A/N: Yes, I know. I took forever. My excuse(s): I couldn't think, I couldn't be bothered, and thats all I got at the moment. It's not a great chapter...kinda short as well, but its just showing...well read it and you'll see. By the way, the name Karan (Cornelia's finace) is Indian. It's pronounced Kuh-rn (ren). Not like the girls name, Karen. Just so that's clear. Also, I don't mind how big your reviews are (Puerillity) - in fact, the bigger the better.

Ok, enjoy. And please please please review!!!

Chapter 4: Attempt

It had been a few weeks since Cornelia and Caleb's agreement and during that time neither had attempted anything to save their quickly weakening relationships. However, today would be different.

"This is crazy," said Caleb folding his arms as he and Cornelia walked to the café she chose for the morning. "She's so self-centered she won't even notice."

Cornelia stopped to glare at him. "Caleb. I don't think you understand the point of this exercise. You love her. You want her to pay attention. Focus!" She snapped her fingers in front of his face and continued on, Caleb sullenly following her.

"So, say it again," he said as they sat down.

She rolled her eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. "Ok. Basically what you want is attention – the lack of it is what's causing a strain in your relationship," she added as he raised his eyebrows before continuing, "so, what you need to do is do something which attracts her attention. Something out of the blue. Something…different."

"Something what?" he said impatiently. This was stupid…

"Do something that shows you still care."

He leaned forward over the table, eyes narrowed. "I do care. She's the one that doesn't care!"

Cornelia closed her eyes and put her nose in the air, wearing a very superior expression on her face. "Whatever Caleb…"

"Just tell me what to do."

She opened an eye. "You want my opinion?" she asked looking smug.

He glared. "Yes, I want your opinion. Otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time here."

"Nice to know that you think hanging out with me is a waste of your precious time," she said sourly.

His lips twitched. "Cornelia, I didn't mean it like that –"

"Do you want to hear it or not?"

"I'm listening."

"Good. Now…"

Mandy came home, worn out from her day at work. She was tired, it was late, and her shoes were killing her. Also, Caleb was probably waiting to have another argument with her which she was so not in the mood for.

She unlocked the door and stepped inside, dropping her bag on the table and heading over to couch to sit next to her boyfriend.

"God, I've had a long tiring day," she groaned massaging her temples.

Caleb's intuition switched on and he sat up suddenly, Cornelia's words flowing back into his mind.

"When she comes back from work, she'll be like 'God, I've had a long tiring day,' and that will be your chance to pamper her. Like give her massages, make her coffee –

"She doesn't drink coffee – sorry," he put in as she glared at him.

"- make her a nice dinner. The usual."

"Everyday?"

She gave him a devilish look. "Depends on how she takes the first day."

"Here! Let me give you a massage." He grabbed her shoulders, spun her around and began hammering his fists along her back.

"A-a-a-a-hhhh," Mandy stammered as he beat against her. "C-c-c-c-a-a-l-l-e-b-b, s-s-s-t-o-p." She scrambled out of his grip and he leapt to his feet, an unusually enthusiastic grin on his face.

"Let me get you some tea!" He dashed away as Mandy stared after him.

"I don't want – tea," she finished as he came to a skid in front of her. He stepped forward to give it to her when his foot caught the table leg and the hot liquid flew over the rim of the cup. Both watched as it slowly went up and came down onto Mandy's lap.

She screamed as it burnt her legs and jumped up. "What – I don't – just – aah!" she yelled throwing one of the couch cushions at his face.

His mouth hung open slightly as she stormed into her room and slammed the door shut.

Cornelia clutched the bag of expensive take out as she walked past the security guards at the entrance of the building and headed into the lifts. She could hear someone talking as the elevator came to a stop on the top floor. As it opened, she came face to face with an average heighted woman a few years older than her, talking flat out on her Blackberry.

"And after you've done that, have his car delivered to the mechanic for servicing, then go to that Chinese restaurant on the corner and order no. 17 and bring it here pronto, then go collect the dry cleaning. After that –" She caught sight of Cornelia and stopped mid-sentence and snapped the phone shut.

