A/N: Well, I still don't know what business Stahl took over so there will be just a reference. Because I just want to put the story out there. Hope you like!

"Harlee, please go see him. He doesn't deserve to be in that house alone tonight. Take my car".

THREE HOURS EARLIER:

The city is on the doorstep of autumn. On the streets, wind cuts to the bone but, thank God, it is warm inside. Stone walls are silent and solid and conversations are muffled. He can almost feel a buzz of excitement in the air. Hit or miss, he has to admit he had fun. He doesn't need alcohol-to him, caviar is lovely on it's own. Slowly, he rolls the little spheres against the roof of his mouth and, one by one, pops them with a flick of his tongue. The salty liquid tastes like the ocean. Slightly dazed from everything, he wanders the halls.

"Rob!" His wife catches up to him. "How are you?"

His look says it all :You really have to ask?

"That good?" She sighs and reaches out to get a speck off his lapel and fix his hair. For some reason, he lets her.

Behind him, familiar voice grabs his attention. He turns and sees Tomas making his way through a group of chattering suits.

"Hey, Rob, how is it going? I thought you wouldn't be caught dead taking care of this?"

When Stahl doesn't smile Marta pointedly widens her eyes and Tom catches himself.

"I am so sorry, I am an idiot. I've heard of your mom. I am terribly sorry".

Stahl nods. Marta steps closer and winds an arm around his waist. He closes his eyes for a moment. What wouldn't he give for this night to end.

There is a faint swishing sound and he looks up. God bloody damn it.

The first thing he sees are her eyes, they are like warm coals underneath very thick lashes. She blinks and he realizes that she looks even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. But eye contact is a bitch so he lowers his gaze and it glides over her neck, her shoulders, her collarbone and suddenly drops way way down- her silk dress is very very low cut. Before he starts contemplating what her skin would taste like he yanks his eyes upward and catches Harlee staring at Marta's rounded belly. Fuck.

Tomas just noticed and is smiling, too. "Congratulations! About time, you two!" "Congratulations!" Harlee's voice is kind but formal and she gives them a brilliant smile.

"Thank you so much...", they don't get to hear the rest of what Marta is saying. Her voice is suddenly muffled by the scraping of chairs and din of multiple voices rising up. MC is doing a great job at exciting the crowd:

" ..and I am thrilled to announce that as of half an hour ago we have raised the target amount, and now we can reveal the angel investor- Tomas Alderton!"

"What the fuck?" runs through Robert's mind.