69 comments/ 166551 views/ 17 favorites Business and Pleasure Don't Mix By: Slirpuff "Let's see, shoulder length dark brown or black hair, medium build, dark eyes, mid to late thirties and I think five foot four to five foot eight should be about right," I thought to myself as I filled out the questionnaire. "Good sense of humor is a must and intelligent was a no brainer;" I laughed to myself at the pun I'd just made. "Needs to speak a second language preferably Spanish or Japanese and must like kids, that was a huge requirement." I looked at my answers to the questionnaire and tweaked a few of them before clicking send. I had also included a little paragraph on who I was, without mentioning names, and exactly why I was doing this. I wasn't expecting a runway model, far from it. I was looking for a normal woman who would be satisfied with me and my life style that also included my two children. You see, I loved the feeling of being in love and really enjoyed being married; just not to the woman I was currently married to. Confused? You wouldn't be if you were married to Heather. We've been married for eight years and will not make our ninth. Looking back, I probably never should have married her. But hell, we've had the same arguments before we even tied the knot, although I thought that she would eventually grow up and change. I'm sorry to say she never did. Even after having two kids and countless arguments she never saw anything wrong with what she was doing. Heather would just say that's the way she was with a flippant tone in her voice and leave it at that, but not this time. She had crossed the line one too many times and I was done. We didn't marry out of high school or even college. I wanted to be set in business. I wanted to have a stable life before I settled down. My two best friends in the world and I went into business together and spent six miserable years building our advertising business. We weren't huge but had a good customer base and we were growing every year. I met Heather at a friend's party two years earlier when our business was into its fourth year and growing slowly but steadily. She was blonde, tall and very good-looking. I am not a troll but don't have the look women swoon over. I guess I'm a little better than average looking and if you didn't like me, well, that was your loss. I can remember back in college, once asking the hottest girl I ever saw to dance. I was a freshman and my two buddies dared me to go ask her. She'd turned down ninety-nine percent of the guys who asked her to dance and was just standing there with her group of friends looking great when I walked up to her. "You want to dance?" I asked knowing fully well what she was going to say. She gave me a holier than thou look and told me she'd rather not. "Thank God," I said loud enough so everyone could hear. "For a moment I thought you were going to say yes and then I'd have to actually dance with you. I only asked you to be nice, you see an arrogant, self-centered cunt like yourself probably doesn't get to dance much what with her head shoved that far up her ass, but I thought I'd ask you anyway. But with that said, if you'll excuse me I needed to take a piss anyway," I said walking away from her and her stunned group. More than a few people started to snicker. As you can see, I have no problem calling a spade a spade. Well I never use to, that is before I met Heather. I guess I overlooked what she was really like. Getting back to Heather, for some reason she decided to go out with me when I asked her. I wasn't exactly sure why, but was happy nonetheless. I was always busy so we didn't go out much; hell her dance card was often pretty full anyway. She was always friendly when we ran into one another and after our fifth year in business, things started settling down and my thoughts turned to women again. I had a few bucks in my pocket and for the first time in a long while I could now show a woman a better time than just a movie and pizza afterwards. "Steve, how have you been? Still burning the midnight oil?" Heather greeted me, catching up to me in the mall. "Work is still there, but we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. How about you? "Are you still at that accounting firm?" "Four years next week," she crowed proudly. "You want to grab a bite sometime and catch up?" "Sure, that would be great. Why don't I look at my schedule and give you a call," I told her surprised as hell. "Great, I'll expect to hear from you soon," She even had a big smile on her face. "Well, I've got to go, I've got a hair appointment and don't want to be late." She waved goodbye and was gone in less than two minutes. I won't bore you with the details of my dates there after, or my feeble attempts at courting Heather; let's just say I gave it my best and had some degree of success. Oh, all right, for me I was in seventh heaven. We'd been going out on and off for six months when we decided to become exclusive. We'd done a lot physically but she said that she wasn't going to go all the way with me until she was good and ready. We were coming up on our fourth month of being exclusive when I decided to go all out. Saturday I took her to a fancy restaurant, went on a carriage ride around the lake and ended up at a nice dance club. It wasn't one with all the teenyboppers, but a more mature and upscale club. It was crowded and for the life of me I couldn't catch the eye of a waitress. "Why don't I sneak over to the bar and get us something to drink. I'll be right back," I turned and began making my way through the crowd. It took me all of ten minutes, but when I returned to our table I noticed she was gone. "Maybe she went to the ladies room," I thought sitting down waiting for her. At five foot eight and a full head of blonde hair she wasn't hard to spot especially on the dance floor. I didn't believe my eyes so I stood up to get a better view. Yes, that was Heather with some very tall guy. They were dancing to a salsa type of song and she looked hot dancing but way too close to him for my comfort. When it ended and a slow song started I figured she would come back to the table but when they latched onto one another a slow burn started down in my stomach. It had taken me three months to get that close to her and this guys hands were now all over her back and elsewhere on her body. If the music hadn't stopped just then, I was getting ready to go over and stop it myself. She walked back to our table with a big smile on her face. "You're back," she said picking up her margarita. "It's hot out there," she was fanning herself with one hand and sipping on her drink in her other. "I needed that," she said finally putting the glass down. When another guy walked over and asked her to dance she was about to get up and go with him when I spoke up. "You leave me again and dance with him, you can find your own way home tonight." "Steve, it's just a dance." "And, we're just on a date too, I guess?" "Steve, you said it yourself you're not a big one for dancing but you know how much I like to dance," she said standing up. "It's just one dance and I'll be back in five minutes." When she took two steps from the table, I stood up. I slammed down my drink, turned and started walking away. I could hear my name being called, and by the time I hit the door I knew she was right behind me. I gave the valet my ticket and waited. "Steve, what the hell are you doing?" "Leaving, what does it look like?" "You were just going to leave me here without saying a word?" "Heather, I told you inside that if you left me again I was leaving and you still walked away with that guy." "Steve, it was just a dance, what's the big deal?" "It seems to be no big deal as far as you're concerned," I said as my car pulled up. "Steve, wait, I'll get my purse and wrap." "I've got a better idea, why don't you stay and have a nice time dancing with every Tom, Dick and Harry. This way you won't have to worry about me