Margaux took a look at Nolan, her visitor of the day. He seemed lost. For past few months, that has been the only common thing for them. A lost, heartbroken Nolan who has been hiding behind piles of work to avoid an outburst of his inner turmoil. Margaux thought about the first day she met Nolan. The unforgettable sassy entry in the Memorial Day party with the parachute. Back then he was fresh from false terrorism accusation. She smiled to herself thinking how the mere presence of Amanda in his life kept him at his best even in his worse days.

'Tell me you have talked to Louise and made up with Emily.' She said while settling herself down in the chair.

'WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS.' replied Nolan emphasizing each word.

'Yes, we are. There's only too much we can ignore.'

'Margaux! You know everything. You know Louise is carrying my child. You know I cannot hurt her.'

'And you can hurt Emily?'

Nolan closed his eyes in despair. 'You know what, I should be going.' He stood up to leave.

'Yeah just run away from yourself.'

Nolan stopped. Margaux continued, 'You know what, its time. I'm ready.'

Nolan looked back at her with surprise. He knew the code word. For more than a year, he has been begging Margaux to come out of prison. He had all the plans chalked out. All he needed was her consent. But she kept refusing him. She kept telling him how much she needs to pay for all her wrongdoing. And today all of a sudden she was giving him her consent. Nolan broke into a relieved smile. However, that vanished with her next statement.

'Only in one condition.'

Nolan frowned at this. 'Condition?'

'You and Emily have to work together in whatever plan you have.'

Nolan sighed. 'You know this is a bad idea, don't you?'

'Choice is yours.' She said in a firm tone.

Nolan looked at her with helplessness.

Nolan carefully closed the door of the suit behind without even looking at what was waiting in front of him. He has been so careful and silent in his intrusion that even Amanda couldn't realize his presence in the room. It was only when their eyes met, they both realized what a breath-stopping moment they were in.

Nolan looked at what was in front of him. The room of the exquisite Oberoi Amarvilas hotel was beautifully lit in golden. The room featured a giant Mughal styled bed which looked straight from the house of rich Indian emperor myths. The whole carpeted floor was the display of best Kashmiri work in golden and green. The sophisticated table in a black glass held a bouquet of freshly picked orange roses. A rosy smell was working its magic in the air. Though it was hard to tell whether it is the room freshener or the roses itself. Among other contents of the table was a crafted golden bucket which held an expensive bottle of champagne. Two very much French looking glasses were kept nearby. The passage created by two expensive golden color sofas around led straight to the gateway to the balcony. The floor and the railing of the balcony were examples of Mughal architecture. These 16th-century styling was bringing in the essence of the palace to the otherwise sophisticated room. Up above the horizon was covered with the enormous white mausoleum otherwise known as Taj Mahal. The sky above was turned purple in the nightfall giving the whole atmosphere a dreamy feeling.

Amanda was fresh out of the shower. Unaware of the presence of anyone else in the room, she did not mind draping the bathing gown well. The short length white gown casually hung from her shoulder covering side portions of her breast and thighs, leaving the central line of her body out in open. Nolan stood still, unable to turn away from the view. Her hair was all wet, body water soaked. Drops of water crawled down all over her body. Through her cleavage, her flat stomach, her perfectly round navel, her shaven vagina, her smooth legs. The hot spa bath from moments ago has left her breasts hard. Though major portions of her breasts were covered, the imprint of her hardened nipple was visible through the gown.

She looked like a goddess. If Nolan was some poet, he would have described her as the angel who lived in that dreamy white mansion behind her. But he was no poet. He was a simple person who was blown away at the beauty of the moment. He felt paralyzed at the sacred sight of the woman he has loved and worshiped for years.

The backdrop was no different for Amanda too. Due to the giant mirror placed on the wall behind Nolan, she could exactly see what Nolan was seeing. The misty sky, the four minarets standing tall, framing the ultimate proof of grief-stricken love, her own nudity and the fully clothed tall frame of Nolan. She couldn't move too. She remained rooted at the center of the room, breathing heavily in the aroma, soaking in the sight. Thousand question about Nolan's sudden appearance rushed in her mind, but her body went numb. She didn't feel any need to run for cover. She stood there, still, under the heavy gaze of Nolan, unashamed of her nudity.

Nolan didn't want to look away. He was well aware of the pull between them at the moment. But he was determined not to cross the line. So defying all the attraction, he turned away. He walked across the room to sit, careful not to face Amanda or the mirror.

Amanda sighed long. Part of her asking her to come back to her senses, part of her feeling dejected. She tied the robe and walked up to the wardrobe. 'I think I made pretty sure that I don't want anyone around. What do you want Nolan?'

