Walking in the door after getting home from work that night, I found Rachel in the kitchen cooking dinner, she was wearing the same clothes as in the photos and video Vinod had sent earlier. They were definitely taken today.
Remembering that I wasn't supposed to say anything about it, I held my tongue and just asked how her day had been.
She mentioned she had a great day, that she had found some really interesting furniture that had just been advertised online and she had arranged to go there right there to inspect it once she had finished work at the school as it was not too far from there and she wanted to get there before anyone else did. She then went on about how the guy selling the furniture was really intriguing and lived in a somewhat eccentric home. The furniture had been exactly what she was looking for and she had grabbed it at a bargain price.
Apparently he had said there were also some extra pieces she might be interested in that were not advertised yet because they were stored in his basement behind other things. He had promised that if she came back on Thursday, he would try to clear a way to them and give her first option before he advertised them for sale.
I felt a surge go through my body at the mention she would be going back on Thursday, just as Vinod had said!
What am I getting myself into? What have I got Rachel into? Maybe I should come clean and tell her everything. But would she be mad? Maybe she would think I'm crazy, but I do have those photos as proof, but those messages also make me somewhat complicit! My gut was twisting itself with nerves, but the hardness in my trousers betrayed my other feelings.
"Do you want me to come with you on Thursday to help load the furniture?" I offered, a slight lump in my throat.
Maybe if I could insert myself into the situation it would throw a spanner in whatever Vinods plans were without giving the game away. Or am I just trying to get myself a front row seat to what might happen? Argh!
"Oh there is a no need for that honey, you would need to leave work early and go too far out of your way. Anyway I don't think they are very big pieces, I'm sure I can handle it by myself".
However clever I had thought my improvised plans in that moment, Rachel had brought them down to reality just as easily a moment later.
"I'm sure I can take the afternoon off and this guys house sounds quite interesting, I'm quite curious to see it now!"
Well I wasn't going to give up that easily, and anyway I wasn't lying, I was quite curious to see it!
"Oh well, if you are sure you can take then time off honey, then that would be great! I'd love you to see it. I will let him know tomorrow that you might be coming too."
Phew, for a moment there it sounded almost like she was a bit hesitant about my coming along. But it seems like I might have just managed avert a potential disaster unfolding. Plus I was now very curious to see this Vinod character I had been corresponding with in person. Feeling somewhat relieved, I could now sit down and enjoy my dinner.
The next day, Wednesday, just walking back into the office after lunch and my manager beckons me over.