Em tensed as they returned to the sandy south beach, darting her eyes around for any specimen called Zain Chadwick. Away in the zoo, she'd been able to maintain her good mood and savour all the fun the vacation was truly supposed to bring, and she wanted to end the day on that note.

Entrusting their daughter into the hands of the friendly, chatty beach escort who offered to take her along with other children to the mid-beach, they changed into something more swim-worthy. The sun was still quite shining for the time of the day, and the salty waters was a welcome feel against her skin.

As they swam a bit deeper into the sea, they splashed water at each other, raced, disappeared under the water to kiss a few times, reveling in the happiness that their marriage offered; a happiness which now lay threatened, teetering on the edge.

The revelation of her lies would either help it to stand or make it fall and shatter. Em shook off the bad feeling that accompanied the realization, and decided she was going to enjoy the rest of the vacation and not let these fearful speculation dampen her joy.

They swam until the sun had set and the sky begun to darken, and then realized that perhaps Miss Leigh, the escort, could have other agendas which they not having recovered Amy would prevent her from doing.

The woman however countered their fears and assured them that Amy was a darling. Besides, she wasn't quite done with her duties with the other children yet. Amy was regaling the other children about all the animals she'd seen at the Zoo Miami, the several birds at the wings of aviary, the scary but exciting Everglades, even though she didn't remember the names of the places.

The kids who'd been there before interjected where Amy would allow them, and those who still hadn't marveled at the little girl's exaggerated tellings.

The day had been smooth, full of fun sans any impediments, until they were returning to their hotel. The three of them were laughing, discussing their day when they met Zain and Love. Love trotted towards them while Zain followed behind, a hard, sort of determined gleam in his eyes that had a chill racing down her spine.

She found herself swallowing hard. And was it just her or George actually glanced briefly at her, as if gauging a reaction?

So much for wanting to end the day on a good note.

“Hey, where have you guys been all day?” Love asked as she strolled closer, wrapping her arms around Georg's arm. George seemed to tense immediately.

“Oh nothing really.” Em chuckled a bit, not wanting to sound rude even though she didn't like Love's new clingy pose. “Just doing what vacationers do.”

“Of course.” The other woman muttered, her smile faltering a little. “But you guys know Miami has the wildest nightlife. I'm sure you guys haven't explored enough. I know it's a family thing, but you can take advantage when the kid sleeps for some really wild night out.”

“Of course, that would be great.” George agreed, looking at Em for consent. “Would you like to?”

She nodded with as much of smile as she could manage, her gaze meeting Zain's, causing a knot of dread to begin gnarling in her stomach. And if she wasn't being pessimistic, she had a gut deep feeling that the night wasn't going to end well.

***~***

“Hey, look at that.” Love pointed at the group of people who from their twist and turns, and judging from the music playing were in some kind of outdoor fitness class. “Can we please join this before we head for Nikki beach?” She gazed at them with pleading eyes.

“Looks great to me. Haven't exercised in a while.” Zain said, and Emma glanced at him as she felt the pang of suspicion and foreboding once again.

“Yay.” Love squealed as she held Zain's hand and begun tugging him along. She'd noticed how the woman behaved around Zain and looked at him, and if she wasn't being over-observant, too hopeful, then she'd say the woman was quite taken with Zain.

George glanced at her then shrugged, kissing her as they made their way towards the group. Apparently, the practice was free of charge. She hadn't exercised in a while too, and this fun way of doing it made it exhilarating, and for the ten minutes it lasted, she forgot about the ominous feeling in her chest.

They were asked to take a two minutes break after which the second part would begin. “That was fun, I must admit.” George said as they sat together on the sand to catch their breaths.

“Yeah, right?” She leaned forward and kissed him, and nearly flinched when she pulled back to meet Zain's eyes from across a distance.

“So guys time's up. Time for the hot salsa.” The man who'd been leading the yoga announced, earning cheers from the other couples.

Before she and George could stand up, Love approached. “Hey George, can I dance on this one with you.” Her face was ever so innocent, except her eyes spoke different tales as she glanced at Emma. They were characterized by a dare that Emma couldn't quite understand but which unsettled her.

