As Em stood up from the hammock in the garden waiting for her husband to get to where she was, her heart pounded and adrenaline rushed through her veins. An adrenaline she needed in other to finally do what she'd been unable to do the day George had introduced Zain as his business partner.

Until she froze as Zain's last words to her on Saturday resounded in her ears like an ominous, malicious bell. It was Monday, and George was only returning now because an emergency had kept him. But he'd mentioned that he would meet Zain at the office to discuss a few things before he would come.

What if Zain had told him everything already? Would Zain really risk this partnership which guaranteed the rapid recuperation of his own company just for her? God, what was George thinking of her right now?

Her fears were swept away by the wind when a broad smile touched his exotic lips as he pulled her into a passionate kiss. As she pulled back, she couldn't hold back her sigh of relief.

George, who seemed to have noticed, quirked his eyebrow, but he didn't say anything. Emma looked anywhere but his eyes, as the guilt pointed a gun at her, trying to force her to confess right then.

Like a stubborn criminal, she couldn't bring herself to speak despite the torment. And as they settled in the large chair hammock and set to a slow, relaxing swing, Emma nudged into George, hoping to absorb as much of it as she could find because she feared her revelation would replace that warmth with coldness - at least for a few hours she hoped.

"Where's my princess, Sugar?" George asked as she kissed her hair.

The question made her remember what had happened on Saturday, and how the kiss she'd witnessed seemed to have stunned Amy. It hadn't taken Emma much time to convince her daughter that what she saw wasn't actually the same as she and George did with a few lies. By evening, the little girl had totally forgotten about it after they'd returned from their outing.

"Eva came to pick her up. She will be returning her after dinner."

When George pulled her back to look into her eyes, she nearly flinched. "Hey, you alright? Your voice kinda sounds strange."

"Hmm, does it?" She asked evasively and immediately pulled his head for a kiss, not wanting him to sense her attempt to hide her emotions. God, why couldn't she tell him and get it done with?

Maggie came a minute later with two coffee cups filled to the brim with the hot substance, and cleared her throat, seemingly to halt their moment. George pulled back and smiled at her aunt.

As her eyes fell on her aunt, her heart lurched for a bit. Two days ago, after her aunt had questioned her fidelity, she'd been forced to divulge all the history she shared with Zain; how Zain had courted her in the university but her fears had caused her to hurt and reject him despite her attraction towards him. How he'd ended up getting the cancer which had served as the catalyst of their separation five years ago, and also how he'd returned after getting cured, wanting her back and uncertainties she felt.

The older woman had looked at her with emotion, seemingly touched by the story. "That's a sad story, dear. But let's look at the bright side of all this. If you hadn't separated, you would've never met George." Then she'd squeezed Emma's hand. "You told George about you and that man, didn't you?"

Emma bowed her head in shame as she answered in the negative. The older woman had looked at her in alarm. "George doesn't know that you share a romantic history with his business partner? Why dear?"

"I don't know, aunt. The day he introduced Zain, I panicked for some reason and couldn't tell him. And after that I just didn't know how to broach the topic."

"Oh dear. I advice that you tell him when he returns from this trip. This is not something to keep silent about especially since Zain is refusing to let go. What if he'd been the one who saw you with Zain instead of me?"

The thought of George seeing her kiss Zain sent dread forking through her consciousness. As trusting and sometimes gullible as George could be with the people he loved, he would find her explanations hard to believe. She hadn't even wanted to think of what that would lead to, so she'd agreed to tell George.

Her aunt had promised to leave the confession to her, but if she'd heard anything about her aunt in the past, it was that she was capable of going back on her promise given it was in everyone's benefit. Would she actually tell George?

"You know I'm very glad you are back, son." Maggie said, even while her gaze stood transfixed on Emma, and only Emma could read the glare in her eyes that spoke volumes of benevolent warning.

"Hmm, you kinda said that to me some minutes ago, Maggie." George shook his head and chuckled softly as he pulled both their plates on which coffee sat, handing her one.

Maggie retreated after giving her a 'tell him' look. Emma took a deep breath, preparing to finally tell George her secret. But the thought of any other emotion in George's eyes directed towards her apart from love, trust and adoration made her heart cramp painfully, so she swallowed her guilt together with a sip of coffee and listened to George as he begun to talk a little about his project with Zain.

George's hand on her chin suddenly fanged her from her daze, and she realized she'd been too engrossed in her feelings of emotional conflict, those that Zain's kisses had evoked in her and how they collided in what she'd believed in for four years, to even listen.

She met the green concern in her husband's eyes. "Hey, you aren't even listening. Emma, something is wrong. What is it, love?"

She tried to hold back her panic as she smiled back at him. "There's nothing wrong."

"But I see it in your eyes. Something is bothering you. What is..."

"George please." She snapped without meaning to, unable to take it anymore. Every time he asked what was wrong and she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth, the more the guilt coiled and squeezed around her lungs like an anaconda does to it's victim before swallowing it whole, suffocating her.

"I'm sorry. I have some things to do." She immediately jumped off the hammock and hurried off before he could question her on her rude evasiveness

Dinner was an awkward affair that night, and though George didn't comment on her behavior in the garden, she saw that it bothered him deeply. As she stepped into the shower later on, memories of her kiss with Zain and how weak it'd made her in the knees flooded her disconcerted mind, and she couldn't help the vague cry that rose from her throat.

