All the cloudy thoughts that has been bugging me ever since I came here got washed out when I got a good night sleep. Come on, who wouldn't be bummed after knowing that you are sharing a floor with the man who actually wants to divorce you? It is just funny because I was the one who planned to ask for that but he only happens to propose it first.

Besides, what should I expect as well? That he would stay single and wait for my return? I'm not the only one responsible for this because I'm also at fault here to be begin with. But that chance that I gave him that night when I went back to Gaffan and ended up seeing him and Silvia together, isn't that a sign of the heavens that this marriage won't work anymore? We are just hurting ourself more and to think that he went to the hotel the next day, screaming for a chance, I do not know what to think anymore.

Jeez, marriage is a pain in the ass. It's only a pain because we got married at such a young age! We only care about the love we share and didn't think aboht the consequences it holds. Marriage is not just because of love for it is also the responsibility and the power to do everything just save it. But in our case, it was hard.

Fuck, at 5 am and this is what I'm already thinking? Great. It is really top early to start a breakfast and usually at an hour like this, I was working out at the gym.

And thag just gave me the idea.

I quickly got off the bed, do some morning routine and arrange my looks. I don't want to look too haggard at this time so I put on a red lipstick and then put on my gym clothes. It just a green sports bra and some leggings to keep myself comfortable while performing those stunts later.

Since it is already weekend, I don't want to laze around and let myself just flow whatever my body leads me to. I must make a plan and finish my paintings later. Offers has been piling up and as much as I can, I want to go back to Paris the sooner the better and avoid anymore complications. But of course, I must take care of some papers for the divorce and it might be the reason that will make me stay here a little longer. But I will have our family lawyer take care of it.

When I stepped onto the lobby of the building, I was greeted by Ramon who was standing next to the reception area. He is the one mostly in charge every morning and he is actually a nice lad, very kind and very sweet. His wife is so lucky have such man.

"Good morning, Ramon!" I cheerfully greeted him.

He glances at me and smiled widely. "Oh, Ms. Berekely, good morning to you too. I hope you had a splendid night."

"Yep, just a few drinks and I'm passed out." I joked.

Ramon laughed with me. "So, heading for the gym?"

"Yes, actually. I need to get rid off the excess." I shrugged then started walking.

"Okay, Ms. Berekely. Have fun at the gym!" he waved at me goodbye. I saw the other day that there is a gym two blocks from here so I just followed my sense of direction. Luckily, I got there and there are only a few people there.

I was signing for a member when suddenly, of all times, I got a chance to bump into Lucas again as he enters the door.

"Hey, it's good to see you here." Lucas stated as he signs in.

"You always come here?" I asked, trying to act casual in front of him after I was done signing the membership.

"Yes, it became a routine every morning." Lucas replied, while racking his eyes to check me wholesome. Then his eyes settled and made an amused smile upon seeing my toned abs. "And you too seem to have a often visitation at the gym too."

"I have a few equipments in my aparment back in Paris and...yoga?" I mentioned, entering further to the gym but we didn't separate ways yet.

"Hm...it is kinda obvious. Your body is toned and fit." Lucas mentions with a smile. "So, I will be heading here, how about you?"

"I will run first at the treadmill." I told him.

"Oh, that's right where I was heading too." He and I went to the left side and there was the treadmills and some heavy gym equipments.

I put my bag down and started some warm ups first before getting into the thread mill. Lucas was doing some cardio which was the rowing machine. No doubt why he became such a hunk because he practically lives in this gym and has been working out non stop. I tried my best to focus on running instead of looking at how his muscles flex and not to overthink things.

After running, I went on to do the hanging leg raise which was my favorite one because it really enhances your abdominal area and to work on your abs even more. It took me over two hours to go around the gym and be satisfied with my workout. When I was resting, I happen to find myself walking towards Lucas who is now at the pull up bar. I was leaning on the post while watching him to his thing.

"Hey, new here?" A man appeared behind me who is drinking a bottle of water.

I made a small smile, trying not be rude for a first timer in this gym. "I am, how about you?"

"Nah, I'm a regular here." He replied, offering his hand for me to shake. "I'm Jim, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Jim." I accepted his hand shake and he was holding my longer than it would he before letting it go. "Um...Talia."

"Talia, well I am looking forward to the next meetings that I will be seeing you here." He winked at me. Honestly, I got used to men's approaches like this because every time I go alone to the gym, to a club, a party or any places that has a lot of people, there would be men coming to my side and introducing themselves especially when I'm in Paris. And I also know how to turn them down in the nicest way. "I was heading to get some breakfast nearby, would you like to join me?"

