A few days after their difficult conversation, Lucas reached out to Carina, asking to meet for lunch. He wanted to apologize again and make amends, hoping to maintain some level of friendship. Carina agreed, appreciating his willingness to respect her boundaries.

They met at a cozy bistro downtown, the atmosphere more relaxed than their last meeting. Lucas seemed more at ease, and after they ordered, he looked at Carina with a sincere expression.

Lucas: "Carina, I just wanted to apologize again for the other day. I know I didn't take it well, and I want you to know I respect your decision. I've been thinking a lot, and I just want to support you, whatever that means."

Carina smiled, touched by his words. "Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate that. It means a lot to me."

Lucas nodded, then hesitated before continuing. "I was thinking... there's a local art gallery opening tonight. I know you love art, and I thought maybe we could go together? It would just appear as two friends attending the opening to the public and any press that may be there."

Carina considered his offer for a moment, then nodded. "That sounds nice. That was on my list to check out that gallery. Let's do it."

After finishing lunch, the pair decided to keep spending quality time together. Carina had felt slightly guilty about not being available to Lucas but was grappling with these new feelings she got every time Maya was close. She had to resolved to put more effort into the relationship that she had chosen to continue. She did enjoy the carefree relationship that had been filled with good sex, well mediocre sex but Lucas was always up for an adventure and managed to find exciting new places for them to enjoy.

Carina had accompanied Lucas back to his house to change clothes before the gallery opening. Lucas emerged from the bedroom holding two colored button downs. "Red or Grey?" He asked Carina as he approached her in the living room.

"Grey" Carina replied as he leaned in for a kiss.

"Man, I have wanted to do that since I saw you at lunch earlier." Lucas smiled as he leaned back in for another kiss pushing his tongue slightly against Carina's lips asking for permission to enter. Carina opened her mouth as their tongues continued to fight for dominance.

Carina smiled when the kiss broke but couldn't help but think that kissing Lucas did not seem to compare to kissing Maya. The tingling sensation that used to spread through her lips just wasn't there compared to the lightning she felt when her lips touched Maya's. Carina stepped back. "We should head out soon, I am really looking forward to this opening"

"Yes, sure just a few more minutes. I missed having you here with me." Lucas said as he tried to use his puppy dog eyes on Carina. "Actually, I was thinking would you like to stay over tonight?"

"Oh" Carina's mind raced as she tried to find the right answer, "I can't tonight, I have a huge meeting very early tomorrow. Maybe we can work out another day."

"Sure," Lucas said sounding a bit dejected. "I did kind of just spring it on you."

Carina leaned in for a short kiss while he finished buttoning his shirt and grabbed her purse heading for the door.

When they arrived at the art gallery the space was filled with various pieces from local artists, creating a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere. As they walked through the exhibits, Carina found herself relaxing, enjoying the experience. Lucas seemed genuinely interested in the art, making thoughtful comments and sharing his opinions.

Carina's attention was caught by a striking painting by a local artist. It depicted an abstract landscape, filled with vivid colors and dynamic brushstrokes. She stood in front of it for a long moment, captivated by its energy.

Carina: "This is beautiful. I think I'm going to buy it." She had thought the perfect place to hang would be in the hallway between Maya's home office and gym.

Lucas smiled, pleased to see her enjoying the evening. "You've got a great eye. It's a stunning piece."

"I know just the place to hang this" Carina said smiling as she still took in the piece from different angles.

They continued to walk through the gallery admiring all the different pieces. There was an artist with flower sculptures made between a mixture of hand blown glass and decorative cement that continued to catch Carina's eye. She had still been on her mission to add a personal touch to all areas of the penthouse and the rooftop garden still needed a few extra pieces.

After circling the gallery a few times, Carina decided to purchase one of the sculptures as well. She knew Maya would enjoy the way the sunlight would reflect off the green aspects of the glass.

Lucas carried the sculpture while Carina carried the painting back to the car.

"I can drive you and drop you off at the penthouse. This sculpture is pretty heavy." Lucas offered as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Sure that would be very helpful." Carina responded.

"I haven't seen your new place anyway." Lucas added.

Carina looked over at him trying to find the easiest way to tell him that she did not want him to become a regular at the penthouse. She still considered it Maya's space and knew that Maya would not enjoy Lucas's company. "Well technically it is Maya's penthouse, I am just really renting a room for a bit."

