(Nearly) domestic bliss

Your trip to the store proves uneventful but a bit slow. You spend a considerable amount of time wandering the isles and thinking through each meal. You carefully count out each dime so as to not waste a cent. The last thing you want is to further endure the embarrassment of having to ask Rachel for more money.

As you arrive home you notice how late in the day it's gotten. You quickly swap the last load of laundry and begin prepping dinner. After some time you finally hear the apartment door open and rush to meet Rachel as she enters.

You're pleased to find Rachel both alone and in a remarkably good mood. She attempts to hide her efforts as she scans the apartment, eager to see what chores had gotten done while she was at work. "Wow, this place is starting to look pretty nice." She struts up to you and gives your cheek a loving and joking pitch, "I should have brought you in as my maid much sooner."

Within minutes you and your girlfriend sit blissfully enjoying a glass of wine and a lovely meal. You listen patiently as Rachel shares some rather unremarkable anecdotes from her day. You passively nod along with her stories, that is until you hear Deshawn mentioned.

"I almost forgot, Deshawn and I are going to be working on a special project tomorrow, so I won't be home until late." She gives you a bright smile as she takes another gulp of wine. You casually attempt to probe deeper, careful to disguise your displeasure. Rachel rolls her eyes at your obvious ****, "Relax, Nick, it's just for work. Deshawn doesn't technically work with me. He's kind of a... he's a contractor!" She pauses as she swigs down the last of her wine. "And he's a very talented one at that. But it also means our collaborations have to take place outside of my work hours."

She pauses once more and pushes her empty plate away from her, signaling that she's done with both dinner and this discussion. "I'll tell you what, baby. Why don't you take care of these dishes and I'll get ready for a special night, just the two of us." She stands, now gleaming down at you like fresh prey, "I may even have a surprise since you've been such a good maid."