The episode with Amanda should have earned Christian a ‘slap on the wrists’ but the situation was escalating to something much more serious and Christian’s attempts to pacify his wife was making things worse. The journey down in the elevator and the walk over to the car was done in an awkward silence. Serena was still fuming. Ever since they had arrived in D.C. Christian had become increasing less attentive to his wife. He was spending more time at the office and bringing more work home. It was now typical for them to have a meal with Christian having a document next to him on the table. Any attempt by Serena to make conversation was usually met with one-word answers or a simple “Sorry Hun’... I really need to get this finished”.<br/><br/>Serena was well aware that her husband was ambitious, and the commitments and sacrifices both he and she needed to make for him to achieve his goals. But she starting to think she was the one who was sacrificing the most. She had already virtually given up all her friends and family, and now it looked as if she might be losing her husband. She had never had any reason to think Christian had or would cheat on her, but seeing how he had been drooling over Amanda had planted a seed of doubt.<br/><br/>As the car pulled away Serena’s anger caused her to partially reveal what she had been doing at the party while Christian had been ‘circulating’. She could have been completely open about her meeting with Nicholas but spitefully made it sound more than it was. “Actually you were not the only one to make a ‘friend’ tonight.” said Serena emphasizing the word ‘friend’. “There was a nice patio area and I was joined by quite a charming man. We had such a nice conversation… And do you know what?... He actually managed to speak to my face and not my chest!”.<br/><br/>Serena should have stopped there, clearly indicating her displeasure of her husband, but the pent-up resentment of how much she had become isolated and lonely over the previous weeks took over. “Maybe I should strap a couple of balloons on my front and then you would actually talk to me...rather than just grunting or sticking your head in a folder!... In fact, that could be my Christmas present for you this year… I could get a boob job… What size would you like honey?... What size would keep your attention?”<br/><br/>