“I think Maxwell is having an affair” I cried, it hurt even more saying it out loud.

  “Seriously?”

  I nodded. “I found a text while we were in Paris. It was someone from the New York visit.” I let out a deep breath and reached for the box of tissues on the desk. “I just can't take any more. The endless fighting, his control of everything, his non existence at home and now this!” I wiped the tears away and began to play with the tissue.

  “This looks cosy” boomed a voice. My eyes looked over at the doorway and there was Maxwell leaning up against it. His face cold and his mouth tight. Riley jumped away from me as Maxwell strolled in. “Get the fuck out of my office!” Maxwell bellowed at Riley.

  “Mr Thomas, Georgina was just upset.”

  “If my wife is upset I will comfort her. Now, get the fuck out!” He smoothed down his navy suit jacket and glared at Riley. His eyes turned to me and his toned turned dangerously low. “Me and my wife obviously have issues to discuss.”

  Riley nodded and practically ran out of the room. Maxwell slammed the door shut and spun round to face me. Just by the look I knew I was in deep trouble. Then again, I wasn't the one getting mysterious texts.

  “You can be such a prick” I spat, giving the cold stare back at him.

  He shook his head and began to rub his thumb along his magical mouth. “What is it about him? Every time I'm not around you are with him!” He began to pace up and down in good old Maxwell Thomas fashion, his hands running through his red hair.

  “He is my friend” I insisted, folding my arms and sitting back in his chair. “Let's talk about your little trip to New York” My voice full of venom. He stopped and looked at me. His eyes narrowed and his mouth twitched at the corners. I had his full attention now. The table had turned, about time he was put on the spot and made to feel inadequate.

  “What about it?” He shrugged casually. Sometimes he really annoyed me. His poker face wasn't fooling me, in fact I could see right through him.

  I slowly rose from his chair and strolled casually over to him, my eyes never leaving his. “I saw THE text!”

  Instantly his attitude changed. “You’ve been checking up on me?” He laughed and then turned back into stone. “For fuck sake, Georgina! I actually thought better of you than that. How low can you get?”

  “Shut up with the righteous bullshit. I didn't check up on you. I was going to use your phone in the hotel.” Why was I explaining myself? Why did he always do this? I was not the one hiding anything and yet it was my entire fault. I shook my head and swallowed hard. “Who is the text from, Maxwell?” I asked calmly.

  “A friend” he replied.

  “Obviously female” I hissed, still he showed on reaction. “Unless you have male friends who like to send three kisses.”

  He let out a little air from his mouth and his eyes fell to his feet. “Yes, female.”

  “And?”

  “And what?” he screamed, I could tell he was beginning to get frustrated. Was that out of guilt or innocence? “Nothing happened, Georgina.” It sounded more like he was convincing himself more than me.

  I could see something written all over his face. Then my mind went back to the night he came back from New York and his over reaction to Riley kissing me.

  It all made sense now, his hiding away wasn't down to the fact Riley had done what he did. It was because he was remorseful of something but turned it round all on me. Prick!

  “So, something did happen?” I asked, trying to keep my tone all sweetness and light. His mouth tightened further and he just looked at me – blank. “What happened, Maxwell?” This time the anger and frustration filled my voice.

  He rubbed his brow, then his eyes and then trailed his index finger across his lip. He gave an awkward cough and shifted from foot to foot. God, why was he taking so long?

  “Before we got together there was someone else....” I rolled my eyes, of course there was, I wasn't that stupid. What did that have to do with anything?

  “Anyway,” he continued. “She happens to be the owner of the company I am trying to take over. I really had no idea she was even going to be there...”

  “And,” I urged him on.

  “And after the meeting we went for drinks and I guess she got the wrong idea.”

  “She kissed you?” He nodded and stared down at his feet. I froze, but I had to ask the next question. “Did you kiss her back?”

  “Yes” he couldn't look at me and now I knew I wasn't going crazy.

  What could I say? I guess the whole thing about gut feelings was true. My legs felt like they were going to buckle underneath me. I had been so forthcoming about what Riley did and he had to hide his dirty little secret. I wanted to cry again and never stop. He wasn't the same man I had married all those years ago. Right now, he felt like a stranger.

  “You never did rush back for me, did you?” I began to blink back the tears. “You came home because of you own guilt.”

  “No,” He cried finally looking up at me. “Jay called me and explained what a mess you were in.” He reached out for me but I backed away. He tilted his head to the side and some emotion filled his face. “I had to come back and see you.”

  I shook my head and gave a little laugh. “You made out it was because of me you hid away in your office.”

  “I know and I’m really sorry, Georgina.”

  “You lied to me, Maxwell and marriages can't survive on lies. I don't think I can get past this.”

  “What are you trying to say?” The fear spread across his face and this time he reached out and grabbed me, but I refused to move. His grip of my wrist got tighter. “Say it for fuck sake.”

  “We need space” I slowly replied. “I need space. I need to think and I can't do that while around you. I’m moving out.”

  He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around my legs preventing me from going any where. “You’re leaving me?” He cried. “You can't do that. It was a stupid mistake and I have regretted it ever since. Don't leave me. I love you.”

