MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED SO I HAD TO GO HOME IMMEDIATELY — WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, A WOMAN WEARING MY ROBE AND ASKED ME: “ARE YOU THE REAL ESTATE AGENT?” — I NODED AND ACCEPTED, BECAUSE IT WAS TIME FOR THE “OPEN HOUSE” OF TRUTH
I’m Claire. An International Flight Attendant. My husband Dave is used to me being away from home for a few days. All he knows is that I’m in Dubai right now and won’t be back in two days.

But because of the typhoon, my flight was canceled. I went home without telling him because I wanted to surprise him. I even brought his favorite watch as a gift.

When I arrived in front of our house in Ayala Alabang, I noticed that the light in the living room was on.

When I entered the door, I was surprised.

There was a woman standing on the stairs. Beautiful, fair, and sexy.

What was even more surprising? She was wearing my favorite silk robe. The robe my mother had given me.

We looked at each other. I expected her to scream. I expected her to be surprised.

But she smiled.

“Oh, hi!” the woman greeted. “You’re so early. Are you the Real Estate Agent we’ve been waiting for? Ms. Reyes?”

I was stunned. Real Estate Agent?

Why is there an agent waiting at my house? And why is this woman—who is obviously comfortable in my house—asking questions?

My brain worked quickly. If I disappeared now, they might get away with the story. I needed to know the whole plan.

So I smiled back. I hid my suitcase by the door.

“Yes,” I lied. “It’s me. Ms. Reyes at your service. Sorry if I’m early.”

“Great!” the woman said as she stroked my silk robe. “I’m Lexi. This house is beautiful, isn’t it? My boyfriend said he’s going to sell it cheap because it’s a rush sale. He wants to release the bad memories he has here with his crazy ex-wife.”

My blood boiled.

Crazy ex-wife? We’re married! And bad memories?!

“Really?” I replied, suppressing the tremor in my voice. “It’s a rush sale. Where’s your… boyfriend?”

“Dave’s still in the shower. He’ll be out soon. While we wait, can you give me a tour of the kitchen? I want to see how big the space is.”

“Sure, Ma’am Lexi,” I replied.

I followed her into the kitchen—the kitchen I designed and paid for.

“You know,” I said, pointing to the countertop. “The owner, the one you call the ‘crazy ex-wife’, bought that marble from Italy. It’s expensive. It’d be a shame if your boyfriend just sold it cheap.”

“Gosh,” Lexi sneered. “Dave said that woman has no taste. Dave likes modern. So if we buy this, I’ll tear down this kitchen.”

It hurt. But I had to control myself.

We continued to the Master Bedroom.

I saw my belongings stuffed into balikbayan boxes on the side. Dave had been throwing my belongings away while I was gone!

“So,” Lexi said, sitting on our bed. “How much was the last price? Dave said it could be 15 Million. I’ll buy it in cash.”

15 Million? The value of this house is 40 Million! Dave would sell it at a loss just so he could get the money and escape this woman?!

Finally, the bathroom door opened.

Dave came out. He was just wrapped in a towel. His hair was still wet.

“Babe,” Dave called to Lexi. “Is the Agent there yet? Tell him, 15 Million, take it or leave it. We have to leave before the—”

Dave was stunned.

He saw me. Standing at the foot of the bed, next to Lexi.

He turned pale. His jaw dropped. It was like he had seen a ghost.

“C-Claire?!” Dave stammered.

Lexi frowned. She looked at me, then at Dave.

“Claire?” Lexi asked. “Who is Claire? Isn’t this Ms. Reyes? The Agent?”

I slowly approached Dave.

“Hi, Honey,” I greeted with a smile. “My flight was canceled. Surprise.”

I turned to Lexi.

“Ms. Lexi,” I said. “To answer your question… I’m not Ms. Reyes. I’m Claire. His wife. And what you call a ‘crazy ex-wife’.”

Lexi stood up in shock. “W-What?! Dave said you’re divorced! And this house is his!”

“Well,” I looked at Dave who was shaking with fear. “Dave is a liar.”

I opened my bag and took out the Land Title that was always in my safe, but I took it out before I left because I was planning to have it appraised for insurance.

“And for your information, Lexi,” I explained. “Dave can’t sell this house.”

“Why?” Lexi asked.

“Because I bought it before we got married. This is MY house. It’s my paraphernalia. He’s just living there.”

I looked at Dave.

“Dave, since you’re looking for an Agent to sell the house…”

I grabbed my suitcase and opened the bedroom door.

“You are EVICTED. Get out.”

“C-Claire! Let me explain!” Dave pleaded, holding up his towel. “It’s nothing! I’m just a little drunk!”

“And you, Lexi,” I turned to the woman. “Take off my robe. Right now.”

Blushing with shame and fear, Lexi quickly took off her robe and grabbed her clothes. She ran out of the house, leaving Dave gaping.

“Claire… I’m your wife…” Dave cried.

“Before,” I replied. “Now? You’re just a trespasser.”

I called subdivision security.

Within ten minutes, Dave was dragged out the gate—homeless, penniless, and unattached.

And me? I burned the robe in the garden while drinking wine. The Open House is now closed, and the House Cleaning is finished.