A Summer in Rome

Chapter 2

Myra started to talk "Your husband called reception a few minutes ago saying you had an upset so I wanted to check with you to know how you are feeling."

"I feel fine. Just wanted a little company but as you know collaborations from husbands are never to be trusted. Disappointments from husbands are not rare are they?"

Myra looked at Brenda with a look that surprised even Brenda herself.

"Mrs Avery, men are never to be trusted when it comes to what we women need. I advise you to see a doctor and perhaps you may understand better what you lack".

Brenda looked at the woman standing in front of her talking to her. She couldn't understand what the woman was trying to tell her but she liked what she heard.

What struck her in what the receptionist said was that she may understand what she lacked. Brenda knew she lacked manly attention which she denied her husband. So it excited her that a doctor was about to visit her.

"I am not sure what you are trying to tell me Miss, but I have a feeling that  you are trying to tell me that there are alternative solutions just in case husbands are not suitable companions in a moment of intimate needs".

"Mrs Avery, I cannot disrespect you for the love you have for your husband but we do have a history of experience in this hotel where wives for the sole purpose of fulfilling their intimate needs break conjugal vows. 

Brenda didn't waste time in replying back,

" I understand that to run a business like this hotel means inventing ways to attract clients. If there is enough discretion,I have respectable friends with enough resources, who are seeking better ways to pass their time without having to trouble their husbands. I mean they could have all the comforts and discretion they need here"

"Mrs Avery, discretion here is of the utmost importance. if your friends are seeking ways to fulfill their conjugal need seeing their consorts are not serving them properly, we will be glad to have them as our clients."

Brenda seemed satisfied with the reply she got from Myra. She took one last look at Myra and then said,

"Send me the doctor, I am ready to receive him"

"Very well Mrs Avery, as you wish we shall attend to your needs immediately". Having said that Myra left the room and went down to the reception hall.

As Myra left, Brenda was relieved to know that there was collaboration on the part of Myra the receptionist. 

She now considered Myra a good friend and had high hopes that as long as she was in the hotel, her secrets was in good hands.

She didn't have secrets but the visit of the doctor could change her whole life with Francis. She was extremely excited to meet the doctor and had started to think of how the meeting would go.

She quickly got up from the bed and hurriedly went into the bathroom to clean herself up. She wanted to leave a good impression with the visiting doctor.

 After a quick shower she put on something enticing seeing the meeting with the doctor would happen any moment .

Brenda was ready now. At last she had to take charge of her life to see what would happen if she decided to file for divorce.

She wanted to taste life on her own and now she had the opportunity to do so.

As she was adding the last touch of make up to her face the phone rang.  It was from reception.

Myra had called to say that the doctor was coming up to visit her. Brenda thanked Myra telling her to send the doctor up.

A few minutes after she had talked to Myra, the door bell rang. Brenda took one last look at herself and then went straight to the door and opened it.

The man who stood at the door when she opened caught her attention. She was taken aback and surprised at how young and good-looking he was.

"Mrs. Avery?"

"You must be the doctor I asked for"

" Yes Mrs. Avery,Juan is my name"

"My name is Brenda,here come in"

"Thank you Mrs. Avery"

"Okay Juan, just call me Brenda. Mrs. Avery makes me look old don't you think so?"

Juan looked at her in the eyes and let out a smile then said,

"You are still an attractive woman, I should say"

"And what does that mean, if I may at ask?"

"It means men would still want to go out with you and they would love it."

Brenda looked straight into Juan's eyes while they were still standing

"As married as I am I don't think they would want to carry this burden on their shoulders"

"Brenda, someone always likes taking risks because of the thrill and excitement attached to it"

"Taking risks? I have yet to know of anyone who would want take such risk."

"There is always someone out there ready. Now if you don't mind let me visit you. I have another appointment".

"Okay Juan let's sit down..".

Juan sat down facing Brenda on the cushion chair in the suite that Brenda and Francis had booked.

As they sat down Juan held Brenda's pulse.

"I was told you have an upset", Juan started, looking at his watch and counting her pulse beat.

"I had a strange feeling and when I told my husband about it he quickly called reception to get me a doctor".

"And what strange feelings were you having dizziness, weakness or what was it?"

For a few seconds Brenda looked at Juan. She wasn't really sure if it was a good idea letting him know what kind of feeling she was having.

"Oh I feel fine it was really my husband. He got everything wrong. It wasn't necessary after all to call a doctor, really"

"Pulse is fine..seems everything is regular. I don't think you are having any health issues. One question though..."

Brenda was hoping he would ask her the usual questions like did she smoke or drink and so on. But Juan went straight to the point.

"Brenda, you're a beautiful woman which I am sure any man would want. You seem to be having a troubled marriage, right?"

"And what makes you think my marriage is troubled?"

"I seem to believe you want to go out of your way to explore."

Brenda looked at him in surprise not really knowing what to say. Juan continued

"I had a talk with the receptionist before coming and she told me that as she sees it, your upset was that you needed other  attention, that it wasn't medical."

"I may be offended by these words Juan,but I'll take it that you have not been well informed about my condition."

"Brenda, I have been collaborating with this hotel for long,visiting lots of couples who come here to stay for a week or two. These so called upsets like yours are common occurrences among the women"

"So what does that have to do with me?" Brenda asked a bit confused

"What it has to do with you is that like them, you are being neglected. And you don't like it".

"Mr Juan you seem to think you know what's in a woman's mind don't you?"

"Let me know what you have in mind Brenda"

Brenda placed her hands on Juan's laps. She then bent forward a bit and took his hand and placed it on her laps. Juan looked at her confused.

"Let me ask you a question Juan."

"Go ahead, I'm listening." With a bit of hesitation Brenda continued,

"You said many would take risks, right?" Juan nodded in agreement

"What risks would you take yourself just for the excitement or for the thrill of it?"

"Brenda....." Brenda cut him short

"OK to rephrase the question, do you like taking risks?"

"Brenda, as a doctor I take risks when I try to save lives. That is enough risk to excite me."

"Juan if you take risks saving lives, then I hope you won't neglect to save my life at a time  when I am being neglected."

"Mrs Avery, you are in good health so you needn't worry. You should be fine. Mr. Avery has a beautiful wife and I am sure he can engage your attention without you taking unnecessary risks."

Brenda was shocked and angry at the same time and just couldn't believe her ears that Juan could talk to her like that. And so she replied back raising her voice.

"Juan I hope you understand that this visit has ended? You must leave right away or I shall deem it necessary to call Mr. Avery and let him know that the doctor sent in by the receptionist is an unqualified mess!"

"Wait Brenda you are getting this all wrong..."

"Brenda? I think at this point I ask that you refer to me only as Mrs. Avery and not Brenda!"

"Okay, okay Brenda...I mean Mrs. Avery, look don't take it personal. My intention was never to disrespect you." Brenda quickly went to the door and opened it. Juan walked up to her.

"Mrs. Avery, let's pretend we never had that last conversation and that the visit went well and that you were satisfied. I hope you enjoy your stay at this hotel." With those last words Juan opened the door and walked out slightly banging it.