Sorry guys. I came down with a nasty cold so I halted updates for a few days. No worries though, I'm back to daily updates this week. PeshyPrecious here is your daily dose.

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

             "So how do you like our country so far?" Brian asked sitting back.

"I just got here. I haven't had time to do any sightseeing yet"

"Ah yes, about that, do you need a tour guard? I could recommend one. That way you won't trouble Maggie while she's working"

"No thanks. And just so you know, I've worked with Maggie before. I can assure you she doesn't mind my presence at all"

"Is that so?"

"Yes"

"Okay. I do have to ask though. Are you her boyfriend or her bodyguard? With the way you keep following her around like a dogI'm inclined to think you're more of the latter"

"For her, I can be whatever she wants me to be"

"Yes, you're right. You can be whatever she wants you to be, well, except me. You can't be me and that's too bad"

Stephan leaned back in his chair eyeing the man opposite him. He had underestimated the guy and that had been his mistake. It was clear he knew what to do and say to make Maggie forget everything he'd done to her. He knew what buttons to press and when to press them. That was an advantage he had over him. He could see why Maggie had loved him once. He was charming and calculating. Add that to the fact that he knew her inside and out, well, Stephan had to admit Brian had an upper hand in this situation. Already, he had extended Maggie's stay here by two more weeks. That gave him more time to carry out his plans, whatever they were.

However, that didn't mean he was about to lose without a fight. He loved Maggie too and wanted what was best for her. This man had almost ruined her before. Hell, he was still trying to fix the parts he'd broken. It would be a cold day in hell before Stephan gave him the chance to do so again. If he wanted a fight then he was going to get it.

"I don't need to be Mr. Qarimi. We both know what she thinks of you"

"No we don't. I won't pretend to know what's going on in Maggie's head. She has this adorable habit of surprising people"

"True. But let's talk like grown up men for once. Shall we?" Stephan asked placing his hands on the table and intertwining his fingers "What is it that you want from Maggie?"

"Honestly? I just want her forgiveness"

"Just that?" he raised his eyebrows knowing that wasn't all the man wanted.

"Yes. For now that's all I want"

"I don't believe you. I know you want more than just her forgiveness"

"You're right, I do want more but for now, I'll settle for just her forgiveness"

"And later?"

"Later? I might try to win her back or just decide to be her friend. I still haven't made up my mind on that particular area"

"See that's where we're different Brian. While you're still trying to make up your mind, mine was made up years ago. I love Maggie. I want her to be the mother of my children. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. That's the reasonI am the one with her now and not you"

"That's not to say you've won. You could put a ring on her finger today only for her to marry me tomorrow. Your relationship right now doesn't guarantee anything"

"True. That's why you should know as early as this that I won't let her go without a fight"

"I like you Mancini. It's going to be fun beating you" he got up signaling for the waitress "Charge their lunch to my card. It's my treat"

"But they haven't ordered anything sir" the waitress replied, confused

"I'll leave my card with you. When they're done just give it to Maggie. She will keep it safely for me" glancing at Stephan he said "I need a reason to see her again. Don't I?" then he walked to Maggie's table where he bid them goodbye and left. Stephan smiled to himself. A sarcastic smile because it looked like he'd finally met his match.

This man was going to play dirty if the need arose. Which made him a very dangerous adversary but also a good opponent. He also liked challenges so yes, this was going to be fun. Getting up, he moved to Maggie's table

"Hey, are you ready to order? Your current boss left his credit card behind saying it was his treat"

Maggie's friend snickered "God, he's such a show off. We should go shopping and max it out. Let's see how he'll like that" they all laughed and Stephan decided that he liked this girl. She was a little insane and couldn't stop staring at him but her ideas were brilliant.

"That's a really good idea. I could use a new pair of shoes"

"Stop it you two" Maggie chastised " We are not going to use his money. As a matter of fact, let's go somewhere else for lunch"

"Don't be such a party pauper. If Brian wants us to use his money then let's do so. There's no need to disappoint him"

"No Sheila. Get up, we're leaving"

The waitress must have seen them because she rushed over asking "Sir, what about your lunch?"

"We decided to go somewhere else. As for the credit card..."

"What's your favorite food here?" Sheila cut in handing the menu to the waitress.

"Excuse me?"

"Your favorite food. Don't be shy, pick the most expensive item"

"Uh.... The chicken...."

"I'm ordering it and paying it for you. Swipe the card and make sure you charge three plates plus wine if you want to"

"Sheila..." Maggie started to say but her friend waved her off.

"Hurry up. You work so hard all day and you deserve a reward"

"Thank you ma'am" the waitress replied, scurrying away.

"You shouldn't have done that"

"Relax Maggie. He'll think we listened to him. Besides,  what will he do when he finds out the truth? Nothing"

"But still...."

"Let's go order real food. When was the last time you had fried fish?"

"I'm watching my weight"

"Yeah, like you would ever get fat by eating fish. Shut up and let's go. Stephan, let us introduce you to our local delicacy" standing between them, she took their arms and dragged them out. Stephan realized that he might have judged this country too soon. It wasn't so bad when there was someone as fun as Sheila.

---------------       

Maggie collapsed in bed sighing loudly. It had been fun seeing Sheila again. She was still fun to be around and a little crazy. She was also a mother of a really beautiful baby boy who's pictures they spent all afternoon staring at. They ate a lot of oily and unhealthy food, laughed like maniacs and even managed to go to the movies. For a second there, she had no worries. It had been just her, hanging out with her boyfriend and girlfriend. And wasn't that a big coincidence. She'd thought she'd didn't have friend only for an old one to turn up.

