by Anthology
What the hell went wrong?
“Delilah,” I call out as I steamroll into my office.
Tossing my briefcase onto the leather couch, I quickly move to the mini bar set up along the far corner of the room. I need a drink before I can process any of this.
Where the hell is Delilah? I need my assistant and I need her now.
“Chad, I’m so sorry. I rushed back here, thought I was right behind you, but the driver and I got caught up in a bit of a traffic storm,” she responds in between short breaths.
“Sit,” I bark. “To have been right behind me, you should have been in my car with me and my driver.”
“Look, I said I was sorry. I didn’t lose the deal, you didn’t lose the deal. Don’t you dare take this out on me. We can’t help they changed their minds at the last minute. I had no idea Savannah’s firm was going to sneak in and pull that last chance change. None of us here could have known that. They weren’t on my radar to even consider a concern. I’m just as baffled by this as you.”
Leaning forward onto the granite countertop, my hands grip the edge so tightly my knuckles become white. My blood is boiling, I hate to lose. I never lose.
“Somehow we fucked up. I need you to do some digging and see what happened. That building and lot was ours. The plans were already set into motion for reconstruction. I’m completely lost as to what happened.”
Grabbing two glasses, I pour a generous portion and carry them over to the couches. As I hand Delilah hers, she downs it before I can even sit down.
“I know you hate to bring work home and all, but isn’t this something you could discuss with Savannah? I mean if anyone can . . .”
I stop her mid sentence as I lift my hand into the air before slamming back the warm amber liquor.
“Absolutely not, you know better than to even suggest such a thing. Never, and I mean never in our professional careers have we spoken of our deals, especially ones where we went up against the other. I need you to work on this. Savannah and I will be going out of town this weekend for our anniversary and I intend to have answers when I come back on Monday.”
“Relax, Killer. It was just a suggestion,” she says lifting her glass in the air indicating she wants another round. “I’ll see what I can find out, but I expect a little extra in my quarterly bonus for working all these weekends.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Just get it done,” I respond making my way back over to the bar for another drink.
As much as I want a clear head going home tonight, I’m not certain a sober mind is the best route to go. Her firm came out of nowhere on this deal. No one even knew we were putting in an offer. The lot has been abandoned for well over a year and the surrounding area needs more work than any firm has been willing to take on. Someone had to have shared our plans, but who?
“There’s our dynamic duo,” Donnie’s voice sounds within the walls of my office. “So, tell me how well the meeting went. When do we get to knock down some walls and break ground on the new building?”
“Umm, Donnie. You might want to silence your mouth. Now’s not a good time,” Delilah perks up.
Turning on my heels, I see my brother standing in the entrance of my office, an intrigued look splayed across his face.
“No,” he says in a confused tone. “Tell me it isn’t so. We had plans in the works and everything. That deal was ours.”
“For the love of God. You’re an idiot. Shut your mouth,” Delilah urges as she stands from the couch and gets in his face.
Her small frame barely stands tall enough for the top of her head to reach his chest. With her finger pointed out, she pushes him back up against the wall as obscenities fly from her lips. Delilah has been my assistant since day one. We’ve established a bond and trust that is very rare to find in this business. I know she has my back as I will always have hers. The fact that she’s verbally beating up my brother is just one of the things she does well.
“Delilah, sit your pretty little self down or go out to your desk. I have every right to talk this out with my brother. After all, I was scheduling all of our next steps with the contractors.”
“You are ridiculous. Chad, pour me another. I’d love to hear what he has to say about what went down today.”
I feel like I’m at a tennis match with these two, unsure who is going to hit the other in the head with the ball. I can’t help but laugh as I continue to watch the show playing out right in front of me. My mood may be complete shit, but I will say the interaction between these two is hilarious. If we all didn’t work so closely together, I’d tell them to go home and fuck it off already.
Needing to keep this day moving and rather than continue to listen to their nonsense, I pour all three of us a glass of scotch. Attempting to balance the glasses in my hand, I work my way back over to the couches as they conclude their argument and take a seat.
“So talk. What the hell happened?” he asks taking the glass from my hands.
“Honestly, I haven’t a clue. Delilah and I have been working on this sale for months. No one, and I mean no one, knew our firm was preparing a bid on the property. We ensured that we kept a tight lip so that the other city firms wouldn’t touch it. You know how important this build was to us. Losing it, now we are at a huge disadvantage for that area. We had plans, that section of town was going to go up as one of the fallen into a prestigious and risen area.”
I’m flabbergasted as the words leave my lips. Our team worked day in and day out on this. Between my assistant and me, Donnie and a few other partners this deal was in the bag.
“Do you think someone could have leaked the plans out to Savannah’s firm?”
Shit, is that even a possibility?
“If that’s the case, I’m outraged. We are such a close group. The partners of this firm pride themselves on their professionalism. We are known in the city for our skills and expertise in refining the city. Savannah’s firm doesn’t even touch lots such as this. I just don’t understand,” Delilah states, her face falling with devastation.
