Adam Davis thought of himself as irresistible. He knew how to treat a woman, how to romance her and sweep her off her feet. The truth is that Adam had no business sweeping anyone off their feet since he was married.
Fidelity had never been one of the “big” vows for Adam. Of course, he loved his wife, he didn’t want to divorce her, not ever. But each time he saw a lovely young woman, he just couldn’t resist.
This time his eye was caught by Marie, a 23-year-old blond and he was determined to have her. Adam was playing with fire, and as we all know boys who play with fire end up with burned fingers…
Adam’s big break came when his wife Loise went out of town on a business trip. She left on a Wednesday and was due back on Saturday — which gave Adam a golden opportunity to weave his seductive web for Marie.
He set to work clearing every photo of Louise from the house and into the top of the hall closet. He ordered a gourmet meal from his favorite restaurant and set the table with candles and roses.
Adam sent Marie a message telling her to meet him at home and set about making sure everything was perfect. He was about to light the candles when he heard the familiar click of keys in the lock.
To his astonishment, his wife walked in struggling with her suitcase and smiling tiredly. “BABE!” Adam cried, somewhere between shock and desperation, “You’re early!”
“Hello, love…Yes! The conference ended early, and I missed you…” Louise looked around. “What’s all this?”
At any other time, Adam would have been delighted to hear those words, but not with his wife sleeping in the next room.
“A surprise for you! But it’s not quite ready, I thought you’d be in a little later!”
Louise was baffled. “But… I didn’t tell you I was coming today…Did I?
Adam smiled. “Babe, you’re so tired! Remember when I called you this morning to ask about my tie? That’s when you told me.”
“Of course! I really am tired.” Adam led his wife to the table. “You sit right down and I’ll bring you some wine.”
In the kitchen, Adam popped the cork on a bottle of rosé and poured out two glasses of wine, Into one of them he dissolved two sleeping pills. That should turn the trick!
He danced into the dining room with a huge smile on his face. “To you my love!” he cried, handing Louise the doped-up wine, “Bottoms up!”
When Louise made a motion to put down her glass after a sip, he said: “You have to drink it all up or it’s bad luck.”
Louise tipped back her glass. She looked around smiling. “Wow! Everything looks amazing! And these hors d’oeuvres! You didn’t make this…?”
Adam blushed. “Welll…No. But I did order them myself from the restaurant!” He was watching Louise carefully and saw her shake her head slowly.
“I’m sorry, Adam, I’m so tired…I can’t keep my eyes open…” And she literally fell asleep on the table. Quickly, Adam swept her up and took her into their bedroom, and closed the door.
He replaced the wine glasses, and just in time! The doorbell rang, and there was Marie, looking delicious in a slinky red dress. Adam congratulated himself on having dodged a bullet, as he ushered Marie in and took her coat.
He led her to the table and quickly ducked into the kitchen to fetch the wine. He filled up the glasses with the sparkling rosé and smiled. “Pink wine, for the prettiest lady in the world!”
Marie blushed. “Adam, you are such a romantic! Did you do all this yourself?”
Yes, I love cooking you know. A man alone has to learn how to fend for himself.” he looked down at his plate with a sad expression on his face. “I’ve been alone too long, Marie.”
Marie smiled. “You’re not alone tonight…Maybe it’s time we took things to the next level, Adam. I think I’m ready…”
At any other time, Adam would have been delighted to hear those words, but not with his wife sleeping in the next room. “Babe, I don’t want you to rush into anything, we have plenty of time.”
Marie laughed. “I do? Well! I can’t believe you are the same man who’s been trying to talk me into bed for the last two months!”
“It’s just that I wanted to take you out for a moonlight walk afterward, go to their little bar I know, and listen to some jazz…”
“That sounds wonderful!” Marie cried.
The two chatted as they ate their dinner, but Adam was constantly on edge, listening for the slightest noise from the bedroom. Finally, the meal was over, and Adam excused himself to go to the bathroom.
“Adam,” he heard Marie cry, “I’m going to poke around your bachelor pad, see how the other half lives!” And she started opening doors and looking around the elegant apartment
Horrified, Adam bolted out of the bathroom…but much too late. Marie was standing by the bedroom door staring at Louise fast asleep on the bed. “Who is that? What is going on here?”
“Listen, Marie, I can explain everything…” Adam said, “Just listen…”
“Who is that woman, Adam?”
Adam wrung his hands together and blurted out: “My wife, but I can explain, Marie…”
Explain? You are romancing me with your wife in the next room? I’m out of here!”
Marie slammed the door behind her, and Adam set himself to the task of doing some damage control. He cleaned up the kitchen, reset the table, and reordered the same dishes from the restaurant.
He then put on his pajamas and slipped into bed next to the sleeping Louise. When his wife woke the next morning he told her she had fallen asleep, and he hadn’t wanted to have their romantic dinner without her. Louise, at least, was taken in by Adam’s story.
But Adam didn’t know what was coming his way. Marie was furious with him. There was nothing she hated more than cheaters, and she was enraged that he had made her his accomplice.
That poor woman didn’t even know her husband was such a slime! She probably loved him. Marie was determined to open her eyes. On Sunday morning she waited outside until she saw Adam going out with his golf bag, and rang up.
Louise opened the door. “Yes?” she asked.
Marie plunged right in. “You don’t know me, but for the last two months I’ve been dating Adam.”
“Dating Adam? My Adam?”
“I didn’t know he was married, or I swear I wouldn’t have given him the time of day. He lied to us both.”
“I’m so confused…Did he lie to you? You didn’t know about me?” asked Louise.
“No, I didn’t. I would never…Look, I just thought you should know. I’m probably not the first.”
“The dirty dog!” cried Louise angrily. “I’m going to divorce him. I wish I had proof…”
Marie smiled. “He keeps calling me, and with your permission, I’ll get you that proof.”
Marie picked up the phone and called Adam. “Adam, where are you?”
Marie! Babe, I want us to talk…I can explain…”
“Ok, meet me in half an hour at that little café on First.”
Marie sat at a corner table with a magazine strategically placed to hide her phone — and conceal the fact that she was recording everything. Before long, Adam was there and spilling his guts.
“My wife has the money, OK? But I love you, Marie, I swear, but if I divorce her she takes everything…”
Marie made encouraging noises and nodded sympathetically. After Adam finished his long tale of woe she told him she needed some time to think, and that she would call him the next day. Then Marie sent Louise a very interesting video file.
Adam walked into the house and was surprised to see a set of suitcases at the door. “Hi, babe! What are the suitcases for? You’re not leaving again, are you? You just got back!”
Hello, Adam!” Louise smiled, “So how was Marie?”
“Marie?” Adam felt an icy finger run up his spine. “Who’s Marie?”
“Marie? Pretty blond? Your girlfriend?”
“Louise, what? Are you mad? I don’t have a girlfriend! I’d never cheat on you!”
Really?” And Louise held up her phone and played Marie’s video.
On the screen, Adam watched himself said, “Well I drugged her wine, and then…”
“Those bags are for you, Adam. Get out. My lawyer will call you in the morning.”
So Adam found himself out in the cold, suitcases in hand with neither a wife nor a girlfriend. Louise’s lawyer made sure he didn’t get a cent and Adam had to learn to make do with his meager salary. Hopefully, he learned his lesson. Maybe.
