Present Day

February (6 Months Pregnant)

Rested and well-adjusted after taking some time to myself, I exit the elevator. The entire floor is all abuzz. I frown. "Hey, Chelsea!"

"Happy Monday, Ari! Such an exciting time right now!"

"Uh—"

--Her phone rings. She lifts a finger to take the call. I nod and move on. People are celebrating, high fiving. Taking my seat, I swivel around to Tonya.

"Psst. Hey, Tonya! What's going on?"

Tanya turns around, takes a bite of a bagel. "Oh my God, Ari! You're back. The crew missed you."

I laugh. "You mean you and Rory?"

She does an eighties arm cross. "Yeah, you know, the Crew!"

I nod. "OK, then."

"Crazy times! A ton has gone down in the week you've been out. The Prescott Apex deal. Closed! It's official, we're now a multibillion-dollar valued company! There are talks of us going public, this year! We're having a blowout celebration this Friday. Plus, we all get bonuses for our work on Windsor Court! This is the best. Monday. Ever."

He did it. Phoenix did that!

"Wow, so Mr. Prescott made it happen? That's great! This is awesome." I turn, staring at a blank computer screen.

He didn't tell you...

We haven't exactly been on speaking terms.

A sigh escapes me.

Tonya looks back. "Is everything OK?" she asks, a concerned expression on her face.

"Oh, no! I'm fine." A forced chuckle fills the awkward space. "Couldn't be better. We get bonuses. What? You're right. Best. Monday. Ever." I scoot my chair to my desk; her face disappears behind my cubicle wall.

"Well, let a girl know if you need anything. You know with baby on board and all. Tonya's at your service."

I force a laugh. "Of course. Thanks."

Ally stops by, steaming coffee mug in hand. "Aria! So glad you're back. Feeling better?"

I smile, nod.

"I know by now you've heard the great news." She looks both ways, then leans in. "And someone is keeping an eye on your work. They must be pretty impressed with what you're doing. I was instructed to send you to the big boss's office for a personal congratulations on the work you've done with Windsor. Mind you, we still have a few kinks to work out, but by all accounts, we're a go." She smiles proudly.

"Uh, so what do I have to do?"

Ally snickers. "Don't look so glum. This is a job-well-done kind of meeting. Mr. Prescott requested to see you as soon as you touch ground this morning. He left a temporary executive key with Chelsea." Ally tucks her hand in her black wide-leg slacks, lifts her coffee mug and walks off.

Blinking, trying to think fast, I know I have no choice but to go. Ally's watching. I get up and walk to Chelsea, the floor receptionist's desk.

"Hey you again."

"Ari! What's up?" Chelsea replies in her usual cheerfulness.

"There's something I'm supposed to pick up?"

"Oh! Yes." She reaches across her desk for an envelope. "Here it is. Somebody is doing something right." She gives me the envelope.

Lifting the envelope, I salute her and head for the elevators.

He gave you a key already, why pose and give you a temp badge?

To keep appearances up.

And why are we keeping our relationship a secret again?

I shake my head at the thought and huff. Getting in the elevator, I head to the top, nerves bouncing everywhere like a science experiment getting ready to go wrong. As the numbers above the elevator door light up, higher and higher, I'm bubbling over with scary, nervous energy. The doors open. Both executive receptionists are taking calls. I turn right towards Phoenix's office and take the long walk of shame to his door.

Approaching his door, I hear a playful bantor going back and forth between two people. I reach the open glass doors and I'm greeted with the image of his intern, Brooke, sitting a hot cup of coffee on his desk. She then has the audacity to continue, walking behind his desk, resting her hand on his shoulder as she stands to his right.

Is she flirting?

She's gotten awfully comfortable since the last time I was here...

I swallow the anger and indignation rising in my throat. Phoenix looks up, laughing at one of her stupid jokes.

"Ms. Davenport! Come on in." Phoenix's eyes light up.

