Written by: Dallas Walsh

Stacey Rockwell opens the front door to the country club and quickly moves inside. She requests sitting on the patio as it is a glorious day outside in Kelsey Lake and is dying to have a glass of rose with her lunch while she and Houston Blackmore plan their wedding.

As she moves to her table, she is surprised to see Marat Kafelinkov sitting at another table wearing his sun glasses while he looks at some paper work in front of him. She is immediately taken aback to Christmas Eve when she and Marat slept together; she hasn't seen much of him since then as she is trying to forget the affair happened as she and Houston are in a good place. Stacey, however, is having a difficult time forgetting that night now that Marat is in front of her.

"Stacey, will you join me?" Marat asks as he notices her former fiancé standing in front of him.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," she admits to him as she moves up to his table. "I've purposely been avoiding you."

"Believe me, I've noticed," Marat winks back to her. "Come on, we are in a public place, no one will think anything odd is going on if we have a drink together. What do you say? For old times sake? I will keep you company until Houston arrives."

Stacey gulps heavily and sits across from Marat. "How have you been?" he asks her as the waiter brings Stacey her glass of rose.

"I've been really good," Stacey admits to him. "Houston and I are planning our wedding, finally."

"Ah, I guess that explains why you've been distant."

"What happened over the holidays can never happen again," Stacey tells him before she takes a sip of her wine. "I know that you want it to Marat, but I am in love with Houston."

"I understand," Marat nods back to her. "I guess Christmas Eve can be a final good bye for us?"

"You have to know that I never meant to hurt you," she reaches over and grabs her hand, unaware that Grant Shaw is behind and sees the interaction unfolding. "A part of me will always love you, Marat. But my future is with Houston."

"I'll always care about you too Stacey," Marat tells her. "Like I said, I will respect your decision. Christmas Eve was a beautiful moment in time, one that I will cherish forever."

"Thank you for understanding," she purses her lips back together, as Grant realizes that Stacey and Marat slept together on Christmas Eve. He quickly leaves unseen, wondering what he should do with this information that he just learned.

***

Carmen Santos pours herself a vanilla flavored vodka and moves back to the sofa in the living room of the Rockwell mansion. The Rockwell's never carried vanilla vodka in the house before she was living there, but it is one of the many changes she has made since she has become Mrs. Mac Rockwell. She knows that some of the staff hasn't been pleased with some of her changes but she doesn't care; she is in charge now.

She takes a sip of her drink and then opens her laptop. She quickly types in the stock exchange website and waits for it to load.

"I will buy some more stocks today," she whispers to herself as she recalls her conversation with her brother, Mateo, and he advised her to take further action since Mac made her sign a prenup. She is now, secretly, buying up stocks in Rockwell Mining, using the Rockwell's money, in hopes of obtaining enough shares to be a power player at the company.

She does a couple of clicks on the mousepad and then gets a grin on her face. "Cheers," she says as she picks up her vodka. "To securing my future."

***

Celeste Baldwin slowly walks up to Mac's office door in the Rockwell Mining office tower. She pauses before she prepares to knock on the door as she thinks back to how she kissed Mac recently; it was completely unexpected in her mind. They had shared a nice drink together a few days earlier and when she ran into Mac again, he was upset by Lucinda and Lydia Rockwell's actions towards Carmen, and Celeste just kissed him. The kiss caught her off guard, as well as him, and it's been a few days since she has seen him. She just hopes that she hasn't crossed any lines as she really enjoyed talking with Mac again.

She opens the door and sees him sitting at his desk. "Mac, hi," she moves into the office.

Mac looks up from his paper work and sees his ex-wife. "Celeste, good morning, how are you?"

"I'm okay," she moves closer to his desk. "I had to come and see you since the last time we saw one another…."

"You kissed me," Mac stands up from his desk and moves around to the other side to be closer to her. "Have you been thinking about it?"

"Nonstop," she admits to him. "I know you're married…I don't know what got into me."

Mac chuckles back to her. "I am flattered Celeste, I really am. You're a beautiful woman, there is no denying that."

Celeste feels her cheeks flush. "Why do I get the feeling there is a but coming?"

"But, I am married. Happily married, at that," Mac tells her. "You don't have to feel bad or ashamed. What happened, happened. But, we are only friends, okay?"

Celeste nods her had back to him. "Thank you for taking this so well."

"Of course," Mac grabs her hand. "We have been through a lot together, let's make sure we stay on good terms."

"Yes, let's ensure we do that," Celeste smiles back to him, thrilled that she didn't ruin anything with Mac.

