It's been ages since I last peeked on Netflix, and oh . . . too many movies already. Being alone and bored, I decide to give myself the taste of my old life as a single woman.

"Well, let's check this one. It looks interesting," I mumble while lying comfortably on the bed, my eyes on the laptop.

My evening wears off in such a fashion, laughter and tears as my only companion as I get immersed into fictional characters and their emotional rides.

A knock at the door forces me to pause the third movie. "May I come in, Ma'am?"

It's Lisa's voice.

"Yeah, the door's open," I say loudly, pulling my lazy body sluggishly to sit up.

Lisa doesn't come in, so I lazily get up and pace towards the door, yawning.

"What is it?" I ask after swinging the door open, staring at the young blonde who is surprisingly overdressed and baked beautifully with makeup on her face. "Wow. You look great!" I tell her.

Lisa flushes. "Oh, thank you, Ma'am. Um, would you like your dinner to be served right now? It's just . . . Well . . . I was saying that . . ." she stammers while toying with her fingers. "I mean, is it okay if . . . Well . . ."

"Lisa!" I snap with a brief chuckle, interrupting her unsettling moves. "Do you want to leave right now?" I quiz, for she's showing all the signs of being ready to go on a date or something.

Dressed up in a pretty red dress and black flats, her blonde hair no longer in pigtails, she surely looks more beautiful than usual.

"Yes, Ma'am!" Lisa answers fast, standing straight. "Can I? I really, really, really need to meet my boyfriend tonight."

Oh? I smile faintly, trying to refrain from putting her into a more embarrassing state than she already is at the moment. She's cute, honestly.

"You can go," I tell her after a sigh. "And don't bother about dinner; I'll serve myself if I get hungry."

"Aw, thank you, ma'am! You're the sweetest." Lisa looks enthralled, excited even, almost ready to pull me for a hug, but she decides against it. She clears her throat and says, "Um, will you be okay on your own?"

"I will be. Don't worry," I reply with a tight smile.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then? Good evening, Ma'am."

"To you, too, Lisa. Take care," I reply and she nods.

Throwing me a quick smile, she jogs towards the stairs and barrels down like an overly excited child. It's so good to be in love, huh? At times I wish I had those escapades during my teenage years. But it's not too late, is it?

I blush when I think of all the sleazy stuff Liam does sometimes.

When Lisa departs I shut all the doors and check with the security guards to make sure everything is order. Indeed the house feels bigger than normal. I take a deep breath, feeling lonely, and slowly I ascend back into my bedroom.

The first thing I do is check on my phone so as to hear something from Liam.

"Oh, a message!" I grin upon finding Liam's text via WhatsApp.

I'm heading to my hotel. Will call you as soon as I settle in. And stop sulking, will you? You're always on my mind, Mrs. Darcy. Kisses!

[Received]

"Sulking?" I remark, chuckling like a fool.

Elated at last, I drop recklessly on the bed while typing him my reply.

And you are constantly in mine. Stop sulking? Well, that's impossible Mr. Darcy, unless you hurry up. Hugs!

[Sent]

Only one tick shows up. Disappointed, I clear the bed by putting the laptop away. Soon after changing into pajamas I sink under the warm comforter. I grab my phone and wait.

Instagram becomes my next visit. So many tags from Sam, mostly showing off her pretty pregnant belly. I smile at the beautiful pictures of my best friend, whose tummy is now plump.

The feeling is somewhat bittersweet.

And since when have I become this famous? It's as though my followers have tripled now. This is all Sam's fault. She's posted so many pictures from Las Vegas up to the wedding.

I find so many congratulations from the people I know and even to those I don't remember. Jeez, I ought to reconnect sometimes. Decidedly, I take my time responding to them.

I go through several posts in my newsfeed as I wait for Liam's call. One of the posts is Malik's, and it draws my laugh immediately. It's the lunch we had this afternoon, well displayed.

"No food tastes better like homemade, especially when the cook is as brilliant as she is," I read the caption.

Malik! I laugh even more.

Jubilantly, I scroll through the comments, which are mostly from ladies, including one lady whose name and profile picture carry a close familiarity.

TheDevineScarlett: Especially if the eater is as greedy as you are:-)

"Of course," I breathe without mirth, throwing my phone aside.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have this woman out of my cycle, and damn I hate it! Despite feeling so bitchy in need to ignore Scarlet and her Instagram page, there's an aching curiosity that urges me to peep on it.

I easily give in.

Who cares if I'm being a stalker? My subconscious glares at me while muttering "You!" Sighing, I open Scarlet's profile with a single tentative touch and damn, my husband's ex is indeed a celebrity—too many followers.

