''Darling what's wrong?'' Luke asked trying to get through to her.
She didn't answer him but instead spoke to Alexis.
''Are you insane?''
Knowing full well that every person in the room was listening Alexis had to act quickly.
''Laura I really need to speak with you in private, now.''
Laura now also realized that they were the center of attention.
''Yes of course'' she said still not taking her eyes off Jillian.
Alexis saw that both Sonny and Jax were not standing beside her and she turned to Jillian,
''Stay with Sonny, I'll be back in a minute.''
Jillian nodded aware that the blonde lady seemed really upset and for some reason she was to blame.
''Are you insane? Laura repeated her earlier question as soon as the two women were alone.
''Laura I swear I can explain this but now is not the time.''
''Does Helena know?''
''Would I be alive if she did?''
''Well then does Stefan know?''
''Yes, he realized when he saw her, like you did.''
''How on earth do you plan to keep this secret Alexis, Helena is going to find out and when she does...''
''No, she will never find out I've made sure of that.''
''What do you...''
''Later, please, I can't talk about this here.''
''Alright later then.''
With that the two woman made there way back into the main room. Edward was in the middle of a speach toasting a new business deal he had just made and the man standing beside him wh he had just made the deal with. He seemed to be the living image of the line 'Tall dark an handsome' as several women in the room had already noticed. He was also reputed to be one of Europe's richest bachelors. In fact he was reputed to be a lot of things, charming, calculating, smooth and utterly ruthless.
Alexis had been distracted by Kristina who had began questioning her the minute she walked back into the room. She didn't see the man standing beside Edward. She didn't see him leave Edward's side when the toast was done. And she didn't see him approach her until he was almost directly in front of her. It was only then that she looked up into the eyes of the man she had tried so hard to forget. Interrupting Kristina he spoke,
''Hello Alexis''
''Danniel'' it was barely a whisper.