Secretary Number Five

by Bridy McAvoy

  He came into the house and called her name. She pulled her toweling robe tighter around her and ignored him. A couple of minutes later, she heard him on the stairs and then he knocked on the bedroom door.

  “What?”

  “Can I come in?”

  “If I said no?”

  “I need to talk to you. There’s been a development.”

  “I’m busy, but you can have a minute.”

  Simon opened the door and walked in. She saw he looked a lot brighter than he had the previous night, but she spoke first.

  “Thank you for the coffee this morning.”

  He shrugged. “I knew you were awake, but if you wanted to pretend to be asleep I wasn’t going to say anything. You look nice. Are you going out?”

  “I told you I was, and it’s none of your business.”

  He winced but remained silent.

  “You said you have news?”

  “Yeah, I have. Good news.”

  “Oh?”

  “The lawyers rang Jim this morning, and went before a judge this morning. Teresa doesn’t have a case, and her lawyers have advised her to drop it.”

  “That’s good for the company.”

  “It’s good for us too. The nightmare is over.”

  She almost threw the bottle of perfume in her hand at him, but thought better of it, mainly because it was expensive and her favorite. “You are kidding!”

  “No.”

  Simon seemed oblivious to the warning tone in her voice and took a step closer, then froze as his eyes registered her body language.

  “No, you are kidding, Si. If you come closer I’ll break your fucking arm and call it self-defense.”

  He stayed where he was. Although he too had done karate at high school, he had never pursued it with the zeal she had, and both knew who would win in a physical contest.

  “But…”

  “But nothing. Don’t you fucking get it? You…cheated…on…me. Not once, not just with one woman, but four—four, Simon. Four fucking whores. You think today’s lucky break with the lawyers means you’re off the hook and scot free?”

  His shoulders slumped. “I didn’t mean it like that…”

  “It’s how it came across. Shut the door on your way out.”

  “Please… Mia, I’m begging you, don’t go anywhere. We can work this out.”

  A very old song lyric came into her head. “Who do you think you are? Kenny Rogers? My name’s not Ruby.”

  He got the connection too. She could see it in his eyes.

  “Shut the door, please.”

  Simon sighed in defeat and headed for the door, and she felt a little sick at deflating him like that. Actually, his news was good news. No court case meant no publicity, and lifting that pressure would no doubt help the situation. He’d still cheated though, and it was time for her revenge.

  A thought struck her. If the lawyers had come up with that answer earlier, would she even have been told about any of it? Her lips set in a thin line as bile rose in her throat at the idea. Would he have kept the whole debacle quiet? Would he?

  * * * *

  A couple of hours later she was finally ready, her makeup flawless, her dark tresses teased into just the right pile on the top of her head, cascading down over one shoulder. The blouse was pulled tight across the top of her breasts by the fact she’d kept it off her shoulders, exposing a hint of braless cleavage. She’d been a little worried about going braless, but the strapless little number secreted in the car would give her the confidence she needed once she was away from the house. Simon would know she’d gone out without one on. That was enough. The skirt was sensational now she’d paired it with the stockings. There was a spare pair of those in the bag in the car as well, at Dayna’s insistence. The skirt she was wearing was desperately short, exposing at least a couple of inches of the lace elastic at the top of the stockings, even when she was standing. She’d tried sitting down a couple of times, and every time she’d exposed pale white thigh to the mirror. Thank God she was only going to wear it in front of Simon and then out to the car. The thought of actually walking into a bar in it made her heart pound and her breathing quicken—in absolute terror. Every time she moved, the zips seemed to open a little bit further too, increasing the exposure even more.

  Grabbing her keys and phone, she thrust them into her clutch bag and, taking a deep breath, she left the bedroom and walked downstairs. She hadn’t even reached the bottom of the stairs before Simon appeared in front of her. She could see he had a speech already prepared to give her but his words died on his open mouth as his eyes drank in what she was wearing.

