**Secret Encounters**
After his divorce, Daniel found himself searchingor so he told his colleagues and friends. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, though he hadnt wanted it that way. His wife had been unbearable. At least there were no children; shed refused to have any.
At thirty-six, Daniel was in his primefit, broad-shouldered, with striking good looks and a mysterious gaze. Hed had flings, even with younger women, but marriage was the last thing on his mind. He avoided office romances, considering them cliché, especially since most of his female colleagues were married.
*»Ive got more sense than to get tangled up in that mess,»* hed say over pints at the pub with his mates.
*»Dont count your chickens before they hatch,»* theyd tease. *»You know how it goeslove sneaks up on you.»*
Daniel had always been confidenttoo confident, as it turned out. Hed never forget the summer day a new colleague, Lydia, joined their office. His friend Oliver had mentioned her the day before:
*»Weve got a new hireMaxs wife, from the branch office.»*
Daniel vaguely knew Maxdull and unremarkable, in his opinion.
*»Bet his wifes just as boring,»* hed thought dismissively.
But the next morning, when Lydia was introduced, Daniel was speechless. She was stunningand brilliant, as he soon discovered. Within a week, he was anxiously waiting for her every morning, losing sleep over her at night.
*»Lydias perfect for me. And if Im right for her, surely shell see it too. I just need to make her notice me. Being single gives me an edgeespecially since well be working closely together. No one will suspect a thing.»*
Another week passed. Daniel noticed Lydia warming to him. They worked side by side, laughing and joking, but her constant mentions of Max grated on him.
*»She either isnt interested or actually loves that dull husband of hers. I refuse to believe the latterbut then, she did marry him for a reason.»*
Still, he hesitated to flirt outright. Yet working together on projects forced them into close quartersthough they were rarely alone, with Oliver usually around.
Then one day, Oliver was absent. As they bent over paperwork, heads nearly touching, Daniel felt Lydias warm breathand before he could stop himself, he kissed her.
She pulled back, covering her mouth. *»Daniel, pleasedont do that again.»*
But she didnt leave or seem angry. A good sign, he thought.
*»Sorry, I couldnt help myself,»* he said, grinning.
Lydia acted as if nothing happened, and they returned to work. Days passed without mention of the incident.
That Friday, as they clocked out, Daniel ventured, *»Can I call you this weekend?»*
*»No,»* she said quickly, then relented: *»Ill call you.»*
*»Ill be waiting,»* he replied, elated.
But the weekend dragged on without a word. By Sunday evening, Daniel caved and dialed her number. She answered in a whisper:
*»Dont call me. Ill reach out.»*
Monday morning, his alarm hadnt even rung when Lydia called, startling him.
*»Daniel, are you busy? Can I come over?»*
He bolted upright. *»Alone? You drive, right? Of course. Let me give you my address.»*
Hanging up, he raced through a shower and brewed coffeethough he didnt get to drink it. The doorbell rang. One look at her eyes told him everything. He pulled her inside, kissing her hungrily.
*»Good morning,»* she murmured, breathless.
Daniel, overcome, didnt respond.
Later, over coffee in his kitchen, Lydia remarked, *»Max leaves for work much earlier than I do.»* Daniel bristledwhy bring him up now?
*»Your place is cosy,»* she added. *»And the coffees lovely.»*
They arrived at work separately, just in time. Daniel braced for suspicion, but no one batted an eyeexcept Oliver.
*»Running late today, Dan? Youre usually ahead of me.»*
*»Just one of those mornings,»* Daniel shrugged.
Their secret meetings became routine. Early mornings, stolen hoursoccasionally a Saturday when Max visited his parents cottage.
*»Stay with me forever,»* Daniel begged one such Saturday.
*»I cant,»* Lydia sighed.
*»Why not?»*
*»Its impossible.»*
Daniel stifled his frustration. She needed time. But how long could this last? If Max grew suspicious, itd all collapse.
Weeks passed. Finally, Daniel snapped. *»Lydia, divorce him. Marry me. Im tired of hiding.»*
*»I cant,»* she said softly. *»Theres my sonhes eleven. Max would never let him go.»*
Daniel faltered. *»Id adopt him. I love you.»*
*»Its not that simple.»*
After that, their meetings dwindled. Daniel realised this was going nowhere. He wanted marriage; she wouldnt leave Max. The early mornings exhausted him.
One evening, he made his choice.
*»Lydia, this isnt enough. Divorce him, or were done.»*
*»I cant,»* she whispered.
*»Then its over.»*
She left without argument.
Later, Daniel met another womansingle, available. But shed never stir his heart like Lydia. Some loves, he decided, only come once. Between tormenting passion and peace, he chose peace. It was better this way.
