As I stumbled out the front door, fiercely holding back the tears that might slid down my cheeks any minute, I firmly held my back straight and my head up to once again put up my wall of dignity and indifference to protect any fragile sensitivities that may still lurk underneath my stone-cold persona, though this time I could feel it gradually crumbling with those piercing words that Niles shot at me.

Stop pining for a married man who doesn't love you… who's married to a woman half your age….

Oh, please, that woman is even older than me by a couple of months. They are such good friends Niles had himself convinced Nanny Fine is no more than 29. How stupid that butler can be!

Stupid… yeah… falling in love with me is the most stupid thing he had ever done in his life. Asking me to marry him is the second.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice I had walked two blocks from Maxwell's house in unforgiving weather and passed the building where I parked the Porsche. A gush of icy wind against my face, blowing my impeccably styled blond hair to my eyes, reminded me I have left my beret in Maxwell's study. Opening my black clutch, I heaved a heavy sigh of annoyance remembering my keys were right next to my beret where I haphazardly threw them after taking the Lion King script out of the steel cabinet. I would have gone back for the beret in the morning after I handed over my resignation, but the keys to my car and the penthouse are something I desperately needed at this moment. Why couldn't I have just left the damn Nokia instead of my keys?!

Rubbing my hands over the warm texture of the red wool coat around me before slipping them inside the coat pockets for extra warmth, contemplating if I should just hail a cab and spend the night at the Beekman Hotel but decided against it. Staying in a hotel alone sounded lonelier than coming home to Chester.

Not that Chester needed to be fed or to be walked out to do his business. He can spend the night at the pet hotel where I take him every morning. I can pick him up the next day before they close at 6pm. They are used to having him for the night when I have business dinners and engagement at night anyhow, they just add the overnight lodging fee on the tab.

The best way to get my keys back was to sneak into Maxwell's house without anyone noticing, grab the keys and beret from the study and rush out. No one would be any wiser if I was there. I cannot face Maxwell and Nanny Fine, and most certainly not Niles. I can feel the heat of embarrassment rising to my head, I entered the first decent restaurant I stumbled on and ordered a drink.

I am behaving so unlike me. My walls are crumbling, I have not felt embarrassment in years. The last time I was disconcertingly embarrassed was when I was the only guest wearing last season's collection in a Dolce and Gabana event.

The waiter offered their specialty entree, but I had no appetite and declined his offer.

Feeling disconcerted and slightly disoriented I did not notice it was a high-end bar and not French restaurant until I have garnered some unwanted attention from the opposite sex.

"Good evening, my lady, would you mind if I join you?"

I looked up and found myself staring at an equally piercing light blue eyes so much like my own. The CC Babcock everyone came to know would gladly welcome a handsome stranger's attention, but my sensibilities have finally escaped my tough exterior. When a strange man approaches you while on your second Martini, you know his intentions are not honorable but a fleeting, shallow night of fun and pleasure.

Niles was right. I am not getting any younger and must think of a more stable, permanent, future to give my life more meaning. I flashed him my flirtatious bitch smile and ran my manicured index finger to his jawline and told him my husband was parking the car.

To my immense relief, he retreated albeit he seemed someone who was not used rejection. I hastily asked for the check when I was approached the second time by another guy in less than ten minutes. Neither of the two were bad looking in their expensive tailored suits. The second one even had a gleaming Rolex watch on his left wrist.

I have never gone to a singles bar before but maybe I should have instead of pining for Maxwell's affection all these years, but it just wasn't me. I don't need several men pining over me. I just wanted one man to think the world of me despite of all my unpleasant, obnoxious disposition and cold-hearted demeanor. It's a splash of ice-cold water that no matter what I do, Maxwell is not that man.

A slight fear crept over me when Mr. Rolex wasn't as obedient as the first one. He sat right next to me, blocking my exit, slightly touching my arm to stop me from leaving.

"Mister, bug off! I said I wasn't interested," I glared at him, yet he looked unfazed.

To my immense relief, a familiar face came to my rescue. One of our regular patrons investing in our theater productions.

"CC, is this man bothering you?"

He spoke in a soft, yet commanding voice that seemed to always know the right kind of tone to get the outcome he wanted. Well, he wouldn't be a successful businessman if he didn't know how to direct and persuade people.

"Jared! I was just leaving. He couldn't wait for me to vacate the table is all," I said trying to appease things.

I hurriedly slid out of my seat, startling Mr. Rolex, his hand slipping from arm.

Despite being a little shaken, I managed to walk to the door in my usual stern look and confident stance.

"Hey, CC... wait up."

I heard Jared call out. I was in no mood to talk but I should at least show a little appreciation for frightening Mr. Rolex away from me.

I looked back and gave him my usual cold smile.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked with genuine concern.

"Nothing I can't handle", I said stand-offishly.

I looked sincerely into his eyes so he could see I could take care of myself. I was five feet nine, but I had to tilt my head up to talk to him. I never noticed his patrician nose and startling blue eyes that appeared more noticeable in stark contrast to his raven back hair.

"Where are you headed? Let me take you there," said Jared in a friendly manner.

"I was uhm… just coming over to Maxwell's..."

"But dinnertime is almost over. Isn't it a bit late for a business call?"

"Oh it's not a business call. I just left something important in his study. It's just a few blocks away. I can get there before the butler locks the door," I explained matter-of-factly.

The butler! I need to rush back in before Niles locks the doors for the night!

Jared looked reluctant to let me go but the urgency in my voice to go seemed to convince him.

"I'll see you and Maxwell at the International Art gala next week," he smiled as he waved goodbye to me.

I returned his warm smile before rushing off in the direction of Maxwell's house. Suddenly, I unconsciously turned back as I was walking hurriedly away and found Jared watching me with a glint in his eyes that were so much like Niles' when he uttered those dreadful words, "Marry Me!"