Chapter 3
While everyone else was still arguing, Samuel stood up and went to the restroom.
But even after a few minutes, he didn't come back to our suite.
The memory of the waitress's flirty glance suddenly hit me. I froze for a second, then got up and went to find him.
As I reached the door, I heard strange noises coming from the stairwell nearby.
Curious, I peeked through the partly open door and saw Samuel pinning the waitress against the wall.
"Who let you dress like this, huh? Trying to lure me?" Samuel teased.
"Looks like you can't wait to get in bed with me," he added.
The waitress cooed teasingly, "Your wife is in the private room. Aren't you afraid she'll catch us?"
"Afraid? Please. It's just an affair. It doesn't change the fact that she's my wife," Samuel replied.
I couldn't take it anymore.
We'd known each other for years, but right then, it was like I was looking at a total stranger.
I forced myself to stay calm as I slipped back into the private room. When everyone asked where Samuel was, I just smiled and shook my head, doing my best to hold back the tears.
It wasn't until fifteen minutes later that Samuel finally came back, looking pleased with himself.
He reached out, trying to put his arm around me, but I instinctively dodged away.
Samuel frowned. "What's wrong, Emily? Are you not feeling well? You're looking pale."
"Maybe I ate something bad. I feel a bit nauseous," I muttered.
He seemed genuinely worried about me, and he wrapped up the dinner early because of it.
As we were about to head home, his phone suddenly started ringing.
Samuel's face briefly clouded over when he picked up, but he said calmly, "Just go wait in the car."
Then he explained, "It's Sophie, the new girl at my office. She happened to be eating nearby, and her place is pretty far from here. She wondered if she could catch a ride with us.
"But if you're not cool with it, I can tell her not to come."
"It's fine," I replied flatly.
Samuel froze for a moment, but by the time he snapped out of it, I had already walked a few steps ahead.
Once we reached the car, Sophie slid into the backseat right away, giving me an innocent smile. "Emily, I'm really not used to sitting up front."
"Sure, you can stay in the back," I responded.
Sophie looked momentarily stunned, not knowing what to do next.
Feeling drowsy, I was about to close my eyes, hoping to get some rest. But through the rearview mirror, I caught Sophie grabbing Samuel's hand and guiding it onto her thigh.
Samuel just frowned and hesitated, but in the end, he let his hand stay right where she wanted.
Right then, I couldn't help but scoff inwardly at the absurdity of it all.
It turned out those years we spent together meant nothing in the face of temptation.
Everyone always said Samuel loved me. I never imagined I'd see this ugly side of him.
*****
Two days later, Samuel had to go to a pretty important cocktail party.
He asked me if I wanted to come along.
"All the guys are bringing their dates. If you don't go, I'll be stuck all alone," Samuel said.
I shrugged and said I might not have time, asking him to bring one of his woman secretaries.
Samuel was stunned for a moment and then laughed. "Those girls from the Secretary's Office? None of them could ever hold a candle to you."
I gave a cold smile but stayed quiet.
Later that night, another message popped up on my phone: [Don't you want to know where your husband is right now?]
She'd attached a photo of an empty restroom.
I immediately recognized it as the hotel where that fancy party was taking place, just by the decor.
I got the address and made my way over. Just as I reached the restroom door, I could hear moaning sounds coming from inside.
Sophie said, "Samuel, I thought you were over me."
Samuel replied, "If you want this to last, remember my rules. This is just a fling between us. If you even think about messing with my wife, I won't show you any mercy."