They pulled into the garage and Lucas carried the sculpture to the service elevator.

As Carina opened the door she noticed Heather was still finishing up in the kitchen.

"Good evening, Heather, is everything ok?" Carina questioned.

"Yes, sorry just finishing up. My son had an event this morning so I only got her late this afternoon." Heather replied as she finished wiping the counter.

"I can really finish up if you need, it doesn't bother me at all." Carina said setting the painting down against the wall.

Lucas shifted his weight slightly holding the sculpture "Uh, Carina."

"Oh yes, sorry, just put it down right here for now. Lucas this is Heather who helps us manage the penthouse and Heather this is Lucas, uh, a very good friend of mine." Carina responded

"Nice to meet you Lucas," Heather smiled as she shook his hand "No need to worry at all Carina, I am almost finished. Have a great evening."

"Goodnight Heather" Carina replied as she headed to the laundry room to wrap up her tasks.

"Ok, well would you like a short tour" Carina asked as she looked at Lucas who was looking around as if his head was on a swivel.

"Yes, this place is huge and you have staff?" Lucas said his eyebrow raising as he looked at Carina.

"It is pretty big, and yes Maya has a housekeeper, chef and driver." She replied as she put her purse down on the counter.

Carina gave Lucas a tour of the luxurious penthouse, showing him the different rooms and features. She showed hi her home office that had just recently been completed and her bedroom and then headed back to the living room.

Carina: "This is the living area. I am working on adding personal touches to the place."

Lucas nodded, admiring the space. "It's a beautiful place. You must be really happy here."

Carina smiled. "It's been an adjustment, but it's nice. Maya's been great about making me feel at home."

They continued to the hall way where Carina had imagined hanging the painting.

"See wouldn't that artwork look great on this wall" Carina motioned as Lucas nodded his head in agreement.

"Ok let's get the sculpture up to the rooftop garden, I can hang the painting later." Carina said motioning for Lucas to grab the sculpture.

Lucas followed Carina's command and grabbed the sculpture following her up the stairs to the rooftop garden.

— — —

Maya had finished her meeting and decided to head home to see if Carina would like to go out for dinner this evening. She puled her Roadster into the garage and headed up to the penthouse. Walking through the front door she saw Heather gathering her things to leave.

"Hey, how did your son's game go this morning?" Maya questioned.

"It went very well, his team won the match and will advance in the championship." Heather said beaming with pride. "Thanks again for being so flexible with my schedule."

"Anytime, thanks for all the hard work you do for me. I know it is not always easy." Maya replied "I had hoped to see if Carina would like to go to dinner tonight but I guess she is not home yet."

"Oh she is, she went up to the rooftop garden" Heather said as she exited the penthouse.

"Thanks, have a great evening." Maya replied shutting the door.

Maya turned and saw the painting sitting against the wall and shook her head smiling to herself. She secretly enjoyed all the redecorating Carina was doing, it somehow did make it feel more homey. She then headed down the hall and up the stairs towards the rooftop.

— — —

Carina had Lucas place the sculpture right outside the outdoor seating area. Scooting it back and forth until she had found just the right spot. The evening sun was catching the green glass and providing an almost glow to the sculpture.

"See this is perfect" Carina said as she backed up to the outdoor bar.

"Yes, this is a great space." Lucas said as he walked around the rooftop taking in everything. He then ventured behind the bar finding the stocked fridge. "Fully stocked outdoor bar, wow."

"Oh would you like a beer? You did do a lot of heavy lifting." Carina mentioned as she walked behind the bar opening the fridge to grab a beer.

"Certainly." Lucas said as he took the beer and took a long drag.

Carina felt nervousness in her stomach but she had been running through the words in her head all afternoon on how she was going to suggest taking a break to Lucas. She shifted her feet, then walked around sitting at the bar running her fingers over the lip of the bar to help dispel nervous energy.

"Lucas," she said as he stepped towards her "I do think we should talk a bit."

"Oh," Lucas responded getting closer to Carina. "About which room we are going to have sex in first?" He said laughing as he leaned in for a kiss.