"I'll just make my way out." Brooke calls over her shoulder as she walks briskly past me.

"Uh-huh," Phoenix replies never taking his eyes off me.

His gaze is warm. Inviting. I gulp.

"Uh. Brooke, please shut the door on your way out."

I turn to watch as she does. All pretenses drop.

"Phoenix. Hi." I smile coyly.

"Ari, babe. How have you been?"

I sit. "Good. You? Heard about the merger. Congratulations."

"Yeah, finally closed the deal." He stands and goes to the floor to ceiling windows and looks out. "But it wasn't the same without you to share it with..."

Feeling the weight of guilt, I look down at my lap. "Yeah...well. You wanted space, remember?"

His back to me, he nods.

The kiss I shared with Troy washes over me. My heart skips. Guilt pulsates to my lips.

Can he tell?

He can see it all over me.

It meant nothing. It would've never happened if he hadn't pushed you away.

"What's this all about? Calling me up like this? I have work to do." Anger rises in my chest.

Phoenix turns around. For a split of a second, his eyes look like a lost puppy's, but the sharp demeanor of a shrewd businessman quickly replaces the hurt. He sniffs and exhales. Nods. "You know after not seeing each other for a whole week, I thought we'd be in a better place."

"Well, you thought wrong. You left me hanging. No explanation. Nothing. You left me no choice."

Like a panther about to pounce, Phoenix walks straight up to me, stands over me, hands on both arm rests of my chair. "No choice but what? Huh? No choice but what?" He looks into my eyes searching for the source of my coldness. "What, you feel nothing for me, now? What's changed, huh?"

I can feel my breath running off, escaping me. I look away. He takes my chin, turns my face towards him. Eye to eye, we inches away from each other.

"Look me in the eye. Tell me. What's changed? What have you done?" he asks.

Fear leaps into my throat.

He knows.

"I let you go," I reply weakly.

He abruptly stands up. Scoffs. Looks around. "I just needed a break, Ari. So much pressure..." He rubs the back of his head, moves as if he doesn't know what to do with himself, as if he's wrestling something very painful inside. He wipes his face. "So what? It's over?" He can't seem to catch his breath.

Guilt.

Troy rubbing my hips, invading my mouth with his mouth, his lips, his tongue...

"Yes. No. I guess, maybe? I need time, now. To figure things out. To not crowd you. You know?" I bite back tears. "I mean you forbade me to even ask about your intern. You didn't want to hear anything I had to say—"

"--Because I love!" He yells. "Because you don't need to question anything. I'm yours! Can't you see that?" His eyes plead with me. "Can't you see?"

I shake my head. "It's complicated now...I..."

Guilt.

The taste of Troy's lip. The passion he unleashed on me. Our tongues meeting for the first time, like electricity...

Phoenix rubs his face in frustration. "Ari, we have a baby on the way." He huffs. "Alright. I'll give you time. OK?" He scoffs. "I'll give you time. Just know I love you and I can't struggle with you like this. I need us to be OK."

I nod and get up. "OK." I turn to leave, then turn back around. "Phoenix?"

He gazes, into me. Lovingly. Melting me. Like a magnet, my eyes are glued to him.

He's so painfully beautiful. What are you doing? He's everything. Everything you ever wanted...

He takes my breath away. "I love you...Phoenix."

We stare at each other. Drinking in each other from a distance. One false move, we could lose everything that is us. Pain registers in his eyes.

He knows, he can sense it.

One move, it could be over. If I kiss him and feel nothing, he'll lose me to the fantasy of Troy.

This hurts.

How could you betray him like this?

Tears well in my eyes. My heart races. I step back and away. This is dangerous. We're in dangerous, treacherous territory. My heart beats faster and faster.

Get your mind right, Ari. Get your head together.

I leave.

************************************

Well, alrighty, then. Could her feelings for Troy be real or is this just hormones? Weigh in.