As i walk towards the door, i take note of the fact that i have a few minutes before Elijah shows up to pick me up for work, so i have to make it quick. At the door, i pause for a few seconds, and wonder if Angelo would approve of what i am about to do.

I mean, she is already here, so why not just see what she wants, incase it's something important, i reason.

Who am i kidding, he won't be happy about this, but it's too late to back down.

I open the door and Claire is already standing on the other side, in a red dress and a black ankle length coat, red bright lipstick on and her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders in thick waves.

We share a brief look before i step aside and let her in. After i close the door, i walk ahead of her to the living room.

"Hai...... so what can i do you for you?" I go straight to the point, after i turn around to face her.

She smiles, and puts her purse down on the table.

I realise i haven't offered her a seat yet, but before i can, she walks across the room to the wine cabinet and grabs a bottle of wine, staring at it like it's the most interesting thing she has ever held.

"This is Angelo's favorite, do you mind?" She asks, already grabbing a glass and starting to pour herself a drink.

"Actually, i do, i need to get to work, so can you get to the point of your visit, i don't have all mornimg" I utter.

She takes a sip of the drink and smiles a friendly, innocent smile and i start to second guess my decision to allow her in.

She turns and looks around the room.

"I am surprised he has kept everything more or less the same, the decor and furniture i mean. We picked out everything together when he was moving in.....he must still really like it, i guess he is not a man who likes change, right?" She drawls, finally looking at me.

"Is there a reason you are here, because i really so have to go" I mutter impatiently.

"I know we don't know each other very well, but i think you and i are more alike than you think, plus we do have something in common after all right? we are both in love with the same man, well atleast i assume you are, i know i am and i have been for a good part of my adult life." She says leisurely.

"Your point?" I mutter.

"Relax, i am not here to start a fight or anything like that. I understand and respect the fact that Ange is with someone else now, but if i am being honest, it's something that i am finding harder to accept than i initially thought i would, i am sure you can understand that, but that's not your problem and it's not what brings me here today" she says, looking at me sternly.

I give her a blank stare, wanting to cut her off so i can leave.

"The reason i am really here is because Ange is pushing for an annulment..." She utters and that gets my full attention.

"I am sure you know all about that. But he is going against the initial agreement and quite frankly, the timing is off right now with Ivan being sick. I don't know if you know, but Ivan has always been a keen supporter of our relationship and i don't want anything to affect his recovery, you know what i mean?....I.." She utters.

"Ok stop, let me stop you right there. You are directing this convensation to the wrong person, i am not the one you are married to or the one trying to get an annulment here, you know where to find Angelo, i suggest you pick this up with him." I mutter.

"Ange is normally very..... logical, and has always put the welfare of his family first, so there must be something that's motivating him to take this particular route at this time, let's not pretend that that reason is not you, which is why i am here to assure you, that i am not trying to take him away from you, so there is no need for you to rush him into making decisions that have wider consequences than just the two of you." She says, finally coming to stand infront of me and it irritates me beyond measure the way her words are calm and sweet in tone yet insulting and condescendingly in context.

"Ok, well first of all, i care about Angelo's family, he knows that and i don't need to prove that to you or anybody else, infact, it's really none of your business."

"Second, i don't need you to assure me of anything, i know Angelo and how he feels about me, and vice versa, so whatever you think you need to assure me of, you don't, there is nothing that you can do that will change what is going on between us.

And last but not the least, you are stepping out of line....if you know him as much as you want me to believe you do, you would know that no one makes him to do anything he doesn't want to do, if he does something, it's because he made a choice to do it himself, so whatever pressure you think i am exerting on him, that's completely in your head, he is his own man and he makes his own decisions." I grumble.

"Look, there is no need to get worked up, like i said, i come here in peace." She murmurs softly in contrast to my not so quiet voice.

"This arrangement you have got going on, that's between the two of you, you sealed that agreement without my participation and i suggest you keep it that way and leave me out of it, so this conversation right here is misplaced, you need to take it up with Angelo, and not me." I murmur fiercely but calmly.

"You know, i must admit i underestimated you, honestly, i have often wondered what it was that Ange saw in you other than.......our obvious..... similarity, which i assume is the reason he was attracted to you in the first place right, our physical similarity, i figured he was just looking for a replacement" she says.

"Or maybe he just has a type" I reply annoyed.

"... but i see now that you have a strong personality, he must like that alot." She says softly, yet condescendingly still.

"I have to go" I say turning to show her out.

"Think about what i have said, i would hate for Ivan's condition to worsen and Angelo's relationship with his family to turn sour all because you are too impatient to wait to have him all to yourself when the time is more appropriate" she utters behind me.

"What the hell did you just say?......."I ask, feeling irate.

"What is going in here?" A deep male voice rumbles that could only belong to Angelo.

We both turn to the door to see him standing there, in all his glory. One hand is in the pocket of his suit pants, the other holding the edge of the door frame.

He looks bold and magnificent in a black suit and black shirt, his hair sleeked back, although some stray strands are already gracing his forehead, everything looks perfect, except for the dark scowl on his face which is enough to snap me back to reality.