Okay, here goes the invite.

I was about to turn down his offer nicely but Lucas butted in our conversation and manages to answer for me.

"Asking another girl to go out with you, Jim? You must be desperate to even hit for my friend here." Lucas stated, he had a towel around his neck and his skin shines because of the sweat.

"Awe, stop ruining the mood, Lucas. I'm just trying to ask this woman out."

"And I'm ending it, don't you dare try to make a move on her. I'm serious." Whoa, Lucas doesn't look scary at first glance but his eyes are too strong to even handle. Those eyes can tell show everything even his face appears to be blank.

"Fine, big guy. I can never win against you." Jim raises his hand in surrender before walking away and leaving us be.

Lucas is still standing in front of me but I try to lift myself up and act casual again. "I totally can handle that." I playfully crossed my arms and grab my bag.

He grab his own bag as well and chuckles. "I know you can, I just feel like doing it." with that, he walked out of the gym ahead of me. Causing me to ran too him and walk with him.

"Can I walk with you?" I don't know why I am even asking this.

"Of course, Talia." He genuinely replied, giving me a quick smile, slowly adjusting his pace with mine. He is such a fast walker! "So, do you have any plans for today? Go out? Hang out with some friends?"

I let out a chuckle. "I don't have any friends to hang out with. All my friends live in Paris."

"Then about work?"

"I am planning to continue my paintings that clients has been requesting." I replied, keeping it causal with him. I don't want to act too comfortable around him but I also don't want to act shy. "How about you?"

"I have work today, I need to visit a construction site today to check out the building." Lucas replied, "By the way, about the painting, I'm still serious about buying your artwork."

Oh, that topic again.

"I am also serious when I told you that it is for sale, Lucas. Don't force it." I cleared. "How about I make you a new one?"

Lucas shakes his head. "No, I want that painting."

I scoffed. "I'm sorry, Lucas but I am not selling you the painting. It means so much for me and its one of my masterpiece."

It seems like Lucas wasn't convinced yet and it is making me so confuse about it, why does he badly want to buy that painting? It is because it is me and my child? Well, I didn't make it obvious that it us and even if it is, he could have just asked me if I am the woman in the painting. I don't feel confident about the nod he made but it is really bothering me.

When we reached the aparment building, Ramon called for me once I entered the lobby.

"Ms. Berekely, a delivery for you. It just came a few minutes ago." He brings out a bouquet of different flowers, arranged beautifully then handed it to me.

Lucas didn't ask anything about it, he just stood there and waited for me before hopping inside the elevator.

"Oh, thank you. Wow, this is lovely." I huffed the bouquet near me and opened the letter it came with.

To my lovely Belle,
Congratulations for the success at the
gallery. As much as I want to give these flowers to you personally, I really can't. But thanks for the help of your brother. I'm proud of you and see you soon. Miss you.

I no longer need to see who wrote it.

A wide smile forms in my lips and I couldn't help it that even Lucas caught me. "It is from Ezekiel? Your lover?"

I shook my head but the grin is still plastered on me. "Nope." it feels funny that he thinks that Ezekiel is my boyfriend or anything.

His forehead frowns in confusion and gave me a look. "Your other lover?"

I answered him with a grin and sheepishly walked towards the elevator with him behind me. He seems a little bothered when I nodded at his question. Now he is probably thinking that I have two lovers at once.

"It's from my boyfriend." I suddenly spoke even though he is not asking. I just don't know why I'm telling him this but maybe because I don't want him to think that he's the only one has a lover here. I should be the one who moved on first and finally settled down with a family.

"From Paris?"

I nodded. "My brother helped him."

"You have a brother?"

Oh shit, I forgot to mention to him that I have an old brother who rebelled and runs away from home. I was too angry at him that time that I tried to forget so I never told anyone that I had a brother. Even to Lucas whom I married for three years and even now if these years were included.

"I do." I replied, trying to ease the awkwardness. "He runs away from home before we got married and I tried to forget about him. And now, he came back and promised to regain my trust back." I explained, crossing my fingers around me.

"Oh, so it was an older brother?"

I nodded. "He's gay."

"That's okay, I'm just shock to find out that you have a brother. If he didn't run away, I'm sure there is another person in your love who doesn't want me to be with you." he murmured, shortening my breath at his retort.

"O-of course now, Lucas! I'm sure my brother will be on our side!" I didn't know how to response because this might start a conversation that we are trying to avoid from the start. There is a short term darkness in his expression but it was quickly taken over by blankness. And that made me shiver nervously. He stood there in silence and when we reached our floor, I was expecting that he would say goodbye but I was yet again, taken back.

