Sometimes, You Have To ‘Cheat’ To Make Your Wife Happy

My girlfriend was employed in the banking sector before the upheaval in the financial industry. She constantly feared losing her job and often called me to share her anxieties. She recounted how many years it took her to secure that position and how challenging it would be to find another similar job if she were to be laid off. I tried to encourage her, urging her to focus on the positive aspects and to concentrate on what she could control, leaving the rest to fate. Despite my reassurances, she continued to call with more concerns.

One afternoon, while I was at work, she called me in tears. “Ato, what I dreaded has happened. I just received my layoff notice,” she sobbed. Her cries were so heart-wrenching that I struggled to hold back my own tears. With our wedding just a few months away, she asked, “How do we move forward? Ato, what do we do now?” I replied, “Just get home. Once I finish work, I’ll come over, and we can figure things out together.”

Four months later, we tied the knot. She was hesitant about getting married, worried about how we would manage on my salary alone. I reassured her, saying, “You’re incredibly smart. You’ll find a new job soon. Don’t stress too much; it will come when the time is right.” However, three months and then six months passed after our wedding, and she still hadn’t found a job. We were managing well enough to pay our bills and afford food, but her anxiety persisted. She was determined to find work. One Sunday at church, an announcement was made about the school needing teachers, with preference given to church members. After the service, my wife said, “I’m going to apply. At least it will keep me occupied while I search for a better job.”

She applied, was selected, and began working as a teacher for pupils. Unfortunately, after just three months, COVID hit, and schools closed down. We found ourselves back at square one. While I went to work, she stayed home, and watching me leave each day deepened her depression. “Ato, why is my situation different? You wake up knowing you have a place to go, which gives your life purpose. I’m willing and able, but no one will hire me.” Her worries weighed heavily on me, and at times, I wished I could switch places with her.

One afternoon, I surprised her with a new dress. She was thrilled, especially when she tried it on and saw how perfectly it fit. “I’ve always admired this dress on Instagram; I never thought I’d own one,” she exclaimed. I explained, “I found it online, ordered it, and it was delivered to my office today.” As we settled in to watch TV that evening, I suggested, “We could try starting an online business too. It’s not as complicated as it seems. We can buy stock, advertise on Facebook and Instagram, and people will buy, just like I did with your dress. It could be a great start.” She was excited but also skeptical, asking, “Do you really think it’s a good idea? Will it be easy to get people to buy? I don’t want to invest money that could get tied up, given our situation.”

I convinced her it was worth a shot. If it didn’t work out, we could always stop. A month later, we launched our venture. We purchased women’s slippers, wigs, men’s khakis, shirts, and shoes, starting with a small inventory. We had no experience with Facebook ads, but we watched tutorials on YouTube and began implementing what we learned. For three days, we had no sales, not even an inquiry. A week later, our efforts yielded nothing, and my wife’s anxiety grew. I reassured her to stay calm; everything would be fine.

One evening, when I returned home, she was overjoyed, dancing around the house. “Guess what? I made three sales today!” she exclaimed. “I told you it would work. All it takes is a little patience,” I replied. Soon after, she sold three more items, earning about 100% profit. Another day, she sold four additional items and made a significant profit. Her spirits soared, and she began to believe in the success of our business.

However, there was one secret she remained unaware of: I was the one purchasing all the items she sold. Tired of her worries, I wanted to lift her spirits. Sometimes, you have to bend the rules to bring happiness to someone you love. I got a new SIM card and sent her messages about what I wanted to buy. She arranged for delivery, and I picked them up. At times, I asked friends at work to place orders using their details. When the items arrived, I paid them and collected the goods. She was happy, and so was I. We slept soundly, knowing that the next day, I would go to work while she managed her own clients.

I continued buying from her until sales began to pick up. Four months later, she had sold a considerable amount and expanded her inventory. She started advertising on WhatsApp and even offered credit to some ladies at church. She was serious about her business. That was when I stopped buying and began bringing back the items I had purchased as new stock. I would present her with a bundle, saying, “These were on sale, so I bought them for you to resell.” She would examine them and say, “I’ve sold these before; they moved quickly.” Gradually, I returned all the items I had bought back into her inventory, and she remained oblivious to my ruse.

She’s still at home, waiting for the world to return to normal so she can re-enter the corporate world. She often tells me, “Even if I find a job, I’ll keep doing this online business. It’s a great way to have an additional income stream.” I smile at her, knowing the lengths I went to in order to help her believe in her venture. She’s a happy wife now, and that’s why I can proudly say, “I’m a happy husband.”

—Aton