***

Lexington Rockwell scurries around his office at Blackmore Ltd. as he tries to collect all of the files that he needs to review the last ad campaign that he is launching for the company. He has a very important meeting to finalize all of the details on the designs of the diamonds, the models and the look of the upcoming campaign; once the meeting is over and done with, he will be able to tell Kent that he has complete another successful task while being the acting CEO.

"Hey, I'm glad you're here," Grant announces as he opens the door to the office and moves inside. After seeing Stacey and Marat together at the country club, Grant raced over to see Lex to tell him the secret he has uncovered. He couldn't not tell Lex since they tell each other everything. "We have to talk."

"Do we?" Lex looks up from finding the last file on his desk. "It's going to have to wait, Grant. I'm just about to head to a very important meeting."

"You can't spare 5 minutes?"

"I'm afraid not," Lex shakes his head back to him. "I'm sorry, but I'm running a company here, you understand right?"

"Ugh, yea, I guess," Grant groans back to him. "I guess I'll just tell you later?"

"I'd love that," Lex moves to the door. "But don't wait up for me if I'm not home on time. It might be a late night for me here."

Grant sighs as Lex storms out of the office. "I knew you'd be busy doing this job but this seems a little crazy," he whispers to himself.

***

"I wish you had told me you were coming back into town," Vivian Blackmore tells Chase Cooper, who is sitting on the sofa in her large mansion holding a glass of brandy in his hand. Vivian moves back around to sit with him as she just poured herself a glass of champagne. "I would have tried to prepare more for you."

"It was a very last minute decision," Chase replies to her. "Deacon called me and told me that Madi was going to marry Cole Rockwell, I thought I should come to town. This is the worst idea Madi has ever had. What has gotten into her?"

Vivian uneasily takes a sip of her champagne knowing how seductive Cole can be when he wants to be; she, herself, has slept with him many times so she can appreciate her daughter's attraction.

"She's young and in love," Vivian waves her hand in the air. "But I do know why you would be concerned Chase."

"The idea of our daughter marrying into the family scares me to my very core. She doesn't deserve to be pulled into that family's web of deceit."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Vivian purses her lips together. "What do you think we should do?"

"Whatever it takes to stop Madi from making the biggest mistake of her life," Chase looks back at her with intent. "And, I'm going to need you help to show her that marrying Cole would be just that."

"Absolutely," Vivian nods back to him. "Anything you need from me, Chase, I'm here for you. I'm just glad you're back; you have no idea how much I've missed you."

Chase licks his lips and leans in to Vivian's mouth giving her a passionate kiss. "I think I have some idea," he winks at her as she's left breathless from the kiss.

***

Madi rests her head on Cole's muscular chest, which is still glistening in sweat as they just finished making passionate love to one another. Madi leans up and looks at Cole, who is trying to get his heart rate back down to normal.

"That was amazing," he looks down into her eyes. "I had missed you so much, Madi."

"I had missed you too," she admits to him. "I'm so happy that you have forgiven me for not telling you about my mother."

"You had no reason too," Cole replies to her quickly. "Besides, I'm hardly perfect myself. Now, we can put that all behind us and move on with our lives."

"I wish it was that simple," Madi admits to him as she leans up in the bed and pulls the covers up to cover her naked body. "Something has happened that I haven't told you about yet."

Cole arches his eyebrow. "What has happened now? You look concerned."

"My father, Chase Cooper, is in town; when I saw him he told me that he wouldn't let me marry you."

Cole shakes his head in surprise. "I'm confused about something," Cole admits to her. "If Chase Cooper is your father, why is your last name Stewart? And, why would he be opposed to us getting married?"
"Stewart is my mother's maiden name," Madi reveals to him. "I took it when I was starting my career; my father was a successful political figure, I didn't want any handouts based on my last name."

"That's very courageous of you," Cole smiles back to her. "But that still doesn't explain why he wouldn't want us to be married."

"I don't know all the details," she admits to him. "But Cole, my father, he can be ruthless. If he is saying we won't be married, I'm scared to know what he will do to us to stop us from getting married."

Cole puts his arms around her and holds her for a moment. "I love you Madi," he whispers back to her. "No one could do anything to either one of us to stop me from wanting to marry you, okay? We can get through this; we will get through this."

"I hope you're right, Cole," she whispers back to him. "I really hope you're right."

***

Grant opens the front door to the Grind coffeehouse and moves inside. Following his brief, and lackluster, encounter with Lex, he decided to come to the coffeehouse to treat himself to a mocha with extra whipped cream. He has always been an emotional eater and right now, he just wants to make himself feel better.

