Three: When the Clock Strikes Deceit

November 8th, 2024. 

It was the exact date, three years ago, when Cody had proposed to Carmen, and she had said "yes" without a moment's hesitation. Today was supposed to be a celebration of that precious moment -their wedding anniversary. The memory alone made her giddy and excited as she and Millie bustled around the living room, scattering rose petals and arranging candles. 

"Do you think he'll like the setup?" Carmen asked, glancing at Millie with a sparkle in her eyes. 

Millie gave a bright, reassuring smile. "Of course he will. You've gone all out. Cody loves these kinds of things. If I'm not mistaken, It's perfect." She placed a hand on Carmen's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "Cody's a lucky guy. So calm down. And stop being nervous or negative about everything."

Yes! And to be honest, Cody was really a lucky guy. No matter what, having Carmen in his life brought him so much luck. So one could say, it was the woman beside him that made him successful.

Carmen's cheeks flushed with pride and pleasure. She looked around, imagining Cody's face when she walked through the door. She had prepared his favorite meal; a perfectly grilled steak with mashed potatoes and green beans, just the way he loved it. She had also decorated their home, just the way he liked, and had even bought herself a new seductive dress; the one she couldn't wait to try on when they were alone in the room.

Everything was ready. Tonight was going to be perfect! She could feel it. She just needed to call Cody to find out where he was. Just as she picked up her phone to dial, it started ringing. His name, 'Love of my life', flashed on the screen, and she answered it eagerly. "Hey, babe. Are you almost on your way?" 

A pause lingered on the line before Cody replied, his tone distant. "Uh, not yet, love. I have a ton of paperwork to finish. I'll be home late-maybe not until around nine or nine-thirty." 

"Can't they wait?" Carmen asked hopefully.

"No, babe. They can't. It's gonna cost the company if I'm not able to finish this on time and process." 

"Oh, okay. No problem! I'll see you later then." Disappointment flicked across Carmen's face, but she forced a smile. "I love you, sweetheart." 

"I love you more, babe," Cody replied, making exaggerated kissy noises. Carmen mimicked him, prompting Millie, who was folding gifts in the corner, to gag dramatically.

"You both are disgusting lots" she said with a laugh. 

At the other end of the call, Cody cleared his throat. "Is that Millie?"

There was a brief pause before Carmen replied, "Yes, babe. Millie is here.

Millie chimed in with a cheeky tone, "The one and only!" 

Carmen chuckled, glancing at Millie and nodded, adding "She's helping me set up." 

Millie smirked and called out, "Come back early, or I'm going to kill you."

"Yes, ma'am." Cody chuckled. "Alright, sweetheart, I'll see you later," he said warmly before handing up. 

But there was something about the way he said Sweethearts that felt off. It wasn't just Carmen he was addressing-there was a subtle shift in his tone, a softness that seemed directed at Millie. Carmen didn't catch it, but Millie did. Which was why she was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

After he hung up, Millie turned to Carmen with a sly grin. "You're lucky I didn't make him promise to bring me something," she teased, though there was a flicker of something unspoken sitting in her eyes.

Carmen laughed, brushing off the comment. She slowly dropped her phone and said, "Well, that gives us even more time to finish up with the arrangements before his arrival!"

Just as she was about to pick up more arrangements, her phone buzzed again. She thought it was Cody calling to tell her he'd decided to come back, but it wasn't. This time, it was Jenna, Roldwells' secretary.

"Who is it?" Millie asked.

"It's the office." Carmen sighed, before picking up the call. "Jenna, what do you want?"

"Cam, sorry to do this on your anniversary, but there's an urgent meeting with the higher-ups. They need you here," Jenna's voice crackled through the phone, sympathetic. She thought she could handle the boss alone, but she was wrong. The boss had specifically asked for Carmen and there was nothing she could do.

"Jenna, can't it wait? It's my anniversary for Christ's sake! Cody's going to be home soon, and I was just in the middle of-" Carmen began, desperation seeping through her voice.

"I'm sorry, but it can't. I've tried to cover for you. The deal the boss is after is time-sensitive, and they specifically requested you. You're the only one who will get through to these people. You need to be here, Cam. I'm sorry." Jenna replied, her voice firm.

Carmen felt her heart sink. As she ended the call, she looked at Millie, who had been watching her with concern.

"Let me guess-work emergency?" Millie asked, her brow furrowing. 

She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "The boss needs me in the office. It's for an important deal. I'm not sure when I'll be back." 

Millie immediately wrapped an arm around Carmen. "Hey, don't worry. I'll take care of everything here. You go deal with work. I'll make sure this place is perfect by the time you or Cody is back." 

"Really?" Carmen's expression softened as she hugged Millie tightly. What was she going to do without her best friend always having her back? "Thank you. You're a lifesaver, Omg. I'll be back before you know it." 

With a grateful smile, she kissed Millie on the cheek, hurried into the room to grab her bag and car keys, then waved at Millie one last time before dashing out. She sped off in her car, determined to get to the office, handle the boss's business quickly, and return home before Cody arrived. There was that one surprise she wouldn't want him to see yet.

The moment Carmen's car disappeared from the driveway, Millie's face twisted into a scowl. Her cheerful facade dropped, replaced by a dark, gleeful grin. She looked around the decorated room, then picked up one of the delicate arrangements and threw it onto the floor, stomping on it with her heel. One by one, she destroyed the setup, crushing flowers and scattering rose petals. 

A twisted laugh bubbled from her lips as she watched the decorations collapse around her. The streamers fluttered to the ground, the balloons deflated, and the carefully set table was now a mess. Everything was chaotic. Oh, how long had she been aching to do this? A sense of satisfaction mingled through her bitterness, fueling her laughter. She sank onto the sofa, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, her manic chuckle exposed through the empty room.

Reaching for her phone, she dialed a familiar number, her finger trembling slightly-not with nerves, but with anticipation. After two rings, Cody's voice came through.

"Sweetheart, what's up?" 

A wicked smile curled Millie's lips as she let another one of her twisted laughs spill into the phone. "Your beloved wife just left for the office, babe." Millie purred, her voice low and sly. "She won't be back until late. So...why don't you come home now? I have a little surprise waiting just for you."

There was a pause, followed by Cody's hesitant reply. "Baby, I'm in the middle of work right now. What I told Carmen wasn't a lie -this project-"

Millie cut him off with a playful giggle, her honeyed tone, sharp. "Oh, Cody," she teased, "You and I both know that excuse won't fly. Maybe to Carmen, but not to me." more giggle "If I'm not mistaken, you wrapped that project up last week, didn't you?" Her voice was dangerously low. "The Cody Wade I know would never leave anything until the last minute. That's why you're Manhattan's golden boy-so reliable."