Marriage ... does anyone really know how to do it properly? The lust they once felt for each other turned into something else entirely. Something constant, and boring, subtle but stronger than they realized.  She was angry at him, but she forgave him. The hurt never really goes away. But she was still there. Once in a while, she would hurt him for what he had done, and he would take it because he knew he deserved it. Then she would feel guilty for hurting him and makeup with him in passionate lovemaking as if it was the first time they were making love. He had fallen in love with another woman a long time ago. She had proclaimed her love to another man just a few days ago. But this ... this is what married people do. They fight, they say mean things to each other, they argue, they hate each other's guts sometimes, and they fuck ... to make each other feel better. His body, her body, their bodies together. To think there was ever anyone else between them

Being a father was everything he ever wanted. To learn the news through a secret telephone call in his office, Declan shed a tear. Will he ever see his son? Will he ever know that he was his father? And will he ever forgive him for what he had done to his mother? He couldn't come home that night and told Olivia he was working really late. He couldn't face her. He locked himself in his office, sobbing in the dark. Gil Isaac knew it. He took a vasectomy a few years before his wife had an affair with her boss. He did it because he slept with all kinds of women when he was working delivering goods from one city to another. He didn't want to impregnate another woman when his very successful wife couldn't. It was a slap in the face when he heard the news. They were high school sweethearts and madly in love with each other. They married young and enjoyed their lives together as long as it lasted until they were finally forced to face reality. Their marriage was by no means

His life was about to change. He hoped that it would be for the better, if not the best because he finally get to that place he'd worked so hard for. There's just a tiny problem. Someone is trying to taunt him by sending pictures of his ex-lover and illegitimate child. After Gil denied it, he didn't wholly cross his name from the list of people that has the potential to blackmail him. It was quite a long list. He didn't get to where he is without stepping on other people's toes, even if he had done it smoothly. Most people envy success rather than embrace it when it happens to others. He couldn't trust anyone, not even his mother. Mimi and his brothers were all on his list. He had at least five business rivals who pitched on the same deal he made with Brian Murphy. They were considered on his list too. Even Brian Murphy was not free from suspicion because he, too, would have something to gain from holding on to Declan's deepest darkest secret. They know his h

The anticipation ... every time he was coming to meet her, anywhere, anytime, the anticipation still feels like it did years ago when she could tell herself that Declan was hers. Her lover. The man she fell in love with accidentally but harder than anyone before him. There's no one after him. She found it impossible to love anyone else after what she had with Declan. There's love for her too, somewhere in him, not as great as how he feels for Olivia, but it's there ... lying silently, subtle and steady inside him that she was still able to see him time and time again. At least that's what she told herself. How ironic, the proudest thing she could ever claim was Declan Hunt is the father of her child, but it will never be validated by anyone, even if she would deny it if anyone would ask. The risk was too great. She loved Declan more than she needed her acceptance. As long as he was willing to admit it to her, and took care of the both of them, she was fine wi

"What was that all about?" Selma asked when they arrived at the balcony. "Why didn't you tell me we were going to pull that stunt in front of everybody?" Roman leaned on the railing and lit up a cigarette, "I didn't think I had to do that until the last minute." Selma took the cigarette box from his pocket and lit one for herself, she stood beside him and studied his face. "It's her isn't it?" she cocked her head to one side as she blew a cloud of smoke. "Declan Hunt's wife? You're her lover?" she stroked the hair above his ear. He didn't respond, he just let out a long train of smoke into the cold night air. "Oh, Roman ... she's playing you, babe, why are you wasting your time with someone else's wife? Declan Hunt's nonetheless," she chuckled. "I sometimes wonder why you needed to hire a fake date ... I guess now I know the answer ... how long do you think you can pretend to be engaged with me?" He turned to look at her, "As long as i