  “Holy fucking shit!”

  She couldn’t suppress the giggle. She knew her outfit, outrageous as it was, would get a reaction, just not that much of a reaction.

  “I guess my husband likes my going out outfit?”

  He nodded, slowly, his eyes moving up and down her body, taking it all in. “Are you wearing a bra?”

  “Is it any of your business? No, I’m not.” She took another step toward him, conscious of the zips easing further open as she moved.

  “God, Mia, you look incredible. For two pins I’d…”

  “You’d what?”

  He opened his mouth and closed it again without speaking, then, as she continue to descend the last couple of treads, stepped back from her. “You can’t possibly be planning on going out dressed like that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because…”

  “Because nothing. I’ll dress how I like. I am not conforming to your version of how a wife dresses. I’m going to meat Dayna for a drink…”

  “Dayna?” The shock on his face was absolute.

  “Yes, Dayna, my good friend. We’re going to go out, have a drink, do some dancing and have a good time. Any objections? Actually, I don’t care if you do object. You sacrificed that particular right, didn’t you, on the end of your over-eager cock?”

  “You can’t go out with her.”

  “Why not? You label her a slut and I’ll break your freaking arm and plead self-defense for real this time.”

  “Jeez, you wear that and you’ll have to beat them off you.”

  “I know. That’s the idea. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late already.”

  Suddenly, he was standing next to her, his hands reaching out, grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face him. She looked up into his face. He was still inches taller despite the three-inch heels on her pumps. Mia looked from his face to his right hand and then back again.

  “Please, Mia, don’t go out dressed like that. I’m not going to insult Dayna, she’s our friend, but she does have a tendency to… Anyway, I’ve apologized. You have to let me make it up to you, but not this way, Mia, not this way. Don’t go the revenge route. Please.”

  “Let go of me, Simon.” Her voice was quiet but she knew he could feel the steel in her tone.

  “Mia, I love you.”

  “You had a very funny way of showing it. Now, let go and get out of my way. I’m not going to warn you again.”

  “Mia, please, stay safe.”

  Her heart almost melted, and she felt a jolt of desire rush through her. There was no doubt he had remorse, but she didn’t think he’d suffered enough, not after what he’d told her the night before. If she stayed another few seconds she knew she’d cancel her plans, and that might do even more harm than going out would.

  “Don’t wait up, Simon. If I’m not coming home tonight, I’ll text you.”

  The hurt on his face was palpable, almost as if she’d slapped him. His hands dropped away and he stepped back, allowing her to turn and go.

  “Mia.”

  She stopped, her hand on the door handle, and looked back over her shoulder.

  “If you don’t come home tonight…”

  “What?”

  “…don’t expect to find me here in the morning.”

  She shook her head. “Oh, so it’s okay for you, but not for me, is that it?”
/>   He shook his head in turn. “No, not that at all.”

  “Goodnight, Simon. As I said, don’t wait up. Don’t worry, I won’t be bringing someone back here. That would be too weird…for him.”

  She closed the door behind her and leaned back against it for a second, half expecting Simon to come charging out of the house after her, but when he didn’t, she was sure he’d gone to the picture window to watch her leave. She walked around between the cars to climb into hers, grateful his car blocked her from giving a tremendous leg show to the neighbors and, moving quickly before her nerve gave out, started the car, put it in gear, reversed off the drive, and drove away.

  She caught a glimpse of him in the window as she drove past but she kept going, heading for the nearest car park. Parking at the back, she switched off the engine and reached behind her seat to retrieve the bag of clothes. Shimmying out of the short skirt wasn’t too difficult, although she tried to keep her upper body as still as possible so as not to arouse the suspicions of anyone seeing her. Fastening the two buttons that held the wrap-around skirt around her was easier and then she fished the bra from the glove box, fastened it around her waist, and then slid it up under her top. Slipping her hands up her chest and pushing and pulling the bra into place proved a bit of a struggle, but at least, since it was strapless, she wasn’t exposing herself to do so. She gasped as her fingers grazed across her erect nipples—she hadn’t realized how hard they’d got. She assumed that was due to the cold air hitting her, but as she struggled to tuck her blouse into the different skirt, she pressed her thighs together and could feel the sticky heat down there. Despite herself, the confrontation with Simon, the way she’d been dressed, as well as the reaction her outfit had had on him, she’d managed to get aroused.

