45 comments/ 118229 views/ 17 favorites Charlie and Layla Pt. 01 By: thecelt Charlie and Layla I really wanted to make this a Consequences story but I didn't have the heart to do it. Neither Charlie nor Layla meet the requirements. I loved both characters and couldn't do that to them. Read at your own risk. Thanks as always to LadyCibelle for her comments, suggestions and editing. Part One Charlie "Listen, Sheila, thanks for doing this. I know Mrs. Wilson will be home sometime around eleven or so. Is that still OK? Just to be sure, I'll pay you in advance, and give you an extra $20." "Thanks for the extra, and It's fine Mr. Wilson. I can stay as late as needed. I'm eighteen now and on my own most of the time. And, I can use the money since my job at the diner doesn't pay that much and I'm still a few hours short for my certificate as a stylist. I should be done next spring." "Great Sheila. Well, I'm on my way. Tell Mrs. Wilson I left something for her in the bedroom. I'll see you." With that, Charlie Wilson went out, got slowly into his car and drove away. He looked back once, taking in the quiet tree lined street, the street lights glowing softly, relieving the shadows beneath the trees, the other homes on the block and most of all, the soft lights in the windows of the home he just left. He had no idea when he would see it like this again, if ever. He pulled into the circular driveway in front of the Gateway Inn and went in to register. He told the clerk that he needed at least a week and wanted a room with a fridge, a microwave and necessities such as an iron and a board. He gave her his credit card and watched as she keyed the room number into the swipe card. Once he was finished, he parked his car, got the two bags and walked to the elevator. He took it up three floors to his room where he unpacked, plugged in his laptop and phone to charge, and then turned on the TV, keeping the sound turned down low. He sat there on the bed, his hands clasped in front of him, staring fixedly at the flickering movement on the screen. He stayed in that position for the next two hours, his eyes blind as his mind worked, punishing him over and over. The only movement he made was when his cell phone rang once before going directly to voice mail. He glanced over at it, then back to the screen. Over the next hour, the cell rang incessantly but there was no further reaction from Charlie Wilson. Layla Wilson Right at eleven that same evening, Layla Wilson pulled into the driveway and waited till the garage door rolled open all the way. It took the entire opening to take her SUV, the one she bought with the bonus money Charlie made last year. It was his idea to buy her a new car to replace the nine-year old Toyota she was driving. She didn't want to take the money but she did hate that old car and Charlie did insist. He was like that, always trying to make things easier on her and their four year old daughter Christine. Before her thoughts took her in that direction any further, Layla pulled up and into the garage. She was halfway in when she noticed that Charlie's car wasn't there. That was strange; that his car was gone. He was supposed to be home watching Christine while she was out. . . . . Once again she stopped those thoughts. She shut off the car, remained sitting there as she tried to calm her jumbled thoughts. What she did tonight had to be forced deep into a dark corner where it could be viciously stamped out. She climbed out and walked into the kitchen, finding Sheila, their next door neighbor's daughter sitting at the table reading from one of her texts. She nodded at Sheila, walked past her to the family room, then into the den and finally back to the kitchen. 'Where's Mr. Wilson, Sheila?" Layla took off her coat as she waited for the young girl to tell her where Charlie had gotten off to. It was not normal for him to go out this late. Especially for his job as salesman for Diamond Auto Parts. He got a lot of calls at home in the evenings and even on weekends but he never went out on calls after working hours. He said himself that his customers worked normal hours; not like those she was expected to work. Again she cut those thoughts off as she heard Sheila tell her that Charlie had called her just before seven to come over. She said he waited till she arrived, left for over an hour before coming back and going upstairs. Then after spending some time up there while she put Christine in for her bath and then to bed, he came back down with two suitcases. She said he talked about having to go away for a while. Layla listened to this with disbelief and almost called the young girl a liar until she heard her say that Charlie left her a message upstairs. She paid the girl, sent her out the back and watched until she made it into her own home, then shut and locked the back door before going up to get the message. Her mind began to go down that dark path she had been avoiding all evening even as she fought it. As she climbed the stairs, her mind began clamoring for attention, refusing to be shut out again, and the dark fear that had been nagging at her all evening began to break through the blocks she had set up. Why now after this had been going on for the past three weeks? Why now did she begin to have these feelings of guilt and that dark fear? Why now? And why had Charlie picked this time to do something completely out of character and scare her this way. She was scaring herself and she had to stop. There was a perfectly simple explanation and all she had to do was read the message Charlie left. Before she went into the bedroom, she stopped and peeked into the room where Christine slept. She was calmed by her daughter's angelic face. Leaving her daughter's room, she walked down the hall to the master bedroom. She stood inside the doorway, looking around for the message. Instead all she saw were several photos scattered on the bed. She walked over, reached for one and raised it up to see what it was. She stared at the photo for several seconds without movement before her legs weakened and she collapsed silently to the floor, grabbing the bedspread as she fell. She didn't see the additional photos that slid off the disturbed spread and landed on the floor around her. She made no sound as she crumpled into a ball and began to silently weep. Her shoulders moved, her face shone from the tears rolling down her cheeks, but still there was no sound. On the floor, the photo of her and Carson Jennings, her mentor and her lover lay face up. In the photo, they were locked in an embrace with faces pressed to each other and his hands resting obscenely on her ass. A second photo showed the two entering a door together, the number 107 clearly indicating it was either a hotel or motel room door. She knew the other photos no doubt showed similar things. Hours later, or perhaps it was only minutes, Layla stood, walked into the closet they shared and saw that his side was almost empty. He had taken most of his shirts and suits for work. She didn't need to look in the small bathroom to know that his articles were also gone. She didn't need any more proof that he had left her and was gone, and she had no doubts as to why he had gone. The pictures showed her perfectly well why. And now that he was gone, she had to admit she wasn't surprised. After all, she knew Charlie better than he knew himself. She sat on the bed, much as Charlie Wilson had done earlier and continued to cry. One could wonder why she was crying. Hadn't she brought this on herself? Hadn't she expected that Charlie might find out and react this way? Hadn't she told herself that what she was doing was so very wrong? The answer was simple: of course not! How could one cheat on her husband of seven years, a man that she loved and adored, and ask those questions? Asking would have demanded answers and the answers were not allowed in her sordid world of denial. In spite of the knowledge that she had poisoned her life with Charlie Wilson, her husband and the man she loved, she reached for the phone to call him. She thought somehow that if she could talk to him, this would all go away and he would come home to her and Christine and she could explain that it was all a big mistake they could just ignore. Thinking this insane thought, she dialed and waited. She almost answered his voice mail prompt before leaving a message. "Charlie, where are you? Please call me right away." She hung up, and dialed again, again getting his voice mail. She repeated this four or five times, leaving the same message, before it reached her conscious mind that he was not answering. Layla sat on the bed, looking at the pictures scattered around with unseeing eyes. She was motionless and silent, eerily similar to Charlie's actions in a motel room miles away. She held her cell phone in her hand and occasionally, she would press and hold the speed dial button that was Charlie. She would raise the phone to her ear, stare blindly at the wall, then disconnect. Charlie and Layla Charlie Wilson was a simple man: average height, average weight and even tempered. Some said he was good looking, most said he was 'not bad'. His hair was brown, as were his eyes. His grades in high school and later in college were average: C's and B's. He graduated from a four year college in four years, and his degree was in fine arts like most others. His family was also very typical and normal. His dad was a high school grad but, with no money for college, took a job in civil service and became a mailman and had been for almost forty years. During those years he had moved up the ranks to work mostly in small town post offices. Now, he had his own small office and was a postmaster in a small town. In truth, it was a nice post office and very well run, but like most small town post offices, it was nothing outstanding. His mother was a housewife, raising Charlie and a sister while keeping the house clean and neat. She was pretty, still able to fit into the clothes she had kept for years, and very well liked. She was typical of most housewives of that generation, preferring to concentrate on making her home as nice and welcome as she could, to having a career of her own outside the house. Meals were always on time and always the same. Monday was meatloaf, Tuesday was. . . . . . . Well, you get the picture. One problem that Charlie had was that he was shy. He was painfully shy and that shyness dictated his behavior all through high school and into college. He was alone, but not distracted by that since he was used to it. He made few friends and especially no lady friends. To consider dating frightened Charlie to death. Instead, he used his mind to take him on flights of fancy and books became his refuge. He was fortunate in that he had a very highly developed sense of logic and his mind was certainly disciplined. That discipline carried him through what was to some young people a wasteland of uncertainty and insecurity. Not so with Charlie. He was safe and secure within himself. Layla Spiro was not a simple girl. She came from a good family, one that had money: not really wealthy but very well to do. She did well in high school, graduating in the top of her class. She was a cheerleader of course, and was head cheer in her junior and senior years. She lost her virginity to Jake Monroe, the varsity football quarterback in her senior year and lost Jake two weeks later. She was heartbroken, more over losing Jake than her virginity. He was the big man on campus and she needed to be with someone like him for her own vanity. In her anger, she became more promiscuous for a while but then realized she was only punishing herself. From that point on, she began to concentrate on her grades and getting into college and into the world of advertising. She graduated high school with honors, was accepted to many major colleges and finally picked one that had a good social life and was rated high in her chosen field. In college, she was inducted into the best sorority and dated the most popular boys, none steadily. Sex was occasional, and not remarkable. She concentrated mainly on her studies and went to the parties put on by her sorority but stayed fixed on her goal. She took as many courses as she could and finished her degree in three and a half years, almost four months ahead of her peers. That gave her an edge in finding the best jobs. Her degree was in communications and she graduated in the top 10%. Charlie graduated the same year and found a job selling auto parts when one of his friends steered him toward that job. That seems like a strange choice for someone as shy and reserved as Charlie, but it came about in a strange way. Charlie wanted to teach but soon realized he wouldn't make a lot of money and the job was not as easy as he first thought. Facing a bunch of kids who were more interested in embarrassing him than in learning was too much for him. He was shy, they were determined, and they too often succeeded, so he took the salesman job and soon found he had a knack for it. He was more surprised than anyone to find that when selling, he was anything but shy or ordinary. That pleased him and he knew he had found his calling. He worked the first two years on salary and then jumped in with both feet, working strictly for commissions. He doubled his salary in the first year. Coming out of college, Layla found a job with the top advertising firm in the city and settled in right away, learning all she could about the job, the craft and making contacts. Since she was who she was, she had little trouble with any of these tasks. She made friends with the top artists, made contacts at parties and get-togethers, left her business card everywhere she went and two years and three months after starting, she was made the youngest department team leader in her company. She took the assignment and made it her own, coming up with first class ad contracts. She was a success. As the fates would have it, there was a power failure in the city one afternoon when Charlie was there for a meeting with a buyer for a large chain. A successful sale would make Charlie's year. He had done well so far but this could be one of the single biggest orders of his life. He was ready and able and optimistic and already planning on how to spend this year's bonus. Layla was meeting a client at the same time, hoping to sign them to a long term contract with her firm. It would be a very nice plum in her basket and Layla would be the lead artist of course and the contract would be very lucrative. She stood to be very nicely compensated if this could be brought home and a promotion she had been working toward would be one step closer. Charlie started toward the elevator just as Layla did the same. Being a gentleman, Charlie stood to one side while Layla moved past him into the elevator. Charlie followed, asked her for her floor, punched the appropriate buttons and the doors closed. Charlie stood very quietly, his eyes avoiding hers as he always did when in close proximity to a beautiful woman. As they started up, the power failed, trapping them between floors, together in the dark until the emergency lights came on. Layla was immediately panicked and began to hyperventilate. Charlie was more sanguine about the whole thing and watched as his lady companion began to struggle with her breathing. Understanding immediately what she was going through, as Charlie himself was slightly asthmatic, he forced himself to talk softly to her, patting her shoulders, rubbing her arms and soothing her as much as possible. Layla began to respond, her breathing began to settle down and soon she was much better. She took several deep cleansing breaths and was fine. Charlie and Layla talked and shared their backgrounds while waiting for the power to come back on. Layla seemed to be very comfortable with Charlie and soon they were laughing and enjoying each other's company. Charlie felt very at ease with Layla and for the first time in his life, found himself comfortable and happy this close to a beautiful woman. They were sitting together on the elevator floor when the power came back on and the elevator moved upward once again. Charlie felt a small pang of regret. As the doors opened and Layla exited, she turned, gave Charlie a blinding smile, and handed him her card. "Please call me" she said as the doors closed. Charlie took the card; put it in his shirt pocket with full intentions of calling as soon as it was proper. He continued on to his floor with his thoughts pleasantly on Layla's smile. Charlie and Layla dated steadily for the next six months, both enjoying the other and sharing all their hopes and dreams. Charlie came to look forward to being with someone else and enjoyed going out to places he rarely visited. Layla was a passport to a life Charlie had only read about. He was happy for the first time in his life when with someone else. Their relationship progressed and sex between them was hesitant at first then more passionate as Charlie found Layla enjoyed what he was doing. For the first time in his life, Charlie found himself in love and no longer wanting to be alone. Charlie got his nerve up, tried several times before successfully popping the question. Layla accepted immediately and they made plans to marry. Marriage was wonderful and the two enjoyed their time together. Love making was very important to both and they learned how to please the other