Chapter 2: Part 2
2073 Words
Zara
I’m shocked to find Aubrey also in the room, carrying a big gift bag and a bouquet of peonies. I laugh it off with a shake of the head. “Aubrey, please wait at the restaurant. You can’t be here.”
Aubrey starts to move to the door. Following orders.
A firm hand is placed on his chest, halting him mid- movement. “I pay you Aubrey, you listen to me. Stay.”
With a nod he pauses. Instead of fighting I just laugh. Hysterically.
Of-f*****g-course.
“Okay Aubrey, stay.”
I sit watching the door, both of them looking at each other in confusion.
“Oh baby I love it.” I giggle shocking both Aubrey and Jame.s
“It’s so beautiful.”
“Baby stop.” I drawl adding a giggle at their reaction. Aubrey’s cheeks have turned rosy and sweat forms on his brow.
I point to the door, hinting at the shadow. Understanding fills their faces. They both get comfortable dropping the flowers and bag on the ground, moving to lean on the wall.
Bet you wish you left Aubrey.
I stand to turn the music up and grab my phone, when done I sit back down feet dangling. I check my clock timing a respectable 20 minutes.
I start moaning, making them both stiffen.
I pant a bit louder filling in the noise. Every once in a while I add a moan.
“More please daddy,” I wail pointing at James. I motion for him to have a turn; this was getting boring.
The odds of him joining in are low but never zero.
He fidgets, uncomfortable in his suit. Eyes wide as I motion for him again.
Still nothing.
Instead, I get up from the table once more, heading in their direction against the wall.
I lean over towel doing very little to hide the swell of my boob and slap Aubrey once- hard- on the thigh making him let out a high pitched cry.
The air in the room is stalled.
“You like that puppy?” I moan staring at Aubrey’s now red face. He avoids my gaze looking at the ground.
A dark look is now on James face.
I turn hiding a laugh. Should have listened to me.
A slap to my lower thigh resonates, eliciting a high pitched scream. That b***h.
I abruptly turn back to look at James, mouth open in shock. For the short amount of time we had been together he had never touched me apart from the polite hand holding and brief kiss on our wedding.
A challenging look on his face, he speaks for the first time since this charade started, “Be quite little brat, you wouldn’t want anyone hearing us now would you.”
A devious smile makes its way onto my face as I think of how to bring this all to hell. I politely sit on the table once more, moans getting louder, and louder. This time I add in slaps of my own on my thigh.
“Come here little puppy,” I look at Aubrey.
Surprisingly, he listens, steps slow, instead of pointing out this was part of the act. I point to the robe in the back.
“You listen so good,” I moan throwing a wink to James.
Time moves slow when you’re tormenting your husband and his assistant. Aubrey brings the robe eyes locked to the floor. A glance to the time lets me know to end this little charade, faking moans to a crescendo.
We sit in silence for 2 minutes, shadow disappearing.
Getting up from the table for the last time I make my way to James.
He eyes me, eyebrow raised. Instead of saying anything I unbutton one his buttons, running a hand through his perfect hair.
Turning to Aubrey I do the same, loosening his tie. His gaze stays locked on my eyes as I run a hand through his hair, adding a small tug at the end.
“Meet me at the restaurant, I’m going to shower.” I mutter leaving both of them in the room. The hallway is now empty.
I take my sweet time in the shower, they’ll wait.
The restaurant is bustling; more patrons fill the club. The two are sitting in the corner on their phones. A sigh leaves me as I make my way there.
“Aubrey, I see you’re still joining us. How brave you are.” I joke sitting down.
They both stare looking at my now blown out hair and green summer dress. The forest green, beautifully contrasts my jet black hair. Aubrey looks around the restaurant avoiding my gaze.
“If I’d know that was your plan, I would’ve had Aubrey step out.” James grunts signalling for a waiter to come.
“I will step out next time.” He adds, still avoiding eye contact.
“It’s quite okay Aubrey, it was more fun with you there. Sorry about hitting you.” I apologise still staring at the flushing man. His features contrast those of James, being more round and softer, on the one occasion I had seen him smile he even had a dimple.
“It’s okay ma’am.” He mutters eyeing the menu.
A clearing throat from James makes me aware of the approaching server. We all rattle off our orders, thanking the server. Once he’s left I motion for the gift bag. Inside is box with what I assume to be diamonds.
“How did you know I love diamonds?” I muse, admiring the necklace. The jewel has not only diamonds but pink diamonds. At least the fool was capable of listening.
“I wonder.” he muses back.
The chatter at the table is light as we eat. I rarely get to spend time with James and the few times I had it was exactly like this, for show. It being for show however did not mean that I did not enjoy it. A huge part of this enjoyment admittedly was Aubrey, the man proved to be less robotic and more charming. I’m sure in his private life he is more talkative. He makes women fall for his dimples and put together demeanour.
