Was wonderful, he would give her anything, just to let him
get back to his business. He was a workoholic: appointments,
negotiations, and money changing hands.
It was love at first sight: his athletic body, good manners,
high education, and patience. She knew he was meant for her,
that she'd obey, unequivocally, the moment her gaze met, on
his night table, despising his tidiness, an arrogantly
forgotten page, from his multi digit bank account.
The night wasn't young but much wiser, the universe even
older, when Adam reached his humble home and castle, in the
exclusive neighborhood. He tried in vain to avoid the dark
shadow that brushed his knee, and licked his hand.
Feed a dog once, and it will be faithful for a lifetime,
unlike humans, his grandfather taught him.
- Hello my love, she greeted from the head of the stairs,
- More than ever, my dream.
- Hungry, thirsty, lovely? Everything is ready.
- Just a big, cold glass of water. She joined him in the
kitchen, hugged and kissed him between two gulps.
- A new pajama, complementing your gorgeous figure, he
filled another glass, embraced her and headed for the
stairs.
- Honey, I had an affair, she said, in the bedroom, in a
trembling voice.
- I'm listening; he didn't drop his glass, but placed it on
the antique night table.
- Can you forgive me? Her eyes were sparkling with the first
tears.
- You want a divorce? Comfortable in the armchair, he
unlaced his shoes.
- No, ever. She was biting her lips,
- Do you love me? Carefully, he emptied his pockets,
electronic gadgets in a crystal tray, gun and money in the
drawer.
- You, only you, and nobody else but you, she took his hand
and kissed it. He caressed her hair, and wiped the tears
from his hand with a white handkerchief.
- Then why did you do it? He hanged up his trousers.
- I wanted a little... sex.
- A little? He started a few push-ups, breathing evenly.
- O.K. A little more.
- I bought you, the wonders of technology: Eros in the
Jacuzzi...
- You were so busy, I wouldn't disturb you. Just a teardrop
in our ocean of love.
- Do you love him? He threw the socks and shirt into the
bathroom laundry basket.
- No, what do you take me for? Told you, only sex. She was
lovely, even without makeup.
- Did you enjoy it? He reached for his pajamas and
slippers.
- At the beginning, tense in her armchair, she watched him.
- May I, finally, know, who this happy guy is? He lit the
TV: music, classic, concert.
- Alexander.
- That cheap, mean, boring, moron? Chasing my girlfriends
since high school. Now home delivery, and room service.
- Next time I'll take someone you like, her smile was like
the sunshine. Don't forget, Sunday evening we are invited to
the Schwarz's.
- Our best friends, steel anniversary, still happy, you buy
the present, whatever. Then why so sad, sugar cake?
- You said it, he is cheap and mean, another stream of
tears.
- Well, you didn't ask my advice...
- I paid the motel, the restaurant, the coffee, tip the
waiter.
- You need more money, honey? She hated the rhyme,
- No sweetheart, you give me too much.
- Then? He finished the lukewarm water.
- It's the principle! It's disgraceful, insulting,
revolting...
- Get rid of him, she sat on his knees. Moderate pressure,
he thought.
- Just like that?  
- Just like that. He is an insult to the nights with
Casanova, the Knights of the round rotten table, don Juan,
Blue Beard and all the rest, let them rest...
- That's not good for my reputation, she didn't understand
and kissed his hand again,
- My dear lady, do you have a cruel duel on your mind? Long
pistols or short swords, sabers. Cloaks and daggers.
- Silly, duel is out; find something original, respectable.
- O.K. sweetheart, I'm already working on it, don't worry,
- I knew it, I knew it, she danced barefoot on the rug, and
happy like a child she was.
- But, right now, honestly, I'm dying for a cold shower,
tomorrow at 07.00 I meet my accountant.

Next day, 18.00, Happy Alexander was pale and nervous, as
expected. They were sipping coffee, discreetly, in the
Sheraton's restaurant. The place was almost empty.
Expressionless waiters were gliding on the carpeted floor,
under sparkling Venetian chandeliers. In a Bedouin tent I
drank better coffee, Adam reflected:  
- Mr. Alexander, do you like lazy, unpleasant, boring
women?
- No.
- Then what the hell do you want from my wife?
Well... this wasn't exactly the opening sentence. Like in
chess, Adam preferred surprise. Not the frontal attack, the
aggressive gambit, but the unexpected Sicilian defense! The
horse appears from his secluded corner, in an almost amusing
move, catching the adversary off guard. Let it be
Sicilian...
- Mr. Alexander, please let me be short and frank. You are a
busy man and I don't want to waste your precious time. I
know about your affair with my wife...
- ???
- No, please don't interrupt me. I am a reasonable man. If
you love each other, you should marry. At once. I divorce,
you divorce, and you have a respectable solution, my
blessing and a nice wedding present...
Happy Alexander could have never expected this scenario. A
discreet alarm, has warned him, from the very first moments
in her warm, scented arms: he could not afford such a
spoiled and expensive woman, and should get rid of her,
elegantly, without delay. Such a fool, to get in trouble
with the Adam family. This is the last and only, heaven-sent
opportunity.
- Mr. Adam, I am deeply moved by your noble gesture, and
offer which I cannot accept. I promise never ever to see or
approach your wife again.

The night wasn't young but much wiser, the universe even
older, when Adam reached his humble home and castle, in the
exclusive neighborhood. A dark shadow brushed his knee, and
licked his hand.
- Hello my love, she greeted from the head of the stairs,
- More than ever, my dream, he looked up.
- Honey, she inquired with a trembling voice, did you
arrange it...?
- Piece of cake! Sicilian! She ran down the stairs, to his
strong, accepting, forgiving arms.
- I'm crazy about the boy, she stopped three steps before
the landing, embraced him with the warmth of a schoolgirl,
pressed his nose against her perfumed navel. Philippine,
Rumanian, now Sicilian...
- The pleasure is all mine.
- Master your humble slave bought the present for the
Swartz's...
- Do me a favor sugar cake...
- Whatever, whenever, wherever...
- However... he squeezed in, you are a big girl now. And I
love you more than... never. But enough is enough. You know
I am quite busy, can't afford this nonsense, getting rid of
the new imbecile, every two month. Please, next time find
someone reliable.
But, right now, honestly, I'm dying for a cold shower,
tomorrow at 07.00 I meet my accountant.