Jason got home that night in a state of turmoil. He didn't know what to do. If Rebecca was to be believed, he had not married Terry after running up with him and getting him to sign the divorce papers he signed and getting the lump sum she had got out of divorcing him.

She had also not married any other person because like she said, her freedom meant more to her than being trapped in marriage to any man.

Therefore she might just not be after him. She might just want them to just be friends but the question was if he could afford to be friends with her? She had hurt him badly and nearly rendered bim bankrupt but that was not the issue. He had been destroyed when she deserted him and she was back and he found that he didn't really hate her as much as he thought that he did. In fact,he had enjoyed those few moments with her this evening and had to run off before his feelings betrayed him.

Then how could he remain detached if they came close?

But she had not even asked to be friends with him, why was he thinking that she would suggest that?

'Well because I know her very well. She would want to come close to me in the guise of friendship and gradually warm her way back into my life', he answered his own question.

He went in, and his helps were there to welcome him back and so was Nancy. She was looking fresh and good in her sleeveless top and Jean shorts. Any thing to divert him from thinking about Rebecca.

He went upstairs to wash and change and then came down for his dinner. He realised suddenly that he was famished.

As they ate, Nancy noticed that he was not really happy. He seemed preoccupied. After the meal, Nancy asked, 'What is the problem sir? You look very disturbed. Did your meeting go well?'

'There is really nothing the problem. I am just thinking about a business proposal'

Nancy did not know why but she felt that he had lied to her but kept quiet.

He still looked troubled and as he got up to go to the living room to put on the television set, she surprised herself by taking hold of his hands.

'Sir, I have come to see you as a friend. And I know that you are really bothered and I have a gut feeling that it is not about work. Business proposal my foot. There is something else troubling you. Please feel free to share your worries with me. A problem shared is half solved already'.

She said looking up at him imploringly.

Jason was shocked at her boldness. He knew that he had always been lenient with her mainly because of her delicate condition but he hadn't known her to be this bold and her hands holding his felt good. So good that he didn't want her to take it off.

He was surprised because he would ordinarily have taken the hand off his arm himself.

'Nancy, it might not be about work but it is personal and none of your business. Forget about it. Go and rest, for there is work tomorrow'.

Nancy took her hands off his and he immediately felt bereft and did not know why he felt that way.

' I must be getting old', he thought to himself.

Nancy did not know why she was bothered. She would have gone off because afterall, it was indeed not her business but she just could not let it go.

'I just said that you are not just a boss to me but a friend and about the only family I have at least here. I thought that you felt the same towards me. Share your burdens with me. You did not know me and yet you helped me with my troubles, let me at least offer you advice'.

Jason sighed. The girl was stubborn and he would not have shared this with any of his employees but he felt inclined to share this with Nancy. What harm could it possibly do?

'Come, let's sit. They sat close.

'I met Rebecca today at the luncheon ', he blurted before he could change his mind.

Nancy looked lost. How could seeing a woman affect him like that and who was Rebecca by the way?

Jason must have seen the question in her eyes for he immediately amended.

'My ex wife. Rebecca is my ex wife'.

Nancy now understood his distress.

'Oh!' was all she could say.

Jason felt that she may not have heard through her colleagues what had happened to him, so despite himself, he briefly told her of his wife's betrayal.

'I gave her everything. At least I thought I did but she eloped with my best friend after draining my account and sent me divorce papers and I had to settle her handsomely. But all that was nothing compared to the hurt and heart break I had to suffer. I had loved her more than life.

I thought that I had got over her but when I saw her today,it brought back alot of memories, I am confused and do not know what to do'.

:Did she apologize or explain her reason for leaving you for your friend?' Nancy asked.

'We did not get around to that because Phoebe came and we had to make our excuses and leave. But I must confess I have so many questions I need answers to'.

'Do you think she wants to get back with you?'

'I'm not sure but I think that she might want us to be friends'.

'But like f that is the case, then it is a good thing isn't it?' Nancy asked.

'Do you really think that?'

'There are cases of divorced partners becoming best of friends'.

Jason nodded. She was right but he didn't know if he could do that at least just yet.

'Except if you have not forgiven her?'

'Is it really easy to forgive what she did? I am not a saint. My feelings were hurt and deeply too. And I have just seen her and she had given no explanations except to tell me when I asked that she did not get married to man he left me for because she was not so stupid as to go out of one marriage only to be trapped in another.That shows me that she has not changed. How do you think I can forgive such a person?'

He said this so much anguish that Nancy felt so sorry for his pain that she covered his hands with hers.

That contact again. He looked at her and saw her concern and knew it was genuine and he didn't know what came over him but he suddenly felt an overpowering urge to kiss her luscious lips.

His eyes lowered to her lips. She knew instantly that he wanted to kiss her but she could do nothing about it because she was suddenly immobilized.

She shut her eyes and the contact was electric.