"No, this is not my house Lucas" Carina said bring to find the courage to say what had been on her mind for awhile now and this afternoon with Lucas had confirmed. Their lives were headed in different directions and the fun part of the relationship had now just become work to maintain.

"I think we should reevaluate our relationship." Carina almost whispered.

"What are you talking about Carina, I thought we were having fun?" Lucas looked puzzled while placing his beer on the bar next to Carina.

"I think that we are both in two different areas of our relationship, remember months ago when we talked about how this was always just going to be a fun relationship. Well I am having a hard time finding the fun lately. I know it has been partly me why we haven't been able to spend time together but I think our lives are going in two completely separate directions." Maya said bracing for a response.

Lucas took a deep breath, pulled another drag from the beer bottle then placed the it back down. "To be honest, I think I saw this coming. I have this awesome job opportunity in Australia and I really want to take it."

Carina let out a breath she had been holding in.

"Carina, you have really been amazing and we really did have a lot of fun." Lucas said as he stepped in between Carina's legs. "Can I kiss you just a bit more. I just want to remember the way your lips feel."

Carina nodded as Lucas stepped in quickly keeping the kiss. His hands began to roam slightly as their kiss continued. Carina allowed his tongue to explore her mouth as she to was relishing this last kiss.

— — —

Maya had just reached the door to the rooftop, opening it and looking around for Carina. She could see the outdoor bar at the far end of the terrace. For a moment, Maya stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Her mind wanted to turn and run but for some reason her feet were stuck as if they were in cement. She wanted to shut her eyes but they remained open taking in the scene before her.

After what felt like forever stuck in a brain fog, but actually had only lasted seconds, her thoughts caught up. That was definitely Carina and who else, she was making an educated guess but on a specific set of data, must be Lucas. She hadn't expected to see this, and the sight of Carina and Lucas kissing hit her like a punch to the gut.

She began to step backwards towards the door not wanting to alert them to her presence.

She made it back into the stairway and proceeded directly to her room. Maya closed the door to her bedroom behind her, leaning against it as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart was racing, and her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't believe what she'd just witnessed—Carina and Lucas kissing on the rooftop. The image played over and over in her mind, each time feeling like a fresh wound.

She moved to the edge of her bed and sat down, burying her face in her hands. The logical part of her mind tried to rationalize the situation. She reminded herself that their relationship was complicated and had started as an arrangement. They had both agreed to maintain a certain level of separation, even discussing seeing other people. But seeing Carina with Lucas had brought up feelings Maya wasn't ready to confront.

Maya felt a pang of jealousy, a sensation she hadn't expected. She had been trying to navigate this arrangement as professionally and emotionally detached as possible, but now it seemed her feelings for Carina were deeper than she'd admitted to herself. The jealousy was mixed with a sense of betrayal, even though she knew they hadn't established any sort of actual romantic relationship.

"Why does this bother me so much?" Maya thought, frustration creeping into her voice. "We have an agreement, a contract. We're not supposed to be... involved like this."

But even as she said the words, Maya knew they were a lie. The truth was, she had started to care about Carina, maybe more than she should. The little moments they shared, the late-night talks, the way Carina made her laugh—all of it had slowly chipped away at the walls Maya had built around her heart. And now, seeing Carina with someone else felt like a punch to the gut, a painful reminder that their relationship, no matter how it had begun, was now more than just a business arrangement.

Maya sighed and stood up, walking over to the window. She looked out at the city lights, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside her. She knew she had to figure out what she wanted, not just from this arrangement but from her own feelings. Did she want to pursue something real with Carina, or was she just upset because someone else was crossing boundaries she hadn't yet dared to admit were there?

Maya took a deep breath, quickly grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the "man cave" and a glass, then returning to the bedroom, poured a full glass taking a large sip. She walked into the bathroom and started a bath. She wanted to drink and relax hopefully numbing herself to these emotions for the night. She needed to distance herself emotionally from Carina knowing that Carina did not return any of the same feelings, Carina was obviously very involved with Lucas.

— — —

Carina had allowed Luca's had to roam down her chest but had grabbed them as soon as they went to pull up the hem of her dress. Lucas stepped back taking in all of Carina.

"I really will miss you," Lucas stated still eyeing Carina up and down.

"I will miss you to Lucas, we can definitely stay in touch." Carina said smiling as she readjusted herself on the bar stool.

