Balki had loved Chelsie…once.

They had met at one of those Chicago parties where the only reason you go is to be seen. If you wanted to advance in business anywhere in this city you made sure you attended every party you were invited to. The more connections you made, the better. Balki had no interest in attending the party. He'd been doing alright at the office he'd recently been hired at, but Cousin Larry always wanted to be one step above, no matter how successful he was. Balki grinned to himself as he wandered around the large room. Let Larry mingle. He was happy where he was and didn't care if he met someone to help him climb the ladder. He'd hang out and enjoy the evening.

He'd first seen her across the room, a blonde goddess surrounded by men. Some were asking her to dance, some were bringing her drinks, and most were just fawning over her and hoping she would pay attention to them. Even though he thought she was beautiful, Balki stayed right where he was. A beautiful woman that commanded that much attention would never be interested in him and his boring life. He was content to admire her from afar. Until, she showed up at his side and asked him how he was enjoying the party.

"Hello!" Balki extended his hand to her.

"You look familiar to me. Have we met?" The woman asked, as she looked down at his hand, gingerly putting her own hand into his palm, grasping lightly and giving his hand a shake before releasing it quickly.

"I don't think so."

"Weren't you on the cover of Newsweek or something?"

"Me? Of course not." Balki laughed. "Don't be ridiculous! You must have me mistaken with someone else."

"Hmm." She pondered. "How come I haven't seen you around the room before now?"

"I don't know. I came with my cousin. I just got a new job and don't know a lot of people there yet. I guess I've just been observing." Balki explained.

"Well, come on." She grabbed his arm and tugged him towards her. "Let's go meet some people."

"Wait a second!" Balki grinned as she spun around to face him. "What's your name?"

"What about you?" she challenged.

"My name is Balki Bartokomous. I'm what you'd call mid level management at Atkinson and Associates. I just started there."

"I like your accent, Balki Bartokomous." The blonde gave him a dazzling smile. "My name is Chelsie Glidden, I don't do anything, really. My daddy owns this building, so I get to enjoy the parties and meet all the people!"

She gave Balki another smile and took his arm. "Let's go circulate, Mr. mid-level management."

Their circulating led to Chelsie returning with him to his apartment after the party, which led to their getting together every weekend, which soon turned into seeing each other every day when Chelsie would make "unexpected" visits to Balki's office. This, of course, all led to Balki, who was head over heels in love, proposing to Chelsie after just six months.

Her parents were extremely happy that someone had finally managed to hold on to Chelsie for more than a month and had made a serious commitment with her. They liked Balki and her father soon offered him a position with his company. Balki's cousin wasn't as crazy about Chelsie, however. Larry didn't like her from the moment he met her, but couldn't put his finger on the reason why. It was difficult, but he held his tongue for Balki's sake. He was in love and he couldn't tell him who to give his heart to. Balki wouldn't listen or believe him anyway.

Balki had a few moments of doubt himself, but he put them down to Chelsie being a nervous bride to be. There were days when she would burst into his office and demand to know who a certain female was, only calming down when Balki assured her that the woman was someone's secretary or a client. When they were looking for places to live after they were married, Chelsie wanted the house of her dreams. If the real estate agent showed them something with features she didn't want, she would rant and rave until Balki took her aside and explained that not every house they looked at would be exactly what she wanted. Those moments were few and far between though and Balki pushed them aside and out of his memory, as their wedding date got closer.

One week before the wedding Chelsie was meeting Balki for lunch in his new office in her father's building.

"Who the hell is that?" Chelsie slammed the door and threw her coat at Balki.

"That's Lana, she's my secretary." Balki caught the coat, lifting it over the desk to avoid knocking his coffee over.

"Since when do you have a secretary?"

"Since your dad gave me a new job, remember?" Balki hung the chic black coat on the rack in the corner and tossed Chelsie a grin.

"He gave you Lana too?"

"No." Balki looked confused. "He gave me you. Lana just came with the job." As he moved to Chelsie, he pulled her close to him and gave her a hug. Chelsie pushed herself away and began pacing the room. "She's too pretty. I don't like her."

"Chels, she's just my secretary. It's no big thing."

"I'm going to talk to daddy, why do you need such a good looking secretary?"

"What?"

"You're mine Balki. I'm not sharing you with anyone."

"Chelsie, I love you. Did somebody say something? Don't you believe it because it's total baba…"

Chelsie cut his words short. "Enough of that stupid language! I don't want her in this office with you. Get rid of her."

"Chels, I…I can't just fire her. What the big deal is? I love you, you're going to be my wife."

"Just get rid of her. I never want to see her again." Chelsie peeked out the window in the door and locked it to make sure no one would bother them.

"Now, about the wedding…"