Sorry for the long update.

As the first ray of light pierced through her curtains, Kori's eyes opened instantly. She made herself comfy in the warm bed. She looked to the side and saw Roy lying silently next to her. His chest rose and fell slowly. She remembered immediately the good news he had told her the night before, at the auction.

They were getting married soon.

… In a month, to be exact.

She smiled with delight and carefully pushed the covers away and got up. Putting her slippers on, she pushed the bedroom door open and walked in the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. As she was getting undressed, thoughts of her wedding exited her. She only had a month to prepare everything.

A month isn't long, especially not for a wedding.

Roy woke up to the sound of water running in the shower, but fell right back asleep with the thoughts of a girl he had met the night before. He tried to push them away, but failed.

Kori stepped out of the shower and stared at Roy for a moment, then walked away. After getting dressed, she grabbed her purse and walked silently out the door.

Roy's eyes flickered open as he listened attentively. Nothing.

He quickly got up and rubbed his eyes as he stretched. He glared at the small night table and saw his cell phone. Without any hesitation, he picked it up and flipped it open. He had three messages waiting for him, from the same girl.

He smiled and dialed her number.

It rang a few times… he waited for an answer.

Then, a familiar voice answered with a small 'hello?'.

He smiled once again.

She pushed the door open to the studio and walked down the same staircase as yesterday evening. Everything came back to her.

The funny smells.

… Her argument with Richard.

… Her dance with Richard.

She shook her head and pushed the thought away, then headed towards Karen who was eating something blue. She glared at her, confused. Karen handed her something that seemed to be a blue Popsicle.

''Um… am I supposed to eat this?'' she asked, glaring at the thing.

Karen cleared her throat, ''It's called a Popsicle. And yeah, you're supposed to eat it.''

Kori looked around, ''where did the swan go?'' she asked, fearing her answer.

Karen cleared her throat once again. ''Um… I was ice and it was just standing there… it was so vulnerable. But it makes great Popsicles!''

''Karen!'' she yelled grabbing the Popsicle she had in her hand and throwing it away.

''Don't blame me! It was dick-head-Richard's idea.'' She said pointing to him.

Kori followed the direction of her finger and saw Richard not far away, examining a certain painting she had finished. ''What is he doing here?''

Karen smiled proudly, ''you're happy to see him, ain't ya?''

''No.''

''Oh come on Kori. His dying to talk to you.'' She said, trying desperately to convince her friend.

''Didn't we talk yesterday night? Aren't you happy?'' she protested.

''He bought the most paintings. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have had such a big success yesterday.''

Kori looked back at Richard and rolled her eyes. ''I guess I can grant him a few minutes…''

''Great! And by the way, I made sure he'd be staying all day here. He really wanted to see you at work, so I invited him to stay! Great, huh?''

''What?''

Karen pushed her friend towards Richard. ''Have a nice day.'' Kori bumped into Richard and smiled, completely embarrassed.

''Follow me.'' She said dryly to Richard, as she led him to the elevator.

''The elevator is out of service.'' Karen added.

Kori shook her head. ''Fine we'll take the stairs. It takes about a minute to get to my workshop.'' She said, trying not to make a big deal out of it. She pushed the door open and started walking up, followed by Richard.

Karen walked over to the door and locked it discretely. Then, she hand signed to Gar who was hiding behind a plant of some sort. He took the elevator and rushed to the first floor.

Phase one was complete.

Yay.

''Only a few more steps to go. I see the door. You really don't move enough.'' Richard complained. ''I remember you being a lot more sporty.''

Kori took a deep breath. ''I changed. That's what happens after two years.'' She was breathing heavily but tried to cover it up by coughing.

Richard was already waiting for her at the top of the staircase. He leaned against the wall near the door, waiting for her. She ran up the last steps and sighed in relief. It was the first time she took the stairs.

''I'm sure you didn't change as much as you think you did.'' He said. He tried to convince himself too.

Kori shrugged. Up until now, it didn't seem that bad being in his company. ''My life changed. I'm a well-known painter, a successful one too.''

''I see you've really moved on.'' He couldn't help but add.

She nodded, trying to seem proud about everything.

She quickly tried to change the subject. ''My wedding. It's all planned.''

He took a deep breath, hoping it could ease the pain. ''When?'' he managed to say.

''August twenty-fifth.'' She tried to say happily. Suddenly, she didn't feel as exited as before. ''Will you be there?''

He nodded.

She stared at him and memories flooded her mind. Was she marrying Roy to win a stupid bet or to prove to herself that she could leave him behind? Was it payback time for some unknown reason? Or did she even know why she was doing it.

One thing she knew, she was in love.

With Roy… or was it Richard?

She pointed her finger to the door. ''Ready to see my workshop?''

He smiled and turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. Her workshop was a huge room with windows everywhere. You didn't need any artificial lights to light this place up. The floor was made of wood and long wooden tables were scattered everywhere.