being bored while you're on the dance floor," I got into my car. "Don't call me, I'll call you," I called through the window at a now pissed off Heather. I pulled away feeling just like Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke. "What we have here is a failure to communicate," I remember him saying out the window just before he was shot; and that's just what Heather and I had. She never called me nor I her. I dated others and even though I missed her like hell, I wasn't going to be taken advantage of or disrespected. If she had asked me first I probably wouldn't have minded her dancing a fast song or two with someone else; but never, I repeat never, a slow song. There was no way in hell I was going to let anyone that close to my supposed girlfriend. Sandy and I were having dinner at Tony's; it was our second date, when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I didn't even have to turn around to know whose it was. "Evening Heather," I said without even looking at her. By that time she had moved to the side of our table along with her man of the hour. "How have you been?" "Just wonderful now that I'm no longer with an insecure man anymore." "Glad to hear it. But, excuse my manners, Heather, this is Sandy, Sandy this is Heather, A girl I used to date." "Steve, we did more than date." "That's right we did; that is until you let your good looks and ego get the better of you. But that all behind us now, isn't it? Would you like to introduce us to your man of the night? That is unless you plan on dumping him for someone better later on," I said sarcastically. "Fuck you, Steve." "That's right, we never did get around to that either, did we? I can't say I'm sorry though. You've probably gone through ten guys since me and I'm sure they don't make a rubber thick enough to protect me from what you could possibly have." I smiled up at her. With that she turned her back and walked away. Her friend scurried off attempting to catch up to her. "What the hell was that all about?" Sandy asked. "Remind me not to get on your bad side; what the hell did she do? Get you gang raped by a bunch of Hell's Angles?" "I don't really want to talk about it and besides, it's in the past." "Bull shit! Steve, the way you two were going at each other anyone can see you both aren't over each other; that is except the two of you." The night kind of went down hill after that. There was a little making out on her couch after dinner but Mr. Happy wasn't cooperating My brain was throwing out millions of pieces of data for me to process. "Steve, when you're done with her maybe we can try again, or not. I'm not use to playing second fiddle and I don't like it." She was right; I guess there was still something there. I mumbled something about calling her but we both knew it wasn't going to happen. I got one more kiss and I was out of there in my car going nowhere in particular. The next week and a half was tough. We were running late on two projects and had three others on the line. When Ken told me to get my head and ass wired together I knew just what he meant. "I can't get Heather off my mind." "Steve, look, call her, wine, dine and fuck the shit out of her and come back tomorrow with your head on straight. I need you one hundred percent so we can get the rest of the projects done and on time. So, if it's not too much of an imposition can we please get back to work?" It was easy for Ken and Andy, my other partner, to talk. They both had fiancées who loved them to death and more than understood about their working twenty-four seven to finish up a project. All Heather use to do was bitch if she wasn't the center of my or anyone else's universe. But Sandy had been right I still had feelings for her. I chickened out calling, and sent her an e-mail instead. I asked if she was busy Saturday and told her I wanted to talk. When she got back and asked if it included dinner I knew she'd be there with or without food. I felt better and so did Ken and Andy when I finished my project and helped both of them complete theirs. You see, we were equal partners and when we set up the bylaws of the corporation we made them super tight. This way none of us could sell our shares without the approval of the other two; majority ruled in all cases. We each had our own specialties. Ken was a dynamite salesman and Andy was phenomenal graphic designer. Me, I could come up with the slogans and pull the whole project together including making sure we made money. We were a good team. "Steve, what the heck are we doing here?" Heather inquired once we finished ordering. "Just two old friends having a nice dinner together, that's all." "Yeah right. And, what's with the e-mail? Were you afraid to call? Afraid I'd say no and hurt your little ego again?" With that I stood up. "I guess you're right. It was stupid for me to think you've changed," I placed my napkin back on the table and got up to leave. "You're always going to be a self-centered bitch. You are never going to think about anyone else but yourself." "Sit down, it was a stupid joke for Christ's sakes. Can't a girl make a little joke to break the ice?" "If it was a joke, it wasn't funny and before we break any ice there are a few things I need to get off my chest." "Can we at least wait until after dinner for you to lay out your terms and conditions? I'm more than a little hungry and if it get's too crazy I don't want to miss out on what should be an excellent meal. Why don't we have a few drinks, a nice quiet dinner and then beat the shit out of each other after that?" That was said with a smile that could melt the coldest heart. "All right a truce until after dessert." "Who said I was going to give you dessert? You may get a kiss but I never said anything about dessert," she said taking a sip of her wine. It turned out that beating the shit out of each other wasn't she had in mind, and her idea of dessert was a hell of a lot better than mine. "Now, wasn't that a lot better than yelling and screaming at each other?" she asked as we both lay there out of breath and panting. "If I recall correctly I heard some screaming a little while ago." "That was only when you stopped what you were doing when I was almost there." "I call that giving you a good tongue lashing and you didn't seem to complain too much when I did it." "Ok, you can give me a tongue lashing like that any time you want, only if we can finish up the way we just did; together." She rolled over on top of me and gave me more than a little tongue. "Now, about those terms and conditions." That weekend we worked out most of our differences. We set limits for each of us and developed a safe word when one or the other was crossing the line. More than once I would get a call or e-mail from Heather with just one word, chocolate. We both knew what it meant. "Got to go guys, see you in the morning." "Steve, where the hell are you going? We can have the Carter layout done by nine if we work together," Ken told Andy and me. Andy looked beat and I was only firing on four cylinders. "Heather's waiting dinner on me and I'd rather see her mug than yours over a cold piece of pizza any day," I said putting on my coat. "Besides, she's got a much better body than you do, and I hope to get a little before I'm too exhausted to get it up." We were an item now and two months later she moved in with me. I still worked like a wild man but I figured I was building a future for the two of us; it would all be worth it in the long run. When I showed Andy and Ken the ring I planned on giving Heather they freaked. "Look, I have nothing against Heather and I know you love her to death, but have you thought about what would happen if it doesn't work out?" I shot him an ugly look. "Steve, just hear me out. If you marry her and it doesn't work out, she could get half of what you own, including the business. We've worked too hard for some ex to walk in and start causing trouble. All I'm saying is to talk to our