I felt enormously empty. I did not know what to say or do. I sat, looking up at Michael, tears pouring down my face. "Michael, I - I am so, so sorry," I started. "I know I violated your space. I had no reason to do that. I trust you - I always have. I swear to you Michael, the Caller ID was blinking and blinking, and then I started to clear it, and something made me look through it. That was all, I promise you, Michael!" I pleaded, "I will not go into that office with you. I have no interest in looking at your bills and letters and files. I was wrong, Michael, and I am sorry! Please believe me.

"I love you with all my heart. I have damaged our relationship, and I can only hope it is not damaged beyond repair. You have been the best thing in my life, ever, and I am destroying it. Oh my God! What have I done?!?" I wailed. "Michael, please! Let me make this up to you somehow, please! I am not going into that office with you. Take your files out of there if you want to - I understand. Change the locks. Have your mail sent to a post office box. I can not expect you to trust me for a long, long time. I accept that I have to earn your trust back. But, please, please! Do not throw this away because of my stupidity! I love you, and I know you love me. We need to work through this, together, please!" I felt a twinge of self-disgust at begging, but the enormity of my grief over losing Michael pushed it to the back of my mind.

"I do love you, Lisanne," Michael started quietly. "That's what makes this so awful." He looked ready to cry himself. "I need some time to digest this, and figure out where I go from here. I'm so damn mad at you - I can't think clearly." At that moment, the phone rang, causing both of us to start. We reached for it at the same time, bumping hands. We both pulled back quickly, as if burned. I felt even sadder at this. I reached again for the phone and answered. It was Takazawa.

"Lisanne, Edward here." His voice was terse and quiet. "I know you have been attending to personal affairs today, and apologize for the intrusion. I must see you immediately. I have just received notification that an action has been filed against us in Federal Court for patent infringement on three products. They have requested damages in an obscene amount, demanded payment of royalties, and are also requesting an immediate temporary injunction against us. They want us to stop selling our three newest products immediately! Please get in here right away and help me deal with this!" I had never heard Takazawa sound so frantic. I hung up and immediately ran for the closet to dress.

Michael must have seen the fear on my face. He stopped me, saying, "Lisanne, what? What is it? You're white as a sheet! Is it your mother? Is she sick? Was there an accident?" He stopped himself short when he realized his concern had temporarily dissolved his anger. "Lise, we'll put our discussion aside for the moment. I can see from your face that's necessary. What has happened? And what can I do to help?"

I stopped short in my tracks and just shook. I shook uncontrollably. I felt a scream rising in my throat. I could not stop the tears streaming down my face. I was so weak! "Michael, my whole world is crumbling," I said. "That was Takazawa. While I was doing my best to destroy this - this perfect relationship we have, and while I was not at work where I belonged, someone filed suit against the company, and Takazawa is going insane right now. So, not only was I screwing things up at home, obviously I have totally screwed them up at work, too. What did I miss?!? - I must have missed something - there is no way this could be happening!" I tore at my hair, then hugged myself tightly, trying to keep the threatening scream from surfacing. The worst thought I had was that despite all that was going on, Michael wanting to leave, Takazawa likely ready to fire me, I STILL wanted to know why Paul Anderson had called my home more than 30 times in less than a week to speak to Michael.

Michael put his hands on my shoulders and then slid his arms around me. He held me with all his might. He whispered in my ear, in a soothing way, like someone might speak to calm a rabid dog. "Lisa. It will be all right. I promise you, it will be okay. We'll work this out. Calm yourself down and get over to Takazawa's office. He needs you right now. We'll talk later. You can take care of this, Lisanne. You're the best there is at your job. You know that." He smiled sadly and left the room. I did not see him again for days.