The Affair

Chapter 9.1 - Together

Friday, June 10, 2022, 3:45pm

After a grueling week, Friday swings in with much anticipation. Their weekend together had finally come, and Fallon is giddy for the workday to end.

She had met Mr. Reiner in the parking garage in the morning to stow her weekend bag, and they made a plan to leave for the hotel together at 4:00pm. The day passes at a snail's pace, but now the final few minutes tick down. Anxious and eager, she taps her feet as she watches the clock with an eagle's eye.

Vzz-vzzz.

Her eyes are pulled to her rumbling phone, noticing the blue text bubble appear. A text from him! Reading the message—a request for her to come to his office—she smiles from ear to ear. She rises, brushing her bangs aside before adjusting her flowing skirt. Feeling in proper order, she gives one last glance into her mirror.

"Pretty."

At his door, she offers a light double-knock and enters only after hearing his approval. She finds him at his desk as she enters. His tall frame looms over his desk, eyes narrowed onto a document with purpose as she steps closers. Her gaze falls on his sturdy forearms, laid bare thanks to sleeves cuffed just under his elbows. She bites her lip.

He sighs as he tosses the paper away. It is a simple non-final rejection—a routine step in prosecution, and one he had anticipated given the subject matter and examiner on the case. And yet, his client insists that he give his guidance on the matter as soon as possible. The Japanese are a demanding lot, but they pay their bills. He is obliged to accept the request.

"Of all nights..."

His fingers rake through his hair, tousling the bangs a bit. He sees Fallon's figure enter the edges of his vision, and he straightens.

"Fallon, darling, come..." he says, beckoning her to circle around his desk.

"Yes, sir," she nods.

She whips around and stands to his side, hands held at her waist as she waits for further instruction. She studies him, gathering that he is in no mood for games. Against her own desires, she keeps a professional distance.

"Have we cleared our docket for today?" he asks, finally looking her way.

"Yes, sir!" she states, posturing with pride. "Everything that was due today has been filed and the clients have been emailed."

He claps his hands, pleased with her answer. "Yes! Good girl," he commends, reaching into his pants pocket. "Do you remember where I parked my car?"

"I do."

"Great, take these," he says, placing his car keys and work badge into her hands. "Take my car to the hotel and get yourself settled. Just go ahead and valet the car and have one of the workers help you with our bags. Check in at the front desk, the reservation is under both of our names so there shouldn't be any issues." William then pulls several bills from his wallet and hands it to Fallon. "Here's something for the bellhop."

"Understood, sir," she says, donning the cutest, most innocent smile William had ever seen. William's gaze stays on Fallon for a moment, studying the silly expression on her face. The girl rode the bus to work every day, and he could not, for the life of him, recall a time when she had mentioned driving or owning a car.

"Fallon... You do know how to drive, right?" he asks, now considering the very likely possibility that Fallon did not have a license.

"I do!" she cheers, unaffected by the patronizing nature of the question, "I mean... It's been a while, but I have a license and everything!"