---- Chapter 9 Lesley stiffened as well, then her face turned bright red. She quickly explained, "Phil, I'm sorry. I didn't know my period was due." I was utterly speechless. I felt like crying but couldn't. Just when I thought I could finally enjoy a good time, this happened. I sighed, and by the time I looked up, Lesley had already gotten off the bed, opened the wardrobe, and was heading to the bathroom with her supplies. I went to wash my hands in the bathroom, and Lesley quietly said, "Phil, it's not like this is the only time. Why look so down?" Of course, she didn't understand my current despair -I was being tortured by desire. "You've got to help me." I couldn't just let it go like this, so I had to ask for her help. "How can I help?" she asked shyly, her face flushing. She seemed to be thinking of something and looked a little disgusted. "I'm not helping you with that. It's ---- just too..." It seemed like she and Joe had done something like this before. I pointed to myself. "You started the fire; aren't you going to help put it out?" Lesley looked at me, startled, then shyly nodded. Around , I quietly snuck back to my study to sleep, feeling pretty good and pushing last night's events out of my mind. Early the next morning, my buddy called. "Phil, where are you?" "I'm not in Brackenridge. What's up?" There was hesitation on the other end of the line before he seemed to make up his mind. "Phil, I just saw your wife coming out of a hotel with a guy. The guy seemed familiar, but I can't place where I've seen him before." What? "You must have seen wrong, right?" ---- I said that, but my mind immediately flashed to Tess's strange phone call last night, and my heart sank. Had she really betrayed me? Who was that jerk? "Phil, I didn't want to tell you this, but I was worried you'd feel bad. If you don't believe me, just forget it." After hanging up, I couldn't sleep anymore. I called Tess, and she said she was still sleeping. Asudden thought crossed my mind, and I blurted out, "T got a call from the company today. They want me to check out a project, so I won't be home for the next few days." She mumbled from the other side, "Are you lying? You want to hang out with Lesley, don't you? Don't think I didn't notice the way you look at her. Your eyes are practically glued to her when she's around." I was shocked. Was my gaze that obvious? "What are you talking about? If you don't believe me, you can check anytime. I'll even video call now if you want." ---- "Alright, alright, I was just joking. I need to sleep; I haven't worked out in a while, and the yoga session yesterday really wore me out." Tess's refusal reminded me of how I had also rejected her video call last night, and I felt a tightness in my chest. Was that guy in my house now? After hanging up, I contacted a company to install surveillance and then drove back home. I parked downstairs at the office and borrowed another car to drive over to my apartment building before parking in the underground parking lot. I waited in the car, keeping an eye on the elevator that led to my apartment. Sure enough, I spotted something. Tess came out with a man, his hand on her waist. The guy looked familiar, and as they walked in, it turned out to be him! Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!