"Will the result still be the same if he approved about our relationship before? Is one person who approved in your family be enough to feel contented?" Lucas said that with his eyes fixed on the ground. I gulped and felt like my heart drops on the floor and been stomped at.

I was going to say anything but Lucas gave me a sad and painful smile." Never mind what I said. I was just thinking out loud" there was something in his eyes that gives me the chills. Did Lucas just hinted something that he never really wanted the marriage to end and we could have gotten a mucb easier path to our life.

Less problem.

And less people who hates us.

"See you around." I waved at him before punching it my codes and so did he.

"Bye." He also replied before fully entering his unit.

When I got in, I dropped the flower on my desk and wrote an email to Valentin to thank him about the flowers. It seems like he really got my brother to have him involved in his play but I really do appreciate his effort. Valentin always makes a way to show his love for me every time I succeeded in something.

I rested for a while before dipping myself in my tub and my mind just went raging on. If Nate knew aboht me and Lucas from. The start, he will never approve as well. In fact, he was the first one who will tell me stop this idiocy and find a man that can give me the world.

The day is still early to spend on nothing but I am not really in the mood to go out and explore the city.

So I just drown myself into working. It usually takes me at least three days to finish one painting but right now that I was working nonstop, I'm halfway done.

I only took a quick break to make my dinner and I was done when I heard loud barking outside my door. My eyebrows touched in confusion and placed my plate down on the table to check it out. Opening my front door, I was surprised to see an Akita dog with a beautiful smooth golden colored hair with eyes as cute as a button. His tail was wagging widely as if he is here to greet me.

"Hi, boy. Where did you came from?" I rubbed his head causing him to wag his tail faster and he even started licking my hand. He must be smelling the meat that I was frying and run over here.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps making their way up the elevator.

It was Lucas.

The dog left me then went immediately to him. "Hey, buddy. Told you not to ran off without me." he playfully pats its head before turning to me. "Sorry did he disturb you?"

"No, not really." I chuckled. "Is he yours?"

"Yep, he ran off when we entered the building so I used the starts from the lobby up to thus floor just to follow him." he was panting and continues rubbing his dog. "By the way, this is Bruno."

"Bruno?"

"Yeah, my friends named him when we found him abandoned in a trashcan." He answered, "Dogs aren't really allowed here but they made an exemption since I don't really live here."

"What do you mean?"

"My real home is under construction so I temporarily live here for a while." Lucas replied, "So, how are you today? Did you leave or go somewhere?"

I wrinkled my nose and shake my head. "No, I just stayed home and finished my painting."

Lucas nodded then started walking towards his own unit while holding Bruno's leash. The dog is still looking at me with his puppy eyes as if he really wanted to have a peace of the meat. I was going to close my door but Lucas called me once again.

"By the way, are you interested to go for a run tomorrow?" Lucas asked.

"What?"

"I would for a run with my friends tomorrow morning at five am. I was wondering if you would like join me?"

A run? That's sounds good but I don't know if it would be good for us to be together there. Oh, screw it. Now is not the time to grow insecure around him but why not give it a try?

"Wouldn't Silvia be coming?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and the side of my lip lifted.

Lucas made a confident look. "Silvia is not into those things and beside, it doesn't matter. I would be happy if you come."

I gulped and made a little poll inside my mind. I bit my lower lip and it just took me a few minutes before nodding my head. "Sure, count me in." honestly, it made me unconsciously happy to hear that from him. As if my inner self is jumping up and down. It is just a run, Talia. Don't get too excited about it. You're fluttered too much.

Lucas grins and nods in agreement. "Great, let just see each other here before 5?"

I nodded. "Alright, see you."

"See you."

I ended the conversation there I slowly close the door.

I don't know but the excitement really grew inside me when he asked me to come.

Guess old flames really burns you fast.

Fast and deep.

and tomorrow, there is a huge chance that I would come face to face with Silvia if she comes. And that might start the raging fire inside me to burst out.

But what the hell, I am the wife here.

The thing that will burst a hole in me is too see them all so yucky in love in front of me.

Tsk, I should face that and accept that besides I was the one who left him in the first place. He asked for another chance but I was too selfish to give it. So, it might be my fault why we are in this situation.

But I am more than ready to move on from him. Let him be with Silvia.

If he truly loves me before, he wouldn't continue his affair with her. So it is true, he fell for her.

And I will never forget that.

To be continued...