MARRIED TO THE WRONG PERSON

UNFAITHFUL

Taking an extra second to survey her condominium, she noticed that a magazine had been left out. She raced across the room and hid it under a pillow.

"Ace, hello." welcome back she greeted him as though she'd be lazing around all day. little did he know that she'd spent her entire Saturday on this disastrous dinner, agonizing over each and every detail.

He stepped inside and handed her a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of Merlot. "How sweet", bringing the rose buds to her. Their scent was light and dedicate. Minna hoped it was enough to overpower the aroma of the scorched egg mixture she'd attempted to turn into hollandaise sauce.

Ace walked over to the chrome and glass dinning room table and the black lacquered chairs. The table setting was indeed lovely, if she did say to herself.

"wait here", she said, backing away from him, "and I'll get a vase for the roses". she didn't dare let him anywhere near her kitchen. The second he saw the mess she'd created, he'd know the truth.

she open the swinging door just enough to squeeze through and returned a few minutes later. The Roses were the perfect complement to her beautiful table.

"Wine?" she asked

"please"

Minna poured them each a glass, then set the open bottle in an ice bucket on the buffet with a slightly Mannie smile, she led the way into the living room.

She sat down in the chair across from him, balancing her wineglass. Minna feared her perfume hadn't completely covered the scent of smoke in her hair. if Ace got close enough to catch a whiff of that, he'd guess that she'd nearly set her kitchen on fire.

Ace learned toward her as if he felt the distance between them was too great.

"what's for dinner?" he asked enthusiastically. "I'm starved"

Minna's heart sank, and she swallowed her rising sense of dread. Doing her best to appear calm and Serene, she listed her menu in detail. Ace eyes grew more appreciate with each item.

"I have to admit, you surprise me".

"I do?" she asked, feeling giddy

"Nah," she said and gestured weakly with her hand. she sipped her wine, wondering just how she was going to escape this nightmare she'd created.

sooner or later— probably sooner— he'd learn the truth.

So how are your friends? she asked

They are all fine, we really have so much fun today

And your lover, Mary

Ace studied his wine, we've break-up long time ago

Breakup? what happened?

"Isn't it time for dinner?

"we can wait. I've got everything warming in the oven"

"Minna"

"All right, all right," she said "I'll shut up, I will not ask you about her again. she set aside her wineglass, got up and headed for the kitchen.

Her smile died as she viewed the room. she left the sliced meat and mashed potatoes in a warm and took the green salad from the refrigerator. This part of dinner should be edible. she'd bought one of those packages that had the vegetables already sliced in with the lecture. she'd wanted to impress Ace with a homemade dressing.

she carried the salad into the dinning room.

"would you like to start with this?" she asked

"sounds like a good idea"

Minna smiled sweetly and prayed he'd fill up on salad, Because everything else was a mess. she tried to delay the inevitable, but Ace made it clear that he was eager for the main course.

Her heart beating with trepidation, Minna delivered the meat, potatoes, limp, asparagus and gravy to the table. Ace's smile revealed his anticipation.

"I have to admit", he began reaching for the meat platter, "that I was skeptical when you said you cooked. As far as I'm concerned, keeping a home is becoming a lost art. Too many women- and- man too, I suppose— don't value domestic skills anymore, he helped himself to a generous portion of sliced roast.

Silently Minna forced one thin slice onto her own plate. Next he piled a mould of mashed potatoes on his plate and liberally poured gravy over both.

Minna held her breath when he sliced into the sampled his first bite. he winkled at her and chewed.

And chewed

And chewed

An eternity passed before he swallowed, and when he did, she saw the lump slowly roast isn't too tough",

"Not a bit," he assured her, but she noticed that he reached for his water glass and drank until it was empty.

filling her fork with mashed potatoes and gravy, Minna tried her first taste of the dinner. The potatoes stuck to the roof of her mouth and burned taste of gravy, which she'd tried to cover with powered garlic, was so awful it bought tears in her eyes.

Ace was about to take a bite

"Stop!" she cried, as if the mashed potatoes were laced with arsenic, she stood up, plate in hand.

He hesitsted, fork poised in front of his mouth.

"Don't eat that,", she shouted, then raced around to his side of the table. He stared at her in shock.

Minna grabbed his plate and rushed into the kitchen, to scrape the contents of both plates in the garbage.

The time had come to tell the truth.

Ace was still seated at her beautifully set table when she returned. Rarely had Minna felt like such a failure— and rarely had she felt so dishonest.

"What you are saying earlier— about women who lack domestic skills," she said weakly. "I'm .... I'm afraid I'm one of them.

Minna expected Ace to laugh or taunt her. what she didn't expect was silence

Ace dropped his napkin on the table and slowly exhaled.

And this nomally cause fight between me and Michael. I just hate cooking and doing some domestic chores that's why I got myself a maid to do all this.

"say something Ace,", she pleaded

"Chinese or pizza?" he asked after another moment.

Minna didn't hesitate, "Chinese"

He grinned. "You know, I would've eaten every bite then complimented you on your efforts."

"And died in the process", she added. 'I don't require that kind of sacrifice from you".

Ace looked away, and Minna saw that he was struggling not to laugh.

"You know, didn't you? she said figuring out the source of his amusement.

"I guessed,".

" you might've said something," she muttered, fighting down an attack of righteous indignation.

"instead, you let me make a fool of myself and—"

"What could I say."

she didn't know sighing, she shook her head.

I'm honored you were willing to put yourself through this on my behalf," he said. "Not every woman would've gone to all this trouble? my brother really make a good choice of getting married to you, he is lucky.

"I wanted to impress you" Ace

I loved you? she said weakly

I have feeling for you Ace, I really loved you.

I know am married to your brother, Michael. I have never passed through this stress for Michael, but I did it for you, that's how I loved you.

I know this sounds stupid, I can not hide it anymore, I just can't hide my feelings, I need you, Ace.

please say something, don't keep quiet, she pleaded.