c.l.o.s.e._e.n.c.o.u.n.t.e.r._p.a.r.t._t.w.o.
All Jeff was left with is a note. From the look of it, it was none of those shopping lists, nor was it dinner’s in the oven, love you, will be back by ten. The fridge is packed with food. Dinner’s not in the oven. Audrey will not be back by ten. The note is her farewell. She has been too calm about the whole thing. It is only a matter of time. He didn’t blame her, and couldn’t have.
Jeff would have called her. But honestly he didn’t know what to say to her. So he called Tony instead.
Tony first walked into his life, or more accurately, his office last year. There was immediate chemistry between them. Tony was hired to assist him in the latest project, together with Fiona from Account. It was only two months after they met that anything intimate happened. The three were scheduled to go visit the project site. Due to miscommunication the logistic staff only made two bookings, and the hotel was fully-booked. As long as you don’t snore, I don’t mind sharing a room.
The second long work day and a couple of drinks, they retreated to their room. They felt asleep once their head hit the pillows. It was only later that night Jeff woke up with a startle of sobbing coming from the person next to him. It took awhile for Jeff to understand what was wrong. Tony’s eyes and face was red as he confessed he was attracted to Jeff. That night Jeff felt something that he wasn’t sure. Perhaps he has let Tony on somehow. He couldn’t shake the thought that he does have feelings for Tony. It was something he has tried to hide. Like what Audrey wrote it wasn’t the boost doing he wanted to do it. His head knew what he was doing. Blood was rushing through every vein in his body, sending signals to his thumping heart, to his arms to pull Tony close, to his lips tasting that of another man.
And morning came Jeff didn’t feel any guilt, any shame, any awkwardness. In fact he felt good. It was as if he was lighter, more oxygen in his body than he needed. When he spoke to Audrey on the phone that afternoon, he was happy talking to her. Even Audrey noticed his cheerful self over the phone. Oddly he felt a strong sense of affection for his wife. And he also realized that affection was discovered through his infatuation for Tony.
After that trip the atmosphere was nothing but pleasant. Jeff didn’t feel uncomfortable working with Tony. They gotten along well and kept their feelings out of work. There were a few times they couldn’t help themselves when they were the only one in the toilet. Jeff would drop by Tony’s before heading home. If Tony cooked, he cleaned his plate. Surprisingly he would still have great appetite for Audrey’s fantastic dinner.
Another big surprise was his sex life grew insatiable. It wasn’t just with Tony. He was excited to go home and hold Audrey in his arms.
He was finishing the final touch on the project in the comfort of his home. He has to present it later in a meeting. Tony was to pick him up. The intercom rang. Jeff, it’s me. Sorry am bit early.
It’s alright. Come on up. I’m just getting ready.
Tony knocked on the bedroom door. He leaned at the frame. It all happened in a split of a half second. Jeff walked to the door and planted a kiss on his lips. A spur moment of passion. A caught-in-the-act passion.
Jeff,
I love you. With that out of the way what transpires is the love of vagueness. I tried to put myself into your shoes, imagining what I would do on that trip you took, and thereafter. How it is like to sudden realize these feelings weren't platonic. And it wasn’t the boost doing either. It was something very wrong, but not all that wrong under circumstances. How can it be wrong if the feel is right, right?
Do you remember what you said to me when you took the seat at my table the first time we met. It is exactly what you didn’t say the evening of when I walked in on you and Tony. It is the color of black now, in case you didn’t notice.
I love to hate you. But I ended up hating myself for loving you, even after what you did. I don’t understand most of it, or perhaps I was scared to understand most of it. I fear I would one day wake up understanding why you did it, or why you kept doing it. The fear every wives hope they never had to experience. But my fear is not the same with those wives. They fear other women around their husbands. I fear a man whom my husband probably interested in.
I’ve called Tim to arrange the paper. It will be ready by end of next week. Do me a final favor, sign the paper. I am going to live with Sandra for the time being. Samuel has always enjoyed fishing up there. It will be good for us. All I am asking for is time apart to think clearly on what we really want. But I cannot promise you anything.
Audrey
Jeff would have called her. But honestly he didn’t know what to say to her. So he called Tony instead.
Tony first walked into his life, or more accurately, his office last year. There was immediate chemistry between them. Tony was hired to assist him in the latest project, together with Fiona from Account. It was only two months after they met that anything intimate happened. The three were scheduled to go visit the project site. Due to miscommunication the logistic staff only made two bookings, and the hotel was fully-booked. As long as you don’t snore, I don’t mind sharing a room.
The second long work day and a couple of drinks, they retreated to their room. They felt asleep once their head hit the pillows. It was only later that night Jeff woke up with a startle of sobbing coming from the person next to him. It took awhile for Jeff to understand what was wrong. Tony’s eyes and face was red as he confessed he was attracted to Jeff. That night Jeff felt something that he wasn’t sure. Perhaps he has let Tony on somehow. He couldn’t shake the thought that he does have feelings for Tony. It was something he has tried to hide. Like what Audrey wrote it wasn’t the boost doing he wanted to do it. His head knew what he was doing. Blood was rushing through every vein in his body, sending signals to his thumping heart, to his arms to pull Tony close, to his lips tasting that of another man.
And morning came Jeff didn’t feel any guilt, any shame, any awkwardness. In fact he felt good. It was as if he was lighter, more oxygen in his body than he needed. When he spoke to Audrey on the phone that afternoon, he was happy talking to her. Even Audrey noticed his cheerful self over the phone. Oddly he felt a strong sense of affection for his wife. And he also realized that affection was discovered through his infatuation for Tony.
After that trip the atmosphere was nothing but pleasant. Jeff didn’t feel uncomfortable working with Tony. They gotten along well and kept their feelings out of work. There were a few times they couldn’t help themselves when they were the only one in the toilet. Jeff would drop by Tony’s before heading home. If Tony cooked, he cleaned his plate. Surprisingly he would still have great appetite for Audrey’s fantastic dinner.
Another big surprise was his sex life grew insatiable. It wasn’t just with Tony. He was excited to go home and hold Audrey in his arms.
He was finishing the final touch on the project in the comfort of his home. He has to present it later in a meeting. Tony was to pick him up. The intercom rang. Jeff, it’s me. Sorry am bit early.
It’s alright. Come on up. I’m just getting ready.
Tony knocked on the bedroom door. He leaned at the frame. It all happened in a split of a half second. Jeff walked to the door and planted a kiss on his lips. A spur moment of passion. A caught-in-the-act passion.