in every way possible. Layla was more experienced than Charlie but Charlie was quick to learn and very interested in whatever she could teach him. Charlie read some books, made some suggestions and they found several new things both enjoyed. To Layla, Charlie was a wonderful lover that made time to always satisfy her. She loved to satisfy him and to hear him sigh with contentment. To know that he desired her made her happy. Charlie felt much the same and together they were perfectly matched. Christine came along after two years and both were ecstatic. They didn't care whether it was a boy or girl and both chose to keep the sex a secret till birth. The pregnancy was easy for Layla and Charlie was an attentive husband in all things. Layla found ways to keep her Charlie happy in bed right up until it was time. Charlie did all he could to make Layla happy but she didn't need sexual satisfaction in the last month so Charlie backed off himself. Layla stayed home with Christine for the first year but wanted to go back to work as soon as she could find a good daycare. When one was found, she went back and life became normal again. Days were for working on their respective careers and evenings were to be shared with the daughter they both loved. Weekends were spent doing things together as a family. Life for Charlie was perfect and Layla was content. For the Wilson's money was not really an issue. Charlie was conservative in all things and he put as much money aside as possible for Christine's future. He spent only what he thought was necessary but never denied anything for Layla or Christine. Layla was very successful in her job and made a very good living. During a good year, she would make upwards of $90-100,000 a year, and had never made less than $75,000 over the last five years. Charlie made considerably less, closer to $55-65,000. Bonuses were usually an extra $5,000 to $15,000 and Charlie never failed to make a bonus. As the bonuses came in, Charlie usually did something for Layla with them. He rarely wanted anything for himself: his happiness was providing for his family. Layla About the time Christine turned six, Layla was promised a promotion to Division Head if she could keep up the good work for another year. To help her, she was placed under the direction of Carson Jennings, a high-powered ad executive in the company. Jennings was a typical ad man: tall, wavy brown hair, striking blue eyes and a handsome face, one that looked good in advertisements. He was as smooth talking as he was good looking and he had been very successful over the years. Charlie and Layla Pt. 01 Layla looked forward to learning from Carson Jennings and talked about him to her husband Charlie. He listened, made appropriate comments and encouraged her to learn what she could but he wondered out loud why she needed anyone like him at this stage of her career. Layla secretly agreed with him but was not yet ready to say anything like that, especially to Charlie. As a matter of fact, she stopped mentioning Carson to Charlie altogether fearing her temper would slip and she would tell Charlie how unfair she thought it was. She did not want her husband to be involved. Over the next few weeks, she observed that Carson was doing exactly what he was there for. He was constantly looking over her shoulder and checking her work. His comments were favorable at first and then became even more so as time passed. He spent most of his free time with her, and she became accustomed to his presence. He gave her suggestions and hints that led to more and more success. She was pleased at how things were going. He was leading her down the path toward that promotion and she gladly followed. It was after Carson had been there for almost two months and she had successfully landed two very nice contacts that he made the first move. It was subtle, just a hand that lingered too long on her back, an accidental touch when she was leaning over a drafting table, a hand on her shoulder that turned into a caress. Rather than make a point of it, Layla decided it was an accident and just ignored it. Unfortunately it wasn't long before it happened again, and that time she was sure it was no accident. Frustrated and uncertain, Layla still didn't say anything and tried to let it go. After a few days when nothing more happened, she was sure it was just an isolated event. But a day later, it happened again and this time, Carson made no secret of what he was doing. Layla tried to brush it off but Carson refused to be pushed away. Layla finally spoke to him, making it clear to him that his touching was not welcome. He backed away, looked at her in anger before turning away. She relaxed, hoping that it was done with. That was the night Charlie talked to her about Carson and she took his words to heart. But nothing happened until much later. Charlie Charlie listened to Layla, absorbed all that she said about Carson and considered it all. Charlie was like that: he would never make a decision in haste, or in absence of facts or information. He would investigate, consider, weigh pros and cons and then make a decision. Thus it was with the information Layla gave him about Carson Jennings. He decided to talk to Layla about his concerns at the first opportunity. But before he could say anything, Layla stopped talking about Carson almost completely. She rarely mentioned him anymore and Charlie considered that as well. It was several weeks later when Layla came home seeming upset and distraught. Charlie played with Christine and helped with dinner while hoping Layla would tell him what was wrong. When she didn't, Charlie was disappointed but decided that she would tell him if it was something serious. He did think once more about Carson Jennings, and decided to have the talk with her he had postponed from earlier. Charlie took Christine upstairs to bed, gave her a bath and spent a long time with her. He wanted to give Layla time to calm down and maybe make up her mind to talk to him, but if she didn't, then he would do the talking. He put his little princess down and read her a story till she fell asleep. He turned out the light, stood looking at her sleeping face before going downstairs to talk to Layla. He found her sitting at the kitchen table, the dishes done and everything put away. She looked up at him as he entered but said nothing. He sighed, grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down across from her. "Layla, honey, we have to talk." He watched her face screw up into an irritated mask. It was clear she didn't want to get into whatever it was that was bothering her. But Charlie needed to say what was on his mind. "I need to say something to you that I should have said earlier. It's about Carson Jennings." At that Layla's head jerked up and the blood fled from her face. "What about Carson? What do you know about him?" Her questions were almost panicked in nature. Why the panic? Why the reaction? Now Charlie knew he had to say what was on his mind. "I know from what you told me that there is no reason for Carson Jennings to be where he is in your life. You don't need someone like him to oversee your work. If he's there, it's because he chooses to be there. And if he chooses to be there, he has an agenda, and his agenda would most probably be to seduce you." Charlie made this statement based on his careful reasoning and intuition. Charlie was very good with facts and he was rarely wrong. Layla knew this from experience and the fact that Charlie had come to this conclusion on nothing but her words from weeks ago didn't surprise her at all. It did, however, terrify her that he seemed to know that Carson was her problem. "I want to warn you right now that he will be making his play for you very soon if he hasn't already. You are smart enough to resist him but I just wanted to warn you in case you hadn't noticed his play. "One last thing Layla. You know that the choices you make will have consequences, so before you decide anything, think about that. I'll say no more except that I love you, my wife, and I will trust you to do the right thing." Charlie said no more, instead choosing to pull her up to her feet, take her in his arms and hold her tight. She clung to him and began to cry softly. He knew that his words had come just in time. Charlie now knew that Jennings was making moves on her and he felt confident that she could handle herself just fine. Charlie led her upstairs to their bedroom where he made slow passionate love to her till she was pleading with him to take her hard and fast. He did as she asked and they fell asleep in each other's arms. Layla It was on a Monday, almost a full week later after Charlie had spoken to her and she had in turn spoken to Carson when things changed. As she prepared a presentation for a potential new client, Carson Jennings came into her office and closed the door. He sat down in the chair across from her and watched her until she completed the section she was working on. She knew he was there and used the time to calm herself down. His presence was not welcome. She looked up, met his eyes and nodded. "Hello Carson. What can I do for you?" "Well Layla, I have news. The company has finally made me an offer to retire with full benefits and a great severance package. I'll be able to take my wife on that cruise around the world that she has been after me for." Layla heard this with mixed feelings. On the one hand, she was pleased that he was going to be gone and out of her way. That part was more than she had hoped for so early. On the other hand, he would no longer be in a position to help her on her career path. His recommendation would have been good to have. She wanted the promotion since it would make a big difference in her earning potential. She and Charlie could use the money, even though he never said a word about it. She knew he would be more comfortable if their income were higher. Maybe then he would consider a second child. She wanted one, he was being very cautious. "Congratulations Carson. I'm very happy for you. When do you leave?" She didn't want to seem too anxious but to have him gone quickly was preferable since he was going to go anyway. "Next week. It's all arranged. I do have something to say to you." He looked carefully at her with his eyes partly shut. "Maybe this could work to your advantage. Would you like to hear my proposal?" His grin was not pleasant and Layla was not anxious to listen, but of course, she had no choice. He was a very powerful and influential man in the company. "Of course I'll listen. Go ahead. How could this be to my advantage?" "When I leave, the board wants my recommendation on your ability. They would be very interested in my thoughts and would most likely follow my recommendations. I have the following proposal." He shifted in his chair, leaned forward and put his hands on the edge of Layla's desk. He appeared to be a predator measuring his prey before springing. Layla was becoming very uncomfortable but couldn't say anything without appearing foolish. "I propose you spend two hours with me in a room at a motel where we would make love. I will not hurt you or do anything that you would find abhorrent. Nor will I do anything that would cause you harm. It would just be sex between two consenting adults, nothing more. You love your husband and I love my wife but I sometimes need more than she's willing to give. "If you do this, I will recommend to the board that you be promoted at the first opportunity and that your abilities are such that a major promotion would be appropriate." He looked pleased with himself as he saw the look of shock on Layla's face. "But, if you chose not to do this, I will tell the board that I believe you have reached a level already greater than your abilities warrant. A move backward at the earliest opportunity would be my recommendation." Now he moved back in his chair, his smile wide and his eyes bright. He waited, knowing that he was in a very strong position. Layla sat stiff in her chair, her eyes also bright with unshed tears. Her mouth was open slightly in what could only be shock as her mind struggled with the words she heard. Carson stood, leaned over the desk and said very quietly, "Take a day to think about my proposal. I'll speak with you again on Wednesday. I'll be gone for the next day. Think carefully my dear. This is a one time only offer." Layla sat in her office for the next hour, hardly moving. Her mind was processing the proposition from Carson and the most surprising thing was that she was actually considering it. Once the shock had passed, her mind had begun looking at the facts. She knew that Carson would do what he threatened. If she refused, which she was first inclined to do, he would follow through and recommend a demotion. But, if she did what he requested, a promotion was certain. Layla had a day to think more on this. She would take the time and make her decision. It was not something to be rushed so she would give it the time it needed to decide. Charlie. When Layla came home that evening, Charlie could see that something was bothering her. He knew instinctively that Carson was the root cause of her problems but he had already made his pitch and it had been a strong one. She knew his position and there was no need to press it again. A good salesman didn't press his initial advantage until he was given an opening or an indication that pressing was wanted. Layla had given him no such signal. They shared a meal, Charlie cleaned up the kitchen since it was his turn while Layla played with Christine. They both took her upstairs to bed and stood side by side when she was ready to close her eyes. Both had serious issues on their minds, but unlike most issues, they didn't share these with each other. As they walked back downstairs, Charlie took Layla's hand and led her to the couch. They sat down and he put his arm around her. Layla leaned against him, comforted by his closeness. She snuggled against him, his smell familiar and welcome as she slowly relaxed. Thoughts of Carson faded as she closed her eyes and let herself drift off. Being in Charlie's arms was safety enough to allow her to forget, if even for the evening. As she drifted off, Charlie made plans to try to find out what the problem was. For the first time in his marriage, Charlie was worried. But Charlie was a methodical man and he would take the necessary steps to get the facts so as to be able to make a decision. All it would take would be concentration and awareness of everything she did. And Charlie knew her almost as well as he knew himself. Any strange move or thought or action would be noticed. Layla Tuesday was a long day in her life. There were no major projects on the burner to keep her occupied and her main people were out on assignments. Carson was gone for the day as promised so she was alone and without demands on her time. She began to think of Carson's offer. The only reason she actually considered it was that it would not be the first time she had cheated on her husband. That thought almost made her physically ill as she remembered. It was five years ago. She had been at a lunch meeting at the Biltmore hotel restaurant with three businessmen, and two martini's during lunch had fortified her courage as she made her presentation to help sell the proposal. The men had liked what they saw and had promised to give her a firm decision the following day. They excused themselves and left to catch a plane back to their headquarters. She was pleased with the meeting and was reluctant to go back to work. As she sat at her table, making notes and considering having one more drink, she was startled by a voice she recognized. "Layla? Layla Spiro?" When she looked up, she saw Jake Monroe, her first love. She stood only to be almost smothered in his huge arms. "God, it's so good to see you again. It's been almost ten years hasn't it?" Layla was laughing when she said "just about. And it's Wilson now. Layla Wilson. My husband is Charlie Wilson and I have a little girl. Her name is Christine. But how are you Jake? It's been so long." Jake spun her around before setting her back down. She had invited him to sit with her and they had ordered drinks while they caught up. It was fun being with Jake again and her mind, now freed from most inhibitions and bad memories, floated back to that time when Jake had taken her for the very first time. In her memory, now clouded by time and three, or maybe four martini's, it had been a glorious thing. She watched his face as he talked and she remembered. Perhaps her inhibitions lowered by the alcohol, the edited memories of her first time, and the euphoria of her earlier meeting and the promise of a successful contract, may be blamed for what happened next. She found herself in Jake's hotel room, and Jake groping her breasts under her suit jacket and blouse. The memory of Jake and her first time made her expectations of this event so much different than it actually was. She felt his hands, those wonderful hands that were trying to undo her bra and buttons, and in her alcohol-enhanced state of arousal, she decided to do it for him. She took off her suit jacket, unbuttoned her blouse and unsnapped her front fastening bra. She was considering her next move when Jake grabbed her shoulders, spun her around and pushed her down onto the bed, her face and breasts pressed into the mattress while her feet