  “I’m not leaving you” I hissed, finally he moved away from me and looked up at me with his beautiful blue eyes. I had to get out of here before I changed my mind. It was his turn to be punished and I didn't want to back out. “I really can't deal with any more dramas. I am sorry, Maxwell” with that I left the room without looking back.

  ***

  Maxwell

  I ran into the house and straight into the kitchen. I looked around she was no where to be seen. Maddy was cleaning and both the children were sat up at the table eating. Maddy turned round and looked at me stunned. I guess it was a rare occasions me being home at this time of day.

  “Mr Thomas, are you okay?” She asked in her Spanish accent.

  “Is Georgina here?”

  “Yes, she is upstairs. She came home early in tears. I don't like seeing her cry.”

  I agreed watching the woman I loved cry was heart breaking. I dropped my brief case to the floor. “Make sure the kids stay down here” I ordered and disappeared upstairs to try and talk some sense into my wife. Hopefully now she had calmed down and forgot all about this stupid moving out shit.

  I stood in the doorway of our room and watched her pack things into a case. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, she hadn't forgotten and she was going through with it.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, not actually sure how I found the strength to speak. I walked into the bedroom and her tear stained face looked up at me.

  “I told you” she huffed, carrying on picking things up and placing them in her case. “I’m moving out.”

  I sat down on the edge of the bed and placed my hands over my face. “Please...” I cried the pain was getting worse. “Stop being stupid. You can't seriously walk out on me over some stupid fucking kiss.” I finally looked over at her beautiful face and her eyes glared at me.

  “Stupid fucking kiss?” She laughed and shook her head. “Must of meant something to you, after all, you gave the stupid fucking kisser your telephone number.”

  I couldn't argue with her, she was right and now I felt even more stupid and unworthy of her. I loved my wife and kids, why had I done it? I had really messed up this time.

  “George,” I sighed. “Please don't leave. I am truly sorry and I should have told you. I really don't know what got into me.” I let out an agonizing sigh and my eyes pleaded with her.

  “It is too late” she sighed, her own agony filling her voice. “I can't live like this anymore. You’ve changed into this controlling, cold business man. You always put me last and now this whole double standard shit.” She looked up at me with her loving face. My beautiful Miss Dawson. I had changed again. My heart skipped a beat as her love for me filled the room.

  “I just need to think” she smiled sweetly. She closed her case and picked it up. “I'll book into a hotel for tonight and as soon as I'm settled I'll collect Bailey.”

  She walked pass me and I grabbed her free hand. “Does this mean you don't love me any more?”

  She stepped closer to me and leaned over. Her intoxicating scent filled my body with need for her. “No, it means that I love you too much…” she moved some of hair away from my face. “That I'm willing to do anything to hold on to my husband.” Her lips briefly touched mine and then she was gone.

  I lay down on the bed and realized I had allowed the best thing to ever happen to me walk away. I punched the mattress... FUCK! What sort of dickhead was I? I had destroyed another family with my constant need to control, work and selfishness.

  No, I wasn't going to allow history to repeat it’s self. I was going to get my wife back and turn this family around. What ever she wanted I was going to give into. She was mine and she was always going to be mine. She was the drug I couldn't live without.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Georgina

  I don't know what I was thinking, I should of gone straight to the hotel, but for some unknown reason I had given the taxi driver Riley's address. I sat in his room and looked around, I knew deep down I should just go home to Maxwell.

  Yet, the constant feeling of betrayal was unbearable and I couldn't face being in the same room as him. My lips still tingled from our departing kiss. God, I loved that man, but what he did to me was unforgivable.

  Riley had insisted we sat in his room, he said he had a guest staying with him insisting it was a male. Like I would care if it was a female.

  Maxwell would freak if he found out I was here. Did I care? Not really, I no longer cared what he thought about me, just like he didn't give a toss about me.

  FUCK HIM! Yelled the voice in my head.

  It was true... Why should I care for him? He had gone to New York on my birthday and had some cheap frill with some whore he once fucked. He had changed. The man I married would have never given a glance at another woman.

  Riley came back into the room carrying two glasses. He handed me one and sat down next to me on the bed. “Where are you going to stay?” He asked, as I began to drink the wine. It tasted refreshing and was well needed. “You can stay here if you want? I can always crash on the sofa.”

  “I should really head to a hotel” I insisted.

  “Georgina, you shouldn't be alone right now.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. Something deep within me actually wanted to stay. I looked over at Riley, his dark hair and stunning grey eyes. A little smile sprung to his lips as he took a sip of his drink. He was my best friend and I couldn't think of being anywhere else right now but here. “Okay” I agreed.

  “Good, because I do feel I’m sort to blame” his eyes remained firmly on his glass.

  I raised an eyebrow. “How?”

  He shook his head and gave a little laugh. “The whole kiss in the bathroom... I’m really embarrassed about that, George. Your my friend and have been good to me.” His hand waved around the room. “Without you I wouldn't have this.”

  I felt a wave of happiness overwhelm me, as least one person appreciated me. Shame it wasn't the man who had agreed to spend his life with me.

