Clyde Van Nuesen couldn't believe the interesting turn of events. It had been a few weeks since he'd seen Martha and her friend at the hotel and now here he was attending a dinner party at Martin Cook's home and watching the beguiling Martha and the buxom beauty Saundra Cook in the same room together! That day at the hotel had created an enticing perspective on the very possible clandestine adventures of the two women. And after he had met with Mr. Johnson who so graciously recommended Martin Cook to take care of his contractual legal needs, he was even more curious as to the goings on between his lawyer's wife and sweet Martha. The conversation had been interesting as Mr. Johnson made casual mention that Martin's wife gave the most lovely, fulfilling dinner parties and he would suggest to Martin to invite his new client to his next gathering soon.
During the evening he truly appreciated Saundra's graciousness and the beautifully prepared and very delicious dinner. As there were other clients of the firm at the party their attorneys were also in attendance, including Martha. He tried hard not to be obvious as he watched the two women. During cocktails before dinner, as he talked with Martin, he saw Martha follow Saundra into the kitchen and wondered what transpiring between them as the swinging door closed behind them.
"Clyde, I'm pleased that you could join us tonight," Martin said as he handed his newest, very wealthy client a drink. "It's been very interesting to learn about your field of work." Martin smiled and looked Clyde in the eyes, gauging his character. Mr. Johnson had said Martin's work for Clyde would be quite financially lucrative if Martin showed his new client his appreciation. Then Mr. Johnson had laughed and looked at the picture of Saundra on Martin's desk.
"You come highly recommended, Martin. Mr. Johnson had nothing but glowing appraisal of your work." Clyde paused to sip his drink and glance at the kitchen door. "You have a lovely home and a very congenial wife. You are a lucky man. It can be difficult these days to find such a warm and beautiful woman who is willing to work just as hard as her husband in making their lives successful. I was one of the unfortunate ones who had a wife who was only out for herself. Not a team player, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, it's important for a man's wife to be willing to support him in his endeavors. Saundra is very willing in that respect." Both men laughed softly as they sipped their drinks. "Listen, Clyde, tonight might afford you the opportunity to find out what I mean about Saundra." He smiled and turned in time to see his wife come from the kitchen and walk toward him. "Saundra, this is my newest client, Clyde Van Nuesen, Clyde, this is Saundra."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Van Nuesen," Saundra's voice was friendly yet her stance was very formal as she reached out to shake Clyde's hand. He took her hand in his and felt her warm, soft skin, and smiled.
"It's good to meet you, too. You have a lovely home which befits a charming hostess," he complimented her and held her hand for a few more seconds than what seemed appropriate for a first meeting. Saundra felt a shiver course through her, anticipating another night of a not so pleasing encounter. She noticed the look of expectation in Martin's eyes as he looked from her to his client, then back at her. She unconsciously looked around the room and found Martha talking to other guests and Clyde followed her gaze.
"Martin, dinner is ready. Would you please have everyone come to the table?" Saundra excused herself and went back to the kitchen to begin serving dinner.
"Absolutely charming," Clyde said as he watched Saundra stop to make small talk with guests on her way back to the kitchen. He admired her full figure in the dark blue dress that gently hugged her every curve. The way he looked at Saundra did not go unnoticed by Martin.
"Thank you, Clyde. You might engage her attention later, after dinner, and find her very pleasing." He grinned knowingly at his client, tipping him off to something more satisfying than the sumptuous meal Saundra had prepared.
Saundra sat at the table and played the role of the graceful hostess. However, inside, she felt quite agitated and wished she could find the courage to refuse Martin's expectations. She was mostly silent throughout dinner, her attention drifting from Martha to Clyde and even catching Mr. Johnson and Martin gazing at her then over at Clyde. She desperately wished she could stop it all, stop being Martin's whore for his clients. She knew Martin would never change and enjoy a loving, respectful relationship with her. It was frustrating for her to understand why she continued in her role in her loveless, abusive marriage. Although Martin continued to abase her with the idea that she was not smart enough, or good enough to live without him and the life he provided, a part of her rejected those ideas. She had just not found a way to overcome her fear that he might be right.
Yet, her self-confidence was growing. Anthony had given her encouragement and made her gradually realize that she was a strong, smart, lovely woman who could be successful at whatever challenge she chose to undertake. However, on nights such as this, being thrown into a mix of people who were strangers and those she did know, her confidence was shaky as she was a pleaser and was stressed that everything went well. Part of her concern was that Martin was pleased because if he wasn't she was sure to suffer the consequences. But part of it was that she truly wanted the dinner to be a success and in turn make her a success on her own.
As always, after she cleared the last dessert plate from the table, Martin followed her into the kitchen. He pinned her between his body and the sink and kissed her hard. His hands ran over her body and squeezed and pinched her flesh. He sighed and looked into her eyes and smiled wickedly at her.
"Tonight my slut, you are going to pleasure a very wealthy man. In fact, you are going to give him such great satisfaction that he will not mind the enormous sum per hour that it will cost him to get his contracts in legal order. I know you will not fail me, or him." Martin took the tray of coffee cups and turned to go back out to the living room. Saundra felt tears burning her eyes. This had to stop; somehow, she had to make it stop. For tonight she would go through the humiliation of servicing her success-hungry husband's client. But soon, it was going to end, no matter what.
She felt wooden as she took a second tray with the coffee pot, sugar, cream, and spoons and followed Martin out of the kitchen. When they reached the living room she glanced at Martha who smiled warmly at her. Saundra felt a pang of longing to be in a quiet, safe place with her, or better yet, with her true Master. Although Saundra smiled back at Martha, the petite brunette noticed the sadness in her Mistress's eyes as she excused herself and walked down the long hall to the master bedroom. After several minutes Martha got up from the couch and began to follow Saundra but Martin stopped her.
"Martha, the guest restroom is the first door on the right," Martin's voice was quiet but firm. She wondered at his expression, as if he was almost commanding her to only venture as far as the guest restroom. As she went in the direction to which Martin had insisted she noticed Mr. Van Nuesen rise from his chair and quietly speak with Martin. As Martha entered the restroom and closed the door she saw Mr. Van Nuesen walk down the hall towards the back of the house. She couldn't help wonder what was going on between him, Martin, and Saundra. Saundra had not looked at all happy when she left her guests. Something was terribly wrong and Martha needed to find out what was taking place. She stayed in the restroom for a few minutes then opened the door and peeked out to see all the guests engaged in conversation and Martin's back facing her. She quietly slipped out and followed the hall towards the back bedrooms.
Saundra steeled herself to the shame she was about to endure as she heard someone enter the bedroom and approach the bathroom. She was not surprised to see Mr. Van Nuesen standing in the doorway. His expression was peculiar and made her highly uncomfortable, he was not looking or acting like the others Martin had sent her way in the past. She remained silent trying to resign herself to whatever he might demand.
"I have a confession to make," he said softly. When Saundra did not respond he stepped closer and took her hand in his. "I've seen you before. I've seen you at a hotel downtown." He noticed her stiffen at his words and she looked away. "I have wondered what your business was, coming out of the elevator with one of Martin's co-workers. What was most interesting was that it was a female with whom you departed out of the hotel."
"I don't know what you mean," she whispered. Her heart began to pound in her chest realizing someone had seen her and Martha and possibly put two and two together. She could not bring herself to look him in the eyes. She was filled with dread that her secret might be revealed to Martin.