attorney and get his opinion on the matter. And if you're ok with what he says, go for it with both of our blessings." "You guys need to get out more, you are working way too hard. Now that you've brought it up, what are you guys going to do with Ann and Linda? Have you brought up a pre-nup with them?" They both said their fiancées were ok with it and that if I didn't believe them, I could ask. "Guys, it's just so impersonal and I know it's going to cause a fight." "Steve, isn't it better to get it all out in the open now before you ask her? If you do it down the road, she's bound to think you have doubts. Get her to agree to it now and then ask her. This way you're protected and it never has to be addressed again. You'll sleep a lot better knowing that you're covered," Andy said. He was wrong, I slept a lot worse especially with Heather's hot body next to mine. All right. I was a wimp when it came to Heather. I was in control with every other girl I ever dated but when I looked at her my knees got weak and my brain turned to mush. A week later, after dinner and a lot of sex I brought up the issue in I thought a round about way. "Hon, can I ask you something?" I said starting our conversation. "Sure babes, anything," she replied snuggling up to me. "Do you trust me? I mean, do you think I'd ever do anything to hurt you?" "No, I'd hope not. Why are you asking? "You haven't done something stupid have you?" Now she was sitting up looking at me. "No I haven't done anything. It's just that I've been thinking about us and our future, that's all." "Honey, I think about us every day and about how happy I am." "You know I've worked hard to grow my business. I'm looking at it as my nest egg, you know, for our future." "You work too hard, and your partners don't appreciate everything you do for them," she responded back making what I had to ask even harder. "We all have our own expertise and we work together to get the job done; it's always been that way. But when we set up the company, we put in some bylaws that prevent anyone else from owning any shares of the company. This way only the three of us would ever own the company." "How about if one of you wants out or if one of you dies?" "Then the other two buy the third person's share of the company and it's kept with the original owners." "Steve, what does this have to do with us?" "Well, I'm getting to that," I half whispered, as sweat started rolling down the back of my neck and sides of my face. "Would you be opposed to signing a prenuptial agreement?" I managed to croak out hesitantly waiting for the explosion. "So, you're asking me to marry you, right? And you want me to sign away my rights to anything and everything so when you get tired of me you can toss me to the curb like a piece of trash; is that about the extent of it?" Heather got up from the bed, and even in the room's dim light I could see the redness on her face. I was just starting to count down from five when she exploded. "You miserable piece of shit, who the hell do you think you are?" "Listen, hon, let me explain," I tried to say before she shot, stabbed and hung me from the ceiling fan. The last thing I saw was her cute bare butt walking out the door that came off its hinges when she slammed it. That didn't go well. She disappeared for three days. I tried to get her at work but she wouldn't answer my calls. "Thanks, guys," I told my partners after the second day. "Heather left me because I brought up that damn pre-nup agreement and now she won't even talk to me. Is there anything else you'd like me to tell her? I'm sure you two could come up with a few more things to get her even angrier with me if that is possible." "Steve, I'm sorry, but how would you feel if she left you and you lost half of what you worked so hard to build?" I guess I knew they were right; it just didn't make it any easier to swallow. When I got home that night she was there waiting for me. Business and Pleasure Don't Mix "Do I look like some money grabbing bitch to you? Do you think that the only reason I'm with you is because of your damn money? Well do you?" she yelled accusingly at me. "Babes, I'm sorry about the other night and no I don't think that, it's just that, you know, if we got together and it didn't work out," I started to say before she stopped me again. "So this gives you everything and me nothing, is what you're asking? You can go out and whore around and leave me high and dry if I complain?" "Heather, I'd never cheat on you." "Oh, now I get it, you think I'm the one who's going to cheat; that's what this is all about. At least I'm happy I found out ahead of time what you really think of me. You really are a miserable worm aren't you?" With that she turned her back on me. Now I got mad. "All right miss high and mighty, what would you like included then. I want to protect my business interests and everything I've built up to this point but if you've got something to bring to the table, now's the time to speak up." She stopped and turned around. "How about if you cheat on me? How about ten years down the road you want to replace me with a newer and hotter model? What happens then?" "Well, we can draft something into the agreement that covers that if you're afraid I'd do something like that. I hate this as much as you do, but if it's all laid out in black and white at least we'll know the consequences if one of us decides to stray." "So, in other words, you don't think we will make it? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" "Heather, that's not what I'm saying. I love you to death and we may never ever need it, but it'll cover the both of us if we do." "So, if you cheat on me, I can get whatever I want?" "And the same applies to me if you do." She stopped and I could see the wheels turning in her head. "I don't like it, but I understand the reasoning behind it. It's like we're putting together an impersonal marriage contract; point four, condition three and stuff like that. Well, at least one good thing came out of all of this," she winked at me. "What in the hell was that?" I asked. "At least I now know for sure you want to marry me," and with that her frown became a smile. "Steve, I know you would never try to screw me over, well at least not outside of the bedroom. So, if I have to sign some ridiculous pre-nup to have you forever then I guess that's what's going to have to happen. Let's just get it over with so we can go back to the way it was before you get cold feet." "I won't get cold feet!" I said in a matter of fact voice. "Whatever," she scoffed. Grabbing my hand she led the way back to our bedroom. "We need to put these last three days behind us and I only know one way to start the healing process." I was late to work the next day. It took a couple of weeks to get the exact wording hashed out. My business and house were off limits but everything going forward was fair game. What it came down to was that if we decided to split it would be a sixty/forty split with me getting the sixty percent since I made the most money. However, if one of us cheated, the party at fault would get, at the most twenty-five thousand dollars and the rest would go to the wronged party. The most detailed part was when it came down to what was considered cheating. The definition not only dealt with the physical act but also included emotional dishonoring and shaming of the other party. I expanded it to include the effect it could possibly have on my business. All in all, it was detailed, thorough and best of all now complete. We both signed it. After the document was notarized the lawyer kept a copy and a copy was put in our bank safety deposit box, and I hoped forgotten. That night we went out to dinner to celebrate. