.

"Sure,"

"Then I'll see you at eight." I grinned and hugged him again, feeling like a teenager, with my every hormone wanting to control me. When we parted, I kissed him again, his lips burning mine like a fire out of control. "I love you!"

"I love you too, Lex." My God, when he smiled that tender smile, he always had me.

Still, I forced myself to turn around and darted out of the restaurant.

When I got inside my car – a grey Mercedes I'd bought a few months ago – I still couldn't believe it. My hands shook when I grasped the steering wheel and I had a feeling they wouldn't stop shaking until I digested the moment.

When I started the car and drove away, one other thing came to my mind. What would my father say? Well, it wasn't hard to guess, was it? He'd be happy, and he'd say something like, "Congratulations, honey, I'm happy for you."

"Trey's a hot guy," My sister would say. "You should totally go for it!"

Last but not least... my mother. It was everything but hard to listen to her voice, showing off how bad she disapproved of Trey. "You could've arranged someone far better, someone more good-looking and wealthy if you hadn't decided to go for such an average job."

It almost stripped me of my fleeting happiness, but I immediately played the proposal scene in my head again before her unsaid words – yet – got to me.

I'd deal with her later.

As soon as I reached Adam's clinic, my eyes darted about, seeking out a parking space. The moment I found one, I quickly parked the car and climbed outside, feeling my heart racing in my chest. After all, what I had to tell Adam was something big! Marrying was something huge!

What would he say about it?

I'd been dating Trey for as long as he'd been dating Rachel, and that didn't work out that well. But then again, Adam met Eva, and marrying Rachel would've been his biggest mistake, since it was plain on their faces they were meant to be together. As for me, I hadn't found anyone that had caught my eye as Trey had. He was simple, classy, fun, and not infatuated with money and looks. What more could've I asked for?

I was brought to a sudden halt on my way to the clinic's entrance when I spotted Adam striding out, looking somewhat... frustrated.

I wandered what was wrong.

I stepped forward, but stopped again when I realized he wasn't alone.

Someone else approached him and the both of them walked out of the clinic's passage way, walking along the pavement as if they wanted to have a private conversation.

I was probably right. The man who was accompanying didn't even look good.

He had to be a patient or some kind of Adam's old friend. I knew most of Adam's staff and that wasn't one of them. Besides, how could he? He looked everything but a guy who practised medicine! I couldn't even see his face well enough to identify him since he was wearing a hood, which shadowed his features. Well, I wasn't positioned well enough to see his face anyway.

I moved closer, drawn by Adam's expression and the unfamiliar man's presence.

"I'm sorry, Adam." The man spoke first as soon as Adam stopped and turned around to face him. "I'm so sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to help you, Josh." Adam spoke with confidence and determination, in that aggressive way of his. "You should've at least returned my calls! I offered you a job not because you were so desperately in the need of one but because you're of the best in your field! Unfortunately, that's not enough to save you unless you're willing to change!"

What? Adam had hired him because he was the best in his... field? What the hell was his job in the clinic? And why had I never seen him before?

"Josh, I-"

"My mother got worse, Adam." The man cut in and the pain and regret in his voice were plain. He lifted his face to meet Adam's cold blue eyes and I realized he had stubble, along with an awful purple colour under his... grey, blue eyes? It was impossible to tell with that shadow dancing all over his face.

Adam sighed, and I knew he was trying to summon some patience. "What happened?"

"She got worse, there's nothing more that I can tell you."

"What about Livy?"

The man shook his head. "She was busy with the baby and my brother... I called him, but he didn't pick up. I... I didn't know what else to do, I... I couldn't leave them,"

"That was exactly what you did," Adam said sharply, "You left them, but not because you had to come to work, you... Fuck, Josh, you should've called me!"

"Why? Why would I-I, Adam?" The man's voice faltered. He looked like he was about to cry. "I would've done it, regardless of whatever you could've done."

I felt bad for listening to that man's personal problems, but it was stronger than me. I mentally cursed myself. Why did humanity like to probe into one's life?

"I would've driven over and I would've helped you. Eva could've stayed with Livy to help her! I could've come up with a million different ways to help you avoid it... if you'd called!"

The man didn't flinch at Adam's impatient tone, unlike many others who witnessed that flare of anger. If only he knew Adam had control issues... "I know, I... I'm sorry. That's all I can tell you, Adam." He uttered, sounding so helpless, so feeble. "Are you... Are you going to fire me?"

I heard Adam's heavy sigh. "Of course not," He said with a gentle tone, only to then proceed with a rather aggressive tone, "As long as you show up next week! People have started scheduling appointments with you, man! If you don't show up next week, I'm sorry, but... I'll have to fire you."

"No!" Joshua prompted. "I promise I'll be here next Monday, I... Don't worry, I'll be here."

"Good," Adam nodded, and now that conflict seemed to be over, his hand soared towards the man's shoulder. "Next time... call me, okay? I can help you, I want to help you."

My eyebrow cocked up. Who the hell was this guy? Adam seldom seemed to care about anyone, other than Eva, his parents, myself, and his precious horses. It was killing me not to be unable to identify the guy. Could he be one of Adam's college or internship friends?

