My fingers hesitate to send the same three letters to Cecilia while I could send the same to Sara without any second thoughts or hesitancy. I give up on it and send the message as it is.
It’s a two month vacation. A complete Europe tour. I think I need this change.
Two months? That’s a fucking long time. I had hoped that she would be back in a month. Two months without sex? That’s even harder. I’m going to miss my wife. My kids will miss her more. But she clearly needs this. It’s been more than a year since our last vacation. I got promoted soon after and we couldn’t go again. I’m not sure when I can free my calendar to go on another vacation.
Sure. If that’s what you need, then you should go for it. I want to meet you before you leave.
One good thing about Cecilia’s absence – I’m free to pursue my relation with Sara without interference.
Turning the key, I ignite the engine and I’m off. Even as I dash through the city in this chill and dull morning, I can’t keep my focus solely on the road and my mind at peace. Usually I just listen to music and plan my day ahead, but today I can’t snap my thoughts out of Sara’s plump lips, her wide, sparkling eyes, her boobs that would fit perfectly in my big hands and the curve of that sexy ass of hers. I just got a sneak peek and it’s just made me all the more desperate. If it were just Sara’s thoughts, I would be damn happy, but they are just cushioning the actual blow I got from Serena yesterday. That’s what made me drink in the first place. The whole conversation left me so frustrated.
She explained with beautiful words just how much my wife loves me. Credit should go to Cecilia, of course, for coming up with such quotes. But the hard, unescapable truth is that my wife loves me. Over the course of twenty odd years, she has fallen for me. I didn’t want that. Ever. Any other husband would be ecstatic knowing that despite all odds, their marriage that started with companionship finally morphed to love. But me? Not at all. I’ve never been typical and our wedding was far from normal. It started out with everything but love and I was more than happy about it. It made me shoulder responsibility and get committed. I managed to do it. I have always been a responsible man. Even at work, I carry out my responsibilities, always stay accountable for my work and show the same level of commitment to every one of my projects. What I can’t do is – Living up to expectations. And love brings with it tons of expectations. I can’t live up to them especially when my priorities are different. I do love my kids. I provide for them. I can go to any extent for them. That comes naturally. But with Cecilia, it’s different. I was glad that she respected me, admired me and she loved me in a similar way. This ‘being in love with me’ will change the dynamics of our married life and that has wound me really tight.
That’s not the worst of it, though. What Serena spoke about me falling in love is what is actually messing with my head. Am I even capable of doing something like that? Being so in love with someone that I give up on everything and everyone else? Love is a necessity. I’m not denying that. Loving someone to madness is a sickness without a cure and I can never catch such kind of a disease. Granted I have started to feel something strong for Sara, I do love her but not the kind of love where she becomes my everything and life without her becomes meaningless. What we have will be a temporary arrangement. Something we both can get the best out of. Then, we will move on and continue to stay in touch like old friends. Life is simple if we keep it simple. We are the ones who complicate it by thinking too much. I won’t do that. I won’t again give Serena the satisfaction of being right. I have my work, which is my passion and I have my family. Done deal.
Even after successfully convincing myself that Sara is a temporary source of contentment and pleasure, I end up calling her again. She’s a stress booster for me.
I start as soon she picks up. “Honestly, Sara, I didn’t actually plan on calling you. But I couldn’t help myself. I don’t have much time, though. I’ll be reaching office in some five minutes. And I have a meeting to attend soon after.”
“Jeez,” she chuckles but I know she’s rolling her eyes. “You make it sound like calling me was a sad thing, like you are informing me of an impending disaster. Really, Nate, it’s good that you called. I’m really happy.”
“I’m good at that, you know? I make you happy in many, many ways. I think we found each other very late.”
“I kind of agree with you. If I were to see you in college, you would have caught my attention for sure…..”
“And I would have fucked you on our very first date,” I conclude.
“As if,” she refutes. “I would make you chase me before even agreeing for a date.”
“If you were to run from me, I would have a great time taking you from behind. Get the scene? I can totally imagine it. You running, me chasing you down, tossing you onto the ground, lifting your skirt up…” This is fun. Really fun. My dick strains against my slacks and that clearly shows how much it’s enjoying the conversation.
“Nate!” she scolds. “Look who woke up horny today,” she mutters under her breath.
“Who’s to be blamed for that? Last I remember, there was this sexy vixen, teasing me with her pics in a camisole, urging me to come.”
“Nice. Put it all on me,” she huffs. “I was trying to be nice, sweet and obedient. You asked for it.”
“Did I do now?” I snort. “Maybe, I just had a decent video chat in mind.”
“No way,” she scoffs. “You are anything but decent and innocent. You can’t fool me with that.”
“Whatever you say, My Lady. Women are never wrong, I know.”
“By the way, remember, we had made a deal that you would answer all my questions and..”
“In return you would start snapping,” I complete for her. “I do remember, but I didn’t answer any of your questions.”
