| Prologue 1980 New York City She walked into the bar after a long and trying day. All she wanted was to forget about the problems of the day. She sat down at the bar and ordered her usually drink. The bartender smiled at the chestnut haired beauty. A few drinks later the tension of the day melted away. Charlie the bartender was telling her this funny story when a handsome stranger sat down beside her. He offered her a dimpled smile that made her heart jump into her throat. “Hi,” he said after a few minutes of watching her out of the corner of his eyes. “Hello,” she replied shyly. She didn’t usually talk to strangers, no matter how damn good-looking they were. “Can I buy you a drink?” The handsome stranger asked. “No, thanks anyway,” she replied. He shrugged his shoulder and turn around to scope out the other women in the bar. He quickly realized the most beautiful one was sitting beside him. “My name is Michael. What’s yours?” She looked into his chocolate eyes as butterflies danced around her stomach. She didn’t know why didn’t tell him her real name. “Natalie,” she lied. “So Natalie what to you do for a living?” “I’m a lawyer,” she replied. ‘Great,’ she thought. ‘You lied about your name but you’re telling him you’re a lawyer,’ her mind screamed. He raised his eyebrow at her as his eyes scanned her body. ‘She’s so out of your league.’ he thought, as he placed a hand on her knee. Several hours later, they went to her apartment where they made passionate love to each other. Neither of them had any way of knowing that their one night of passion would destroy so many people’s lives years later. 2000 Port Charles Zander Smith walk along the dock, He wasn’t paying any attention to where he was going until he knocked her down. “Hey watch where you’re going!” “I’m so sorry,” Zander apologized, as he helped the young lady to her feet. “That’s okay, just watch where you’re going next time,” she said as she looked at him for the first time. Their eyes locked for a brief moment. Both saw something in the other’s eyes. “I’m really sorry!” Zander said again. “It’s okay really. I’m sorry for yelling at you. It was an accident. I wasn’t paying attention either.” She said. He smiled again. “My name is Zander Smith. What’s yours?” “Emily Quartermaine.” They shook hands both feeling an electric shock when they touched. Sorel watched them. Once Emily had left Zander alone, he made his presence known. “Zander!” “Dad,” Zander smiled, hugging Sorel. |