remained on the floor. She heard the loud zip and then she felt his weight come down on her from behind. She felt his knees move between her legs, spreading her thighs apart and she prepared for his entrance with pleasure welling up in her mind. She was wet and ready. Fortunately, her memories were still in charge as she remembered her first time and the pleasure that it gave her. The truth was that the first time was quick and painful but in her memory it was neither. She was wet between her legs and that alone saved her from injury as Jake drove himself deep into her, sliding easily between her swollen lips. His weight, pressing against her naked back, held her in place as he began to pump into her with long, steady strokes. As he began to increase his pace, his huge hands slid underneath her to grasp her breasts. As he plunged into her over and over, his hands were kneading her breasts and his callused fingers were rolling her nipples. She was trying to recall the pleasure from her memories and trying to feel something similar now, as her first lover took her from behind. He was huge, that she did remember. He was much bigger than her husband Charlie and the difference was painful rather than pleasant. She felt the spreading of her lips trying to accommodate the huge phallic monster invading her. As he continued to plunge into her, she bit her lip trying to still the grunts of pain. Jake was now grunting constantly as he pumped into Layla. His balls contracted all too soon as he felt his climax approaching. He gave no heed to what Layla might want and, driving as deeply into her as he could, tensed and let his semen flow into her body. He held her pinned to the bed as he evacuated all he had inside her until there was nothing left. With a grunt of satisfaction, he backed off her and dropped to his knees on the floor behind her. He completed his humiliation of her by swatting her behind with a loud 'crack'. She remembered getting up, walking quickly into the restroom with all her clothes. Once inside, she locked the door, sat to let the semen flow into the commode, then took a sanitary pad from her purse, one she always kept for emergencies and put that inside her panties. She dressed quickly, looked at her appearance in the mirror, avoiding her own eyes and then, once she felt together, left the restroom. She walked past Jake, who was lying on the bed with one arm over his eyes and opened the door. Jake gave a startled 'Hey?" which she ignored as she left the room. She ran down the stairs rather than wait for the elevator and walked quickly to her car. All the alcohol she had consumed was long gone, burned off in that brief flash of passion and lust. After sitting alone in her car in the parking lot and letting the shame and humiliation she felt run its course, she had driven back to work. Reliving the entire experience over and over as she sat at her desk, she had given up and excused herself to drive home. Arriving two hours earlier than normal, she went upstairs to her bedroom. She took a shower, changed all her underwear, hiding them in the bottom of the hamper, and then lay down on the bed where she cried for the next hour. She found herself physically ill and she crawled under the covers, her face flushed and her breathing labored. She felt too ill to pick up Christine and had to call Charlie to do it for her. She remained in bed all that evening, avoiding her husband and her daughter as she continued to let the overwhelming shame of what she had done run its course. She prayed over and over that those memories of her time in that hotel room would go away and never come back. The sickness slowly subsided and she began to feel better. That was until Charlie came in and sat with her, offering his sympathy and telling her not to worry as he would take care of everything for her. His kindness brought a return of the guilt and that forced her into a session in the bathroom, throwing up. She remained home the following day until she felt able to face people again. Once she was back to normal and the worst of the guilt was past, she examined her actions, put it all into the category of a tragic mistake that she would never make again and promised herself that Charlie would never learn of her infidelity. Fortunately she was on the pill so pregnancy wouldn't be an issue. After a prayer asking for forgiveness, a promise of faithfulness renewed and a vow to be the best wife a man like Charlie could ever hope for, she dressed and went out to pick up her daughter. As these memories ran through her mind, Layla did indeed become ill. She jumped up from her desk and ran into the ladies' restroom and voided her stomach of what remained of her breakfast. The thought of what she did that one time was still painful. She had done all she could to make it up to Charlie and he had never given any indication that he suspected anything. Ironically, it was that fact, that she had gotten away with it before, and the fear of what Carson would say if she turned him down that made up Layla's mind. She would do as Carson asked and, like with Jake that time at the Biltmore, it would be once and never again. And there was an upside this time. Carson would recommend that she be promoted. Charlie and Layla Pt. 01 That she should tell Charlie what Carson threatened her with crossed her mind only once and that was fleeting. She ignored her conscience, filed Charlie's warning away, promised herself once again that this would end it all, and made it final. She would do this thing. As she drove toward home, stopping to pick up Christine, her mind was whirling with the magnitude of what she planned. She was alternately pleased that the promotion was hers and the extra money would convince Charlie that they should have a brother or sister for Christine, and then saddened that she would have to betray Charlie to make it happen. She quickly put that out of her mind as she had before. Charlie would never know and so wasn't an issue. Her path set, her betrayal of her husband now in motion, Layla saw only her own ambitions and goals. Charlie was pushed into the background and was no longer a factor in her decisions. Charlie and Layla Pt. 02 Layla does the deed and thinks the promotion is hers. She is relieved and happy that it is over and that she can get back to being Charlie's loving wife. Oh, how the Gods laugh when we mortals plan! Thanks as always to LadyCibelle. Part Two Charlie That night at dinner, Charlie noticed almost immediately that Layla alternated between forced gaiety and unintended sadness. He had been waiting for some indication that something was going to happen and this was as clear as a flashing light to Charlie that Layla had decided on something significant. Without any more facts, Charlie knew that he had to wait for anything unusual to surface. He remained alert but said nothing about his suspicions. Layla for her part did not notice anything different about Charlie. Of course, Charlie's intuition was heightened by his suspicions and Layla's instincts were dulled by her obsession with what she intended on doing. Tuesday night was a rather wild night by most standards. Layla wanted to make love and she wanted to take the lead. Charlie loved this most times, but tonight it saddened him since he felt it signaled Layla's intentions to do something she felt she needed to apologize or make up for. As a man, Charlie was almost helpless to do otherwise than enjoy the attention and her ministrations, which he did. Layla was insatiable and Charlie was pressed to keep up with her. The evening passed, both were sexually satisfied and Layla fell soundly asleep wrapped in Charlie's arms. Charlie followed, but much later and less deep; his mind in a turmoil of anxiety. When Charlie received a call from Layla the following afternoon telling him she would be home at the regular time, but that she had to go back out that same evening for a dinner meeting with some clients, he knew that the unusual occurrence he had been expecting had come. Normally she met her clients right after work and they would go to dinner together from there. Never had she gone back later. He told her that it was fine, and yes, he could stay with Christine. Maybe they could do something special together. She said she would be home by ten so not to worry. Charlie thought about it and decided he would take the initiative now that he had more to go on. His analytical mind planned and planned and finally came up with actions. He called his neighbor and asked their daughter Sheila if she could help him set up a surprise for his wife. Layla was leaving to go to a business dinner that evening and would she come over as soon as she saw Layla leave so that Charlie could make a few trips to make arrangements for the surprise. She agreed, which would free Charlie up to drive to his wife's place of work where she would supposedly meet the clients before taking them out to dinner. According to Layla, she would make a quick presentation at the office then they would discuss details over dinner. When he arrived home that evening, he found Layla making a quick dinner for him and Christine before running upstairs to change for the dinner meeting. Layla seemed nervous, a fact that was not lost on Charlie as he pretended everything was as it should be. It was almost seven when Layla came down, kissed him and Christine before leaving. She hesitated once; seeming like she wanted to say something, then went out the door. Once she was in the garage, Charlie called Sheila and told her that Layla was about to leave. As Layla pulled out of the garage, Sheila was coming in the back door. Charlie gave Layla five minutes to get started before kissing Christine goodbye and pulling out to drive to her office. He was nervous, but resolute as he pulled up just in sight of her SUV. It was at the office as she said she would be but it was not more than five minutes later that she came out, followed by a tall, distinguished looking older man who Charlie assumed was Carson Jennings. She spoke to him for a second, then got into her car, but instead of driving away, she seemed to be waiting. Seconds later, the man drove past her in a sedan and pulled out of the lot with Layla right behind him. Charlie watched the two cars pull away and as soon as he could, he pulled out to follow them at a distance. He stayed well behind them until the sedan pulled into the lot of a small motel just off the interstate. The sedan pulled up to the office and the man got out. Layla pulled in close behind and waited. When the man exited the office and got into his car, the two of them drove toward the back of the parking lot. Charlie followed, grateful that it was dark enough that with the lights on, Layla could not make out his car or who was driving. He stopped in sight of the two as they exited their cars. Charlie stopped, raised his small digital camera and waited. He was rewarded with several shots of the two of them in intimate contact before entering one of the rooms. Charlie got a good shot of them with the door open and the room number shining from the inside light. He waited until the door closed, remained almost fifteen minutes more to be sure, then drove home. He went inside, packed two suitcases with essentials and added a small overnighter with toiletries. Before leaving, he printed out most of the better pictures and left them on the bed for Layla. She would understand. He took his bags downstairs and gave his instructions to Sheila. Once he was sure she had everything straight, he took his bags and went out to his car. It was all he could do to make it out the door before breaking down. When he finally recovered his control, he drove away. Layla Layla set it up with Charlie after speaking with Carson Wednesday morning. Carson was pleased at her acquiescence to his proposal and looked forward to an enjoyable evening with the beautiful younger woman. He promised her that it would be enjoyable for her as well but she didn't give him any encouragement. She simply agreed, nodded when he told her to come to the office about seven to follow him to a motel room he had reserved. They would spend a couple of hours in bed together and that would be that. He would do as he promised and she would get her promotion. She finished out the day somehow without breaking down and when it was time, she drove home. She fixed dinner for Charlie and Christine so that they would have a nice dinner while she was with Carson. She was nervous and afraid Charlie would notice but he seemed to be fine. She wondered again why she was doing this and she reminded herself once again that it was for the promotion, the benefits she and Charlie would receive and the fact that Charlie would never know. A thought crossed her mind that this seemed to be what they meant when they said once a cheater, always a cheater. The fact that she had gotten away with it once before gave her the courage to do it again. If she hadn't done it that one time, would she have been as willing this time? Probably not! Once Charlie was home, she ran upstairs, found some fancy underwear that she kept for special occasions and put that on. She wore a short skirt, but not too short. The blouse was nice but not special and she put on just a little makeup. She thought about her appearance for a few seconds, then went back in the bathroom and changed out of the fancy underwear and put on her regular cotton briefs. She didn't want to give Carson the idea that she would do anything special to look extra nice for him and the fancy underwear would make her look too sexy. Once dressed she went downstairs, began to leave a couple of times before finally forcing herself out the door. She knew that Charlie had been quiet that evening but she was afraid to say or do anything that might force her to show her nervousness to him. Charlie was so smart and so quick. No, she had done the right thing, just leaving. She drove to the office, went up to find Carson waiting and then after he assured her that he had written out his recommendation, he gave her a copy. She read it over, satisfied that it said what he promised, watched as he signed it and tucked it away safely in her purse. They went down to the cars; she got in and waited until he pulled out, then followed. As she drove, she tried to quiet her heaving stomach. She was close to being sick to her stomach and that would ruin the whole thing. She had to go through with this! It was important to all of them: Charlie, Christine and her. Too important to let this ruin it. This was nothing: she told herself that as she drove. This was nothing! Nothing! Carson was a pig! He was! But he was a pig that held her future in his fat hands. Carson drove about ten minutes toward the interstate where he pulled into a small motel. She followed him, parked her car and walked with him to the room. Before opening the door, he asked her again if she was sure she wanted to do this. God knew she was going to need all the help she could get, but to assure him, she pressed herself against him, reached up on tiptoes to kiss him. He put his arms around her, slipped his hands down to cup her ass and crushed her body against his. She was repulsed by his eagerness and she was happy when he finally keyed open the door and then pulled her inside away from prying eyes. She was more relaxed when the door closed, locking her shame and disgust inside. The next hour with Carson was both better and worse than she had anticipated. He was an animal, without any consideration for her or her pleasure. He wanted simply to have her as his sex slave, to give him what he obviously couldn't get at home. He insisted on a blow job and she did as he asked. Fully clothed, she knelt before him and took his penis out of his pants. It was not difficult since he was small and narrow and very short. She was privately amused and repulsed by his size and she mentally berated him and his performance, making herself feel somewhat better. She was hoping he would allow her to finish him off orally but instead, she had no sooner gotten started when he pulled her up, told her to get undressed and lay down on the bed. When she had complied, he moved over her in the typical sixty-nine position and began to work on her with his mouth and tongue. She tried to take his cock into her mouth but he was moving so much, it became difficult. She finally reached up and grabbed him with her hand and held it there, not even trying to take him in. She was distracted by his somewhat amateurish actions on her and wondered if he had ever done this before. Charlie entered her head for a brief moment and the pleasure he gave her before her mind clamped down, shutting any thought of him away. Not here and not while she was with this bastard! Carson finally rolled over and got to his knees. He moved between her legs, positioned his small cock at the opening to her vagina and pushed forward. She was dry and waited for the pain of his entry but felt only a mild sensation that was not even uncomfortable. Carson dropped his weight on her, lifting only his upper body on his arms. He began to pump into her, grunting like a pig while trying to get himself off. She briefly related this to masturbation, Carson doing the masturbating and her being a picture in a magazine. The thought made her smile and she had to turn her face away, so as not to give him the pleasure of thinking it was