Cleo's phone buzzed on the glass table. The screen flashed Mary's name.
Cleo picked up immediately, smiling as she answered.
"Hello,my darling."
"Oh, Cleo! Don't forget my dinner party tomorrow. I'm just reminding you," Mary said teasingly, her voice bright with excitement.
Cleo chuckled softly. "When have I ever forgotten a party?"
"Good! Then dress well and look sexy. But please, don't go seducing my man," Mary laughed. "And hey! Don't wear that black sunshade of yours. I don't want people thinking you're a detective."
Cleo burst out laughing. "Oh, Mary, get your head checked!"
The call ended, and the room fell silent again.
Cleo placed her phone down and strolled to her wardrobe. Her fingers brushed through dozens of designer dresses, trying to decide what to wear. She smiled as she picked one after another, tossing them onto the bed, her mind spinning with choices.
After sorting through her collection, she decided to step out and check on the old folks at the home nearby. They always made her feel grounded, a reminder that money and luxury were not everything. She spent a few hours with them before returning home.
As soon as she walked in, she called out, "Izzy!"
Izzy came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yes, Mrs. Monroe?"
"If Mathias brings any woman home while I'm gone, I want to be the first to know," Cleo said, crossing her arms.
"Yes, Mrs. Monroe. I'll inform you immediately," Izzy replied, lowering her eyes.
"Good. I know I can count on you."
But deep down, Cleo didn't trust her. Something about Izzy's eyes, the way she looked at Mathias, always made Cleo uneasy.
Cleo brushed off the thought and went upstairs. Mathias was sitting on the bed, his laptop open, typing something she couldn't understand.
She leaned against the doorframe, smiling sweetly. "Oh, husband of mine, I'll be going to Mary's dinner party."
He didn't look up. "Dinner party? For what?"
"Mary's getting engaged tonight. It's their wedding announcement."
Mathias finally looked at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Hmm. And I guess you're going to dress like you're the one getting engaged."
Cleo laughed. "Of course not! But her fiancé seems like a good man. You can tell he's not the type to lust after every woman in a skirt." She paused deliberately, her tone sharpening. "Unlike some men I know."
Mathias sighed, already sensing where this was heading. "How do you know that? Is he your ex?" he asked, half-joking, half-curious.
"No… far from that," Cleo replied, pretending to adjust her earring. "You can see it in his ways. He carries himself with respect. But you…" she stopped and looked straight at him "...women like me can always tell when a man's a womanizer. Your trousers make it obvious enough."
Mathias slammed his laptop shut and stood. "I know this conversation isn't going anywhere good."
He walked out of the room.
Cleo hissed softly. "Coward," she muttered under her breath.
Downstairs, Mathias stopped near the kitchen. Izzy was passing by, holding a tray of fresh fruit. The curve of her hips caught his eye, and he froze for a second.
She noticed his stare but kept her face calm.
Mathias cleared his throat. "How's the housework going?"
"All done, sir," she replied quietly.
"Good." He tried to sound casual, but his eyes betrayed him. Something about Izzy's innocence drew him in, and lately, it was getting harder to resist.
Izzy placed the tray on the counter and turned slightly, her heartbeat quickening. She had tried to bury her feelings, but every time she saw him, it was harder.
The tension between them thickened …invisible but alive.
Mathias finally looked away and walked toward the living room, pretending to check his phone.
Izzy exhaled slowly, her mind spinning with guilt and desire.
Upstairs, Cleo was getting dressed. Her red gown fit perfectly, hugging her curves like it was made for her. She adjusted her diamond earrings, sprayed her favorite perfume, and smiled at her reflection.
She looked flawless…confident, proud, and dangerously beautiful.
Grabbing her purse, she called out, "Mathias! I'm leaving now!"
No response.
She rolled her eyes. "Typical."
Cleo took the car keys and walked out, heels clicking on the polished floor.
The door closed behind her.
Mathias stood by the window, watching her car pull away. His thoughts twisted…guilt, anger, temptation…all tangled in one mess.
He turned toward the kitchen again, his voice lower this time. "Izzy, you can rest now."
"Thank you, sir," she said softly.
Their eyes met again.
This time, neither of them looked away.
And just like that, something dangerous began to bloom in the silence.
Cleo thought leaving the house would keep Mathias away from temptation.
But the storm she feared was already brewing… under her own roof.
After about ten minutes on the road, Cleo remembered she had left Mary's gift sitting on the living room table.
She sighed, hit the steering wheel lightly, and made a quick U-turn. But as she drove back, a thought crept into her mind…dark and unsettling.
When she reached home, she parked roughly and stepped out, her heels clicking angrily on the driveway. She didn't even bother fixing her hair before storming to the door.
Izzy opened it, startled.
But Cleo didn't wait. She pushed the door wider and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the living room.
Her chest rose and fell.
The bomb has been activated.
And when it finally explodes, no one will be left untouched.