Santa Montes was a beautiful city; it had the most exquisite buildings Nadine had ever seen. It had been a long time since Nadine had seen something as grand as this. Their town was a small one with a few outstanding buildings and businesses littered around the constricting land space of the town. She loved their home, its seclusion had built her well-desired serenity, yet she could not help but to miss the beauty of looking up to buildings.

Dominic pulled her closer to his side as they walked through the streets. Nadine slipped her hand around his waist while he tightened his grip on her shoulder. The city was awake with life, so busy that Nadine could not hear her heels click on the floor. Cars zoomed past them, with traffic lights working overtime to control the movement of the hurried drivers. Women and men ran past in dark suits, evidently rushing to work or an important event. There were others, dressed casually, out for a morning walk with their pets or a partner. Nadine took in all the details.

"A few days ago, that could have been you." Nadine spoke up to Dominic. Pinching him at the sides, she pointed her chin at one of the men waiting to cross the busy street and cursing at the traffic light.

Dominic chuckled. "I believe that I will be the one in the car not on my feet. The city is a bit busy though, Are you okay? I know how much you hate large crowds."

"Hate is a strong word. Besides, they make rowdy look so ordered even to my very perfectionist eyes. The city has its own tranquil beauty. Your friends have been enjoying such a lovely city for some time now. I am more than glad that he was able to drag us out here?"

Dominic dropped his head to give her a small kiss on her lips. She smiled at him as they continued to walk around. Dominic had not left his town in over eight years —nothing outside interested him. He almost forgot what it was like to live in a big city, so much good drama at every turn. No one really focused on him, to everyone in the city he was another simple man with simple plans and problems. There were no secret cameras hiding behind the bushes waiting for the perfect moment to capture a picture for them. Out there, far from the town, it was just the two of them.

"Dom, my man. Over here."

Dominic turned to look across the road. Harrison stood under the shade of an umbrella; he waved at them with a wide smile plastered on his face. Dominic and Nadine waved back with enthusiasm before they quickly crossed the road to meet Harrison on the other side.

Dominic hugged his friend and patted him on the back as they laughed. It had been such a long time since he had seen his old friend, a spit of luck that he saw him now but there was no words to describe how he missed him. Harrison had been the cool headed one in their group, he always took them to the most amazing places and when they separated, Dominic learned to live without their friendship. After so many years, with Harrison in front of him, Dominic was rushed with memories from their days together.

"Oh man it has been way too long." Harrison smiled, his eyes falling on Nadine who stood gleefully behind Dominic. "Wow, my wife would slap me if she hears about this. I didn't even ask about this angel right here when I already know who you are."

Dominic smiled at his wife laughter then moved to place a hand on her waist. "Harrison, this is my wife. Nadine. Nadine, Harrison."

"Pleasure to meet you." Harrison gave her a quick hug then with a complete switch of attitude, punched Dominic on the arm. "You salty dog. Got married and did not even think of me?"

"How you found me is still baffling to me myself."

Harrison laughed, he turned to walk them into the restaurant. "That's pure luck my friend. After my fiancée said yes to me, I went to drink at my father's grave, you know, let him know his boy was finally about the get married. After that old memories kind of hit my more than the alcohol. Went back home and dug some old files and pictures. Found your old mailing address and tried everything out. Glad at least something worked."

"Now I feel like a horrible friend for not trying that. I am sorry about your father as well. I remember how much you loved him."

"Thank you." Harrison replied solemnly for a moment then quickly brightened up. "Well at least you are here. Your wife's beauty has made up for your short comings man. I can understand why you couldn't see the past when this bright light was leading your future."

"Really." A cool voice called from behind them. "Now if her beauty is his excuse for forgetting his friends and you remembered, what does that say about me?"

The woman wore a short white dress with a large blue belt secure around her waist and blue flowered wedges to match. Dominic would admit she was beautiful, a few years older than his wife maybe but she still looked so young. Her neck supported many thin gold chains while her hands glittered from the diamond bracelet she wore. Apart from her engagement ring, she had a few on other fingers as well. The woman smelled and looked like money.

"Oh darling, you shine just bright enough for me to show you the good days of my youth so you wouldn't only know this old sod. Dominic was one of those bright youthful day. Dominic and Nadine please this is my lovely fiancée, Cassandra."

"Pleased to finally meet you Dominic." She shook his hand before doing the same to his wife. "You as well Nadine. Please tell me you will accompany me on my bachelorette party. It is going to be a sad two woman show if you don't come."

Nadine looked at him for a while before she turned her infectious smile back on Cassandra. "Well we wouldn't want that. Of course, I would be the third wheel."

"More like the saving wheel."

Harrison led them to their table, far from the ears and gazes of the other people in the restaurant. Dominic knew that they were not for him, so they were in no doubt for Harrison and his fiancée. Cassandra looked in tune with it; she kept her head high on her straight shoulders and only looked at her fiancée, Dominic and Nadine. With effect to his ego, she handled the public eyes better than he did.