"Ange!" Claire murmurs first.

"Come here" he says, looking at me and turns around without even waiting for a response.

He looks mad, no, furious.

I follow him into the kitchen and he turns around as soon as i close the door behind me.

"What the hell is she doing in here?" He asks, glaring at me.

No need to be angry with me, i didn't ask her to come over.

"In here Marianne, what the fuck is she doing in our apartment..?" he asks fiecely as if to clarify my confusion when i hesitate to respond.

"I let her in" I clear my throat and state the obvious.

"There is a reason why we have restricted entry, and i made sure not just anybody can get in here, especially when you are around." He gives me a hard stare.

"Don't scold me" I snap.

" I am not scolding you, you invited her up here, What part of that seems like a good idea to you?" He asks calmly this time and honestly, it sounded better when he was annoyed than this cool tone.

But he is right, i shouldn't have agreed to meet her, the past 10minutes of our heated conversation is evidence of that fact. I feel angry at myself for being so stupid.

"I didn't invite her, she just showed up here, what was i supposed to do"? I respond in defence instead.

"You could have said no when Felix asked you, you know that very well" he mutters.

"I didn't want to be rude...besides, i kind of wanted to hear what she had to say in case it was something important" I confess.

"Marianne, this is the kind of shit that starts unnecessary problems. Do you honestly think a conversation between you and my ex would result in any good? do you want to expose our relationship to more problems?" He asks, genuine hurt evident on his face and it makes me feel like a complete idiot.

"No" I say softly.

I feel like a child being scolded by a parent.

He doesn't reply but just looks away.

"You are right...i am sorry. I shouldn't have entertained her" I say, walking towards him.

He still doesn't say anything.

"Please don't be mad at me" I whisper, clasping his hands in mine.

"I am not mad...... " He walks around the room and stops on the other side of me.

"......remember i asked you to not let anything come between us?....I am trying to do my part, I need you to do yours too Marianne." He says seriously and i nod in acknowledgement.

"Ok, i am sorry" I whisper.

He nods but continues to stay where he is.

*

I look at her solemn face and feel the anger quickly start to dissappear. Right away i realise i won't be able to stay mad at her for long, especially if she keeps looking at me like that.

But this was a dumb idea. When Felix told me Claire was here and Marianne had agreed to meet her, i felt furious.

I know how this kind of encounter goes and it almost never ends well.

It reminded me of Ally and the time Nicole went up to meet her. She ended up doing some dumb shit that caused her and Nick to have their biggest fight ever and almost cost them their entire relationship.

And so i panicked.

There's no telling what Claire could possibly say to Marianne and the last thing i need is for Claire to preempt certain details of our past relationship to her, Or anything else for that matter.

And from what i heard when i arrived, the conversation wasn't friendly and was getting even more heated. It seems i interupted just in time.

She clears her throat and i look at her more closely, then i notice the necklace she is wearing. It's the gold chain with a pearl pendant that i gifted her the time i travelled to Ukraine. It has a matching bracelet that's also currently sitting on her wrist and she has paired that with plain tiny gold studs on her ears that are also from me.

I didn't think she liked my gifts of jewelry, shoes and clothing very much because she seldom wears them, but today, her entire outfit is curtessy of me.

I would know because i picked out everything myself before i had it sent over to her, and it pleases me alot to see her wear it now. She looks great.

"Don't you have to get to work?" I finally speak, still a little too angry to comment on her look just yet.

"Yes......but, what about her?" She asks hesitantly.

"I will see that she leaves on my way out" I say.

"Alright. I will go and get my things then" she murmurs.

I nod and i watch her walk around the counter to me.

Standing on her tiptoes, she pecks my lips quickly, but as she turns to leave, i grab her wrist and pull her back to me, then kiss her soft rosy lips longer and properly.

"When we are alone, this is how you should greet me and bid me goodbye, ok?" I say, as i slowly pull away from her face.

"Ok"

*

"Hi" Claire smiles at me as i walk into the living room again.

I frown.

"What are you doing here?"

"There is no need for you to be rude every time you see me you know" she responds.

"When you do things like this, it's kind of hard not to" I retort.

"All i have been trying to do is show you how much i have changed. My priorities are different now, can't you see that?"

"Well good for you. But what you do with your life is not my business anymore" I respond.

"Is it really so hard for you to treat me with love and respect, or do you really not care about me anymore?"

"I care and respect you Claire, but lately that's slipping away with every stupid decision you make"

"Like what?"

"Like talking about our relationship in your interview the other night, like showing up at the fundraising ball and acting like we are in a loving relationship, and then you dare to come here" I sneer under my breathe.

"All i am trying to do is take care of our families and....."

"That's not your place any more" I say a little more loudly and harshly.

"I don't understand why you are acting like this...." She murmurs seemingly puzzled.

I laugh unhumorously.

I don't have time for this.

"There is somewhere i need to be, let's go"I say and turn around.

"I can finally give you what you wanted..we have been given an opportunity here. Call it chance or destiny, but we are married Ange.. isn't that what you always wanted...we can finally have the family you wanted...." she utters slowly.

I turn around.

