33 comments/ 80094 views/ 7 favorites The Truth at the End of the Day By: leapyearguy I've been told that I was born with a silver spoon. What exactly does that mean? Am I one of the privileged few? If this means having money, then I'm guilty. But don't admire or condemn me too quickly, as you haven't walked that proverbial mile in my shoes. I can say with some certainty that although I may not have earned what I have, I paid the price. I continue to pay for the sins of my parents. I won't try to mislead you, I am not saying my parents were the only reason I am who I am, but that doesn't absolve them either. My grandfather made his money the old fashioned way, with backbreaking labor and sweat. If only the sweat were his own he may have been respected. He became rich riding the backs of poor and unprotected labor. He paid a man half of what he was worth, and twice what he would have liked. This leads us to my father, a man forced to do the bidding of my tyrannical granddad. He was treated as an employee rather than a son. He did work hard long hours, but he had a carrot on a string so to speak. He would inherit his father's millions. His handicap was a new generation, the generation of union workers and employee rights. His hard work and abilities led to his success in business. He learned how to handle the unions and the company prospered. Me, well I simply don't worry about my grandfathers business. I have others do it for me. There is an entire staff of highly trained and qualified managers to keep stuffing money in my pockets. The industry is booming, and we rake in more than our share. I will honestly concede the company thrives in spite of my lackluster efforts. You might think me a rich spoiled child, despite my thirty some years. You could be right, but it simply makes no difference what you think. I lead my life the way I see fit, your opinion of me is not my concern. I have become numb to the expectations of those around me. This as you will see, was not caused by my fortune. The cause was brought on by those closest to me in my life. Yes, my father, my mother and later my wife. My life began thirty eight years ago. I was brought onto this earth kicking and screaming, on a cold winter day. My father Robert Jr. christened me Robert III, for my grandfather Robert Sr. By the time I was born, Sr. had long since passed, leaving his business and fortune to my father to carry on. My "dad" worked hard to build his reputation as a hard-nosed businessman. He only married when he heard his biological clock ticking. The sole reason for his nuptial union with my mother would be me, an heir, to perpetuate the family name. My father married late in life at forty four, my mother was twenty. There was no room in fathers' life for me other than in name. He worked long hours, and I don't even really remember him. If you thought of your childhood memories, you probably will see many pictures of your father. Mental images of him at the beach or a picnic, perhaps at your graduation. I have no such memories. I learned many years after his death that his life was his business and the many mistresses he kept. My mother was for breeding only, a young wife to raise his child. She no doubt had loved him, but the love was never returned. My birth meant and end to romance for her. After a few years of trying to unsuccessfully persuade Robert Jr. to become a real husband to her, she let the alcohol and depressants comfort her. I was raised by a nanny, paid to see to my physical requirements. I was treated more as a possession than a loved member of the family. As I grew old enough, I was sent to the finest boarding schools. I went to, and was expelled from the best institutions money could buy. Military school was where I learned to accept what I was. I was an out cast, not wanted by my family. Not wanted in any way, but by the school for the money I could bring them. They were paid handsomely to keep me. I was disciplined to the point of conformity. They would not let me leave, nor let me act like the child that was thrown out of every other school on the East Coast. If they failed the school would lose their largest benefactor, my father. I saw life as it truly was. I was not to be valued for any contribution on a human level, but rather my worth was to be assessed by those that could profit financially from our relationship. I heard of my parent's death while in college. The facts were hidden from me at the time, but I would later discover the horrible truth. My parents died on the same day, in two seemingly unrelated events. The official cause of death, given at the time, for my father was heart failure. My mother's was listed as a motor vehicle accident. I would learn years later that a 9mm slug had caused my dads' heart to fail, and coincidentally my mother was in the room at the time. I would also find out that one of dads' many mistresses had also met with an untimely demise in the same bed, at the same time. My mother's death would prove mysterious as well. The speed of her Porsche was estimated at over 130 mph when it collided with a power pole. It would seem her blood alcohol level was a shade under the lethal dosage. Would your world have been shattered upon learning of your parent's death? Well, to be