Charmaine sighed as she stared at her naked self in the bathroom mirror. Numerous red spots scattered from her neck down to her tummy. Even her back wasn't spared. The marks Leo left her body the other day in the hotel hasn't fade yet and there he went adding more to her fair skin. Maybe she needs to shop for a few more turtle necks as it seemed like she'll have to wear such for a few more days.
Charmaine got dressed and went out of the bathroom only to find Leo standing in the doorway of their bedroom. He seemed to be talking to someone. Curious, she went closer and found Elise standing outside their room. "Charmaine." Leo uttered when he noticed the woman standing behind him. "Mom came to ask you out. But I told her you'll be going to the office today." he told her.
"Ask me to go exactly where?" Charmaine asked. Really? Elise wants Charmaine to accompany her?
"I want to go out and do some shopping. I came to ask if you could go with me. It's a pity you're busy." Elise replied.
Charmaine studied the woman's expression. She finds it odd that Elise would suddenly ask her out. Didn't she hate her? "Actually, I'm free in the afternoon. I can meet you in the shopping center if you like... or if you're in hurry, you can always ask Adele." she responded. She wondered if she sounded rude there. It wasn't on purpose though. She just really feels uncomfortable around Elise.
"Oh, Adele said she's not feeling well. I'll meet you later then." Elise answered.
***
11:30 AM
Charmaine was just preparing to leave the office when she suddenly thought of something. She took out her phone and dialled their residence's telephone number but oddly, no one was picking-up the phone. She redialled the number but the result was the same.
She was wondering if Elise has already left the house because she just realized she didn't give the woman a specific time for their meeting.She just told her she'll meet her in a certain restaurant at lunchtime. Unfortunately, she can't reach anyone from. Curious as to what was keeping everyone busy, Charmaine turned on her laptop and accessed their house security system to check on the people at home. It's also a good chance to run a test on the program Leo installed in her laptop.
First place she checked was the living room. Elise wasn't there and neither was she in the kitchen. The garden and backyard was empty and so was the lower ground floor. Charmaine found that strange. It could be that her mother in law has already left the house but where are the rest of the people? No alert was sent to her phone so none of them visited the drawing room or the study. They could only be at the first floor but what would all of them be doing in their bedrooms at lunchtime? None of the rooms upstairs have cameras and only the sitting room facing the spiral staircase has one.
Suspicious, Charmaine checked the sitting room upstairs and sure enough, someone was there. It was Adele and she was talking with someone on the phone.
"I'm really not feeling good. I think I'm sick. Can't you check on me right now?....." Adele stopped for a while and listened a bit. "No. I don't need you to send me anyone. You're the one I want to see.... I need to tell you something." she said in a voice as if she's about to cry. "Well, what about after your meeting?... Four in the afternoon? Alright. I'll wait for you to come home."
Charmaine shook her head. It looks like Adele got rid of everyone in the house because she wanted to make a move on her husband. Oh well. It's still early. She still has a lot of time to prepare.
***
When Charmaine arrived the restaurant, Elise, and also Luke and Lucia were sitting at a table waiting for her. No wonder she didn't find Luke at home! Elise took him with her. She wondered if this was her mother in law conspiring with Adele!
"Mom, sorry I'm late." she said as she sat on a chair near her son. "Have you already ordered food? I didn't know you'll be bringing along Luke with you." she remarked.
Elise looked a little disappointed. "Laura argued with Adele this morning and I scolded her a little so she left home in a fit of anger. I couldn't leave Luke with Adele so I just took him with me." Elise answered.
Charmaine raised her brows. "Why not? I think she likes Luke." she said with a smile. Why would Elise say she couldn't leave Luke with Adele specially since Lucia would also be there? Is it just an alibi to empty the house?
Elise looked at Charmaine as if she had just uttered something unbelievably ridiculous. After a while, she averted her eyes. "I'm not so sure about that." she replied.
Charmaine's eyes darkened. Something is up with her but she didn't ask anything else. She just ordered food and enjoyed lunch with them.
After finishing their meal, they all went to do some shopping. Charmaine took her time to buy the clothes she needs and bought some for Luke too. They went around shopping for two hours before taking Luke to play in the game center with Lucia while the two older women sat on a bench nearby.
Charmaine glanced at her wristwatch. It's already 3:30 PM. She wondered if she should go home or just watch the show via her phone.
"What's the matter? Do you need to be somewhere else?" Elise asked.
Charmaine stared at a distance and sighed. Elise has been nice to her today but she can't help but doubt her purpose for bringing them there. It really bugged her.
"Elise.... Do you know that your step daughter was about to meet my husband while I'm here with you?" she asked without looking at the woman. "In about thirty minutes, Leo will be home alone with Adele."
Elise's eyes widened. "If you know they're about to do something behind your back, why are you still sitting here with me? Go home and confront them!" Elise yelled. She then looked at Charmaine's dazed side view and noticed how her unfocused eyes didn't even blink after hearing her words as if she didn't care about it.
"Should I?" she asked. "If I go home and caught them cheating, what should I do then? Should I get a divorce?" she added while still dazed.
"What are you saying? My son is not unscrupulous! I know he wouldn't start an affair with anyone since he's already a married man!" she argued.
Charmaine slowly turned to Elise and smiled bitterly. "Are you on my side Elise? I know you don't like me for Leo." she commented. She finds it strange that Elise would be saying all those words to her.
"Nonsense! You're my daughter in law! Of course I'll side with you!" the woman replied.
Charmaine was stunned by her answer, but she just nodded and slowly stood up. "Alright. I'm going home first. But I'm telling you, I'm not intending to stop them from doing anything... What I want is to find out if you're right about your son." Charmaine stated before walking away.
Elise furrowed her brows as she watched the woman leave. She didn't know why but she can see herself in her. That tired and helpless look as if she has been through all of this cheating issues before. But how could that be? She was only married to Leo for a couple of weeks!