him that made her smile. After only a few minutes of noisy pumping, Carson grunted once very loudly and came inside her. Fortunately, she had insisted on a condom if he intended to fuck her. He had reluctantly put one on and that protected her from any diseases he might have had. She lay still while his climax passed and glanced over at the alarm clock beside the bed. It had already been over an hour and she doubted he could recover enough to do it again. As he rolled off her and went into the bathroom, she sat up, pulled the bedspread against her nakedness and waited. Sure enough, he came out a few minutes later and told her that she was free to go. He actually had the gall to ask her if she enjoyed it. She didn't answer, dressed and fled the room. Instead of going directly home, she drove to a small diner and went in for a cup of coffee and the time to try to erase the entire time from her mind. She felt ill, but not as ill as the first time five years ago. This was bad, but it had not been as terrible as she thought. Carson was inept and the entire experience took on the feeling of a joke. A bad joke to be sure, but certainly nothing that should ever threaten her life with Charlie. He was so much better in so many ways than Carson could ever know. As she began to put the entire thing behind her, the memory of that man of top of her came back and she realized that she couldn't escape her guilt so easily. She would have to live with it just as she had all those years ago. She drove home, still slightly sick to her stomach with what she had done but that faded as she realized it was over. It wasn't as bad as she had anticipated. Carson was a pig just as she thought, but he was a pig without much staying power. She had done it! It was done, the promotion was hers, the benefits that she and Charlie would gain would help to put this evening out of her mind forever. It had been harder than she expected to do what she had to do but it was over. It was done! She wanted to call Charlie, tell him about the promotion but knew she couldn't. He would want to know what that had to do with her dinner with clients and then she would have to lie. She hated lying to Charlie about anything and something like this would be impossible. He would never know! He must never know! Never, never, never! As she pulled into the driveway, she was almost happy again. She wanted only to talk to Charlie, her love and her husband. They couldn't make love tonight because it was too soon after Carson. Even if she showered for hours, it would be too soon to erase that memory. The only thing that would satisfy and erase the memory of Carson Jennings was the feel of Charlie inside her where only he belonged. That would happen as soon as she could make it happen, but if he wished it tonight, she could make him happy. He liked when she used her mouth on him. Actually, she enjoyed that as well. Maybe she would suggest that. Smiling, she pushed the remote for the garage door and waited. Ten minutes later, her world had crashed and she was alone. Charlie Thursday morning, Charlie went to work. He was a dedicated employee and never missed a day of work. Even when he was sick and stayed home in bed, he used the phone to make cold calls or contacted his many customers, if not for an order, then just to make sure they were happy. This Thursday was no different for Charlie. Other than for the other thing. Charlie made a few calls required by the messages the receptionist had left on his desk, then called his father, now a retired postal worker. He told his dad he wanted to see him and his mom as soon as possible. He was told to come over now. Charlie cleared his desk, checked out and drove home to see his parents. He settled into a soft, comfortable, brown chair in his parent's very average home and told them what had happened. He explained how he had come to follow her and what he saw. They listened very carefully, asking few questions until he was finished. Once he was done, they looked at each other and then his father began talking. "You must know Charles that one in every two marriages ends in divorce. This is very common and is the norm now. You were very fortunate that your marriage lasted as long as it did before this happened. Layla is a very beautiful and talented woman and far above those like us. Divorce is the common thing in these cases and this is the course you should follow. Custody of Christine will be given to Layla but she makes more money than you do so there should be no alimony. There will be child support which is just and as it should be." Charlie listened to this advice with a heavy heart. Charlie was very average of course, and his father was correct. Divorce was the natural way of most marriages and Charlie was well aware of averages. Numbers and averages were his life. Or at least had been before he met Layla. After Layla, Charlie felt a part of things, more in tune with everything around him. That was because while Charlie was average, Layla was anything but average. She was beautiful, she stood out in a crowd, she drew attention from men and women alike. They would look right through Charlie and see Layla. He said as much to his mother. "That is true," his mother said, "and is a good thing since she is married to you. But apparently Layla is returning those looks from other men. At least one man, for certain." She looked sadly at Charlie and continued. "If Layla is returning those looks, my beautiful son, then you have nothing you can count on. You are certainly average, and that is nothing to be ashamed of, but average apparently can't hold your wife. "This is often the case," she said, "and is also typical of a beautiful woman. Average men like you, Charlie my son, aren't fated to be married to beautiful women like Layla. She is not average and she can't live an average life; yet there is nothing at all wrong with being average. It is the same as being normal and dependable and much like everyone else. Not a bad thing at all." Charlie reached for one shred of hope, a ray of light in the darkness of his mind. "Should I talk to her and have her explain to me what she was doing? Could there be an explanation that would justify what she did, mother? Should I listen to her before I do anything?" "Of course, you should listen, but there is rarely a reason good enough to explain betrayal. She will try to justify her actions but you must be careful, son. Unless there is danger to you or your child, there can be no reason that would be satisfactory. Money, prestige, advancement or promises of future benefits are not sufficient and are only excuses to do what should never be done. Be very careful, my son. Be very careful." So it was that Charlie drove back to this motel room, thinking about what his parents had to say. If he listened to them, his marriage was over. His head told him the same thing, but his heart was crying out for some reason to forgive her. He missed his daughter already and that was the one thing he couldn't shut out. He missed Layla as well and that was another thing he couldn't deny. Together, they were his life! Later that evening, Charlie had made his decision. Right or wrong, he had little choice in his own mind. After all, he was who he was and that couldn't be changed! He picked up the motel phone and called Layla. He waited until she answered, then without preamble or explanation, said his prepared piece. "I will be home tomorrow evening at the regular time. We will have dinner, spend the usual time with our daughter, put her to bed and then you and I will talk. Goodnight Layla." He hung up without giving her time to speak and lay back on the bed. It was done and he knew he wasn't going to be able to sleep until he was finished. Layla Layla had finally fallen asleep that first night, her cell phone still in her hand when she finally woke the following morning. She looked at it, remembered the night before and in her disgust at herself, threw the cell across the room, hardly flinching as it smashed against the wall. She was looking at the place where it smashed before noticing the small figure standing in the doorway. "Mommy? What was that crash? I heard a loud noise and it scared me." Christine stood there, her blanket in one hand and her doll in the other. She had apparently just woken up and now she was looking to her mother for assurance. Layla looked over at the clock before standing and going to her daughter. She was shocked to see that it was almost nine in the morning and past time for both her and her daughter to be dressed and gone. Well, this morning was not like any other morning! Charlie and Layla Pt. 02 "I'm sorry, sweetie, mommy just did a bad thing. Now see what I've done? My phone is broken and I'll have to throw it away. When we break things on purpose, we lose them. Remember that sweetie." She almost choked as she realized the double meaning behind that statement. Layla pulled herself together and took her daughter back to her room where she helped her dress for the day. Without conscious thought, Layla took her downstairs and fixed her breakfast. Daycare was not an issue today, maybe not tomorrow either. Layla was not going to be going in to work today, and perhaps never again. At least not where she worked yesterday. As she watched her daughter eat a breakfast of cereal and milk while playing with one of her many dolls between bites, Layla thought about her job and what she had done because of her desire to get ahead and earn what she always thought were the things she wanted. During those hours when she was alternating between sleep and wakefulness, the thought of her time with Carson Jennings surfaced and each time, she linked it in her subconscious with betrayal. Not just the betrayal of Charlie and Christine, but the betrayal of her self-respect, her work ethics, and all the hard work she had done to get where she was yesterday before she went to that motel. Why would she think she had to let Carson have her body to justify her promotion? Hadn't she worked hard, done her share, paid her dues? Why did he have to threaten her with the loss of her job just to make her receptive to his blackmail? He obviously saw something in her that he knew he could take advantage of, and that thought sickened her. She sat there, watching what she had discovered was the most important thing in her life: Christine, her daughter. She wondered why it took all of this to understand that. This, her home, the child she had created with the only man she had ever loved, and the man himself, were the only things in the world that should ever demand what she had given up. Only they were worth her life and her self-respect! Not a job! Not a promise of advancement! Well maybe she had destroyed her life with Charlie, her marriage to the man she loved without end, but she still could change her life for the better before he took the rest away. She couldn't and wouldn't give any of them up without a fight! Her husband, her Christine, and her home were all she had left that meant anything! She knew what she had to do, and even knowing that it would take all of her courage as she humiliated herself, it would be done! Layla made several phone calls in the den where she sat with her files and her PDA while Christine played. She wrote several names and addresses down on a pad and finally sat back in satisfaction. She would be OK now, even if Charlie did as she expected and filed for divorce. She had to make a living for her and Christine and now she was sure she would have no problem. She made sure Christine was safe and playing, then picked up the phone one final time and made the final call. It was a short one but it was very satisfying for Layla. She hung up finally, smiled at the phone and stood. "Come on little one. Let's go to the park and have some fun. Would you like that?" Christine laughed and jumped up. "Let's go mommy. I'm already ready!" Much later, after a very happy day for Christine and a cathartic one for Layla, she finally put Christine down for the night. It was just a few minutes later when her phone rang. She grabbed it quickly to avoid waking Christine and answered. She prayed it was Charlie but what she heard was more than she had hoped. "I will be home tomorrow evening at the regular time. We will have dinner, spend the normal time with our daughter, put her to bed and then you and I will talk. Goodnight Layla." So like Charlie. From his words and his tone and the abrupt beginning and ending, Layla knew he had made a decision. That he didn't even give her time to answer or say anything was also Charlie. When he decided something, he went full steam ahead. During their marriage, she had always had a say in everything before he decided so she always knew how he came to his decisions. But not this time. She had taken herself out of the marriage equation. She knew that's how Charlie would see what she did. And he was right to think that, even if he was wrong about the reason. She didn't sleep again that night but at least she had something to look forward to. Charlie was coming tomorrow and that was all she cared about. She had her own things tomorrow but she would be ready when he came. Charlie Charlie spent the day doing what he always did: he sold auto parts. It wasn't glamorous or sexy or anything like that but it was a necessary job and Charlie did it as well if not better than most. He got a few new customers based on recommendations from others and he did his utmost to convince them he had the best products at the best price. His boss stopped in several times to check on him since the receptionist told him that Charlie seemed to be different, less willing to speak to those around him. She said he seemed pale and a little sick but being Charlie, he would never not work. She worried he might be sick or at least not feeling well, but when he checked, Charlie was either on the phone with a customer, checking inventory on the computer or sending orders down to shipping. Accounting said he was driving them crazy with credit checks for new customers. Charlie continued working all afternoon but quit an hour earlier than normal. It was as if he was watching the clock. At four sharp, he stood, closed the door to his office on his way out and walked swiftly down the hall toward the exit. He spoke to no one and no one tried to stop him for conversation. This was not typical for Charlie who tried very hard to talk to everyone at least once a day. He always said it was so they wouldn't forget him. Strange behavior, but no one cared: they all liked Charlie. That would have surprised him since it never occurred to him that people could like him for who he was. Charlie drove back to his room at the motel, called for a pizza delivery and waited quietly for his food. He paid the delivery guy, sat back down and ate three slices of pizza without much interest. His mind was working, and the food was simply a necessity, not at all distracting him. He finished the last slice, carefully put the other pieces in the small refrigerator, then brushed his teeth, washed and shaved for his evening out. Charlie's mind was working as he pulled into his driveway right at six o'clock. He was unsure of himself now and he knew he needed the regimen that he would have eating dinner, playing with his daughter and then putting her to bed. This was routine and he craved it. But if he divorced Layla, his routine would disappear forever. It would take time to establish a new one, but it could be done. He had been so sure this routine would endure. Charlie didn't often swear but as he walked toward the door, he swore silently to himself. He swore several times as a matter of fact. He was still swearing when Layla opened the door. First Meeting Post Affair "Charlie, please come in. Why did you knock first? This is your home, as much as mine and your daughter is here. Why would you think that you had to knock?" Charlie looked at Layla and was surprised to see that she looked no different than before. What had he expected? That somehow she would have a red letter tattooed on her forehead? That she would somehow be crushed with her betrayal and her whole countenance would show that betrayal? Of course not! Charlie was not used to being stupid or out of control of any situation but that was how he found himself now. "I don't know why I knocked. It just feels different now. It's just different, that's all. Where's Christine? Is she here?" Layla watched her husband and for the first time since she saw the pictures, her heart broke. She saw now, in sharp detail, how she had hurt him, how she had shaken his world. She, better than anyone knew the controlled realm Charlie lived in most of the time. She knew the terrible shyness that he struggled with all the time, and that she had helped him overcome when she gave herself to him as his wife. It was one of the things she loved about him; that made him more human than the self-assured snobs of her pampered life. Charlie had always needed her and that had grabbed her heart and made her love him all the more. As she watched him stand there, hunched shoulders and downward looking eyes, she almost lost her control. She moved quickly away from this new man she had created with her actions. She called for Christine to come see her father, and when the little girl rushed into the room and into her dad's arms, Layla took that chance to run out of the room and into