After collecting the drink, he looks over to the sofa and sees Mateo Santos sitting there. He recalls meeting Mateo a few days earlier and, in his mind, Mateo was flirting with him slightly. Still, Grant enjoyed meeting someone new as he doesn't have many friends in Kelsey Lake, yet alone attractive ones.

He finds himself moving over to Mateo. "Hey, is this seat taken?" Grant asks as he sits next to his friend.

Mateo looks up and immediately smiles at the sight of Grant, as he knows it was a part of his plan with Houston to befriend Lex's lover. He hadn't seen him again since they initially met, so in Mateo's mind, this is perfect.

"It is now," Mateo tells his friend. "Is everything okay? You seem sad about something?"

Grant sighs and looks over at him. "I'm sure it's nothing…I just feel like I might have had a mini fight with my boyfriend. No, it wasn't a fight … it was… I don't know."

"Why don't you tell me about it? Maybe I can help somehow?"

"That's sweet of you," Grant replies to him quickly. "It's nothing major, it's just … he has a very important job and sometimes it feels like he puts his job before me and us."

"I'm sorry that he made you feel that way," Mateo tells him as he puts his hand on Grant's leg and squeezes it. "I know if you were my boyfriend, I'd always make time for you."

Grant blushes as they lock eyes. "Thanks Mateo, that oddly makes me feel a lot better."

At the entry way, Houston stands with a smile on his face as he realizes that Mateo is hitting on Grant. My plan is starting to work, Houston thinks to himself as he turns and leaves the coffeehouse before Grant has a chance to notice him.

***

Stacey looks up from her desk when she hears her office door open and sees Houston walking in with a huge smile on his face. She stands up from her chair and moves up to him.

"Someone looks to be in a very good mood today," she notes to him as she hugs him and then gives him a kiss on his lips.

"I am in a very good mood," Houston nods back to her, still thinking about what he just witnessed between Grant and Mateo. "And, I'll be in an even better mood if you agree to my next idea."

Stacey arches her eyebrow. "Okay, what is this great idea that you have?"

"Next Saturday, let's set as our wedding date. I don't want to wait anymore Stacey, I want to be your husband!"

"Next Saturday? As in, just over a week from now? That doesn't give us much time!"

"With our families connections, we don't need time. I already know your father will let us use the mansion as the venue. Everything else can fall into place. Come on, Stacey, what do you say?"

"I say, I better start dress shopping!" she giggles as he lifts her up into his arms and twirls her around.

"You've made me so happy," he says as he puts her back on the ground and kisses her passionately.

***

"Son, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Kent Blackmore announces as he moves into the main office at Blackmore Ltd. and sees Lex sitting behind the desk.

"Not at all," Lex stands up and shakes Kent's hand. "I was actually just about to pour myself a celebratory drink. Would you care to join me for one?"

Kent arches his eyebrow back to his son. "That sounds nice Lexington, but you'll have to tell me the cause of this celebration."

Lex passes Kent a brandy with a grin on his face. "I just had a meeting with marketing and we are good to go on the new ad campaign. They will start filming the television and digital media ads tomorrow."

"That is wonderful news," Kent raises his glass to Lex and they toast. "I guess I don't have to ask how things are going around here then?"

Lex uneasily chuckles back to him. "There are hiccups each and every day, as you know from your years of running this company, but I am doing a damn good job, if I can say so."

Kent nods back to him. "It appears that you," he tells his son. "I'm proud of you Lex. I'm glad that you are living up to the potential I saw in you."

"It's not always easy," Lex admits to him. "so thank you again for this opportunity. I hope you're pleased."

Kent takes a sip of his brandy. "Yes, of course I am. You're doing a fantastic job," he tells his son, thinking that Houston's claims that Lex isn't fit to be running the company are farfetched now.

***

Deacon Cooper opens the door to the country club and moves inside as he seeks a drink to calm his nerves from the day. He has always been close to his father, Chase, but he hadn't seen him in years. The fact that his father is back in town has stirred up a lot of old feelings for Deacon; feelings that he has to act on, and now is the time to do it, as long as he can solve one little riddle.

He moves into the dining room and immediately sees Sabine Andrews sitting at the bar alone, so he moves over to his former lover. "Sabine, I'm glad I ran into you," he says as he sits next to her.

Sabine puts her champagne cocktail down and looks over at Deacon. "Do you think it is wise that people see us together? I thought we agreed that no one would ever know about our affair."

"I did agree to that," Deacon smiles back to her. "And it will stay that way, as long as you help me with something."