  Just then her cell trilled with a text message and she fished it from her bag, surprised to see two messages.

  The first, from Simon, was short and simple.

  Remember, I love you, Si xxx

  The second was the one she’d expected—from Dayna.

  You on the way yet? I’m ready.

  Before she could answer the message from Dayna, another text buzzed into her phone, again from Simon.

  I didn’t mean it—I’ll wait for you, forever if I have to. Stay safe, I do love you. Si. Xxx

  Once again, her heart almost melted. Part of her wanted to turn around and go home. Instead she replied yes to Dayna, stashed the bag of clothes behind her seat and set off. The two of them were going to travel in convoy to the club. That way they could both make their own way home—if either of them went home.

  * * * *

  Dayna parked her Merc half a block from the club and Mia pulled her little compact Toyota in behind it before climbing out and engaging the central locking. Dayna was leaning against the side of her car waiting for her and Mia looked her friend up and down, pursing her lips.

  “You look sensational.”

  She looked like someone had poured her into the tight, figure-hugging dress. There wasn’t a single bump or bulge where there shouldn’t be. The sequined red dress plunged at the front and, when Mia motioned for her friend to do a twirl, Mia could see the dress was backless. The skirt was short, shorter than the skirt Mia wore, but not as short as the one she’d left the house wearing. Dayna’s nails and shoes matched the color of her dress, which topped what could only be red fishnet stockings to complete the outfit.

  Mia giggled.

  “What?”

  “If you lost the stockings, you’d look like Jessica Rabbit!”

  “Cheeky cow. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  “I’m definitely not going to pull with you beside me, undressed for success like that.”

  “Sweetie, in this crowd, I’m known, so I need to be outrageous. You—you’re fresh meat. You’ll get hit on more than I will.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Truth.”

  “I’m not sure I like being thought of as meat, though.”

  “Figure of speech. It was true when you were single, it’s true now. Are you ready?”

  “No.”

  Dayna chuckled and linked her arm through Mia’s. “Remember, if you want me to stay with you, or leave, Thai food’s lovely.”

  “I won’t forget, and by the way…”

  “What?”

  “I love Thai food.”

  Dayna laughed and shook her head as they reached the entrance to the club. It was too early for a line to form, so Dayna led them straight up to the bouncers.

  “Evening, Dayn. Who’s your beautiful friend?”

  “Harry, meet Mia. Mia, Harry, and the other big teddy bear over there is Chris. They look mean, because they are supposed to look mean. They’re both teddy bears really, nice to cuddle on a cold night when you’re waiting for a taxi. Mia’s a little new to the scene, so you guys keep an eye out for her if she and I get separated.”

  Mia blushed as the two bouncers looked her over. She wondered if their expressions could get any hungrier if she’d been wearing the other skirt, and shivered. Now she could see what Dayna had meant about being fresh meat. If she was going to do this more than once, she needed to get used to those kind of looks—she guessed there were going to be a lot of them.

  “You enjoy yourself in there, young lady, and if anyone gives you any hassle, they answer to us, understood?”

  “Sure, thank you.”

  He unhooked the rope across the doorway while Chris pushed the door open for them. Mia remembered the clubs of her youth, and expected to be greeted by a blast of music, but the entryway beyond the door was quiet and, since it was early, deserted.

  “It’s not that kind of club, sweetie. No heavy music scene here.” Dayna giggled. “Don’t forget, almost all the dances here are slow ones. The music will start in a bit.”