the small powder room off the kitchen. She shut the door, shuddered once and then fell to her knees, tears pouring from her eyes. "God, what have I done? What have I done to him? How could I have forgotten what this would do to him? Was I so consumed with ambition that I put the possibility of his finding out what I did out of my head? Could I have been so selfish?" She waited but of course, there was no answer. She didn't need to wait for an answer! She knew the answers, just as she had that day when she asked herself the same questions. That was the day she refused to consider them, knowing that if she did, she could never go through with it. But that wasn't acceptable to her then, was it? Now? Now it was too late! She stood, wiped her face with a damp towel, checked her appearance in the mirror, carefully avoiding her own eyes as she had been doing lately, then opened the door and walked carefully back into the kitchen to finish preparing dinner: acting like a normal mother and wife. Acting: was that what she was doing right along? Charlie was in the family room, listening to his daughter tell him about the new doll she had and the things she was going to do with all the other dolls. He sat on the floor, his eyes watching each move as if for the first time. He laughed with her, not at her as he was always careful not to do, and delighted in her response. He carefully concentrated on her and not on the absence of Layla. He noted that she had left immediately when Christine came in. He didn't know what that meant, but he was not reassured. Charlie was still watching Christine play when Layla came in to tell them both that dinner was ready. Charlie helped Christine wash her hands and then followed her into the kitchen. He helped her into her booster seat and made sure she was safely tucked in, then sat in his usual place, carefully watching his daughter, avoiding Layla's eyes. If he had looked, he would have been surprised to see her doing exactly the same thing. Dinner was a tense time for both Charlie and Layla, but Christine had no such problem. She talked and talked and accepted Charlie and Layla's help with her meat. She talked as they cut it for her, she talked between bites, she talked until both Charlie and Layla began to relax. From time to time, they actually met each other's eyes briefly before looking away. But by the time the meal was over, they were actually behaving as they always had. Charlie helped Christine down from her chair, helped her wash her hands once again to remove much of her dinner and then followed her into the family room once more. She turned on the TV and settled to watch cartoons. Charlie went back in to help with the dishes only to find the table already cleared and Layla loading the dishwasher. Charlie stood there for a second, then turned and went into the small den to check on some files he needed. He was putting them into his carrier when Layla interrupted him. "Coffee is ready. I'll take it into the family room. Is that OK?" Charlie nodded once and continued with the files. He didn't realize it but to Layla it was an indication that he intended to take all of his files, a move indicating that he was leaving permanently. To Charlie it was simply work related and he needed these files. To the outsider it was a strong indication that communication had broken down between these two unhappy individuals. Whose fault would that be? Fault would be the wrong approach. Consequences were at work here, but were those consequences permanent? The three of them spent the remainder of the early evening as they normally did. For Charlie this was relaxing and welcome, the routine affording control. To Layla this was torture, avoiding the coming talk. Charlie was not thinking ahead since that was Charlie's way. He dealt with things as they occurred, preferring to be prepared in a general way for any possibility. Layla was not so sanguine, preferring to be well prepared specifically for a specific event. This was one such event. Finally, it was time and together the two took their child upstairs to bed. They had all played hard, trying to ignore the tension and the stress surrounding them and Christine had benefited from their attention but now was very sleepy. Together they tucked her into bed, stood together watching her as she snuggled into her comforter and closed her eyes. She was content, the two people who made up her life present and together. The previous day had not been happy: daddy gone and mommy sad. But tonight it was back the way it should be. Such is a child's world, or should be. They walked downstairs separately without speaking, Charlie going into the den while Layla got cups and coffee. She came into the den, set the tray down on the small table and took the chair next to Charlie. The two chairs and the small table were a gift from Layla's parents. It was the first time they had seen the small home and her mother had been distressed at the small size of the room. She covered it quite well by saying they found a 'perfectly adorable little chair and table' set for them. To Charlie, it was an amusing little episode but he never knew what Layla thought. Maybe she was embarrassed? He never asked, but should have. He asked now, just to have a way to begin this conversation, "I never asked you at the time Layla, but how did you feel when your mother made the comment about the "little set" she bought. Did that embarrass you, that our home was so small?" Layla was prepared for almost anything but this caught her quite off guard. She sputtered for a moment and then replied "Of course not! I love this place and I've never been embarrassed by anything we did. My mother knows that." "Wouldn't you prefer something bigger, more what you were used to? I know this must have always been less than you would want." The direction of Charlie's comments was disconcerting to Layla. What she wanted to do was throw herself at Charlie's mercy and beg his forgiveness but this talk of the size of their home was madness. "What are you doing Charlie? Why aren't you yelling at me, accusing me of betraying you and Christine? Why are you doing this, this silly game? Is it just to get even with me? To hurt me like I hurt you?" Charlie didn't answer. He simply looked down at his hands which were clenched between his knees. He was struggling, trying to find the words to say what he needed to say. He finally stood; his hands still clenched together so hard his knuckles were bleached white with the strain. He finally swallowed, looked at Layla directly with eyes wide and tear-filled and said, "I want to come home! I want to be here; with you and Christine. I just want to forget everything and come home!" Layla was so shocked at Charlie's words, she couldn't speak. She stared at him, her mouth open and her eyes wide, trying to convince herself that she had heard him clearly. He wanted to come home? To her and their child? No accusations, no yelling, no recriminations? She stood up, walked slowly over to where he still stood, frozen in that pose of agony and wrapped her arms around him as tight as she could. She clutched him to her, forgetting for the moment what was between them and prayed out loud. "Thank you God! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Layla backed away, pulled Charlie's hands apart, took one to her lips and held it there. "Come home now my love. Come home right now, where you belong." So, Charlie did as she asked and moved back home. But something was different; Charlie had changed and Layla would soon understand that nothing was as she hoped. Nothing! Charlie and Layla Pt. 03 Layla finds out how things have changed and she has no idea of what to do. Charlie is about to undergo some life changing experiences and that will mark the beginning of some significant changes in both Charlie and Layla. Thanks as always to LadyCibelle. Part Three Layla Layla called in the following morning after Charlie came home and took several days off. She had more than enough vacation time accumulated and she wanted nothing to detract from her duties as Charlie's wife. She was slightly disappointed that Charlie had decided to sleep in the spare room last night, but then she thought it was just Charlie being Charlie. She planned on making his night special tonight and she knew he couldn't resist her charms. He, just like every other man, never had been able to do that. She still had things to do and made an appointment to go to the spa where she was known. She would have a makeover, so that she would look her best for Charlie. She had made up her mind to do something to make her less of a victim. Maybe it would be successful, maybe not, but it was part of her plan. She spent the rest of the day working around the house, cleaning, washing and ironing, and all those things she normally hated. She was after all, a wife and mother first, and an ad executive second. She fixed a perfect meal for them all then picked up Christine at daycare at the usual time. She took a shower and changed her clothes before Charlie came home. She wanted to look especially nice for him tonight. She owed him more than she could ever repay. He had forgiven her and that was more than she could ever have hoped. Charlie came home at the usual time, spoke calmly to Layla, kissed Christine and went into the den to put his work away. He came back out, washed his hands and went in to play with his daughter. At dinner, they talked about things as usual, finished and cleaned up. They spent the evening with their daughter and together put her to bed. As Layla watched Charlie, he seemed normal, behaved as always and relaxed. She should have been comforted by that but she was strangely uneasy. He was different and she couldn't identify what it was, but something was there. After Christine was in bed, Layla fixed them coffee and took it into the family room where Charlie was sitting. He had the TV on and was watching one of the all news channels. Layla sat on the couch next to him, setting the tray of coffee on the coffee table. She leaned back and put her arm around Charlie. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Charlie's response should have been to lay his head against hers and ask about her day. Tonight he did neither. Layla waited but he didn't respond. She straightened up, poured the coffee to cover her embarrassment and disappointment, handed one to Charlie and took one for herself. Suddenly the warm cup felt good to her hands which had grown cold. She found herself shivering for no reason and feeling as if there were a cold wind blowing into the room. Charlie seemed unaffected and showed no reaction to her pulling away. Layla stared at him, his profile all she could see as he continued to stare at the TV. As the evening progressed, and Charlie said little except for responses to something she said, she began to understand that what happened yesterday was not what she assumed. Charlie was not back, unchanged and himself. This Charlie was different, more remote, less loving and distant. The cold she felt seemed to radiate from Charlie as he sat there, removed from her. As she considered all that had happened, she suddenly knew that her prayers had been answered but only in part. Charlie was back home but the old Charlie was gone. Maybe forever! She felt the back of her eyes begin to sting with the onset of tears and closed her eyes. Her throat closed, making swallowing difficult, and she wanted to scream to release the fear, but she could do nothing but sit there and let it wash over her. Charlie When he made the decision to come home, it was a simple matter of Charlie being Charlie. As always, he looked at his choices and made the one that was best for Charlie Wilson. He was shy, uneasy around other people unless selling auto parts, making a deal to buy or sell auto parts or when he was with Layla. Layla was his crutch in social situations. Before Layla, Charlie had never had a girlfriend. He had dates, but they were always disasters. He became tongue tied, clumsy, a real loser, but with Layla that was all gone. With her, he was easy, well spoken and comfortable. Without her he was reserved, painfully shy and easily embarrassed. Those who knew him made allowances for him and liked the real Charlie in spite of his awkwardness. In addition, Charlie was well aware of what other men thought when they looked at his wife. When Charlie saw that she disregarded their advances or comments, it made him proud. That someone like Layla would chose him made him more confident in himself. It didn't overcome all of his shyness but it certainly made a big difference. He stood taller with Layla around him. He smiled more, talked more and made friends more with her than without her. So when Charlie decided to come home, it was for the first reason. Charlie could not stand being by himself again. He couldn't even consider the idea of entering the dating game again. He had friends but they were his and Layla's friends, not his. He knew that without her he would revert to his shy self, staying away from social situations and people of all kinds. He didn't want to go back to that Charlie again. He couldn't stand the thought of that existence. And he loved Christine, without end. To be away from her, even for an evening or two, was painful to him. So, to go back was necessary. As to the second part, he knew now that his understanding of what Layla thought when other men made their advances was incorrect. She didn't always choose him, and she had sometimes chosen others. While he always felt he satisfied her in the bedroom, that their lovemaking was satisfactory and sufficient for both of them, he allowed as how that was also an assumption that appeared to be wrong. So, on one hand, he needed Layla to avoid an existence that would be devastating, but on the other, he would have to forgo the sexual needs since he was not satisfactorily meeting the needs of his wife, Layla. Rather than say anything to Layla about his reasons for coming home, he chose to avoid the subject and move into the spare room. It was very small and very close, but it would spare him the embarrassment of failing in the bedroom. When he didn't know he was failing, it had been fine. He felt they both enjoyed their lovemaking, but now that he knew she needed more, it hurt so he chose to avoid it altogether. Layla was acting as she always did so that made Charlie feel he had done the best thing. She seemed to be happier with him around, something Charlie didn't pretend to understand, but that was fine. They were completely normal around Christine and that was as it should be. The evenings were the worst, when she wanted to continue the pretense that she loved him and wanted him, but he was not able to reciprocate. It was too hard for him. In this way the first week ended and Charlie had to face a weekend with Layla. He was not looking forward to it but it had to be done. It was best he try to learn how to deal with this since it was going to be this way for a long time. Layla Three days after Charlie returned home, she was convinced it was all wrong. Charlie wouldn't touch her! He wouldn't share her bed, he wouldn't snuggle with her in the evenings as he once had, he talked to her only in response to direct questions and he seemed to move away whenever she came close. She was slowly going crazy waiting for him to accept her once more. As the weekend began, Layla came to a conclusion. She had to tell Charlie everything. What she did and why she did it. She had to make him see that she had never stopped loving him, regardless of what she did. And the others meant nothing to her! Even Jake meant nothing. It had taken that one time to show her that and she knew it almost immediately. She had never fallen again on her own. With Carson Jennings, it was job related, and based solely on her own avarice and selfishness. Charlie had to understand and come to forgive her. She knew that he hadn't done that when he came home so she had to make him see that what she did couldn't be enough to destroy what they shared. Saturday was one of the longest days she had ever endured. She gave Charlie no indication that she planned to speak to him that evening but she spent the time going over and over in her mind the words she would use. She had to convince him that she was sorry and that she regretted the things she had done. She would be honest with him: tell him exactly what she had done and who she had done it with. Charlie knew neither of the men so that was a plus. He would have nothing to fear from either one. The day passed, Christine was bathed and put to bed, Charlie was relaxing in the family room with a beer in his hand and the TV remote in the other. She had changed into a light summer dress, one that was low cut in the front and off the shoulders. It fell just above the knee and made her look fabulous. She knew this because Charlie had told her so many times. Taking a deep breath, she walked in and stood directly in front of Charlie. "Charlie, we have to talk. It's clear to me that although you have come home you haven't forgiven me. You won't touch me, you won't make love with me, you flinch whenever I touch you. I can't stand this Charlie. I love you so much but I can't live this way. I have to tell you what I did so that you can forgive me. You have to let me tell you now Charlie." She watched as Charlie put down the remote, took a long