A few weeks back

After seeing Iris at the gala I bumped into her as she was shopping for baby clothes.

"How are you doing Iris?"
"I am well as you can see," she said placing a hand over her stomach.
"You are glowing dear. Chris is taking care of you. Listen I know we started on the wrong note but can we be friends? We are going to be seeing each other more often because of my son and all."

"I...I would like that very much," she said with a smile.
"Lunch?"
"Yes please I am starving," she laughed.
Over lunch, they talked and discovered they had a lot in common. It seems Iris was well off as well coming from a family that lived in an ocean of money.

"We should do this again Melinda," she said.
"Oh please call me Mel. Listen I have to run along now," she said pulling out her chair.
"Oh okay. Bye Mel" she said with a warm smile.

Hmmm, so Chris has a type I see. Wel,l I will just have to keep a lookout for these two ladies he is stringing along.

"Darling, are you at your office?"
"Yes sweetheart," Linc answered.
"I will be there in twenty minutes," I told him getting into the car.

"Mr Shields is right this way mam," the secretary said leading her towards the boardroom.
Walking in she found the room silent as a young man was presenting some data, the click of her heels making noise.

Lincoln smiled when he saw her getting up to take her into his arms.
"You look lovely as always," he whispered kissing her forehead.
"Thank you, darling," she whispered back smiling at him.
He glared at one of the junior assistants making him stand up offering his seat to her.
"Oh no please, take your seat," she said. Turning to Linc she said, "I will be in your office."
"Hmmm you are my assistant," he said pulling the now vacant chair. "Now sit, and assist?" He said in a commanding voice.
"Sure thing boss," she said in a sarcastic manner making the other men laugh.
One glance from Lincoln was all it took for them to stop and focus on the presentation once more.

Mel sighed softly making Linc look at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"Well.... You are wasting your time with Plank Constructions, I know how they operate and trust me they might look enticing right now but three months down the line you will be pouring more money down the drain to get results from them."
"And how do you know this?" Linc asked as he turned to face the young man presenting.
"Oh I can't tell you that sweetheart," she said with a sly smile.
"See me in my office," he told the gentleman presenting as he stood up pulling her to her feet.

----

Locking the door by a press of a button underneath his table he pulled her onto his lap.
"So tell me what you were so excited about."
She started telling him about her meeting with Iris as a smile formed on his face.
"You sure know how to pick em love," he said with a laugh.
"He was a good man when we met, it seems all the money we made got to his head," she said getting up.
"Hey hey, I'm sorry. I was just joking."
"You joking, wow. What has gotten into you, Mr Shields? Even the IT department is baffled by your change in behaviour."
"If I told you, I would have to kill you," he said trying to stifle his laughter.
"Very funny Lincoln. Now unlock your door I need to go."

"Sure thing love," he said unlocking the door.
"Eyes up pretty boy, I know what you are staring at," she said walking out swinging her hips.
He turned away as colour flooded his cheeks.

------------

Present Time

"Iris, sweetheart," Chris said standing up confused. "How did you get here?"
"Oh I came over after Mel said you seemed lonely," she said kissing him.
"But you need to relax and stay off your feet," he said nervously.
"What better place to do that than here? Now can we order?" Iris said taking her seat.
"Oh don't worry dear, Lincoln ordered our food already," Mel said smiling at Linc.

"So what are you doing here Chris?" Linc asked.
"I intended to meet a potential client but they didn't show up."
"Hmmm is that so? Too bad for them, they don't know what they just missed out on."
"Yes too bad," Chris mumbled gulping his wine."

Choosing to ignore him Mel and Linc gave all their attention to Iris making small talk.
Stifling a yawn Mel leaned back in her chair.
"Someone is tired," Linc said taking her hand. "Shall we leave now sweetheart?"
"Hmmm," she said lazily nodding her head.
"We should be leaving too," Iris said standing up.

Chris had a scowl on his face as he tried to stand up. With a signal, Walter was in front of them.
"Make sure they get home safely. It seems Mr Watson has had more than enough to drink," he said wrapping his arm around a tired-looking Mel.
Bidding them farewell they left with the help of Walter's men.
"What are we going to do since, he now knows that, you know who he is?" Mel asked once they were in the car.
"I thought you were tired?"
"I am tired. Now answer my question."
"Well to answer your question he cannot get away from us because of the iron-clad contract he signed. Let's just say he never really went through the paperwork thoroughly and knowing him he went for a cheap lawyer to go over the papers."
"Oh."
"Now rest up and don't worry one bit about him."

--------

"What is the meaning of this?" Linc shouted holding up some papers as Mel walked towards him her smile slowly falling apart.
"What is wrong sweetheart?"
"Why is there a lawyer out there claiming you hired him to draw up divorce papers."
"Divorce? What are you talking about?"
"Do not play me for a fool Mel."

"Linc I have no idea what you are talking about. Why would I divorce you when I am in love with you?"
"Maybe to get my money," he told her in a cold tone.
"Is that what you think of me? Some gold digger. I thought you knew me better than that," she said storming out of his office as he called out to her.
Realizing what she had just said he ran after her.
"Mel!" He growled out as the elevator doors closed. Taking the stairs he chased after her.

"Mel stop!" He called out to her as she stepped out of the elevator.
"Boy is he fast," she thought to herself.
"It's obvious you don't know me very well Lincoln. The sad thing is I know you so well it hurts," she said as tears blinded her vision.
"Mel please forgive me," he cried out as she kept walking away from him.
Employees had stopped what they were doing to witness the scene before them.
"Mel please let's talk in private," he said trying to keep up with her little feet's fast pace.

Nearly tripping over her own feet Lincoln caught her before she fell.
"Let go of me!" She yelled shaking his hands away from her.
Walking out of the building she waited for a taxi as the doorman tried to hail one for her.
"Sweetheart please forgive me," Lincoln begged her.
Taking a step away from him she said, "I have forgiven people so much I don't have any forgiveness left in me."
Turning she walked onto the road as more tears pooled in her eyes. The sound of a car horn blurred making her turn around.....