A/N:

Well, I got 6 revs in this one, 4 more than in the other 2 individually. and seems like a lot of people want to see what will happen in this story, more so than in the others given that out of the 200 or somewhat people that have looked into them (more than 100) have been on this one alone. AND though there is only 6 reviews (which I am not too happy about) there are about 15 people following it. So I will give a chance to those 15 to review after this. If I get no reviews I will be discouraged though and may just stop writing altogether. what would be the use in continuing doing something that I get no pleasure and have no talent doing?

Enough depressive talk.

hopefully I have done good enough in this chapter to earn some comments.

HOW TO READ:

This story will be given in 2 POVs

odd chapters (starting with 1) Will be in HER POV

even chapters (starting with 2) will be in HIS POV

If you think its too difficult to follow the story this way,

just say the word and I will separate these into two different stories.

Also, should the separation happen, a choice of titles will be given to you guys.

Voting will begin via review, you be the judge.

One story or two?

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BIRTHDAY GIRL

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Many people have pre-read this for me:

Zoe

Danny

Vita

Jessy

Mia

Very much appreciated,

but it was the wonderful MIST who did the editing.

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CH1: JUST ANOTHER DAY

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She was alone in her home...again.

'Sorry babe, but I can't come home til late tonight.

You know how it is on this business. '

Today, of all days.

'But...Its the third time this week!'

As usual, he ignored her disappointment when he explained about the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to impress his superiors, and that she should not expect him home until sometime in the early morning hours. He asked her to understand how important a step like this would mean to them...to him.

She told him she understood-that it was just another day anyway. She said the day was completely unimportant and celebrating it was overrated. He was overjoyed to hear her nonchalant dismissal and quickly got off the phone to go back to what was really important to him- sucking up.

'I will make it to you next week. Promise.'

It was her birthday.

'Okay. Tradition is overrated anyways.'

Yeah...overrated.

'Babe! You! Are a peach!'

'I lov-'

Click!

'-e you.'

She decided to go on with her plans for the evening. She put on the carefully picked undergarments. Her dress was flawlessly gathered, lifting her breasts and giving her magnificent cleavage, leaving her shoulders bare. The material was a black, weightless silk which draped perfectly over her, accentuating her curves just right, with red, crystal and silver detailed accents. The personal shopper said it would enhance her beauty. The dainty jewelry was a mere crystal heart dangling from her silver necklace, small sparkling earrings, a thin silver bracelet, and her white gold wedding ring with a pear diamond. Her delicately applied make up was light, making her look porcelain perfect...almost ethereal.

She had cooked chicken Marsala, to be served with wild rice and a steamed vegetable medley. Appetizers were the creamy mushroom soup [his favorite] and a tossed salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. She had even made tiramisu for dessert. A full four course meal.

She served and ate her four course meal by the candle lights on the beautifully set table while listening to the calm jazz she had carefully selected for tonight's romantic setting. She drank more than half of the wine while she ate. While enjoying her dessert, she drank some more.

She had uncorked a second bottle by the time she was done.

She stood and left the candles burning and music playing while she stumbled her way upstairs to the Whirlpool bathtub filled and ready, steaming hot. She would be making a stop by her closet to get one of her waterproof 'toys' to entertain her and give herself something she expected him to give her tonight.

Before she opened the closet door she noticed the softly flowing tulle curtains...

The window was open.

She sobered up slightly due to the chills that crawled up her spine even as the warm summer air softly made its way to her, goose bumps rising on her exposed skin.

She looked around, suddenly feeling like she wasn't alone, then shook it off to an overactive imagination. She shook her head slowly as she placed the bottle of wine on the chair by the closet and went to the window to shut it, this time making sure the lock was in place correctly.

Determined not to allow any more silly ideas to wreck her night further, she went back to the closet and took the locked medium sized chest and the key under the lap on the side-table chair.

She made her way to the bathroom, ignoring the empty chair that previously held her less than half filled wine bottle.

She placed the box on the empty counter and opened it, revealing her private collection of 'toys' and restraints that she and her husband had acquired through the years.

The sad thoughts of her missing companion made her realize she needed a drink. With the wine forgotten she made her way downstairs to the liquor cabinet.

She needed something stronger.

In the front of the cabinet were bottles of Chianti, Sherry, Cabernet Sauvignon and Blanc, as well as a few other selection of wines. She opened the rack in the center which revealed another series of shelves holding Tangaray, Black Label, Grey Goose, Don Julio and many other high shelf liquors for entertaining his boss and his high class clients, as well as some of their favorites for just entertaining coworkers and friends.

She grabbed a bottle of Captain Morgan's Private Stock and closed the shelf again.

She shivered once more, feeling as if she was being watched once again, as she looked around.

The jazz Cd was still playing, the candles had snuffed out, the table remained half unused while the other half held the array of her dirty dishes.

She would just do them tomorrow.

The whole lower floor was dark except for the slight remaining streaks of moonlight that filtered around the curtains.

She smiled and shook her head at her paranoia.

She had nothing to worry about, she thought as she opened the bottle. The alarm was set and the property gates had the night guard.

No wait, she gave him the night off, as well as the grounds guy.

She huffed quietly to herself, rolling her eyes as she let her head drop back smirking.

Of course.

She unscrewed the cap and brought the bottle to her lips.

There will be no more pretenses tonight.

She was alone after all.

After gulping a good amount of the burning amber liquid she began her way up the stairs to her destination when she heard a thump.

She stopped and listened carefully.

What could that have been?

She crept up the stairs cautiously, searching wide eyed for the culprit.

She found the bottle of wine by the chair on the carpet, frustrated that a bit had sloshed out onto it. She closed and put the bottle of Captain down, then sighed as she turned to go to the hallway closet to get a towel.

Quickly, she returned and gathered her long dress with one hand to bend at the knees and pat the spill and right the bottle.

She sighed again and stood up, when a strong arm wrapped around her, locking her arms by her side as another grabbed the hand towel she used to blot the rug and used it to cover her scream. Her consciousness escaped her, as a sweet smell drowned her and a husky voice breathed, moistening the shell of her ear.

"Alone...at last..."