ZORA'S POV The very next day, the stress I had gone through the previous day hit. I was exhausted in every possible way- not just physically. The thought of going to work and bustling about literally made me cringe. I still had not gotten over the scare from yesterday. Though Freya's fainting spells had become more frequent over the last few months, each episode struck fear deep into my heart. The doctor's reassurances did nothing to make me calmer. I could not get used to my little girl collapsing frequently. After putting all these things into consideration, there was nothing for it but to decide to stay home. A day away from work would not kill me after all. I knew that Trey would want me to at least show up for work briefly, but I was sure that he would understand my decision to stay away today. Cheryl must have filled him in about Freya's incident at school. Though he was a stickler for work, I was sure that he would emphasize. I purposely had not woken Freya up early bec

ZORA'S POVI looked around the restaurant as I settled more comfortably in my seat. I turned to see Elliot watching me closely. "I am giving you fifteen minutes of my time," I told him. "No more. In that time I will be out of here. Understood?"He nodded. "Of course, if that is what you want."We had just gotten to the restaurant after I had agreed to come with him. Up until now, I could not pinpoint exactly why I had agreed to go on a lunch date with him. I had wanted to refuse his offer- heaven knows I had. But a part of me could not help wondering what it would feel like to be in a relaxed environment with Elliot again. I knew he was probably up to no good and that I was committing social suicide by being seen anywhere other than in a work environment with him. If anyone saw us now, the rumors about us having an affair would undoubtedly escalate. I had put all these things into consideration yet I had been unable to refuse when he had my hands in his and had asked so nicely. Al

ZORA'S POV I watched Kathy begin to prepare a meal. I was happier than I had been in a very long time. Having Katherine around was like coming home. One could easily forget that this was New York, the big, bustling city. I almost felt like I had been transported to an earlier time, a few months ago, when Katherine had been an integral part of the lives of me and my children. Heavens knew that I needed the familiar and the reassuring right now in my life, as it had upset me a lot of times these past few weeks. I could not keep the smile off my face as Katherine moved around the kitchen, like a tornado, leaving order instead of chaos in her wake. As soon as we had all gotten back from my office, Katherine had asked if there was any food prepared. When I had told her no, she had found the kitchen, rolled up her imaginary sleeves, and began to whip something up. Though I felt she should rest, I had made no protest as she was actually a better cook than I was. I had my best to help ou

ELLIOT'S POV "I do not know what to make of her," I said. I must have repeated that sentence a dozen times during the last half hour Drew and I had spent talking. "I do not know what to make of this situation," I amended. "She was exactly like this when she first came to New York. You know...aggressive toward me, aloof and-and cold. Then she eventually started thawing, or so I thought. I must have been mistaken though, right? Yet at a point, I could have sworn that her feelings for me had been revived." I brooded for a while over how Zora had looked when I had taken her to dinner. I knew her so well and was sure that I had accurately detected the barely restrained passion in her eyes when I had kissed her. That kiss was designed for the sole purpose of finding out if she still felt the faint stirrings of something for me. With a decisive shake of my head, I went on. "No, I know her feelings for me were revived. But then, in the twinkle of an eye, we are back to square A. You n

ZORA'S POV "Oh," Kathy cried. "Where have you been all my life?" I turned away from the clothes I had been staring at and looked in Katherine's direction. She had been referring to a dress -a red one- which she took out of the rack, handling it gently as though it was made of glass. The electric blue dress I had selected and told her she looked stunning in, was lying abandoned, draped over the shoulder of a mannequin in the corner. She looked up, saw me staring, and beckoned to me. "Feel the texture of the material," she said, taking my hand and placing it on the gown. "It almost seems to caress your skin, doesn't it?" "It is not about the feel of the material," I argued, holding the dress up to get a better look. "It is about the fitting. Do you really think this will er- fit you?" "Of course. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was made for me. But just to satisfy your curiosity, I will go and change into the beauty." She draped the gown over her arm, went to the changing room,