With a line of students out the door and a completely full inbox, today was busier than usual at the office for Kate. Fortunately, she was set to attend a continuing education workshop in the Berkshires for the next two days. She was looking forward to stepping out of the rate race. Further, these "continuing education" workshops were something of a joke. Like most attendees, who would include academic advisors from all around the nation, she would most likely just register and obtain her name tag, sit in on a session or two on the first day, take the free meals and beverages and, otherwise, have much-needed relaxation time.
She was looking forward to this particular workshop because her good friend Theresa, another academic advisor in her office, was set to join her. They had rooms booked at the Holiday Inn in Lennox and they had appointments for both spas and pedicures all set.
The venue for the workshop was a renowned naturalistic conference center set near the top of a mountain, at over 2,000' above sea level. Apparently, this mountain was sitting in view of Herman Melville when he wrote Moby Dick in this area decades prior. Kate and Theresa were, needless to say, quite looking forward to their little "workshop" getaway.
...
Buzz buzz buzz
Kate grabbed her phone to check this new text. Immediately, she was not happy that she had done so.
"The flu ... My temp is 102 and I have been vomiting all morning. Sorry, Kate. I can't go to workshop."
Theresa's text hit Kate like a ton of bricks. Well, maybe more like a bag of socks, but still, this was disappointing. Theresa and Kate had worked together for nearly a decade. Like Kate, Theresa was also married with two teenagers. And she was absolutely hysterical and was a delight to be around. Especially after a few glasses of Chardonnay at a workshop event. Darn, Kate thought.
"So sorry to hear this, Theresa. I will have to make do! Will miss you," Kate replied.
Truth told, Kate was really disappointed and her first thought was that she didn't even want to go to the workshop herself at this point. She sighed, looked out her door, and pleasantly asked the next student to come in.
The next text in Kate's little iPhone would change things completely.
...
Buzz buzz buzz.
Kate was meeting with a student but, like any cell-phone-addicted American these days, she just had to check her new text.
"It's been nearly a week since I've seen my beautiful Kate. When are you free, my love?" asked Michael.
Kate's eyes nearly popped open. She gasped audibly.
Damn, she should not have looked at this text, she thought.
"Is everything OK?" the 18-year-old blonde aspiring pre-med major who sat across from her asked.
"Yes. Sorry about that. Yes. Everything is fine. Just fine. Now, have you taken AP Biology in high school?" ...
Kate recovered well from this one. But that text from Michael immediately put her into simmer mode. The second that she had a free moment, she got right back to the man whom she loved.
"Michael, kind of last minute, but I will be in the Berkshires the next two days. Can you possibly join?"
After she hit send, she realized that this request was actually quite a long shot. Michael came to the US for a reason. His firm is beginning the design on a new complex of skyscrapers on the West Side. He was a busy man, she thought.
Yet just as quickly as she prepared herself for disappointment, Michael's response came through. And it was not exactly the negative response that Kate prepared herself for.
"Sure. Anything for my love. I will fetch us a car. And a house. Let me know when we will depart."
Kate was stunned. Did she read this correctly? Was she in for a New England weekend getaway with Michael? She could only imagine the house that he'd rent for them. Her mind raced, with emotions spinning in all directions.
"Kate. Kate! I asked if I could come in. Please. Are you OK?" asked Kate's supervisor Judy, standing at the doorway.
Kate looked up and realized that she must be distracted.
"Oh, sorry Judy. Sure, come in. Take a seat."
"Kate, I'm not sure if you've heard, but Theresa has fallen ill and she won't be able to join you at the workshop in the Berkshires. She's got a fever of over 102, apparently," Judy said.
She went on: "I'm hoping that you're still up for attending to represent the university. It's very important that we have representation. I know that it might be a drag to have to go solo ..."
If Judy only knew!
"No problem," Kate responded. "I'm planning to attend in any case. I'll make the most of it."
"Great, thanks so much. You're a star," was Judy's response. Kate smiled humbly. If Judy only knew the full story! she thought.
...
It was 7:00am and Kate was slated to meet Michael at the train station parking area by 7:30. She had been up since 5:45 getting ready. A long drive to Massachusetts with Michael sounded simply delicious and she wanted to be fully presentable.
Kate found her matching red satin panties and bra set that she put on as the foundation. This was followed by new black stockings, a sexy black business skirt, and a silky off-white button up with a low cut, hinting at the sexy red bra below.
Kate straightened her hair into silky brown strands with sexy blonde and red hints. And she went a little heavier on the makeup than she usually would for a continuing education workshop.
Her overnight bag included her best pieces of lingerie, her toy (if needed), and her luxurious princess ring and necklace, gifted to her by Michael over the past several months. She was ready for Michael. And ready to do his bidding fully. For two full days. The thought of it made her tremble with excitement.
...
When the Rolls Royce pulled up to her in the parking lot, she guessed that she should not be surprised. But she couldn't help but to gasp at its arrival. She was not expecting this.
Always the true gentleman, Michael got out of the car and opened the door for his lady. He threw her bags into the trunk and they took off for the hills of New England.
The ride was dreamy. It was a picture-perfect sunny day with blue skies and glorious forests in all directions. Kate and Michael were thrilled to be with one another and they held hands, provocatively, and laughed and talked the whole ride up. The driving was smooth as silk and the journey to the Berkshires was, in a word, magical.
Michael dropped Kate off at the workshop venue with plans to pick her up at about noon. Watching him drive off in that Rolls Royce was simply luscious to Kate's eyes.
"Hi. Are you here for the workshop?" asked the attendant at the desk. He was Antonio, according to his nametag, and he was quite striking. He was a tall young African American man with a contagious smile. Kate was happy to meet him!
"Yes, I'm signed up for the full two days. Please let me know if there's anything else I need to do," Kate said.
Antonio signed her in, gave her a tote bag with some standard workshop items (pens, a pad, a program, etc.), and pointed her toward the main conference room. Kate smiled and followed his guidance to a large room with about 100 seats. The opening session would begin momentarily. Kate figured that she could attend and get the most out of this morning session and then cut out for an afternoon in New England with her true love. Life was grand.
...
Michael picked Kate up right at noon on cue. The large dark grey Rolls looked unreal as it pulled in front of the convention center. Antonio, the workshop attendant, seemed impressed and he actually stepped outside to catch a look and to open the door for Kate, who very much appreciated his hospitality. And his smile!
Michael asked if Kate wanted to go straight to lunch or back to the house to unpack. Kate had snacked a bit at the workshop and was ready to get her stuff settled into the house.
The Rolls sleekly navigated the windy country roads of western Mass, up and down hill after hill, following stunning vista after stunning vista. At some point, the car headed up a steep, windy, wooded road. The house must be up this way, Kate thought.
After a solid two miles, the house hit Kate's visual field like a ton of bricks. The large contemporary with ample windows in all directions stood like a monument at the top of the hill. Surrounded by a perfectly manicured lawn. The house was stunning, and Kate found herself OK not staying in the Holiday Inn!
...
A classic post-and-beam style, the inside was just as gorgeous as the outside was. And it was meticulously appointed. Granite, bamboo, cherry, and oak - only the finest materials comprised this luxurious estate. And the sun's rays amplified everything. Entering this abode took Kate's breath away.
"Care for a mid-day cocktail, Kate?" Michael asked.
In the sun-filled living area of this house, Michael literally looked like a dream. He was wearing a sharp black summer button-up along with snug-fitting khakis that clearly were designer brand. The only thing brighter than the sunshine on this day was Michael's smile as he looked at Kate.
"If you're joining!" was Kate's quick response.