Deception

Coral, fidgeting with a cup of Earl Grey, sat across the street from the hotel at a small bistro called Noémi’s. Dining al fresco put her in jeopardy of being seen, but at this point she didn’t care.

She knew Philip was at the Windsor Regent. He was there every Thursday afternoon. He tried to be surreptitious about these liaison, but he wasn’t as good at deception as he thought.

Over the past several weeks Coral had followed her wayward husband, keeping detailed notes on his comings and goings. A small digital camera yielded enough photos to filled a 2-inch ring binder. Aided by Philip’s habit of stuffing receipts into his car’s glove box, she was able to determine which days he frequented the Windsor.

All of her proof was now with her attorney. Without benefit of a pre-nuptial agreement, Coral was primed to get a very generous portion of their marital assets.

When her server came back to the table, she waved away another cup of tea.

“What will you do now?” Coral’s companion watched the front of the hotel.

“I need to wait just a little bit longer,” she said, pushing her cup away. “Philip is in line for a pretty significant promotion. If I serve him after it’s official, my settlement could reach upwards into seven figures.”

“How long until you know any thing?”

“Could be as soon as tonight,” she said. “You never were very patient.”

“It’s not about me.”

“There he is,” Coral slid her chair back under the awning shadow. “And, there is his whore.”

Coral watched as her husband turned south down the sidewalk away from the hotel, and his afternoon tryst turned north.

“I can’t believe he cheated on you,” Coral’s companion took her hand. “I would never do that.”

Coral raised her arm, kissing the top of Andrew’s hand.

“You are my rock,” Coral said. “I don’t think I could have survived this without you.”

“I was here before Philip, I’ll still be here for you after Philip.” Andrew turned over Coral’s hand, pressing his lips to her palm.

Andrew’s phone hummed, causing it to jump across the table. Startled by the sound, Coral looked down, Philip’s name and number flashed on the lit screen.

Drawing his hand away from Coral, Andrew smirked as he reached for his cell.

“I really need to take this,” he said. “I have a little news to report.”