Of course he had to bring up the lipstick. Smiling awkwardly, Erica tried to deflect the matter.

"Um, Matthew, let's not talk about the lipstick now. I don't care whose it is anymore. What's happening with

Ethan? Did Tam contact you?"

Her husband went on, undeterred.

"Paige has confirmed it-that Lipstick was the one you and Mom bought together that day.”

Erica's face flushed as anger mingled with embarrassment.

"There's nothing going on with Ethan, is there? You just mentioned him to trick me into coming here, so you could mock me."

"Mock you? That's the furthest thing from my mind! I just think it's funny that you didn't recognize your own lipstick. You even insisted that I was cheating on you."

Matthew's smile grew wider and wider. Unable to stand it, Erica slammed a palm against his desk.

“Matthew Hilton, I've tolerated you for a long time. If it weren't for you drying my hair, washing my feet and cooking noodles for me..."

Behind her, there was a click and a creak as the door to the office opened.

But in her anger, Erica didn't notice. Looking daggers at Matthew, she went on, "I would have been finished with you a long time ago!"

From the open doorway came a woman's voice. It was a good-natured laugh, and this time Erica heard it.

With a start she turned around. Before her were Debbie and Carlos, beaming as they stepped into the office.

"Ah!" cried Erica.

"Dad, Mom. Come in. Welcome."

Seeing that she had embarrassed herself with her outburst, Erica immediately dropped her angry expression. She stood up straight and greeted the newcomers obediently, Looking every bit the well-behaved lady she was supposed to be.

Debbie came over and took Erica's hand warmly, remarking, “So Matthew washed your feet and dried your hair? Why, I'm his own mother, and I haven't enjoyed such treatment yet. Oh, Rika, he's so good to you!"

“No, no. I was only kidding..." Struggling to maintain her composure,

Erica thought, ‘Damn. Why didn't he tell me his parents were coming?‘

Looking from his distressed wife to his affectionate mother, Matthew put in, "But Mom, Dad does everything for you."

“But we're talking about you. You never did that for me. That's different!" insisted Debbie. She let go of Erica's hand, but told her,

“Rika, you've trained Matthew very well. I'm impressed. Keep it up."

Indeed, Debbie had found a new side of Matthew. Rika must have really charmed him; he seemed to be so very thoughtful around her.

Erica turned even redder than before.