  “It’s not your fault” I placed a hand on his knee and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I guess no one can change. Maxwell will always be Maxwell Thomas the business man and womaniser.”

  I realized I was still holding on to his knee, quickly I took my hand away and played around swirling the wine in my glass. A silence fell upon us and I actually felt comfortable with it.

  “How is Maxwell dealing with it?”

  I gave a little laugh. “In the good old Maxwell Thomas fashion” the pain in my stomach began again. “I do love him” I cried. “It's just...” I cringed at the thought. “Makes me wonder what else has he done behind my back?”

  Riley placed a protective arm around me and pulled me into him. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. Right now for some unknown reason I started to feel homesick for Caitlyn, Dee and my Dad.

  “Don't upset yourself any more. Let him stew for a while and before long he'll be begging you to go home and admitting exactly how sorry is he.”

  “Do you think so?” I asked not feeling very optimistic, as after all it was me who had walked out on him. What if suddenly he realized we were better off apart?

  I suddenly became filled with dread. Maybe I had actually gone about it the wrong way. My head was now pounding and I really needed sleep. I downed the rest of my drink and handed the glass back to Riley.

  “Another?”

  “No, I think I should just go to bed.”

  “Okay” he smiled, he began to stand up and I tugged at his arm. He turned to face me with wide eyes.

  “Could you stay with me?” It just came out and I couldn't face being alone, especially in a strange place.

  “Sure” he smiled, placing the glasses down. He lay down next to me and pulled me into him. His arms wrapped round me tightly. For the first time in a while I felt cared for, I had missed that feeling. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  I knew my baby was safe with Maddy, there were no worries there. The aching feeling for Maxwell still remained. Maybe one day the Maxwell I had married would return to me. I needed my Mr Golden Rule back.

  The next morning I woke up startled, I looked around the room and finally it hit me what had happened. I ran my hands through my hair and turned to face Riley. He was still tucked up against me, I began to study him. He was a very handsome man, he should have had his own girlfriend and not be worrying about me.

  “Morning” he yawned, opening his eyes and looking straight at me. I felt my cheeks blush at the fact he must have worked out I was staring at him. Riley sat up and roughed up his hair, his t-shirt rose a little and gave me a little peek of his toned stomach. I quickly diverted my eyes to the other side of the room.

  “You want some breakfast?” He asked, jumping off the bed. I shook my head. “Coffee?” I nodded in response and he quickly left the room. I wondered how Maxwell was feeling this morning. How was Bailey?

  Maybe I should ring... And then what would happen if he refused to speak to me. I lay back down and closed my eyes. This was a huge mess.

  ***

  Blake

  Riley emerged from his bedroom and ran straight into the kitchen. He had be hauled up in his bedroom all night, no doubt he had a lady friend stay over, as I heard her voice as I had walked passed last night.

  The bedroom door opened and someone else stepped out. Everything went in slow motion as I realized who it was. She hadn't changed one single bit. She was still as beautiful as when I had met her in the café. Were her and Riley an item? Her blue eyes widened as they focused on me. I gave a little awkward smile and she returned it surprisingly.

  “Blake?” She laughed slowly coming towards me and plunked herself down on the sofa next to me. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just on holiday” I sat back to admire her more. Her boobs looked a lot bigger, but everything else was exactly how I remembered; perfect curves in all the right places. Long legs and that perfect blonde hair that enhanced her sparkling blue eyes.

  “You haven't changed” I blurted out.

  “Lucky I guess... Look at you” she beamed. I had to admit I had changed a lot. No longer did I have my early Brad Pitt look. I worn my hair shaved now, stubble was my favourite accessory and I had bulked up a lot from my regular visits to the gym.

  “How come you stayed over?” I asked out of curiosity.

  “Complicated” she replied looking down at her hands. I watched as her rose bud lips began to tremble and she began to blink rapidly.

  “Your here” Riley said sounding shocked as he entered the living area. He handed Georgina a cup of coffee and I watched as the pair exchanged meaningful looks. “What you doing?”

  “Just catching up” she smiled in my direction and then back at Riley. Her eyes went dreamy, I knew that look too well. That’s how she once looked at me. “I better sort myself out” she stood up and smiled at me once more. “Good seeing you, Blake.” She walked over to the bedroom.

  I waited till the door had closed and turned to look at Riley. “What are you playing at?” I hissed. “Maxwell will beat the living hell out of you.”

  If there was thing I had learnt, it was not to cross Maxwell. He was a very dominating man and could serious damage your life.

  “What about your job?” I hissed. He not being bothered was starting to get to me. “Please tell me nothing happened?”

  Riley rolled his eyes. “It's not like that” he shrugged. “She’s my friend and I was just giving her some support.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “She has a husband to give her support!”

  “He doesn't deserve her” he spat.

  I gave a little chuckle. “And what, you do?”

  “Yes.”

  I shook my head at his stupidity. I was right. Georgina Dawson or Thomas or whatever she was calling herself now, hadn't changed one tiny bit. Although, this time it was different. She had a husband and children. I couldn't approve of her or Riley's behaviour. Why was I taking Maxwell's side?