truthful it was very nearly the same as hearing two strangers had died. The spin control my fathers company launched made the event appear as two wholly unrelated tragic accidents. At the time no one questioned it, and to this day it is really of no consequence to me how they lived or died. Are you asking yourself, how anyone can be this heartless? I don't perceive myself as uncaring, simply indifferent. Do you cry when a stranger's death occurs thousands of miles from you? I think not. Certainly if a child dies through the actions of others you or I may shed a tear. But a cheating husband and a drunk driver will go almost unnoticed. At the young age of twenty, I was forced into the world of high finance. In military school I learned two valuable lessons. Loyalty and diligence will be rewarded, and poor performance and betrayal deserve severe punishment. These small bits of knowledge have served me well. The top-level administrators of my fathers company, no make that my company now, were ineffective and indecisive. A change was in order, so I made that change. I've trusted one man in my life, and only one. He was military, he was loyal and he always told me what I needed to hear not what I wanted to hear. He was the math teacher at the academy. John Miller was as close to a father as I had known. I had to beg to convince John to work for me. He had no use for industry, or the type of people that occupied the top positions. John was certain he would be in over his head, as he didn't know the business world. When I reminded him a General didn't need to know how to fire a rifle, but send the soldier who does to the correct location, he capitulated. Within six months he had things running like a well-oiled machine. The deadwood was hewn away, and the best of the best hired. John had succeeded and the business flourished. I was not really needed, but I continued to work. I needed a reason to get out of bed everyday. In spite of my lack of experience and aptitude, I did learn the inner-workings of my company, though I hardly needed to. I can't remember a time I had to make a decision in the presence of a subordinate. For all appearances I was merely a lame duck or limp dick, which ever you prefer. John made things happen, so I didn't interfere. In my first year after my parent's death, I was on my own, a totally new way of life, no nanny, no school and no direction. Left to my devices, I fell to despair. Like my mother, alcohol became my drug of choice. I drank to remember, and I drank to forget. Jack on the rocks became my only true friend. My friendship was a commodity others vied for, but Whisky Jack was the only one that asked nothing of me. I had little to do with the ass-kissers. Well the ladies, now that is a different story. Women threw themselves at my feet, so I gladly accepted the offer of their company. Sex was all I ever saw in these women, they had their agenda's and I had mine. To them, I was a penis attached to a checkbook. To me, they were little more than whores to be used and cast aside. It was a rare woman indeed that could hold my attention for more than one night. As I became recognized as the very rich young eligible bachelor about town, it was funny to watch the scurry of gold-diggers as I would enter a bar or restaurant. The flirting ritual would begin with a simple look, and soon progress to a full court press. I have never had to approach a woman, they are happy to do all the work for me. On many an occasion, more than one young beautiful lady claimed a spot in my bed at the same time. More than a few were willing to share, rather than leave me alone with another vixen. I was always willing to go to my bed alone, but rarely did. These nymphs were all willing, so why look a gift horse in the mouth? In school I was never more than an average student, but my studies at the University of Fornication would earn me a master's degree with honors. I applied my body and mind to the course work with unwavering diligence. Sadly though, it was the act I loved not the participant. Through the years of my twenties, I had scores of women try to get me to the altar. I had no desire to make that commitment. I was simply not interested in leading that lifestyle. Women had begged me, promised to overlook any tryst, for the opportunity to be my wife. It amazed me to think that a person would do that out of love, so I knew in the end it was money they sought. Shortly after my thirty-first birthday I met a woman that would change my views on marriage. She certainly was not the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, but there was something I could not identify that attracted me to her. There was a presence about her that held my attention, we had met, not at my usual haunts, but in small deli. For the first time in my life, I was forced to make the first move. Sitting at a window table eating her lunch, I was compelled to approach her. She invited me to join her as all the other tables were full. We shared a little conversation with our lunch, Chris, in fact worked for me, though I wasn't aware of it. As I've told you, I spent little time there and probably less time meeting the people that work for me. She knew who I was, though. Chris didn't have to tell me she thought very