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<\/p>\nSadie and Lori had been inseparable since high school, with Lori practically becoming a second daughter to Sadie\u2019s mother, who frequently inquired, \u201cIs Lori coming over for dinner tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair eventually married two close friends, Benjamin and Keith, whom they met during their school years. Initially, Sadie had thought Benjamin would be her match, but over time, Keith captured her heart, and Lori paired off with Benjamin.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Plans were made for a joint vacation to celebrate Keith\u2019s birthday. \u201cSort out our stay, Sadie,\u201d instructed Lori, \u201cwhile Ben and I handle the meals.\u201d<\/p>\n
The trip proceeded wonderfully, with the evening filled with laughter and drinks. At one point, Benjamin and Sadie found themselves alone on the balcony.<\/p>\n
Inside, Lori and Keith were singing karaoke. Benjamin leaned in, \u201cSadie, I\u2019ve been arranging a surprise for Lori.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curious, Sadie pressed, \u201cBen, what are you scheming?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a secret! I\u2019d have to trust you to keep it if I share. I\u2019ve struggled to keep bottles hidden from Lori\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich bottles?\u201d<\/p>\n
Benjamin chuckled, his speech slightly slurred from the alcohol.<\/p>\n
Lori and Benjamin typically avoided alcohol, given her father\u2019s battle with alcoholism, which made her forbid alcohol at home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you both whispering about?\u201d Lori suddenly appeared. Benjamin quickly diverted to a tale about being trapped in an elevator with Keith.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just waited it out on the floor,\u201d he recounted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember,\u201d Lori replied, \u201cyou told me right when you got back.\u201d She then returned inside.<\/p>\n
Later, in their room, Sadie confided in Keith. \u201cWhat should I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think Ben was serious?\u201d Keith pondered. \u201cHe seemed quite tipsy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t that just him being candid?\u201d Sadie considered. \u201cAlcohol sometimes brings out the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSadie, if it\u2019s troubling you, maybe you should talk to Lori. You\u2019d only blame yourself if something were to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following morning, during a walk, Sadie relayed Benjamin\u2019s words to Lori.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Lori questioned. \u201cAre you sure he said \u2018bottles\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but it\u2019s just a thought. I wanted you to know, just in case. I know your concerns, especially with your dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen\u2019s been secretive,\u201d Lori noted. \u201cBut surely, it\u2019s not what you\u2019re imagining!\u201d<\/p>\n
After their trip, they stopped at a caf\u00e9 before heading home.<\/p>\n
The next day, Lori texted Sadie, \u201cYou saved my life. I\u2019ll call later.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Lori called, she revealed she had left work early to search their house. \u201cI just had to see what Ben was hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n
She then detected a gas smell in their home.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine if I had just turned on the stove, Sadie?\u201d Lori exclaimed. \u201cWe could have been in serious danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you find anything?\u201d Sadie inquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Lori replied. \u201cHidden behind towels in our cupboard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat were they?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re bottles,\u201d Lori explained. \u201cNot liquor, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSadie,\u201d Lori continued, \u201cThey\u2019re antique perfume bottles. Not all, some are other kinds of old bottles, each tagged and apparently quite valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sadie was puzzled, knowing Benjamin\u2019s interest in antiques, but unaware of his intent to sell them at a profit.<\/p>\n
\u201cLori, each bottle sold brings us closer to our dream. I\u2019ve been planning a surprise trip to Paris for our anniversary,\u201d Benjamin confessed when confronted. \u201cI bought these vintage bottles online, selling them for a profit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the perfume bottles?\u201d Lori asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were meant to be your first gift,\u201d Benjamin smiled. \u201cParis was to be the second.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps it\u2019s his way of expressing his love,\u201d Keith suggested to Sadie later. \u201cLori always did adore her classic films.\u201d<\/p>\n
What do you think? We\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sadie and Lori had been inseparable since high school, with Lori practically becoming a second daughter to Sadie\u2019s mother, who frequently inquired, \u201cIs Lori coming over for… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4134,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n