draught of the beer before setting that down as well. He said nothing for a few seconds, then raising his eyes, he looked at her. "It's very simple, Layla. I came home because I was afraid to be without you. I don't want to live the way I did before you came into my life, alone with nothing but my work. With you by my side, I was able to make friends, meet other people and put my shyness aside. Before I met you, that was impossible for me. In truth, it was awful before I met you and I don't think I can go back to living that way. I need you and my daughter to make my life complete. I know that is a very selfish reason but it is my reason." Layla smiled at those words, understanding that Charlie needed her. That was such good news, she tried to interrupt, to make him stop and listen to her but she was not prepared for what came next. "As to what you said, no, I don't have to listen and I don't want to hear what you did. I know that you chose another man over me and that was your choice. I always believed I was the only one you wanted, but in that, I now see I was wrong. I thought when we were out and other men looked at you and wanted you that all you wanted was me. I was proud of that, and in my pride, I was foolish. Now that I know better, I have to accept that. So, the tradeoff was to come home to live with you and our daughter so that I would never be alone again but to somehow stay blind to what you do with other men. I hate what you did but it was your choice. So you can understand why I don't want to know what you do with those other men." Layla was so shocked by his words that she was unable to utter a single word in her defense. As she stood there stunned, Charlie rose, walked up the stairs and down the hall to the spare room. She heard the door shut and the small click of the simple lock. She was still sitting there an hour later when she made up her mind. She knew what she had to do. Charlie Charlie shut the door behind him and turned the small lock. It was more symbolic than anything else. It wouldn't keep anyone out, but it was a sign that he chose to stay inside alone. He needed to be alone right now to swallow the grief that his confession had raised. He had been so careful not to allow it to surface. He had kept an outwardly calm face for Christine and Layla to see. Charlie, the stalwart one, the solid one, . . .the coward. Other men would call him a wimp and they would be correct. Now that Layla knew why he was back, Charlie expected things to change. That was a bitter pill that he had to swallow but even that was acceptable. She would do her part to maintain the outward appearance that they were still together, and that he could continue to be a part of their society. Their friends would never know and he could interact with them without fear. But she would know that he knew his place with her: that she was free to do as she chose with her lovers and he would say nothing. Charlie the wimp, the cuckold! But it was better than living in seclusion as he did before Layla. He told himself that again and again and hoped that soon he would come to believe it. Charlie lay down on the bed, squeezed his eyes closed and willed the tears not to come. He was still a man, even if he was to be humiliated and embarrassed by his wife. He told himself that he would live with it somehow. His brave words to Layla were just that: words that he had to make true. Somehow, some way, he had to make it true. The Following Week Sunday passed much as had Saturday and Charlie spent as much time with Christine alone or with Layla present as he could. Charlie didn't want to be alone that day. He was almost manic in his behavior when he was with Christine and only slightly more reserved when Layla joined them. Christine enjoyed the attention and seemed to swell with importance; her small brain didn't understand the tension between her mommy and daddy; she simply knew she had their full attention most of that day. Evening came and for some reason, she was allowed to stay up much later than usual. Her daddy was keeping her occupied so that her mommy didn't interrupt until finally she got so sleepy she couldn't continue to play. Then, her daddy took her up to bed but stayed to read her a story during which she fell asleep. Charlie stayed upstairs after he read Christine to sleep. He took his shower, laid out his clothes for the next day and then went into the spare room to read until bedtime. He left the door open, not expecting Layla to come up for an hour or so later. She had stopped asking him to come back to their bedroom so Charlie no longer felt he had to lock the door. He read, the book something he found in the den, but he remembered little of it later. He glanced over at the clock and saw that it was not too early to try to sleep. He turned out the light and covered his eyes with his arm. Sleep came but slowly. For her part, Layla stayed downstairs as long as she could, knowing that Charlie would not welcome her into his bed this evening any more than he had the previous week. At least this night, she could go to sleep knowing she had a plan. She had a plan to try to save her marriage without Charlie's reservations. His beliefs were based on a lie. One he believed, but a lie nevertheless. She was determined to shatter that lie in the next few days. She would shatter it or she would fail miserably. Either way, she wouldn't hurt any more than she already did. Monday morning, Charlie was up and gone to work very early. He had been going in earlier than before ever since he moved back home. It was to avoid seeing or having to talk to her, and she understood that, but today, that didn't bother Layla at all. She had things to do and places to go and she needed the time to get Christine ready for daycare without having to explain to Charlie what she was doing. She drove Christine to daycare, made arrangements to pick her up later, then drove down to her office. Once there, she closed her office door, picked up the phone and called to confirm the appointment she had made with Philip Bassett, the President of the company and her boss's boss. She stated the reason as personal so as to go over the head of her own boss, Angela Statson. She was scheduled with an appointment for ten that morning. She hung up the phone and began arranging her work. Charlie While Layla was making her arrangements, Charlie was doing much as he did every day. He was calling customers, making sales, arranging deliveries and earning the salary that paid for the things his family needed. The need to do so was still primary in Charlie's mind; the need to provide for his family even now that it was splintered. That hurt Charlie personally but did not take away his understanding of his role as father. His role as husband was not affected by his wife's actions either. He was well aware that she earned more than he did so his earnings were not necessary for her well-being. Perhaps her higher earnings contributed more to his daughter's welfare but still he would earn his wages and contribute to his family's support. Those around Charlie couldn't help but notice his behavior. Charlie was always a little reserved, but today and most of the previous week, he had been withdrawn and moody. This was a major change for Charlie so after whispered worried questions between several of those around him, Walt Smith, Charlie's only personal friend decided to find out what was wrong. He waited until almost lunchtime to sit himself down in Charlie's office and wait for him to complete his latest phone call. "OK Charlie, you and I are going to lunch. We're having a liquid lunch so let's get started." Charlie wasn't much in the mood for company so he tried to decline the invitation but Walt was not about to let it go. Charlie was a lot of things, but strong in the face of persistent urgings by someone else was not one of them. He was much too polite to continue to refuse so he went. Walt drove them to a small bar and grill he frequented and found a table for them in the back. Once they had ordered their grilled bologna and onion sandwiches with a bottle of Rolling Rock for each, Walt dove right in. "OK my friend, spill it. What's the problem? Tell me now so I don't have to waste a lot of time nagging you. You know I will, so just get right down to it and let me enjoy my lunch." Charlie thought about refusing but something inside was begging him to tell someone else so that this heavy burden could be shared. While Charlie thought of himself as weak, sometimes even meek and subservient, in reality he was a very strong individual. Most men with his personality type would have been driven into seclusion by the events in his life, forced to withdraw from reality, but instead Charlie had found a purpose in life and was successful at it. What he was going through would cause many to do something stupid or thoughtless, but Charlie bore it all inside, trying as hard as he knew how to not hurt others. He felt he had succeeded but still, it was a heavy burden to carry alone. He started to tell Walt the problem and after three more beers and almost two hours of talking, he found himself telling him everything. All his worries, his fears, his beliefs of his wife's actions, his need for her support. Walt heard it all and marveled at the strength his friend showed in what he did to resolve his problems. Walt was truly amazed; knowing that other men would have lost control, filed for divorce, kicked the cheating bitch out to the curb, or any one of a number of other things. Walt himself was one of those, but he also knew Charlie and this solution was so like him. Charlie had weighed the options, chosen the only one that would work for him with his own issues and went back home to live with the woman who had almost destroyed him. Few would understand Charlie and most would condemn him as a wimp; a weak, pathetic excuse for a man. They would be very wrong and, in their arrogance, would misread a man stronger than they could imagine. Walt was one of those few who understood. That was why he was Charlie's friend and why Charlie trusted him. Charlie and Layla Pt. 03 "OK my friend. I can't tell you how much I respect your decision. You did the only thing you could do and that took great courage. It took more guts then I have and I hope you can stick to it, but it's going to be hard. You need to find some way to give yourself some peace." Walt looked at Charlie, his mind working. He wanted to propose something to Charlie but he didn't know how it would go over. What the hell, just go for it! "Charlie, have you ever considered a hooker? Paying some woman for a little piece of tail now and again? If you're going to avoid your wife, you have to have some way to take the pressure off. Your right hand is not going to do the job for long." Charlie was listening but not really concentrating. He had already had four, or was it five, beers and one was normally his limit. But it had been good telling Walt about Layla's betrayal. And that's exactly what it was, wasn't it? She betrayed him and her wedding vows. Charlie felt he had been a fool for all those years. How could he have believed that a beautiful woman like Layla could fall for a loser like him? He was nodding his head in agreement at his flash of insight, but Walt took that as agreement to his suggestion and looked around for a hooker. He saw one sitting at the end of the bar and beckoned her over. She smiled, left her seat and walked over on four inch heels. Charlie was still lost in thought as Walt made the arrangements. After visiting the ATM across the street, he slipped the girl a hundred and fifty dollars, which he fully intended on getting back from Charlie in the morning, and got up to allow her to sit in his seat next to Charlie. "Listen Charlie, I have to get going, but this is Skye and she wanted to meet you. Skye, this is Charlie. I'll see you tomorrow good buddy." Charlie mumbled his response and was unaware of what had transpired until he felt a hand move up his leg and onto his unresponsive cock. Unresponsive that is until the girl squeezed it several times while rubbing her hand up and down the now growing length. Charlie looked first down at the small hand that was bringing him such pleasure then back up to the face that was smiling at him. The girl kissed him full on the mouth and then, taking one of his hands, got up and pulled him with her. Charlie rose from his stool and stumbled after her since he had no real thought of what else to do; the pleasure of a woman's company his sole motivation at that instant. His normal shyness was overcome by the alcohol in his system. Out the door they went and around the side of the building, Charlie still following. The girl looked around, headed toward a section of the parking lot deep in shadows where the sun didn't reach and walked him over there. She pushed Charlie back against the wall of the building and squatted in front of him. She pulled down his zipper, reached a small hand inside and pulled out his now semi erect cock. "Holy shit, this thing is a monster! Damn Charlie, what's with you? I can't see why any woman would run around on anything this big. Damn!" Charlie was leaning back, thinking to himself that this was not a bad thing at all. The girl must be someone he knew and she seemed to be bringing him some pleasure. That was a good thing and one that he wanted to continue. Layla always brought him pleasure: that thought making him sad and causing his cock to begin to deflate. He started to tell this girl something when he felt a warm, wet sensation around his cock. Ahhhh, yes. Layla did that a lot. She was very good at it, almost as good as this girl, and Charlie always enjoyed it. He enjoyed it now, his flaccid cock regaining some of its bulk. As Charlie rested against the wall, his legs spread wide to allow the girl room to do what she wanted, his eyes closed and he remembered happier times. Times when he and Layla spent hours in bed, making love and. . . . . . . . . Suddenly, Charlie's reverie was interrupted by a sudden pressure in his tightened balls, followed by an eruption of liquid through his now rock hard cock and into the waiting mouth of the girl kneeling in front of him. Charlie never thought to warn her and she sputtered a few times before moving back and letting his fluids splash onto the parking lot. After the long period of enforced celibacy, Charlie had a lot of fluid. She spit, mumbled a curse, then stood. "OK honey, that's worth fifty bucks, but I got to tell you, next time give a girl some warning! You could drown a girl!" She looked down to see Charlie still hard and ready for more. "You still got a hundred bucks worth coming. Do you want to fuck me now? I can bend over and you can do me from behind right here in the lot. That'll save you the price of a room and we'll call it even. What do you say?" Charlie stared stupidly at her until she took his lack of response as agreement. She moved over beside him, bent over with one hand resting on the wall and pulled her already tight miniskirt over her ass and up to her waist. She looked down at his still hard cock, grabbed his arm and twisted it until he moved over behind her. She reached back between her legs, grabbed his cock and moved it toward her opening. "Take it easy at first big guy. That's not the normal sized battering ram you know. Just ease it in and give me a few seconds. I usually wet up pretty quick." She was dry but she was also quite stretched and there would be little feeling for her. But that was fine with her anyway. She did this for money, not pleasure. She had been forced into prostitution when her husband dumped her for someone younger and it hadn't been fun for many years, even with her current boyfriend, and before him, her husband. She braced herself against the wall, both hands now holding her face clear while the john pumped into her. Charlie did as nature intended when his erection felt the entrance to her vagina. He leaned forward, driving his hips forward as well and felt himself sink completely inside the girl. Once inside her, he held still as she asked him, his normal politeness saving her from serious harm. When she wiggled her ass and pushed back against him, his alcohol soaked mind knew what to do and he did it. He gripped her hips with his large hands and began to drive into her. It took a long time since the blowjob had drained him, but he persisted and was rewarded by small moans from the girl. After plunging inside her for several minutes, he felt the surge that meant a climax on the way. He started to plunge into her faster and faster until he came to an abrupt stop. As the surge took over and his balls contracted, he felt the remainder of whatever fluids still remained flow out and into the girl. As he came, he felt her vaginal muscles grip his cock and began to palpitate it. That was a sign of her orgasm and in order to allow her to finish, he kept both hands on her hips and continued to pump until she came down. He continued until he became soft and it started to be uncomfortable. At that point, he backed away, letting his now flaccid cock slip out. "That was great baby! Really good. Shit! I actually got an orgasm that time and that surprised the hell out of me! You should be proud! I've never had an 'O' while I'm working. Matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I came." She stood up, pulled her skirt down over