Chapter 5: Not Stupid

Andrea closed the car door gently, the click echoing like a trigger pulled in silence.

She stood in the early morning chill, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the vehicle. Her eyes lingered on the faint fingerprint smudge on the rearview mirror—small, delicate, unfamiliar.

She’d placed the lipstick back exactly where she found it. Not out of fear.

Out of calculation.

This time, she wasn’t ignoring it.

This time, she was testing him.

Because if it stayed there untouched, it would mean he hadn’t noticed it at all. Which meant he didn’t care about it at all.

But if it was gone?

Then someone had something to hide.

Andrea turned on her heel and walked back inside the house with slow, purposeful steps, each one heavier than the last. As she reached the bedroom, the scent of Gabriel’s cologne still lingered in the air.

She stood at the doorway, watching the space where he once stood, smiled, kissed her forehead like everything was fine.

Her lips parted slightly.

“Let’s see how good you really are at lying, Gabriel.”

She closed the door quietly behind her.

And began to wait.

~

It was nearly midnight when Andrea heard the familiar sound of keys jingling outside the front door.

She didn’t move from the couch.

The TV was on, but the volume was low—just enough to make it look like she’d been watching something, even if she hadn’t really seen a single frame. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, legs curled under her. Waiting.

The door opened. Gabriel stepped inside, looking a little too casual in his white polo and slightly wrinkled slacks.

“Oh,” he said, blinking as he spotted her. “You’re still awake. Why did you still wait for me? I told you that I might go home late right?"

Andrea smiled—tight, controlled. “Yeah. Couldn’t sleep.”

Gabriel placed his keys on the table and walked over to her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. She turned slightly, letting it land on her temple instead.

He didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and chose to ignore it.

“Long day?” she asked, pretending to focus on the screen.

“Yeah. Exhausting.” He stretched, ran a hand through his hair. “Clients, back-to-back meetings, and traffic was a nightmare.”

She nodded slowly. “Must be.”

There was a pause—pregnant and tense.

Andrea’s heart thudded, but her face remained neutral. She turned to look at him now, studied him. He seemed calm. Too calm.

“Did you stop by the car today?” she asked, voice light.

Gabriel blinked. “Huh?”

“The car,” she repeated, adjusting her tone as if she were asking about the weather. “I think I left something there yesterday. Just wondering if you saw it.”

He frowned. “No. I haven’t really checked. Why?”

"Are you sure? I think I forgot my cosmetic material there?" He swallowed hard, he remembers the lipstick and purse he gave back to Celina since she forgot it in his car, a day ago. But he's sure that there's nothing there for Andrea.

"Yeah... why? Is it important?"

Andrea tilted her head, a slow smile forming on her lips. “Nothing. Just wondering.”

She watched him carefully—every twitch of his brow, every shift of his mouth.

And there it was.

Barely there.

But it was something—a flicker in his eyes. A delay in his reply.

“You okay?” he asked suddenly, walking toward the kitchen. “You seem… tense.”

Andrea followed him, arms crossed. “Just tired, like I said.”

Gabriel opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, then leaned against the counter, taking a sip.

Andrea rested her hand lightly on the edge of the counter, her tone soft but laced with something else now.

“Have you ever lied to me, love...?”

He paused mid-sip. “What?”

“You heard me.”

He laughed, the sound a little too quick. “Where’s this coming from?”

Andrea shrugged, playing with the edge of her sleeve. “I don’t know. Just a question.”

Gabriel walked over to her, placing his bottle down. He cupped her cheek, gently.

“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”

She forced herself not to flinch. Not to pull away.

Instead, she nodded.

“Right. Silly me.”

But the fire in her chest didn’t go out.

It only burned brighter.

---

Later that night, when Gabriel was in the shower, Andrea stood by the bedroom window, arms wrapped around herself. Her mind replayed every word, every pause, every twitch in his expression.

And she knew.

She knew.

He’d seen the lipstick.

And he’d removed it.

Which meant he was hiding something. Because where the lipstick now? It's either he throws it away or give it back to whom it should belong.

Andrea’s eyes fluttered closed, a slow breath escaping her lungs.

She wasn’t stupid. She need to know something.