Alejandro was on edge. And nothing I had done so far had succeeded in calming him down. He wouldn't even tell me what was bothering him. All he did was pace around the room, yell at someone over the phone, then pace some more. I was really starting to get dizzy.

"Would you please stop pacing around?. My head's starting to hurt", I pleaded

"I'm sorry D, it's just urggghhhh", he slammed the phone on the floor.

Well there goes another one.

"Why don't you calm down and tell me what's wrong hmm?"

He released a heavy sigh, "It's this really big business deal for the company. I've been trying so hard to get him to sign off on the papers. It seemed like a done deal, I mean, we were already working on the terms of the contract. Then I get a call this morning saying he's pulling out. Motherfucker!"

"Breathe baby", I coached, "Just how important is this contract?"

"Really important. This would make the company grow and solidify out based in Europe"

"Okay then. We can find a way around this. Who is it?"

"Mr Jonathan Stevens"

« Oh who's he? », I asked cluelessly

« You don't know who Jonathan Stevens is? », Alejandro looked at me like he couldn't believe the atrocity I just spewed from my mouth.

« No I do not », I conceded, « But you're gonna tell me »

« Jonathan Stevens owns one of the largest conglomerates in the continent, and smaller ones overseas. Partnering with him will mean widening our scope, introducing our brand to the European market and altogether putting the company forward », the poor man really looked defeated. If only he knew. « I cannot afford to lose this contract »

« And you won't!. You'll find a way, I know you will »

He gave me a grateful smile and walked to the bathroom to take a shower. I was going to wait for him to leave before I got into motion. I couldn't risk him finding out what I planned to do. Not too long after he came out with only a towel wrapped low around his waist, giving me a hearty view of his delicious v-line. I bit my lip when raunchy thoughts started running through my mind.

« Better let go of that lip dolcezza, or I'm not going to be leaving today », he had a cocky smirk planted on his face. « So any plans for today? »

« No », I replied, « Just going to stay in and relax »

« You know, you could always come back to work », he suggested

« And constantly be berated by my tyrannical boss?, no thanks »

« Hey! », he chastised

« Besides, we would hardly get any work done »

« Oh really?, and why's that? »

« Because Mr Delmanti, we would be too busy christening every single inch of your office, I doubt that's something the employees wanna see »

He let out a hearty chuckle. I was glad that even for a little while I could cheer him up. This business with StevensCorp was seriously stressing him out. I just wished things would work out. After everything Alejandro had been through, he deserved only the best things in life.

« Hey », his deep voice jolted me out of my mind. I had been so deep in thought I hadn't noticed him already getting dressed. « You okay? », he asked

« Yeah »

« You sure? »

« Yes Ale, I'm fine »

He looked at me intently, « Is there something you wanna tell me? »

I hated lying to him but there was no way I could tell him what I wanted to do. He would just try and stop me. Besides, I was doing it for him. So one little white lie couldn't hurt right?. « No. nothing »

« Ok, I'm off to work then »

« Have a great day », I said while giving him a soft peck on the lips.

He promptly left the room and made his way downstairs. I ran to the library and looked through the window to make sure he was in the car and driving out of the compound before I pulled out my phone. I dialed the number I had memorized by heart and put the phone to my ear. It rang for a short while before the person on the other end picked up.

« Hello? »

« Hey Jonathan. It's um...It's Diana. Can we talk? »

********************

I walked around the mall food court looking for him. I had no idea why Jonathan had insisted we meet here but I was in no position to question his choices. I was about to give up my search when I spotted the familiar mass of slicked back brown hair, only now it had streaks of grey in it.

Jonathan Stevens was one of the few, if not the only, friend I had while I was still married to Michael. Michael had made a personal mission to cut off my communication to the outside world. Making sure I had no one to run. Stelly was out of the country at a prestigious university in London, Davy was in jail and my dad just didn't give a damn if I was alive or not, as long as he had his money. For a time being I felt truly alone in the world, till I was introduced to Jonathan.

Jonathan was a heavily built man in his early 50's. With kind eyes and a devastatingly gorgeous smile, he was nothing but a kind soul. When he had first shown me kindness and compassion I hadn't received in the longest time, I was so profoundly sad that I had made a friend but that he too would be ripped from me. But Jonathan was an asset Michael couldn't afford to lose. He was willing to give Jonathan anything as long as he could keep the money coming in. Even if it meant letting me out of the house and having to cut down on beatings so Jonathan wouldn't get suspicious. Jonathan didn't know this but he had saved me from countless gruesome beatings before. He was the father I never had.

I gave his shoulder a light tap. To which he turned and looked at me, « Diana darling! », he stood up to give me a warm hug, « Oh how I've missed you. Come have a seat »

I placed myself in the chair opposite his. « I've missed you too Jonathan. How are you? »

He waved his his around dismissively, « Well, same old, same old. How are you. I heard about Michael's trial. Why didn't you tell me sweetheart? », he asked

« I didn't want to burden you with my problems »

« You're not a burden Diana. You never will be. When I heard what had really been happening in your marriage, I just felt so hurt that I couldn't see it. That I couldn't help you »

« It's over now Jonathan. It's all in the past. Let's not dwell on it anymore ok? »

He nodded at me. « So you sounded serious on the phone. What is it you wanted to talk about? », he asked

« I need your help »

« Of course. Anything »

« What is your take on Delmanti Corporations? »

« Oh Alejandro Delmanti. Very ambitious young man. Very driven »

Jonathan had nothing but praises for Alejandro, so I couldn't help but wonder why he was refusing to sign the contract. « So why don't you want to work with him? », I asked

« As much ambition as he carries around sweetheart, the man heavily lacks the value of family », I gave him a confused look, « He is determined no doubt and truly has a knack for business ventures but there is no sense of togetherness. You know how I am D. Sure if I sign the contract we could be the best of friends, but what happens if things go south?. Business is all about risk taking. What if when s time comes to bear all those risks, I was hung out left to dry? »

I understood Jonathan's point but I couldn't disagree more. That was not my Alejandro. He may have been like that but he had definitely changed. I could attest to that. « You're wrong », I said. He raised a perfectly carved eyebrow at me. « Alejandro does have the family value Jonathan. So much"

"And how would you know this Diana?. I doubt you even know the guy"

"He's my husband"

"You're what?!"