her hips and smoothed it down with both hands. "Worth the money for you, honey? It sure as hell was a new experience for me, one I really dug! Well, take care of yourself and I wouldn't mind hearing from you again sometime. Next time I'll do you for free! You can always find me right here." With that she disappeared back toward the bar and went inside, the door slamming shut behind her. Charlie, now aware of what he did, and beginning to understand that he was not as inadequate as he believed, went around the building to his car and drove back to work with a smile on his face. He walked down the aisle to his office, raised one hand in a pumping action when he walked past Walt's desk and went inside and lifted the phone. There were calls to make and contacts to contact and parts to be sold. That was what he did. And deep inside his chest, a strange feeling was growing: one of confidence. Confidence in himself! As Charlie worked that afternoon, a new Charlie was beginning to surface. He didn't know or recognize it just yet but circumstances were brewing that would make a big difference in Charlie's life. Charlie picked up the phone with a smile on his face and called a customer that had been particularly reluctant. Today, he was going to become Charlie's newest conquest! Charlie and Layla Pt. 04 This is the final chapter and the changes in both the characters come about. What the future holds for them isn't clear but it will certainly be different. Thanks as always to LadyCibelle. Part Four Layla Right at ten Layla walked down the hallway to Phillip Bassett's office and announced herself to June, his secretary. She had the letter from Carson Jennings with her which she intended to show him. She sat patiently until June summoned her into the office with a smile and a nod. Layla entered, stood stiffly until the door closed behind her, then waited until Mr. Bassett asked her to sit. She took a chair and sat, her back straight and her legs squeezed tightly together. She was more nervous than she could ever remember but this was what she wanted to do. She also understood that it would be very humiliating, but she had little choice "Well, Layla, while I enjoy your company, I have to ask why this sudden request for a meeting. Is there something wrong? Your work has been outstanding, as always and I would hope you have no issues with Angela." Phillip Bassett gave no indication he suspected anything out of the ordinary, but he clearly was interested. Layla was a valuable employee and he was very aware of her abilities and her worth to his company. He had been reminded of that just the other day. "No sir, Angela and I are fine, but something is definitely wrong. I want you to read this letter and tell me if you have seen it before." She handed him the letter from Carson Jennings and waited until he had time to read it through. She watched very carefully as he read and wasn't surprised to see a look of confusion come over his face. It was what she expected. It was part of why she was so angry at herself. "I'm sorry, Layla, but, no; I've never seen this letter before. To tell you the truth, I am somewhat surprised by it. What do you expect me to say or do about this?" "Actually, I expect nothing from this letter. But, I want to tell you how I came to receive this letter and what I did to get it. I want you to listen to me very carefully. And please, let me tell it my way. This is very embarrassing for me but I have to do it. It is important to me to do this now." "Of course, Layla. Take your time and tell me what it is. You seem very upset. Is something wrong? Has something happened? Please, go ahead and I will certainly listen to what you have to say." Now that it was time, her face burned with shame knowing what she was going to say would be humiliating. There was so much riding on this meeting and she was counting on it. Layla carefully folded the letter and slipped it into her purse before beginning. Over the next fifteen minutes and in a strong voice, Layla told Phillip Bassett everything, beginning with the time she and Carson first began working together right up through the evening she spent in his motel room. She gave him a copy of the receipt with Carson's signature she got from the motel clerk and the time-stamped pictures her husband had taken of her with Carson outside the motel. She didn't hesitate when she told him what Carson demanded of her and she was clear that she did everything he asked her to do. She admitted her reasons and denied nothing. When she was finished she stopped, her chest heaving, her lips quivering with humiliation and her head down, her eyes on the floor. Bassett said nothing for a few minutes, then he cleared his throat, lifted the phone and asked his secretary to call Judith Blessing, the VP of HR and have her come to his office immediately. While they waited, he asked Layla several questions, and seemed to be very disturbed by her admission that her marriage was in serious trouble. He answered his phone, nodded to himself when he was informed that Judith was on her way, and asked his secretary to bring a pot of coffee as soon as possible and to hold all calls. Once all were present, the coffee poured and Layla holding the cup in both hands as if to warm them, he began, speaking to Judith. "We have Layla's word that Carson Jennings blackmailed her to perform a sexual favor in return for a promise of a favorable recommendation. She admits to agreeing to his request because of his statement that refusal would result in an unfavorable recommendation and a recommendation of punitive action in the form of a demotion. I've read the letter from Carson, seen the pictures of the rendezvous and Layla has confirmed that her marriage is in trouble as a result since her husband suspected Carson's motives all along. I have to say Judith, I believe Layla's version of the events based on a meeting I had with Carson just yesterday." He stopped to give Ms Blessing the time to digest his words and signaled to Layla for the letter. She pulled it back out and handed it to him. He unfolded it, looked again at it and passed it over to Judith. She took it, read it carefully, her face twisting in disgust as she read. She nodded to herself, handed the letter back to Phillip without comment. "Carson said some things to me about Layla and I took them at face value at first. But the more he talked, the more concerned I became. It's not necessary to go into detail but what he said makes complete sense now that I hear Layla's side. "We have some decisions to make, Judith. Layla, please leave us for a few minutes. Come back here in one hour if you will. Say nothing to anyone please." Phillip rose, came around his desk and took Layla by the hand, leading her to the door. "Trust me Layla. I understand the importance of this and you won't be sorry you brought this to me." He watched her walk out, looking for all the world as if she had just lost her best friend. He thought that was exactly what happened and he was very sad knowing that someone in his employ was at fault. "When Layla returns, please let me know immediately. Thank you June." Charlie Charlie worked over that day, something he rarely did. After coming back to the office, he had worked steadily for the next four hours, finishing the last call at half past six, an hour past his normal quitting time. He was surprised to see he was alone in the office. He gathered up his belonging, locked his office and left for home. He had avoided thinking of what he did with the hooker that afternoon. He knew she did what she did for money and that those girls made the 'john' think that he was the greatest lover in the world. That's how they got repeat business and Charlie knew the value of repeat business. After all, that's what made him so successful. Repeats! It didn't escape him however that the girl had actually had an orgasm. That was a fact Charlie knew for sure. And it surprised her as well: he could see it in her face! She said he should be proud of himself and surprisingly enough, he was. It told him that if Layla had to go looking for more than he could give her, she needed more than most women. In that case, no man could satisfy her, not even Charlie. Charlie pulled in and was surprised to find Layla still not home and Sheila playing with Christine in the family room. They had finished dinner, a takeout by the looks of the cartons still sitting on the table. He walked in and asked Sheila when Layla had called her to sit. Sheila said she got the call at quarter past four, in time to pick Christine up from daycare. That was a big surprise to Charlie since he couldn't remember the last time Layla had not been there. She made it a point that it was her job and she would not miss it for work. He dismissed Sheila and cleaned up the cartons from the kitchen while Christine played with her dolls on the floor. Charlie was concerned, the break in the routine causing him to try to imagine what could be so important to Layla that she would let some one else pick up her daughter. He had some thoughts and those thoughts made him ill. Maybe she had begun to seek other men to fill the void in their relationship. After all, he told her he understood her need for more than he could give her. Maybe now she felt that she could do so with his acceptance. Charlie took Christine into the family room and let her play while he meditated. It was almost her bedtime when he heard the car pull in and the garage door open. He looked at his watch to see that it was already past seven thirty and almost bedtime for Christine. He decided to let her see her mother before putting her to bed. Christine had not done anything wrong and to punish her mother in that way would be to punish her as well. Charlie couldn't do that. So, regardless of what she had been doing and with whom, Charlie would wait and let Christine and Layla have some time together. Layla She pulled into the garage and shut the door behind her. She sat there motionless for several seconds before taking a deep breath and opening the door. She moved slowly up the three steps to the door leading from the garage to the kitchen. She looked in the glass window to see the kitchen clean and spotless. Charlie. He would have done that. She pushed the door open, threw her briefcase down on the table and took off her suit jacket. She threw it in the general direction of a chair but it missed, falling unheeded to the floor. She moved sluggishly through the kitchen and into the hall, hearing the chatter of her daughter to one of her dolls. Charlie would be sitting with her, watching carefully to everything she did and said. She stepped into the family room, saw her daughter's look of pleasure and bent over to hold out her arms to receive her. As her small body flew into her waiting arms, she felt a surge of love and contentment. She picked her up and held her tightly against her body, the warmth and the love reviving her somewhat. She needed that so badly right now. It was all she had now that Charlie had turned away from her. She was holding her so tight that Christine finally began to wriggle to get free. She set Christine down and said hello to Charlie. He turned his head to look at her and the look on his face was enough to cause her legs to buckle. She reached out to hold herself up, letting the shock of that look sink in. What must he be thinking? Suddenly, she realized that she had not bothered to let Charlie know anything about her day and where she was! She knew what he must be thinking! She went back out to the kitchen to recover her wits. How could she have not let him know? She was with Judith and Phillip most of the afternoon and it wasn't until almost seven o'clock that they had finished their conference. Layla had stayed because her demands would be met and that was necessary to her plan. Unfortunately, Charlie didn't know anything about that and his mind must have come up with a scenario that was probably not pleasant. What should she do? She had no choice but to continue on the path she had chosen. Charlie and Layla Talk Charlie waited until Layla went out of the room. He stood; feeling twenty years older than his actual age, and bent down to take Christine by the hand and lead her up the stairs. She wanted him to carry her and he did, the comfort of her arms and legs wrapped around him a blessing. Her love was untainted and unconditional. He returned it in kind. They talked for awhile as he helped her into her PJs and made sure she washed and brushed her teeth. A few brushes through her soft brown hair and she was ready. Charlie watched her climb into her bed and waited while she said her prayers. Once she was ready, Charlie turned out the light, cracked the door to allow a small amount of light to shine in and went slowly back downstairs. Layla was sitting in the kitchen, a cup of coffee clutched in her hands and her face twisted in sadness. Charlie felt the need to speak to her, to ask her questions. He was afraid of the answers but in true Charlie fashion, needed to ask: his concerns for his daughter's welfare foremost in his mind. It would not serve him well to go to bed with questions unanswered and he had no intention of punishing himself! He took a beer from the refrigerator and sat down opposite Layla. "May I ask where you have been and who you've been with? It's not like you to forget your daughter or have someone else pick her up. And I did assume that you would not be with anyone I knew. I hope you remembered that." Layla felt as if she had been slapped. Charlie said those words in such a soft, accusing voice, the contempt visible on his face. He made an assumption and now he was asking her to verify it. The first surge of anger passed, her mind realizing that the question, while rude, was justified in his mind. After all, she had made him think what he did. It was her actions that caused his rational mind to travel in that direction. What did she expect? After what she did to him, she could break her routine, not tell him what or where she was and expect him to just shrug and say nothing? "I was with Mr. Bassett and Judith Blessing all afternoon. Phillip Bassett is the president of our company and Judith is the vice president of human relations, reporting to Phillip." "And why may I ask, were you with them? And why was that important enough for you to not pick up Christine? You've never done that before." "I had some things to clear up with them and there was something I wanted from them. It was too important for me to not finish with them. I made arrangements for Christine but I failed to notify you and for that I apologize." "I see. And did you see anyone else today? Other than those you work with?" The suggestion was very clear in his words and his tone. "No. I saw no one else, Charlie. And I never will. Never again. It makes no difference what happens to us, I never will." His voice rising in anger, Charlie responded, "You've made promises before that you couldn't keep Layla, so please don't try to make any more to me. I'm sure you mean them now, but you don't seem to be able to keep them." Those words were enough to bring the tears rushing out. Layla bent her head to her arms resting on the table and let them come. There was no use denying them now. Let them come and wait till she could control them again. God, how words could cut like a knife!! And from Charlie, who had never raised his voice to her or to Christine! Charlie sat stoically while she cried. He hurt just listening to her, but he had no choice but to ask and remind her of the facts. What he said may hurt, but it was true. They had to keep up appearances after all. That didn't give him much solace. Layla lifted her head, wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve and squared her shoulders. She looked at Charlie with red rimmed eyes still showing unshed tears. "I guess I deserved that. But I didn't expect it of you, Charlie. I guess I've brought out the worst in you. I'm so very sorry about that." She squared her shoulders and raised her chin in some semblance of pride. She felt strong enough now to continue with what she planed. "I have something for you Charlie. It is why I was so late. It took time for Mr. Bassett and Ms Blessing to prepare and get approved. I have it now and I want to give it to you." Layla picked up her briefcase and opened it to pull out a small letter sized envelope. She laid it on the table in front of her and continued. "You said some things last week when telling me why you were coming home. I remember the words almost verbatim, Charlie. Words that I know you believed with all your heart. But they were so very, very wrong that they stayed with me. You said," "you chose another man over me and that was your choice. I always believed I was the only one you wanted, but in that, I now see I was wrong. I thought when we were out and other men looked at you and wanted you that all you wanted was me. I was proud of that, and in my pride, I was foolish. Now that I know better, I have to accept that." "Those were your words, Charlie, and they were wrong. They were so very wrong that I knew I had to do something to show you how wrong you were. If I can do nothing else, I have to make you see that you were wrong! That's where I've been today and this is what I wanted to give you." She pushed the envelope across the table toward Charlie. He picked it up, opened the flap and pulled