Sabine looks back at him in surprise. "Are you threatening me? I'm not sure what I have to offer you to keep your silence."

"I am assuming that you and Kent Blackmore have reunited by now. He would be a fool not to take you back."

"Kent and I are in a very good place," Sabine nods back to him. "That's why it is imperative that you keep quiet about us."

"And I'm willing to do that," he tells her. "But, I need your help with something."

"I'm listening."

"My father is back in Kelsey Lake," Deacon reveals to her. "Years ago, before I went to school to be a doctor, I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and be a politician."

Sabine takes another sip of her cocktail while she listens to Deacon's story. "I was going to run for office but something happened between Kent and my father and prevented me from running. I'm sure that Kent still has documentation to support this; I need you to get those documents so they can be destroyed. Then, I could look at running for office in the future."

Sabine looks back at him in surprise. "What are these documents? And what makes you think that Kent would still have them?"

"I can't say anymore," Deacon tells her. "But you need to try to find these documents. I promise you, once you see them, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about."

"And if these documents no longer exist?"

"I don't believe for one second that they don't exist," Deacon advises her. "You need to find them for me Sabine. Because if you don't, I will tell Kent about us being together."

"Fine!" Sabine snaps at him. "I'll try to find these documents. But, you realize that it's going to be like finding a needle in a haystack, right? You've given me no information to go off of."

"You're a smart woman, I know you'll figure it out."

***

"Lydia," Kent opens the door to the penthouse and sees his former fiancé standing in his hallway. "I wasn't expecting you, but I'm free, come on in."

"Thank you," Lydia moves into the home that she used to share with Kent. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I would come in and see you. It has been a while."

"It certainly has," Kent tells her. "Can I get you a drink? How have you been?"

"I'd love a drink," Lydia replies to him. "And, I've been … okay. There are some issues in the family, but isn't there always?"

Kent chuckles back to her as he pours her a brandy. "That seems to be the only common denominator around here."

"By the way, I heard that Vivian was not sick at all. I can't believe that woman would fool you like that," Lydia takes a sip of her brandy. "On second thought, I can believe it. Vivian has never had any scruples."

"It came as a shock to everyone involved," Kent admits to her. "I truly thought that she was sick and that I was giving her a final gift. The worst part about it is that I hurt Sabine deeply by moving back in and marrying Vivian."

"You really care for my sister?"

"I hope that's not awkward for you," Kent looks back at her. "Because I really do care for her, yes."

"It's not weird at all Kent," Lydia purses her lips together. "I am just glad that you and I can be friends. We spent too many years together to be at odds with one another."

"I couldn't agree more," Kent smiles back to her. "How about we toast to friendship?"

"To friendship."

***
MADI/SABINE

"Darling, I was wondering what the purpose of this meeting was? I don't believe we had anything on the agenda for Rockwell Mining?" Mac asks Stacey as they stand in the office of the Rockwell Mining tower, with Lex, Cole and Lucinda standing in the room as well.

"I have news and wanted you to all hear it from me," Stacey admits to her family.

"Mom isn't here, will that be a problem?" Cole asks his sister, noting that Lydia is missing from the meeting.

"No, I can fill her in later," Stacey tells him. "And don't worry Lex, I won't keep you long, I know you're busy at Blackmore."

Mac and Cole shoot looks to one another of disapproval as they still can't believe that Lex quit working at Rockwell for Blackmore. They had hoped it would have blown over by now but it has not.

"Thanks Stacey," Lex smiles back to her. "I do have a million things to do since I am CEO."

"Well, the news is that Houston and I are getting married finally! Next Saturday is the date!" Stacey announces to everyone.

"That is so soon," Lucinda immediately tells her granddaughter, still unnerved that she is marrying a Blackmore. "Aren't you rushing this?"

"Considering how long Houston have been wanting to get married, I'd say no," Stacey replies to her. "I just hope you can all support Houston and I. We really just want to be happy."

"If you're happy, then we are happy," Mac moves up to his daughter and hugs her. "If there's anything that you need…"

"I thought you'd never ask," Stacey smiles back to him as they exit their embrace. "Houston and I were hoping to get married at the mansion."

"Of course, consider it done," Mac tells his daughter.

"Congratulations Stacey, this really is good news," Cole tells her.

"I agree with Cole for once," Lex winks back to her. "Congrats Stace."

"Thanks guys," Stacey beams back to them. "I just can't believe that I'm finally going to marry the man of my dreams and nothing will stop us!"

