"So

"So...anyone new coming to this dinner?" She inquired softly.

"No...actually Serena, this is just a meeting between friends of other businesses." He paused. "I believe you already know everybody."

"Oh." Her response was distant, but as usual, he hadn't noticed.

"Good evening." I watch as he greets everyone with a charming smile, extending handshakes and kisses on the cheek, and I follow mutely in about the same manner. "My Rei, you look as stunning as ever." Inwardly, I almost wanted to cry at his comment, but I held it back; I was ready to play the happy wife of a wealthy business owner if it called for it.

"My, my, my Serena." I plaster on a smile as Andrew addresses me. "If Shag over here wouldn't have seen you first I might have had you by my side." He continued jokingly and his wife poked him in the ribs; I truly love the way they show affection to each other openly.

"Oh Andrew, you flatter me." I place my hand in his own and he kisses it lightly. His wife and I both knew that Drew was like a big brother to me, always watching me and cheering me up at times.

"A little too much if you ask me, why don't you keep you're hands where they belong Drew; as you said, she's mine." He replied with a smirk causing everyone to chuckle but me as we were shown to our seats. Once more, he has managed he has managed to refer to me as one of his assets that he has acquired.

When we all reached our table he pulled out a chair for me and I sat down numbly as the conversation began.

"So how's the business coming along?" Zachary, as usual, was the one to commence the conversation. Sometimes these little get togethers can be so predictable.

"It's all right, once in a while things get a little confusing but Rei here, she keeps me on my toes." He pointed out. "Sometimes I wonder what I would do without her."

"Fall on your butt that's what." Rei was a charming woman; her whit was very quick. No wonder my husband admired her.

"That would be a very amusing thing to watch I think." Martin, him and my husband had been friends from preschool. I find it funny how we all got together, the way they all joke around, you would have never known if you were a stranger to this club that Mina and Martin had been a big thing a long time ago. It didn't work out though, and of course it didn't; she left him at the alter. I think it may have been a wise choice though, their relationship had been too rushed, in the end they both found love in other people, and now they're good friends.

I sighed heavily, as usual, I was quickly bored with the conversation and my mind immediately began to wander. The soft music in the background drifted through my head. It calmed me to hear the violins play as the man took a microphone and began to sing.

This day and age we're living in,

Gives cause for apprehension.

With speed and new invention

And things like fourth dimension.

I felt a jolt rush through me and I quickly looked around the table once I had heard the song, but I could tell that no one had been paying any attention to me as usual. Again, I felt like crying as the words continued to filter through my ears.

With Mr. Einstein's theory,

So we must get down to earth at times,

Relax relieve the tension.

And no matter what the progress,

Or what may yet be proved,

I looked to him to see what he thought but the song in the background obviously didn't affect him at all. Which meant only one thing to me, he didn't remember.

You must remember this,

A kiss is still a kiss,

A sigh is just a sigh.

The fundamental things apply

As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo

They still say, "I love you,"

On that you can rely,

No matter what the future brings

As time goes by.

Perhaps, I thought, he is so caught up in the conversation that he just didn't here it. I hoped. With a weak smile I lightly tugged on his arm. When I finally had his full attention I began to speak but he shot the gun ahead of me.

"What is it darling?" He asked. "We were just having the most interesting conversation, Martin was just discussing an important business proposition that he was considering forming with my company."

"Dear, do you remember this song?" I asked him softly, barely above a whisper.

"This song?" He paused for a moment as he listened to the music floating in the background.

Moonlight and love songs

Never out of date.

Hearts full of passion

Jealousy and hate.

Woman needs man,

And man must have his mate,

That no one can deny.

"Why yes, I do remember." He replied; it gave me hope. "This song is by that famous man Herman Hupfeld." I could feel my being souring at his words. "Is that all you wanted?"

"Ye-yeah." I replied weakly as he turned back to the conversation. I just wanted to cry. I couldn't believe he didn't even remember that this was our song. After a few moments of sitting down holding all the pain I was feeling inside, I suddenly and abruptly arose from my seat. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some fresh air." I was saying it to everyone at the table, but I was looking at him.

"All right dear, you're not sick or anything are you?" He asked her.

"No, I'm fine." I replied and then walked off towards the balcony. As soon as I was there I quickly occupied a bench in front of the railing and cried.

I felt so trapped; what ever happened to him? He used to romance me, to woo me, and now it was if he didn't think any of that were necessary anymore. He hardly paid any mind to me now, almost as if I was one of his trophies on the wall. And then, when was the last time we made passionate love? I couldn't remember; it had been months ago. I wanted to feel him touch her again, to show me that he loved me, even if he didn't say it.

I suddenly remembered that he hadn't said it much when we were dating, and then he wasn't that affectionate with me then either. I thought that in time that would all change, that perhaps he would change. But he hadn't, and I feel like I'm breaking down inside because of it. It seems like he spends more time at his office now, than he does with me, and always he has some business trip to make. He used to take me on those trips, but as of late, he would always give excuses for me not to go. He would say that I would just get bored, and that he would be so caught up in meetings that he wouldn't be able to spend time with me. And as always, I was stupid enough to believe him, and withdraw my offer to come along.

