by Damien Dsoul
He kicked his feet out of his slippers and sat down on his favourite reclining couch and sighed into his hands. He rested his head and shut his eyes for a moment. All he saw behind his eyelids were explicit images of April wrestling in the arms of another man. He pictured her locked in the wanton arms of a brutish black man who set about ravishing her like she was nothing to him except a sex toy. Everything he imagined seemed way off from his feelings: all juxtaposed with what he had imagined when he watched the video of Jenny getting banged. To think that such actions had happened to April... he just could not wrap his head around it.
“Howard.”
He forgot that his hands were shielding his eyes and he thought he had imagined his name been called out until he pulled his hands away and saw April standing beyond the living room standing in a silhouetted frame by the light coming from the passageway. She ventured into the living room calling his name again.
“I hear you,” he said.
She came and stood beside him. He could not make out her face in the darkness and figured neither could she of his.
“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go and get some sleep.”
She took his hand and he did not make any fuss at resisting. Howard let her pull him to his feet and went with her upstairs.
They returned to the bedroom and this time it was April who shut the door while Howard went without a word to his side of the bed and sat down and slipped his feet out of his slippers before getting into bed. April switched off the lights before coming to join him. She murmured good night to him; Howard did not respond. He turned over on his shoulder with his back towards her and she too did the same. Except for their breathing neither bothered turning over. April hugged herself under the sheets grappling with her thoughts lost in speculation whether to turn and comfort him. But then again she was afraid of starting a fight she foresaw would not end till morning. She opted leaving him alone instead and forced herself into sleep. Howard, too, lay on his side feeling lonesome and yet lost in his sweltering emotions. He kept looking over his shoulder, almost expecting April to come to him. He barely knew when sleep took over and swept everything else from his mind.
Chapter 3
Morning came and except for perfunctory ‘good mornings’, ‘what would you want for breakfast’, and other mild-mannered stuff there still was not much conversation between them. Unlike previous days there was little to no talk this time at the breakfast table; their son, Carl, did much of the talking for them whenever they attempted communicating with him. Howard ran through his meal even though he was not that hungry. He got up when he was half done and wore his jacket from where he had draped it over his chair. April was throwing stuff in the kitchen sink when Howard picked up the day’s newspaper where he had left it on the table to take his leave. April left what she was doing and went after him as he was heading for the front door.
“Are you going to be early or late today?”
Howard detested the tone in her voice and for a moment a flare of anger arose within him as he knew she was subtly digging at him for preferring to ignore her. He almost thought up a sharp retort were it not for Carl who had left the kitchen and was coming to see him off.
“That supposed to mean anything?” he asked in his not so gentle voice.
“No. I just want to know if you’re gonna be this way from now on or if it’s some phase thing with us.”
Howard terribly wanted to unleash harsh words upon her but chose to grit his teeth instead. April saw his jaw clench and knew her words her struck bone. She could not help relishing the pain he was going through, even though it was her fault.
“If you’re mad at me for what I did, just admit to it instead of keeping mum about it.”
“We’ll talk more about it later,” Howard said with a tight voice. “Right now I’ve got to go to work.”
Carl waved at him as he headed towards his car. April took her son’s hand and led him towards the driveway to wait for the school bus soon to arrive. She watched Howard get into his car and reverse out into the street. He proffered her a smile and waved back at Carl before driving off. April looked the other way and saw the school bus approach. She stepped back onto her lawn and swept hair from her face just as the bus drew to a stop near her driveway and the doors eased open for Carl to get inside. She waved at him one last time as the doors shut back and the bus then drove off.
April returned into the house and spent a couple of minutes in the kitchen getting rid of the dirty dishes before heading upstairs. The doorbell sounded while she was changing her son’s bedsheets and she left what she was doing to hurry downstairs. The doorbell went off a second time before she got to open the door to find it was Jenny.
“Hiya,” said Jenny. “How’re you doing?”
“Hi, Jen,” she shut the door after letting her inside. “I’m sorry but things aren’t looking rosy for me. Not since last night.”
“Yeah, I got the gist. Dave told me how Howard came by looking pissed.”
“Did they get into any fight?”
“Not really. I was asleep at the time. Dave told me he managed to calm him down though. What really happened?”
Both friend went upstairs where April resumed changing the sheets while Jenny sat down and waited for her to begin.
“I could not hold back my fears anymore,” April admitted. “I tried but all through yesterday I realised it was a waste. I woke Howard up and told him everything.”
April finished with the bed then sat down and narrated to Jenny about finding the DVD in Howard’s pants, the same copy she had filmed of Jenny and the fear that plagued her wondering how Howard came about it.
“Dave mailed a copy to him a couple of days ago,” Jenny explained. “He told me since then Howard has been bugging him about it.”
