I'm in the office with Alex when he suddenly gets a phone call. I turn off the noise and I advert my attention to him. He looks enraged from the conversation but I can tell it is not good news. He tries to talk but gets interrupted frequently. After a few disagreements on the phone he hangs us. He throws his phone across the room and starts pacing the room. I jump at the noise and get up to my feet.

"Hey hey relax what was the phone call about?" I ask him softly.

"It's the construction company in Italy. They can't get the building finished for august." He says

"Why did something happen?"

"It turns out there was an earthquake there and some houses were damaged. They thought it was more urgent to go and help out rather than finish the building. The're right. But it just annoys me." He says

"So what about our building?"

"It will be finished some time in September." He says defeated.

"Hey, it is alright. There is still time and before that we can have everything ready and perfect for the road." I say

"I know I just really want this project to work, you know?" He says sitting down on the couch.

"So do I." I say sitting down next to him.

"What are we going to do now?" He asks

"How about you and I go to the US for a bit?" I offer

"Why?" He asks

"I have two weddings to attend in September and no plus one. Besides, I want you to meet some of my friends." I say

"I already met Chris." He says

"Oh but there is more. You still haven't met Robbie and Susan, my parents as we call it." I say smiling at him.

"That should be interesting." He says

"See, we can finish this project before august and then we can spend some time in the US. We can live together. I have 2 guest rooms so take your pick." i say

"How is it living life with all this responsibility?" He says gesturing to the walls around us.

"Stressful most of the times, but worth it in the end." I say

"I could never do the things you do. You run a company, you have a social life and you co-run a charity organization all at the same time."

"That is why I am painfully single." I smile sourly.

"We both know that is not the truth. You're intimidating Lena. You have great success surrounding you and you carry yourself with such grace that it makes everyone else belive you don't even have a job. You just do it all, in fucking heels." He says

"Thank you for saying that."

"No need, I actually mean it. I just know you distanced yourself from her. Correct me if I'm wrong." he says

I stay quiet.

"Do you think she'll try to use you for your money or are you afraid she'll see the shy parts of you no one saw before?" He asks

"No, she would never use me for money. She is not like that. She is kind and sweet. And she has the best smile in the entire world. I'm not afraid to love her. I'm afraid that when she sees mr for who I am, that she will not look at me again." I say looking at my hands.

"Then you must be a total idiot because you got a fucking medal from the royal family few weeks back. Not one but three!"

"Anyone can get those." I say

"Oh my god will you stop it already?! Admit you are brilliant and that what you do and what you make is not something that is replaceable. Yes anyone can get that but anyone didn't get that, you did!" He says getting up.

"Look, I just-"

"I swear to god if you are about to make yourself small one more time I'm about to hit you in the head with this stapler gun." He says picking one up from my desk.

"You should talk to her before the wedding." He says

"Absolutely not." I say

"Why not? You're afraid she'll change your mind?!" He yells

" No I know she won't do that. I just, I'm afraid I'll fall apart." I admit

"Why would you fall apart?" He ask

"Because she.. because I won't be waiting on the other end of the isle. I'll be in the crowd. On the bride's side of the church."

"Oh Lena." He says and hugs me.

"you have to talk with her. At least get some closure." He says

"I know. I just don't know if me and her talking would be a good idea." I say

"Good for you that you'll be in New York before the wedding" He says smiling at me.

We called in lunch for today. I can't get myself out of the office today. We got back to work and I answered calls mostly. I got another call and gave it to Alex to answer. I can't deal with the press anymore.

"They are insisting on talking with you." Alex says giving me the phone

"Lena Adams speaking." I answer annoyed

"Finally! Watch your tone sweetheart."

"Melaine?" I ask

"Bingo! How are you darling?" She asks

"I'm good. What.. how are you?" I ask in shock.

"Not well, my daughter is getting married. Again!" She says devastated.

"Yeah, I've gotten the invite." I say

"So she did sent one out!" She says excited.

"What do you mean? She wasn't supposed to?" I ask confused.

"She told me she wouldn't because of something that happened between the two of you. She mentioned you broke a promise or something like that." She says

"Yeah, something like that. Why are you calling me though? I mean don't get me wrong I love talking to you Melanie. I just changed sim cards." I say

"I wanted to see if you could come and get Scarlett to talk with you. I have a bad feeling about Colin. I din't want my daughter's heart to break once again." She says

"I imagine your concern and I am sorry to say this, but I'm in England at the moment." I say

"You're Lena Agnes Adams for god sake just please fly over here and save her."

"I don't think she would want that." I say

"She doesn't know what she wants. Besides, if you come over I already know she wouldn't be able to resist talking with you. I've seen the way she looks at you and how she talks about you. Lena please just get off your ass and save her from that Colin guy." She says out of breath.

"I'll fly over to New York in august." I say defeated.

"see was that so hard? I swear all of you business junkies are just delusional." She says

"Wait you knew about me?" I ask her.