Nolan looked out of the window. He walked up to it to look out to the horizon. The Taj Mahal stood tall there. 'The Emperor, Shah-Jahan, was grief-stricken due to the death of his wife.' Nolan continued while staring at the mousseline, his tone soft. 'He promised his wife in her deathbed that he'll build world's richest tomb for her. And he did. In her memory. Mourning her death all the while. It cost world's best architects, huge resources, 22 years. He called his wife "Mumtaz Mahal", the jewel of the palace. He named this "Taj Mahal", the crown of palaces. It was always about her. When he died, he was cremated exactly beside her. It's just not an architecture. It's eternal, undying love that lasted for years, centuries and still lasting.' He looked at Amanda who was carefully listening to him with moist eyes. 'You know what they say, "It is the proud passion of an emperor's love wrought in living stone".'

Amanda's heart ached. The story was tragic. But it was Nolan telling her this, which hurt more. The sense of being so close yet so far from Nolan was choking her breath. She couldn't bear it anymore. She tried to focus herself. 'What's the point, Nolan?'

How could he possibly tell her the point? How could he tell her about his forbidden dreams? The dreams of proposing her hand in front of Taj Mahal. Ever since he came by the story behind the monument, he has always wanted to visit it with Amanda. He knew the risks of this dream. But a man can hardly control his heart. But telling it to Amanda would only bring more pain, more tragedy. 'Point is people save for years to get to spend it here with their loved ones.' He looked at Amanda. 'Not to confine them in a suite. You're such a waste to the hotel.'

'Not as long as I'm paying them.' She rolled her eyes at him. 'Now if you haven't got anything serious, see yourself the exit.' She closed the windows blocking the view of the monument.

Nolan mocked her anger. 'Well, the thing is Margaux has decided to stop being prom-queen in orange.' Amanda looked at Nolan with both surprise and relief. 'But her condition is we, as in you and me, work together in the scheme.' Amanda frowned at this. 'I tried to talk her out of this, but she can be stubborn. And I cannot see her one more day in jail. So should I tell my pilot to wait while you pack up?'

Amanda thought for a moment or two. 'Let's do some scheming.' The death stare was back on her face.

Nolan smirked with his trademark pout face.

The partners in crime were back to work. Backdated paper trails were sent, phone calls were created with cloned voice and then reversed in time to place on appropriate date and time, judges were threatened by lady justice and witnesses were bought. It was a matter of few days till Margaux was free. The news channels went gaga about how Victoria Grayson emotionally blackmailed Margaux LeMarshall to take up all the blames for her and give in to the court. Nolan, Amanda, Margaux, Louise stood at his study with champagne glasses in their hands, an evil smile on their faces and watched the news.

Nolan's beach club held the welcome back party for Margaux LeMarshall. From all the who's who of Hamptons to every important representative of LeMarshall clientele were present there. Nolan attended everyone personally. He made a point to discuss how unfortunate Margaux was to fall into Victoria's trap. His eyes kept looking around for Amanda who was not to be found anywhere near. His heart wanted to look for Amanda, but head knew it was not the time. This party is more about work. He had to make sure that Margaux's return as the CEO doesn't hurt company goodwill. He focused on his agenda and kept himself busy.

Margaux was tired of the small talks and repeating the same lies of her innocence again and again to each and every guest. She went out get some fresh air. She walked towards the sea facing balcony. Surprisingly she found Amanda standing there, looking out with indifference.

'Amanda Clark and a party. Should I be afraid?' Margaux startled Amanda from behind.

Amanda turned to face Margaux. 'Nope. That was more of an Emily Thorne thing.' She smiled.

Margaux smiled back. She walked up to the railing to stand in parallel with Amanda and looked out to the sea. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. 'This is strange.'

'What?'

'This. Two terrible women who have done terrible things to each other, standing here, looking out to the sea together in peace.' Margaux spoke nonchalantly.

Amanda smiled. 'This proves we are so past those days.'

Margaux looked at Amanda with a satisfactory smile. 'Thank you for helping me.'

Amanda looked at her with thoughtful eyes. Like there were so many things she wanted to say, but couldn't put her words together. Finally, she spoke one simple sentence. 'Are we friends Margaux?'

Margaux's smile widened. 'There's nothing I would like more.'

Amanda turned around. She signaled the waiter to come to them. The waiter arrived. She took two glasses of champagne. The waiter left. She handed one glass to Margaux. With the other one, she raised a toast. 'To girlfriends.' She smiled.

Margaux smiled and nodded. 'To new reasons for life.'

Amanda looked at her right. She could see Nolan through the glass window. He was introducing Louise to an old client. She sighed. She turned to Margaux again and clinked their glasses. 'To new reasons.' She smiled.

Louise came to Nolan. Her face clearly worried. 'Guests are asking for Margaux. I also haven't seen her in a while. Where is she?'

Nolan looked around and then talked in a lower tone. 'I don't know. And on that note, I haven't seen Amanda around too.'

'Oh my god!' Louise put her hand on her chest and gestured as if something bad has happened.

Her expression sent a shock wave through Nolan. 'What?'

'Amanda and parties don't get along well.' Louise whispered.

Nolan frowned. 'Why are you saying so?'

'Nothing.' She shrugged off. 'Past memories.'