“If I can be blunt here, there are a few people that have been caught snooping around offices after the partners leave. I’m not one to call anyone out, but I’d keep a close eye on things for a little while. As far as this deal goes, don’t take it so hard, Chad. There are shit ton of properties that are in need of our purchasing power and reconstruction. No need to wrack your brains out on this, bigger things will come our way.”
Looking at my brother, his stand on this situation has me questioning his optimism. This deal was big for all of us. He leads the contracting division of the firm and I know how badly he wanted his cut. Something doesn’t sit well with me on this, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Chapter Four
There is only so much one man can take before he slams on the brakes and turns around.
The car ride to the mountains is made in complete silence. After our fallout from the other day, Savannah and I have barely uttered two words to one another. I’ve attempted to push past it at home, but her pride of the sale lurked its way through the front doors.
Nothing can be more difficult than having to deal with professional business matters between a husband and wife. Usually we can walk away and move onto the next topic of discussion, but not this time. I need . . . we need this weekend to be just us, no mention of the firms, no business.
Needing to break the silence, I attempt to begin a discussion.
“Tell me about this resort you found. I had Delilah look into some activities for us to do. Was there anything you wanted to do?”
“Ehh,” she responds, continuing to stare out the window.
“Ehh? There’s nothing you want to do?”
“Not really,” she remarks.
“Savannah, seriously. We are traveling hours away from home to spend some time together for our anniversary. What’s the point if you don’t want to do anything?”
“Chad, right now isn’t the best time for us to go away. To be hones
t why are we celebrating when you’ve been completely miserable the last few days? I’d rather not be hours away with a man who would rather be at home sulking over the fact his wife landed one of his biggest sales.”
Son of a bitch.
Typical Savannah to throw my defeat back in my face. She knows better. Is she trying to cause a full out war with me?
Silence again begins to fill the space between us. As the minutes progress, the tighter the buildup in my chest becomes. This feeling is one that has been lurking over the last year. It’s growing and becoming more frequent. Being in a relationship, a marriage at that, should be enjoyed not filled with anxiety.
“Exactly, I didn’t expect you to come back with a response. If you’d rather turn around and go home, I’m fine with that,” she spits out.
I’m fuming, bile rising in the back of my throat. In this very moment all I can imagine is spewing hatred back to her, but I won’t. It isn’t worth it and if we are going to be together, alone, for the next few days, I’m better off biting my tongue until the time is right.
For the rest of our journey, I stare at the road trying to decide if a battle with my wife is worth it. The loss of the sale will be weighing on me for who knows how long. I don’t want to fight with Savannah. We need to go back to where we once were, leaving the business side of our relationship at the office. I don’t want to cower to her incessant need to support the negativity, yet I want to enjoy my wife. I’d rather spend this weekend focusing on the two of us as a couple, not opponents in the board room.
If I give her time to settle her outbursts, perhaps I can figure a way to make this trip worthwhile.
As we approach the resort, I glance over to her. A look of excitement spread across her beautiful face. Her expression is contagious; I can’t help but smile myself. There’s hope after all and I’m not letting a moment of these next few days pass us by.
In the few hours since we arrived, I have been able to enjoy the woman I remember from our college days. Today, I saw a glimmer in her eye that I haven’t seen in a long time. She was carefree and full of life as we spent time skiing on the slopes and embracing the company of one another. Throughout dinner, we talked. The conversation flowed as if there was nothing standing in our way—not even the thoughts and hesitations of our relationship that typically plague my mind.
Now as the day is drawing to a close, we sit back and watch as the sun sets before us. Marveling in the sight before me, I pull Savannah in closer to my body while nuzzling her head into the crook of my neck. The smell of her sweet perfume lingers within the air. It’s moments like this that I want to treasure forever. There’s no need for arguments, no need to reminisce about the actions of our professional lives and no need to be anyone other than the two of us.
Wanting nothing more than to end this day on a perfect note, I escort the two of us back to our room. With desire coursing through my body, I pull her close to me and taste her lips with my own. Enticing the passion filling the space between us, a moan escapes her throat while her lips open and my tongue tangles with hers. My body erupts with need as her hands move to my belt, unfastening the latch and unbuttoning my pants. I reach behind her to unzip her dress, feeling the material of our garments falling to the floor. Her warm skin presses against me as my cock grows to life pushing against her most sensitive area. I can feel her heartbeat increase, the need for me to consume her intensifying as my lips trail kisses from her mouth, to her neck and down onto her breasts. With trembling hands, she runs her fingertips through my hair pulling on the strands as I continue to kiss, lick and nip my way down her body. I can’t wait a second longer, I want to taste her. Removing her panties, I lift her leg over my shoulder. The scent of her arousal sends my libido into over drive. With passion driving my senses, my tongue laps gentle circles onto her clit. Her legs start to shake with every flick of my tongue. Sucking her sensitive bud into my mouth, I insert two fingers into her warmth as her legs become weak. Quickening my pace, the sounds of her moans filter through the room. I know she’s close the louder she shouts and calls out my name.