Why did Liam break up with her? She's pretty, famous, and she seems nice hearted, too, judging from her participation in social and humanitarian events. I keep rummaging through her pictures, and the most recent one makes my eyes squint.—or rather, the caption does.

Thanks for the warm reception, Munich! I feel at home. Get ready to see this swan tomorrow because she can't wait! Ich liebe dich!!! #happywinterfestivals #IloveGermany #balletforever

A sharp, frightful sigh escapes my lungs. I can't believe this. She's in Germany?

***

Liam's call flashes on the phone that's been on my tummy. I watch it for a good while, my heart turning heavy with the thoughts of what I've gathered a moment ago. Could they be together? No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I close my eyes and pick the call.

"I miss you," I say quietly, my eyes wandering around the bedroom that feels cold without his presence.

"I miss you more, my love. I'm very sorry I couldn't call you right away when I arrived," Liam replies, and his voice alone draws a faint smile on my sullen lips.

"It's okay. How was the meeting? I guess you had to attend straight away?" I ask, my focus divided between him and the displeasing facts about him and his ex being at the place.

Liam clears his throat and replies, "Yes, and it wasn't bad. At least we've both laid our conditions and I'm only waiting for our lawyer to review everything before we enter into an agreement. Perhaps just one more day and I'll be back home." He sounds exhausted.

"That's good. What are you doing right now? And where are you?" I ask carefully, trying to sound calm despite the odds.

Now it's really impossible to desert my anxiety. How I want to ask him about Scarlet, and yet I don't want to sound insecure without any proper reason.

So what if she's in Munich? It's just a place like London, right? She's probably there for her ballet concert, and Coincidentally Liam is there for business.

Yeah, right? Who is she kidding? It doesn't sound like a damn coincidence.

Fuck, I'll become unhinged if I don't slow down. But what if it's just a coincidence? Maybe Liam has no idea about Scarlet's presence? Well, I hope.

"At the hotel I'm staying. Are you okay?" Liam's inquiry comes apprehensive, probably from noticing my silent disquietude. "Kira?" he calls, derailing my thoughts.

"Yes, baby, I'm fine." I take a deep breath, rubbing the bridge between her eyes.

"No, you sound discomposed and it really worries me. Did something happen at the hospital? How was it?" Liam asks urgently, concerns evident in his voice.

How ironic! The hospital is the least of my troubles right now—nearly forgotten.

"No, I'm fine; I'm just not used to being alone in this house." I lay back on the bed, pulling the duvet while at it so that my body is fully covered. "I got the shot and . . . Well, everything went fine. I'm taking another tomorrow."

"That's good. I just want you to not think too much of it, okay?" Liam insists.

"Okay." I smile feebly. "Anything new over there? Someone you met? How is the weather in Germany?" I inquire subtly, hoping to get something that can ease my doubts.

Please say Scarlet is there too, and it's only by chance.

"There's nothing new, baby. Munich is much colder than London; it's even snowing here. All I need is to be in bed, but I'm afraid I need to eat first and go through some papers." Nothing dubious gets revealed from Liam's speech.

He only sounds tired.

"I'm sorry. Maybe you can do the paperwork tomorrow and get some rest? I mean . . . is there any reason to overwork yourself like that?" I scold him, making him chuckle. "I'm serious, Liam Darcy!" Another smile adorns my face.

He sighs soundly. "Well, I guess I can do it in the morning. Have you had dinner?" His voice is suddenly judicial as he asks me this. I bite my lip. "Don't even think about lying to me, Kira Darcy, for you're a terrible liar."

Jeez, can't he pretend to know less of me? I chuckle.

"I was about to eat. I mean . . . later?.

"Liar! I am pretty sure you're lying in bed at the moment, wearing my T-shirt or pajamas, for you have severe enmity with your own clothes . . . Right?"

Damn busted! I stifle a laugh.

"Because yours are warm," I reply innocently. I can imagine his raised eyebrow, adding much to my needs of him closer. "Okay, I'm going to have some fruits or juice. I'm not hungry, though."

"Do that, please. I'm video-calling you in a few minutes to confirm."

"Seriously, Liam?"

"More than you can imagine. Bye for now," Liam states.

I roll my eyes. "Are you going out? To eat, I mean."

"No, I requested room service. I'm going to shower quickly and call you," Liam replies, sounding to be on the move already, possibly walking. "Eat please. With those medications you're taking I believe eating properly is necessary."

"Okay," I reply, smiling at the emotional support he shows over this battle we're having. "Later." I hang up upon his assent.

Maybe I'm being paranoid for nothing. I sigh audibly while staring at the wallpaper of my phone, a picture of Liam and I taken on the ice-skating evening. I put the thoughts aside and get up from the bed, ready to have that dinner.