little of me, but it was evident. We finished our lunches with some inane dialogue and she excused herself to return to work. Try as I might, I couldn't get her out of my head. Chris intrigued me, a woman that didn't beg to fuck me seemed like a breath of fresh air. From what little I had learned of her, she was intelligent and independent. I vowed to find out more, I had a need to see her again. I returned to the deli everyday for a week, but she was never there. I made inquiries at work and found what department she was in. The next day just before noon I was at her desk. I asked her to join me for lunch. Chris declined my advance, she'd told me she just didn't have time that day. I walked away with out a word and returned minutes later with a bag of sandwiches from the deli. "I guess you don't take no for an answer." She said as she shook her head with the slightest smile. "That is my most endearing quality." I replied. "The way I hear it, you have few qualities outside the bedroom." "Well, a man must have a hobby." "Get it straight mister, I'm no one's hobby." She spat. "I am truly sorry for that remark, I suppose that I am not much at humor as well. Would you give me the chance to make amends?" "I doubt that would be a good idea." "Please, just dinner, I ask no more." "You are not going to take no for an answer, are you?" We made a date for dinner the following Friday. I would like to tell you we fell in love and lived happily ever after. We dated for months, but found little in common. I did find something in Chris, I found someone to talk to, very open and honestly. I had also slowed my drinking from a few bottles a week to a few glasses. Our dates became more like psychoanalysis than romance. We discussed what she wanted from life and just how fucked up I had become. Chris wanted a very normal life, career, love, marriage and kids. We would sometimes sit near my pool in the dark, stare at the stars and talk. I think we both saw that a romantic relationship would never come to us. One very clear night, while stargazing, Chris asked me a question that stunned me. "Rob, is it true what the girls say about you?" "Well, that depends on what they say, I suppose." "Are you that good in bed?" "Chris, I don't know how to answer that. I mean, how do I know how good any other man is? I guess you are going to have to take their word for it. Why Chris, does it matter how much experience I have?" "Well, I talked to a few girls at work. They all say nobody does it better than you. I was wondering Rob, could you teach me." "You're kidding me, right?" "No Rob, I've only been with one man. He was a boy, more accurately. So I'd like my next time to be with a man I trust, and knows how to make me feel special." "This really doesn't sound like you Chris." "The truth is Rob, my sister saved herself until her wedding night. She was so disappointed after waiting so long. She dreamed of Prince Charming and she feels like she shouldn't have gotten married now. I talked to her last week and she told me she was having an affair. Rob, she plans on getting a divorce. I just need to know for myself, I don't want to end up like her." "Chris, I love you, I love you like a sister I guess. Is it normal for someone to fuck their sister?" We both saw the idiocy of my statement and burst out in laughter. "Well Rob, you are at least getting better at humor. But seriously, would you make love to me?" "If you're sure this is what you want, Chris? I'd do almost anything for you, but the last thing I want to do is screw up our relationship any more than it already is. You must know that after the first few dates I never have expected us to end up in bed together. I value our time together, you're the only woman that expects nothing of me," "Rob, I really do want to. Like you said you don't expect me to sleep with you, which is why I trust you. We will go to bed with eyes wide open, with no commitments. I know you well enough to know in my own mind that I won't be another of your conquests. I also won't assume any emotional obligation on your part." "Ok Chris, please pack a bag, we'll leave Friday after work." "Why? Where? Rob I didn't..." "Chris, for you I want this to be special. Please pack for the weekend." Friday afternoon, Chris was terribly apprehensive. We flew to Lake Tahoe. I had arranged a lovely Chalet with a fabulous view, very romantic indeed. She is an extraordinary woman, I would bring my "A game" for Chris, and hopefully she would remember this weekend forever. We enjoyed a candlelit supper by the fireplace, a few glasses of chilled wine to set the mood. I took her to bathroom and bathed Chris very carefully, running my hands over her lovely skin, testing for her weak spots. I massaged her neck slowly and tenderly, alternating my fingers and lips. Moving down to her arms, I gently kissed the silky skin inside her elbow down to her wrist. I took it very slowly, as not to spoil the moment. My actions were making her coo and murmur. I continued now, reassured that she was pleased. Ever so gently I ran my finger tips to the small of her back, her low moans indicating a major erotic area for her. Chris had her eyes closed savoring each touch. She reached for my shaft, I gently moved her hand away. "Not yet Baby, this is