"Hmph, you're always sweet-talking me. When are you going to come clean with her?" Scarlett said, pretending to pout.
"Just wait a little longer," Dexter replied dismissively.
"Wait, wait, wait! You've been telling me to wait for two years already!" Scarlett's voice was full of discontent.
My grip on the door handle tightened, so much so that my knuckles turned pale. Two years. For two whole years, Dexter and Scarlett had been entangled and I, like a fool, had been completely in the dark.
"Alright, didn't you say you had your eyes on that new handbag from L brand? You can charge it to my card," Dexter said, trying to pacify her.
"Hmph, that's more like it. I'll forgive you this time for the sake of the bag, but if you're mean to me again, I won't let it slide," Scarlett replied, her earlier dissatisfaction replaced with giddy excitement.
She seemed oblivious, but after living with Dexter for ten years, I could easily sense the impatience hidden behind his gentlemanly facade. Beneath his surface charm, Dexter was cold and detached.
Luckily for Scarlett, she knew when to stop and didn't push her luck further. I had a gut feeling that Dexter didn't love her, it was likely the thrill of an affair that kept him around.
When I no longer heard their voices, I stayed in the restroom for an extra two minutes before flushing and stepping out. By the time I returned to the office, Scarlett was gone.
Feigning surprise, I asked Dexter, "Huh? Where's your assistant?"
"She had something to take care of," Dexter said, pulling me into his arms with an air of calm.
"Let's eat." He gestured for me to sit down.
The thought of Scarlett sitting in this very chair not long ago made my stomach churn.
I sprang up abruptly, "Oh! Honey, I just remembered I have something to do. You go ahead and eat without me."
"What could be more important than spending time with me?" Dexter teased, pretending to sulk.
I gave him a playful wink and said mysteriously, "Darling, tomorrow's Christmas. I've prepared a special surprise for you."
"What kind of surprise? Can't you tell me now?" Dexter asked, intrigued.
I shook my head with a smile, "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?"
"Alright then, I'll wait for your surprise," Dexter said, his expression full of anticipation.
"Mm-hmm." I nodded with a smile.
But as soon as I left his office, the smile faded from my face and the warmth in my eyes turned icy cold. Dexter Keaton, I hope you'll enjoy the surprise I've prepared for you.
On my way out, I spotted Scarlett sitting at her desk, sneaking glances toward Dexter's office.
When she noticed me, she quickly lowered her head, pretending to be busy. I curled my lips into a faint smile.
As I passed her desk, I glanced at the necklace around her neck and complimented her, "Your necklace is beautiful."
In that instant, Scarlett's eyes sparkled with unmistakable pride and the corners of her mouth curved into an irrepressible smile.
That necklace was a new release from C brand and only one existed in New York. When it launched, it coincided with my birthday and I had asked Dexter to buy it for me.
But just a few days later, he told me it had been purchased by someone else. He even promised that if the same design were ever restocked, he'd make sure to get it for me immediately. I had been so disappointed at the time that I sulked for several days.
I even mentioned it to the store clerk during a later visit, lamenting how unlucky I was. The clerk had looked puzzled and said, "Didn't your husband buy it?"
When she saw my confusion, she froze for a second, then quickly apologized, claiming she had made a mistake.