That coincidence had Brian written all over it. He'd brought Sheila to the hotel on purpose. She didn't want to think about why he was doing all these things. He was annoying and kept popping up in places she was in but she had to admit that thanks to him, she had her friend back. For some reason he knew what she needed before she herself did. Earlier during lunch she had been half listening to Sheila while her other ear tried to pick up on what they were discussing. Of course she didn't get a thing but she had a feeling they were talking about her.

"What were you talking about with Brian?" she turned to ask Stephan who was lying beside her.

"Just guy stuff. Why?"

"Nothing. I was just curious"

"Just curious, huh?"

"Yes. I know you guys aren't friends and don't get along so obviously I would want to know what you two were talking about"

"That translates to you know that we were talking about you and want to know the details. Am I right?"

"Okay fine. Will you tell me now?"

Pushing her on her back, he climbed on top of her "No. That's just between him and me"

"Fine, keep your secrets to yourself then"

"Are you mad at me?"

"No. Get off me, I'm going to take my makeup off"

"You don't have any make up on Maggie"

She blinked "What?"

"Remember? You decided you weren't going to put any on because we were just going down to have lunch....." she pushed him off and rushed to the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror

"Oh my God" Maggie gasped. She had walked around all day without any makeup on without realizing it. What's worse was that she had even let a few fans snap pictures of her at the theater. How come she hadn't felt anything out of the ordinary? This was insane. She'd definitely gone bonkers.

It turned out she was the only one who thought that. They woke up the next morning to news of how cool and down to earth she was. Some people even praised her for not needing makeup to look beautiful. She was reading all the comments online when someone knocked on the door. Stephan was in the bathroom so she opened it to find Brian on the other side. Carrying a diaper bag on one hand and Claire on the other.

"I need your help" he said adjusting the baby

"No" Maggie blurted out without knowing what he wanted. Of late, she felt that he was doing things just to confuse her. One second he's going around claiming that she was his and the next he was acting as if she was invisible. Yesterday he'd only said goodbye to Sheila, pretending as if she wasn't there. Today? He was standing outside her hotel room carrying a baby and looking..... Don't even go there Maggie.

"Come on, I promise it'll just be an hour tops. I volunteered to babysit so her parents could have a break and plan their wedding but something came up at work. I can't take her with me and I don't trust anyone else to take care of her. Please"

"No Brian. Find a babysitter or take her to daycare"

"She's innocent Maggie. Look at her, she doesn't even know what's going on. Don't judge her for her parent's mistakes" he pleaded. Maggie looked at the baby. Coincidentally, their eyes met and she smiled then lifted her tiny hands towards her, indicating she wanted to go to her "She even wants you to carry her. Please Maggie"

She bit her lower lip cursing him inwardly. He was right about Claire being innocent in everything. It wasn't her fault she had such an evil mother just like it wasn't Thomas's fault for having such greedy parents. Blowing a breath out, she took the baby from him.

"Thank you so much. I promise I'll be back to take her in an hour" Brian said placing the bag beside the door.

"Just hurry up" she grumbled but her attention was on the baby. It was the first time she was holding her niece. Maggie didn't know how to feel. She was overwhelmed by the feelings the child evoked in her. So much so that she didn't notice Brian leave or that he never came back after an hour. She was so absorbed in the child. They played, sent Stephan junk food and fell asleep on the bed surrounded by toys, food and the bed sheets they had been playing with.

Maggie woke up at around six in the evening. She didn't realize why she'd suddenly woken up until she turned her head and saw Thomas standing behind her. She looked down to see the baby still asleep beside her.

"You both looked so peaceful that I didn't want to disturb you" he said smiling down at her.

"Are you here to take her back?"

"Yes. But you're welcome to come play with her anytime you want"

"I.... I don't have time. After the shoot I'm going back"

"Maggie, I don't like that you're angry with me. You're the only family I have"

"No I'm not. You still have your parents and now a child and a wife. If you think about it, you don't have any space for me in your life"

"Don't say that. It not true"

"Just please stop. It was nice spending the day with her but everything comes to an end"

"Come on Maggie...."

"I'm going to take a shower. Close the door on your way out" she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Closing the door, she put her ear on it, listening until he left then came out. Suddenly she felt the sadness closing in on her. She realized that she truly missed Thomas now more than she did those five years she was away. Back then, she knew he was a phone call away. Every time she felt like it she would just pick up the phone and call him. Now? He was an hour away but she couldn't even go to him. Because he'd chosen Abby over her. And who wouldn't? They were a family now. Like always, she was left on the outside trying to look inside. Why?

Sliding down beside the bathroom door, she hugged her knees to her chest. For the first time she imagined how the baby she'd lost would have looked like. Would it have been a boy or a girl? She wouldn't feel so alone now if she was a mother, if she had someone who loved her unconditionally. The way Claire had looked up at her every time she made a funny face, with innocent love and adoration. How happy would she be if she had someone who would look at her like that everyday. It would make her life worth living.

All that made her wonder if she still had hope or was she too far gone? Could she still have the one thing she always wanted? Her own family?

**********************************************

Maggie's unraveling. What's next for her? 

I think it's time Abby comes back into the picture. Don't you?