"Cornelia! What are you doing here?" She threw her arms around the blonde's neck.

Cornelia smiled and pushed her hair off her face as she was let go. "Thought I'd bring Karan lunch seeing as I need some sort of excuse to come here."

Kate's face fell slightly. "You brought Karan lunch? Oh, ok…"

"Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Ok, you give me that," she said, her face cheerful again as she took the bag from Cornelia, "and I will make sure Karan gets it."

"Can't I see him?" asked Cornelia.

Kate's face looked a little apprehensive for a minute as she turned away. "He's busy."

It took most of Cornelia's patience to understand that calmly. That's all she ever heard. He's busy.

"Fine," she said coolly. "I'll see him at the wedding then."

"Cornelia –"

"Cornelia?" A tall man around 26 stood in the doorway of the office that took up most of the top floor. His face broke into a smile. "How are you?" His eyes flickered to Kate as a clear indication to leave them alone. Kate left without a word.

After she left, Karan came closer and put his arms around Cornelia. "So? How's my fiancé?"

"I'm good," said Cornelia mustering a smile. "I came to see you."

It was rather unnerving how his face changed to mimic Kate's expression. "See me? About that Cornelia –"

"Oh, don't worry. I was just leaving anyway. I heard you're too busy."

It would've been remarkable if he hadn't noticed the sarcasm in her words.

"Cornelia, try to understand," he said running his fingers through her hair hair. "Just a few more months and we'll be married and you can see me all you want."

"But –"

"I'm sorry; it's just the way it is," he said his voice ringing with dismissal. He put his finger under her chin and lifted it up. "Ok?"

She sighed and nodded, pulling away. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Cornelia?"

She paused at the elevator.

"I love you."

Her hand froze on the button. She was supposed to reply back. But was there a point to saying meaningless empty words, to lying? If she was in love with him, which she was of course.

"Me too," she stammered eventually, unable to repeat the same words. With that she fled into the open elevator and didn't turn around until the doors closed in his face.

"So that worked well!" she fumed storming up to him the next morning. He raised his eyebrows.

"What did?"

"Nothing!" she shouted causing him to wince at her loud voice. She lowered her tone. "That was a stupid idea."

"Yours didn't work any better. She completely freaked," he shot back.

"You probably didn't do it right. Wouldn't be the first time."

"And what haven't I done right?"

She struggled to come up with something. "Lots of things! Like – you just – I mean – ugh. Never mind!" Cornelia turned around and started walking away.

Caleb rolled his eyes and followed her. "Does it honestly matter?"

"It matters to me," she said looking at him with wide eyes. He stared back, seeing the hurt in her eyes.

"Fine. What are you going to do now then?"

"I don't know," she said crossing her arms. "What do you think?"

"Do what your heart tells you."

There was a beat before she snorted. "What?"

He laughed too, the smile spreading across his usually serious face as he shrugged. "I don't know. Isn't that the usual stupid advice people give each other?"

"Probably," she said. "The stupid advice stupid people give. Ok, so things didn't work the first time. We can try again." She dug around in her bag and pulled out a book. "This book is really good. It –"

Caleb snatched it out of her hands. "Saving Your Marriage by Anna Marie Lou." This time he was the one to snort. "You're not married."

"Almost," she replied coldly. "Anyway, even though I don't believe in this stuff it's helpful. She knows a lot about marriages."

"Of course she does; she's been married four times." He stretched his arm out to throw it in the bin when she yanked it out of his grip and stuffed it back in her bag.

"Listen, I have another plan –"

"Which I don't want to hear. I'm tired," he said stopping and looking at her. "I'm tired of trying to save a relationship I have no idea why I'm in. I don't want to do this anymore."

"What do you want to do then?"

He didn't say anything for a while. "I just want to do whatever I want. I don't need people to tell me what to do." He stuffed his hands in pockets and turned away. A smaller hand curled around his wrist.

"Can I come?"

He stared at the eager blue eyes and nodded.