Always a kiss on the cheek followed by false promises of spending time together when he got back. I cross my arms over the railing and bury my head there, as I think about our marriage together. It was so lively when it was fresh and new, but slowly, it dwindled down into nothing more than a peck on the cheek when we were parting from each other. Then there was the matter of children, I had always wanted to have children, but he seemed too busy to do so. Whenever I bring up the matter, he just says that we don't have time for it now, but always a promise that later we can start a family life. More broken promises.

I shut her eyes tightly and let the tears fall to the floor. My marriage is falling apart, and I never even saw it coming. I sighed as was rather surprised when I felt a hand touch the small of my back.

"You all right?" A deep voice that I didn't recognize asked; I quickly began to wipe my tears. "I just thought that you could use some help, you looked rather distraught back there."

"I'm-I'm fine." I didn't know anyone noticed, I thought I had been a pretty good actress.

"Liar." I smiled; he was obviously trying to cheer me up. "Look, you don't have to pretend, I know the signs of someone in despair." I didn't speak, merely sighed as he continued, my eyes shut tightly. "You don't have to talk about it, but here." He placed something in front of my nose. I sniffed it lightly and then opened my eyes to see what it was that was before me.

"It's beautiful." I took the rose from his grasp, I still had yet to even look up at his face; it was rude of me, I know. "Where'd you get it?"

"Uh...eh." He coughed. "I kinda...stole it." He paused for a moment before continuing. "From the rose bush o'er there." I looked to my left and noticed a rose bush not far away from us; I chuckled.

"Well, it was the thought that counts right?" I smiled; it felt good to do that genuinely for once.

"Right." Silence loomed over us for a bit before he spoke again. "You know, you are a very beautiful woman...I mean, but don't worry...I'm not trying to steal you or anything...I mean, I know you're married." He stuttered, and I had the craziest feeling that he must look awfully cute when he does that. "I am too." He finished.

"It's ok, really, you're allowed to compliment another woman aren't you?" I reply. "I mean, it's harmless, it's not like you're trying to flirt or anything."

"No...it's just that my Rei, lovely woman that she is, she is such a jealous person...always accusing me of lusting after other women." He continued nonchalantly. "But you're down...and-and as a gentleman it's my duty to comfort a lady when they're down." His voice was a bit shaky; it was obvious he was nervous.

"Did you just say 'my Rei'?" I suddenly turned to him and realized just whom he was. "You're-you're..."

"Oh, I thought you knew...I'm Dr. Michaels...Rei's husband." Oh great, and here I was crying because I think my husband is having affair with his wife! And to think, I was one step closer to telling him my problems.

"I know we've never met on a personal level, but it's nice to meet you Dr. Michaels."

"Likewise the same Mrs....uh...Mrs."

"Winthrop." I reply with a smile while shaking his hand. "Same last name as my husband's."

"Right, right." I watch as he passes his fingers through his bangs. They have this nice unkept look; it's definitely a change from my husband's clean and cut style.

"Do you always keep your bangs that long?" I suddenly ask him.

"Mmhm." He grumbled. "My wife is always telling me to cut them, but I like them that way."

"I think they look nice too, they bring out the color in your eyes."

"Now there's something I haven't heard." He replied with a smile. There was a brief pause before he spoke once more. "So, how you feeling?"

"Better." I grinned bemusedly.

"I'm sorry you didn't get your dance." He quickly sputtered. "Oh goodness...I'm sorry, there I go prying again." He looked a little ways away from me, attempting not to meet my gaze head on.

"That's ok." All be it, I am a little curious as to knowing how he could have picked up on something like that. "How did you know?"

"Like I said, I know the signs." He got up from his seat. "I'm going to go back to our table, I wouldn't want Rei to suspect me of being out here with you, otherwise I'll have to forecast this evening's weather as it being 'couch time tonight'!" His voice assumed the intonations of a weatherman; I couldn't help but laugh.

"Thanks."

"No problem, anytime you need me, here's my card." He flicked a card my way and it landed softly on my lap. I smiled as I read it aloud.

"Dominoes Pizza." I arched her brow in obvious amusement.

"Oops, wrong card." He replied as he took the one from my lap and gave me another one. "See what happens when you try to be swauve?" He passed his fingers through his bangs again.

"That was being swauve?" I inquired of him in a joking manner. "Remind me to be charmed next time then."

"Only if you promise to giggle lightly and really pretend that you're amazed." He finished, taking in a deep breath. "Well, Mrs. Winthrop, I must bid this meeting adjourned, my work here...is done."

"Please, call me Serena." I reply. "What did you say your name was again?"

"I didn't." He smirked. "But it's Darien, Darien Michaels."