It took two rings of the doorbell before I heard footsteps approaching. Typical of Olivia to not let me stand outside too long.

Two clicks of the latch on the other side and the door flew open. As I expected, standing with a bright, beautiful smile was my girlfriend, Olivia.
"Welcome honey. How was your day today?" she asks in between giving me a hug and grabbing my briefcase from me.
"Very tiring. I'm so exhausted, I could use some sleep right now"
I come in, shut the door behind me and trailed behind her. We walk like that to the bedroom.
"Oops! Sorry baby. You should first get in the shower and freshen up. Remember it's almost Fami....."
I caught the words before she could finish it "Is it Thursday already? How i totally forgot! Too bad, I thought I would just get lost in the sheets." I let out a sigh and continued "but honey, can't you make the call alone, please? Just for today, I promise"
"Nah! I always did. You're the only one who is always absent. Enough of the excuses and just join in already. You don't want to spoil this ritual, do you?"
"Okay. Okay" I said and then murmured "...for as long as my eyes stay open."
"Did you say something?" Olivia asked .
"Uhm, no.." I replied.
"All right. Hurry, get in the shower, I'll go make you some coffee. That would help."
I shed my shoe, shirt and pants and went in the bathroom. I got out shortly to find my girlfriend holding a steaming cup. She handed it to me with a kiss to the cheek.
"Enjoy your coffee" she said and walked in the direction of the bathroom.
"My luck! Good heavens!" I muttered as I watched her fade from sight.
Still wearing my bathrobe, I settled down on the vanity chair to enjoy my drink. I took a sip and another and it tasted funny. I brought the cup to my nose and the smell of my coffee was different. It's probably a new brand that Olivia got, I thought.
Olivia is just as adventurous as I am when it comes to coffee, drinks precisely.
Another sip and I could not get the liquid to go down. So I got up and headed to the kitchen.

I was already pouring the drink down the sink when my eyes caught sight of a cup beside the microwave. Putting down the cup in my hand, I make to get it. There was a light brown liquid in it. I sniffed it and crinkled my nose. It smelled unpleasant but familiar.
"What are you doing?" Olivia asked from behind. I did not hear her come in.
.
"Just checking what this is. What is it? And, the coffee tastes awful, why is that?"
"Uh..uhhh, I don't know" she said.
I looked at her between squinted eyes. I brought the brown liquid to my nose again, this time, recalling where I had percieved it. I grabbed my almost empty cup of coffee and brought it to my nose. Viola! That was it. They smelled alike, only the coffee had a more bearable smell.
I turned to face Olivia, she had a smirk on "what's that liquid, Olivia?"
"First, promise to not get mad" she said but I kept mum. She continued "It's April Fool's day today and I thought to spice things up so I brewed your coffee with hotdog water"
"You did what?" I yelled.
"I did not think you'd go ahead to drink it. You're so into coffee that I thought you'd notice something weird about the smell and then sensing your confusion, I'd jump in to spill the beans."
"Damn it! That went too far. And I already have some in my system. Gosh!"
"You need to see your face right now" she said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Don't even try to play this down. I'm pissed and s..."
She cut in, "scared? You don't have to be. No harm will come to you. I'm certain."
I stormed out of the kitchen, into the bedroom. I put on a shirt over short and was heading out.
"Where are you going?"she asked
"Out! Somewhere where I can have good coffee and clear my head."

"I'm sorry. I apologized already. I'll make it up to you, whatever you please."
I walked out and jammed the door behind me. Walking outside in the cold, I thought of everything that transpired.
"She played me and I'm supposed to be the smart one. That was some crazy prank" I thought. I chuckled and turned back in the direction of my house.
I rang the bell and it flew open. Like she was standing behind the door all along. She had a smug look and it made me burst into laughter. She looked like a cute puppy.
"So, how are you gonna make it up to me?," I said as she snuggled up in my arms.
Thanks for stopping by.
SOKA🖤