about you now." I whispered in her ear, lightly caressing the lobe with my tongue. I worked my magic on her thighs, tenderly and lovingly. The softest of kisses downward to her knees, while lightly stroking her ankles and feet. Her anticipation was at its peak, she uttered low soft words of pleasure as I carried her to the bed. I took my time drying the wetness from her skin, taking great care as I moved the towel. Her eyes were begging me for release. I responded by lying next to her and pulled her body tight to mine. I covered her mouth with mine, kissing her with passion and urgency. Our tongues danced, she clutched me to her body. The fever was building as I stroked her breasts. My mouth circled her erect nipples, my tongue flicking lightly across the sensitive tissue. I moved slowly to her navel, kissing and gently biting her taut skin. Her breathing was deep and ragged, she was close to orgasm as my mouth trailed to her center. Her flower was in full bloom, swollen and red. Chris' bud was engorged and waiting to be plucked. The short fine hairs of her sex, glistened with her moisture. Slowly I kissed the outer lips, savoring her scent. My tongue ran from her puckered hole to little clit, moving in a spiral motion as my hands clasped her thighs. Chris called out my name over and over. "Oh Rob, Oh Rob, yes, yes, OH Rob," and she convulsed with spasm after spasm. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling my face tightly to her beautiful sex. Chris laid relaxing and regaining her breath. I slid in close and held her to me. Without a word I let her drift off to sleep, secure in my arms. The day had been long and tiring for us both, but I didn't sleep right away. I watched Chris in wonder, admiring this special woman next to me. I awoke early to find Chris sleeping peacefully at my side. I prepared some coffee and returned with two mugs. She was lying nude, stretching as a cat would as I walked through the door. "Did you sleep well, Baby?" I asked "I wish I could sleep like that every night." She yawned, and then she smiled. I handed her the mug and bent to kiss her forehead. I slipped into bed with Chris and enjoyed our closeness. The thought of being with Chris every day made me smile, but I would not tell her. I know she has hopes and dreams that I don't fit into. I really could not let on that I was now hoping for more from her. "What's that silly smile for, Rob?" " I'm just enjoying my coffee." I lied. Chris slid next to me and started running her fingers through the hair on my chest and stomach. She put her lips to my left nipple and circled it with her tongue, making it painfully stiff. She pulled back and blew cold air where her lips had been, with the increased sensation my nipple grew more erect. My cock grew to its full length and girth, I was as hard as I ever remembered. Chris then straddled my waist, her wet pussy in contact with my hardness. I pulled her body to me and we kissed, our lips and tongues exploring. She rocked her hips, my shaft gliding across her open slit. Slowly at first with the rhythm building, my hands roaming her lower back down her ass to her drenched sex. Minute after minute the tempo increased. I had two fingers buried deep in her now, massaging her G spot. Chris was dripping wet by now. I could feel her liquid spreading across my pelvis. I pulled my fingers to our mouths, both of us now tasting her essence. The taste fueled her desire as my fingers returned to her tight pussy. I gathered some lubricant from her sex and rubbed it on her anus, pushing gently in with my finger. Both of my hands now inflaming her passion as they probed her center. I rolled Chris to her back, and positioned myself on my knees between her spread legs. With one thrust I was buried to her cervix. With the next she started to climax. By the third stroke Chris was experiencing he first orgasm by penetration. She growled like an animal as her finger nails pierced my skin. Wave after wave as I continued my pounding. I pulled out as my seed boiled from the end of my cock, shooting ropes of creamy fluid onto her body. There were lines of sperm radiating from her mound to her chin. The Truth at the End of the Day I collapsed on her, we hugged in the afterglow. Our bodies wet with the efforts of passion. We showered together, Chris exploring a man's body fully for the first time. She learned where to touch and kiss, and reveled in the experience. And more than earlier I longed to be with Chris forever. I had fallen in love with the one woman that would say no to me. Yes we were lovers, but Chris was using me now to learn how to love someone else. I had shunned people all my life for wanting me for their own gain. I suppose you could make the argument that Chris was only indulging me for her benefit, but I looked upon it as a chance for Chris to possibly fall in love with me, as I had with her. It was an opening, albeit a small one, to gain access to her heart. We spent the day walking along the shore of the lake, enjoying each other. Holding hands, talking about nothing important, and just spending the day together. That night we made love, slow and sensual. I can never remember a time in my life to compare. If I were to never see Chris again, I will recall this day with