“Yeah, that’s because you got all emotional and I lost the flow. But deal is a deal. You owe me one answer for that one picture I sent you,” she demands.
“That picture was worth at least ten answers. Okay, shoot your one difficult question.”
“What do you feel for Diana? You think she’s hot and attractive?”
She can’t be serious. She wastes her one question on Diana of all people?
“You want to know what I feel for her?” I ask incredulously.
“Yeah. Just tell me.” She sounds exasperated. Why has Diana got her so worked up?
“She’s a colleague. My friend, kind of. But never been that close to her. She’s hard working and smart. We have a good professional rapport,” I tell honestly.
“That’s it? You don’t find her attractive?”
“I would be blind to not find her attractive. She’s one of a kind. Tall, slim, long legs, cute face. What’s not to like in her?”
“Then what’s special about me? I probably wouldn’t even hold a torch in front of her,” she cries.
“Oh baby,” I slam on the brakes, pulling my car to a sudden stop. “You can’t compare yourself to her. She’s nowhere close to you. You’re on a league of your own. She was never that special to me and she will she never be also.”
“But why?” she asks doubtfully.
“She was never my type and our relation has always been strictly professional. We never had the hots for each other. Sara, with you it’s very different. Even if Diana leaves, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. But if you were to leave, you would be taking a part of me with you.”
The silence stretches but I patiently wait. “I was worried,” she finally says. “No, actually more than worried, I was jealous. I can’t stand the thought of you treating any other employee the same way. It pisses me off.”
Now it’s my turn to actually laugh. “Really? You were jealous of Diana because of me?” I rev the engine and start again.
“Yeah, and I accept it. Is it wrong to feel possessive about you?”
“It’s hot actually. I didn’t foresee this, but I’m totally enjoying it.”
And then she giggles. I make fun of her, she
says something to make me laugh and this goes on for few more minutes. With her everything comes so easy. It’s so simple. Not complicated. Fun and relaxing.
As I enter the parking lot of my office, the connection starts to break. That has always been the problem with this parking lot – poor connectivity.
“The connection is breaking dear, hold on until I get into the elevator.”
It takes roughly three minutes until I make it to the empty elevator and all I hear till then is static.
“Hey, baby, you still there?”
“Yeah,” she whispers. “I won’t ever hang up on you. Never. Will always keep waiting.”
“I don’t have much time. At the most two min, and yet I can’t get myself to cut the call.”
“You’re in the elevator, right?” She asks excitedly. “Elevator is the best place to have sex, especially if stops midway. Isolated, small, dark. It’s perfect. Even if it’s moving, together with gravity, it will give a great thrill. Elevator sex rocks, don’t you think?”
“What?’ I laugh again. “Sex in an elevator? I have never heard that one before.”
“Not sex, fucking. We obviously won’t get time for foreplay and stuff, just shoving against the wall and thrusting rapidly. It would suit you fine.”
“Right.” My imagination draws a very erotic image at her words. “So, you say this out of experience?”
“No. One day soon I’ll experience it. Hopefully with you?” It’s the first time she’s hinting that she actually wants to ‘do’ it with me. So far, she had just been showing interest towards sexting.
“You’ve actually made my day by telling this. That day will come real soon. Mark my words.” The elevator dings to a halt. “I love you, baby,” I tell, stepping out onto the lobby.
“I..I love you too, Nathan.” Did she just say she loves me? Those words. They bring the salvation of the kind I have never felt before.
‘”Catch you later, baby.”
Life. All it takes is one chance encounter with a special person and one leap of faith to make life all the more beautiful, happening and worth living. Sara. She is that chance encounter and leap of faith for me.
Chapter 15
Sara
(In the course of next two months)
(Over office skype)
Hey, Nate….when can I hear next from you?
I minimize the chat window and check my calendar. I have two meeting with Nate today. Good. The more the better.
Good evening, Sara. You will be hearing me in next five minutes. I’m always on time for stand-ups, unlike someone…who never learns.
Nate. He sure loves to play with me and pull my leg. Even before he used to this- before we actually started on this new endeavor together, but I didn’t realize or understand his gimmicks back then.
I do it on purpose. You haven’t still figured it out? :p
He doesn’t start to type immediately. Within a minute I get a new ‘official’ mail form him addressed to my whole team. Just as I open it, I get a new message from him.
Really, now? Let me guess. You want me to call out to you. It’s your ploy to keep me waiting.
It clearly works ;)
This is always fun. Our banter in office. Some work related, some not but it effectively brings us close.
He sends out another mail, and it is soon followed by his reply to me.
That’s because I let you have your way. Every single time. I want to give in to you like you give in to me so easily every single…….
The dots go on and on, reminding me of how many times and just how easily I cave into his demands or requests. It’s mostly for him, but I also get a high from enticing him.
Mortified, I minimize the chat. He does this on purpose. He knows I can’t give him back on Skype without getting into the details. I can’t talk such stuff here since the conversations are recorded and monitored. I can’t be as discreet and coy as him.