***

"Where the hell have you been?" Houston annoyingly asks Lex as his half-brother opens the door to the main office at Blackmore Ltd. Houston has been waiting for Lex to return to his office so they can review the changes that Lex and the marketing team made to the ad campaign. The fact that Houston has had to wait so long for Lex so long is further proof, in his mind, that Lex shouldn't be the CEO.

"I had a meeting," Lex tells him as he moves back around the desk. "With Stacey. She announced to the family that you two are getting married. I'd offer you congratulations but you're being such an asshole these days…"

"How dare you," Houston scuffs at him. "My personal life is not impacting work, can you say the same?"

"Yea, I can Houston," Lex rolls his eyes back to him. "If I didn't care about this job, I would be out with Grant getting dinner right now. Instead, I'm here about to go over the changes to the campaign with you. Now, if you're done bitching, let's get to work?"

"Sure, I just have to text Stacey that I'm running late," Houston tells him.

"Great, I'll do the same with Grant," Lex tries to be nicer to his brother. He grabs his phone and shoots Grant a text. "Don't wait to eat babe, running late. See you later."

Meanwhile, at Grant and Lex's apartment, Grant puts his glass of wine down as he hears his phone ping with a new message. He grabs his phone and sees the incoming message from Lex.

Grant sighs and takes another sip of his wine. "Damn it," he mumbles to himself. "Work is always coming first with you, Lex."

He grabs his phone again and sends Mateo a message. "Free for dinner tonight?"

***

"Are you ready to do this?" Madi asks Cole as they stand outside of Vivian's mansion. Madi and Cole are there in hopes of trying to convince Chase and Vivian that they should be married as they love one another; Madi just hopes that her parents are as supportive as she wants them to be.

"As ready as I will ever be," Cole tells her. "Look, whatever happens, I meant what I said earlier Madi, I love you and nothing or no one will stop us from being together."

"I love you so much," Madi replies to him. "Okay, let's get this over with, okay?"

Cole rings the doorbell to the mansion and soon Vivian's maid, Yolanda, is answering the door.

"Yolanda, hi," Madi smiles to her. "I'm here to see my parents. Are there in?"

"Yes, they are in the living room enjoying a post dinner drink," Yolanda tells her. "Would you like me to introduce you?"

"No, I think we have this covered, thank you," Madi replies to her as Yolanda nods her head.

Cole and Madi grab one another's hands as they walk through the foyer and into the living room, where they see Vivian and Chase sitting next to one another on the sofa.

"Mom, Dad," Madi announces to them. "I've come with Cole to get your blessing for us to be married. Now, I want you to know that I'm here to get your blessing but regardless of what you have to say tonight, Cole and I, we will be married."

Vivian and Chase look at one another before they set their drinks down and stand up. "It is nice to finally meet you," Chase extends his hand to Cole's, who shakes his hand back.

"I agree, it's long overdue," Cole tells him back. "And, for what it's worth, Mr. Cooper, I would have asked your permission for Madi's hand in marriage had I known you were in town."

"I wasn't in town at the time of the proposal," Chase admits to him. "But, I admire that Cole, very much. The problem is that you and your family have a very sorted history, wouldn't you agree?"

Cole uneasily chuckles back to him before he looks over at Vivian. "I'd like to think that every family has its ups and downs," Cole tells him. "The difference is that my family is in the public eye so a lot of our issues become public knowledge. Surely, you as a senator can appreciate that."

"You make a very good point," Vivian chimes in, trying to ease Chase's mood. "I think you know that there is more cause for concern here though."

"What does that mean?" Madi asks her, still unaware of Vivian and Cole's history.

"I will do whatever it takes to win you guys over," Cole tells Chase and Vivian. "My relationship with Madi is everything to mean and you two mean a lot to her, so I'm willing to do anything to make this union peaceful."

"How about we be in touch?" Chase suggests to him. "It is getting late and Vivian and I would like to enjoy the evening and we will think about what you've said."

"Thank you Daddy," Madi hugs Chase. "I appreciate you wanting to listen to us."

"Of course my beauty."

***

The next morning, Celeste sits at a table in the country club eating a light breakfast that consists of a fruit cup and yogurt with her coffee. She takes a sip of her coffee and wonders what she should do next with her life now that she has to accept that she and Cole are truly over. She knows that she kissed Mac but that was a mistake; she can't get back together with her ex-husband as he is happily married to Carmen now. Still, a part of her longs to be back in the inner circle of the Rockwell's; once you're in that circle, it is very difficult to be on the outside of it.

She turns her head and sees Madi standing at the bar waiting, for what appears, to be take out. She knows that she should stay away from her but she finds herself moving up to the woman who has now stolen Cole's heart.