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I sat there just staring at her thinking about how much I loved her and how close I'd come to losing her. "Happy?" I asked. "Very," she said reaching for my hands. "You know I do love you don't you?" "And you know I'm totally in love with you, also?" I replied while our eyes made love to each other. "Let's skip dinner and go home." "Not on your life cowboy. I'm hungry and I need a big piece of meat tonight," she said looking at me. "And maybe dinner too." "What would you say if I asked you to marry me?" "You all ready asked me, don't you remember? I figured now with our talk about a pre-nup finished it was a done deal." "But, I never actually said the words." "Ok Steve, let's hear them," she put her wine glass down and folded her arms." "Here? Now?" "What better place. At least I'll have a bunch of witnesses to this monumental event," she giggled nervously. I knew she was just teasing me knowing that I'd never do it in a public place like a packed restaurant; but this time she was wrong. I had been carrying that ring around with me for the last month waiting for just the right moment to give it to her. I stood up, walked over to her and pulled her to her feet. "Steve, you're embarrassing me," she said looking around because people were now glancing our way. I dropped down on one knee and pulled out the ring from my vest pocket. "Heather, I love you more than anyone else on this earth. You make me happy and I want to live my life with you forever. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I said it loud enough that everyone around us heard. The place went dead quiet. Everyone was watching us. She looked at the ring and silently mouthed, yes. "Yes, you crazy fool I'll marry you," she finally exclaimed out loud. The place erupted with cheering. The patrons clapped and called out their congratulations to us. We made love that night like we'd never done before. With me between her thighs and holding her hands over her head we kissed forever. She met my every stroke as our lips and tongues never left one another. I felt her climax just after I'd begun mine. We came down together and I knew at that moment I'd found my true soul mate. We had a small wedding four months later and two weeks after that I found out she was pregnant with our first. After Gary Michael was born she quit work and became a full time housewife and when Casey came along we were complete as she put it. One boy, one girl, and a house with a white picket fence; we had it all. We would have dinner with my partners and their wives once a month; they'd both gotten married. Every quarter we'd throw a party for all our customers. It wasn't a huge affair, just dinner and drinks as a way of thanking them for their on-going support. I think I started to notice it just after Gary was born but never paid much attention, but looking back, I probably should have. When she walked into a room, she wanted all eyes on her. She started to dress in a manner provocative enough that would make sure that would happen. At first it wasn't so flagrant then she started pushing the envelope a lot more before she got pregnant with Casey. It stopped for a while after Casey was born because she spent an obscene amount of time dressing our daughter in the frilliest of clothing she could find. She was my little angel but to Heather, she was a doll to dress up. It was at our quarterly get together, just after our sixth anniversary, that we had our first big tiff. I was working the floor with my partners and Heather was working the floor for an entirely different reason. I don't think she was drunk maybe just a little tipsy; nonetheless she was getting way too friendly with a few of the males in attendance. She'd always liked to dance, and was an excellent dancer but what she was doing out there was more than a little suggestive. The worst part about it, I wasn't the first person to notice, it was Ann one of my partner's wives. "Steve, is Heather drunk?" "I don't think so, why do you ask?" She just turned me around and pointed me at the dance floor. The only way I could describe what she was doing was dry humping her partner right there on the dance floor; the worst part about it was I hadn't a clue who the guy was. When the song ended I was right there. Grabbing her by the arm I asked her what the hell she was doing? "Steve, I'm dancing with the son of your oldest client. He asked me if I wanted to dance and I accepted. What's the problem?" "The problem is I don't like my wife bumping and grinding with some guy on the dance floor, that's what the matter is." "All the young kids dance that way now, it's no big deal." "To me it's a big deal and you're not a young kid anymore. You're a married woman with two kids." "Steve, I maybe a bit older and have two kids, but I'm not dead yet," was her reply. "I'm not telling you not to have fun, but when one of my partner's wives tells me you're fucking some guy on the dance floor, then it becomes my business. Think about what my other customers are thinking." "They're probably saying what a lucky bastard you are to have such a hot wife," she tried to say with a smile on her face. "Not this group Heather. These are old fuddi duddies who wouldn't say shit if they had a mouthful of it. But know this, they would pull a contract away from us in a heart beat if they thought there was a chance of any improprieties going on that would effect their business." "All right, I'll cool it. But you really need to loosen up." It was a long ride home. We argued over what was appropriate behavior for the wife of one of the owners. I told her what I thought and she just rolled her eyes. After that it got worse. At a charity auction two months later she came down in a skirt that I thought was a little too short. I made my displeasure known and Heather said she wasn't going to change. "Steve, if you don't like the way I'm dressed just leave me home and go yourself." "You know I can't do that, they're expecting the both of us." I sucked it up and we went much to my dismay. She made it a point to play the room that night even though I tried to keep her at within arms length. We danced more than half the songs and when they played a slow one, I think she climbed into my jacket with me. "Babes, why don't we blow this place and go home. I'm horny as hell and I felt you growing by leaps and bounds during that last dance," she purred into my ear suggestively. "I'd love to, but for now cool your jets. We still have to stay for the auction, this is a business dinner not a pleasure party," I attempted to explain to her. Heather was pretty good until the auction started. We'd won a few items I could use at work. We were getting ready to leave when they started auctioning off a date with one of the hot single guys. I let her out of my sight for less than thirty seconds only to find out that she and another woman were bidding hot and heavy for that guy. "What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" I quietly yelled at her through my clenched teeth trying my best to put a smile on my face. "Just bidding up the price," was her reply. "Now think about what you're doing if that's at all possible. My married wife is bidding on a date with a single guy. Everyone in the room knows who we are and it gives the impression I'm either ok with it, or you don't give a rat's ass about our marriage. Either way, you've embarrassed the shit out of me. So get your purse, smile nicely at everyone because we're getting the hell out of here before you do any more damage to my reputation; is that understood?" "You don't have to treat or talk to me like a child." "Sweetheart, if I don't, that pea brain of yours doesn't comprehend what I'm saying." This was spoken with that stupid smile still plastered on my face. We finally made it out of the building. The blowup started in the car, and boy it was a whopper. "Steve, I'm not an idiot. I've got an MBA and a degree in accounting," she spat at me. "Well then use your brain once in a while. You know what they say, if you don't use it, you lose it," I spat back. "Keep it up, and I know something you won't get the use of for a hell of a