Glancing at the clock beside the bed, I saw that it was 9:00. Reluctantly I got up and showered, dressed in cream color linen dress with a covered Collar brushing my sleek long hair into a knot which I pinned with trembling fingers. Ada looked at me expressionlessly, when I descended. “ Tea and lasagne? She asked in a deep voice.“Thank you”. I stood by the window staring out at the gray sky. When Ada brought me my breakfast I sat down and poured myself some tea and drank it slowly, needing the heat that it gave me. I could not touch the food, after one look at it, I pushed it away. Ada’s mouth tightened. “Marc did not eat anything as well,” she said and my face turned red and my lips trembled as I looked away. “He is staying in bed today, Ada said. “He overdid it yesterday.”I laughed hysterically and couldn't stop. I knew Ada was staring at me with curiosity. Gathering up my courage from somewhere I forced myself to regain my self-control and bent my head and concentrated on drinking my tea. Eric Kent walked in a moment later and give me a polite nod. “Good morning Mrs. Garcia.” “Good morning”, I said, glancing at him and away. I still found it embarrassing to remember how I had talked to him into taking me away only to have Marc furious over that matter. No doubt the man thought her despicable. Marc was right in one thing too, there was no point to enlighten Eric Kent, as to the complexities of their relationship. “ I am leaving today after all,” he said with a strange note in his voice and I felt myself flush, guessing that Marc had arranged his early departure. “Well it was nice to meet you,” I said moving to the door.” I hope you have a good trip.” “It seems quite calm today,” he agreed to watch her. “Is your friend coming for you or are you hiring a car?” I asked politely trying to make conversation. “Your husband called up my friend,” he said and there was a distinct amusement in his blue eyes. I was embarrassed knowing that he imagined that Marc had been jealous and wanted him off the estate in case I run off with him. It did not matter now because I was certain Marc would let me go after last night. It had been worth the encounter for both of us, consuming them in brief insanity which had left me burned out, and empty, and no doubt it had done the same to Marc. “I hope your thesis goes well,” I said politely. “Good luck with it.”“Thank you,” Eric Kent answered, smiling and I walked out leaving him staring after me. I walked along the path towards the garden and watched the sunlight fall on the beautiful carpeted garden. I heard the car engine roar, as I walked back to the house and waved as Eric Kent passed me. He was going to meet his friend no doubt and there was a bag pack and a large suitcase beside him."He's gone,” Ada said satisfied as I ate my lunch alone. The smell of the meat cooked by her made me feel sick again but I forced myself to eat some of the tender meat. It fell off slightly as I touched it with my fork and I smiled at Ada.“You are such a wonderful cook! “Ada looks pleased black eyes shining. “At least you're eating now.” “Did Marc eat?” I wish I could recall the question as soon as it was out but it had been asked and now Ada answered it's smiling. “Yes he's sleeping,” Ada said smilingly. “And he slept all morning. He was so tired poor Marc.”“ I bet he was,” I said embarrassed again and wishing I could take back the remark but I was infuriated when Ada started laughing and went out because I did not know what on earth the woman believed when I said that. I spent the afternoon slumping in my bed reading a book. I did not go anywhere near Marc. I had not yet gathered the courage to face him. Perhaps he was staying in his room because he was ashamed of what he had done and somehow that thought made me angrier than ever. It occurred to me that Marc might have forced my submission to feed his pride. I was planning to divorce him after all. Lovers do not betray, do not turn to other women and Marc had broken the code and offended me to my very core. He had rules which applied to men but not to a woman. He had no shame in having slept with Bella but he felt free to be jealous because he thought, I had let Blade make Love to me. It twisted in me like a snake, the sense of self-betrayal, which uninhibited my response to him had left. I felt it was over me in the strong current, whenever the memory flashback. Was it possible to hate and love someone at the same time? To despise and desire? I closed my eyes hearing the birds chirping outside my room. God, I thought how I despise myself it was so easy for him. I was only pretending to fight at first and for two minutes and he could do what he liked with me. Have I no backbone at all ?I was lying silently when I heard someone knock at the door and Ada told me that I had a visitor downstairs. “A visitor? who is it?” I asked curiously.“It's Bella Costa, she's waiting for you in the drawing room. I've given her some coffee but Bella told me to go and look for you, she's waiting eagerly for you downstairs .” Ada informed me flatly. “Are you sure that it's me she wants to see and not Marc?” I asked in puzzled tone because I was not sure why would Bella come to meet me. Wasn't yesterday's talk enough for her? This woman is very stubborn I admitted to myself. “Yes Carmen, I'm sure I told her that Marc is resting today and she told me that she is aware of it.” she added flatly. “And she was very clear when she said that she had come to see you.”“Where are Ria and Mathias?”“Ria is visiting her mother in Milan today and Mathias has gone off for some work to the office downtown.” “I see. Well, thank you for the information. I'll go to the drawing room directly.” I said. “You wish to speak to me about something Ada? I said as she kept standing there.“No, no nothing like that but I will talk to you when Bella leaves later,” Ada said with a bright smile on her face. “Okay.” As soon as the shadow vanished outside the door, I wrinkled my forehead in frowning concentration in a futile attempt to think of one single reason to explain Bella Costa's visit. Shaking my head in irritation I left the coziness of my room and hurried along with the tiled Hall, towards the warmer surrounding of the drawing room. I was forced to admit that Bella Costa was the last person I'd hope to see that morning. The woman to whom Marc would soon be married.