"Good morning Madison," Celeste says approaching her. "How are you today?"

"I was having a good morning…"

"I won't keep you long," Celeste ignores her jab. "I just wanted to tell you that I hope you and Cole are happy. He and I had a very good discussion and we both realize that we both have to move on."

"Cole moved on a long time ago, Celeste," Madi tells her. "But thank you for that. Things are going so well with us right now. In fact, my parents are even coming around to the idea of Cole and I getting married."

"I'm surprised that Vivian is okay with that."

"Why would that surprise you?" Madi asks her.

"Well considering everything that Vivian and Cole have been through together, it's just a little close to home, don't you think?"

Madi feels the blood drain from her face. "What do you mean? What have Cole and my mother been through together?"

"Oh, you don't know?" Celeste purses her lips together. "Well, forget I said anything. It's none of my business."

"No, you're not going anywhere," Madi grabs Celeste's arm to stop her from walking away from her. "Tell me what is going on."

Celeste forces her arm free from Madi's clutches. "Fine," she snaps back at her. "Your mother and Cole have had multiple affairs. They were lovers for a brief period of time. More than once."

"What?" Madi gasps back in shock. "You're lying!"

Celeste chuckles back to her. "I wish I was," she replies to her. "Why do you think I thought the revelation that you were Vivian's mother would upset Cole enough to leave you? Wake up Madi, Cole has been with your mother and he must have liked it considering how many times he went back to her!"

Before Madi can reply, Celeste storms off. Madi, who is visibly shaken, tries to pull herself together before she rushes off, forgetting her order at the bar.

***

"Tell me that you've been buying stocks like I told you too?" Mateo takes a sip of his bloody mary as he and Carmen sit in the dining room of the country club a short time later. Mateo was famished so he suggested to his sister that they dine at the club; he knows that she will cover the cost of the meal and drinks since she is a Rockwell now, one of the many perks to having a sister being Mrs. Mac Rockwell.

"Yes, I have," Carmen replies to her brother before she takes a sip of her mimosa. "The best part is that I have been using Rockwell money to purchase their stocks!"

Mateo chuckles back to her loving that she is spending the Rockwell money while buying up stocks in their own company. "You have to continue to purchase stocks daily," he reminds her. "You have to ensure you hold enough shares to become a power player in the event that you and Mac have a falling out."

"You know Mateo," she purses her lips together. "I really don't want that to happen. I do love Mac."

"Really?" Mateo looks back at his sister in surprise. "Would you love him if he didn't have all of that money?"

Carmen chuckles back to him. "Okay, that is one of his better qualities, I can admit that."

"I knew it," Mateo smirks back to her. "And, just so you know, I'm also working on a little project that will help us financially. I don't want to give too much away just know I'm also working to ensure our future is secure."

Carmen arches her eyebrows in surprise. "You're being mysterious," she teases him. "But I'm glad that you're working on something. To never being poor again," she raises her glass and they toast.

From the entry way of the dining room, Lucinda stands and watches Carmen and Mateo toast one another. She arches her eyebrow having never seen Mateo before; she wonders who he is and why Carmen is having breakfast with him. Immediately, her mind wonders to if Mac knows that his sister is eating with a younger, very attractive man?

***

Lydia feels her cell phone vibrate and sees the incoming message from Lucinda advising her of the fact that Carmen is having breakfast with a man she does not recognize. Lydia, who is about to walk into the Rockwell mansion, realizes that she has another reason to discuss this with marriage with Mac. She has to make him realize what Carmen is up too before it's too late.

She storms into the house and moves directly into the living room where she sees Mac pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I'm glad you haven't left for the office yet this morning," she tells him as she casually tosses her Louie Vuitton purse onto the sofa.

"Good morning to you too," Mac turns to see his ex-wife. "Let me guess, you want to warn me about how evil Carmen is?"

"Do you know where your wife is right now?" Lydia asks him as she puts her hand on her hip. "She's at the club having breakfast with an attractive younger man!"

Mac tries to hide his surprise and disappointment; Carmen had told him that she was having a business breakfast meeting but she didn't disclose any further information.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Lydia asks him back. "Can't you see that she's using you for the family money?"

"Lydia! Enough!" Mac yells back at her. "This has to stop. I am married to Carmen and nothing you say will change that, do you understand me? Stop trying to come between me and my wife!"

Lydia watches as Mac storms out of the living room. She quickly moves over to her phone and replies to Lucinda's message. "Mac is starting to crack. We have to keep digging until we find something."