“Come on, baby, give it to me. Give me everything.”
“Yes, God. Oh, God. Yesss!” she shouts as her walls clamp down against my fingers. “Jesus Christ, Chad, that was incredible.”
“All for you, Savannah. Everything I do is for you.”
She may have just experienced a mind blowing orgasm, but it’s not the last I plan on sharing with her tonight. Moving to stand, I wrap my arms around her and carry her onto our bed. As she lays sprawled out on the mattress, she looks as gorgeous as she did the first day I saw her. With her hair fanned out on top of the pillows, I run my fingertips along her face. Looking down at her, a smile spreads across her lips.
Tonight, I will show her just how much I love her.
Tonight, I will ignore the warning signs.
Tonight, I will worship every inch of my wife.
Tonight, will be a night she will never forget.
Tonight, she is all mine.
Chapter Five
One Year Six Months and Five Days Later
Present Day
Secrets can be hidden for only so long. It’s what you do with the information once it is thrown smack dab in your face.
My body shoots up into a seated position, a cold sweat pouring off of my skin. The nightmare that just ran through my sleep was so lifelike, so real. Every doubt, every sensation I’ve been trying to fight for the past three years flashed behind my closed lids.
I can barely catch my breath as I get out of bed and head into the bathroom. Flipping on the light switch, I squint my eyes until they can adjust to the brightness. Taking a step toward the sink, I turn on the faucet and splash cool water onto my face.
Fucking hell!
The rapid beat of my heart sends shock waves throughout my system as my shallow breathing quickens. I need to snap out of it, pull my shit together and realize it really was all just a vivid lure of my subconscious . . . or was it?
Taking in a few short, deep breaths, I stare back at my reflection in the mirror. My face is pale white, my eyes rimmed in red and my hair a scattered mess of dark strands. The closer I look at myself, the more I realize it wasn’t a nightmare at all. My reality has become my worst fear and after today, everything will be laid out on the table.
Moving back into my room, the empty bed calls out to me. I’m exhausted and don’t recall the last time I had a full night sleep. Things have been a tattered mess the last few months. After Savannah and I came back from our last anniversary trip, shit started to hit the fan. She began traveling more for work, spending late nights at the firm and before long we were avoiding each other at all costs.
Today is the day I’ve dreaded. I’ve overanalyzed, yet ignored what I knew very well was playing out right before my eyes. When Delilah presented me with the facts a year ago, I was shocked. I was in denial. I was angry. Nothing could have prepared me for what my assistant had shared with me.
Since that moment, I’ve fought my emotions and remained professional on the business front. I refused to cave or show any signs of weakness. I had to wait for the most opportune moment to present my case, to the truth I denied myself for far too long.
Falling down on the bed, I close my eyes in hopes of a few more hours of sleep. The rest of this day is going to tear me apart and I need to be alert. I have to have a clear set of eyes to do what I’m about to do.
A plan has been set into motion and all of the lies, deceit and secrets will be revealed.
Walking into my office, I’m mentally a soul torn away from a human being. Never in my life would I have imagined I’d be doing this. As I settle behind my desk, the stacks of evidence are neatly placed next to my computer. With dread creeping up my spine, I set my hand on my future.
“Chad?” Delilah’s voice echoes amidst the walls.
My head pivots in her direction, watching as she moves into the room.
“You look like hell and I mean tha
t in the most sincere way.”
“Thanks, I think. I don’t know that I’m ready for all of this,” I remark looking at the papers.
“Yes, you are and I will be right there next to your side. You’ve been through hell and it’s time to start your life over. I promise it will get easier. It will get better.”
“How can you be so sure? The life I’ve lived and loved has come crashing down and after today nothing will ever be the same.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what it has been like for you the past few months. Knowing everything we’ve known and having to keep up the front. You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
A knock sounds at my office door, both Delilah and I turning our glances to see my brother walk into the room.
“Morning,” he says moving closer to my desk. “Are we ready?”
“We sure are,” Delilah responds in a perky tone.
Her confidence gives me hope. It’s in this moment I can sense her reading my mind. She knows me better than anyone and right now I’m not certain I can comprehend a coherent thought.
Shit, this is really happening.
Needing to pull together my thoughts, I move from my desk grabbing the papers and sliding them into my briefcase.
“We better head to the lobby, the driver should be waiting,” I remark, refusing to make any eye contact with Donnie.
No weakness, I have to do this.
Mentally giving myself a pep talk, I move through the office, with both Delilah and Donnie following close behind me. Together we make our way down the elevator and into the awaiting car outside the lobby.
The journey to our destination is silent. As far as I’m concerned there is no need to discuss anything, at least not at this given moment. My nerves are flying through the roof, my palms are sweating and I’m about two tenths of an inch from losing my mind. If the business side of me wasn’t coaxing me on, I don’t know that I’d be able to do this.