Nolan shook his head and smiled at the joke. 'Attend the guests for me. I'll go and look for them.' He put an assuring hand on her shoulder.

A giggling Amanda and Margaux walked the shore with naked feet. They were holding their pair of shoes in one hand and tequila bottled in the other one. It was long since they both have had girlfriends. As tequila worked its magic, they continued giggling and speaking out loud about shoes, nail polish, and men. Well, men for Margaux since all Amanda could talk about was Nolan, their kiss, their seeing her naked. Bottles after bottles of tequila were finished. Soon they were too drunk to know what they were saying or doing anymore.

Nolan came looking for them. After frantically searching the seashore for half an hour, finally, he caught the sight of Margaux. She was lying beside the shoreline. Sea waves didn't reach her although the sand beneath her was wet. Nolan came running to her and looked around for Amanda. She was nowhere in sight. He found the tequila bottles, though. The number of them gave him a hint of the seriousness of the matter, though. 'Margaux, get up. Get up.' He patted her awake. She opened her eyes. 'Look at me. Where is Amanda?' She closed her eyes again. Nolan knocked her face repeatedly. 'Answer me Margaux. Where the hell is Amanda?' Nolan's voice already choking with fear. Finally, Margaux shifted her weight and pointed at the sea. Nolan's heart started racing fast. 'What do you mean? What happened? Where is she?' He held her by her shoulders and jerked. Finally, she woke up.

'Where am I?' she said in a drunk tone.

'You are lying in the beach at half an hour past midnight. And you were with Amanda previously. But she's not here. So tell me. Where is she?' Nolan's voice started shaking with fear.

Margaux tried hard to remember. Finally, she remembered. 'She went into the sea. She was trying to show me how much cold water she can tolerate.'

Nolan tried to catch his breathe. 'Then what?'

'I don't know.' She shook her head.

'Fuck.' Nolan took his Jacket off and started wading through the water. He called out her name loud and looked around with the help of his mobile flashlight. There was no sight of her. He waded deeper. Finally, he stumbled on to something which felt like a body. He dived into the water. The night sky wasn't offering him any view under water. He got hold off long hairs and pulled the body above the water surface. Moonlight fell on Amanda's face. It looked pale. She wasn't breathing anymore. Nolan felt scared to death.

He carried her body out of the water and placed on the dry sand. He pumped her heart as hard as possible. No result. He rubbed her palms and feet with his hand. No result. He breathed into her mouth. No change. He pumped his heart again. Still no breathing. 'No, no, no.' He cried. 'You can't leave me. Ok?' He was panting heavily. He looked for his phone. He couldn't find it. It must have slipped into the water. He looked at Margaux. She was still lying there. He looked around for help. There was no one in sight. 'Damn it.' He punched her lungs hard. Finally, she coughed. Water came out of her mouth, nose. Finally, Nolan breathed. He took a moment to realize everything was fine. He broke into tears of relief. She was still having difficulty to breathe. Nolan breathed into her mouth until she was back to normal. He put his hand on her chick. 'Can you hear me?' he asked affectionately. She looked at him with feeble eyes and nodded. Tears rolled down his chick.

He walked up to Margaux and patted her awake. 'Margaux, listen to me. She can't walk. I have to carry her. I want you to walk with me to the car. Ok?' He cupped her jaw in his hand and pressed his fingers hard against her chicks. 'Do you get me?' She nodded in reply. 'Good.' Now stand up. She followed like an obedient kid.

He carried Amanda up to the car in his arms. He opened the door with little difficulty. Amanda looked at Nolan, her gaze fixed. He saw that. 'What?'

Amanda placed her left palm on his right chick. 'I love you.' She said in a serene tone.

Nolan sighed. 'Ok, that's the tequila talking.'

He positioned her in the backseat.

Margaux was already leaning on the passenger side front seat door. 'That's not. You were the only thing she could talk about whole evening.'

'More tequila talks.' He opened the door and signaled her to get in. She followed. He carefully fastened the seat belt around her. And closed the door.

With both of them back to safety, he took a moment to settle himself. If the fear of losing Amanda wasn't enough adrenaline rush, she saying 'I love you' was way over his tolerance level. He stood there leaning on the car. All he wanted to do was to get inside, kiss Amanda, make love to her, tell her how much he loves her, how much he was worried moments ago. But he knew he cannot. He stood there, waiting for the churn in his belly to be over. He breathed slowly, soaking in Amanda's three beautiful words. 'I love you'.

A/N: 2 more chapters to go before the climax. Tell me how are you liking it or not. Please read and review. You know that's what keep me going.

***Important** I received some beautiful reviews from Guest accounts. First of all, thank you. There you posted some questions for me. I am tempted to answer those. Unfortunately, the site doesn't allow me to reply to guest reviews. So my hands are tied. You can most definitely follow the story here in ArchieveofOurOwn. works/3985219/chapters/8946187 It allows me to reply to every comment. Thank you.

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