***

"Morning stud, come to my room at the club in a while? We can have a drink before we play tennis?" Grant reads the text from Mateo as he waits for his coffee at the Grind. He knows that if he accepts he would be treading on dangerous waters with Mateo; the last time they saw one another, Mateo rubbed Grant's leg and while Grant didn't react, the interact left him feeling very aroused. While he has longed to have more friends, he didn't realize he would be so attracted to them.

"Sure, sounds like fun," Grant ends up responding to the message. "I don't have to do anything sexual … I love Lex and he's hot. Mateo and I … we are just friends."

He grabs his coffee and is about to leave when he spots Marat walking into the coffeehouse. Immediately, he thinks back to seeing Marat and Stacey at the club discussing their affair over the Christmas break. He finds himself moving over to Marat.

"You're Marat Kafelinkov, correct?" Grant asks the Russian businessman.

"That's right. And you are?" Marat looks up from reading a report.

"Grant Shaw," he replies to him as he sits next to him. "I'm dating Lex Rockwell, Stacey's brother."

"Ah, yes, the name sounds familiar now," Marat nods back to him.

"I know that you and Stacey have a long history, Lex has filled me in," Grant admits to him. "I'm sure news of her marrying Houston Blackmore is unsettling to you."

"Stacey and I do have a long history," Marat agrees with him. "But we have agreed that I should move on. It's difficult, but I'm trying."

"You still love her, don't you?"

Marat puts his head down and forces a smile on his face. "Yes, I do love Stacey Mr. Shaw. I don't think that will ever change."

***

"I am so thrilled that your Dad agreed to let us use the mansion for the venue for the wedding," Houston smiles over to Stacey as they stand in the main office at Rockwell Mining. After having breakfast together, Houston drove Stacey to work so he could spend more time with her. He can't believe that they are, almost, finished planning their wedding.

"I figured he would agree," Stacey replies to her fiancé. "He doesn't like saying no to me."

"He and I have that in common," Houston winks back to her.

She smiles and leans into him and gives him a passionate kiss. "I think we are done planning the wedding," she tells him as their lips part ways. "That makes me very happy."

"Me too," he tells her. "I can't wait to be your husband."

"We won't have to wait long now babe," she winks back to him.

***

"Sorry I missed you this morning, had an early meeting… let's grab dinner tonight? Promise I won't be late," Lex finishes typing the message into his Iphone and sends it off to Grant.

He runs his hand through his hair and hopes that Grant isn't too upset with him for having to put so many hours into work right now; being the CEO takes up a lot of his time but once this new ad campaign is off his desk, he should be able to have more time with his lover.

"Just give me a little more time babe and everything will be back to normal," he whispers to himself. He looks at his phone quickly and realizes that he hasn't received a message back from Grant.

"Please let me know that you're okay with this?" he says looking at his phone, thinking that it is weird that Grant hasn't responded yet as he is usually very prompt in getting back to him.

***

Meanwhile, Grant slowly walks up to Mateo's suite at the country club and feels his heart racing. He knows that he is there to just hang out with Mateo but he can't help but think about Mateo putting his hand on his leg a few days earlier.

"Nothing will happen, you'll stop it," he tells himself before he knocks on the door.

Mateo opens the door, revealing that he's only wearing grey sweat pants. "Come in," Mateo grins at him.

Grant clears his throat and moves inside, unable to take his eyes off Mateo's toned chest. Once the door is close, Mateo and Grant turn to face one another. Mateo moves up to him and kisses him passionately. Grant pulls back but finds himself drawn into Mateo again. Their lips meet again as Mateo starts to undress Grant as quickly as he possibly can.

***

Celeste slowly walks down the stairs at the country club hoping that Madi is no longer there. She breathes a sigh of relief when she doesn't see her; after revealing that Cole and Vivian were lovers, Celeste felt bad about her encounter. She hopes to apologize but she would like to have a drink first to calm her nerves. Instead of seeing Madi, she does, however, spot Mac sitting at the bar. With a sly grin on her face, she moves up to her ex-husband.

"We have to stop meeting like this or people will start talking," Celeste says as she sits next to Mac at the bar.

Mac chuckles back to her as he orders her a glass of rose and puts it on his tab. "I know it's early, but Lydia paid me a visit this morning already. That woman is getting on my very last nerve!"

Celeste takes a sip of her wine. "You should try be a female involved with one of the men in your family."

"Touché," Mac notes back to her. "How about you? Rough morning?"

"You could say that," Celeste tells him. "I did something that I regret. I'm going to have to make it right because I don't want to be that kind of woman that goes around hurting people, you know?"

"You always did have a good conscious. More of us should learn something from you."

