Her Secret Affair

Chapter 3

"I've invited him over for a drink since it's been a while since we've seen him," he continued, "Have you already started preparing dinner? Because we could just order some take out and save you the trouble." Her heart was already pounding frantically at hearing his name. She barely heard a word after Joseph said he had invited Frankie over. What is he thinking? Why didn't he just say that he couldn't come because he has things to do? Why? Why? Why?

She must have told Joseph that she had already started preparing dinner and it should be enough for Frankie to get some because she found herself hanging up the phone and pulling out an extra plate from the kitchen cabinet. She moved without thinking, her mind a blur, her thoughts an array of confusion. She must have known this would happen one day. Frankie and Joseph knew each other from University all those years ago. They were not best friends, but they shared the same group of friends and hung out often during their first year. They were bound to bump into each other, just as she had bumped into him six months ago at that workshop.

She heard his car pulling up the driveway. Wiping her hands, she went to sit next to her son. "Focus on Nicholas," she kept repeating in her mind. As the door opened, she turned around. She watched Joseph walk in, bags in hand, hoping that the man that had sent her world in a circle of confusion and chaos had denied the invitation. She saw his eyes searching for hers as he walked in closely behind Joseph. As they connected, she felt that heat within her. The one that only Joseph could ignite in the past.

He strode in, invading the sanctity of her home, with his devilish grin and piercing eyes. "Hey Brianna, it's been a while".

She froze. Trying to regain her composure, trying to act normal, "Hi Frankie. It's been a while." "Since the conference right?" Joseph asked. Momentarily surprised, Frankie did not miss a beat. He hadn't realised that Brianna had told Joseph that she saw him there. He couldn't believe that she did. Not after what happened there.

Six months ago...

It was Brianna's third work conference that year. Although it was being held in the same city, her boss thought it was better if she stayed at the hotel for the week, to reduce commuting time, especially since most events finished late in the evenings. She had not wanted to go to this conference in the first place, much less stay at the hotel by herself. She and Joseph were in a rough patch at that time, they had started arguing more than usual. It happened sometimes. They'd argue for a day or two, be moody for the remainder of the week, and then things will just naturally go back to normal. Their arguments normally rose from petty things, so it was never serious.

But this time it was.

"I'm tired of us just going through the motion of this relationship. It's like we are together but not really together," Brianna had told him.

"What more do you want from me, Brie? Aren't you happy? We have a child together, we have built a home together. What else do you need?"

"And for you, that is enough? What about us? As a couple? What do we have? We barely do anything together. You are always too tired for me. What man tells his girlfriend that he is too tired to have sex with her? Are you not attracted to me anymore? Don't I turn you on? You used to love fooling around with me. But ever since I've had Nicholas, it's like all you see me as is the mother of your child. What about the woman that I am?"

"Brie, honey, of course I still find you attractive. You know how much pressure I am under to get this merger completed successfully. I have the chance to make partner at the firm. So, I'm sorry if you've felt like I didn't want you anymore. That's not the case. Things will be better once this is done."

"No, Joe. It is always something. If it's not a merger, it is a big financial investment deal. There is always an excuse why you're too tired. When is the last time you even tried to sleep with me?"

"We just slept together two weeks ago."

"Just slept together two weeks ago? Joe, two weeks is a long time. And it wasn't even you that made a move on me. I'm the one that had to keep touching you and kissing you for you to have sex with me. When is the last time you wanted to make love to me? To make things worse, each time we have sex it keeps feeling like it is just an obligation for you. Just fuck her and she'll stop complaining for a while." she mocked.

"Brie, look at me. I love you. I love our son. I love our life together. I'm sorry if I'm not always thinking about sex. I told you I have so much going on at the office."

"It's ok Joe. I must be the problem. But at one point in our lives, you couldn't keep your hands off me."

With her own unsatisfactory sex life, she did not want to go spend a week alone in a hotel room. She had suggested to Joseph that they leave Nicky with his mum for the week, and he could come spend the nights with her at the hotel, thinking that some time alone will bring back the spark. However, he wanted to stay home with Nicholas.

**********

It was on the third day of the conference that she saw him, standing at the registration table, taking his credentials. "Frankie?" He turned around, and his face lit up as soon as he saw her. "Brie! Look at you! Looking all grown up. Wow. You still look like you did ten years ago."

At the mention of this, Brianna blushed. When things between her and Joseph died out after the first year of university, Frankie was the one who helped her through it. Joseph knows that. What he doesn't know is that one night, Frankie and her had had too much to drink. After drunkenly tripping over her rug and falling into his lap, she'd impulsively kissed him. Before they both realised it, he was inside her. Plunging deep within her, moaning her name, trying to tame the flames between her legs. They had a wild night which they decided shouldn't have happened, and should never be mentioned again. They remained close friends throughout the remainder of university, the ghost of Joseph between them. After university, they drifted apart, both focus on their careers.

Frankie smiled, realising the reason for her flaming cheeks. "So, how have you been? How's the family?" He noticed her slight hesitation before she told him that everything was going great. She and Joseph were happy, their son had just turned three the month before. Everything was just great.

"Look Brie, I'd love to catch up with you some more later. I have to make a presentation at today's session and stay throughout, but can we have a drink later on? I'm staying the rest of the week here, but I can drop you home afterward if it's too late for you to drive."

"Oh, what a coincidence. I'm also actually staying at the hotel this week. My boss thought it would be easier rather than driving back and forth. I can meet you in the lobby after the last session. Say 8?"

"I should thank your boss," Frankie winked. They agreed on the time and she watched him stride towards the conference room. Why did she have to tell him that she is staying here, she kicked herself. Heading in the same direction, Brianna quietly walked in a took her seat at the front of the room, unable to take her eyes off of him.