"I am ready to have kids now, your kids...everything is perfect, this is a chance to finally have the family we always talked about"

"We? don't you mean say 'I' because you never wanted a family, you didnt want to settle down, hell, we always wanted different things, our relationship was a disaster and even when i knew it, i still tried to make it work...but that is done, there is no going back. I moved on Claire...we have talked about this.. you need to do the same or leave me alone." I growl.

"But Angelo......"

"Enough!"

"I am not doing this with you anymore, don't force me make decisions that will turn our relationship ugly, but if you continue in this direction, i will. We have been through this, and you and i have an agreement, hold up your end and maybe we can coexist peacefully, but continue to take this unwarranted direction then you and i will have problems."I say hoarsely.

Her face falls and she doesn't say anything.

"Let's go" I say, finally walking out of the room.

I didn't expect to spend this much time talking to her and i bet by now Marianne must have come downstairs. I wouldn't be surprised if she was listening in on our conversation.

However, i walk out of the apartment without lingering, i am already late as it is.

*

"Hey, how was your court case?" Nick asks, as he enters my office later in the afternoon.

"Good" I reply absentmindedly, as i focus my attention on my phone and the text Marianne sent me.

"Just good?" He adds and i vaguely notice from the corner of my eye, him sitting down across from me.

"Great....we had a pretty convincing argument, it's fair to say we carried the day, but we will see" I respond and finally look up.

"You, when did you get back?" I ask, noticing Kyan is in the room too.

He eyes me as i put my hands behind my head and then against the back of the chair behind me in a comfortable relaxed manner.

"Is Ivan awake?" Nick asks.

"No, why?" I grin.

"So what's with that stupid look on your face?" He groans.

"I had a rough day and night yesterday but it finally paid off today" I respond.

" I bet 'It' has a name and it starts with M and ends with E." Kyan teases.

Nick's laughs in agreement.

"What are you even doing here." I ask Kyan, still in my relaxed position.

"Saving your a.... excuse me boss.....having your back...look what i discovered floating around and about to make it to the front page of tomorrow's gossip news." He says, tossing a couple of pictures on my desk.

I eye him and sit up straight as i pick up one. Nick does the same.

After a brief observation, i pick up the other pictures which are more or less the same and sit back in my previous position, unbothered.

"Well?" Nick asks, looking at me expectantly.

"Well what?" I ask confused.

"You are not going to say anything about this?" He continues.

"What's there to say, the pictures are self explanatory." I murmur calmly.

Nick and Kyan exchange a look.

"With the annulment going on, those pictures are not the kind of thing you want going around. Besides, as far as everyone is concerned Claire was your wife and that is not a good look on anyone of you right now" he continues.

"You know, i am really sick and tired of playing to the gallery. Let everyone find out, they will gossip and talk for a couple of weeks and then move on to the next exciting story, i don't get a damn. I just want to live my life the way i want from now on." I say seriously.

"Right, i presume Mary is on the same page with you on this right?" Nick asks.

I give him along hard look.

I turn to Kyan who is just now recovering from a fit of laughter.

"Is it handled?" I ask him.

"Yeah...but it's possible that someone else got a picture, it was a pretty busy place." He explains and i nod in understanding but genuinely not caring much.

I don't regret kissing Mary in the hospital parking lot, and if people are going to find out about us, i don't care about that either, now more than ever. I actually think it's better to just come out of the open and deal with it. I am not willing to hide anything anymore and Marianne will just have to get used to it. It will pass and we will be fine.

"By the way, you know we canceled the holiday trip with Ally this weekend because of what happened with Ivan and all the stuff going on, well, we decided to go next weekend since you know, there is no change, but i assume you won't be able to make it still though, right?" Nick asks.

I run my fingers through my hair thoughtfully.

I had really warmed up to the idea of a shared vacation, but with dad still unconscious in hospital, it won't be possible for us and it's not fair to keep Nick and Ally waiting.

"Yeah, yeah, i guess not" I reply.

*

"I don't think i want to stay in your apartment anymore" Marianne pouts as she sits in a chair next to me in Dad's hospital room.

It's my turn to spend the night here and she surprised me by coming to stay the night with me here.

The twins have exams that started on Wednesday this week so we convinced them to go back to college and finish that, if anything changes, they can always come back...Same with Andre, he has exams too.

Ben has been working late too due to added workload, and he has a wife and two kids to think of aswell, so we let him off the hook more, which mostly leaves mom and i to do most of the heavy lifting in terms of spending nights here.

Dad's brother, my Uncle Lucas has been spending time here too with his wife, mostly during the day.

"Why?" I ask her.

" 'The decor and furniture, we picked everything out together when he was moving in.....he must really like it, i guess he is not really a man who likes change' " she murmurs and makes air quotes and speaks in a voice that i can only assume to be Claire's voice.

I burst out laughing at the annoyed look on her face.

"Sshhhh, keep it down" she elbows me.

"It's your fault for giving her an audience, what did you expect her to do if not to get in your head" I scold her.

"So it's not true" she asks.

"What's true?"

*What she said?"

"That's not the point" I reply but she only glares at me in response, having already deduced her answer from my reply.