"I'll sure try to remember before I... Well, it doesn't matter now." He shook his head as if that would make him forget what he was going to say. He straightened himself and a faint smile seemed to part his lips. "I'll be here on Monday. I promise. Thanks for everything, Adam."

"You're welcome," He didn't smile. It was rare seeing that man smile honestly. It's not like his life had been a living hell! Okay, it got near to a living hell during summer, but every piece of that messy puzzle was in place now! Maybe that was why he was probably seeing Robert.

I watched Adam striding back to the clinic.

As for the man, he stayed put. It was visible when he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if pondering about everything he'd spoken with Adam.

I rolled my eyes. What the hell was I still doing there?

Right when I was about to move, the man turned, and I finally got a better view of his face. His eyes were an alluring grey – or blue, maybe? They were puffy and red, as if he'd been crying. His subtle was about to become a beard – a beard that made him look like a homeless-looking guy, especially since he was dressed in such a sloppy way – hoodie and worn-out jeans, with his hands now tucked in his pockets.

My God, the man looked as if he was about to commit suicide.

And I had nothing to do with it, so why I was there? Still?

I tossed my blonde hair back and urged myself forward. Adam's clinic, forgetting about the homeless-looking guy named Josh.

As soon as I stepped inside, it was impossible not to get annoyed by the buzz. With so many people there, what could I expect? Adam's clinic was being successful. His father's friends had heard about it ever since Adam had thought of it, so the moment the clinic was opened they immediately left their previous doctors for Adam or one of Adam's employees. With a bank account with infinite money, Adam wasn't shy when it came to decorate the clinic, hire the best for each specialty and have every sort of technology that would aid him or his personnel.

The waiting room wasn't full, but the few who were there; along with the clinic staff, were enough to produce an annoying sound.

I crossed the room and turned into one of the corridors that led me to the next floor, where Adam's office – and mine – was located. When I knocked on his door, he responded straight away with a sharp tone. "Yes?"

I didn't bother answering. I just opened the door and walked inside, grinning.

"Someone's moody," I joked, but he didn't say a thing. He just gazed at me with that glacial stare of his. Nice way to ruin my mood, Adam. But of course I didn't say that. He clearly looked upset, so I was straightforward. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing,"

I tsked. He knew better than to hide anything from me. But I didn't insist. Instead, I walked up to the chair across his expensive and large desk and sat comfortably. I held his gaze with my grin.

He was the first to give in with an exhausted sigh, but I spoke again. "You're all grumpy because of that guy you were talking to?"

Acknowledgment showed through his glacial eyes. "How do you know?"

"Let's say I showed up right on time,"

"You always show up at the right time, don't you?"

"I do, and you never complained, did you?" He shook his head and rolled his eyes, but I saw a shadow of a smile playing on those thin lips. "So, who was that homeless-looking guy that gave the impression he was about to kill himself right after you left him?"

"That homeless-looking guy that gave the impression he was about to kill himself right after I left, Alexis, is my new paediatrician."

My eyes widened in shock. He could only be joking. "You're kidding, right? That guy will scare any poor kid away!"

Adam frowned. "You met him on a bad day, don't be so judgmental."

"Judgemental?That guy looked like-"

"A homeless-looking guy, I get it." He cut me off, rather sharply. "But he's one of the best and he doesn't always come off to people like that. You should meet him next Monday. You'll change your mind."

Did he really think that guy would be able to look like a guy who actually practised medicine? And who the hell was him to have Adam defending him? "Right. Who is he, anyway?"

"A college friend, only that he's older than me."

"And looks as if he has no money, no looks and no brains." Quite a catch, uh?

Adam leaned back on his chair and uttered a sigh. "Cut him some slack, will you? You don't even know him." Okay, I'd give the stranger the benefit of doubt, how's that? "Anyway, what are you doing here so early?"

Now that brought back my very good mood. I grinned again. Adam's eyebrow cocked up. "You have no idea what-"

A knock on the door cut me off. Damn.

"Come in," Adam said. I glanced over my shoulder and realized it was Eva coming in. Good, that way I didn't have to tell the story twice.

Only eighteen, Eva had gone through more than those pitiful teenagers who thought the world was coming down on them just because their boyfriends had broken up with them after only dating for two freaking weeks. Her mother had died, just like her father, if I recalled correctly, and she had no family left other than her aunt, which worked for Adam's family still.

Well, that was how Eva had met Adam, and no one saw it coming. No one predicted that the callous and heartless Adam Cooper who had a beautiful fiancée would end up falling for the new maid, the eighteen-year-old Eva, so small and so fragile, but with enough courage to fight for the man who hadn't had the guts to want to live after a misunderstanding. If Eva hadn't gotten there in time...

They needed and completed each other.

The girl's smile was all summer, especially whenever her dim blue eyes met Adam's. Suffice to say Adam's face always lit up whenever Eva was in the same room.

Comparing her to Rachel, many would've said – no, many said that Adam had been a fool. Rachel was just as attractive as myself. Eva was... an average-looking girl, with her feral black hair and round-shaped face. She was a petite girl, but she had her curves. She looked so fragile that it gave one the impression she needed constant protection, and maybe that had also been what had attracted Adam, hadn't it? Also, because of her delicate and small looks, Adam would've never guessed the woman of his life was her, and that she'd be capable of going through every little thing she went through just to be with him.