her until I die. We returned home the next day. I sensed sadness in Chris and asked her about it. She skirted the issue, talking but not giving an answer. As I dropped her at her door, she kissed me and ran to her apartment. There was a tear in her eye as she left my car. I tried to call her later, but she never returned my call. That was to be the last time that I saw Chris for years. Chris had disappeared, leaving me with no way to contact her. I won't tell you I didn't miss Chris, I did terribly. She was truly the only person I had let into my life. But we had agreed that our time together would mean no strings, she owed me nothing. I would learn to live without her. Other women didn't interest me, I had decided to travel for a while to get my head back in the game. Two weeks after my weekend with Chris, I left town. I really had no destination in mind, I would go as the mood dictated. I moved about the world for three months before returning home. I was over Chris about as much as I would ever be. I proudly had left Whiskey Jack on the shelf. I dated but not nearly as much as I had BC "Before Chris". In my minds eye none of the more beautiful or wild women compared. I had resigned myself to spending the rest of my days as a bachelor. But again something unexpected happened. I was driving home from work one evening, I was waiting behind a car at a stoplight. As the light turned green and I started to move, a flash from my right side caught my eye. I hit the brakes, not in time to avoid hitting the woman running in front of my car. I quickly called an ambulance and police to the scene, and exited the car to tend to the woman. She appeared to have a broken leg and a few scrapes and bruises. She was alert and telling me how sorry she was. I tried to calm her and told her not to worry. Offering to call her relatives for her, she asked me to call her mother. I made the call and promised to let her mother know more after the paramedics arrived. An unusual start to a relationship it was. I had offered my services to her and her mother in any way they needed. I did take her mother shopping, as she didn't drive. Anne didn't want to impose, but I drove her to her doctors and to rehabilitation. I felt responsible, though the police had pronounced it an accident. Anne didn't come on to me like other women did, it reminded me of Chris. After months of recuperation, Anne's cast was removed. I asked her and her mother out to supper to celebrate. I think her mother was instrumental in Anne's acceptance. We went to dinner together, the three of us. We danced a little but that was awkward for Anne, I danced with her mother as well. When I took them home, they both had kissed me thanking me for the help over the last few months. There was something to Anne's kiss that left me wanting more. We began to see each other on a more regular basis. To explain Anne in one word, well, I suppose the word would be timid. This on its own was not what was strange to me. Where I had seen Anne as an introvert, I was confused after our first time in the bedroom. I have had women of all shapes and sizes, from virgins to whores. I felt I was as experienced as one could be, but Anne, she had an aptitude for sex. I could not believe the things she could do or the positions that we tried. We soon married, but not solely from love on my part. Have you ever done anything stupid? And when someone asked you why you had done it, your answer was, "It seemed like the thing to do at the time." Well, this was why I had married Anne. Years had passed, and Anne proved to be a good wife. She was the trophy on my arm at company functions, she was the ultra-whore in the bedroom. She cooked and kept house, I had offered to hire help, but Anne preferred not have strangers in the house. I was frankly ok with this, I was around money my whole life and was not impressed with the lifestyle. I wanted a more modest existence, so I had sold the mansion my granddad had built, many years earlier. Well, now that you've sat patiently and let me ramble on about my miserable life, let's get on to why you all came here. Yes, the juicy part, this is where I find my loving wife has betrayed me for another man's love. The part of the story where the poor bastard learns he was not man enough for his woman. His life is crushed and he can't go on with out the love of his life. The wife loves the husband but she needs a twenty-six inch cock, as big around and the same color as the tires on your car. Well my friends, that shit simply ain't happening here!!! This story isn't about that crap. This story is about greed, pure and simple. It is money that turns people into blood thirsty predators. I first learned of Anne's betrayal the same way most cheating wives are caught, carelessness. At work one afternoon I was bored as usual. Remember me, the guy that doesn't have to work, so I don't. Yeah well, I was hanging out at the office wondering what Anne was up to. Do you have any idea how many things you can do with a computer? So anyway, with a few mouse clicks I had accessed my home network. The home surveillance is tied in to the network. I think you get the idea now. Anne was sitting in the kitchen drinking an iced tea with two slices of lemon. My camera setup is that