As his lips touched hers in a feathery kiss, she suddenly felt lit up. She was shocked at the way her body jumped in response. She had not anticipated the kiss nor her response.

She didn't want to respond at first but her mouth opened wider as she responded to his sweet kiss and groaning, he deepened the kiss.

Her head was reeling, her arms went round his neck of their own volition, drawing him closer. He groaned louder. She was standing on her toes to get closer to him. She was not thinking. Just feeling.

She suddenly felt jolted. She remembered the person she was with and pushed him off.

'What are you doing?' she asked shaken.

He was shaken as well and as Nancy staggered a little, he held her by the waist to steady her and that touch also did nothing to ease her distress as it reminded her of what she had been missing as a woman.

Funny enough, she wanted to go back into his arms and stay there being protected and loved but she knew that this was not love. He was just in need of comfort because he just met his ex wife after some years and it threw him off guard because it reminded him of all his hurt and unrequited love.

'I'm sorry. I didn't know how that happened. I must have forgotten myself'. Jason said. He was not sorry. Not one bit. He had enjoyed the kiss more than he had thought possible. He had forgotten that she was pregnant and could go back to the father of her baby at anytime.

He had just wanted to have her to himself. This was what he had been afraid of. That was why he had been avoiding her but found that he had run into what he had been running from.

'It's okay. You needed comfort and if I have been able to provide you with that no matter how momentarily, then I am happy. It is the least I could do for you for all you have done for me', she said smiling, with trembling lips.

Jason cursed himself when he saw that. He must have scared the hell out of the girl but he had been unable to resist those lips of hers and her eyes that begged to be loved. But he was disappointed by her words but what had he expected that she would be over the moon by his kiss?

But he was not happy that she only felt gratitude for him, when he was becoming increasingly attracted to her irrespective of her pregnancy.

Pregnancy did not make her less a woman than the others, it was just that it put certain restrictions especially since it was not his.

For a moment there, he had thought that she was actually enjoying his kiss. Now he knew better. She was just offering him comfort.

'Yes thank you. You were right. I feeluch better now that I have shared my troubles with you but please do not trouble yourself on my account. I am okay now. And I would like to be alone. Goodnight', he said dismissively. Nancy did not know why but his tone hurt her and she knew by his stance that he broached no argument.

'I am glad I could be of help. Goodnight', she said and left hurriedly.

Jason hit his fists on the wall. He did not know what to make of all this.

On the one hand was Rebecca who was back and he was not sure yet what he felt for her. Was it hatred or indifference or was there still some element of love residual in his heart for her?

If he was sincere, he felt that he hated and wanted her at the same time and wanted to bring her to her knees before him. On the other hand was Nancy who was not really free to be with him and this incredible attraction he was feeling towards her.

He was confused and felt that he must be losing it.

He put on his bathing suit. He was hot and needed to cool the heat in his body. He went downstairs again and walked to the pool at the edge of the premise and dived into it.

The cool water calmed his nerves. He wondered how he was going to face Nancy. He would just pretend that that kiss never happened or that it did not mean anything other than comfort yo him.

'But that would be a lie!' his mind screamed at him.

'You enjoyed the kiss so much that if she had not pushed you away....'

'Of course not, I could never have taken advantage of her or any woman for that matter. Definitely not the one I am supposed to be protecting for goodness sakes', he argued with himself.

He had to forget about the kiss and concentrate on other things. And he did not need to think about Rebecca because it was possible that he would not see her again. Since she was not married to Terry, it was possible that one of her male friends had brought her to the luncheon as his companion and judging by her tastes,the man must really be influential and wealthy.

He would definitely take her away after the luncheon.

That was no business of his anyways. He had not expected to see her and if he didn't see her again then that was that. His questions would just have to remain unanswered. There was no need crying over spilt milk. He was not planning on taking her back afterall no matter how his body seemed to still react to her. He was just a man appreciating a beautiful woman even if a treacherous one.

He flapped his arms, trying to exert himself so that he could go to sleep easily without having to be besieged by thoughts of Rebecca and her sudden appearance in Lake District nor of the kiss he had just shared with Nancy.

But the man who got her pregnant and Abandoned her must have been a big fool. The girl was really a jewel and he admired her courage. Most girls in her position would have aborted the baby and gone ahead with their lives but she kept the baby,determined to have it and was working hard to earn enough to care for it when it was born. It was indeed admirable. The way she worked at the office was more than he had been envisaging. She was really dedicated to duty. And an efficient secretary. She was so humble that she was now the favourite of all his home staff and even at the office, every one had one good thing or the other to say about her. And she had been with them for less than two months.

He got put of f the pool and with his towel, dried himself and walked back inside. He went to the bar to get something to drink but stopped himself. He was not going to take to drinking again. It had nearly killed him the last time.He had since sworn off alcohol and he was not going to take even a sip. Not for Rebecca or any woman would he put himself through that he'll again. With this resolution, he climbed the stairs to his room.