He immediately leaped to his feet and went around the table to meet his lover halfway.

They kissed. It wasn't a fiery kiss, those – I knew well – were never seen in public, but still... they loved each other so damned much that it was obvious the craze and the love in one plain kiss.

When they parted, Eva looked at me and smiled. "Hey Alexis,"

"You arrived just in time!" I disclosed, "I was just about to tell something of the utmost importance to you two."

Now that attracted my best friend's attention, even though he wouldn't let go of Eva. He smiled, finally, and remarked rather sarcastically, "Don't tell me you've realized you actually like your mother,"

I pretended to be frightened by those words. "You know you can't play with fire, Adam! It might come true!"

"Imagine what it'd be like..." He chuckled.

"I... can't even imagine." Me and my mother? Yeah, right. I put my sarcastic part aside and got ready to go down to business. Direct as I was, I didn't lose a second. I straightened myself and looked them in the eyes. "Trey proposed to me,"

I wasn't at all surprised when Eva was the first to congratulate me. She let go of Adam and came to hug me, squealing, "Oh my God, congratulations, Alexis!"

I smiled, "Thank you!"

"When did it happen?" It was Adam's cool voice. My God, why was it so hard for him to be happy for a freaking minute?

"During lunch. That was why I came earlier to the clinic, I wanted to tell you." And he was annoying me because he wouldn't even smile or say, "Congratulations!" I had quite the insensitive best friend, hadn't I?

Adam came back to his seat and Eva sat at the edge of the desk, grinning at me. I couldn't say the same for my best friend. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Like him, patience wasn't my trait sometimes. "Just because you got it wrong the first time doesn't mean I will get it wrong."

His eyes didn't flicker. Eva, however, avoided looking at us. "I just want you to be sure. You're young, Alexis."

"I'm just two years older than you, Adam." I uttered, showing my frustration when I rolled my eyes. "Besides, you know Trey. He's good to me."

"Rachel was good to me too-"

"She wasn't what you needed,"

"And who says Trey is what you need?"

"Adam," Eva finally cut in, frowning. "Alexis' right and you know it. You had a bad experience when you first proposed, but it doesn't mean the same will happen to her." I so loved that kid. She knew how to shut him up better than no one sometimes.

He didn't look away from her, but I knew he was pondering about what we'd both said. I didn't blame him for wanting me to be sure and saying that I was young because, well, I was young to marry nowadays, but I loved Trey. And we got along perfectly!

"Okay, I'm sorry. Congratulations," He didn't even smile, didn't even look at me, and his tone was one of complete disapproval and disdain. "I'm happy for you."

I narrowed my eyes, wanting to tell him off. Was he for real? I'd come to tell him the biggest news of my life yet and he was acting like that? "Screw you, Adam!" I hissed, bolting up. "Just because you made a mistake when you proposed the first time doesn't mean Trey will be like you!"

I knew the accusation I was making and I didn't flinch when he stared at me, his eyes alight. Even Eva gaped at me, thunderstruck by what I'd said.

I turned my back on them.

As always, Adam didn't throw in the towel. He knew I wouldn't either. So I didn't look back when I stepped out of his office and went to mine and he didn't call my name to make me come back and apologize to me.

So much for telling the big news to my dearest best friend, uh?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's here! After almost a year, Welcome to Heartbreak's sequel is finally here! If you're a new reader, I definitely advise to read WHB first as you may not understand a few things the characters may refer to – like Adam and Eva's story.

Anyway, I hope this first chapter was fairly interested. If you've read most of my stories, it may not surprise you that we didn't see much of the lead male character in this first chapter as I always do it this way. I only used first-person POV in WHB, so I hope you guys can tell the difference between Eva's POV and Alexis' POV as they are very, very different characters, which you already know if you've read WHB!

Well, I'm excited about this story. I haven't got many chapters written like I had for OUB, for example, but I know where this is going, so I thought it was safe to publish it. I do hope you guys find it to be as much entertaining as WHB was! It does have a very special twist, if you're wondering about that, it's just not going to be a dramatic love story. It's got more to it, but I'm obviously not going to tell you anything! Keep reading and you'll find out! Also, like WHB, it's got a love triangle! I know, the only difference this time is that we'll see more of Trey than we saw of Rachel; in fact, we'll be seeing more of Rachel in this story as well! Perhaps it's not very original having another love triangle, but I do hope to make it different this time! And I did say in my LJ that the sequel would be similar in terms of dealing with marriage and family issues, although it'll still definitely be different from WHB, I promise!

I have not replied to all of the reviews from WHB as I have been sick for the past week but I will do it this week. So those who didn't get a reply, don't fret about it! It will come to you in due time. Just like the anonymous reviews. I will reply to them in the next BCD chapter. :) Yes, yes, I know the title isn't very original, but it applies here and you'll agree with me in a few chapters, eh. ;)

Now, will you let me know what you thought of the sequel's very first chapter? ;)