Giammario woke up early than usually. He was the one who prepared their breakfast and planned to serve Lisa to make it up to her. She entered the dinning room and smiled when she saw him washing the pans he used for cooking. She stood by the kitchen counter as Gi turned to looked at her while doing the chore.
Lisa: Since when you did you learn to wash the dishes?
Gi: Since the day I live alone. --- Don’t worry, I’ve been washing dishes and doing the laundry myself for six months so this isn’t new… <placed the washed pans in the shelf and dried his hands while facing her>
Lisa: How was the project?
Gi: Oh, it went great. The people warmly welcomed me. There were places that I would want to take you… <walked and pulled Lisa closer to him and she fake another smile> You miss me?
Lisa: Of, of course…
Gi: Because I deeply miss you… <Gi kissed Lisa but it took awhile before she kissed back> C’mon, have some breakfast, I made them for you <he offered the seat for her> try it…
Lisa smiled and sat down as Giammario was busy serving her.

The taping day didn’t go well for Hugh and Lisa. There were several takes before they finally got the scene right because both of them are somehow, in their own way, were avoiding each other. Before the day ended at work, Hugh went to see Robert who was busy packing his things, ready to go home. His friend knew at a glance that he is thinking something deep.
Robert: Jen told me you proposed to Lisa?
Hugh: <looked at Robert> Uh-huh…
Robert: What the hell was that designed for? Hugh, in case you don’t remember, you’re married and have three children… The world knows that and Lisa knows that… No wonder Lisa decline the proposal… You’re making things complicated…
Hugh: It isn’t anymore… ---- Jo left for London last night.
Robert: <sighed> Is this a separation? A cool off between you and your wife? Or are you heading already for a divorce? ---- That proposal you did was a bold move. You won’t be proposing if you don’t have ----
Hugh: Yah, I get your point… ------ <sighed> I have already made up my mind that I’m going to stay with Lisa, okay?
Robert: And your children?
Hugh: I’m sure Jo won’t let them go with me… It’s a good thing that I won’t have to fight for custody or visitation rights for them. Charlie’s over 18 and so with Bill. All I have to fight for visitation right is Rebecca but she’ll turn 18 soon. I’m still their father no matter what.
Robert: You think they could understand you? Would accept the fact that the marriage they thought was perfect suddenly was broken?
Hugh: That’s the reason why people evolved the word “Explain” right?
Robert: You’re going to explain what? --- The process how and why did their father have an affair for the second time? <chuckled> You think they’ll get it at once.
Hugh: I know they won’t get the idea around so soon. But me and their mother can work it no longer. That’s what they should understand. -------- This could have been easier if Jo had kicked me out the door when I fooled around the first time… I could have been a bachelor since then, enter this show and meet Lisa…
Robert: <chuckled> You’re the first person I’ve heard who said that. Regretting the fact that his wife had forgiven him after a serious injury he made. Cool.
Hugh: I’m not regretting her forgiveness, I just feel sorry because it’s just now that I met Lisa… That’s all.
Robert shook his head and both of them were silent for awhile.
Robert: How did Jo learned that you’re having an affair by the way?
Hugh: In a magazine. The two of us were the front page while were having some time with each other.
Robert: Nice. <He got his bag and began to walk, stopped and looked at Hugh> Better get all the copies of that Hugh… I’ve heard… Gi’s back…
Hugh looking surprise looked at him.

Jen: <quite jolly> I don’t know what to say… Hugh Laurie proposed to you? It’s every House fan’s dream to have… I mean for at least a half of them…
Lisa: In any angle you see it, it’s wrong, Jen. Even if I wanted to say YES at the top of my lungs, I couldn’t. I want to be with this man but I don’t want him to be leaving his family. I can’t have both.
Jen: Hugh’s probably really serious with you…
Lisa: I guess he is but I don’t want to totally fall on that idea… He was just so upset and crushed when I said I can’t…
Jen: I can’t what?
Lisa: I can’t let him do his proposal when there are people getting hurt along the way…
Jen: So you’re saying, you’re actually waiting him to say that he finally decided to divorce his wife then you could say yes?
Lisa: No… I just want to make sure that I’m choosing the right one…
Jen: There’s actually no right one, Lisa… People became the right one because we instilled in our mind that they’re the right one even if… they’re not.
Lisa sighed and both were silent. The door opened and Hugh came in, closing the door behind him. The women looked at him and they looked at each other.
Jen: I gotta go…
Lisa nodded and Hugh just stood on where he entered. Jen smiled at Hugh before walking out the room. The couple was silent as Lisa walked towards her mini kitchen counter. Hugh looked at her.
Hugh: I’m sorry for the walk out I made last night… I know that was bad of me…
Lisa: It’s nothing… <she turned to see him and sighed as he began to walk to her>
Hugh: I’ve heard Gi’s back…
Lisa: <looked down and looked at him again who’s in front of her now> Yes, he is…
Hugh: <sighed> But I mean what I said ---- I want you to be my wife, Lisa…
Lisa: <bit her lips, closed his eyes and opened it again> Hugh ----
He showed his hand, palm facing him and Lisa was surprised when she saw no ring on his ring finger. She looked in his deep blue eyes and he did as well.
Lisa: Oh god <she run her fingers on her forehead>
Hugh: It’s not your fault. It’s my decision to leave my family and be with you…
Lisa: <quite loud but not angry> Why does it always have to be your fault?! ---- Why can’t you accept that I have my share in this complicated relationship? That it was I who broke your family?
Lisa sobs on the chair and Hugh kneeled down looking at her.
Hugh: <calm> Please stop crying… I can’t stand it… I can’t pass this myself but all I know is that I am on the right track… I’m on my way of sending Jo the divorcement papers after that all I have in the world is you… <Lisa sobs some more and Hugh wiped the tears then he hugged her so tight> Please… Stop it…
Hugh caught Lisa’s eyes and he wiped again the tears away before pulling her head up and kissing her on the side of her head. Lisa’s cry softened.
Hugh: I know you might not have the courage to tell Gi about us… But if I have to do it myself, face to face with him… I will….

--- to be continued -----