A week passed by with many people coming in offering assistance in any way they could helping her stay up to date with all the company transactions. Amongst the frequent visitors was Jordan Smith the head accountant who was currently going through some documents with her. She found his presence suffocating as he came and stood behind her pointing out figures in the ledger. Clearing her throat Mel looked at him as he straightened up with a sheepish smile.
"I will finish up by myself, thank you very much," she told him off with a stern expression.
"Very well mam, feel free to ask me any questions if you have any, my door is always open for you."

Working late at night she curled up on the sofa going over some paperwork. Every employee had gone home, leaving her and her security in the building.
"My wife seems to be attracting all types of fish," Linc murmured as she read through some files.
"And how do you know that?"
"Because I know whoever is around you," he said softly. "Why aren't you resting at home love?"
"I'm just going over some papers for tomorrow's meeting."

"I'm sure you can cancel that meeting sweetheart," Linc said brushing his lips against her ear as she gasped in surprise.
"Lincoln," she whispered as he pulled her into his arms. "Darling you shouldn't be here," she said worriedly.
"That wasn't the reaction I expected," he frowned.
"You know it's not very safe for you, we still haven't found the person behind the attack."
"Can't a man come see his wife? I just wanted to hold you in my arms," he murmured kissing her forehead as she rested her head against his chest.

"I missed you, my love," she whispered afraid someone would hear them.
"Not as much as I did. Now come lie down, I want you to rest and let me do some work."
"But..."
She closed her mouth as he gave her a look that said all she needed to know. Choosing to ignore him she pushed him onto the seat straddling him.
"Can I at least get reacquainted with my husband properly," she whispered into his ear as he smiled at her.

An hour later she curled up beside him letting sleep finally overcome her. Waking up at three in the morning she found herself alone, covered with a blanket and a stack of papers neatly arranged on the table. On her wrist was a bracelet that had Lincoln's initials as well as hers and Zach's. She found that she could not remove it as it was locked.
Sad that he had left without saying goodbye she left the office heading home going straight to bed after checking up on her son.

------

The days slowly turned to weeks. Each became more painful as they could not see each other. Talking to him was never the same as seeing him face to face, his calls were becoming less frequent as she was focusing more on keeping the company afloat and him finding whoever had attacked him. Ethan was more than helpful as he opted to pick up Zach from school and bring him to her office most days or help her with the company.
Reaching for her phone one morning she saw a private message, opening it she smiled as it read, Have a day off, and she knew who exactly it was from.

Needing a breather she told Walter she didn't want the security detail following her wanting to relax. Whilst purchasing some juice Rafael walked up to her. Turning on his charm she let her keep her guard up as he openly flirted with her. She knew he was up to something, she just didn't know what.

"Care to join me for lunch," he asked her politely.
"Hmmm no thank you, I should be going home."
"Please I insist. Whenever will a man like me get the chance to whine and dine a beautiful woman like you?"
"I am sure there are plenty of women waiting for you to just ask that very question."
"Please Melinda I will go on my knees if I have to," he said making a move to kneel.
"Okay, I will join you for lunch," she said quickly as they were drawing unwanted attention.

"I thought we were going for lunch," she said after closing her door as he got out of his car.
"Yes, we are. My home is more private. Now shall we," he said holding out his hand to escort her into his house.
A lovely house it was but not as exquisite as Lincolns'.

"Mel I don't like this one bit," Linc murmured making her realize he was back on the line.
She allowed Rafael to do most of the talking as she nodded her head in agreement here and there.
"I always wanted Lincoln and I to merge our companies. You see the union would make us untouchable in the business world. Your husband had great ambition not focusing on one field but every single one of them from mining, to technology and science he did it all. He was lucky to have been taken in by a wealthy family. Can't say the same for you," he said looking at her as he sipped his wine.

"Hmmm let's see. You met Lincoln at an orphanage when you were six years old and him twelve. Became inseparable from day one, before the Shields adopted him at age fifteen. Obtaining a scholarship to go to MIT after you managed to finish high school with superb grades and getting help from the late Professor Stevens was truly a blessing, was it not? You were the child he never had, hence he left you all his money so you could build Global Tech. I believe you met your first husband at MIT, but he never really was as intelligent as you were, outdoing him in everything. No wonder you left him, or should I say he left you, taking your company from you right under your nose," he said with a smile.

"What is the deal with my life story Mr Rodriguez?"
"Please call me Rafael. Now as I was saying. Lincoln managed to go to the best schools thus acquiring a master's in business thanks to a rich mommy and daddy. This made him become my number one enemy, for him to be somebody when he could have remained a nobody. The universe must have been working in your favour for you to be reunited with your late husband and for you to fall for each other and fall pregnant with his child, such a shame."

Mel gasped.
"How did..."
"I have my ways, Melinda. Money opens doors you see, money can also open a person's mouth. Your little visit to the doctor earlier proved very fruitful," he said as her mouth was covered with a cloth before everything went black.

Waking up a few hours later she found herself in a different room.
"Lincoln," she groaned waking up.
"Sweetheart talk to me. What's happening?" Lincoln said.
"I'm in a room. I think it's locked or something. Help me Linc," she whispered.
"Stall them, Mel," Lincoln whispered. "I'm on my way," he said as she heard the rotation of helicopter blades.
"Finally you are awake," Rafael stated walking into the room. "Now there is someone who wants to talk to you. Oh before I forget kindly place your keys, phone and anything else you have on you on the table my dear. Wouldn't want you to cause trouble, now would we," he said as the doors were swung open revealing.......