The bright stage lights nearly blind me.

The make-up artists hover around me, and so does the stylist.

The studio is so big and daunting given that I'm broken inside—not one part of me wants to do this interview.

The cameras roll and, once again, I'm sitting across from a popular television hostess who's asking me questions about my bank and about all the changes we've made.

"Marcus, you own the largest corporate bank in the country. How can you explain the recent turn of events? First, your bank was robbed of millions of dollars, and now there are changes taking place within the infrastructure of your organization. What's causing all this?"

I think carefully about my words. I have to be careful with what I say. A lot hinges on this interview.

"Well, there's no doubt that I've changed. I've been able to see how other people live—and not just the people at the top one percent. It's opened my eyes. Seeing poverty and the inherent goodness of most people who are just down on their luck made me want to help.”

I place my hands on my lap and glance at the camera. “I own a bank, and it's one of the largest—if not the largest one—in the country. I have the financial means to help people, but I have not been doing that until now. One special person helped open my eyes to see how it's my obligation as a leader to help the less fortunate. So that's where all the change is coming from."

The hostess looks intrigued, her eyes widening. "So, you're telling me, and you're telling the world, that someone changed your mind in a big way. It must be someone very special to change a man like you."

I put my guard up. I can't tell the world about Katy. No one can know who she is. I would never disclose her identity because I know she likes to keep things quiet. Also, she's on the run from the law and I'm not going to be the one to turn her in.

I want to be the one she comes home to. Her safe harbor. But I know this can only happen in my dreams. Right now, she probably hates me.

"The person is special," I admit. "But this isn’t just about me. Everyone with money needs to understand that there are ways to help the underprivileged. There are many organizations that are dedicated to helping the poor. If you go to our website, you will see a list of reputable charities that need help."

I figure it’s the least I can do—to use my newfound platform in the media spotlight to highlight some of Katy's work. Granted, I'm doing it in a legitimate way. It makes me smile to think of Katy—the rebellious hacker with a good heart.

Maybe if so many financial institutions change their policies for giving back, Katy won't have to steal in the future.

"Thank you, Marcus for speaking with us today. You've given voice to an entire range of people that usually go unheard."

The interview's over and I'm glad for it. I'm happy to spread the message of how my bank is changing the lives of other people. But it's hard to be happy about this when Katy is missing from my life.

I'm dying to see her. I just want to hug her and go back in time—to erase all the lies that I told her.

Once the interview’s over, the hostess hits on me. I'm not surprised. It's the usual game of women wanting me for my money and power. And let me tell you, I'm over it.

"You know, Marcus, I'm free anytime you would like to have dinner, or perhaps a drink?" she asks.

"Maybe," is all I say.

This is new territory for me, being so set on one woman. And yet, I know that it's my new truth. Katy will never escape my thoughts.

I am determined to find her, even if I have to travel to the ends of the earth.

I’ve set my sights only on her, and I'm hoping my investigative team does such a good job that I don't have to personally travel around the world looking for her. One thing’s for sure. If they don't get this done, they're fired.

I check my phone repeatedly, something I've been doing for the last two weeks, to see if my investigators have found her.

I hired the best investigative team in town and yet she's evaded even their watch. I knew she was good, but I'm always surprised at exactly how good she is at not being found.

I drive home from the studio and make another call to my investigator, Mark.

"Have you found her? Tell me that you finally found her."

"Sorry, Marcus. You know I would've called you first thing if we had her. I have all my guys on it. We're searching the city, but she just hasn’t come up on our radar. I don't know what else to tell you."

"Well, you have to do better. I need her found, understand? I'm becoming impatient," I say, barely able to hide the fury in my voice.

I go to my building and ride the elevator up to my penthouse. I'm looking forward to pouring myself a very stiff drink and falling asleep. Days and nights blur together. The one person I care about is gone.

Maybe she's already in Mexico by now or somewhere tropical. Maybe she’s gone to Europe under a new name. Maybe she’s forgotten all about me.

The one thing I do know is that my finest bottle of scotch is waiting for me.

I walk into my dark penthouse that is lit up only by the glittering city lights outside. I walk to the bar and pour myself a scotch.

Before I can even take a sip, though, I see the figure standing in the window—and it looks familiar.

I can see the perfectly curved lines of her body outlined against the moonlight.

Can it be? Am I dreaming?

"Katy?"

She turns around and I see her face. My heart nearly explodes with happiness. I thought I’d never see her again.

"Did you mean all those things that you said?" she asks. "Are you really changing the corporate infrastructure of your company? Are you going to help people?"

I dare not walk towards her lest she runs away. I still don't know what she's doing here and whether she forgives me.

I stand still and say, "Yes, Katy, it's all true. It's all because of you. Everything in the news is true. I'm doing everything I can to win you back."

She walks towards me and I feel my heart beat faster.

I see her face at last as she comes into view. She looks so gorgeous.

"But you betrayed me, Marcus. You were faking it all along," she says.

"Let me explain. You've never given me a chance to explain. At first, yes, I wanted to get inside information about how you and your former associates were going to infiltrate my bank. I knew I was your target. You would've done the same thing in my position."

"I never would've been in your position," she says with a scoff. "I would never work at a bank."

"But listen,” I press on, “I started to fall for you. Everything about our intimacy is true. I never faked anything besides my name. I wanted to tell you, Katy, but the timing was never right. I fell in love with you. I am in love with you. And I should've just told you sooner. I'm sorry."

I try to maintain my composure, but it’s difficult. I’ve never felt like this for anyone before and I know she hasn't either. Our connection is too real, too strong to be denied.

But she doesn’t say anything. She's silent for so long that I wonder if this is our closure, that maybe she can't forgive me.

"Katy," I ask, "do you love me?"

She slowly nods her head. Without a word, I wrap my arms around her. She tilts her head up and I kiss her more intimately and passionately than ever before.

"I never thought I would taste these lips again," I say to her. "I'm sorry, Katy. I will never hide anything from you again, I promise. And I'll do anything you want, if only you promise to never leave me. I can't have you out of my sight ever again. I need you. I want you."

She smiles up at me and says, “Then show me how much you have missed me."

As she says these words, her hand slides inside my pants to feel my throbbing cock and I know I've been forgiven.