good, I could probably count the number of ice cubes if you really needed to know. I noticed she wasn't alone, a few more clicks and I had my lawyer on screen. Bill Larsen, he was a real piece of work. I hated him to no end, but he was the best attorney money could buy. I when I say buy, I mean that prick would do anything for a dollar. I had tuned in just as he was getting up to leave. I had no idea what they talked about, but it looked to me like it was over. I changed cameras as she escorted him to the door. At the door Bill grabbed Anne and pulled her to him, he bent down and kissed her mouth. Anne didn't seem too pleased and was struggling with him. She managed to push him away, and then slap his face. I heard her words. "You low life prick, I wouldn't fuck you for any amount of money. I'll go along with your idea but if you ever touch me again I'll cut off that thing you call a dick and feed it to you. Now get out!" "The game is afoot," said Sherlock Holmes to Watson. Well, I didn't know anybody named Watson, so I was talking to myself. But the game was surely afoot. I had better get my head out of my ass and find out what is going on. You already know I'm no mastermind, when I find I need help what do I do? I hire the best to look out for my interests. John was the one to get the best, and he did. They were in my office in under an hour. Bullard Discrete Inquiries, Jeff and Paul, the men sitting before me. Thirty minutes of Q and A latter, they were armed with all the pertinent data to investigate my life from day one. With the information I had combined with the surveillance system in place, I could have found what I needed to know myself. But the thought of viewing hours and hours of video just wasn't my cup of tea. Investigating this myself would also take some time. Yes, I had the time to spare, but if you work while you are angry mistakes will be made. I felt that when I saw what I suspected was happening I would flip out. This would be difficult for two reasons. First I wanted no doubt as to what was going on before I reacted. I needed to know the whole story all at once to make proper decisions. And second and most importantly, if I was angry with Anne for something that I already knew, how could I act normally around her. I didn't want her to be suspicious of me. Well, I can't say that the plan of Anne and Bill's was what I had expected. Their plan was to turn me into the "C" word. No, not cuckold, the "C" word was corpse. The Bullards had uncovered the entire plot in only five days. This had me rethinking my reaction to the affair I had believed was going on. Divorcing Anne and firing Bill would hardly be enough punishment for their collusion. Shit! They were trying to kill me. It was not clear at first to Anne when Bill approached her to get rid of me. She told him she saw no good reason to divorce me. While the prenuptial agreement would provide her with enough funds to live on, it would not be as much as simply staying with me. As she told him that I wasn't a perfect husband, she still saw no reason to leave me. As he laid out the plan to kill me and the reality of my net worth sunk in, Anne's greedy side began to understand. She was still reluctant to commit to such an illegal and immoral act. The dollar signs soon won out, she could see herself as the grieving widow with more money than could be spent in ten lifetimes. Bill had made some horrible investments and was in deep financial trouble. He saw me as his ticket to riches and had no qualms with taking my life. It was all on video from the hard drive in my security system. They were planning to kill me as they set at my table, calmly plotting as if it were no more than a surprise party for me. Yeah, some surprise I thought. From the evidence the Bullards had accumulated to this point, there would be no problem getting a conviction for the both of them. Conspiracy to commit murder could put them in jail for life, and I liked this option for Bill. The idea of him living with thieves and murderers for the rest of his life appealed to me. Anne had metaphorically stabbed me in the back, I had never seen it coming. My so-called loving wife had betrayed me to the point I wished she had been fucking Bill. At least then I wouldn't fear for my life. I would have to watch her closely. My retribution would confound Anne, and leave her staring in shock and awe. I knew from the report the Bullards had given me, the murder would be soon. I had only two weeks to pull my ass out of the frying pan. I tried to remain calm around Anne, usually sleeping with one eye open. She seemed to be the same old loving Anne, and the girl could act the part well. By the end of the week my revenge would be set into motion. At noon Friday, I called the house and Anne answered the phone. "Hello." "Hi Anne, it's Rob." "Hi Baby, how's my lover today?" "Well, I'm a little tired but I'm good." "What's up?" Anne can you come to the office right away? I have a little surprise for you." "Sure Honey, I'll be there in twenty minutes, you know how I love your surprises." "Great, I'll see you in a bit." I hung up the phone and went to John's office. "John, she's on her way now. Is every thing ready on your end?" "Yeah, Rob, all set. You have about forty eight hours to