Paintings were hung on every wall, bottles of paint were placed neatly at each table and few chairs stood in the corners for friends.

''So?'' she asked, as she hung her purse.

He was impressed. ''Nice.''

She smiled proudly. ''Show me what you got!'' she said, handing him a paint brush after closing the door behind her.

He grabbed the paintbrush and looked at her, surprised. ''You're the pro.'' He threw it back at her. ''You show me.'' He grabbed a bottle of paint and threw it at her too. The paint escaped the bottle as she caught it.

Yellow squirted all over her.

She opened another bottle and threw it towards him. A dark blue had now stained his shirt.

He picked up two paint bottles and pointed them towards her… and squeezed.

… and they were supposed to be mature, twenty-one year olds.

When she opened her eyes she felt like a rainbow. She looked back at the table, and saw a small container of water. Then, looked back at him.

This was war.

She grabbed the container full or water and spilled it on him. ''There you go.'' His wet shirt stuck to his body. It reminded her of the night swim they had. But something was missing…

She walked over to him and examined him from top to bottom.

Then, she grabbed his shirt and took it off, revealing his strong chest. She smiled. ''Perfect.''

It seemed just like yesterday, they were swimming in his pool. He didn't understand, but didn't mind having to reveal his muscles to her… Anything to impress Kori.

She blushed and walked away. She grabbed a paintbrush and stood in front of an unfinished piece. ''Didn't you want to see me at work?''

Wally wrapped his arm around Jenn as they walked down the street, towards the studio. Jenn smiled and placed her head on Wally's shoulder. He smiled and played with her hair.

''So when are we gonna get married?'' Jenn asked, day-dreaming.

Wally raised an eyebrow. ''I didn't even pop the question yet.''

Jenn sighed. ''Yeah, as if I didn't notice.''

He looked at her, surprised. ''That was mean.''

''That was true.''

''Touché.''

They waked silently together, enjoying each other's company. They passed by a wedding dress store. Jenn stopped and stared at the dresses behind the glass window. Wally tugged her arm, ''Cummon. Lets go.''

''But they're so pretty.'' She answered, like a child.

''I promise you, we'll come back when we get married, ok?''

Jenn's eyes widened. ''So we ARE getting married!''

''That's not what I meant.''

Jenn pouted, but kept on staring at the dresses, the shoes and the rings.

''Hurry up, Jenn.''

She stared at the window and saw her reflection and then somewhere behind her, someone kissing a tall, orange haired man. Jenn turned around and spotted a woman, kissing Roy. Then she hopped in his car.

''Is that Donna Troy? The girl from last night?'' she wondered.

Her jaw dropped. ''Isn't that jerk engaged?''

Wally's jaw did the same. ''I guess he forgot.''

She stared at him and raised an eyebrow. ''Any guy who would forget being engaged to Kori Anders MUST be suffering from some unknown disease.''

''They must just be friends.'' He said, trying to convince himself and Jenn.

''Friends my ass.'' she said, her eyes still wide open. ''There's a new bitch in town.''

Wally nodded. ''And our carrot-head-friend just became our carrot-head-bastard.''

''You stole the words right out of my mouth.''

''You think Kori knows?''

She knocked his head. ''Duh, of course not. The wedding would have definitely been canceled if she knew.''

''Poor Kori.''

''No. Poor Roy. He doesn't know what's comin'.''

A door slammed shut. Karen lowered the volume and stopped dancing with the music, as Wally and Jenn rushed in the room. Jenn approached Karen, breathing heavily.

''Hey.'' She managed to say.

Karen raised an eyebrow, ''Did you just run in a marathon?''

Jenn shook her head, slightly panicked. Wally joined her. ''We got here as fast as we could.''

''For what? You make it sound like I just delivered a baby or something.''

They looked at her, puzzled. ''So you don't know?''

''Know what?!''

Jenn looked around, hesitated, then whispered in Karen's ear, ''Roy's cheating on Kori.''

Karen gasped and smiled with delight. ''OH! This is starting to resemble a soap opera!''

''Life's a soap opera, girl.'' Vic said, walking by with Gar, eating something green.

Karen looked back at Jenn. ''So? With who?''

''That Donna girl, from last night.''

Karen's face went blank. ''You're kidding me, right?''

Jenn's face light up. ''So she is a slut!''

''She's a wedding planner!''

Wally stared at Jenn. ''I knew this wasn't serious.''

''Me neither.'' Karen said, looking disappointed.

Jenn semmed to be shocked. ''I can't believe you guys don't believe me! I saw them! WE saw them!'' she said, pointing Wally. ''They were kissing. They drove off together.''

''A small kiss doesn't mean much, Jenn.'' Wally said, defending Roy and Donna.

Jenn pushed him away. ''Be that way!'' she stared desperately back at Karen. ''You believe me. Right?''

Karen looked away.

Jenn crossed her arms on her chest. ''Be that way too. I'll just tell Kori. Where is she?''

