**Secret Encounters**
After his divorce, Daniel was searching for somethingor so he told his colleagues and friends. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, his ex-wifes temper making any reconciliation impossible. At least there were no children; shed never wanted any.
At thirty-six, Daniel cut a striking figurebroad-shouldered, athletic, with a handsome face and a mysterious air. Hed had flings with women, even younger ones, but remarriage was the last thing on his mind. Office romances? Too clichéd. Besides, 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.
*”Famous last words,”* theyd chuckle. *”Love has a funny way of sneaking up on you.”*
Daniel was too confident for his own goodand fate proved it. Hed never forget the summer day a new colleague joined their office. The day before, his friend Anthony had mentioned, *”Maxs wife is transferring here from the other branch.”*
Daniel vaguely knew Maxunremarkable, dull. *”Probably married someone just as boring,”* he thought, dismissing it.
Then he met Lydia. One glance, and his breath caught. She was stunningand sharp-witted too. Within days, Daniel was smitten, counting the minutes until morning just to see her. Evenings were spent alone, thinking of her.
*”Shes perfect for me. And if Im perfect for her, shell see it too. Sure, theres a husband in the picture, but my positions betterno strings. Plus, working together means plenty of time alone. No one will suspect a thing.”*
A week later, he noticed Lydias subtle smiles, their shared jokes. But her frequent mentions of Max annoyed him. *”Is she hinting shes not interested, or does she actually love that dull man? Unlikelybut then, why marry him?”*
He hesitated to flirt openly, though their shared project kept them close. Rarely alone, and never for longAnthony was usually nearby.
Then one day, Anthony was absent. As they bent over documents, heads nearly touching, Daniel felt her warm breathand impulsively kissed her. Lydia pulled back, pressing fingers to her lips.
*”Daniel, please dont do that again.”*
But she didnt leave. A good sign.
*”Sorry. Lost my head,”* he said, grinning.
She resumed work as if nothing happened. Days passed without mention of it.
Then, on Friday, as they clocked out, Daniel asked, *”Can I call you this weekend?”*
*”No!”* She shook her head, then relented. *”Ill call you.”*
*”Ill wait,”* he beamed. *”When?”*
*”When I can.”*
Saturday dragged. His phone never rang. Sunday morning, still nothing.
*”Even if Max is home, she could sneak a minute,”* he fumed.
That evening, he caved and dialed. She answered instantly, whispering, *”Dont call me. Ill”*
Before dawn on Monday, his phone rangLydia.
*”Daniel, are you free? Can I come over?”*
He bolted upright. *”Alone? You drive, right? Of course.”* He rattled off his address, then raced to shower and brew coffeebarely sipping it before the doorbell chimed.
Her eyes told him everything. He yanked her inside, kissing her wildly. She laughed breathlessly. *”Good morning.”*
He didnt replycouldnt.
Later, over coffee in his kitchen, she said, *”Max leaves for work much earlier than me.”* Daniel scowled internally. *”Why bring him up now?”*
She glanced around. *”Your place is cosy and the coffees lovely.”*
They arrived at work separately, just on time. Daniel braced for suspicion, but no one noticedexcept Anthony.
*”Running late today, Dan? Youre usually first in.”*
*”Just one of those mornings,”* he shrugged.
Lunch was stolen moments at a café before Anthony joined, cheerful and oblivious.
*”Bon appétit! Starving todayslept through breakfast, even though my wife made it.”*
No one batted an eye at their closeness. Just colleagues working togetherand Lydia was married.
Soon, Lydias morning visits became routine. Then, one Saturday at ten, his phone buzzed.
*”Can I come over?”*
*”Any time, always,”* he said, heart soaring. *”Forever, if you want.”*
She arrived in half an hour.
*”Howd you manage this?”* he asked as they lay tangled in sheets.
*”Max visits his parents cottage on weekends. I hate the countryside.”*
*”Stay with me,”* he urged. *”Properly. Always.”*
*”I cant,”* she sighed. *”Its impossible.”*
*”Why?”*
*”Just impossible.”*
He bit back frustration. *”She needs time. Be grateful shes here at all.”*
But doubts gnawed. *”What if Max suspects? What then?”*
Aloud, he asked, *”Where is this going, Lydia?”*
*”We keep meeting. Today, Im yours.”*
*”I want more. Weekends. Everything.”*
*”If you were married too, wed be even,”* he joked weakly.
She laughed. *”Then Id have stayed away. Forbidden fruit and all.”*
*”But its the sweetest.”*
*”Ive never had a sweet tooth,”* she teased.
Months passed in stolen hoursweekday dawns, rare Saturdays when Max was away. Finally, Daniel snapped.
*”Lydia, divorce him. Marry me. This half-life is killing me.”*
*”I cant,”* she said softly.
*”Why?”*
*”Besides Max, theres my son. Hes nearly elevenindependent, gets himself to school. Thats why Ive had these mornings. Surprised?”*
Daniel faltered. *”No. Id adopt him, gladly.”*
*”Max would never allow it. He adores him.”*
After that, their meetings dwindled. Daniel grew weary of dawn alarms and secrecy. One final conversation loomed.
*”Ive thought hard about this. I need more. Divorce him, or we end it.”*
*”I cant,”* Lydia whispered.
*”Then were done.”*
*”If thats your choice.”*
She walked out for good. Daniel later met another womanfree, uncomplicated. But shed never stir his heart like Lydia. Some loves burn once in a lifetime.
Between torturous passion and peace, he chose peace.
It was better that way.
*(Lesson: Love demands honestywith others and oneself. Secrets may thrill, but only truth builds a life. Years later, Daniel would see a man and a boy walking together in the parklaughing, shoulders brushingand something warm and nameless would stir in his chest. Hed watch them a moment, then turn away, walking slowly home to his quiet, honest life.
