Edited by Curtis. Thank you, Curtis.
Chapter Eight (Final):
Wendell stood at the kitchen sink finishing the last of the washing up. He
untied his apron, carefully folded it and then placed it on the bench, but
instead of going into the bedroom, stripping off all his clothes and slipping
his collar around his neck as he usually did, he took a deep breath and began
preparations of a different kind. He took a quick shower to freshen up, combed
his hair and tidied up before dressing in his best suit, a fresh shirt and a
silk tie. As he fidgeted with the button on the collar, he wondered how Marie
would be coping at the office. Very well he suspected. She was intelligent and
capable. Yes, everything would be running smoothly. He finished, straightened
his tie and stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning slightly to one
side, his shoulders back and his head held high, checking his appearance.
On any other day he would lay naked across the bed, and wait patiently for his
mistress come home. Today, however, was different. Instead, he stood tall,
walked into the sitting room and sat quietly on the chaise-lounge. Fiddling with
the cuffs of his suit, he thought through the past few months' events. It would
take all his inner strength, but Wendell now knew exactly what he had to do.
Yesterday, it had all come to a head. Max Avery had called him into the office.
At first he had thought the reason was to ask Wendell to return to work. Marie
was capable, but he was sure she couldn't be running things as well as he did.
In fact, Marie had been there, sitting next to the empty chair in front of Max's
large desk, when he arrived.
"Please, sit down," Max told Wendell when he entered. "I had a little chat with
Shondra yesterday. I understand the two of you are ... " he hesitated and gave
a little frown. He obviously didn't approve of couples living together outside
the sanctity of marriage, "I understand you have moved into her house."
"Yes, that's correct," then as if trying to shift the blame, he added, "it was
Shondra's idea."
"Well, I didn't bring you here to discuss your living arrangements. She tells
me you're not well. You're still experiencing a lot of..." again he hesitated,
"... nervous tension. Why, that business with poor little Marie here..." His
voice trailed off as he glanced down at Marie. "Oh, never mind, you know what
I'm talking about."
Marie clasped her hands demurely in her lap and gave a seemingly embarrassed
little smile, as she gulped and looked down. She knew exactly what he was
talking about, and what had really happened, but she certainly wasn't about to
let Max know. It amused her that he treated her in such a protective and
fatherly manner, and it was the perfect way to manipulate a man like him.
Wendell swallowed hard and tried to think of how to answer. Obviously Shondra
had been telling Max all about his recent little mishaps and he had no doubt she
would have embellished each one to suit her own needs.
"Well, I suppose what I'm trying to say, Wendell, is - you've been with the
company a long time now, but clearly the pressure is just getting to be too much
for you." Max stood up, walked over the window and gazed out.
Marie grinned at Wendell, sliding her hips further down in the chair and
spreading her legs wide open to reveal - she wasn't wearing any panties - before
quickly closing them again and sitting up. He blinked. She winked. Max never
saw a thing.
"Marie, here, has been doing a fine job while you've been away." Max turned
around and smiled down at the picture of innocence sitting there, then he
continued, " So what I'm proposing is that you resign and let her take over your
position. Oh, of course you will be well taken care of financially, Wendell,
don't worry about that. I think too, it's time for the firm to move with the
times. A young woman, like Marie, in a position like this will give the
organization a modern image. It will let people know we don't discriminate on
the basis of age or sex in our organization."
Wendell was dumbstruck. 'She's got the old fool exactly where she wants him.
He's fawning over her like a love struck schoolboy,' but his reply to Max was
far more carefully thought out. "I'm sure Marie is very capable, but I urge you
to think this through first, Max."
"I have and my mind is made up, Wendell."
'Fucking women are taking over the world, and they had to start with me!' he
thought as the frustration swelled up inside him.
Wendell shook his head and closed his eyes. The decision had been made and he
had no say in it. He was merely a pawn in this little game. Marie would take
over his job, and have all the work and responsibility, while Shondra, in the
lower and less pressured position, would be in total control of her. Meanwhile,
Marie obviously had Max wrapped around her little finger. Brilliant! Through all
his frustration, Wendell had to admit Shondra's strategy had been played out
well. She was clever and cunning, and he couldn't help but admire her for that.
Wendell's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the key turning in the lock
of the front door. He braced himself. The sound of her sharp heels clicking on
the hard floor of the hallway followed, then stopped for a moment - she was
checking the bedroom. They got louder again as she approached the sitting room.
His hands felt sweaty as he looked down, clasping and unclasping his fingers.
The clicking stopped and he looked up to see her standing at the door. Her legs
were spread wide and her hands on her hips. "What the fuck do you think you're
up to, Wendell? You know you you're suppose to be naked and collared when I get
home."
Wendell felt his pulse racing, his heart thumping in his chest and tiny beads of
sweat beginning to form on his forehead. This was it. He simply had to do it
now before he lost his nerve.
"Shondra, please, we need to talk. We really do."
She tilted her head and gave him a quizzical look.
He stood up, his legs were shaking but he managed to stumble over to her.
Dropping down onto one knee, he took her right hand in both of his. He looked up
at her. At first the words choked in his throat, then with pleading eyes he
managed to beg, "Shondra, please. Will you marry me?"
For the first time, since he had met her, she appeared stunned and speechless,
then a little grin crept over her lips and she replied, "Well of course I will,
what a splendid idea!"
* * *
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