CH 36

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A year later...

The clang of metal bars echoes around me. The burly guard, who towers over me, ushers my nervous body through one gate to another. Directly in front of me is another tall man, dressed in the same brown shirt uniform, checks the bags of everyone in the line before allowing them to enter into the next adjoining room. The tension filled chatter circles the space and apprehensive eyes survey the dull, lifeless, intimidating building. If Lisa found out I was here, she would undoubtedly have a coronary, not to mention my behind would be aching for days.

"Ma'am." The guard murmurs as he waits for me to hand over my purse. He runs the hand-held scanner over the Hermes as a female guard pats me down; no doubt checking to see if I am smuggling any illegal paraphernalia. Once I receive the all clear, I follow the rest of the group into a room which is lined with a wall in the centre, effectively cutting it in half, and sectioned off into booths. I take my place and nervously pick at my fingernails. Over the past few days, this moment has been replayed constantly in my head; to the point where sleep has eluded me. Lisa has been oblivious to my dilemma as she prepares to host a multi-billion dollar takeover; this deal has effectively stolen my wife away from me, I haven't spent more than a few hours with her for nearly two weeks and my poor neglected body is crying out for some loving and her touch. When this take over was first brought to my attention, I immediately had reservations; Lisa explained, in very simple terms, that it sets to make us one of the richest and most powerful couples in the world and our net worth at an estimated twenty three billion dollars. I know my wife probably assumed that I would immediately leap into her waiting arms, and then whisk her upstairs to have crazy, wild sex on a bed of hundred dollar bills, but that is just not me. The money isn't important to me. Not one little bit. I would be happy and content if we lost it all tomorrow. As long as my loved ones were healthy and settled and I still had Lisa by my side I would be fine, great even, but this is my life now and I have to get used to it, and the fact that currently Lisa has moved into Manoban Headquarters. Her absence is the reason why I am able to slip out and come here. Larry has been sworn to secrecy.

Last Tuesday Rosé, who is now my personal assistance, waltzed into my office, baby on hip, and handed me a bunch of envelopes which had been sitting in my mail box for over a week. Rosé isn't the best assistant in the world; in fact I would go as far as to say she is almost inept. This all came about after Jisoo and Rosé's gorgeous daughter, Jessica, was born, Rosé found herself reluctant to go back to full time work because she couldn't, understandably, bear being away from Jess. I offered her the opportunity of a part time assistant job with the added bonus of a crèche which I had given the go ahead, only weeks before, on the floor above the office. The prime location suited everyone and incorporated the message I am tirelessly trying to promote. I champion women in the workplace and anything I can do to encourage more ladies to come back to work after having children I will do; the crèche is inexpensive and allows the mothers to be near their children at all times and so far it has proved to be a huge success. When I first pitched the idea to Lisa I was sure she would laugh in my face and lecturer me about an unfocused workforce and creating an unnecessary distraction but instead she gave me the biggest smile and her complete approval; she even went as far as to say she was proud of me and may install a similar set up at LMH. So now Rosé works for me three days a week and Jess attends the daycare. The pile of unopened mail sat on my desk for the next two hours because I was in and out of meetings all day. When I finally had some spare time to deal with the mountain of letters, I came across one which had my heart racing and palms sweating. After the reveal, dark memories haunted my thoughts for days, the fear rising within me and the terror I thought I had buried a long time ago, resurfaced. With the help of Dr. Bam and a few choice words with myself in the mirror, I summoned up the courage to face the demon head on. Literally.

TEMPTATION | JENLISA G!P (COMPLETE)Where stories live. Discover now