Damn you Zain, damn you!

**~**~**

The few days to the much awaited fashion show was a hectic one. It wasn't as prestigious and prominent as the one sponsored by the government of which she'd won Queen of Fashion for this year's, but it was one of the most important peripheral ones that would propel her into maintaining her crown and title next year.

Emma most of the time worked tirelessly into the night even though she didn't have to. She knew she had near-pundit employees who wouldn't fail her, but in actual fact, she worked herself so much because she wanted to bury her emotions. To ignore the chaos and not face her disconcerted feelings if for some hours.

In all those days, Zain didn't try to get in touch, and though it was relieving, it unsettled her. What was Zain planning this time around to use as his attack to cause more riots with her emotions?

Still, even without Zain to give her a constant reminder of his existence, her stupid mind sometimes stalled to him, the nameless feelings for him she'd realized she had. But each time, those thoughts were intercepted by those of George, how much he loved her and she him, how far they'd come together, and the guilt would punch her in the stomach.

Because of working so much, she sometimes had to eat dinner outside and would return home later than usual, which unerringly begun to take a toll on her marriage. As they snuggled in bed, George would complain about how she never stayed up so late even when she was competing for the crown as the Queen of Fashion. He would tell her he knew there was something much more than work that bothered her, and she would lie to assure him.

And whenever his perceptive mind would delve into her eyes and realize something was wrong, she would panic and evade his eyes and questions, and she would see how much it upset him.

When the day finally arrived, Emma let her eyes travel across the room, taking in the assortment of dresses worn by beautiful models all set to mount the walkway. Other fashion houses had already manifested their charms and talents, most of which got Emma a bit insecure, so she relied on her models' ability to seduce the crowd and the judges. She of course, was the top model for the night.

A slight chill went through her as her name and fashion house were mentioned, and her models took turns to trail the stage sultrily. She watched them, feeling proud of all of them.

Eventually, the top dress of her designs, of which she wore, was announced to be displayed. Taking a deep breath, Emma set out unto the aisle with the cheering of the wild crowd instantly giving her the spirit to smile amid the flashes of camera.

She walked slowly, sensuously, and as sultrily as she possibly could, the ruffles attached to the waist of her dress flowing with complementing grace behind her, the cameras flashing. Men were hypnotized, she noticed, something which happened often, and the CEOs of other houses and other women in general took her in enviously. She was beautiful, and coupled with the breath-robber dress, they must've been simmering with envy.

At the front row she saw her daughter pointing at her in excited awe, while beside her, her father gazed at Emma with pride and mesmerism which made her blush. As she reached the edge of the walkway, she spared the guests one sultry look before turning to retreat her slow dance. The audience went wild again.

"Yes!" She screamed as she entered the dressing room that'd been given to them for the night. "You girls were amazing."

The 4 models encircled her, and they grouped-hugged with pride. Eva came squealing a moment later. "Oh, Emma. You were immaculate as always, bestie."

"Thank you so much Eva." Eva pulled her into a hug.

"This is not up for debate. We're going to win this yet!"

"Eva, other houses did well too." Emma mused nervously.

"But they don't match up to us. Come on and change, we need to go back take our seats at the high table." Eva reasoned and waved for her to go on.

Emma quickly went to the changing room and changed into the dress she'd wore here, making sure to not embed even a puckered line in the material, then she returned to Eva and watched with nervous breaths as one more fashion house displayed all they had to.

The host took the stage after some long minutes post the last fashion house's display. "So we've seen them all; the display of exquisite talents and ingenuity. It hasn't been an easy decision for the judges because every one of theses fashion houses and models are great. But in the end, there's always a winner. And the best fashion house is..." She paused as her eyes scanned the room, obviously to create the suspense. "...Taylor fashion house."

Emma smiled as the audience cheered to show their approval. After waiting for the room to establish a semblance of calm, the host continued. "The best model, coincidental or not, goes to the mother of the Taylor fashion house, Currently the queen of fashion, Emma Taylor."

After taking her medals on stage together with Eva, George surprised her by meeting her up there. The past few days hadn't really been good for the, and he was always so upset about her hiding things from him, yet he was there to offer support as usual. She met him in a brief kiss while the guests cheered for more and cameras flashed meticulously.

It was only after she'd pulled back and was smiling across the room did her eyes met Zain's. She swallowed as he stared at she and George murderously, and if eyes could turn to bullets, George would've been ridden with a thousand by now.

Smiling back at him spitefully, she forced away her gaze and had to order her stupid heart to stop its tempestuous pounding. George stood by her as she gave a brief speech.

After the show was declared ended, as expected, the media attacked Emma in front of her dressing room, asking her questions she was all too familiar with. The coming days would bring in a lot of sales and success.

It was only after they were satisfied did they leave her alone, and Emma felt the urge to pee come with a vengeance. She'd ignored it with the all preparations and making sure everything was as best as they could get. She made her way to the washroom at the left corner of the dressing room her fashion house had been given. Done, she was about washing her hands when the door opened and someone stepped in.

"Hello, Em."

Whirling around as a gasp tore from her throat, she found Zain staring at her, mischief evident in his eyes.