out the two sheets of paper inside. The first was folded and looked to be on company stationary. When he opened it, it was a printed check with a statement section on top. He read the statement carefully. It said, BY ACCEPTING THIS PAYMENT, NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY MRS. WILSON AGAINST THIS COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE NO OTHER CONSIDERATIONS STATED OR UNSTATED CONNECTED WITH THIS PAYMENT. CASHING THIS CHECK INDICATES AGREEMENT WITH THIS CONDITION. Charlie looked at the check and saw that it was made out to him in the amount of $250,000. It was a shock to his system to see so much money in one check. Charlie was a good salesman but even with most orders, the deposit checks were only five digits at most. This one had six! He laid the check down on the table and looked at the second sheet. This one was very simple and was a resignation letter, signed by Layla and dated today. Charlie, in his orderly fashion, read it through twice, looking for any catch. It was simple, and co-signed on the bottom by Angela Statson, Layla's boss. Charlie looked at Layla and asked a simple question. "Please tell me what I am looking at." She took a deep breath and began. "You said that I did what I did because I found you lacking. That I needed more than you could give me. That was so far from the truth and I had to find some way to show you. I didn't go to that motel room because I wanted something that you couldn't give me. I had another reason and one I'm not proud of. The check is payment for Carson Jennings' propositioning me. Before you say anything, let me explain. "I wanted that promotion at work. You know the one I mean. We talked about it when I was trying to explain why Carson Jennings was working with me and you asked; if I was so good at the job, why was Carson Jennings necessary. You were correct; he wasn't. But I told myself he was and he actually helped me a great deal. I was sure the promotion was mine and I was already making plans as to what we could do with the extra money. "You have to understand Charlie that I was thinking of the extra money and that it could make you reconsider us having another baby. I wanted it so much and I wasn't thinking straight at the time. But I was sure the promotion was mine. It would mean the difference to you. I was so happy until Carson propositioned me. "It was so easy for him, knowing how much I wanted the promotion. He said it was mine if I would spend two hours in his room having sex with him. If not, he would give me a bad recommendation and I would be demoted." Now the tears started again. Layla stopped, went to the sink and splashed cold water over her eyes. She got a towel from the drawer and wiped her face before sitting back down. She looked at Charlie, sitting quietly as she asked, and started again. "Instead of going to management and reporting him, I began to think of doing what he asked. I didn't think of it as you might expect. There was no feeling of excitement, or anticipation of making love with another man. That never entered into my thoughts. All I could think about was the job and the promotion. For that, I am so ashamed. It makes this nothing more than greed on my part. No other reason than greed and self absorption. I sold myself for money! "It was awful Charlie! It was worse than I expected. He was a pig, an arrogant man who took advantage of my weakness and my doubts and made me do something that I will regret for the rest of my life!" Charlie was not as shocked as Layla might have suspected. Her need for approval on the job was something Charlie understood and he had always known how much it meant to her. He was beginning to see what she was trying to say to him and he appreciated the attempt. He watched her to see if she was finished. Charlie and Layla Pt. 04 "There's one other thing I have to tell you now. It may make you reconsider your position and I wouldn't be surprised if it means the end of our marriage. But I have to be honest and tell you now while I have the courage. There can be no more secrets between us. "One reason why the decision to have sex with Carson Jennings in exchange for a recommendation was so easy for me was that it wouldn't be the first time I cheated on you. The only other time was five years ago and it was only one time. It was with Jake Monroe, a boy I dated in high school and the one who took my virginity. I met him after a meeting with some clients and I was happy about landing a big contract. Jake and I talked and I had more to drink than I realized and I ended up in his room. It was horrible and after it was over, I was sick to my stomach. You have to remember that time: I took a few days off from work and you thought I was suffering from a bad case of the stomach flu. But it wasn't the flu; it was guilt! "That was the only time in our marriage before this that I was unfaithful to you Charlie, and it was wrong. I never told you because I didn't want to hurt you. But the sad part of it was that since you never knew and were never hurt, it occurred to me that I could do it again this time and we would both benefit from the money and the promotion. I know now how wrong I was and I am truly ashamed: ashamed of my greed and my causing you to doubt yourself. That is something I can never forgive myself for. "But Charlie, I had to make you see that it was never any lack on your part. You have always been more than enough for me and both times I cheated, it meant nothing. You are my only love and the only man I have ever made love with. You are all I want or need." Layla bowed her head and waited for Charlie's response. She had given him all she had to give. The first time and this time were two times too many and she had her doubts whether Charlie could ever forgive her. She couldn't forgive herself, so why should he? Charlie After Layla finished, he was too confused to make sense of most of what he just heard. It was clear that she had done this to impress on him that the sex with Carson Jennings was just as she said. She wanted him to understand that and to make him see that it was only for the purpose of her job and not to find satisfaction outside the marriage. He appreciated the thought and the reasoning and typical of Charlie, took it as it was intended. Why she thought she was justified when she chose to do it in the first place was not within his ability to determine. Nor was the earlier episode with her high school lover. Charlie sat there, not looking at Layla. He was trying to decide what he should say or do and he was having no luck. It was difficult, this whole thing. He had the advice of his mother and father, the advice of his friend Walt, and the assurance of the hooker whose name he couldn't remember that he was more than able to satisfy a woman in the bedroom. He also knew that he had also been unfaithful to Layla. That was on his mind and had been since it happened. He was not of the opinion that he had a 'get out of jail free' card because of what Layla did. As he saw it, if her fidelity was so important to him, then why would his fidelity to her not be as important to her? The one thing that kept coming into Charlie's orderly and disciplined mind was that Layla had been unfaithful twice in their marriage and Charlie had only been unfaithful once. That inequality had to be rectified if Charlie was to make any sense out of any reconciliation. And he did want to reconcile. That much he knew. He had come home partly because he wanted to be near Layla even if he couldn't have her as a woman. But that had been put to rest in Charlie's mind by Layla's demonstration. A quarter of a million dollars and loss of her job was a very strong argument. Charlie was very keen on strong arguments. Charlie came to a decision. Right or wrong, he was going forward and he would take his chances. He stood, waited until Layla looked up before speaking. "I accept your words and the proof you gave me. I believe you when you say that I was enough for you in the bedroom. The money will be used for college for Christine. I want no part of it since I know the source. But it is honest money and it cost you a lot so she will benefit and in so doing, clean the money of its taint." "Thank you, Charlie. I wanted so much for you to understand that you were never the cause of what I did. It was my fault and only my fault. I never stopped loving you or wanting you. My guilt will be my punishment. Only you know how bad that can be. You know me so well." "True. There is something I have to do and I think that once I do, we can decide how to move forward and see if we can get back to our life together. There will have to be changes and we have to face reality, but that can be done. And you have some decisions to make about your own life. I want you to be thinking of that while I take care of some things for myself. Is that acceptable to you?" "Of course it's acceptable. Anything you want me to do, I'll do. Anything Charlie. Just tell me." "I will, but I want you to be thinking while I'm gone. Think about what you did and why you did it. If you don't understand why, you have no chance of not repeating it. You will surely do it again when the conditions are right." "Never! No, Charlie, I will never do it again!" "I've already told you that your promises are worthless. You broke your word twice after promising me you would forsake all others. All others, Layla, so please, do as I ask. I will want you to tell me why when I return. Do you understand?" Shocked by the anger behind his words, Layla straightened up and face him directly. "Yes. I understand. Where are you going?" "It's best that you not know. I will be back, but I don't know exactly when." Skye Charlie returned to the bar where he had discovered a truth that he needed at that time. Now he needed something entirely different and he planned on enjoying himself thoroughly. He parked, walked into the bar and looked around. He was pleasantly surprised to find her sitting at the bar by herself. She saw him come in and her face broke into a huge smile. "Charlie! I'm so happy to see you. Buy me a drink?" "I will if you tell me your name. I forgot to ask before." "My name is. . . . . . ." She looked around, her pretty face screwed up in concentration. She leaned toward him, putting her mouth next to his ear and whispered, "my real name is Patty. No one else knows that but you, Charlie. Please don't spread it around. Everyone else knows me as Skye." "Good enough, Skye. Would you like to come with me? I can get us a room where we can talk and then have some fun. Is that OK? I'll pay you whatever you ask for a few hours." "I told you before Charlie. For you, it's no charge." Charlie, no longer timid and shy, no longer just average as he had believed for so long, left with Patty. Layla Layla watched Charlie leave and thought to herself that she was so lucky that he had chosen to come home and try to move forward. She wasn't foolish enough to believe he had forgiven her but she was happy nonetheless. Her Charlie was coming back. Layla walked upstairs to the bedroom where she shed her clothes and went in to take a shower. It was her intent to make herself beautiful for her husband and try to seduce him back to their bed. It was a strange position to find herself in. Men had always desired her; her husband had always loved her body and how she made him feel. She knew he noticed when other men looked at her. She certainly did and she was pleased that, when they did, Charlie knew she belonged to him and him alone. At least he thought that was true and for a while, he had come to doubt that. She was confident and secure around Charlie most of the time, knowing that he desired her and that she could always count on him to be there for her. But not now. Charlie had refused her advances and had lived beside her for almost a month without touching her in any way intimately. Her confidence was shaken and her belief in her control over her husband was gone. Destroyed by her foolishness. As she dried her body, put on the powder he loved, dabbed a spot of perfume between her breasts and under her ear, she wondered if she could win him back. The thought that perhaps she couldn't sent a chill down her back and made her legs weak. She held on to the edge of the counter until she felt control return. She finished her application of lipstick and walked over to the bed. She sat there, trying to find the answers Charlie asked of her. She was confused about Jake Monroe. Carson Jennings was clearer but no less disturbing. As she considered both times, the one thing that came to her was that in both cases, she had thought only briefly about Charlie. The more she thought about it, the more she began to see that Charlie had never been part of her considerations. With Jake, her inhibitions were low because of the alcohol but even as she sat with him, talked with him and finally went up to his room, she never thought of Charlie. She should have remembered while she was sitting at that table that she was Charlie's wife and his wife shouldn't be sitting in a bar with another man and drinking. It wasn't until afterwards that she did and then the guilt happened. Afterwards! With Carson, she had thought only fleetingly about Charlie. She had dismissed him so easily by saying he would never know. As if that made a difference! And the guilt again came only afterwards. In both cases, Charlie was never a deterrent, only a consequence. It came to her then so suddenly. Her problem had been that her Charlie was so calm, so quiet and so retiring that she had put him aside when she had to make a decision for herself. She simply ignored him as if he wasn't a part of her life; as if he wasn't a part of that decision. Just as he did tonight when he decided to do something: he hadn't considered her or asked her opinion or even informed her of what it was. He went off by himself because she had made herself irrelevant to him. As that thought became clear in her mind, it occurred to her to wonder where Charlie was. Could he be out with another woman? Could he be doing what she had done? The thought made her begin to shiver and she felt the stirrings of illness in her stomach. Oh, God! Had she driven him to do to her what she had done to him? She ran to the bathroom once more but this time to let out the sickness that her thoughts brought. She suddenly realized that this was how her Charlie had to think when he followed her to that motel room and watched her go inside with Carson. It was too much! Too hard! Hours later, she was still sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her husband to return home to her. Layla was no longer confident and secure in his love for her. She was no longer the strong confident woman who knew that men desired her and that her husband wanted her. She was no longer the woman who she had been only a month before. She was terrified that her husband, the man that she truly loved, no longer loved her. It was almost morning when Layla lay herself down, alone in her bed as she had been for too long. Her Charlie hadn't come home at all last night and her last thought was to wonder if she would sleep alone forever. Layla and Charlie They did as Charlie suggested: the following day, after Charlie came home late in the morning, they sat down and talked. There was a significant difference in the two that morning. Charlie was calm, very controlled, willing to listen and consider all that Layla said. He gave very little and asked for a lot. He heard the conclusion Layla had come to the night before and agreed with her. In his typical fashion, he suggested ways to correct that failing in his own character. Layla listened and agreed, although with a small grain of fear as she heard what he intended. She realized that his trust in her was no longer absolute. For her part, Layla found herself with little room to bargain. She was in the wrong and Charlie was not as forgiving as she expected. There was a new strength in him, and a smugness about him that she didn't care for. But, as they talked, she realized that the new Charlie was much stronger and more secure than the old Charlie. She had to get used to the change, knowing that it was her actions that brought it about. She felt no less love for him and maybe a new respect was born. It was a respect that Charlie demanded. Shortly after they had reached their new accord, Charlie returned to Layla's bed and they made love again. Layla had missed him so much that she was willing to do anything he asked. There were several new demands but none Layla found objectionable. As she assumed the position for one of the new positions Charlie liked, she wondered where he had learned it. She lost her thought as Charlie entered her. All she could think of then was how wonderful it felt to be so full. Layla found a new job and stayed with it for only a year before she became pregnant with their second daughter. Charlie suggested Patricia for the name, Patty for short. Layla was surprised and asked Charlie where the name came from but Charlie simply smiled and said it was a name from the past and one that brought him pleasant memories. While Layla had her suspicions, she pushed them back and agreed with his choice. She wondered again, as she had for the past year where Charlie went that night. He would only smile when she asked, much as he smiled when she asked about the name Patty. The end.