Reflections of a middle-aged man. (Conclusion.)

[Kitosdad]

This is the conclusion to a short story that I wrote some weeks back. It was supposed to be the beginning of a novel, but I will never get the time to finish it.

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Well here I am, all ready to meet my young secretary.
My heart is racing, and I doubt that I will find the words to greet her.
My throat is dry, my hands are clammy.
What am I letting myself in for?
Will it be as exciting as I hope, or shall I falter at the final hurdle?
This is the first time in over twenty years that I have ever cheated on my wife.

The cab draws alongside the pavement outside of the restaurant.
Becky, for that is her name, beams me a welcoming smile as I open the rear door of the taxi.
She slithers across from the far side of the seat, and in doing so she shows me a flash of firm, sun-browned thigh.
I want to look, but I don't.
Looking back to her face I see that she is smiling, that confident smile of someone who is well aware of what she is doing.

Entering the restaurant we are shown to a corner seat, suitably enshadowed.
Only two small candles providing illumination for our needs.
The menu is exotic and very expensive.
The starter costs more than a whole meal at the restaurant my wife and I usually frequent on our rare nights out, nevertheless I go overboard and order an expensive wine.
Maybe I can charge this to my company expenses, some hope!

Becky is very good at small talk and I reply only in short bursts of agreement to her comments.
She talks about boys bands that I have never even heard of, and of films I would never dream of going to see.
Inside I'm panicking.
I have no idea what to talk about other than my family and work, neither of which would interest Becky, of this I am certain.

She seems to sense my unease and slides around the alcove seat to sit closer to me.
I smell her perfume, and she leans close to tell me a joke.
In doing so she places her hand on my thigh and my senses are awakened by her touch.
The waiter discreetly approaches once again with the menu, and glancing at it I feel slightly ill when I see the prices.
This is madness, but I smile at Becky and ask what she would like to eat.

She smiles wickedly at my enquiry and makes her choice.
I order the cheapest item on the menu for myself and sit back calculating the total bill in my mind.
This really isn't turning out the way I had dreamed it would.
I note the waiters speaking softly to each other and their furtive glances over to where we are sitting.
I finish my meal and continue drinking the wine.
Becky is eating her meal with gusto. Well, at least she is enjoying herself, if only her inner self.
After finishing her main course she beckons the waiter across and surveys what the menu has to offer in the way of dessert. I decline.

As Becky tucks into her dessert I excuse myself and head for the men's room.
Once there I check my wallet, making sure my Gold Card is there.
With my wallet open I look at the picture of my wife and two children.
The sight of my family smiling out at me makes me feel like a traitor to my vows.

I wash my hands and return to the table, where Becky is finishing off the wine.
She smiles alluringly at me and pats the place that she wants me to occupy next to her.
This is my opportunity to cleanse my mind.
I clear my throat and begin to speak to Becky.

"Becky, you are a beautiful young woman, and you deserve far better than a sordid affair with a middle-aged married man. I thank you for your company this evening, and I would be obliged if we were never to mention this matter again".
Contrary to feeling rebuffed Becky beamed me a wonderful smile.

"OK John, let's leave, our evening is nowhere near over yet".
I was taken aback by her response to my statement, but after collecting her coat and paying the bill, I followed her outside.
She was stood beside a huge limo and beckoned me into the back seat.

Seated already on the back seat was a portly gentleman with whom I was unacquainted, nevertheless I did as Becky asked.
She climbed in behind me and closed the door, and the limo slid smoothly away from the kerb.
Looking directly at Becky the old man said,"Well?"
Becky smiled her wonderful warming smile and replied, "John was a perfect gentleman all evening, never once doing or saying a wrong word.
He even offered me fatherly advice about dating older men, exactly as you do Dad."

The old man shook my hand and introduced himself. He was non other than the CEO of my company, a figure known only to the upper echelon of his vast empire.
"John, I want to see you in my office tomorrow afternoon. I think you are the type of man that I need on my board of directors. If you passed the "Becky test" then you are a fitting member of my team."
I lay back deeper in my seat of the limo and closed my eyes. I just couldn't believe what had just been said.
"John," his voice rang out again, I think you're home. Please tell your dear wife that I look forward to meeting her very soon".
I clambered out of the limo and it sped away from my kerbside.
Becky waved from the rear window.

I walked slowly into the house and my wife greeted me with a hug and a kiss.
"How did the meeting go then?" she asked.
"Unbelievably well" I replied. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't get a raise soon"!

Kitos. I hope you enjoyed reading it. :)
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