“Would have saved me a world of trouble if you’d told me that before, don’t you think?”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to but I thought you’d have freaked out. Dave was trying to find a way of talking to him about it. We honestly thought things would have been easier if we did.”
“Some ease that turned out. You still should have told me, Jen. I probably never would opened up if I’d known.”
“I didn’t mean any harm; I’m really sorry.”
“No, you didn’t, which was why I called you yesterday. All the secrets just sort of got to me and I kept thinking what would happen if and when he finds out. One way or another, he would.”
“How did things go this morning? Is he still mad?”
“He is, but how much mad I don’t know. He’s got every right to be though.”
“Dave told me he seemed kinda moved from watching the movie. You remember that day at my son’s birthday? They met and talked about it.”
“Well, now the cat’s out of the bag, what happens next? What do you think I should do?”
“I think you’ve done enough already,” Jenny said. “It’ no reason for you to sit here all day feeling miserable with yourself. That’s part of why I came here. What I think we should do is go out and have ourselves some fun.”
“You got a plan?”
“I haven’t got just one plan but two,” Jenny was all smiles. “Two old-time clients of mine. I like to think of them as old hound dogs that never give up their fantasy life, know what I mean? Anyway, there’s at this club and they want us to meet them.”
“Meet them at a club today?”
“I wish. But no, it’s all set for later this week. They’ll be flying into the city soon and they’ll contact Dave to let him know when. We’re crime partners now so we’d better start thinking and working as one, don’t you agree?”
“You’re fucking insufferable, Jen. With everything that’s raging in my life you still want me alongside you?”
“You weren’t no fluk
e when you had your first taste of black cock. You need someone taking care of that body of yours, making sure it doesn’t go to waste. Someone like Max,” she added with a wink. “Have you heard from him since?”
“Last time we spoke he said he was travelling on business. He said he’d give me a call when he returns. I know it’s wrong, but why do I feel like I’m falling for him?”
“That’s the danger zone you’re gonna have to watch out for. It’s hard keeping the sharks at bay; all horny sharks smell pussy, married or not. But every hot-wife needs stability. That’s what you’ve got Howard for.”
“Yeah, right. Howard probably won’t think hesitate throwing divorce papers at me if ever he gets to find out about Max.”
“Did you tell him about Max last night?”
April shook her head.
“Well, don’t sweat it, dear. What’s done is done. Howard will come around, I believe he will. But till then, we’ve got our own business to take care of.”
April said nothing; her face was a mask of contemplation. Jenny continued to press on.
“These guys I want to introduce you to, they aren’t the average type like the ones we met at that motel.”
“What are they, mobsters and pimps?”
“Just regular boring business guys. They told me is they’ve got a treat they want us to perform and for the club we’re going to meet them, they’ve booked the joint just for themselves on that day. It’s going to be wild, I tell you.”
“I don’t know, Jen. My mind isn’t yet settled on everything. I don’t know if I’ve still got it in me to go on with this life.”
“Yes, you do know,” Jenny rose to her feet. “You do know and you will come and have some fun with me. And I’m gonna take you along if I have to drag you along. Howard’s never going to divorce you over some trifle stuff. Sure, he’s upset right now, and he’ll get over it. I even kinda like it that you told him about it. Beats the risk of you sneaking behind his back all the time.”
“You make it sound like you know what he’s thinking.”
“I’m not new at this, remember. These things sometimes start off on the wrong foot. But it’s nothing to get hung over about. Quit kicking yourself and get over and come have some fun with me.”
April broke into a chuckle. “Gosh Jen, I’m turning into you every hour I spend with you.”
“Come on then, let’s get done here and go raid your kitchen. I can use some breakfast right now. First we eat, and then later I’ll tell you how we’re going to work to seduce Howard for good.”
Jenny pulled her friend to her feet and together they left the room.
Chapter 4
Becca Simmons knew something was bothering her boss. She could not tell for obvious reasons except all feminine intuition told her something weighted heavily on his mind this morning that had not been there yesterday or the day before and before then. Usually whenever he showed up for work he was all jovial with his morning felicitations; today, he had barely made like he noticed her when he strutted past her desk into his office. She had been his secretary for two years and thought she knew him intimately enough to know that he was upset about something.
She ran through several clichéd scenarios on her mind while she went through a final company policy draft he had demanded her to look into a couple days before. Possibly it had to do with family: his son was having issues with school... drugs. Nah, sounded way too easy. Only thing that clicked in her mind was it had to do with his wife. That brought crooked warmth to Becca’s lips as she continued typing on her computer. This could definitely be the possible opening he had of cracking her boss’s exterior to get at him.
