Hours later, Lucas sat at his desk, papers scattered in uneven stacks, his laptop glowing in the dim light. His fingers moved quickly across the keyboard, pausing only to jot notes in the margins of a cluttered notepad. A half-empty coffee mug sat forgotten by his elbow. He leaned forward, eyes locked on the screen, the hum of concentration making him oblivious to everything else. The room was quiet except for the steady rhythm of his typing and the occasional rustle of documents on his desk.
"Honey, you really need to get some rest. You have been working for like hours now", Amanda anxiously said,
" I need to finish up with this paperwork before tomorrow. I have an appointment with the elite company tomorrow", Lucas tiredly said, as he sipped his coffee,
" Honey, you haven't even touched your food I believe your meal is cold already"
" Amanda, I will eat later I'm almost done with the paperwork don't worry much about me okay I will be fine",
"Fine.… I will give you a nice massage after you are done with work"
" Thank you, darling, I will really need that later", Lucas appreciated,
" Honey, I have something to tell you"
" Go on, I'm all ears", Lucas said and was still focused on the screen,
" Well…I was invited to a union party", Amanda informed,
" What type of union party is that?"
" Friends Union party, my friends from College hosted the party so I was invited and the party is tonight", Amanda answered,
" By what time?", Lucas asked, still focused on his laptop,
" The party starts at 10pm"
" So, where is this union party being held?"
" At pub crawl bar…that's where the party will be held tonight", Amanda answered,
" Fine, honey, you can go…as long as you are safe and happy, that's my priority. But be home before 12am okay", Lucas permitted,
" Thank you so much honey, I promise I will be home before 12am and I will keep you updated as soon as I get to the bar", Amanda excitedly said, she gave her husband a kiss on his cheek leaving her lipstick stain on his right cheek,
" It's 9pm, you need to get ready, you don't want to keep your friends waiting. Do you?", Lucas asked,
" Of course not..I will quickly go upstairs and get ready", Amanda answered, she quickly went upstairs while her husband remained focused on his paperwork.
Amanda slips into the red dress, the fabric hugging her shape as if it were made for her. The deep crimson catches the light, shifting between silk and fire. She smooths it down with careful hands, checking the mirror. For a moment, she just stands there, her posture straighter, her expression sharpening into quiet confidence. The dress isn't just clothing, it transforms her, making her look and feel undeniable.
" Oh no…is 9:30pm I need to hurry up", Amanda hurriedly put on her heels and headed downstairs,
" Honey…I'm ready to leave", she informed, but she didn't get a response cause her husband wasn't there,
" Honey!.. Honey!!... Honey!!!... I guess he went out already, well, I will give him a call when I get to the bar", Amanda said. She walked to the front door, reached for the handle, and realized it was locked.
" The door is locked, why is the door locked?", Amanda rhetorically asked,
Amanda rummages through the house, checking the usual spots where she might have stashed spare keys. She pulls open the junk drawer, shuffles through old pens, and tangled cords. No luck. Frustration builds as she retraces her steps, scanning shelves and countertop corners, her movements quickening. The search is a mix of methodical and frantic, every spot she checks turns up everything except the keys. Her search stopped when her phone rang, she reached into her purse and took out her phone, and answered the call,
" Hello darling, are you at the bar yet?", Lucas asked over the phone,
" Not yet, I'm locked inside the penthouse"
" What do you mean?"
" I was about to leave when I noticed the front door was locked. I'm looking for the spare keys I can't find them"
" Damnit, honey I'm sorry I thought you left already I locked the door before leaving the house", Lucas said,
" Honey, you should have at least confirmed if I was around before leaving"
" It was my mistake and I'm sorry about that. Please forgive me", Lucas apologized,
" It's 9:50pm… I'm late already, honey, when are you coming home?", Amanda asked,
" I will be back home by 11pm…I'm around downtown I received a call from my cousin brother so I had to rush down to meet him", Lucas answered,
" I guess I won't be going to the union party anymore", Amanda said in a depressing tone,
" I'm sorry about that, darling. I promise I will make it up to you. All you need to do is send a message to your friend who invited you and inform her you won't be able to come", Lucas instructed with a smile,
" I guess you are right, honey. I will do that. I will be waiting at home for your arrival, be careful and I love you", Amanda said with depression written all over her face,
" And I love you more darling"
, Lucas responded, and he hung up the call.