"My husband Jonathan"

"Jesus Diana. If this is anything like it was with Michael you tell me now. I will get you all the help you need. You and Benjy can stay at my place"

"God no!. It's not like that. It's not like that at all. I love Alejandro", he looked taken aback by my words, "I know this seems hard to believe but Alejandro is not that person you think he is Jonathan. You should see him with Benjy. He's natural Jon. Benjy even calks him Daddy"

I spent the next half hour convincing Jonathan Stevens that signing that contract would be the best thing he could do for himself and for me. When I had finished he looked at me intently over his cuo of coffee.

"You really do love him don't you?", he asked

"Yes. I do"

"Well Diana, I will consider the contract one last time", he stood up

I let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you Jonathan. Thank you so much", I stood up as well

"You know Diana, I hope Mr Delmanti knows how lucky he is to have you"

I smiled. I was the lucky one here. He gave me a warm, tight hug and a light peck on the cheek rather close to my lips, and forehead. "Be safe Diana". He then walked away.

Only when I looked up, did I notice the murderous look on my husbands face as he watched us from afar.

I had called Stevens office incessantly for the past hour, but they still refused to put me through. All saying he was out of the office, meeting a business partner. I had finally gotten a break when I called his assistant and screamed on the phone. She was clearly tired of my constant nagging, so she told me he was at the mall. I had driven there as quick as I could. I had to convince him, no matter what it took. I walked around the mall aimlessly before I decided on trying the food court. I had quickly noticed him but he was with someone else. A woman.

I resolved to wait at an empty table while I observed them. That was when I noticed. The hair, those soft dainty curves. It wasn't just any woman. It was my woman!. I couldn't believe my eyes. Diana had told me she had no idea who Jonathan Stevens was. She said she didn't even plan on leaving the house today.

What the hell was going on?. I tried to clear the morbid thoughts running through my mind but the evidence was staring me right in the face. The way they talked, how cozy they looked. Why would she feel the need to lie to me unless she wanted to meet up with her lover?!. I tried my hardest to calm my raging fury. The last thing I wanted was to cause a scene in such a public place. I watched with angry eyes as he hugged her and kissed her.

I trusted her. I had given my heart to her all over again. Despite all the warnings, all the signs. I had let her break me once more.

I looked up and saw her staring at me. I grabbed my jacket and stormed out.

I had barely made it into my car when she grabbed at my arm.

« Alejandro wai- «

« Don't touch me », the acidic tone in my voice surprised even me

« Ale it's not what you think I can explain », she pleaded

I laughed humorlessly, « It's not what I think Diana?. So it's not you lying to me just to meet up with your lover? »

« I lied to meet up with him, yes. But not because he's my lover. I was just trying to-«

« Save it Diana!. Just save it. He's old enough to be your father. I thought you had some class or some dignity left in you but clearly I was mistaken »

« Stop », she had tears in her eyes

« Stop telling you what you truly are?, a whore, a gold digger, an opportunist »

« Stop! », she was full on crying now, but I wasn't gonna let up.

« Face it Diana. You're nothing but a cheap woman. No values whatsoever. Throwing yourself at whatever guy you sink your fangs into. Your mother would be disapp-«

SMACK!. My jaw stung like hell, but I didn't care. Right now all that mattered was hurting her as much as she hurt me. « How could you Alejandro?. I have done nothing but love you. How could you?!. I do not deserve this punishment. I met with him for you! », she was yelling now and attracting a crowd. « I tied myself to that monster for you!, everything I fucking do is for you!!. I've taken everything you've thrown at me. The insults, the embarrassment, everything. Because I felt that maybe this was my punishment for hurting you, but you know what I realized?. I did nothing wrong, I did nothing but love you. Even when I married Michael, I had nothing but my love for you to hold on to », I was terribly confused. What was she on about?. She chuckled drily, "You know I used to think Michael was the most terrible guy on the planet. Turns out, I was wrong", she fled to her car and sped off. My conscience tried to make me see reason, tried to make me understand the hidden meaning beneath her words, but I refused to be fooled again.

I was about to step into the car when Mr Stevens himself walked over to me.

"Alejandro!. How are you?". I couldn't fathom how the man had just been frolicking with my wife yet he acted like nothing was going on. His indifference rendered me speechless. "I just called my assistant to set up a meeting. I believe it's time we take a second look at the deal, don't you think?". Did this man really think I could do business with him after what I just found out?!.

"You did huh?", he could probably hear the gnashing of my teeth.

"Oh yes. You know Alejandro many men are seldom blessed to find their equals. But you have clearly found favor with God. Diana is truly a gem »

« What are you talking about? », I asked

« Like you don't know »

« What do you mean? », if my hostile tone surprised him, he didn't show it.

« She came over to convince me to take the deal »

« You're lying »

« No I am not. Your wife must truly care about you Mr Delmanti. To go to such lengths just to help you achieve your goals »

« What? », this couldn't be. Not after everything I had just said to her, all the insults I had hurled at her.

« She brought to light several of your finer qualities. Qualities that no doubt make you a phenomenal businessman. You are truly blessed », he gave me a fatherly pat on the shoulder and walked away, while I stood there frozen with only a single thought running through my mind.

What have I done?