"From the moment I saw you I knew who you were. She told me about you and how your last name is Adams. I pieced it together and was thankful for her having you. I worked with your mother Abigail many times and she looks just like you. You're the spitting image of your mother." She says

"Lena are you there?" she asks

"I am sorry, I'm.. I.. I guess I'm in shock." I say

The two of us chat for a bit more and Alex gives us privacy by leaving the room. I laugh at some of Melanie's jokes and I have to say. I really missed talking with her. She is so fun and she reminds me so much of Scarlett. They both have the same mannerisms and overall it is just sweet. She's a very intelligent woman, but I never thought she would be this intelligent. She hid who I was even from her own daughter. Now that is commitment. She and I ended the conversation and she told me there is nothing to worry about when it comes to Scarlett. She says that apparently Scarlett has a sweet spot for me. I didn't really think of that before nor did I want to if we're being honest. I'm talking with her because of her mother. Melanie asked me to try and have a conversation with her regarding Colin. It is just that.

Marcus all of a sudden walks into the office carrying a gift bag.

"Marcus." I rush to my feet to say hello to my friend.

"Hello helloo." He says and hugs me tightly

"This is for you." He says giving me the bag.

"You shouldn't have." I say smiling at him.

"Yes I should have. I stayed at your apartment for weeks. I can't repay you enough." he says

"Now open it!" he adds.

I take out a box out of the bag. I open that one and there are two smaller boxes inside. They look like jewelery boxes. Like the ones you put bracelets in. I open one to see a gold necklace with a little rose in the middle. It is so subtle and nice looking.

"Aww Marcus!" I say and go to open the other one.

"No! That one isn't for you to have." He says and takes it out of my hands.

"Who is it for then?" I ask

"It's for her." He says smiling at me.

"For her?" I ask

"Yes, for her. You told me she lost your golden necklace that had a rose on it. So I got this idea to get you matching jewelry." he says smiling to himself.

"Thank you Marcus. I doubt I'll give this to her though."

"No don't start please. You are going over there and you will give it to her before the wedding." He demands

"Fine bossy." I say and roll my eyes at him.

"Um hey, I don't think we officially met." Alex says walking into the room.

"My name is Marcus, I've heard quite a lot about you." Marcus says extending his hand to Alex.

"Good things I hope. I'm Alex" Alex says and eye's me.

"How far long are you with the project?" Marcus asks him.

"Well almost all the planing is finished. we just have a few more details and contacts to get done and I think it will be complete." Alex says

"Yeah. We had a setback today but we'll work around it." I add

"Good to hear! By the way I am so sorry I couldn't go with you to get that award." Marcus says turning to me.

"Don't worry. I was with Alex." I say smiling.

"Son of a bitch! Don't tell me you met the Queen." Marcus says turning to Alex now. Alex laughs and looks at me helpless.

"We did. She invited us for tea." I say

"What is she like in person?" Marcus asks

"She's very nice." Alex says

"No one asked you." Marcus taunts at him and we both find it hilarious. I can barely form a sentence.

"Don't laugh! She's iconic okay?!" Marcus protests.

"Yeah she's cool and all but darling you were never this excited about anyone else. Not even your mum." I say softly

"I can't believe you just put Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in the same sentence as my mum!" Marcus acts surprised.

"Can you put my bracelet on me please?" I ask Alex

"Yeah, sure." he says and walks over to me

He clips it and turns over my hand to look at it.

"It's beautiful. Really does suit you." he says

"Hello I'm standing right here!" Marcus says

"Marcus, relax we didn't meet god or something. Besides, didn't you tell me you went on a fabulous trip with a hottie you'll never forget?" I ask him

"Oh you should have seen him. I was drooling." Marcus says beaming.

"I bet he was quite dashing." I say smiling at Alex.

"I've never seen a man have a bigger bicep. That thing was the size of me." Marcus says

"How about you and I go for a coffee tomorrow and you can tell me all about that hot date?" I ask him.

"Yes. I would love that!" Marcus says and leaves the room.

"Is he gay?" He asks

"Why? You find him pretty?" I taunt.

"He is a beautiful man, but not quite my type." He say smiling at me.

"What is your type then?" I ask

"Some big shot boss at a big shot company. English so they know my lingo and we can talk all they long.They have to love dogs or we can't be even considered a couple. They should be kind and generous." He says smiling at me.

"Why does it seem you're describing me?" I ask.

"Because I am." He says smiling at me.

"I would want a partner like you. But without the 'you' part. Someone who looks and acts like you but isn't necessarily you. If that makes sense." he says

"It does." I smile at him.

I think that was one of the biggest compliments I could have gotten from anyone.

"Tell me about your type." He says sitting down on the couch and I join him.

"Someone who likes animals and books. They have to be kind and welcoming. Someone who is motivated and passionate about what they do. Whatever that may be. Someone who works hard and just loves me." I say

"I don't think I've ever asked this , but whats your sexuality?" He ask

"I mean you don't have to tell me I was just curious." he defends.

"I don't know what I am. I had a long time with that."

"Tell me about it." He says kindly.

"Well in high school I was convinced I was a lesbian, but then I met a boy and my entire reality switched. It's Thomas.You met him once. After a while we dated but stopped because it wasn't working with the two of us. Then over the years I just figured I must be pan. I have no other explanation. Because I didn't mind that Thomas was a boy or that Scarlett was a girl, no I didn't care. I fell in love with their personality. So by default. At least I think that makes me pansexual." I say

"If it makes you feel any better I went through the same dilema a couple years back . I identify as bisexual. I've grown comfortable with it and I just try to not talk about it too much." he says smiling at me.

"I would have never thought you were part of the lgbtq+ community." I say

"No one does. A bless for the girls and a bloody curse for the boys." he says laughing.

"Let's finish up for today and head over to my place to have a drink." I offer.

"You speak my language woman."