He barely put on his pyjamas before falling into the bed asleep. He was really tired and needed rest from everything.

Nancy virtually ran to her quarters. She could not understand why she was reacting this way. Why had Jason's kiss affected her the way it had? She thought that everything concerning romantic feelings were no longer for her. She had schooled her body not to feel and had succeeded so far and why not given what she had been through and with her struggle for survival but one single kiss had made her wild.

She had lied about it being her way of comforting Jason but she knew that was not entirely the truth. She had enjoyed the kiss and had wanted it to continue and it was only because of her shock at her wanton behaviour that she had pushed him away regretfully.

Even now, her body was still tingling from the effect of that kiss. She had not been kissed so deliciously that way. Not even with Rodney had she felt her inhibitions give way that easily.

She had become intimate with Rodney to prove to him that she loved him. She had not really been ready to do that otherwise. She had thought that he loved her. He had showered her with so much love and attention and money. She had been spoilt by him. She was given whatever she wanted or needed even before she could ask, provided it was what money could buy.

She had mistaken his generosity for love and care.

She had thought that he must love her so much to take time away from his work in London to be with her and make sure that she lacked nothing and when he pressured her to give in to his base desires, she had felt that that was the least that she could do.

She remembered clearly her first time with him. They had been dating for about a month and he had started being persistent about sleeping with her. She should have heard the warning bells then but she was too smitten with him to have paid any heed to any warnings.

'Let us wait a bit darling, I am saving myself for our wedding night ' she had said snuggling close to him.

'You are saving it for me right? Well why not give it to me now? I love you so much that I cannot bear to wait any longer to make you mine. I am always afraid whenever I am not with you. I feel that other men would see your exceeding beauty and take you from me!'

'But nobody can take me away from you. I love you so much. I love you and you alone.I am a one man - woman and could never be disloyal to you, ever', she had sworn still wrapped in his arms.

He had kissed her then Thoroughly. And she had felt lived and cherished and her desires had been awakened.

'That is just one thing I love about you. You are loyal. There is no trait of disloyalty in you and I am like that as well. We are alike in that way. But can't you see, since we are vowed to be faithful to each other and we both love each other and know that we are meant for each other, what difference does it make when we consumate our relationship? Love does not count all that. It is merely childish and old fashioned. If you really want to wait till our wedding night, then I shall definitely oblige you but I do not see the need for that if we really love and trust each other except of course you have your doubts concerning our relationship?'

'No, no. I have no doubts at all. I may have had doubts at first but not anymore. I know that you could never hurt me'

'Then why hesitate? If there is really so much love and trust, why is there so much distance?' he asked and she thought that she could see the sincerity in his eyes and hear it in his voice and she had allowed his roaming hands to draw her even closer.

He had kissed her fiercely but must have recollected himself and treating her tenderly, he impatiently discarded her clothes, stroking her breasts, caressing her body and she had become hot. Hot and yearning.

He had taken her breasts in his mouth and she had moaned loudly especially when he had alternated the stroking of her breasts with his tongue and biting her nipple. Causing her to be hot and cold at the same time.

He had proceeded in lying her down gently and bringing out a condom, he wore it and drove his hard length into her. She had not been well prepared. Her body had not yet been well lubricated and it protested the entry, but he kept pushing and it had been so painful,but his calming words had soothed her until her body had eventually yielded.

He had tried to be gentle but he lost control of himself and rode her impatiently and before you could say Jack Robinson, he started convulsing.

It had not been the way that she had envisaged that it would be. She had thought that the earth would quake, there would be stars and lightening but none of those things had happened. She had felt disappointed.

He rolled off her.

'You are sweet darling. Now you have proven to me that you love me in deed. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did?'

She had no option but to lie to him that she did.

'I know that it may not have been as pleasurable for you as it should have been but it is only because it is the first time. The next time, you won't feel the pain and it would be a pleasure ride'.

His explanation had been enough to dispel her doubts and she felt flattered that he loved her so much that he had been impatient to take her and make her wholly his.

Truely though, the next time had been better than the first and she started enjoying being with him intimately. Rodney had to have her almost every time after that first time. It was almost as though he had gone mad for her body and she felt flattered that he could not take his hands of her and felt that that was evidence enough for her of his love.

That was until she became pregnant because Rodney became careless and forgetful of protecting himself before having her and she didn't think anything if it, afterall they were both in love and would soon get married.

These thoughts made Nancy sad as she remembered how vulnerable she had been and how Rodney had taken advantage of her vulnerability and naivety.

She had to stop this. Thinking these hurtful and sad thoughts was not safe for her health or her baby's.

She went into the bathroom and had a quick shower before going to bed. Sleep was slow in coming as her thoughts were disorganized but she eventually fell into a troubled sleep.

She woke the next day a bit later than usual and by the time she got to the main house, she was told that her boss had already left for the office but had instructed his driver to bring her in another car.