  Mia tried to smile. “I definitely fancy that Thai meal.”

  “Chill, sweetie, chill. You look good, but you gotta relax some.”

  “Just remember, I haven’t been on the dating scene since I was twenty.”

  “It’s like swimming, Mia, you never forget.”

  “Well, don’t bet on it.”

  “Come on.”

  Dayna grabbed her arm again and led her toward the heavy curtain on the far side of the room. As her friend brushed it to one side, Mia realized it was actually two curtains, which created a corridor between them. It was lighter at the far end, and they stepped out into the main room of the club. There were a number of people scattered around the room, gathered in little knots, usually single-sex groups, but the odd couple was spaced through the room. She guessed there were maybe twenty tables surrounding the dance floor, with a dozen or so booths flanking them on each side. The bar had stools all the way along its mirror-fronted length, most of which were unoccupied. Dayna led them to two stools in the middle of the bar and the barman materialized from the far end as she hoisted herself onto one of the stools. Mia was a little more hesitant, especially the way her friend’s legs had scissored as she climbed onto the stool, revealing bare thigh above her stockings. She ascended her own stool in as ladylike a manner as she could manage, and turned to see Dayna deep in conversation with the barman.

  “Frank, this is my friend Mia. It’s her first time here.”

  “Hi, Mia.”

  “Hello.”

  “Frank is a guy you can trust, Mia. He’ll look after you, won’t you, Frank?”

  “Of course, it’s all part of the service.”

  “Like me, she’ll be low alcohol tonight, fruit rather than punch. If someone is buying her a drink, keep it like that, and if someone tries to mickey her, call Harry.”

  “As always, I’m the soul of discretion, Dayn.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dayna rose in her seat by simply standing on top of the spells, and leaned over the bar. Mia thought she was going to give him a peck on the cheek but her aim was his lips. She gasped as her friend French-kissed the barman in front of anyone who cared to look, not for lon
g, only a few seconds, but long enough to make Mia blush. The way she leaned over the bar flashed stocking tops to the club and she wondered how her friend could act so outrageously slutty like that—something she knew she couldn’t do, and could never have done.

  Frank chuckled as Dayna sank back into her seat.

  “I think your friend is too shy to do that. Never mind…” He winked at Mia. “…I get my break time at nine. I’ll see you then.”

  “Behave, Frank, she’s here to enjoy herself.”

  “Oh, she will.”

  “I said, behave. Did I mention she’s a black belt in karate?”

  The barman winced. “Okay, I’ll behave. Your usual, Dayn?”

  “Please, and one for Mia.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Dayna leaned closer to Mia. “Don’t worry about him. Lose the deer in the headlights look. I make sure to keep the staff sweet, but they just get a kiss, and occasionally a feel of my butt, and that’s all. Frank was teasing you. He won’t come anywhere near a patron unless one of them does what I just did.”

  “It was a bit full on. You should have seen what your skirt was doing!”

  Dayna smoothly crossed her legs at the knee, although the exposed thigh was on the inside not on the outside, putting it next to the mirror. “I knew exactly what my dress was doing, sweetie. And that was the whole reason for doing it. Now, cross your legs like I have.”

  “Why?”

  “So every red-blooded male can see you just might be available, that’s why.”

  “Oh, but shouldn’t it be on the other side then?”

  Dayna chuckled. “You really are new to this, aren’t you? Sweetie, the bar front is mirrored so the guys can see my leg, but I’m not advertising that fact as blatantly as I would be the other way round. Besides, these seat tops swivel, so I can turn around if I want to push the boat out.”

  Mia giggled. “Push your fanny out, you mean. Your ass was about hanging out the dress.”

  “That too, sweetie. That too. Come on, cross your legs.”

  Frank returned with two long glasses full of an orange liquid.

  “Here you go, babes.”

  “Thank you, Frank. You know the routine.”