I brave opening it again and reply to him.
You are playing unfair. Come on Nate, stop playing DIRTY.
Hmm…I thought you would never reply :-O
Nate never much uses emotions and times he does, he becomes all the more adorable.
Strictly speaking about stand-up, accept that I’m indispensable, irreplaceable and you just can’t do it without me.
I know he’s scoffing right about now. If he were on phone, I could have heard him tsk. These days, I have become an expert at reading Nate.
I suppose you’re talking about me. That’s Nathan Bankers for you.
Lol. Stop procrastinating. We can manage without you.
This argument between us never ceases. He genuinely believes he is THAT important. Maybe he is, but I get great delight in refusing to accept it and being totally sarcastic about it.
Let me prove it to you
Oooo. Someone got serious.
Bring it on.
I have no idea what he has planned, but there is just one minute left for stand-up. He can’t do much in a minute.
I never get his reply, but within two minutes, I get an email from him atop the meeting invite.
Hello Team,
Sorry. I will be late for today’s meeting. Got busy with some important adhoc task. Sara has been following up with me on the project and is aware of the recent developments. She will be driving the meeting today.
Holy Fuck. Nate clearly thinks he has me trapped. I’ve never done this before but I won’t be backing off form this challenge.
As I join the call, I get a new message from him.
I have already joined. Will be a silent listener. Carry on
No way. He’ll be putting me on the spot. Knowing he’s listening, will make me all the more intimidated.
Well played.
Once everyone joins, I gather the strength to address them.
“Hey, Guys. I’ll be taking over for Nathan today. So that also means, it’ll be a two sided communication wherein you guys won’t just give updates like usual when Nate asks you to, but instead you guys will give opinion, feedback about how the project is progressing so far and how you suggest we improve our process and any job role that you wish to change.”
Diana laughs. “Are you serious, Sara? This was never done before. What’s the point of it?”
My manager speaks up for a change. “Yeah, Sara. Shouldn’t we do it the usual way?”
Though Nate did it to just trouble me, he has actually given me the power to drive this meeting and I’m going to exploit it. Especially with my good for nothing manager.
“But why? Change is a necessity of life. This might not be a permanent one, but we can still make the best of the given opportunity. Come on, guys. This is a platform to open up. Nathan’s not there. Feel free to bring forth your views. Let me consolidate the important points and discuss it with him,” I tell boldly.
“That’s actually a good idea,” Stanley agrees. “Let’s give it a shot.”
Now it’s payback time for Nathan.
“So firstly since Nathan is not around, why don’t you guys start with what he can do better. What he lacks and what he’s good at. We have to set the definition of a good project lead here.
“Let me start first.” It’s surprisingly my manager. I should have guessed that he’ll have a few choice words for Nathan . “He doesn’t actually give us a choice to speak, does he? He’s very commanding. He might be a good decision maker, but if he were to be more accommodating….”
I open Nathan’s chat again.
Are you listening? Enjoy the show, dear. You’ll never get to hear it again
His reply pops up immediately.
“Well played, dear. I’m impressed You never cease to surprise me.”
Just then I get a ping from my phone. I open it up to see another message from him.
I love you so much. You’re my baby. My all-time favorite. There’s no replacement for you.
And just like that my heart sores in the sky, beating for Nathan and Nathan a
lone.
****************************
My days in the office can’t possibly get better than this. Just in a matter of few weeks, office has become my favourite and it’s all thanks to once person who can go to any heights to ensure I’m happy.
I look at me calendar and my eyes widen at the new meeting that wasn’t scheduled an hour ago. It is scheduled by the great Nathan and I’m the only participant. I shouldn’t be surprised. The meeting is to start now, but instead of directly joining, I first ping Nathan.
Another impromptu meeting? Now what’s this for? :-O
He replies immediately.
I’m waiting for you. Join already.
Patience is a virtue. You clearly lack it
When it comes to you, I become an impatient monster. Now join already.
I can’t help the laughter that erupts from my throat as I join the call.
When promoted for my name, I answer, “Your most fav person in the world.”
“Are you serious?” his humorous tone fills my ear and I all but gasp. I have grown really fond of his gravelly yet timbre voice.
“Am I not the most favorite in the world for you?” I ask innocently.
“I never denied it, Sara, dear. But now we are using office connection, so obviously we need to behave. I don’t think the word even exists in your dictionary…”
“What the..” I stop myself when I see Diana turn my way with a suspicious look.
“Exactly my point,” He chuckles. Damn him. “I got a meeting room booked just for this. You still in your seat?”
“It was set up in short notice. I saw it just now,” I admit honestly. Even I would have preferred a meeting room.
“That’s the fun part. As for your earlier question, I’m in office, I have loads of work, many meetings to attend and yet I wanted to talk to you. We haven’t spoken in two days.”
“I missed you. But you could have just called me on my phone…”
“I wanted to talk business with you, but not entirely, we can do both,” he tells confidently.
Enticed by you (Miraculous Love Book 1) Page 19