long time." "Is that supposed to be some kind of threat?" "Not a threat, a promise." Venom was spewing from her lips. I was angry, she was angry and we both were not giving an inch or conceding our point. Needless to say, I didn't get a blowjob or anything else that was close to resembling sex that night or the next or even the night after that. "I heard your wife almost bought a stud the other night," Andy said trying to make a joke. "The stuff for the office is one thing, but if she'd bought him, you'd have to pay for that expense out of your own pocket." With that said he could see that it didn't have the effect he thought it would have on me. "Steve, it was a joke." "It isn't funny now and it sure as hell wasn't funny the other night. So, if you don't mind let's just drop the subject, ok?" "No problem, I just thought..." I stopped him right there. "Look, I have to deal with one person not thinking before she says or does something stupid, I don't want to have to worry about you too. Let's just get to work." Not the best start on a Monday morning. Thankfully work was busy and I could shut my door and do my own thing without anyone interrupting me. The atmosphere at home was chilly at best and if it wasn't for our two kids, I'd probably be sending a lot less time there. We were sleeping in the same bed but there was like this ten-foot high barrier in between us. God help us if we happened to touch. It was like someone had hit us with a hot fireplace poker. "Are you done sulking yet?" Heather asked me after dinner Friday night. "If you're not, I'm going out; I've had enough frost bite since last Saturday night." "You still don't get it, do you?" I said looking at her. "And, I'm afraid you never will," I sadly bemoaned this fact, shaking my head I walked away. "Talk to me, will you? Just don't walk away from me or I'm going to go out," Was she trying to threaten me? "Fine, suit yourself." I should have put her on a shorter leash. Maybe then I could have controlled her a bit more. No, that never would have worked, not with her anyway. "I'm leaving, don't wait up." Out she walked in a short, black leather skirt that wasn't hiding a thing and a white bustier that was slit about down to her navel. "After you leave, where do you want me to send your stuff?" I called out to her. She gave me one look and walked out the door. I was going to get falling down drunk but thought better of it. My marriage was dying and not even slowly. It seemed she just didn't care any longer. Even though she was a shitty wife, Heather was a great mother, and that was one of the only reasons why I kept overlooking her flip attitude. She got home just before one o'clock a.m. I faked being asleep. I wasn't in the mood to get into it with her tonight. I heard the shower, the electric toothbrush and finally saw the light go out. She slipped into our bed and instead of staying on her side she moved over next to me. I could feel her hot body next to mine and suddenly she started kissing the back of my neck. "I know you're awake, you want to fool around? I'm hot for you tonight." I turned over and just looked at her, not saying a word for a minute. "I guess you needed to go out and get all hot and bothered with some other guys in order for you to want me, or is it that you want me to know what it's like to get sloppy seconds? Either way I lost the mood when you walked out that door tonight." I grabbed my pillow and slept on the couch. All right, I didn't sleep but spent the night sitting on the couch. I was tired of the flirting, the dancing and her creaming over every guy who paid the least bit of attention to her. I had a jealous streak a mile wide but my possessive nature had kicked in years ago. She was my wife, no one else's. She married me, which to me meant she was mine and I was hers. I certainly didn't trust her any longer. If she acted that way with me there, I can't even imagine how she acted when I wasn't there. That was way too scary of a thought and it made me sad to think that I'd probably be starting a new chapter in my life soon. About seven o'clock in the morning I looked up and there she was. She was in her bathrobe leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed in front of her. "We need to talk. "I didn't do anything with anyone else last night. I had a few drinks, danced with a few guys and came back home; that is all. I didn't kiss anyone, let anyone feel me up or go to bed with anyone; you've got to believe me." I could tell she was pleading her case. "Why should I believe you? I see the way you act around our friends; I can't imagine what you do around strangers. I just don't want to fight about it anymore. You live your life and I'll live mine. We'll meet in the center sometimes and life will go on. This way I won't have to worry about you embarrassing me anymore." "You're giving up on us? On our marriage? She shouted at me. "What marriage? I've felt more like your parole officer than your husband for far too long. It's like a father trying to save his daughters virginity. He does everything he can but in the end it's up to his daughter to either save it or give it away. You gave our marriage away." "Steve, you're an asshole. I gave nothing away." "That's right you didn't. You made me pay with my self respect and the love I once had for you time and time again, but no more; I've got nothing left to give." "Come upstairs and I'll make you feel good, the way I use to." "You still aren't hearing me, are you? I'm done, it's over." She got pissed, said something under her breath and walked away. I thought I could live together but apart from her for the sake of our kids but I was wrong. She did everything she could to get me interested in her and though my body almost betrayed me a couple of times my mind held out. I never told her about Sunday's quarterly party but she somehow found out. I was looking forward to a nice quiet evening with a few old friends. It had been a struggle at the last couple, but tonight I wouldn't have to keep one eye on Heather and the other on my guests. "Your wife coming tonight?" Ken asked me as we leaned up against the bar. "Nope, didn't say a word to her about it." "Well, I guess there won't be any excitement then," he joked trying to lighten my mood but it didn't work. The party was in full swing and we were just sitting down to dinner when I caught her out of the corner of my eye. He dress was cut way too low in front and slit way too high on the side. "I almost didn't make it darling," Heather said kissing me on the cheek. She proceeded to grab a vacant chair, squeezing both the chair and herself between me and the person to my right. I looked at her and she did look fabulous in what must have been a new dress. It showed her body off and fit her to a tee. "Linda told me about the party, it must have slipped your mind," she was looking at me. Quietly she whispered, "You wouldn't want anyone to think there's trouble in paradise would you?" She smiled at the couple across the table from us. "I thought your wife wasn't coming?" Andy reminded to me. "You can thank your wife for her being here," I told him disgustedly. "Hey, it's not her fault you can't control your wife." I wanted to choke him right then and there and I think he knew it as soon as he opened his mouth. "Maybe she'll be on her best behavior tonight; you know, trying to make amends." Heather worked the room as most guys did their best to look like they weren't looking down her top but of course they were. When the band started she calmly walked over and asked me to dance. "Why are you here? Haven't you done enough?" "Steve, you have two choices. We can make like the loving couple we truly are or I can be the biggest bitch that ever walked the face of this earth, your choice." Business and Pleasure Don't Mix "You really are a cunt aren't you? You think you can blackmail me into loving you again? You don't respect me and probably never did but I sure as hell