Free Tiers by Shelly Pratt

With one last thrust we collapse against the car seat and still as our bodily fluids mingle with each other’s. Best quick fuck ever …
     
    ‘We better get back before your husband starts to miss you,’ Jake says regretfully.
    ‘He’s not even aware I exist half the time, let alone at an event like this.’ There is no malice in my tone; I am simply stating a fact. I fell out of love with Harold a long time ago and now I just observe our relationship like an outsider looking in.
    ‘Even still, we don’t want to be gone too long, just in case.’
    ‘Okay,’ I grumble. He laughs at my mood. I love his laugh. ‘You know I’m not happy about you going home to the house you share with him, but all being well, tonight will be the last night baby.’ His grin is infectious and I offer him my own in return.
    ‘Fine! I will play the dutiful wife one last time. But then I am so done with him!’
    ‘That’s my girl! Now hop off and fix your panties,’ he says as he playfully slaps my ass.
    ‘Ow! Just as well I like you Mr. Shore.’
    ‘And I you Kate.’ His eyes roam over me appreciatively and I blush under his gaze. I open the car door and get up to stand on wobbly legs. He smirks, pleased that he is the source of my instability. I wait for him to lock the car while I right my dress and then let him lead the way back to the party that is going on in the building above us.
     
    For now we reluctantly part ways, but we are happy in the knowledge that tomorrow promises to be the start of a whole new future for both of us.

Six
     
    Harold didn’t arrive home until three a.m. I can only surmise he was spending his time with the woman from the charity event. This is no surprise as I have come to expect this behavior from him. I purposely set his alarm to wake him later than usual. This way he will be rushed to get to work and hopefully forget his briefcase. All my plans rest on the hope that he will telephone and request I bring it to him.
     
    I nurse a cup of tea with bated breath as he rushes out the door while doing his tie. The company car has been waiting for half an hour now to take him to the office so I know he will be well and truly late. The car door slams and gravel kicks up as they head off down the driveway. I exhale and rush to hit the shower.
     
    I put on a pair of tailored pants with a severe business shirt. The bold red lippy is applied and I top the crème blouse off with a simple string of freshwater pearls. I wear my hair á la Katharine Hepburn i.e. down, wavy and side parted like she did in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. My overall look is sophisticated with an aura of power. Perfect.
     
    The bar stool at the kitchen bench is where I seat myself as I wait for his call. My bright red nails drum the counter top impatiently and I am startled out of my reverie the minute my phone starts to chirp loudly. It is Harold. He wants me to bring him his brief case for his meeting.
     
    ‘Of course,’ I chime, before disconnecting. Blood begins to course through my body rapidly and I have to take a few steadying breaths to calm myself. You can do this, for God’s sake Katherine, get a grip!
     
    I hurry to my bedside drawer and grab the documents Jake has given me the week before. This is going to be the nail in Harold’s coffin. I put the papers into Harold’s briefcase and rush to my car.
     
    Show time.
     
    ****
     
    Margaret Dawson, Harold’s secretary is waiting behind the desk in reception and she greets me kindly.
    ‘Good morning Mrs. Sable, Mr. Sable has asked you to wait here until he comes out for his briefcase.’
    ‘Of course Margaret, that’s no problem.’ I smile like butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth. The all-important briefcase is placed next to me on the floor as I take up residence in a chair closest to the boardroom door.
     
    Patience is not a shining virtue of mine, but I try to exercise some as I glue my ear to the chatter seeping through from the other side. I know the top