She printed out copies of the document when done working on it and stood up from her chair and stretched her limbs. She was twenty-three years old, average height, shoulder-length chestnut hair with long eye lashes and a round face. Her eyes were turquoise and she loved batting her long eye lashes especially to catch the attention of someone such as her boss, Howard McLauren. Her worrisome gripe regarding her body features was that her breasts were not big enough to appear eye catching. Still her push-up bras made a little compensation for that.
She knew it was wrong but she could not hide from her most pressing desire and that was the chance of spending a terrific evening in bed with her boss. The thought had weight on her mind for so long it was surprising she had bided her time waiting for an opportunity to angle a way of grabbing his attention. Not that she had not tried before. She had sent him tempting gifts on his birthday, simple stuff intended to help pass the idea that she was so available.
And still it was wrong.
The thought of fucking her boss was an entirely bad idea. A good thing she had her secret all to herself. Her hand touched her collar while she continued speculating whatever means to apply to successfully nab his attention.
The copy machine made a pinging noise to indicate it was done printing her document. She scooped the printed papers and arranged them into a file folder. She went and knocked on her boss’s door before entering.
Howard sat forward at his desk writing on a long note while glancing up at his computer screen. He did not look up to observe Becca approach.
“Here’s the new policy document you wanted for your upcoming board meeting,” she presented him the folder.
“Uh, oh yeah, that board meeting, how can I ever forget. Just drop it down on my desk. Thank you.”
He was still writing away and not looking up at her. Becca did as he wanted and turned to leave but then stopped to note the time on her watch.
“It’s soon going to be lunch break. Would you mind if I get you a sandwich and soda?”
Howard was not listening; his face was still buried at his work on his desk.
Howard’s door opened and it slammed against the back loud enough for him to finally look up to see his company President and overall boss Steve Ailes shuffle his rotund frame into his office, beaming a wide smile. Howard’s air conditioner was in good working condition and yet his boss was sweating as if he just walked out of a sauna. No matter how cold it was, Steve was always sweating. He pulled out a handkerchief from his breast pocket to dab his brow and bald-plate. Howard came from around his desk to shake his hand. Becca stepped backward and made like she was not in the room with them, not like they seemed aware of her presence.
“Morning, Howard,” Steve slapped Howard by the shoulder then returned his handkerchief to his pocket. “How’s everything going today?”
“Going just fine, Steve.” His boss was an affable gent who loved nothing but being on first-name basis with his firm’s junior partners. It was not often he left his fifth floor office to walk lower-tier hallways, but when he did, you knew it was something important. In this case, what was important was the presentation Howard had to give to the firm’s senior partners in two days.
“How’s thing going with your...”
“Just fine,” Howard answered. “I’m still going through my brief, but we’ll be ready.”
“That’s good to hear. This just might be the leg up you’ve been looking for. Well, I’m not going to take up your time; just thought I’d drop by and wish you all the best on it.”
Howard escorted him out of his office then returned to his desk, his feature resumed its cloudy outlook as before. Becca came forward once again.
“Sir, I said can I get you-”
“Look, I don’t care what you want, okay?” he snapped. “Go have your lunch break and leave me alone, please.”
Becca, thrown off by his response, lowered her head and left his office. She wore her jacket and threw her purse and office keys into her pocket and was about leaving when her intercom started to buzz. She pressed the answer button and Howard’s apologetic voice spoke from it.
“I’m sorry about my manne
rs, Becca,” he said. “You’re right, a sandwich and a soda will do just fine for me. Even better make it two. Thank you.”
“No problem,” she replied.
Becca was all smiles as she left the office. She had her lunch at a Starbucks less than a block from the office and while she was there ordered a turkey sandwich, a bag of fries and soda for Howard which she brought back with her office. She knocked at his door and entered his office. He was not behind his desk and her first thought was that he had somehow changed his mind and left on his own for lunch. Then she came further into the office and saw him relaxing on a lounge chair beside his window. He had a lethargic look about himself; Becca felt her heart bleed at the way he slumped on the chair. Whatever crisis he was going on, she intended getting to the bottom of it.
“I brought you these,” she took out the turkey sandwich and everything she had purchased out of the paper bag she carried and laid them on a coffee table beside him.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it,” he said as he pulled the table towards him.
“I don’t mean to pry, but is everything all right?”
Howard took a bite off his sandwich and grunted what seemed like a chuckle. He reached for a napkin to wipe his mouth when he got done swallowing.
“It’s no problem,” he said. “Just a little... it’s something you wouldn’t understand.”
“I’m willing to if you care to let me in on it.”
“That’s the problem. I might not even know how well to explain it to you, or if really I should. It’s more of a private thing really.”
“It might help if you get it off your chest,” she suggested. “And I promise not to tell anymore,” she added
Howard laughed at that. “You’re seriously wanting me to trust you with that?”