don't have to put up with this charade any longer." I walked away from her. I walked over to Linda first, thanking her for telling Heather about the party and then to the bartender. He gave me a drink and I slipped him a hundred dollar bill and told him what I wanted him to do. He smiled, I didn't, I returned to my seat. Heather was in rare form this night as she sucked down the drinks like water and flirted with every guy there, single or not. When she got on the dance floor with the brother of a client of ours it got ugly. She didn't just dirty dance with him on the floor, it was like he ate her, she blew him and they fucked in front of God and everyone else. More than a few couples left fully knowing what was going to happen, I guess they didn't want to be around when the shit hit the fan. "David, if your brother doesn't get his hands off my wife right now he's going to see the inside of a hospital room for a long time. Do I make myself clear?" He looked at me and knew I wasn't kidding. "Phil, we're leaving and right now," David told his brother, and they both looked over at me. Phil ogled Heather. It looked like he was thanking her for the dance and without saying another word they both left. That ended the party on what I would say was a low note." "Ken, Andy, ladies, I'm out of here," I told them. "I probably won't be in to work tomorrow, and maybe the next day either. Seems like I've got to take care of a personal matter," I told them. "Steve, maybe if you talk to her," Linda said before I cut her off. "If Andy had seen you acting like that, what would he have done?" She didn't have a good reply for that. I went over to the bartender, he handed me the company camera. I gave him another fifty and I left for home. My home. I don't have a clue what time Heather came home because I never heard her. I found her asleep on the den sofa on my way out the door. I first stopped off at the bank and emptied our safety deposit box. I next went to my attorney and dropped off the camera, and our prenuptial agreement. I told him I wanted out and not to be gentle. I spent the next couple of hours on the computer moving thing around and changing locations of stocks, bonds and bank accounts. Credit cards were canceled, reopened in my name only and I went so far as to e-mail and notify my kids' school that I was in the process of getting a divorce so that she couldn't take my kids and run. I made sure my attorney had a writ prepared, signed by a judge, stating that I was to be notified if Heather came to school to try take the children out. "Where have you been all day? I called you at work and they said you'd taken the day off." Heather said watching my reaction to her. "I'm sorry about last night, I guess between my anger and the alcohol I made a complete ass out of myself. I've apologized to Ken, Andy and their wives and I've been waiting for you to come home so I could talk to you." "No need to. Like I told you before I'm done with you. If I had wanted to marry a slut I would have picked a better one than you. At least with a slut, I would have known where I stood, but with you I never truly knew before last night. I had my suspicions but never knew what a conniving bitch you could be. Thanks for finally putting it all out there." "Steve, you don't mean that. I'm sorry, we can get past this, I know we can." I just shook my head. "Here is a check for ten thousand dollars for legal council. You will be served on Thursday and you'll find that all our old accounts and credit cards are now closed. You can stay in the house just keep away from me. Per our pre-nup we will share custody of the kids and since I had this house before I met you, they will be staying here, for at least the time being. Let's try and make this as civil as possible if for no better reason than our kids. Don't even think you can take them and leave. I have a signed court order stating I am to be notified immediately if you try to take the kids out of school for any reason. When you get an attorney I'll send him over a copy of our prenuptial agreement. I'd like to say it's just business, but it's not, to me it's now personal. So if you'll excuse me, I've got to tell our kids we're getting a divorce and make it as easy on them that I can." I walked away from a stunned Heather. She got a good lawyer thinking that she'd be getting a bundle from me. When he saw the agreement, the depositions I had from people at the various parties and the tape of her display at Sunday's party he had a come to Jesus meeting with her. She wasn't a happy camper. The divorce was a no brainer and since it was all spelled out, it went rather quickly. I don't know if she hated my guts, but she should have because my attorney was brutal. Heather ended up in a one-bedroom apartment, with her jewelry, clothes, car and a chunk of change that wouldn't last forever. I allowed her to see the kids at the house but made sure I was always there. She ended up getting a part time accounting job and I understand she was also doing freelance work. For the next three months I felt pretty good about myself. I had my kids with me because Heather couldn't afford to support them. She saw them a couple of times a week. She was even given weekend visitations at her apartment. I tried to be out the way when she came to get them. I never had to see her if I didn't want to and I didn't. I didn't date if for no other reason than I didn't want to. We were busy and were starting to pick up a lot of new business. Then I got ganged up on. "No, no, no, I won't put up with that," I yelled at the two of them. "Why in the hell would I agree to something like that? You know what she's like." "Look, Ann says she needs the money since your divorce and this way we won't have to worry about or do anything for our get togethers. She'll set them up, send out the invitations and take care of the food and drinks. All we'll have to do is just go there and enjoy ourselves for a change. Come on, it'll be a win-win situation all around." I objected but got outvoted. I wasn't going to go but that would have been the wrong thing to do business wise. So, I sucked it up and went. "Evening, Steve." "Heather," I nodded acknowledging her. "I've got it all under control. Enjoy yourself and just pretend I'm not here." Yeah right. Seems that I was wrong. Everything went well and it was probably the best party we'd ever put on; well that's what our clients told us. We got some new business and Ken and Andy were sure it was because of the party. "We need to do them every other month and open them up to prospective clients. We could have a meeting room and," they tried to assure me, "this way maybe we could get even more business." I was against it but was over- ruled for the second time. I didn't like where this was heading. So the parties, under Heather's direction, continued and grew larger. She became the hostesses and now mingled openly with our guests. She became more than friendly with a couple of our clients and if I didn't know better I'd swear there was something going on behind the scenes. When Heather started bringing in women to hand out refreshments I cringed. They looked and acted like high priced call girls. When one or two started disappearing with clients upstairs I tried to put my foot down. "Guys, what are we running, a brothel? You may get a client or two, but our old customers aren't going to stick around and wait for something to happen; they've got their reputations to think of." "Steve, we're getting more business than we can handle, ease up and go with the flow," Ken told me eyeing up one of the girls. "You guys can stick around if you want to, but I'm out of here; I want no part of it." I was making my way out of the room when Heather walked up to me. "Leaving so soon, the party's just getting started." "Did you ever really love me, or was it all one big act on your part?" "I did love you, but you got to be so damn boring. I was like a wild horse that wanted to run; you kept trying to keep me in the barn. Just for the record, I never cheated on you until after that night. I guess I thought you were my white night and would fight for me, but you never did." "Get real, why on earth would I fight for someone who went out of her way to act like a tramp and embarrass me? It appears you're giving our clients more than you gave me the last six months of our marriage. When I pay for a hooker I expect her to act like one." I left her with her mouth wide open and my pride intact. I stopped going to our company parties after that night. "Mr. Collins," I said rising from my desk and pulling out a chair for him. "I didn't expect you until tomorrow." "Steve, I never like waiting to give anyone bad news. I changed my schedule around so we could meet first thing this morning." "Have a seat and let's talk. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" I asked. "Nothing, thank you, I won't be here that long," he said crossing his legs. "Steve I like you and it pains me to tell you I'm pulling my business from your firm. A group of seven of us don't particularly care for the direction your company is going and we can't afford to be around if and when something eventually happens." "I don't understand; is it something we've done? And if it is, give us a chance to correct the mistake," I pleaded with him. "Steve, I've always liked you and you've never steered me wrong, but your two partners are taking your firm down a shaky path. Can I ask you a personal question?" "Sure, please, go ahead," I replied. "I haven't seen you at the last couple of parties. Can I ask you why you haven't been there?" "That's kind of a personal matter." "You mean because your ex-wife is pimping out hookers to your new clients? Steve, one of them had the gall to ask me if I wanted to go upstairs. Like I said, we don't like the direction your company is headed in and we're looking at other options." "Think fast," my brain screamed out loud. "How about if I can guarantee you that in less than thirty days our company will take a one hundred and eighty degree turn around? What if I tell you that if it doesn't I will be opening up my own firm? Look, it's only thirty days and if I'm wrong what have you lost? Give me one month to prove it to you." I could see the wheels turning in his head. "Ok, thirty days and not a day longer. Thirty days from today I will be here again to either shake your hand or pull my business. Agreed?" "Thank you, I can promise you won't be disappointed." I knew I had to fix this hellish situation and fast. Andy and Ken came in late as usual. "Guys, we've got a huge problem, some of our clients are looking at pulling their business. One of them got hit on by my ex-wife's hostesses at your last party. For Christ's sakes, he was with his wife. I told them we'd turn it around but we've only got thirty days to do it; I need your help." What's the phrase? Deaf, dumb, blind and stupid? That's what they were. They liked the parties just the way they were, and if a few of the 'old guys' didn't like it, tough. "Look, Steve, we've got contracts with all of them, they can't just walk away without giving us a huge cancellation penalty; and they're not going to do that. You worry way too much," they told me. Fuck them, I thought, I'm not giving up without a fight. I picked up the phone. I set it up for a lunch meeting instead of dinner because I didn't want anyone to know about it. "I'm glad you could both join me," I said to Ann and Linda. "Why so secretive, Steve?" Ann asked. "I, or should I say we've, got a big problem." I then went on to explain about my meeting with Mr. Collins and yesterday's discussion with their two husbands. "If I have to, I'll go out on my own, I've worked too hard to build this business to see it go down the tubes because of an ex-wife and a few hookers." "What hookers?" Ann said now straightening up in her seat. "Haven't you been to the parties over the last six months? All those women handing out drinks and food are call girls hired by Heather." "She told us they were ex-models," Linda added in. "Ex-porn models more likely. They take the prospective clients upstairs and give them a little incentive to sign on the dotted line." "Our husbands would never have gone along with this?" they both insisted. "Are you planning on going to the party Saturday?" I asked. "Not really, they've become more like college fraternity parties than business get togethers," Ann said looking at Linda for agreement. "Now for a real personal question, when the two of you signed your pre-nuptial agreements were they just like mine and Heather's?" "Steve, after we saw what Heather signed we told our husbands there was no way in hell we were signing one, and we didn't." I was stunned. "You didn't sign anything?" "Only our marriage license," Linda said with a smile. My mind was going a million miles an hour. "Can we meet Sunday at my place, say ten thirty?" "What for?" Ann asked. "I want to show you what really happens at those parties now. I've got a friend who will tape what's going on. And we can watch it together." "Steve, that's kind of underhanded isn't it?" Ann said getting a little uncomfortable. "Look, the name of the game is, do you trust your husbands? I just want to put an end to what I think is going on, that's all. I'm sorry if I don't sound overly compassionate or concerned about Andy or Ken. This is my and I guess your livelihood too we're talking about. Well, I'm going to do it with or without your approval, I just wanted to let you both know ahead of time. You can warn your husbands or let it ride, it's your choice." "Steve, you wouldn't really go out on your own would you?" Linda inquired of me, seeming more than a little concerned. "I wouldn't want to, but if I have to I will. Why don't we hold judgment until Sunday?" Maybe the two of them will have a change of heart after my talk with them and if not; oh well. None of us ate much for lunch. Since our company was paying for the rooms, the hotel had no problem letting my man in early Saturday morning. I had told him I wanted pictures and sound in the dining room and both hospitality rooms. "John, when everyone leaves Saturday night I want you to pull out all the cameras and get me the CD's. I don't want any evidence left that could come back to haunt me, understand?" Well at least now I could confirm what I had heard or prove to my clients that they were mistaken, but I didn't think they were. John brought over everything just after two o'clock the next morning. Camera's, CD's and microphones; they was all there. With a check for seven hundred dollars in his pocket he was gone and I went to bed. I was going to take a peek at one of the CD's but decided I'd better get a good night sleep because there was no telling what was going to happen next. Ann and Linda drove together to my house. They had a bag of donuts and coffee from Starbucks; looks like I didn't need to make breakfast. "You look at the CD yet?" Ann asked pouring herself a cup of coffee and grabbing a donut. "Nope, but I've already put it in the DVD player." "Well, then, let's see what we've got," Linda mumbled munching on the last of her donut. It started off pretty damn tame. "Maybe I was wrong," I said to the both of them. Then I watched Heather look around and casually leave the room. I switched to the other DVD in time to see her walk into one of the adjoining rooms and lock the door and start to get undressed. She still looked good and I found myself getting aroused just watching her. I was feeling a little like a voyeur when the door opened up and Ken walked in. Let's just say he wasn't there for drinks or food. "No, please no," Ann, said watching as he undressed and got into the bed with her. When he said something about wanting her ever since his asshole partner brought her around, both Ann and I had seen enough. You could fry an egg on her forehead she was so hot. I was