The city lights shimmered outside their apartment as Adrian watched Claire pack her suitcase.

"Business trips again?" Adrian sighed.

"The trips, meetings, deadlines, they're all part of the job," Claire explained, zipping up her suitcase.

"But do you have to go, Sweet Pea? You're the heart and soul of your own fashion emporium," Adrian pleaded.

"I promise it won't be long. I'll miss you too."

Claire gathered her things, kissed him, and left.

***

After checking in at the airport, Claire sighed when she found no messages from Adrian. She'd wanted to tell him that she was finally pregnant, but this urgent work call ruined her plans.

Back home, Adrian muttered, "Finally, she's gone!" and called his mistress.

"I'll get roses on the way. I know they turn you on!" she promised.

"Come soon; I can't wait!" Adrian said excitedly.

As Vanessa arrived, they shared a passionate kiss. "You love my kisses and her perfume, don't you?" she teased, spraying Claire's perfume all over her body. They were about to get in bed when the doorbell interrupted them.

"Who could that be?" Vanessa sighed.

Adrian opened the door, expecting a pizza order, but found Claire. "Hey, honey!"

"Claire, you're back? I thought you left for Hong Kong," Adrian stammered.

"My flight got canceled. I have to wait three days for the next one!"

"Why didn't you call me? I mean...I could've come to pick you up from the airport."

"Ah, never mind. I decided to visit the bookshop on the way. My phone battery is dead...sorry I couldn't call. Anyways, now I'm home."

Before Claire could notice, Adrian quickly grabbed and pocketed Vanessa's lingerie from the lampshade and hurried after his wife to stop her before she entered the bedroom.

"Claire, I missed you so much!" Adrian hugged her, but she sensed something was off.

"You're being weird, Addy. It's just been three hours," she said, her brows furrowed.

"Three hours without you felt like an eternity for me!" Adrian awkwardly explained.

"I get it," Claire squeezed Adrian's shoulders, staring into his eyes. "I was expecting your texts, but you didn't send me any."

"I left my phone in the charger and forgot," Adrian said. "I thought I'd video call you later once you reach."

"Now that I'm home, let's plan dinner. But first, I need to use the restroom," Claire said, craning her neck in shock.

"I heard something. Who's in there?" she pointed at the bedroom.

"No one. It must be the windows...I left them open," Adrian stammered.

Ignoring him, Claire approached the bedroom. "Claire, honey, stop...there's no one. Don't you trust me?" Adrian pleaded.

Claire barged in but found no one. "I thought I heard something like someone coughing. I felt you had someone here."

"What? No, it's the windows," Adrian insisted.

"I'm worried we're growing apart," Claire confessed. "And there's something, I—"

"Sweetheart, I love you more than you know. There's nothing to be worried about," Adrian assured her. "How about you go and take a shower? You must be tired."

Claire nodded, and as she closed the bathroom door, Adrian sighed in relief. Quietly, he looked for Vanessa, finding her under the bed. "Leave before she comes out," he whispered.

While Claire showered, Adrian helped Vanessa sneak out. But just as they reached the door, they ran into the pizza guy, his face obscured by his helmet.

"Your pizza, sir! Sorry for the delay," he apologized loudly.

"I don't want your pizza!" Adrian hissed, glad that Vanessa left.

"But sir, who's gonna pay for this? I can't cancel your order like that. You'll need to call the restaurant!"

Adrian paid him and told him to get lost when Claire's voice boomed from behind: "Did you order food?"

"I was hungry, thought we could order!" Adrian glared at the pizza guy and shut the door in his face.

"I love you, so I love everything you love," Adrian blurted out while Claire was getting suspicious about him as she noticed he had ordered pizza. Yet, she took a bite from a slice, only to rush to the sink and puke it out.

"What's in this pizza? Did you order it extra spicy?" Claire coughed.