"I'm having a company party this evening, but I'll be back from the office to change and relax a bit before going out."
As Betty climbed the corporate ladder she had to attend those more and more often. Eric was getting used to at least one evening every two weeks without his wife at home. Unlike Betty, he spent most of his time in their household, being a writer and having a luxury of working in his armchair or on the patio when the weather allowed. That is if he didn't have to do some research in a city library, but for the past few months he struggled with his next book and didn't go out much.
Today was no exception as he was still in his pajamas watching his beautiful wife getting ready for the office. And the image before his eyes was very much worth watching. In her mid-thirties Betty has never looked better. She's always been tall and athletic, but now with her newly gained self confidence - due to her success at work being one of the senior executives and on her way to the Board - and her new wardrobe of expensive elegant power suits she was a sight to behold. Eric felt his member getting hard watching her getting ready to conquer.
"Would you pick my dress form the dry cleaners? The ecru one, I'm planning to wear it for tonight event but I won't be able to pick it myself and have some time at home before the party."
Betty was putting the last touches on her makeup and out of the corner of her eye glimpsed at Eric's reflection in the mirror. She wasn't happy with what she saw. Still handsome and in good shape, his recent struggles with the new novel took toll on his image. This morning again he wasn't looking like his former self - unshaved, still sleepy in worn out pajamas, clearly lacking energy he used to have so much in the early years of their marriage. As if he lost his drive and purpose in life, wasn't entirely happy with what he's become, and at the same time was clearly unhappy with what he hadn't become. Not that he was ever determined or pursued his goals with vision - unlike his wife, Eric was a dreamer - always lots of ideas on his mind but lacking the willpower to achieve them. Trying his luck in business and corporate world he was fairly successful at the beginning, but quickly lost his motivation with first few setbacks he encountered. Eventually decided to become a writer -something he always wanted to try, and surprisingly he took to it with focus and consistence. He published two fairly successful novels - a great source of pride for him and Betty, but hasn't been able to finish his latest book for over a year now, much to his own frustration and Betty's growing impatience.
The source of Betty's lately impatience with Eric wasn't about the book being published, or the income Eric would provide to the family budget. With every promotion Betty's, or Ms Elisabeth's - as she was referred to at the office - income increased significantly and now she made much more than Eric could have ever be able to. No, money was not the issue. Betty has always known that she is eventually going to be the main breadwinner in their marriage, part of her craved it and thought of it as fair that she - a woman would be the provider for her man. After so many years of wage discrimination against women in the labor market the scales have finally tipped - at least in her marriage. She loved her job - although often demanding effort and long hours - she felt very much on her rightful place: respected, even admired with many people dependant on her decisions - sort of responsibility she felt she was born to. However as she felt she was evolving, growing, moving forward, Eric on the other hand sort of stopped. As if he wasn't able to use his full potential.
Betty has always admired her husband - he was smart and funny, handsome and bold, caring and warm, both projecting self confidence on the outside and nursing many insecurities inside. It was a personality mix she loved, but also felt he's lost direction lately, kind off given up o himself. Which was so frustrating for her, as she wanted him to be her partner going to the top, happy and fulfilled in both professional and personal life.
"What's your plans for today honey? Gonna try to push the next chapter? "
"I hope so." Eric didn't like her pushing him too much, nor did he feel obliged to report his work progress to his wife. Let her knock herself out in the office and leave his own problems to him. To his relief she seemed to drop the subject, now putting on her black leather coat - another of her power clothing attributes - and walking to the garage. In her heels, Gucci suit and leather coat she looked magnificent. Eric knew he'll have a hard time not jerking off to this image when she leaves.
"Well, I'm off but I'll be a bit earlier today. Be ready for me babe." Betty gave him a brief kiss and got into her car. He watched as she put on driving gloves before firing up the engine of her new company car - she 's recently had it changed to even bigger one - and drive off.
*
Coming back home earlier Betty was in a great mood. Finally everything was going her way at work -after months of hard work she finally felt at the right place with things starting to get smooth, workload being done on time by her team. It was starting to feel not only as prestigious and exciting challenge, but also fun and surprisingly less demanding than what she had to deal with before she got her position. The work wasn't so hectic recently, and with her team set up properly on their tasks Betty found out she now had more time on her hands. Time she spent developing market strategies, but also considering some personal investments, and planning her day after work - something she hasn't had the luxury of for a long time.
Today was even better as she could call it a day earlier - to prepare for evening event. She enjoyed those business parties. Always in beautiful settings, good food, great drinks and many people to talk to - she felt like fish in the water on such occasions. Coming back home early also presented many possibilities - she hoped to have light dinner and spend some time with Eric, and if time allows have some quick but passionate sex. Eric was a caring and devoted lover, she loved his touch on her skin, his gentle mouth on her nipples, his broad shoulders when she embraced him, his eyes when he climaxed.
The mood was gone the minute she opened the front door. The house was a mess, with dirty dishes all around the kitchen and living room empty pizza box on a dirty floor.
Eric was on a couch watching TV, still in his pajamas, unshaved and all around unkempt as if he hasn't even taken a shower. Betty felt disappointed seeing him like that, seeing her husband stop taking care of himself. It was a striking contrast - she felt sophisticated and sexy in her elegant power suit, high heels, leather coat and gloves while he looked like a bum in his pajamas, unshaved and sprawled on a coach with a beer bottle in one hand and the remote in the other, watching a football match acknowledging her presence with just a nod, eyes fixed on TV screen.
"Is this how you spend your time when I'm gone?" Betty hardly contained her anger, she didn't want to shout on him, with her throat tight it was more of a growl that came out of her mouth. "Look what the house looks like!"
Eric just shot a glance all over the house before going back to watching the screen.
"I didn't know you'd be back so early, would've clean it up a bit after the match so you wouldn't have problem with the mess," he said.