thanking my lucky starts I wasn't him at this point. We watched four or five clients being serviced. We fast-forwarded through ninety percent of the action and I figured Ken was the only asshole until Andy walked into one of the rooms with one of the women. He didn't fuck her, but did play with her tits and got a blowjob. When Andy told her that he wished she could show his wife what to do, Linda threw her coffee at the television screen. "Steve, I am so sorry. I wish I had hid that dick in my mouth right now; I'd show him what it felt like to get castrated the hard way," she said standing up and pacing back and forth. At least he didn't slam me. Heather did two other men that night and both ladies said they never knew she was such a slut. "And to think we felt sorry for her enough to force our husbands to hire her to put on these parties; again, we're so sorry about that, Steve." There sure was a lot of "I'm sorry," going around. "No problem, you didn't know and to tell you the truth, neither did I. But I do now. Unless you have a burning desire to watch anymore, I'd like to turn off this trash," I hit the stop button. "That mother fucker is dead when I get home," Ann said fuming. "I don't even want to see mine," Linda yelled. "I'm going to call and tell him to get his shit and clear out." I let them vent for a few more minutes before speaking up. "Ladies," I said as two angry women looked my way. "Whether you like it or not, we still need them." "For what?" Ann screamed back. "Their jobs. They're both very good at what they do when they're at work. Right now if this company is to survive we're going to need their help." The two women sat down but were far from being calm. "I've got a proposition for the both of you that will get you the revenge you want on your husbands and still keep the company in one piece." I had their attention. For the next two hours I laid out my plan. They didn't like all of it, but went along with most of my suggestions. I called up our company attorney and three hours later our agreement was signed, sealed and notarized. "Please, don't go nuts on them until the paperwork is filed with the court Monday morning," I pleaded with them. "By Tuesday you'll have the upper hand and I don't care what you do after that." And I really didn't. My ex- best friends had fucked me over, especially Ken, and they'd get theirs one way or another. Monday was a typical Monday. We had a lot to catch up on. After our morning meeting I went into my office, shut the door and called my ex-wife. "Heather, I need to see you tonight at the house. The kids are at my mom's so we won't be disturbed." "Steve, you want me to wear anything special?" she said in her sexiest voice. "Nope, wear what you want." "You dog, I knew you couldn't stay away from me. I'll be there by seven, sweetheart." I guess I shouldn't have played along, but I just couldn't help myself. "I wouldn't touch her with Ken's dick," I thought to myself but felt I owed her a heads up because if for no other reason she was the mother of my two children but thank goodness not my wife any longer. I left the front door open and just before seven she walked in wearing a long coat. When Heather flipped it open, she was totally naked. "I figured this way we wouldn't have to waste time with clothing, at least on my end," she said dropping her coat. I handed her a glass of wine and clinked glasses with her. "To a once great marriage," I said downing my glass as a puzzled Heather looked on. "Please have a seat, because you're going to want to hear what I'm about to tell you." Business and Pleasure Don't Mix "Steve, we can talk later. Right now we'll need all our energy to reconnect with one another," she began twisting her nipples. "Is that what you told Ken, too? And the two other guys from last Saturday's party?" I said turning on the DVD player. I'd fast-forward it to the part where she and Ken were doing it and had turned up the volume extremely loud. "Turn it off, please, turn it off," she screamed over the tape. "It was a stupid mistake. He told me if I didn't sleep with him, he cut me off; I had no choice." "And the other two guys?" She didn't have a reply for that. "The parties are over as of last Saturday. No more parties, no more fucking around, no more Ken and Andy." "But they still owe me for Saturday." I pulled a wad of cash out of my pocket. "I figure at three hundred dollars a trick; this should cover you and the other whores," I handed her the money. "If I was a real asshole, I'd turn this tape over to the authorities but you're still our kids' mother and I'm not taking them to jail to see you." "Steve, I'm sorry, I needed the money to live on." "I guess you're going to have to find a way to make it other than on your back; unless you want to do it on your own, because I'm not paying you to do it any longer with the money from my company. The wrath of God is coming down on Andy and Ken tomorrow and it's not going to be pretty. I suggest you leave town for a couple of weeks, maybe you can visit your mother out of state until this blows over. I can't and won't stop you from seeing the kids nor will I tell them what a slut you've become; that's between you and your conscience. However, until you straighten yourself out you can see them at this house only. You cannot take them anywhere on your own. And, absolutely no overnight visits. Are we clear on that point?" "I never had anyone there when I had the kids over. How stupid do you think I am?" I just looked at her. "I'm just sorry it all had to end up this way. I thought we had a pretty good marriage but I guess you wanted more than I was willing to give." I thought for a minute she was going to again plead for us to give it another try and if I hadn't seen the tape I might have given it a thought or two but not now. Hell, there was no way I'd go back with her even though she still made my dick hard. We talked and made plans going forward and within an hour she was gone. She did give me a kiss on the cheek and told me if I ever needed to relieve my stress to give her a call. That wasn't ever going to happen as long as I had two perfectly good hands. Ann divorced Ken and for some reason Linda decided to try and make it work with Andy; even though I still wouldn't want to be in his shoes. You see; each of the ladies got fifty percent of their husbands' stock in our company. With that stock, Linda, Ann and myself now had a controlling interest in the company. Andy and Ken were told that they could still keep their jobs, but would only be paid on what they did for the company going forward; they weren't happy about that but something about child support payments and a possible impending divorce kept them working. We made the necessary changes to bring back our company's respectability and even though we lost a few accounts, we kept our stable client base. Now the only ones at the monthly meetings are Linda, Ann and myself. We're looking at branching out next year and adding a few new graphic designers but that'll be our decision. I see Heather every other week and don't have a clue what's going on in her life nor do I care any longer. I'm getting a lot of hits on my personality profile and have even dated more than a few of them. One young lady has caught my eye. Her name is Kikeo and she lives in Japan. She is a single mother of one and is planning a trip to the United States next month. We've video talked over the computer and she seems quite nice but was concerned about what she's heard about disrespectful Americans and asked me straight out why my wife and I broke up. When I told her she smiled and said that she was looking forward to meeting me. Could she be the one? Only time will tell. But, like I said at the beginning, I loved being in love and will get married again some day. I only hope she doesn't have a problem signing a prenuptial agreement like Heather did. I'm not about to take any chances and neither are Ann or Linda.