get her out of the country." "How about Bill?" "The DA will have him arrested as he walks out of church on Sunday." "Good, Do you have the Bullards working on that other project?" "Yeah, They're on it." "John, why do you stick with me?" "What do you mean?" "Why have you stood behind me after all of these years? I don't understand why you didn't just leave me to the wolves." "I suppose Rob, that you looked up to me. It's a good feeling to be needed. Besides if I had left, I would have missed all that crazy shit that you seem to get yourself into. It's like free entertainment." "John, thank you." Anne arrived in my office minutes later. I am still unable to comprehend how she could act so normal around me. My god, if it were me that was conspiring to kill her there is no way that I could look her in the eyes. As apathetic as I am, she gets my vote for the least caring and most selfish person I have ever met. It truly was all about her. "So Rob, what's the big surprise?" "Well hello to you too, Anne." "Oh god, I'm sorry Baby. You know how I love surprises." "Yeah, you're going to just love this one." "Please don't keep me waiting, what is it?" she said as she sat in my lap and wrapped hear arms around me. "If you'll stop crushing my balls maybe I'll tell you." "Please, please, please." "Ok, come with me and I'll explain it to you on the way to the airport." "Airport? I'm not packed. Where are we going? What will I wear?" "Don't worry I took care of every thing. If I get my way you won't need any clothes." We were off to Paris. I told Anne only part of her surprise. I'd planned a little trip that neither of us would soon forget. I had carefully packed our bags the night before we had left. If I had told Anne about our trip and allowed her to pack her own suitcase, there was a chance she may have brought the pills she was intending to poison me with. If Bill had learned of this little jaunt, I'm quite sure he would have convinced Anne that it wold be the perfect opportunity to kill me. John had been the one to remind me of this. With the forensic sciences what they are today, the chances of their plan succeeding would be much greater abroad. My strategy would be to stay so close to Anne that she would believe we were attached at the hips. I would also plan to attach myself near her hips as much as I could. I didn't know when I might encounter another woman that could fuck like Anne. This may sound selfish of me to you, but with all due respect I still don't care what you think about me. While Anne was enamored with Paris, I have always thought it was over the top somewhat. The waiters are rude and condescending and the shopping overrated. Paris would be better if it were inhabited by the Dutch. I do have to say that the bread is good though. Our days were spent sight seeing. Our evenings were filled with fine restaurants and theatre. The nights oh yes the nights. I tried to wear the top four layers of skin off of my dick. I fucked Anne to the full extent that medical science would allow. Thank god for the little blue pills. For the first time since we had met, Anne begged me to stop because she was worn out. I did happen to get away from Anne early one morning to call John. I needed to know how things went with Bill's arrest. John told me it was the talk of the whole town. Bill was sitting in jail and his wife had refused to bail him out. He was crying like the little bitch he was. The arrest warrant for Anne was waiting to be served, the police were not very happy about my taking Anne out of the country. After a week of Paris, We sailed on a cruise ship to Scandinavia. We relaxed while enjoying the food and nightlife on the ship. Anne was in the pool as I watched her one afternoon. I was sitting in a lounge chair wishing things had turned out differently. She was good wife to me if you over look the part of her that wanted me dead. If only I could have loved her, instead of accept her as a convenience. This was probably my fault, not many women could live their lives in a union such as ours. I had so many women tell me they could before Anne, but I still don't believe they could do it happily. If only Chris could have given me a chance, just a chance. The cruise continued up the coast of Scotland. From there we traveled to a small port in Iceland, unbeknown to Anne this was our final destination together. After renting a car, we drove to a small resort about thirty miles inland. Anne questioned me about why we had left the ship. This was not the type of place she would have chosen for a vacation at all. Anne absolutely hated the cold, and after all she was a big city girl. I explained that I had been there before and wanted to see it one more time before we continued on our voyage. We had an early supper that evening in the hotel, as it was the only restaurant. We were shown our room, and I retired early. I told Anne that I would like to get up early the next day to see the sunrise there. I didn't sleep that night knowing what the morning would bring By dawn I had packed my bag, I included our passports and all of Anne's identification. I left her clothes and enough cash to support her for several months. As the sun rose over the tall trees of the nearby forest, I genitally woke my soon to be