Lucas started to shift his weight on his feet and then looked again at Carina. "I feel like I should be completely honest with you, you were always honest with me, and I do hope maybe we can stay friends."

Carina now look puzzled "What are you talking about Lucas?"

"Well, when we got sort of distant, I mean it was like 3 weeks we were apart Carina," Lucas said shifting on his feet still while Carina just looked him dead on. "I was kind of lonely you know, and I thought that maybe something was happening between you and Maya because you know you never called." Lucas rambled. "Well, I met this girl named Becky and we may have had sex a few times but I stopped everything when I realized you were just busy with work and such."

Carina's eyes widened, and for a moment, she was speechless. The words hit her like a slap, leaving her reeling. The shock quickly gave way to a surge of anger, her hands clenching into fists on the table.

"You... what?" Carina's voice was low and dangerous, her Italian accent thickening with her rising fury. "You cheated on me? After everything we've been through, after all the time we spent together, you did this?"

"Che cazzo ti prende?" Carina said fuming as she could feel the tears starting to come from the corners of her eyes. "Tu, bastardo bugiardo e traditore." Carina now off the bar stool and pacing, took a few deep breaths.

"Leave now" Carina said staring straight at Lucas

"Carina" Lucas pleaded "I mean what was I supposed to do?"

"Cosa dovevi fare?" Carina screamed

"You know I don't understand Italian," Lucas said taking a step towards Carina.

"What were you supposed to do? What were you supposed to do? Lucas we were in a relationship, and not an open one. I was honest about my relationship with Maya. You knew the stress I was under with work and this arrangement for my family business. And you were what bored? What the actual fuck Lucas? It is time for you to go. Enjoy Australia and tell Becky to go fuck herself." Carina said walking towards the door and holding it open for Lucas to leave.

Lucas quietly hung his head and left, he knew better than to argue with the Italian when she was very angry about anything.

— — —

Carina felt a mix of emotions—anger, sadness, betrayal. She wanted to scream, cry, and punch something all at once. But more than anything, she felt a crushing sense of disappointment. She had believed in Lucas, trusted him, and he had shattered that trust.

She hurried past the living area, not wanting to encounter anyone—not Maya, not the house staff, not anyone. She needed to be alone, to process the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

As soon as she reached her bedroom, she slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, her breathing heavy and uneven. The room felt both comforting and suffocating, a private space where she could finally let go of the composure she had tried so hard to maintain.

She sank to the floor, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her body. The betrayal felt like a physical wound, sharp and relentless. Carina had always prided herself on being strong, on not letting others' actions define her. But this—this was different. It wasn't just about Lucas's infidelity; it was about trust, loyalty, and the vulnerability of giving someone a piece of your heart.

Carina's thoughts raced, each one more painful than the last. She thought about all the moments she had shared with Lucas, the times she had confided in him, the love she thought they had. It all felt tainted now, overshadowed by his betrayal. She felt foolish for not seeing the signs, for believing that their relationship, however imperfect, had a solid foundation.

Anger bubbled up, mingling with her sadness. How dare he cheat on her? How dare he lie to her face, pretending everything was fine? The thought of Lucas being with someone else while he was still with her made her stomach churn with disgust. She felt humiliated, as if everyone around her had known and pitied her for not knowing the truth.

As the tears continued to fall, Carina wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some semblance of comfort. She thought about the conversation with Maya, about the honesty they were trying to build between them. The contrast between Maya's transparency and Lucas's deceit was stark, and it made Carina question everything.

Why did this hurt so much? Was it because she had genuinely loved Lucas? Or was it because she felt betrayed and foolish? Or was it the realization that she might have already been developing feelings for someone else, someone she had never expected?

Her thoughts inevitably drifted to Maya. Despite the complexities of their arrangement, Maya had been straightforward and honest. Carina wondered if part of her anger came from comparing Lucas's dishonesty with Maya's integrity. She had been so caught up in the complications of her feelings for Maya that she hadn't fully acknowledged the disintegration of her relationship with Lucas.

Carina wiped her eyes, feeling the rawness of her emotions. She knew she couldn't stay like this forever, that she had to face the situation head-on. But for now, she allowed herself to feel everything—the anger, the sadness, the betrayal. She needed to grieve the loss of the relationship she thought she had, to mourn the trust that had been shattered.