Once the table has been cleared and I’ve checked my phone to see us trending once more we end the charade, with me walking James to his car. Sharing an intimate hug. Like always his hands remain respectable.
“See you tonight darlings.” I wave at the black SUV making myself laugh. There would be no seeing them tonight. They worked late into the morning, and unless there was a PR issue, I wouldn’t be seeing Aubrey.
Well. Now that that’s done, it’s time for some work.
-
Anna and I sit in my office silence enveloping of us. I had hoped to be wrong, maybe it would be someone else. After this morning though I was sure she was one of the leaks at the country club. And sadly she would be the example. She didn’t bother denying it just sat in the chair tears silently going down her face.
“I want your locker emptied by the day, your remaining pay will be deposited into your account. As per tomorrow you will be banned.”
More tears fell. This time with hiccups. She should be lucky it was me who found out she had broken her NDA and not the former manager.
The staff meeting to follow is sour. The distaste the employees had for me palpably intensifies, however I ignore it focusing more on emphasising the potential consequences.
Instead of staying at the club, I grab my keys and head out, flowers and diamonds in hand. Instead of going straight home I turn into the drive in of my favourite shake place, the driving further to the beach to enjoy it.
Admittedly I wondered if Aubrey and James were involved. When James and I had signed that contract and gotten married the only thing I had stipulated was no cheating. As much as I found the little puppy interesting, it still bothered me.
At most he could respect me enough to explain, to be transparent, I wasn’t a homophobic asshole. I would understand.
I would understand.
-
The entry into the silent home is expected. It was the same as any other day, discarding my worries, and melting into the routine of getting ready for dinner.
The scorching shower welcomed me with open arms. Only the black hair dye running into the drain, let me know to cool it down.
Wiping the mirror, I look at myself surrounded by mist, skin flushed.
I need an update, change something. I grab my hair scissors cutting some bangs. The first cut is slightly curved. s**t. I might regret this already.
When straightened I head to my grabbing my sleep dress. The pink floral lingerie made me love the bangs more. I definitely need layers now.
Instead of chopping up more of my hair I go get supper. The movement of a man at my dining room table had a scream leaving my body.
James startles turning to look at me.
“I live here, Zara. Calm down.”
Dinner made by presumably Mrs Jones sits on the table. Taking deep breathes I head over taking a seat.
“I normally have nights to myself.” I speak, pouring a glass of water. Before the first sip, Aubrey’s entrance makes me pause. I should have known he’d be here. Instead of comment I take a sip.
He takes a seat at the third table setting. “It’s handled he mutters lowly to James with a nod.”
They both stare at me. Two pairs of eyes looking at me drink water, surely there was something better going on.
“To what do I owe this honour?” “Is it about father?” I add putting the cup down.
“No, Mrs Kennedy, you requested our presence tonight at the club.” He notes putting a spoon of seasoned roasted spaghetti squash on my plate.
My eyebrows raise on their own looking at Aubrey questioningly then James. With no further answers from either of them, I eat.
The same way Aubrey put squash in my plate, James did the same for him. God how did I not notice?
There was a gentleness to his movements that wasn’t always there.
At dessert, I watch them better than before. I don’t eat it because I had my sugar in my shake earlier.
“Are you cheating on me with Aubrey dear husband of mine?” I ask giving them both a stare down. Aubrey chokes making James pat him on the back. He hands him a glass of water, then helps him drink.
When he puts the glass down he stands. “I should leave you.” He mutters patting his chest.
“Sit.” I point eyeing the man. Solely he sinks back into his chair.
“No Zara I am not cheating on you with Aubrey, there is nothing s****l about our relationship.”
“Minus this afternoon of course.” I smile standing. He thinks I’m an i***t.
“Aubrey?”
“Yes Mrs Kennedy?” He looks at me warily.
“Are you fuckin-”
“Zar-”
“No. Mrs Kennedy I am not.” He spoke cutting of James.
I know tension and they definitely had it.
“Kiss then, prove it.” I order staring at James.
His eyes widen and he breaks eye contact to look at Aubrey, “No. Aubrey is an employee and that isn’t appropriate.”
“Aubrey kiss him.” I order staring at the man, his head tilts slightly as if begging as he gives me puppy dog eyes.
Aubrey leans in his chair getting closer to James. They are close enough for it to be comfortable for both.
“Aubrey?” James questions panicked.
Aubrey eyes me to see any uncertainty, finding none, he continues to lean hand moving to kiss James. For a moment they just have their lips on each to her unmoving.
When Aubrey moves to pull away, and dropping from his face, he is held closer by James hand in his hair. At first they are painfully awkward.
They definitely haven’t done this before.
Slowly they get steamier, a tiny mewl escapes Aubrey.
Fuck.
- Writer