"You're so sweet," Celeste smiles back to him as she rests her head on his shoulder for a moment. "How did I get so lucky as to have you in my life?"

"I'm also lucky," he replies to her.

Behind them, Carmen stands having just finished paying her breakfast tab with Mateo. Her blood starts to boil at the sight of Celeste's head resting on Mac's shoulder, even though it only lasts for a moment.

"I don't think so bitch," Carmen whispers under her breath.

***

"You son of a bitch!" Madi yells as she storms into the living room of the Rockwell mansion and sees Cole, Stacey and Houston discussing wedding plans. "How could you do this to me?"

"Madi, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?" Cole asks his fiancé as he looks at her with concern and Houston and Stacey move to the side of the room.

Madi slaps Cole hard across the face. "What the hell?" Cole asks her. "What's gotten into you!"

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me that you fucked my mother?" Madi demands to know from him. "You didn't think that I would want to know that?"

"It happened so long ago," Cole replies to her quickly. "It's water under the bridge. There is nothing between Vivian and I and there hasn't been for a very long time!"

"I still had a right to know about this!"

"Madi, do you want a drink to help calm you down?" Stacey asks from the sidelines.

"No! God," Madi yells at everyone. "I could kill Celeste Baldwin for this! That woman has been a thorn in my side for the very last time!"

"Baby, come on, sit down, let me explain this to you," Cole tries to tell her, but she pushes him away.

"No, you, you stay the hell away from me! I need to figure out what I'm going to do next but what I do know is that I need space from you right now, Cole," Madi grits her teeth together before she storms out of the living room.

Stacey rushes up to Cole. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know," Cole admits to her. "I can't believe Celeste would do this. I thought she was moving on. What the hell was she thinking?"

"In typical Celeste fashion, she wasn't," Stacey rolls her eyes back to him.

***

As soon as Cole was calmed down enough, he raced over to Rockwell Mining to discuss the latest development with his father. He opens the door to the office and sees Mac about to pour himself a brandy.

"I'll have one of those too please," Cole tells his father, who turns to see his son walking up to him.

"It's early for you to be drinking, what's happened?" Mac asks him as he pours two brandy's and passes one to Cole.

"Celeste Baldwin happened," Cole takes the drink from Mac.

"Celeste? I just saw her, what did she do?"

"She told Madison about Vivian and I sleeping together," Cole admits to his father.

"Ah," Mac nods back to him. "Well, for whatever it is worth, when I saw Celeste she said that she felt bad for something she just did and that she was going to try to make it right."

"What do you think that means? God," Cole groans back to Mac. "You don't think that she is going to try to apologize to Madi, do you?"

Mac shrugs his shoulders. "I think that might be exactly what Celeste had in mind. Why are you so concerned?"

"You didn't see Madi," Cole replies to his father. "I've never seen her so angry. She slapped me and said she could kill Celeste…"

"We better track her down before something bad happens…" Mac tells his son. "Is Madi at work?"

"I don't know where she went but we could try her office," Cole says as they move towards the door. "We better hurry!"

***

Celeste walks up to Madi's office door and prepares to move inside. She still feels bad for how the truth about Cole and Vivian's past affairs came out earlier; she doesn't want that hanging over her head, so she wants to apologize to Madi and tell her that she will do anything she can to make it up to her, and Cole, if required.

"Madi," she announces as she moves into the office. She stops talking when she doesn't see anyone in the office. "Damn it, where could you be?" she asks herself, having been at the club and Madi wasn't there either.

Behind Celeste, a figure appears. Celeste senses a shadow behind her and turns around and gasps.

"You scared me half to death!" Celeste says as the person moves closer to her. "Wait, what are you doing? Stop! Please stop!"

***

A short time later, the elevator doors open and Cole and Mac rush out of them and race towards Madi's office. Cole opens the door and doesn't see his fiancé in the room.

He turns to Mac with a long look on his face. "Damn it, where could she be?" he says. "We have to find her before Celeste does."

"I agree," Mac nods back to him. "We might be better off if we split up. I'll go to the club, why don't you go to Vivian's and see if Madi turned up there?"

"Yea, great idea," Cole replies to him. "And, I'll leave her a note in case she shows up here after we leave."

Cole walks to move behind the large desk and gasps when he does so. "My God!"

"Cole? What is it?" Mac turns from the doorway with a concerned look on his face.

Cole bends down and sees Celeste's lifeless body laying on the ground, blood oozing out of her head from where she was struck with a large object. "It's Celeste," Cole stands back up with blood on his hands. "She's dead."