"Nadine." Her name made her perk up as she turned to look at Harrison, who seemed to have gained an interest in her. "How are you enjoying the city? Santa Montes can have its fair share of annoying people sometimes.""

"Not as much as I have seen. It has been wonderful even though we have not spent that long here. Everyone just seems so busy out here."

Cassandra smiled, dropping her champagne glass on the table. "Trust me; there is so much competition out in the city. It is more than hard to live in. At least for those climbing the ladder but for me, it's pretty much a drive in the park."

"Forgive Cassandra's ego, it is well deserved but she still can't help herself. All things aside, maybe before the wedding I can take a day off to show you and your wife the best places. Trust me; I am the best tour guide that has walked this city."

"He says my ego needs pardon." Cassandra murmured before she shoved some noodles into her mouth.

They laughed together while they ate and talked more about their weddings. Dominic was stunned about how all the years passed by him without a hit. There were no regrets, nothing felt lost. It was as if they said goodbye a month ago and just got back together for reunion. Nadine looked happy as well, she spoke more than she usually did and she did not seem to mind their company in the slightest. Harrison was always fun to be with; Dominic was just so pleased that his wife felt the same.

"So Nadine." Cassandra began, sipping a little of her champagne before she continued. "What do you do?"

"Not much." Nadine replied with a small shrug. "I run a restaurant back home; it is an art slash restaurant if you want to put it that way. People come in to eat and if you are interested in the art around, you can place an order and buy it."

"Really! You paint?"

"I do." Nadine smiled with pride. "Not all the paintings I my restaurant are mine, mind you, but yes, I do paint. If ever you and Harrison decided to stop by to visit Dominic you can come by and I'll gladly give you a discount on whatever painting you like."

"I like that idea. Harrison and I feel like our home could use a new set of paintings. Apparently he doesn't like the ones I chose when I was redecorating." Cassandra dropped her voice into a dramatic whisper. "His taste is bad so I didn't think I needed to ask."

"Were you on a trip?" Dominic asked Harrison who shook his head with a smile.

"Hospital. I was in the hospital when she decided to massacre my home with these horrid paintings that made IT look like a comedy show."

"They so were not that bad." Cassandra inputted.

"Hospital?" Dominic asked, looking between the engage couple. "What happened?"

"I had a crazy run in with a mad woman. Let's just say I made it out with my organs intact"

Cassandra leaned in. "Mad is too kind a description but discussing her would sour our lunch believe me."

Nadine nodded, "Understood."

The lunch date ended and they all said goodbye to one another outside the restaurant. Cassandra and Harrison waited for Dominic to call and enter into their cab before they felt comfortable enough to leave. Seated in the back of the moving car, with Nadine snuggled at his side, Dominic continued to enjoy the day. He murmured an apology to Nadine as he sat up to hand the taxi driver some extra cash.

"Take us around the city for a while before you head to the hotel."

"Of course sir." The man replied politely. Accepting the money and taking a slight bend into another street.

Dominic settled back into the seat, lifting his hands so Nadine could cuddle up to his side again. She did not speak, and neither did he. They just sat together soaking up the beautiful sight of the city. Dominic knew it would be a more beautiful drive if they had taken it at night. With the lights from the buildings and the streetlights brightening the darkening day.

Seated in the back seat of the car, Dominic travelled back to the years when he started dating Nadine. There were times he picked her up from her work and they would drive around the town, even a bit out of the town lines, just to have fun. Some nights he would park the car on the side of the road and they would sit of the hood of the car and watch the stars and the moon or eat some snacks. Nadine loved the car rides; she once told him it was the highlight of her week whenever he took her for a long drive.

Looking back, Dominic noticed how much things had changed since they were married. They no longer went out for their rides, no longer went out cycling or jogging with each other. He knew it had nothing to do with their love for each other but he quietly wondered how they allowed those things fade away. Dominic reach around, cradling her head against his shoulder, she murmured something incoherent and shuffled closer to him. Nadine had fallen asleep.

"Sir?" The driver called out quietly, his eyes focused on the rear-view mirror. "We are here?"

Dominic lifted his body gently to look out the window, noticing that the taxi had stopped in front of their hotel. The driver was kind enough to leave the car to open the door for Dominic, who thanked him whole-heartedly. Dominic reached into the car and lifted a sleepy Nadine into his arms.

"I am awake." She slurred, yawing and trying to get herself on her feet. "Dominic, I am awake."

"No. You are sleeping." He gently insisted, walking into the hotel and heading straight for the elevators. Nadine nodded, holding on to his shoulder with one hand and returned her head to his chest. She was asleep by the time he reached their room. Trying his best not to drop, or wake his wife, he opened the door with the key and marched straight towards the bed.

It was still the afternoon but the flight had been long and he knew Nadine was too tired to do anything. Dominic sat on the bed, pulling off her heels, necklace and earrings. Deftly, he unbuttoned her jeans; thankfully, they were the baggy type so they slipped right off her with no force. He removed his shoes and jacket as well. Then he got into bed beside her.

Lifting the blanket over then, Dominic settled into the soft sheets. He rested his arm over her waist and closed his eyes.