The jarring sound of the doorbell stirred the anger simmering in me. I was cleaning my house in preparation for the office party scheduled for that evening.
I narrowed my eyes at the intrusion because I wasn't looking my best. I hate it when visitors appear unexpectedly at my doorstep.
I made my sweaty, limp hair presentable and sauntered to the door. A quick look through the peephole made me pause for a moment. The anger that I had been suppressing began to boil to the surface. I took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Hey, Chloe." My husband's paramour smiled enthusiastically at me. She was neatly dressed in a sleek beige trouser suit and an inner black top that enhanced her hourglass figure.
"Hi, Mavis," I drawled. "Does my husband know you'll be stopping by this afternoon?" I placed an emphasis on "my" but she didn't seem to notice or care.
"Actually, we were to arrive together but he stopped by the supermarket to pick up some items you requested for the office party."
"Ah, yes. Come in." I opened the door wider to let her in. Of course, she had to taunt me with her enviable catwalk.
"Coffee?" I offered.
She sat on the two-seater couch that Keith and I loved to relax and cuddle on. I lost it at that point.
For the past three months, Keith slowly withdrew from me claiming to be busy. He often stayed late at the office with her. He admired her and was open about it. "Mavis is good at this", "Mavis is a genius", "Mavis is hardworking and making a difference at the company". Even when he was home, I couldn't have my husband to myself. They would speak for hours on the phone.
Keith was very discreet about his relationship with her. I searched his phone, iPad and PC and found nothing. I planned to have a heart-to-heart with him after the office party tonight.
Since she was here, I decided to have it out with her first.
"Yes, please," her raspy voice pulled me out of my reverie.
"Huh?"
"Coffee? I wouldn't mind a cup, thank you," she replied primly.
"Of course." I walked into the kitchen and poured a cup from the pot I made earlier. Keith loved to drink his coffee with some Irish cream liqueur. Without thinking, I poured some into the coffee, mixed in a spoon of maple syrup and stirred. I took it to Mavis.
"Thank you," she muttered demurely. As she sipped, I sat across from her and gave her my best unsettling stare. She fidgeted a little and gulped down half of the coffee.
"Mavis, I want the truth from you," I began. I noticed her chest was heaving and beads of sweat formed a row on her forehead.
She placed the cup on the side stool. "Truth about what? Is it hot in here?"
I ignored the latter question. Her guilt was starting to reveal itself. Best to hammer at her immediately. "Are you having an affair with Keith?"
Mavis' eyes bulged in shock and she fell to her knees. I stood up abruptly. That was not the reaction I expected. Her loud gasps echoed in the living room as she began to claw at her chest.
"What's the meaning of this?" I asked, a little confused at the dramatic display. Mavis shook her head vigorously. She was pale and struggling to breathe.
"I-I'm not having an af-ffair with Keith—"
"Don't lie to me, Mavis…"
"W-What did you put in the coffee?" She interrupted me. It seemed she wasn't pranking me.
"The usual, just as Keith drinks it with Irish cream and maple syrup. Are you okay?"
Mavis slumped to the ground.
I froze for a moment and watched as she thrashed around, flailing her hands and wiggling her legs. Her lips turned blue.
Oh no! Mavis must have had an allergy and was suffocating. I shook her but she grabbed my hands, clawing at my wrists. "Are you allergic?"
She could only nod once before she closed her eyes. Her hands and legs stopped moving.
Mavis was unconscious.
What have I done? I put my head on her chest and close to her nose, she wasn't breathing. I didn't know how to perform CPR or I would save her.
Within minutes of arriving, Mavis was dead. Death by coffee!
I stood and began to pace, my hands cold and clammy. I wished for my marital harmony restored and now, the universe removed the obstacle in such an unexpected way.
Keith would be home soon. I immediately donned my rubber gloves and dragged Mavis' body down to the basement. After the party tonight, I would see to it.
I climbed back up and collided with Keith's chest. "Hi!" I exclaimed in shock.
He gave me a distracted smile, glancing around the hallway as if searching for something—or someone?. "Mavis didn't come here? We need to go through some spreadsheets together before the party starts."
No hello. No hugs. Nothing. I felt like screaming my head off.
"Keith. What's going on between you and Mavis?" I asked straight out. No more walking on eggshells around him. I arched my eyebrows for emphasis. He gazed at me for a moment before sighing deeply.
"Have a seat, will you? I have to tell you something import—"
"Tell me what? That you are sleeping with your auditor?"
Keith froze. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
I clamped my mouth shut. Keith never swore.
He grabbed my arms and shook me. "Why would you say something like that? I have been faithful to you. Our company is going bankrupt so I hired Mavis to put us back on our feet. That's what tonight's party is for."
I fainted in my husband's arms. I accidentally killed an innocent woman because of my insecurities.