She flinched as the key turned in the lock. Finally, he had arrived! Dia put down her hairbrush and ran to meet him. By the time Máté stepped through the door, Dia was already there, arms wide open, ready to embrace him. She breathed in his scent deeply. She ran her fingers through Máté’s thick hair and offered her lips for a kiss. She could hardly wait for him to lift her up, as usual, and carry her to the bedroom.
While Máté was in the shower, Dia finished brushing her hair. She gently combed through her unruly, spiral-shaped, fiery red curls, then sprayed them with argan oil mist. She placed mascara and nude lip gloss on the vanity. Before starting her makeup, she checked Máté’s shirt to ensure there were no creases. She chose the right tie and placed it on the valet stand so he wouldn’t have to search for it. For two years now, they had been using the same perfume. It was Máté’s idea that they wear the male and female versions of the same brand. Dia had been touched by the man’s romantic gesture back then.
Their favorite restaurant had their usual table ready for them. It took more than half an hour to drive to the riverside fish tavern, but they were happy to make the trip. Away from the bustling city, they sat hand in hand by the river, hanging on each other’s every word. Dia had never been this much in love. Máté was the first man who could truly sweep her off her feet and keep her interest for two years straight. She was perfectly satisfied with him in every way. She could only imagine her future with Máté. And the man did everything to keep it that way. He pampered her, spoiled her, admired her, and loved her.
She didn’t care about the gift. All that mattered was that they were together. But this time, Máté had thought of a truly special surprise. For Dia’s thirty-seventh birthday, Máté gave her a hot air balloon ride over Lake Balaton. Máté always knew how to dazzle the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Dia’s dazzling green eyes, thick red hair, and enchanting features instantly captured the man’s heart. The moment he saw her, he fell in love. Dia was infatuated with the successful, charming politician. She felt special that, among all the women who flocked around Máté, he chose her. A single short conversation was enough for them to fall in love with each other.
The waiter gently touched Máté’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear. To avoid interrupting the conversation, Dia excused herself to the restroom. She was already smiling, imagining that when she returned, the cake with the sparklers and champagne would be on the table. She adjusted her dress and ran her fingers through her hair. Suddenly, her heart started pounding wildly. She panicked, thinking she might faint. She washed her face, then stepped out of the restroom. She figured she was just more excited than usual because of her birthday. As she entered the dining room, she was surprised to see that Máté was not at the table. The waiter hurried over to Dia.
Her ears were ringing. She could hear the driver speaking, but the words didn’t form coherent sentences. She saw them. Just for a moment, out of the corner of her eye, but she saw them. They were standing by the door. Dia was trembling all over. She couldn’t believe this was happening. It had never even crossed her mind. To Dia, Máté’s wife was just a picture on his social media profile. Just like his daughter in her graduation gown, proudly holding her diploma. Since Máté never talked about them, she allowed herself the luxury of imagining they didn’t exist. Máté navigated between his two lives without much trouble. Dia had always followed the rules of the game. She never called him or sent him messages. She was content with what she got from Máté. But apparently, the man had not kept his promise not to talk about the places he visited with Dia. Otherwise, how would Máté’s wife have thought of bringing their daughter to a remote riverside tavern? If she had ever played with the idea of running into the wife, it certainly wouldn’t have ended like this in her mind. In her imagination, they would have simply fled the scene and then the country. In her world, Máté would never have quietly whisked his lover away as if she had never existed, only to resume dinner with the other one at another table.