Karen grabbed Jenn's shoulders. ''Don't make her go all crazy right before her wedding!''

''Where is she?'' Jenn insisted.

''With Richard.'' She answered with a low voice.

Jenn raised an eyebrow and smiled. ''Well, well. If it isn't miss matchmaker. And you're the one telling me not to do anything that could affect Kori's wedding. Bravo.'' She said, clapping.

''Oh, shut up. I'm just having fun. And for your information, I'm not doing anything that would affect Kori's wedding… just playing around with her decision.''

Jenn rolled her eyes. ''Fine, then. Where are they?''

''Locked up in her workshop.''

''Good going!'' she answered, almost sarcastically.

''Thanks.''

''How long are you gonna leave them there?''

''Mehh… at least all night.''

''Oh, you dirty little…''

She smiled proudly. ''And I even left some condoms, hidden in a drawer.''

''Don't you think that's pushing it?''

''Of course not! We wouldn't want to see our Kori falling pregnant now… right before her wedding. Do we?''

''I guess not.''

Richard's stomach growled. Kori looked at him for a moment. ''Hungry?''

''Starved.''

Kori shook her head and went back to work.

''What? It's lunchtime. It's normal to be hungry.''

''Didn't you bring your lunch along, like me?'' she grabbed some blue.

He scratched the back of his neck. ''Well, I was going to invite you to go out to a restaurant.''

She looked at him and smiled. She blushed slightly but looked away quickly. ''I'd rather go out than eat pasta.'' She smiled back at him.

His heart skipped a beat as she smiled and accepted. ''Lets go then.'' He said, walking towards the door. Kori took her dirty vest off and grabbed her purse.

''You're sure Kitten won't mind?'' she asked.

He had almost forgotten about her. ''No. Of course not.'' Then, he thought for a moment. ''I hope you fiancé wouldn't mind.''

She hadn't thought about Roy. ''Nah! Why would he be mad if he saw his fiancé eating with an old friend?''

Old friend?

That's all?

He tried to ignore the last part.

He turned the doorknob but it didn't move. ''Try the other door.''

She walked over to the other one. ''Lets go.'' She said as she turned the doorknob. But, that one didn't move either. ''You must be kidding me.''

''We're locked in?'' he asked, trying to hide his joy.

She nodded. ''Yeah.'' She grabbed her cell phone. ''This is impossible.'' She said, as she dialed Karen's number.

It rang a few times until she picked it up. They talked for a few seconds and that was the end of that.

''Karen doesn't understand. She doesn't know what's going on, cause all the doors seem to be locked.''

He leaned against the wall. ''Doesn't she have the keys?''

''Believe it or not, she doesn't. Some janitor has them and won't be here till tomorrow morning.'' She sighed and threw her purse on the floor. ''She says to be ready if we would have to spend the night here.''

She pointed her finger towards the tables. ''She said we might find some 'handy' things for the night. We only gotta look everywhere.'' She said, seemed extremely disappointed. She took her cell phone out once again and dialed Roy's number. ''Excuse me…''

Richard walked away, but kept on listening.

''Hey Roy.''

Silence.

'' Yeah, thanks for asking me how I'm doin'!'' she laughed. ''But to answer your question, I won't be home tonight. I'll be back around eight in the morning, tomorrow.''

Richard guessed Roy's question.

''Believe it or not I'm locked up in my own workshop. Karen doesn't get it, either. But no worries, I have everything I need to pass the night safely.''

She listened to whatever Roy had to say.

''Nope. She doesn't have the keys and neither do I. I could a sworn they were in my purse, though.'' She said grabbing her purse and searching for them.

She took a pause.

''Someone else?'' she looked around, then at Richard. ''Nope, just me, myself and I. I'm sure I'll find myself a way to have fun.'' She giggled nervously. Richard sweat-dropped. She raised an eyebrow and drew her attention back to her conversation with Roy. ''Uh, are you with some friends?''

She listened, still searching for the missing pair of keys.

''Oh Donna? Wedding planner? Wow, I didn't know that. Tell her I said hi, and invite her over for supper tonight. You'll be lonely without me around.'' She smiled to that comment. Richard looked away and smiled secretly to himself. ''It'll be good for you to have a friend over.''

Richard heard Roy laugh then say something.

''Yeah. I know I'm the best.'' She giggled. ''I love you too.'' She paused. ''Bye.''

She flipped her cell phone shut. ''I guess this means we're sleeping together tonight.''

Richard looked away and smiled. She tried to understand what she had just said.

''I… uh… I mean that… well you know what I mean.''

''No I don't.'' he said, trying to muffle a laugh. ''But I understand why you would want to sleep with me. I'm so irresistible.''

''Oh, shut up.''

Sorry if it was a boring chapter. But the next one will be much better. Please review, tell me what you think!

Is Roy cheating with Kori?

Is Jenn crazy?

Read to find out.

Review!!!

Ps: thanks for all who reviewed last chappie!

Cryingdove, xoxo