ex-wife. "Anne, wake up I need to tell you goodbye." "Whaa what, do you mean goodbye?" confusion was in her eyes. "Just what I said Anne, goodbye. I'm leaving you and returning home." I said with no emotion. "You can not be serious. You can't leave me in this shithole. Have you gone totally insane?" "No, I don't think so. As a matter of fact I think I have become a little wiser." "But why would you do this to me? And what makes you think that I will stay here even if you leave?" "That's easy my dearest wife. I have a little trouble with your plan that you concocted with that bloodsucker Bill. You see I'm not quite ready to die just yet. I really don't see anyway to forgive you for that. And as to why you WILL stay here, if you try to leave the country you are going to need a passport. There is a warrant for your arrest awaiting you back home. Also a federal warrant has been issued for fleeing to avoid prosecution. If you try to get a new passport you will be extradited back to face charges." "Please, there has to be a way." Anne was shedding tears now. "I'm afraid not. But you should know the funny part before I go. If you had asked for a divorce you would have gotten your half of the money anyway. You have always known that money doesn't mean much to me. I never intended to use the prenup, it was John that insisted on it." On the flight home, sadness filled my heart. Part of me wished now that Anne would have succeeded. Better off dead, this seemed to be my fate. At the very least, Anne would have enjoyed the wealth. My homecoming was bittersweet. I was still alive, but to what end? There was nothing to come home for, and certainly no one to greet me. Goddamn it, what a cruel joke my life was. That old adage about money not buying happiness must have been written about me. I filed for divorce as soon as I could. It would be simple, it was just a matter of time before they could declare abandonment. John had given me the only good news that had seen for quite some time. The Bullards had indeed come through again. I reminded myself to send them a note of gratitude along with the enormous check for their services. Chris was now living on the West Coast in a small northern California town. She was now a widow with a young daughter. Although I had no clue as to what I would say to her after all this time, I had to try. If the slightest chance existed, I must try. Time had been very kind to Chris. I can't remember her looking this good, in my eyes she had become the most desirable woman I had ever seen. She was genuinely happy to see me as well. We caught each other up to date on our lives. As we talked there was an under lying tension, neither wanting to break the barrier. I fired first, I had to know. "Chris, why did you run away from me after Tahoe?" The Truth at the End of the Day "It's complicated Rob, I don't know if I can talk about it." "Please Chris, I need to know." "I can't Rob. Its too painful to think about." "Did I do something wrong? I would never do anything to hurt you, let me make it right." "Oh god no Rob, it wasn't you. It was me, you were wonderful." "I don't get it Chris, you didn't do anything wrong. I was afraid that I was getting too close, that maybe I was pushing you too fast." "No Rob stop, I just can't talk about it." "Chris, I've got to know what happened. Just tell me please." "You still don't take no for an answer do you?" "No, and I'm not leaving until we settle this. I love you Chris, I want to know why." "You what? No Rob, don't do this." "Chris, I do love you. I have loved you all these years." "Oh god, you don't want me Rob. That's why I ran away. Not because you loved me, but I'm not what you think. The fact that you love me just makes it worse. I'm just like all the other whores, now I'm the worst one. Rob when we met I didn't want you because I thought you were an asshole. After a while I started to like you, and that complicated my feelings for you." "Are you saying you love me?" "No Rob, what I saw was a nice guy with money. I saw a chance to have a life with a rich man that could fuck. But when you made love to me that last night, I couldn't do that to you. You see, I was looking at you like all the others had. But I ran before I could hurt you." Chris was crying now. "Chris, It doesn't matter to me." "No Rob, now that you know about me, I can never look at you without feeling like I had betrayed you. It does matter to me, and it would never work. This is one time you will have to take no for your answer." I walked two steps and turned to look at my beautiful Chris for the last time. I read somewhere that there is a woman out there for every man. It may be true, but I feel like I had found and then lost that special woman. I will continue to search for woman to spend my life with, but my heart tells me that I will search in vain. If you think that money is the answer to all of you woes, think again my friend. While the money I have is connected to every heartbreak in my life, it was never the cause. People are at the center of your troubles. Can you dissect them completely from your life? Certainly not, you can only try to choose wisely with whom you let touch you soul. There is no store to buy love or friendship, it can only be earned through trial and error.