Chapter I: Shirt Lipstick

Recently, Trixie Albert Blayden felt a little strange about her husband, Daryl Blayden. She couldn’t say what exactly is strange, but the feeling was certain, he had been busier these days than before, working overtime was a common occurrence, she had developed eyebags waiting for him coming home late at night. Daryl always looked tired, and this deprived Trixie from initiating long chats with him. Trixie felt distressed, distressed and uneasy at the same time, because Daryl never kept secrets from her about anything before. Daryl was known for being a role model husband in their whole circle of friends and families including their entire community. And so, with Trixie, who was known for being a role model wife perfectly doing her duties as a typical wife. Many couples admire their marriage. Back when Daryl was courting and chasing Trixie, they were the talk of their school campus, and all the girls in their school were envious. Even though they have been married for nine years now and their daughter is already 5 years old, Daryl was still the same husband to Trixie when they were just married. He was not just a good business man and a good provider. He also tirelessly does almost all house works making Trixie his wife, princess in their home. But today... "The number you have dialed cannot be reached, please dial again later…” Trixie hung up the phone. She has been attempting to call Daryl but to no avail. It was already eleven o'clock. The food on the table was cold. But still, Daryl’s phone couldn't be reached. Usually on every important occasion, Daryl would prepare and deliver gifts early, but today, being their wedding anniversary, he didn't come home early. And this is one of the unusual things that Trixie observed from her husband. Trixie opened her WeChat and checked on their cycle of friends’ group community, and there she saw her husband’s post saying. "Wife, I love you! You are very beautiful in the red skirt that I gave you!" Trixie was flattered. Her heart jumped with excitement. Her husband was always sweet as ever. She smiled sweetly, then suddenly realized something. Then slowly her heart pounded heavily. When did he give her a red dress? Yes, one day when they went shopping, she wanted to buy a red dress, but Daryl rejected the idea, telling her that red dress does not look good on her. But now he posted appreciating her wearing a red skirt? Is it her that he really meant to appreciate or was it another woman? Trixie’s mood changed, her emotions were mixed up and she was ready to make a call again, just then, the door opened. Daryl appeared at the door, he was tall and had a masculine body built, he was wearing formal attire paired with his leather shoes. Calculating how handsome he appeared, it was undeniable that any woman who sees him would find him pleasingly handsome. He is desirable and that is one of his qualities that make people tell how lucky Trixie is for having him as her husband. He was holding a bunch of flowers in his hand, then handed them to her affectionately. "Honey, happy anniversary. You have worked hard over the years keeping our family in order. Here, I picked these flowers at a rose garden at the outskirts of the city just for you. Sorry that it took me late." He said. Trixie saw that his shoes and trousers were stained with dirt. Thinking that the roses are the reason why he did not come home early today for their anniversary dinner, she immediately felt guilty for doubting him a while ago. "Thank you, honey. Wash your hands and-" She said in a loud voice. Daryl’s voice was low. "Sshh, keep your voice down, Kinsley is already asleep." Trixie took the roses and looked for an empty vase to display them. As soon as she found one, she opened the package but noticed something that stopped her. This bunch of roses is beautifully packaged, with a lace stacked on top, with its four bows tied in the area where you can hold it. This packing style clearly emphasizes the flower shop down the street. And looking at it in a closer look it shows that the petals on the outer layer are a bit withered. Obviously, they were not freshly picked, and clearly it was bought from the flower shop nearby. This very simple flower present implicated Daryl lying. Trixie, from the realization suddenly felt really cold and started to wonder. If her husband didn't go to pick flowers, where did he come from? With doubt, she turned back to the living room and helped her husband take off his coat. "Honey, have you been very busy recently?" Asked Trixie. Hearing Trixie asking, helooked a little uneasy. "Not bad." "Is it really okay? I mean, are you not being pressured too much? Are you not being overworked?" She pretended and acted casually, "I think you are being very busy that you even mistook things, when you posted in our group in WeChat, how can you say I have a red skirt if you are certain? You know that I don’t have a red skirt because you said it doesn't look good on me, remember?" There was a bit of silence. Then Trixie continued. "How can you post that on WeChat, saying I look good on my red skirt?!" Her voice sounded loud, but he smiled, then immediately pronounced an alibi saying, "Didn't I tell you that I wanted to surprise you? I was going to buy you a red skirt. That is what my post meant." Trixie stared into his eyes, unsure if she should believe him. Surprises are not being told in advance, in fact, how can that become a surprise when it is told beforehand? And telling a gift in advance was never his kind, if he wanted to give a gift, he would deliver it and not need to go to social media and post about her expectations. Besides, how can his post be related to the surprise of buying her a red skirt?! Despite those uncertainties, Trixie reminded herself to avoid being suspicious. After all, her husband has been very kind to her for so many years. She forced a smile and said, "Okay, that's a deal. You'll give me a red skirt and I will expect that." Daryl seemed to be relieved, so he rushed and gave Trixie a hug with a kiss. "If my wife wants it, don’t ask just one, I'll buy you one hundred." Despite Trixie smelling a scent of chewing gum in her husband’s mouth when they kissed, which was unusual for him to chew gum, she untied his tie without much thought. But the following second, Trixie froze while staring straight at Daryl’s white neckline for a while. Very bold in his white neckline, lies a very bright lipstick mark!