His Weakness, Her Liberation

The Retreat

Janeé

My birthday turned out to be a mess after I saw Michael, but thankfully after visiting my family for Thanksgiving, I was feeling much better. I took some time to really think about what I wanted from Michael and I decided it was just sex. I'm in my early 30s, when women reach their sexual peak, what I was doing with Michael was obviously a side effect of that fact.

I was glad I was finally clear about what this was for me because I'd see Michael in a few days for my job's annual winter retreat. The retreat was a big deal and usually a lot of fun because we stayed at a beautiful resort in the north Georgia mountains and had more fun than work. Michael and I were charged with presenting the first year's plans for his pledge to the board of directors. We'd discussed what each of us would work on before Michael went on his break before my birthday and would put the finishing touches on the presentation once we got to the mountains. I hadn't heard from Michael since my birthday and was unsure about he felt after the way things ended in the club. I knew he was a man of his word and would be there, but I was still surprised to see him walk through the doors of the resort on check-in day.

He took my breath away. I had gone longer periods of time without seeing him, but he seemed different to me. I started to beat myself up thinking that I was unsure about what I thought I was sure about before I saw him. Michael is an abnormally attractive man I told myself and no matter how good he looked, I couldn't let that make me forget what I decided was my truth about our relationship.

"Hi Michael."

"Hi," he said coldly, never stopping as he made his way to the check-in counter.

Ok. I sort of expected that after our last encounter. I waited for him to finish before trying to engage him again.

"How was your Thanksgiving?"

"It was fine Janeé." He said my name with annoyance and never looked up from his phone screen.

"Mine was awesome. I got a chance to--"

He cut my unwelcome sharing short. "That's great. Can you schedule a time with my assistant so we can discuss the presentation? Thanks."

"Your assistant?" I asked puzzled.

He never responded and got on the elevator without giving me a second look.

I was furious. How dare he dismiss me like that. I never had to schedule anything with his assistant before and I damn sure wasn't about to start now. I wanted things to be normal between us, but he was going too much. I over heard his room number while he was checking in and I had the mind to go cuss him out, but I decided to chill. Maybe he was just cranky from the plane ride.

There was an opening session tonight and I thought maybe I would try talking to him again. I really wanted things to be OK between us. He was a few minutes late, so when he arrived the room filled with excitement at the sight of him. I'd gotten to know him so personally over the last six months that I sometimes forgot he was a famous person. We rarely talked about that part of his life, so it amazed me at how people were so excited to see him. How soon I forgot that I was same with him a short time ago. He was all smiles, talking selfies and shit, showing off those dimples. He made his way around the crowded room greeting everyone when I thought, OK he seems to be in a better mood. Maybe tonight will be better than earlier. I was wrong.

Ms. Austin insisted he sit between us. He greeted her with a hug and peck on the cheek and he barely glanced my way as he sat down. I couldn't take this treatment anymore.

As the speaker got up on the podium, I whispered, "Are you mad at me?"

He didn't move, he didn't respond. Nothing. It was like I wasn't even there. I wanted to scream.

"I know you heard me and I'd like an answer."

Still nothing.

"Michael!" I said in an elevated whisper, loud enough for me to receive a side eye from Ms. Austin. I flashed a fake smile her way and directed my attention back to him.

He firmly grabbed my thigh. His hand was warm on my exposed leg. "Not here," he replied through tight lips.

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Michael

Janeé was really testing me. Just being around her was hard. I was trying to find an excuse to miss this retreat, but I couldn't back out, I wouldn't feel good about bailing. This was about the community. When I saw her earlier I was filled with so much anger. It was like the night of her birthday had just happened again. She looked great though. I could tell she was losing some weight, but I didn't want her to get too much smaller. I was attracted to her the first moment I saw her all those months ago in Miami.

Alex and I had gotten into a good groove during the few weeks I was at home. I was really enjoying feeling like I was getting to know her again. I forgot how creative she is. She spent time helping me write a script, which forced us to spend a lot of time together. We just hung around my place writing, eating and fucking. I didn't feel pressure to be anything to her and I appreciated her for letting us just be. She told me she was nervous about me coming back to Atlanta, but I assured her we were in a good place again. I honestly thought I'd be able to come here and be around Janeé without feeling a way but I was wrong. After she made a scene tonight, I knew she wasn't going to let me be.

After the opening session Ms. Austin informed Janeé and I that our presentation was moved up to tomorrow morning, which meant Janeé and I would have to work together tonight to pull things together. I told her to meet me in common area on the floor we were staying in at 9.

"Ok, I think we should open the presentation with a short story about one of the school children that came to the office to pull the board in with a human connection," I said as I noticed Janeé staring at me. It was like she was looking straight through me.

"Why are you treating me like this Michael? What did I do to make you act like this towards me?"

She questioned me like she was the victim or something. Her innocent tone pissed me off. I was not ready to have this conversation yet.

"You're not being professional Janeé. Get yourself together." She looked like she could cry but she never let a tear drop. As if a flipped switch in her head, she replied, "You're right. Let's finish this presentation." We finished without another word about us.

The next morning we planned to meet outside a conference room the presentation was supposed to be in. I got there before Janeé and was left breathless as she walked towards me. She wore a red business suit that fit her body like a glove and she had this no-play attitude that was attractive as fuck. I wanted to compliment her but thought that wasn't a good idea. I saw Ms. Austin walking towards us excited but I could tell something was up.

"Good morning you two! I have some great news, the board decided that they'd like for you to give your presentation to the entire organization this morning! That's why we moved you up in the schedule."

She beamed with excitement. I looked at Janeé and I could tell she was uncomfortable with the idea.

"That won't be a problem will it?" Ms. Austin asked like we really had a choice. Janeé apprehensively shook her head no. "Great, be ready in 15 minutes."

She left and Janeé started pacing back in forth. She was making me nervous now. Finally she sat down in a chair just outside the hall where we were to give our presentation. I didn't enjoy seeing her like this, I wanted to help calm her nerves. I sat next her her, expecting her to spring out of her seat after the way I treated her yesterday. She didn't and it seemed like her breathing was slowing down a bit. Her clasped hands were bouncing up and down in her lap because she couldn't stop moving her legs. I slid my hand between hers and interlocked our fingers until her legs stopped shaking.

She looked up at me doe-eyed.

"I--"

"It's time!" Ms. Austin sang. Janeé snatched her hands away from mine and the moment was lost.

I think I successfully calmed Janeé down because she killed the presentation. The crowd didn't stand a chance against her charm up there and I was afraid neither did I. We were the perfect team improvising, answering questions and sometimes even finishing each other's sentences. The energy we created was magnetic and I never had been more attracted to her than I was up there with her. I watched her every move on stage and began second-guessing my decision to focus on Alexandra.