— — —

Carina dressed and headed down for breakfast. She had began to enjoy sharing the meal before starting their days. Determined to put the events of yesterday behind her and look forward to the future she entered the kitchen. She looked around but saw no sign of Maya. When she went to turn on the coffee pot she saw a folded piece of paper with her name on it.

Carina,

Good morning. I'm sorry I can't be there with you for breakfast today. I had an early meeting with a client.

I think you should go ahead and pick the dates for the future events. Our mothers are going to start harassing us if we do not get this settled soon. You have my shared calendar so you can match our availability. Just drop the events on the calendars and I will make sure I am available.

Maya

Carina sighed, folding the note and placing it back on the counter. The practicality and directness of Maya's message felt both reassuring and slightly impersonal. Carina appreciated the effort Maya was making to keep things organized and professional, but after everything that had happened, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She had hoped for a chance to talk to Maya, maybe even confide in her about the events with Lucas, but now she'd have to wait.

She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table, pulling out her phone to look at their shared calendars. The schedules were packed with meetings, appointments, and events, leaving little room for spontaneity. The engagement party was behind them, but there were still several key events to plan: the wedding date, the rehearsal dinner, the reception, and more.

Carina scrolled through the calendar, feeling the weight of the decisions ahead. She knew that setting these dates would make everything feel more real, more permanent. It was a reminder that despite the complexities of their situation, they were moving forward with this arrangement. It was a strange mixture of feelings—part anticipation, part apprehension.

As she sipped her coffee, Carina thought about what she wanted from these events. Did she want something extravagant or something simple? What kind of compromises would she and Maya need to make? And how much of herself was she willing to put into this marriage, knowing that her feelings for Maya were growing more complicated by the day?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. Thoughts that had turned from Lucas to Maya throughout the past night. She had seen Maya the morning before but sill felt a loss with missing her presence this morning.

— — —

After spending most of the day contemplating the upcoming wedding events and trying to process her emotions, Carina decided to channel her energy into something productive. She enjoyed cooking—it was a way to unwind and express herself. So, she set about preparing a special dinner, hoping it might be an opportunity for her and Maya to reconnect.

As she began chopping vegetables and marinating the chicken, Carina felt a sense of anticipation. Despite their unconventional situation, she was starting to feel a genuine connection with Maya, one that went beyond the terms of their arrangement. The idea of sharing a quiet evening together, just the two of them, was comforting and exciting.

With the meal nearly ready, Carina pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Maya:

Hey, I'm cooking dinner tonight. When do you think you'll be home?

She continued preparing the dishes, setting the table with care. She lit a few candles, hoping to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. As she poured two glasses of wine, her phone buzzed with a message from Maya. Carina quickly wiped her hands and picked up the phone to read the reply:

Hey, Carina. I'm sorry, but I'll be out all evening. I have some meetings and dinner with a client. Don't wait up.

Carina stared at the message, feeling a pang of disappointment. She put the phone down, the cheerful mood she had been cultivating suddenly deflated. She had been looking forward to spending time with Maya, to maybe having a chance to talk about everything that was happening. But now, it seemed she would be spending the evening alone.

Carina pulled up Maya's calendar on her phone but did not see any entry for this evening.

She glanced around the kitchen and dining area, taking in the candles, the beautifully set table, the aroma of the food. It felt like a missed opportunity, a moment that could have been special but was slipping away.

With a sigh, Carina poured the wine back into the bottle and put away one of the glasses. She plated a portion of the meal for herself and sat down at the table, feeling the emptiness of the large penthouse around her. As she took a bite, she couldn't help but think about Maya—her blue eyes, her wit, the unexpected moments of vulnerability she had glimpsed and just the feeling that overtook her when she was around.

Carina realized that she missed Maya, even though they were still getting to know each other. It was strange, feeling this way about someone she was supposed to marry out of convenience. Yet, the more time they spent together, the more she found herself drawn to Maya. There was a complexity to her that intrigued Carina, a depth that made her want to understand her better.

As she finished her meal, Carina decided to save the rest for later, hoping Maya might still enjoy it when she got home. She cleaned up the kitchen, leaving the dishes to dry. With nothing else to do, she decided to curl up on the couch with a book, trying to distract herself from the loneliness that was settling in