“Uhm, Love...” George begun to refuse.

Love cut him short. “Hope you don't mind me stealing your husband for a bit?” She glanced at Emma and that look was still there.

“Not at all. George come on.” She nudged George on the shoulder.

“If you sa..” George didn't complete the sentence before Love caught his hand and pulled him up and along with her.

For some reason she couldn't explain, Em watched them as they went into the group and begun dancing off awkwardly, the awkwardness on George's part anyways. Suddenly, Love wrapped her hand around George's neck and pulled close to him in a way that wasn't necessary and didn't go in tune with the salsa dance. George tensed, then threw her an apologetic glance over his partners shoulder.

She could only stare back and clench a fist in the sand. What game was the woman trying to play? Jealousy reared it's ugly head, and even though she knew George wasn't playing along, she couldn't help the insecurity eating at her.

“Can't sit alone, you know that?” Zain's voice nearly made her flinch. Looking up at him, she was about to bite out a reply when he shook his head.

“George's looking. We don't want him getting suspicious, do we?”

Emma looked towards the direction and saw that it was true. Looking up at Zain, she smiled sweetly. “That's good. Now let's go dance some salsa.” Zain said with a satisfied smirk, pulling holding her hand and ushering her up. She begun to protest when she suddenly met George's scrutinizing gaze, and swallowing hard she let Zain pull her into the fray of writhing bodies.

“You planned this didn't you? You let her come for George.” She accused as she placed her hand on his shoulder, tensing when he placed his at her waist and they begun moving.

“Well, that husband of yours has been stuck to you like a parasite all day. And we needed time of our own, don't you think?”

“George is the kindest, sweetest, most considerate parasite I know of then.” Then she smiled even more sweetly, ready to deliver her blow. “Unlike one who enters my life whenever he likes to make it difficult.”

“You make your own life difficult." Zain bit out, tightening his hold on her waist, and making them slow down so that they were off the tune of the music. “Because you refuse to accept the reality which is that I'm the one you truly love, you ostrich.”

“Don't call me that!”

“Well, that's exactly what you are; an ostrich. You think reality will disappear because you refuse to face it.” Then his eyes took on the same determined glimmer she'd seen in them a few hours ago. “But you know what? I'm so done.”

“What do you mean?” A shudder of fear rippled through her.

“I'm fed up with this cowardice thing. I think it's high time George knew what he was up for and against and we had a fair rivalry.”

As the meaning of his words sunk in, panic stole her breath. “No you wouldn't.”

“And oh why?”

“Because your business, the partnership... ”

“Oh there's no need to worry.” Zain said, his voice cynically low, coaxing. “The partnership has pulled through a long way and believe me when I tell you that George can't cancel it with impunity. He would've to face a judge.”

The next moments happened in a surrealistic blur. Zain cupped her face fiercely. “George has to know that you're mine. Mine.”

He tried to forcefully kiss her while she struggled against him. Suddenly George was there, holding Zain by the collar. Pulling him back, he punched Zain on the face.

“George no!” Emma screamed as she watched Zain stumble and hit the ground.

“Don't you dare touch her again you idiot." He fired. The commotion had disrupted the dance of the other couples. “What right do you think you have?”

“Well we love each other!” Zain said as he stood up.

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“Emma lied to you about our relationship when you introduced us. I'm the Zain she was in love with years ago, and she still loves me!” Zain fired back, and Emma could barely contain her horror.

George tried to lunge at Zain, but some men held him back. “You liar.”

“Ask her.” Zain suggested confidently, gesturing at her with his head.

Around them, the people broke into a verbal opprobrium of her, voices high and harsh and filled with condemnation. She'd barely managed to ignore their offensive words when she met the dark, intense, penetrating, demanding gaze of George.

“Is it true Emma? Tell me it isn't." He asked calmly, gaze filled with the need for assurance. Holding her by the arm when she didn't speak, he shook her roughy. “Why are you silent? Tell me, Is Zain telling the truth?”